Shadow Magic, page 32
Robert headed over to the bar. The giant was absent but his small associate hurried over to see what Robert wanted.
“Can I help you, sir?” the little man asked.
Robert placed his order and the bartender went to the kitchen. A few minutes later he returned with a platter of sweet rolls, some bacon and honey, and a pitcher of mead.
“There you are, sir.”
“Thanks.” Robert nodded toward the group gathered in the common room. “Caravan?”
“Yes, sir, they got in about an hour after you.”
“Where they headed?”
The bartender looked around the room, not wanting to meet Robert’s eyes. “Well…”
Robert reached into his pocket and produced a silver coin. “Well?”
“They’re headed to Port Dalton. The merchant said something about picking up a load of copper pans.”
Robert flipped the bartender the coin. “Thanks.”
As he carried the food up the steps he thought sneaking into the city would be much easier as part of a caravan. He’d never visited the city with his father, so it must be one of the smaller ports. That suited his needs perfectly.
When he reached the door to their room he realized he wouldn’t be able to open the door with his hands full.
“Hey Blade, open up.” He gave the door a crack with his foot.
The door opened and Shara said, “Shh, you’ll wake the neighbors. Ooh, sweet rolls.”
She helped herself to one of the gooey treats.
Robert set the platter down on the table. “Where’s Blade?”
“Washin’ up,” Shara said around a mouthful of roll.
Robert grinned and helped himself to a strip of bacon. “Your manners are going straight to hell.”
Shara eyed her next victim without comment.
Robert was nibbling his second strip of bacon and Shara her third roll when Blade emerged from the bathroom.
“Just in time,” Robert said. “If you’d taken much longer the kid would have finished all the rolls.”
Shara scrunched up her nose at him and shoved the rest of the roll in her mouth. Blade ignored the chatter and poured herself a mug of mead. “When are you leaving?”
“A caravan rolled in late last night. When I finish up here, I’m going to see if I can ride in with them. I figure it’ll provide a good cover.” Robert took all but two of his remaining gold coins and gave them to Blade. “This should cover you until I get back.”
“You should keep these. I’ve got enough to hold us.”
“If something should happen I’d rather you had a little extra.”
“Nothing’s going to happen,” Shara said.
Robert gave her a reassuring smile. “I know, but I’ll feel better knowing you have it.” He grabbed his pack and said, “Wish me luck.”
Blade wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him for long seconds. Her lips tasted like honey.
She pulled away. “Good luck.”
“Good luck,” Shara echoed.
Robert nodded and left them alone. He didn’t know why he worried. Blade was better able to take care of Shara and herself than he was. Still, he worried just the same.
Down in the common room the merchants and their guards were still gathered around the table. Robert took a deep breath and headed over to the group.
“Excuse me,” he said addressing one of the merchants. “The bartender mentioned that you were headed to Port Dalton and I was wondering if you had room for one more.”
The merchant looked at his partner then said, “We can’t afford to hire another guard.”
Robert relaxed. If money was their only objection he was all set. “That’s all right, I’m not looking for a job. I’m headed to the city myself and I figured there’d be safety in numbers. I’m a fair shot with a crossbow.”
The merchant shrugged. “It’s only a day’s journey. I doubt you could cause much trouble. We leave in fifteen minutes. Welcome aboard.”
It took the little caravan a day and a half to reach Port Dalton. Robert rode beside a grizzled old teamster, a borrowed crossbow cradled in his arm. The wagon ride was rough, but it beat walking. The teamster, who said his name was Orik, chattered the whole way about the new granddaughter he was finally going to meet after this run.
Robert figured the trip took about thirty hours and the old man only paused his narrative to drink from a flask of pungent whisky, sleep, and eat. Robert had at first wondered why he’d gotten such an easy job. He guessed no one else could sit next to the old man for long without strangling him.
Robert sighed with relief when the walls of the city came into view. Soon he’d be able to leave his new companions, get the supplies he required, and return to Shara and Blade.
As they approached the gate three guards emerged from a little shack in front of the massive wooden doors. Two guards carried crossbows and the third wore a scimitar at his belt and appeared to be in charge. One of the merchants—they were brothers according to the ever-chatty Orik—climbed down from the lead wagon and approached the guards.
“Trouble?” Robert asked.
“Nah,” Orik said. “Just routine questions. If we had cargo they’d look it over, but since the wagons are empty the bosses just have to pay a three-gold-coin entry fee.”
As if to confirm this, the merchant counted out three coins to the guard and hurried back to his wagon. The lead guard motioned and the gate creaked open. When it stopped the guards waved them through. Orik nodded to the guards as they passed.
The city was laid out with one broad street paved with flat stones running from the main gate down to the docks. All the other streets branched off from it. Shops of all sorts lined the main street. As they made their way toward the docks Robert said, “Would you mind dropping me off at a tavern?”
“Sure, the Traveler’s Rest is about halfway to the docks. It’s clean and not too expensive.”
“Much obliged,” Robert said. For all his talk Orik wasn’t a bad guy, annoying, but not bad.
They rode through the slowly darkening city before finally coming to a stop in front of a small two-story building with a sign featuring a bed in the center and a foaming mug on either side.
“This is it,” Orik said.
The rest of the caravan stopped as well.
Robert unloaded his borrowed crossbow and eased the tension of the string. “Thanks for the loan,” he said handing it back to Orik. “Glad I didn’t have to use it.”
“Me too,” Orik said and the two men shook hands.
Robert clambered down off the wagon seat, his legs stiff after sitting on the hard wooden bench for so long. He made his wobbly way over to the door of the inn and was joined by the two brothers.
“I appreciate the lift into the city,” Robert said. He reached into his pocket and drew out two silver coins. “These should cover my share of the entry fee.”
One of the brothers, Robert couldn’t remember their names, shook his head. “Consider the entry fee our way of paying for your services as a guard.”
Robert pocketed the coins. “Thank you again, and best of luck with your copperware.”
The brothers smiled and climbed aboard their wagon. Robert waved as the caravan got underway again.
On his own, he entered the Traveler’s Rest and walked up to the bar. The common room was deserted. That suited Robert fine, the fewer people that saw him here the better.
“Ale please,” he said to the sweaty bartender.
The bartender plunked a frothy mug down in front of him. “You from around here?” he asked.
Robert took a sip of the warm ale and winced. It was the bitterest swill he’d ever tasted. No wonder the common room was empty.
“No, I’m actually on my way north and I need some supplies. Any recommendations?”
“Sure, there’s about a dozen places around should be able to fix you up. You can probably get a damn good deal too, not many caravans headed north these days.”
“Why is that?” Robert asked.
“Been a lot of fighting up that way. Nomads were up in arms about poisoned oases, then some warlord led an army down from the Broken Kingdom. Hell of a mess. If you can get through, your goods should bring a fine price.”
Robert took a last sip of the ale, more to be a good sport than because he wanted any more. “Where can I find these suppliers you mentioned?”
“Most of them are in the North Ward. If you have trouble finding them just ask a guard, they’ll point you in the right direction.”
“Thanks, how much for the drink?”
“Three coppers.”
Robert plunked a silver coin down. “Keep the change.”
The bartender snatched up the coin. “Thank you, sir, stop by again anytime.”
Robert smiled as he left the inn. He wouldn’t be stopping by for another drink that was certain.
While he had been busy gathering information, darkness had settled in over the city. He had no desire to be out on the streets after dark. Fortunately the main street was lined with inns. He chose one on the opposite side of the street and two doors up from the Traveler’s Rest. It would be interesting to see if anyone came looking for him. It seemed unlikely, but he decided safety was the prudent course.
Fully rested after a decent night’s sleep, Robert left his room and headed north through the city. He hadn’t gone far when the smell of cooking meat caught his attention. He followed his nose east and found an elderly woman with a push cart offering grilled sausage.
“How much?” he asked.
“Two coppers each,” said the white-haired woman.
Robert handed her his last silver coin. “Two please.”
The old woman looked away. “My apologies, sir, I have only two coppers for change.”
She looked like those two coppers were her last judging by the frayed, dirty smock she wore. “You can keep the difference.”
Her eyes widened a little. “That’s very generous, young man.” She stuck two sausages on a long wooden skewer and handed them to him.
As Robert leaned down to take the skewer he noticed a flash in the corner of his eye. He smiled and took his breakfast. He brought the meat up to his lips and glanced toward the flash.
Damned if there wasn’t a hunter walking down the street opposite him. The glint from his silver medallion had gotten Robert’s attention.
The sausage caught in his throat. There was no way they could know he was here.
When he finally managed to swallow he said, “Very tasty.”
Robert walked further up the street but the hunter didn’t pay him the least attention.
Despite a distinct lack of appetite, he forced himself to finish the sausage. Depending on how things went, he might not get another meal soon. Setting himself back on course, Robert headed toward the North Ward. The sooner he got the supplies they needed, the sooner he could return to the inn.
It didn’t take long for him to get totally lost. When he finally stopped it was in the middle of a residential area. As far as he could see there was nothing resembling a supply shop within five blocks. For the last half hour he’d been walking generally north. He couldn’t be that far off.
He spotted a small woman bundled in robes hobbling her way down the street. Robert walked slowly over so as not to frighten her.
“Excuse me,” he said. “Can you tell me if I’m near a caravan supply shop? I was told there were several in this part of the city.”
The woman looked startled at first, probably not used to strangers. She relaxed after a moment; no doubt his charming smile put her at ease. “You’re too far east, young man. All the caravans buy their supplies at one of the shops near North Gate. Head west and you’ll find them.”
“I see, thank you. Could you give me directions to these shops?”
She gave him a disgusted look. The one the old reserved for those younger than themselves.
She pointed toward the massive stone wall looming in the distance. “Go that way. When you reach the wall follow it west. You can’t miss North Gate. When you reach the gate you won’t be able to miss the shops.”
The old woman was right. As soon as he reached the gates he spotted the shops. Actually smelled was probably more accurate. The stench coming from the camels was incredible, no doubt because so many were packed into such a small place. The entire area looked devoid of customers.
Robert shrugged and selected the most prosperous-looking shop, in this case the one that had bothered to whitewash its walls. As soon as he entered, a little man with greasy hair slicked back from his forehead scurried over to greet him.
“Welcome, sir, welcome. I am most happy to serve you.”
Robert looked around the empty store. All manner of dry goods were stacked to the ceiling. “I’ll bet you are. I’m putting together a small caravan. I need four camels, food for four people and the animals for two weeks, five ten-gallon water skins and a large tent.”
“Ah, I see my wise customer has heard about the poisoned oases. A very good idea is bringing extra water with you. May I ask your destination?”
“Sure,” Robert said without elaborating.
He wandered around the shop selecting several boxes of dried food, a length of rope, and two heavy tarps. He carried the supplies over to a large table in the front of the shop. “I’ll need saddlebags for the camels as well. How soon can you have my animals packed and ready to go?”
“They could be ready in an hour, sir. As you see, we are not so busy. How will you be paying?”
Robert reached into his pack and plunked down four silver bars. “This should cover it.”
The merchant licked his lips as he stared at the silver. “Alas, that is insufficient. I will need at least three more bars like those.”
Robert dropped one more bar on the table. “Take it or leave it.”
The little merchant trembled, obviously wanting more.
“It’s not like you have customers beating down your doors,” Robert pointed out.
“Quite correct. Very well, I accept. I’ll prepare your animals and you can be on your way.”
Chapter 63
Shara sat on the edge of her bed and watched Blade sleep. They’d swapped their expensive room for a cheaper one. This one only had two beds and a chamber pot. No desk, chair, or magic tub.
On the other hand, they got it for three nights and it only cost one gold coin. Blade didn’t seem to care that the beds were lumpy. After a lifetime of sleeping on the ground any bed probably felt good to her.
She sighed. The room wasn’t what was bothering her. She was closer to her father than she’d been in months, but rather than feeling happy she felt nervous. Her father, of course, wasn’t the cause of her nervousness. The sorcerer was.
She felt like she was walking right into his arms. That was ridiculous of course. As long as she wore her ring, he couldn’t find her. She tried to relax but found sleep long in coming.
They spent the next several days in their room. After the disaster in King’s Port, Blade didn’t seem inclined to take any chances and Shara didn’t argue. That night Shara tossed and turned until morning. When she woke up after a miserable few hours’ sleep she found Blade already dressed and packed.
“Bobby should be back today,” Blade said.
“Can we wait in the common room?” Shara asked. She didn’t add that if she didn’t get out soon she’d scream.
Blade seemed to feel the same. “Sure, just keep your hood up. We don’t need any questions just now.”
Shara eagerly dressed and pulled on her crude cloak. They went downstairs and found the common room almost empty. Blade chose a table near the window looking out over the yard. She indicated Shara should take the chair facing out. Blade sat opposite her watching the room.
A serving girl came over and took their order, honey cakes and wine. She hadn’t been gone long when Shara heard Blade mutter under her breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hello ladies,” a deep voice behind Shara said. “Mind if I join you?”
Blade got to her feet. “We mind, take a hike.”
“I noticed your friend left. Perhaps you two would like to keep me company tonight.”
“I said take a hike.”
A huge fist slammed into the table beside Shara. “No woman denies me in my own inn.”
Blade darted around the table and drew her sword.
There was a thump.
Shara turned around to see what was happening and found Blade with her boot on the big bartender’s chest and her sword at his throat.
The big man was actually trembling, though with fear or anger Shara couldn’t tell.
“Since you can’t seem to take a hint,” Blade said. “Let me be blunter. Leave. Us. Alone.”
“Sorry, miss. I meant no offense.”
Blade took a step back, sword still held ready. “Of course not.”
Blade waited until he was behind the bar to sit down.
“That was incredible,” Shara said. The serving girl returned with their food and set it on the table. “He was four times bigger than you. How’d you do it?”
“Strike fast and don’t hesitate, just like I told you.” Blade took a honey cake. “The problem with big men is they’re slow. I could have killed him as well as knocked him on his ass. I figure we don’t need the hassle. Bobby should be back soon and we’ll leave this idiot and his inn behind.”
They spent another hour or so lounging around the common room sipping wine and keeping a close watch. Finally the gate opened and a column of four camels entered the compound. Atop the lead camel was a figure wrapped in the robes common to nomad traders.
“Blade, I think this might be him.”
Blade took her eyes off the common room long enough to glance out the window.
“I think you might be right.” She signaled the serving girl. When she arrived Blade asked, “How much do we owe you?”
“No charge, miss. What you did to Lugo was enough.”
