A Crucible of Souls (Book One of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) (31 page)

Caldan shuffled his feet and looked out at the street.
“
Well, good night.
”
He turned to Miranda and found her holding out her hand. He took it and she shook his with a surprisingly strong grip.

“
Good night, Caldan. I had a really nice time.
”

“
Er… me too,
”
he replied lamely, wondering what she meant.

She used his hand to pull him closer, grunting with the effort.

“
You’re a heavy bastard,
”
cursed Miranda.
“
Sorry, old habits and all that.
”
She patted him on the cheek, taking care to avoid his wound.
“
Don’t make me regret finding you. I’ll see you soon, in a few days.
”
She released her grip and stepped back.

“
I won’t. I’ll repay you for the meal as soon as I can.
”

“
There’s no rush. I’m sure you’ll find your feet. Things are looking good for you. Just stick in there.
”
She ran a hand through her dark hair.
“
I’ll see you soon.
”

“
Thank you for dinner. And for the company,
”
added Caldan.

“
You’re welcome. Goodbye. Oh, and one more thing. Don’t keep shaving your head. Let your hair grow. I think it’ll look good on you.
”

With a final farewell, she turned on her heel and strode into the crowd, heading south towards the River Sop. Caldan stood and watched until he lost sight of her in the throng, then wove his own way through the crowd north towards the High Road. He had a long trek back to the dormitory, but it was a fine night for a walk to collect his thoughts.

Chapter Twenty

Amerdan shifted uncomfortably on his stool and squinted up at his rag doll perched on the corner shelf. His legs ached from sitting too long, and his plums felt numb, but he could hardly adjust anything when a customer might walk through the door at any moment. That would be a sight, to have one hand down your pants when someone walked in. He’d known a man on his way to Anasoma who didn’t mind an adjustment when riding. He’d joined a merchant train along with a few other travelers, led by an affable merchant with three guards and their wagon full of goods. They thought their journey would be an easy one. Amerdan knew that sometimes there was no safety in numbers. Two other travelers came along on that trip, a quiet serving girl, who was on her way back from visiting relatives, and a coarse barbarian sell-sword, who stank like he hadn’t bathed in months. The merchant’s hand had been shifting his plums constantly, with no thought that people might see, and in front of the girl, too. Bloody savage.

And a bloody journey that had been, the road not as safe as everyone had hoped.

He gave a quiet snort of amusement then stood up and stretched, reaching toward the ceiling before walking around the counter to the shop floor proper. He shifted the position of a few items, though still wasn’t satisfied afterwards.

Bells tingled and the curtain rattled, and pushing past the beads stepped a scrawny young man. Barely able to shave, Amerdan reckoned. Garbed in threadbare loose-fitting clothes, with the sallow complexion of someone who spent a great deal of time indoors. He reeked of dust, old books and stale sweat.

With barely a glance at Amerdan, he proceeded to wander the shop, touching things, poking around, sniffing at items he apparently found inferior.

Amerdan watched to note how many items would have to be repositioned. The young man’s display went on for a good few minutes, giving Amerdan some time to assess him and the likelihood of him spending some ducats. Still, looks were deceiving, as he knew.

Eventually, the young man drew himself up and made his way to the counter, a disappointed look on his face, which was framed by greasy lank hair.

“
My good man,
”
he started, opening his negotiation.
“
I can see from your stock that you have not been able to keep up to date with the latest goods coming in from the capital. Still, there may be a few items I could use for my studies.
”

He drew out a rumpled piece of paper from a pocket and scanned the page.
“
Hmm, yes, my list is long.
”
He made as if to hand the list over then pulled it back.
“
My apologies, I assumed you could read. I meant no offence.
”

“
None taken, good sir,
”
Amerdan replied with a broad smile.
“
Not many of the common people have that skill or have a use for such a thing. Counting is what I know, and enough about writing to make my mark is all I require.
”

“
Of course. It was silly of me to assume. Ahem… Your merchandise will do in a pinch. Firstly, I need two of the common ink bottles and twenty sheets of your cheapest parchment — for sketches and rough calculations and things of that nature.
”
He looked away, face reddening.

Straight off the farm, this one was,
thought Amerdan. Unless he missed his guess. Recently apprenticed or indentured, and short of ducats.

“
Certainly, good sir. I have a large selection of writing implements, if you would like to see for yourself. Also, you are in luck as I have a few samples of rare earths recently in from the southern mines.
”

“
Ah, no, that’s fine. I prefer to make my own writing tools. I find I can obtain much better results that way, for my work. As for the rare earths, perhaps another time.
”

Amerdan nodded and smiled. Very short of ducats.
“
Well,
”
he said, bustling around the shop and picking up some bottles and parchment,
“
what’s next on that list of yours? What sort of paraphernalia are you using in your studies?
”

“
I doubt you stock many of the items I am after. I could use a lamp, though, and oil. My apprenticeship means I have to read a lot at night.
”

“
And what apprenticeship would that be, young sir? I can see an intelligent lad like you serving at say… one of the banks? Or maybe a merchant’s, even a company as fine as the Five Oceans Mercantile Concern?
”

The young man sneered.
“
I should say not! Banking? Trading?
”
He drew himself up.
“
I have been taken in by the sorcerers! Someone of my talent doesn’t come along often. They said so themselves.
”

“
Really?
”
Amerdan bobbed his head and did his best to look impressed.
“
Talented, are you? You do have the look of someone who is destined for great things, mark my words!
”

The young man’s chest puffed up and he suppressed a pleased smile.
“
It’s early days yet. There’s a long road ahead before I can be called a sorcerer, much less be deemed competent by the guild.
”

“
Still, to have met such a great sorcerer as yourself when he was young, that’s something to tell my children and grandchildren. A story for a cold winter’s night by a warm fire!
”

Looking away, the young man cleared his throat as one hand smoothed creases on his tunic.
“
Be that as it may, I’m rather pressed for time at the moment. I would appreciate it if we could conclude our business with all due haste.
”

“
Certainly, good sir! My apologies to you for prattling on. We have some basic clay oil lamps here. Wick included with the purchase, of course. But for someone such as yourself, reading until all hours of the night, I have something special for you.
”

He picked up a bronze lamp, complete with a clear glass cover and a shiny metal mirror on one side to reflect light.
“
See the fine workmanship? The mirror reflects the flame, concentrating the brightness to see by! I can imagine this would suit you perfectly and save those sore eyes from reading in too little light. Here, have a look. See the quality and the thought that went into it. Perfect for you, I say!
”

Taking hold of the lamp, the young man turned it this way and that, fingers touching the metal mirror and running over the glass cover. He licked his lips.

“
This certainly looks a fine lamp. And my eyes do get sore from reading at night.
”
He drew in a deep breath then let it out and handed the lamp back to Amerdan.
“
Please, I think at this stage I’ll make do with a cheaper… I mean more durable clay lamp. I can be clumsy sometimes, and usually objects that are easily replaced are best.
”

As Amerdan placed the lamp on the shelf he gave a smile. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the youth’s longing gaze at the bronze lamp.

“
A shame. Someone destined for a glorious future, such as yourself, should have quality possessions. How can you study if you can’t see properly, squinting at a book in the dark with only a tiny clay lamp for light? I have such sympathy for the trials you have to go through.
”

“
Ahem, well, thank you for your understanding.
”

“
But wait, let me gather up these items. You’re in haste!
”
Amerdan picked up both the clay lamp and the bronze lamp and headed to the counter.

Startled, the young man protested.
“
Sir… the good lamp… I didn’t…
”

“
Wait, wait,
”
interrupted Amerdan as he deposited both lamps next to the pile of parchment and ink bottles. He stopped, scratched his head and frowned in thought.
“
An earnest lad starting out like yourself makes me want to give you a hand, if you take my meaning. I remember when I was in the same circumstance as yourself, apprenticed young, strange city, having to make do.
”

“
I assure you, I have been to cities before…
”

“
Of course you have. I was just saying. This lamp here, it’s been gathering dust for months.
”

Amerdan waved his hand at the air to signify dust floating around, although the spotless surfaces of the shop would have passed inspection by the emperor’s own staff.
“
I need to get rid of it, see. It’s taking up room, and I’m unlikely to sell it for another few months. Don’t know what I was thinking buying it for stock in the first place.
”
He shook his head in consternation.
“
I can let you have it for what it cost me, not a copper ducat more.
”
He brushed away the beginning protests of the young man.
“
The way I see it, is you are doing me a favor,
”
Amerdan explained.
“
And it would be my pleasure to assist someone such as yourself, who is in need of help.
”

“
You’re too kind, good sir, too kind. If there comes a time soon when I can assist you in return, I would be only too glad.
”

“
Excellent! Then it’s settled! Now, let’s get these together and you can be on your way.
”
Amerdan placed the ink bottles, bronze lamp and a jug of oil next to the parchment in a neat pile.

“
Let’s see. All up that comes to two silvers, five coppers.
”

The young man flinched at the price.
“
Ahem, well… it is certainly a bargain. Thank you again. However, at the moment, with all the other items I’ve had to purchase these past few days, I find I am rather short of ducats.
”
He looked at the floor.
“
I could give you a deposit, then when I return in say, ten days, I can hand you the remaining amount?
”

He pulled out a brown leather coin pouch and tipped the contents into his hand.
“
There you go, seven copper ducats deposit, and I can have the rest to you soon.
”

Amerdan shook his head and sighed.
“
Well now, there’s a problem. Of course I trust you to come back, but business is business, and I can’t be out of pocket myself for long. But mayhap there is something that can be done.
”

He reached out with his right hand and clicked three gold ducats on the counter, all in a line. Click. Click. Click. As each one clicked on the spotless wood, the young man’s eyes widened a little more. Enough to keep him in supplies for the year, Amerdan judged, with ample left over for a few luxuries or many a night’s drinking. Whatever moronic youngsters got up to these days.

“
You see, I have a few jobs that need doing around here. Oh no, nothing unusual,
”
he said, again cutting off the boy’s protest.
“
Don’t worry on that score. Just some
crafting
here and there, to keep the rats and mice away. A few others for cleanliness, to keep the dust at bay, that sort of thing. I also have some business associates who could do with some as well. And if you play your cards right, maybe you could have a nice little earner on the side. It would bring some needed ducats in and help you with your studies.
”

Eyes still on the gold ducats shining on the counter, the apprentice sorcerer licked his lips.
“
I certainly have some knowledge of the basics of
crafting
, which would be useful to a store owner such as yourself. But I don’t have much spare time. My master keeps me busy, studying and practicing all hours of the day and night. And the guild frowns on this sort of thing.
”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“
I really don’t think I could.
”

Click. Amerdan placed another gold ducat on the counter and slid it next to the other three. Greedy pig, but weren’t they all these days?
“
What could be easier?
”
he reasoned.
“
We both benefit. You assist a few honest locals with services they usually find hard to obtain, and in return a few ducats to repay you for your time and trouble.
”

“
I shouldn’t. There are strict rules about apprentices and what we can or can’t do. I could get in a lot of trouble.
”
His eyes had not moved from the coins.