Part 36 (1/2)
One of the men spoke. ”State yer name and business.”
”I'm Harnu Poe. We come seeking sanctuary from Darkness and to offer our service to the New Council.”
”What do you know of the New Council?”
”Just that things are changing in Er'Rets. I aim to serve however I can.”
”Who you got with you?”
”My wife and two servants.”
”How do you plan to serve the New Council?”
”My man and I mean to fight. If you're in need of seamstresses, the women can sew.”
”You'll need coin to rent a room. Ask the stablemaster about trading that wagon for a boat.”
”I will. Thank you.”
”Come on down and let us search yer wagon.”
The four of them climbed out and watched the soldiers ransack their supplies. They made a mess, tossing everything about, but took nothing but a mouthful of dried fish.
Then they searched Harnu and Noam.
The man searching Harnu took his coin purse-which was really Averella's. ”We'll be taking a fee for entry and an offering for Dathos. And you'll have to hand over that blade.”
”I'll do no such thing,” Harnu said, forbidding as ever. ”If I'm to join the soldiers, I'll do best with my own blade.”
The soldier glanced at his partner, who shrugged. ”Let him keep it. It's in sad shape, if you ask me.” He pocketed a few coins and tossed the coin purse back to Harnu.
The soldiers approached the women next. Averella clutched Gren's arm. ”You will not touch us!”
The soldier laughed. ”Oh, but we will, Madam. Plenty have tried to sneak trouble past our gate by hiding it on their women. Put your arms out, real nice like.”
Averella shot a glance to Harnu, who shrugged. ”We've nothing to hide. Search 'em if you must.”
Typical male response. Harnu had acclimated to his role all too well. Averella closed her eyes as the guard ran his hands over her.
A tickle at her neck. ”What have we here?”
She opened her eyes to see the guard pulling the gold chain that held the king's signet ring. Her heart fluttered. She grabbed the chain.
”None of that now,” the guard said. ”We can't allow you to wear such a trinket in times like these. It's not safe. Plus, such an offering would please Dathos.”
Averella and the guard both held tight until the chain snapped. The guard pulled the chain through Averella's fist until he had it all. She gasped when the ring did not appear. She could feel it still nestled inside her makes.h.i.+ft corset.
The guard sneered and pocketed the chain. He didn't know there had been anything else attached! ”Yer free to enter. Make any mischief and we'll feed you to the tanniyn.”
As the guards raised the gate, Noam helped Averella and Gren into the wagon bed. Once everyone was seated, Noam steered the horses inside the stronghold.
”Sorry 'bout your necklace, my lady,” Harnu said. ”I didn't think we should pick a fight just then.”
”You were wise, Master Poe, though it would not hurt you to be more protective of your wife.” She reached into her neckline and pulled out the ring. ”Fortunately I am not as shapely as Gren.” Averella blushed, shocked at her words. Since when did she say such forward things?
Gren's lips parted. ”Achan's ring? They almost took it?”
”Arman did not let them. Gren, do you have some twine that I might use to put it back around my neck?”
”Of course.”
As Gren busied herself looking for twine, Averella took in their surroundings. The courtyard-which had been filled with merchants and animals the last time she was here-was deserted. The horses' hooves and wagon wheels clacked over the cobblestone. ”It must be a late hour.”
”Which way to the stables, my lady?” Noam asked.
”To the right of the fountain, past the temple.”
The wagon turned sharply. Averella gripped the side and stared at the fountain. What once had been a beautiful cascade of water over the sculpture of the Mahanaim justice scales now oozed dark slime. She wrinkled her nose and turned toward the temple of Dathos.
The circular colonnade filled the northeastern corner of the courtyard. The black and white banners hung limp, moist from the stale air of Darkness.
Noam stopped the wagon at the stables. Harnu got down and quickly bartered a trade with the stablemaster.
”Any of them boats down there'll do.” The stablemaster gestured toward narrow stone steps that led down to the ca.n.a.ls. ”You want to put up your horses, it will cost you extra.”
Noam unharnessed the horses, but Harnu said, ”Leave 'em to me. You and the women carry the supplies to the boat. I'll meet you there.” He and the stablemaster each led a horse inside the stables.
Noam stood staring after them.
Averella set her hand against his arm. ”He is taking his role to heart, is he not, Master Fox? Come, I am sure all will be well. Can you carry the larger pack?”
The stairs leading down to the water were lit so poorly they could hardly see. They moved slowly down them until they reached a stone pier that stretched along a murky ca.n.a.l under the courtyard above. Dozens of small wooden boats were tethered along the pier. The occasional torch reflected off the dark water. On the end of the pier, to the far right of the stronghold, the ca.n.a.l turned and snaked between a city of buildings.
They loaded their gear into the nearest boat and stood beside it, waiting for Harnu to return.
”What about the horses?” Noam asked.
”They will be fine in the stables,” Averella said. ”We will do as the guards suggested: we will rent a room and plan what to do next.” Her words were more confident than she felt. Arman, show us the way.
Gren paced along the waterfront. Noam stood at the foot of the stairs, staring up. Averella sat in the boat, rocking gently in the ca.n.a.l.
A man yelled in the distance. A burst of orange flame arched overhead and landed on the thatched roof of a three story high building. A woman screamed.
Another cl.u.s.ter of arrows, tips ablaze, pa.s.sed over the sentry wall and hissed as they sank into the ca.n.a.l. Armor jangled above as guards ran to duty. Voices split the silent night.
”From the east.”
”It's the p.a.w.n King!”
”Guard your thoughts, for he can enter your mind faster than Darkness.”