Chapter 20
Chayse glanced to his left. A young man, not much older than he, lay in the mud, blood streaming from his nose. Mek offered him a hand but he ignored the gesture and once back on his feet, limped silently off the muddy field to the cheers of his comrades. The half-giant shrugged and looked around for another opponent.
A man in leather and steel stood before Chayse, tracing wide circles in the air with his sword tip. His stance, although casual, reeked of controlled aggression. His smile somewhere between a grin and a sneer invited Chayse to rejoin the dance.
The man lunged forward. Chayse parried and spun to the side. His rival spun in the opposite direction, leaving Chayse to slash the air.
With a chuckle, his opponent closed the gap. His sword at the ready, he beckoned Chayse forward with his other hand. Chayse accepted the invite and their swords sang out in earnest.
Since wandering into Freeport a double handful of days ago, Mek’s size and Chayse’s pointy ears had drawn plenty of a stir. The usual curiosity and distrust were nothing new to them as they moved amongst the human population. Still, Chayse had hoped the distaste he felt from most of the humans in Hyrs-Loba would be lacking in the more diverse population of Freeport.
He sighed and parried his rival’s counter-thrust, glad the rain and wind had finally shifted inland to the southeast. He’d fought this particular guard every day since they requested practice yard privileges from the city guard the morning after they arrived. And each afternoon found Chayse laid out in the mud, sporting a new bruise or slash in his new leathers.
But each afternoon also found him growing in strength, confidence and technique. Today, today, he not only held his own against this opponent, but spotted a weakness in his attack. Sidestepping the next slash, their swords crossed and Chayse slid his blade down the merchant guardsman’s until they were face to face, blades crossed at the guards.
“So the pretty boy wants to slow dance, does he?”
“Only if you let me lead.”
The guardsman hooted and shoved Chayse away. He slid his sword back into its scabbard. “For an Al’far your wit exceeds expectations, just make sure your sword is as quick and you know when to use which,” he said, clapping Chayse on the back. “There was a merchant askin’ bout you and your friend. Might be some work there for ya if you be lookin’.”
Chayse grinned, happy to have the guard finally recognize him as something more than a training dummy. He slid his short sword into his sheath and asked. “Got a name for that merchant?”
“I have a couple, but you better call him Merchant Dielburg or Sir if you want the work,” the man said with a laugh and turned toward the city barracks. He looked back over his shoulder at Chayse. “Look for him at the Silver Spout Inn.”
“I heard a merchant had some trouble out on the road to Windy Cove. Wouldn’t be him, would it?”
The guard shrugged as he walked away. His words,” You’re the one lookin’ for work…” floated back to him on the breeze.
“You there, with the big friend.”
Chayse glanced at Mek, winked and turned to the man striding toward him.
“I saw you stretching your skills out in the yard.” The stranger smiled. “My men say you and your companion can hold your own in a fight and some of their own too.” He chuckled and with a nod to Mek continued, “Word has it, you’re looking for work?”
“Depends on the what and where.” Chayse nodded, studying the man. His face windburned and boots caked with mud, he looked like he’d seen better days. The Trader’s Guild emblem upon his cloak pin gave him occupation and position. “You with the caravan that ran into trouble the other day?”
“The merchant nodded grimly. “Aye. We couldn’t get past the first windfall we came to on the road, with animals still spooked from that wicked storm. They wouldn’t budge any farther. Had a monster of a time clearing it, too. Sure coulda used your big friend then.”
“Bad break that. What kinda work ye offering.”
With a grimace, the man took a long pull on his drink before he spoke. “Let’s sit. I have a private table here at the inn.” He motioned for them to come set at his table.
“I lost two good men on that road. That windfall and debris made the road impassable before we’d journeyed half a day. I sent three of my guards out to scout how far the damage lay, but only one came back. He reported the other two killed by a band of nilmorg.”
“Sounds like Ymarii’s winds blew in more than the usual flotsam and jetsam,” Chayse searched his memories for what he knew of the nilmorg. Although he’d never seen one alive, he knew from the tales told in the tavern, they were ugly and dangerous and usually traveled in a pack. Aside from that, he seemed to remember them saying to watch out if the nilmorg traveled with a rasmorg.
“Let’s just say it added another aspect to my failed attempt at a spring run. A clearing crew with guards will head out tomorrow, but the Fates play a harsh game this year. My contact with the Cove didn’t show and that worries me.”
A glance at Mek and Chayse knew he too thought of Ymarii’s trade ambassador’s disappearance during his order with Niun, and the two dead hatchlings they’d come across in the tunnels. He was not ready to tell this man or anyone else what he knew about the Guardian’s inner tunnels or his past, so he kept quiet and looked concerned.
“You Al’far aren’t much for chatterwacking, are ye? And that’s fine with me. A man, human or espaire should be a man of action and not empty words.” The merchant took a swallow of his drink before continuing, “So, I will get right to it. I heard tell, you were headed to Windy Cove and asking after a runesmith that taught at the Tavir Academy.”
Chayse nodded. “Aye, I was told the quickest way to the Academy was to take one of the trade ships out of Windy Cove, heading north. Perhaps you know this runesmith or have heard of him. His name is Marley Stonebender.”
The merchant blinked, a look of speculation gleamed in his eyes. “I haven’t heard that name in a double handful of years. When you find him, if you can talk him into coming to Freeport or Stoutguard for a while to ply his trade, we will make it worth his while and yours for talking him into it. I bought some of his work years ago while he was in Windy Cove. Starting your search there sounds like a good beginning. Which brings me to my employment offer.”
Chayse interrupted the trader’s spiel. “I’m afraid we won’t wait for the road to be cleared or safe.” He figured the man wanted him and Mek to replace the two he lost, or join the clearing crew, but he had no intention of staying past the morning. Now that the storm moved to the southeast and the winds had died down, he and Mek would leave with dawn’s first light.
“Splendid!” The merchant clapped his mug down on the table. “I need a couple of brave souls to find their way through to the waystation a couple of days out from here. Tell them I‘ll be there with supplies as soon as the road’s clear and safe. Give’em this.” The trader held up a small sealed scroll. He’ll feed you up and lay you a pallet for the night and see ya off the next morn with a bit of silver.”
“What if I find trouble?”
“From the looks of what I saw in the yard today, I say deal with it. The pair of you are capable. Have that old coot holding down the waystation tell my granddaughter hello and to give her anything the farm needs. And tell him those blasted birds I sent him were for messages, not dinner.”
“Is that it?”
The trader shook his head and took a drink. “Until you get to Windy Cove, it is. Once there, look up The Port Administrator, Thysl. And give him this.” He handed Chayse another small sealed scroll. “I would ask him about runesmith Stonbender. If nothing else, he can get ye on a boat north. Have you ever met a dragonkin?”
Chayse listened casually while carrying on a silent conversation with Mek in their specialized sign language. Impressed with the trader’s quick wit and genuine concern for the people along his route, they decided a legitimate reason for traveling to Windy Cove couldn’t hurt. Neither would the replenishment of their coin pouch. The past double handful of days, living in this port city, had not come cheap.
“I have met one or two dragonkin, yes. If we take the job, when can we leave? I had plans to be out of here by first light.”
Grinning, the merchant stood and clapped Chayse on the back. “Now that’s my kind of plans. Let me pay for a room for ya, here at the inn. You can pick up whatever food supplies you need from the innkeeper and I’ll pick up the tab and save ye a few steps.”
Chayse returned the smile. “Much obliged,” he said, picking up his pack and motioning for Mek to follow.