Embers at Galdrilene (17 page)

Emallya sighed. “Mistress Karsay, how many times must I tell you, I am no lady?”

“As you say, my lady.” The innkeeper smiled and looked past her. “I see you attracted a few stragglers while you were gone. You mentioned searching for something quite valuable when you passed through. Something we Traders couldn’t supply, though I can’t imagine what that would be. We can get anything.”

“This was something I had to collect myself.”

“And did you find it?”

Emallya smiled. “That I did, Mistress Karsay. That I did.”

“So, will you and these young folk be needing rooms or just a meal?”

“Both. After quite some time on the road we cannot pass up the chance to clean up, eat a good meal and sleep in a real bed for the night.”

The innkeeper nodded. “Aye, a long time on the road can wear a person. Long travel isn’t for everyone. That’s why I chose to run an inn here. I like my bed and my normal routine too much.”

“Sometimes, life gives us no choice but to travel,” Emallya answered.

“Aye, that is true, too.” Mistress Karsay patted her hair and looked around at the busy room, “Well look at me, standing here talking your ear off when you are tired and travel-worn. Come, I will show you to your rooms.”

She led them through the room and up the stairs at the back. At the second landing, they followed her down one of two long hallways. She showed each of them to a room and left them to clean up. A short while later they sat down at a table in the main room and set to work on the dishes of food the serving girls placed before them.

As they finished their meal, a woman with a face like a dog and a curvy body, swayed up to the table in a dress showing a considerable amount of her large breasts. “May I offer any of you company?” she asked sweetly.

Kellinar smiled in welcome and started to stand, but Serena jabbed her elbow into his side and hissed, “This is not the time.”

Kellinar sighed and settled back in his chair.

Vaddoc scowled at the woman. “Is it a habit in this town for women like you to approach a table in a reputable inn? Especially when there is a child present.” In Shadereen, women of her type kept to the taverns.

Loki rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I haven’t seen a working lady before. Thems the only kind of lady allowed in the Thieves’ Caves.”

The woman smiled at Loki and said to Vaddoc, “Why would any inn turn down the business my trade can bring in?”

Emallya set her drink cup down. “I have to agree with Serena, this is not the time.”

Kellinar heaved a dramatic and obviously feigned sigh as if he was being unduly put upon, and waved the woman away. Serena rolled her eyes at him. “She really isn’t your type anyway. You always go for the pretty ones.”

“Ah, but beauty is only a lamp wick away, my dear Serena.”

Kirynn laughed and Serena shook her head. “You are such a lecher sometimes, Kellinar.”

Emallya stood and handed a slip of paper to Kellinar and a small coin purse to Vaddoc, “That is a list of things we need, Kellinar. There is still plenty of time this evening for you two to round up the items.”

Vaddoc looked sideways at Kellinar. Despite the time spent traveling and training together, he still felt unsure of him. Kellinar showed no remorse for the life of thievery he had led. Vaddoc gave his life to the Watch, and swore to uphold the law and lay down his life for the people of Shadereen. Even though he broke those vows, the ingrained beliefs and training still ran strong in him.

He cleared his throat. “Perhaps, my lady, it would be best to send another with me.”

Kellinar cocked a grin. “He means someone who’s not a thief. You know, someone who is as good as he is.”

Emallya shot a hard look at both of them. “I suggest you learn to leave the past behind and look forward only. Both of you left behind lives you will never live again. You journey toward a new life that will change you in ways you do not yet understand. Go now, together, and find what we need.”

“Yes, my lady,” Vaddoc said and walked toward the door.

Kellinar shrugged and followed.

“Can I go with ‘em?” Loki asked eagerly.

“No, you may take yourself to bed,” Emallya planted her fists on her hips. “And do not think to try and sneak out. You will not get past me.”

“But…”

Kellinar paused and looked back. “Loki, you promised to do as she says and we never break our word.”

Outside the sun hovered just above the horizon and the dusty air was filled with the noise of Traders advertising their wares in a large, open market at the junction of two wide streets. Vaddoc and Kellinar moved among the stalls. They bought food, more water bags and other things on Emallya’s list. Then they went to find the final items–swords for both Kellinar and Serena, and wooden practice swords for everyone. Vaddoc looked over the blades offered. While he paid for several practice swords, he watched as Kellinar picked up several different blades, replacing each after a brief examination. After a moment, he realized the other man tested them for balance and blade quality. He took the bundled wooden swords from the vendor and walk over to Kellinar. “You know what to look for in a sword.”

Kellinar nodded. “The residents of the Mallay aren’t allowed to learn the sword, but I ‘traded’ in them extensively and learned to recognize quality over flash.” He hefted one with a flashy hilt and gleaming blade. “This one, for example, looks beautiful. It’s the kind budding young men dream of carrying on their hip and leading the charge into battle with. It would be one I could sell for a heavy purse of gold to some dragon-struck young lordling wishing to impress. But I wouldn’t be able to sell it for a handful of coppers to a trained warrior, he would know better. The blade isn’t balanced right, it’s too flimsy and the steel lacks quality. The hilt may look nice, but it wouldn’t hold up under real battle conditions.”

He laid it down and lifted another. “This one is plain, attractive if you know what truly matters in a sword, and unobtrusive. It has great balance, the hilt is sturdy and its blade is made of fine quality steel. Help me find another like it for Serena.”

Vaddoc stared at the blond man. “I’m surprised by your knowledge.”

Kellinar shrugged. “A thief needs to know the value of what he is taking.”

Vaddoc didn’t know what to say to that so he began looking over the swords. It didn’t take him long to find another finely made weapon. This one was more slender, but just as well made and as strong as the first.

Kellinar began negotiating the price for the two swords with the Trader. It took several minutes and at the end, the cost was lower than Vaddoc expected. He started to reach for the purse Emallya sent with them, but Kellinar stopped him. “Emallya has bought enough and I am no beggar.” He reached into his own purse and counted out the gold coins to the vendor, making sure to buy a belt and scabbard for both swords.

As they wove back through the crowded streets Vaddoc said, “It cost less than I expected.”

Kellinar smiled. “Traders may be good, but no one is as good at negotiating price as a thief from the Mallay.”

Vaddoc was about to answer when a man in merchant dress stopped them. “Would you like to purchase some jewels? Maybe something to take to a pretty lady?” the man offered.

Vaddoc glanced at the man. “We have no need of jewels.”

“Wait,” the man said as they started to walk away. He reached into his purse and pulled out several jewels. They glittered in the light of the setting sun and Vaddoc thought they looked beautifully cut.

Kellinar picked one up and held it up to the light for a moment before tossing it back in the man’s palm. “They’re fake.”

The man eyed him suspiciously and backed away. “Perhaps I’ll sell them to someone else,” he said and disappeared into the crowd.

Vaddoc looked at Kellinar. “Were they really fake?”

“Yes.”

“How could you tell?” They started walking again.

“The cut and prisms were wrong.”

“You could tell that easily?”

Kellinar nodded. “Yes. I made my living by knowing the difference. I dealt with many lords and ladies in Trilene. If I hadn’t learned quickly, I would have flaming starved.”

“What do lords and ladies have to do with fake jewels?”

Kellinar laughed. “Lords and ladies may be rich, but they will be the flaming first to try and cheat you if they can.”

Vaddoc could hardly believe the man spoke of honesty. “I suppose you never tried to cheat anyone?”

“Of course I did. People expect that from a thief. Lords and ladies, on the other hand, are supposed to be the pillars of society. If the general citizenry knew what I know about the dragon-blasted git that reside in the lofty houses of the cities, they would most likely revolt.” Kellinar flashed him a wry grin. “You will never see as much adultery, back stabbing, kidnapping, stealing, cheating and back alley murdering anywhere than you will among the High Houses.”

“You are serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious. I could never have made such a good living if the elite were not so flaming corrupt. Not all of them mind you. I‘ve met a few good and decent people among the High Houses of Trilene, but not many.” He gave Vaddoc a friendly slap on the shoulder. “Now come my good man, let us get back to the inn where you can be rid of me for a while.”

As they walked back, Vaddoc turned over in his mind what Kellinar had said. Was there truly so much corruption in the higher ranks? If so then the only thing that separated the criminals and wealthy was the position they were born into. Was Shadereen different than Trilene? Had he judged Kellinar too harshly?

M
aleena watched Mckale in the dim light of dusk. The flickering light of the fire played across his face and caught the silver of his eyes. She stretched her arms, trying to ease her muscles. Even after three weeks on the road, her body still wasn’t fully accustomed to the long hours spent in the saddle.

The last rays of the setting sun washed the land in shades of pink and orange as the blue blanket of night rose in the east. They traveled well north of the Tradeway. Mckale wanted to stay out of sight as much as possible. Maleena’s gaze wondered over the rolling hills and grass. So empty...so different from the protective flanks of the mountains she’d always known. Here the land went on forever without a break and the great dome of the sky reached from horizon to horizon unobstructed. It made her feel vulnerable and exposed.

She sighed quietly as Mckale began to pack away the tea, knowing that soon he would put out the fire, just as he did every night. She wished they could let it burn, if only for one night, but knew why they couldn’t. An involuntary shiver ran through her at the thought of the beasts in her vision.

“Are you cold?” Mckale asked.

“No, I was just thinking about those things, those Kojen.”

“Some things are best not thought about too closely.”

“I wish I knew why they are after us,” she said, her nagging worry coming to the surface.

He shook his head. “I have no answer for that. I’ve never heard of them singling out a person and following them for so many miles. They don’t hunt their prey. They charge in, wild and erratic, slashing people down without thought or reason.

“Those I last fought on the border were different. They hunted my patrol, but not like this. It doesn’t make sense for them to follow someone. I don’t doubt what you’ve seen.” He ran a hand through his thick black hair and stared at the fire for a long moment, a troubled look in his silver eyes. “I wish I understood what’s going on. If the Kojen are changing their behavior this much, then I feel I should turn back and warn the Border Guard.”