Part 8 (1/2)

Much later, Cedrik still lay awake. Rats were in their room. He could hear them scurrying in the dark. He heard Derek mumbling curses in his half-sleep and was reminded how much he hated sleeping in such close quarters with his brother. Derek was inclined to dream dreams where he himself was the hero. Worst of all was a mournful wind that perpetually howled. So monotonous and despairing was the sound that Cedrik, feeling a little desperate, stuffed the pillow over his face. He wondered if Deacon had fared any better with his room.

Chapter18.

New Friend -he first sight that greeted Cedrik's eyes in the morning was Derek lying in a tangled ma.s.s of blankets. It never ceased to amaze Cedrik how it was possible for Derek to not injure himself during the night.

Pleased that morning had come and that they had somehow survived, they went into Deacon's room, only to discover his bed empty and no sign of him. Downstairs many of the men had moved off. Deacon was not among those that remained.

”Perfect!” said Derek. ”This is just perfect! He brings us all this way, then decides to leave us for dead. I wish he had of done it back at the last village; we could've at least avoided Misery and his death-food,” he said, glancing over at the brute of an innkeeper.

”Keep your voice down,” warned Cedrik, noticing eyes turn upon them. ”He hasn't left us. He's just d.a.m.n-well ...gone off somewhere.”

”Truly?” asked Derek, in a tone that earned him a clip up the side of the head.

While they discussed what they should best do, pieces of straw persistently fell onto Cedrik's shoulder. Impatiently he would brush them off, but they persisted. Stopping in mid-sentence he cursed and looked upward to determine the source of his annoyance. A body came cras.h.i.+ng through the roof and landed hard at their feet. They jumped back with a start, staring down at a youth. Not long was he on the floor before he struggled to his feet with several startled oaths flying from his mouth. For a moment he stood waiting, feeling himself over.

”Blast almighty, boy!” came a booming voice from behind. ”I don't pay you to make bigger holes than what I started with!” The innkeeper pushed his way past, looking up at the gap in his roof. ”d.a.m.n me,” he said with awe. His expression then turning murderous, he set his eyes on Cade.

”I'll mend that one next,” said Cade sheepishly, dust and debris laden in his red-brown hair.

”Like h.e.l.l you will! Out!” the innkeeper roared, pointing to the door with a thick, dirty finger. Without waiting to see if Cade obeyed, muttering savagely, he pushed his way back past the brothers, who scrambled to get out of his way.

”I still get paid, don't I?” Cade asked in his most winning tone.

”Out!” came the thunderous reply.

Cade's shoulders slumped. ”I'm not in any pain, thank you! Great baboon ...fix your own d.a.m.n roof.” Cade turned, and a mug of ale was thrust in his face from a concerned and considerate patron. ”Ah, thanks. I've got a h.e.l.lish thirst,” he said. He knocked back the frothy drink, the universal medicine in these parts, and wiping his mouth, fixed his attention on the two men staring at him, stunned.

After the initial shock had pa.s.sed Cedrik approached him. ”Are you injured?”

”Apparently not,” said Cade with a one-sided smile, touched if not amused by Cedrik's genuine concern.

”That was quite a fall.” Cedrik looked up, shaking his head. ”Are you certain you're in no need of attention?”

”I'm fine. Fate has always dealt kindly with me.”

Cedrik raised his brows. ”No doubt.”

”That was funny,” said Derek, who had not yet spoken. Cade looked at him as if only noticing him for the first time.

”Not very,” he said. ”And now I don't get paid.”

”Here,” Cedrik said, reaching into his pocket.

”Hey-hey! Put it away,” said Cade, indignant. ”I don't need handouts.”

”Sorry. I just ...” Cedrik stumbled, aware he had insulted the stranger, but the youth's smile returned almost immediately. His gaze ran down the length of them. They looked rather tight-laced and polished.

”Not from around here, are you?” he asked, friendly. ”Let me guess. Wynnstan, no, no, I have it. Imperial?” Cedrik smiled with some embarra.s.sment along with pride. ”Thought as much.” Cade winked at him. ”Come on. Let's get out of this h.e.l.l-hole, and I'll-”

The innkeeper's voice came booming again. ”Out!”

Cade closed his eyes, then, reopening them, finished his sentence. ”And I'll show you around.”

Speaking as if he had known them all his life, Cade took them into the city. He was in the habit of rough speech. A common-looking fellow, not unattractive, he had the lean muscular look of one who was not disposed to a single occupation, but rather did many different forms of activity. Not strung to any great purpose in life, his att.i.tude was as unexceptional as his features. When Cedrik could get a word in, he gave Cade a brief description of Deacon and asked if he had seen anyone fitting.

”Much earlier, maybe,” answered Cade. ”I couldn't tell you where the fellow was heading.”

”There is an emporium he was looking for, spell books and such. Where is that?” asked Cedrik.

”Right. One of those,” said Cade without any disrespect. ”I'll take you. You'll most likely get lost.”

The streets maintained a languid feel, filled with the citizens of Cheydon. A solemn people, not unfriendly, but somewhat mistrustful, their mood was as colourless as the sky. Many were strangers to the city, aloof and mysterious.

The spell book emporium was situated in the city centre, looking no different from the many emporiums, save for the two large and impressive doors. It was musky and dimly-lit inside, so s.p.a.cious it felt empty, with shelves of books that one could open to any page and be fascinated by the strange words. All was quiet. Only visible were people with bowed heads, absorbed in their studies.

”It's as if somebody died,” said Derek grimly, his voice a touch loud for the soundless atmosphere.

”Take a look around,” said Cade as if he were the owner of the place. ”He's bound to be in here somewhere. Mind yourselves; you don't want to be upsetting these sorts.”

The boys split up and went down the quiet pa.s.sages in search of their fourth companion. Their purposive presence mildly disrupted the readers, who gave disgruntled gazes that lifted briefly, before again turning down to books fondly held. Disappointed to discover Deacon was not here, Cedrik and Derek parted ways with Cade, thanking him. ”Watch out for yourselves,” he said with friendly caution. ”There are untrustworthy people here. You Imperial boys will get done over.”

Not knowing where to start, the brothers decided to return to the inn and wait for Deacon.

In their room Derek lay on the floor, feet up on the wall, aimlessly tossing pieces of dry bread at the ceiling, which bounced off onto the floor. Cedrik had left him several hours ago again in search of Deacon. It was hard for Derek, who had never known boredom, to sit and do nothing. Aimlessly he waited.

Returning after having being gone such a while gave Cedrik a new perspective of the room. He didn't know how, but Derek had somehow managed to put it in an even worse state than when they had first arrived the night before. Tankards were strewn across the floor, and Derek's bed was covered with the entire contents of his travel pack.

”You're really living it up,” Cedrik said, kicking Derek with his boot as though he were a beggar or drunkard.

Derek groaned. ”You have a strange notion of what living it up means,” he said, sluggishly dragging himself up. He and Cedrik looked down at the bread scattered on the floor at their feet. Derek shrugged. ”The rats will eat it.”

Cedrik tossed Derek a small, greasy bag that contained sweet cakes he had bought in the city, then slumped down onto his bed.

”Food!” cried Derek, taking out a sticky morsel. Never had sweet cake tasted so good. He ate enthusiastically, mumbling through mouthfuls just how good. Looking at Cedrik, he slowed his chewing, then halted altogether. ”You don't suppose something unfortunate has happened to him? Do you?”

Cedrik glanced up and gave a short laugh. ”If anything unfortunate is taking place, you can be certain he's the cause of it.” He shook his head with a weak smile, but Derek could see his concern.

That evening they began to suffer restlessness, arising from their prolonged confinement. They came very near to killing one another before lapsing into a dull and moody silence. When he could take it no longer, Derek said. ”I am going out for some fun!”

Cedrik laughed recklessly. ”It's raining, and the streets are deserted.”

”I don't intend to stand out in the streets,” Derek said petulantly. ”I was thinking something more along the lines of a tavern. Perhaps get some dinner and maybe some d.a.m.ned entertainment.”

”You please yourself.”

”You're not coming?” Derek said, disappointed.