Around the mine the rugged rascal ran
Hammer, spike, and pickaxe in hand
Chip away, chip away tailings and ore
Time to forge a new iron door
Dagorat chugged his mead. The rugged rascal reminded him of Katrina indeed, chipping away the defensive walls around his heart. A young couple snogged in a darkened corner and he imagined cuddling with Katrina, pressing her close. He’d never had a woman in his life before. Quick trysts with village maidens, sure, but his heart had remained distant. Would Katrina even want him? Was it even wise to try? Easier to capture a manticore. For Korak’s sake, she’d even kneed him in the balls. Yet her fierceness drew him like a vast golden treasure calls to a dragon.
He pictured himself settling down with her, raising children, and making a home. Most people didn’t understand the simple joys of a normal life. He snorted, thinking of the man he’d overheard in the Sword and Anvil earlier, complaining about his family holding him back from a life of adventure. Fool. All the stories always sounded much more exciting than the reality. The fear, the danger, the long, lonely hours – those never got included. And here he was, getting ready for another “adventure.” The wrong time to think of romance, much less settling down. Surrounded by smiling faces, he shrugged off his thoughts and ordered another mead, then another, and then another.
CHAPTER 9
AFFECTION’S AFFLICTIONS
DAGORAT DRIFTED AWAKE. THE LIGHT shining through the window told him he had slept most of the morning away. He rushed downstairs and found his friend relaxing with a cup of tea. Around a slurp, Cyril said, “Good afternoon.”
“Afternoon? Is it midday already?”
“Well, almost.”
“I have to hurry to get to the square for midday, then. I’m meeting Katrina.”
Cyril studied him inquisitively. “I assume you didn’t find the Orb last night, or you would have woken me. Did something else happen with her?”
Dagorat tipped his chin and hoped he wasn’t blushing. “Aye.”
The schoolmaster’s face again. “All business and no pleasure, I hope?”
“Business.” He halted further discussion with a wave of his hand. “I need a quick wash and some fresh clothes. Be right back.”
“Of course. You want to look your best,” Cyril teased as Dagorat dashed upstairs. “Pick out something that doesn’t clash with your black eye.”
He yelled down from his room. “How many times must I ask you to spare me your wit ’til mid…oh, forget it.” Within minutes he clattered downstairs, washed, dressed and ready to head out. “How about lunch after our meeting?”
Cyril finished his tea and stood to join him. “Yes, we need to see Lilly as well.” A hint of worry lingered in his voice.
Liberon’s story about Lilly in the Thieves’ Guild must have upset Cyril. What an afternoon this would be. First Katrina, then Lilly, and neither meeting promised to go well. His appetite for the Sword and Anvil faded. Dagorat sighed and opened the door. There stood Felix with a fist in the air, about to knock. They startled each other, and the monk snorted.
“We don’t have time to stop for a chat, so tell us along the way,” Cyril told Felix. The three left together for Bister Square.
“Where’s Liberon?” Dagorat asked.
“He’s out garnering provisions for our journey.” Cyril smirked at Felix. “And from the gleeful expression on your face, you’re here to tell us about obtaining passage on the caravan.”
Felix laughed. “You should’ve seen the look on his face. How quickly it changed when I mentioned your name.” He stopped and imitated the caravan master, drawing himself up and puffing out his chest. With his hands on his hips, he said in a deep voice, “‘You! I thought I told you to go away.’” He strutted toward them. “And then he came over to me and said, ‘There’s nothing you can do to get on the next caravan, you fat little Gnome.’ That’s when some of the others standing around started laughing. So I walked right up to him and whispered that Cyril the Wise wanted passage. He made a face like this.” Felix exaggerated wide, popping eyes and a dropping jaw. “When the others saw him, they stopped laughing. And then he stammered, ‘Oh! Oh, w-well, anything for Cyril.’”
“Good old Darius,” Cyril said after the group stopped snickering. “Well done, Brother Felix.”
“The others didn’t hear you mention Cyril, did they?” Dagorat asked.
“No, they couldn’t have heard.”
As they passed the Sword and Anvil, Dagorat said, “I have to go to the square alone. Why don’t you two go visit a shop or a vendor’s wagon?”
“We’ll go to Bister Square with you, and spend some time in Abernathy’s,” Cyril said.
Strolling through the empty streets made yesterday’s hustle and bustle into a distant dream. The only people they came across were some hungover workmen sweeping up the discarded remnants of the celebration. The rasp of their brooms on the cobblestones echoed, the lone sound in the whole world.
Soon they reached the desolate square, where some frazzled bargain hunters buzzed around a smattering of bedraggled vendors. “Let’s split up now. Go to Abernathy’s,” Dagorat said. His companions departed and he scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Katrina.
He caught sight of her near a vendor’s wagon, quietly browsing. Dagorat came up from behind, ready to greet her, when she turned to him. Damn. No sneaking up on this one; another thing to admire. Offering a sugary smile, she asked, “How’s your head? And, um…?” She nodded toward his crotch.
For a second, he relived the pain from last evening, a sting in his nether regions, but refused to show it. “Better. Did you find out anything?”
Katrina shook her head. “Nothing. Shad…I mean our ‘friend’ can’t be found if he doesn’t want to be found. There’s no word about a huge bounty or reward, and no other news about a big job being done. I don’t think you’ll find him, or the Orb, in the city.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s too secret to be public. And too dangerous.” He debated telling her about their impending journey. But he still didn’t know how far to trust her.
“If anything should happen, I’ll knock on your door. Or should I say, Cyril’s door,” she said with a knowing smirk.
Dagorat’s head jerked back and he gave her an incredulous stare. “How could you possibly know? Who told you?”
“Nobody told me. I figured it out.”
He folded his arms. “How?”
“I knew the moment I woke up tied to the chair in that room. I recognized the aroma from the Sword and Anvil. No other tavern roasts pork with comina. It was wafting in through the window. Later, when I woke up in the alley, the smell still lingered. So I figured you must have been lazy and just dumped me right outside the house where you’d brought me. Cyril the Wise’s home. Did you think I wouldn’t figure it out?”
“No. I hoped you’d suspect that we brought you far away.” Despite himself, her cunning impressed him. I’ll never underestimate her again. With a jolt, he realized he wasn’t ready to say good-bye. “Are you hungry?”
“I could manage a bite.”
“Come on, then. We have to pick up some friends on the way.”
They headed toward Abernathy’s on the edge of the square. When they arrived, Dagorat peered through the window and found Cyril and Felix chattering with the proprietor. “It would be best to wait outside for them,” he told Katrina. She bobbed her head, and an awkward silence ensued. As it dragged on, he cast about for something to say. “I like the way the morning sun shines on your hair.” Nice, he congratulated himself. Women went for things like that.
A ghost of a smile flashed for an instant, and then morphed into an impish grin. “Aww, how nice. Keep it up and I’ll make you see stars again.” She eyeballed his crotch.
So…was that a threat? Or a promise? He was trying to think of a way to ask without getting hurt, when his friends emerged from the shop. Saved. Felix appeared baffled to find a woman there, w
hile Cyril put on a disapproving face. Best do introductions. “Katrina, this is Cyril the Wise. And our friend, Brother Felix.”
She made a good Mentirian bow and flashed a mischievous wink. “Nice to meet you under better circumstances.”
Felix acknowledged her greeting with a with a gentle nod, still mystified, and Cyril offered a curt bow. His focus shifted rapidly between Dagorat and Katrina. “How do you do.”
***
Only two other patrons graced the tavern this morning. No doubt most people remained in bed, sleeping off their overindulgences. Rindell brought them tea, took their orders and traipsed off to the kitchen. Katrina poured herself a cup and stirred in a pinch of sugar. She took an eager sip and scrunched her nose in the cutest way when it burned her tongue.
“Before we dine, I need to see Lilly,” Cyril said. Dagorat stood to join him, but the mage held up a hand. “No. I need to do this alone.” He took a deep breath and strode toward the kitchen.
Good luck, old friend.
***
Cyril froze at the threshold of the kitchen. He had never mustered the courage to reveal his heart to Lilly. Now he had come with questions bordering on accusations. Would it make her despise him? What would he do if it did? He swallowed against a sudden lump in his throat.
Lilly didn’t appear too busy, humming a soft melody from her homeland as she beat some eggs. She cocked her head at Cyril with a quizzically wrinkled brow. Her whisk came to an abrupt halt. “Good afternoon,” she said hesitantly.
“Hello, Miss Lilly. I must speak with you, because I need your help with something. Um…something rather important.”
“I need to keep cooking while we talk. Is that all right?” She poured the egg mixture into a hot pan.
Cyril agreed with a wave of his hand. “Why you were in the Thieves’ Guild last night?”
She threw the whisk into the bowl and stared at him, hands on her petite hips. “Why do you want to know? You don’t own me. After I close this kitchen, I go where I please and do as I please.”
Barely into the conversation and he’d already made her mad. He held his hands up in a placating gesture. “I’m not telling you how to live your life. This is about a very important and sensitive matter. I pray you’re not involved.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she rubbed her forehead. “Sorry for losing me temper. No, I’m not involved with the Thieves’ Guild.”
“Then why would you go there?”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Hold on, now. Why is it you know so much about what I was doing last night? Were you spying on me?”
Oh, dear. “No, no. A friend of mine happened to be there and spotted you, is all. He mentioned it to me.”
Lilly released a heavy breath. “All right then. Aye, that’s me brothers I was with. They always stop in there when they visit the city, and they always invite me. Last night was the first time I’ve seen them in months.”
“Ah, those were the other Halflings singing and dancing with you?” Thank the gods. She wasn’t involved with the Guild or Shadowtooth. He closed his eyes for an instant, and suppressed a sudden urge to hold her close.
“There’s always lots of singing and dancing when we gather in a pub. Not to mention all the feasting and smoking.” Her lips formed a wistful smile, as if remembering good old days.
“Why don’t you ever go home to see them?”
She wiped her eyes and swallowed hard. “I can’t go home.”
Cyril’s heart sank. He hadn’t meant to upset her. “Why?”
“I escaped from an arranged marriage. When I think about it, it makes me blood boil. Imagine complete strangers planning me life, and me parents going along with it. I refused and ran away. I won’t have it!”
“Your eggs are burning,” Cyril said.
Lilly glanced at the sizzling frying pan. “Oh, orc piddles!” She scraped the ruined meal into the trash, wiped out the pan, and started over.
Cyril stood quietly, giving her time to regroup. Once she settled back into her cooking routine, he started again. “Have you heard of a rogue named Shadowtooth?”
“Oh, yes, he was there last night. There was a bit of a row and he took off.”
He leaned forward. “Was last night the only time you’ve met him?”
She paused, thinking about it. After a moment she shook her head. “No – he was there when me brothers first came to Mentiria, two summers ago. But he seemed different then.”
“What was different?”
“Because he acted like a newcomer to the Guild.”
Cyril kept himself from smiling. Lilly’s story fit with Dagorat’s estimate of the time involved to steal the Orb. Satisfied, he moved on to personal business. Slowly he drew near, and put a tentative hand on her shoulder. “Lilly,” he said, “I’m going away for a while.” He tipped her chin up to stare deep into her eyes, and let his own reveal his passion for her. His heart leaped when she offered the same loving stare. The time had come to muster up his courage and say the words. Deep breath. “But when I return, I hope to make you a very happy woman.”
She blushed. “I’ve seen the way you look at me sometimes. I like it. But you…you consort with nobles and I’m only a runaway tavern cook.”
“Many run away for many different reasons. And more importantly – your eggs are burning again.”
Rindell rushed into the kitchen. “What’s going on? I smell something burning.” He stopped and stared at Cyril, who had backed away from Lilly. “I must say, Master Cyril, the kitchen is no place for a patron.”
“Oh, of course, I was just asking for some cooking tips. Lilly makes eggs so wonderfully. I’m afraid I may have distracted her, though.” He glanced at her, hoping she would play along and keep their conversation private.
Lilly shot him a bewildered gaze; then a flash in her eyes signaled she had caught on. “I’ll have them ready for you soon.” She batted her eyelashes and bent back to the stove with a new batch of fresh eggs.
With a wiggle of a finger, Cyril motioned for Rindell to follow him. Outside the kitchen, he said, “You’re a fine man, Rindell, jolly and honest. Please stay that way.”
***
Cyril rejoined the group with a wide, satisfied grin. Elated, Dagorat smiled back. “I take it everything went well.”
Katrina put an elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand. “You could’ve asked me why she went to the Thieves’ Guild last night.”
Her statement wiped the glee from Cyril’s face. “How do you even know who Lilly is?”
She pursed her lips. “You think I don’t know who comes into the Guild and why?”
“Indeed. So what do you know of our investigation, then?”
“I know three things.” She held up three fingers and tapped each one as she continued. “What was stolen, who it was stolen from, and who you suspect.”
How…? Dagorat had only divulged vague details to her. Had she truly found out the specifics? Or was she bluffing?
“That much, eh?” Cyril grimaced and eyed Dagorat. “We need to talk later. For now, I’ve just had a very interesting chat. Your timeline for the incident was correct. Shadowtooth arrived in Mentiria about two years ago.”
“Who?” Felix asked.
“We have a name in connection with the incident,” Cyril said.
Katrina drummed her fingers on the table. “I don’t know enough to help. When are you going to speak about this job freely with me?”
Bluffing, then. Dagorat snuck a glance at Cyril’s face. A storm was brewing; best to tread lightly. “You may know too much already,” he answered. “After all, we hardly know you yet.”
Rindell bustled over with their food. Katrina sat back and smiled playfully at Dagorat. “Have your little secrets,” she said. “And I’ll have my gammon steak and eggs.”
He read her expression loud and clear. She would discover everything despite their best efforts. His admiration for her swelled.
They enjoyed their brunch and tried to kee
p the conversation away from the business at hand, sticking to comparing the customs of different places. Katrina added little to the conversation, spending most of the time observing. Dagorat jumped into the discussion. “I think Cyril is going to write a treatise soon, on the use of slang in the three kingdoms.”
“I’ve heard that Easterlains have some funny expressions,” Katrina said. “Do you know any?”
Oh, she’s a clever one. She suspects we’re Easterlains. He thought fast. “Yes, they do. We’ve passed through there many times, so we’ve picked up a lot of their sayings.”
“More times than I care to remember,” Cyril said. Katrina offered him a smile.
The conversation continued until they finished the meal. The group strode outside and waited there for Cyril, who wanted a moment to say farewell to Lilly. After a long few minutes, he emerged from the tavern. They turned to depart when Lilly came running out, carrying a small wooden crate. She put it down in front of Cyril and climbed up on it. Giving Cyril a quick kiss right on the lips, she said, “Make sure I’m the first to know you’ve come home.” Lilly dug into an apron pocket, pulled out a small handkerchief and tucked it under Cyril’s robe, by his heart. “We have an old saying. ‘On lonely roads, far or near, carry a token from someone dear.’” They embraced and kissed again. Felix averted his face, humming. Dagorat tried – and failed – not to glance sidelong at Katrina.
When the two split apart and Lilly had returned inside, Katrina extended her hand to the mage and said, “It was nice to meet you.” Cyril extended his own hand and they shook. Dagorat winced. Cyril, how could you fall for that?
“Give my regards to King Baldomir.” She walked off, shooting a last playful grin over her shoulder.
Dagorat focused on the rhythm of her body as she strode away. The swing of her hips momentarily made him forget his lingering distrust. He shook his head, and then rounded on Cyril. “Why did you shake her hand?”
His face went pale. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“Of course not. You got a kiss from Lilly and Katrina decided to catch you off balance. Now she knows where we’re from.”
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