by Guy Antibes
“Lord Crotho. I wasn’t a dumb animal, if that’s what you mean. I am current on what’s going on in Grianna.”
Bellia took a deep breath. Was this man’s discovery a nudge? How could it be otherwise? Her family’s assassin found as a dog in one town out of two or three hundred? Too much for a coincidence and she knew Lurini told the truth. The man, in some ways, was without guile.
She felt like punching a hole in a brick wall, but Bellia thrust out her hand to seal the agreement with Lurini.
“I agree to take you along with us. I have a friend with me who is very, very deadly with a sword and protective of me.”
“You won’t regret this.”
“I’d better not.” Bellia looked at the moon. It was time to check on Ulu.
Lurini hobbled on the rocky ground, clutching the coat around him, but his calves and feet were uncovered and he had to pick his way back to the inn.
~
They’d been on the road for a couple of weeks.
“There is a good sized town a league or so ahead. We can make it to Grian in a few days from there.”
Lurini trotted up astride his horse. “Heliaton?” he said. Bellia nodded. “As I journeyed away from Grian, I stopped there for a few months. They had an inn, The King’s Stag. Those against the rule of King Cressian ran it back then. I nearly stayed, but was afraid they would be raided at any time. It’s worth a try since I don’t know of any other establishment close by.”
Bellia stared at the map. “Do you really think they might still own the place?”
“You never know until you find out.” Lurini looked back at Fillia struggling with the wagon. “I’ll go back and drive. Perhaps Fillia might find something a little more comfortable to sit on than that hard seat.”
Bellia stopped for a rest and brought Ulu along with her into a field gone fallow in the autumn cold. “What do you think of Lurini?
“He is an honest man, Mistress Bellia. I have talked to him as we have ridden. He truly did not want to kill your family and he did not want his own family killed. Lurini is still in wonder that you returned him to his human-ness. I believe him.”
“Will he sell us out? I could bribe him, but if he can be bought by me, he can be bought by another.” Bellia still struggled with the man’s actions. Despite her attempts to forgive him, she remained cautious.
“Do not give him money unless he needs it. He does not need it. I have not needed money and I have been by your side all of this time. You have not offered money for my loyalty.” Ulu sang and grinned.
“You are my companion. And we are in this together,” Bellia sang back. She put her arm around her friend’s shoulder and they walked back to the wagon.
“The King’s Stag it is. Have you heard of it, Fillia?”
“No. When we traveled, my father insisted on camping by the road to save money. We all wore costumes of the northern people so we wouldn’t be recognized.” Fillia smiled and shrugged. “He didn’t realize we drew much more attention that way. But that was my father.”
They started up again. Fillia and Lurini talked the entire time in the wagon. Fillia gave Corl a knife to whittle with and they started back up on the way to Heliaton.
The travel gave Bellia more time to think about her code-less magic. She felt constraint was still the best path to follow in using the power lines as she called them. She didn’t over think or under think when she transformed Lurini, but somehow, tapping into the power didn’t use up as much of her physical strength when she controlled its release. Bellia hoped she wouldn’t have to use it to escape again.
~
Heliaton seemed to have some life in the streets compared to Foserwood and the other towns they had traveled through. The shops had more goods and it seemed like everybody had things to do and they were out doing them.
The King’s Stag stood intact and ready for business. Lurini drove the wagon into the stableyard as Bellia walked into a bustling place. The inn sported a dining room and a counter on one side of the stairs and a tavern on the other like most every inn she had ever walked into.
A little bell sat on the counter. Bellia smiled at the ringing sound. A tall good-looking young man came up to the counter.
“I need at least two rooms. Two women and a boy to share one room and one for two men.”
“I can do that. That would be a room for three and a room for two.” He scribbled something down on a pad of paper. “Half a silver guinea. That includes dinner in the dining room and breakfast in the tavern.
“Baths should you desire them are an iron groat each. We don’t wash clothes.”
“I have a wagon and four horses in your stables.”
“Stable’s included.” He smiled at Bellia. “Where are you headed?”
“A little town on the other side of Foserwood.”
He looked at Bellia with a trace of doubt in his face. “And you came from?”
“A little town on the other side of Grian. You wouldn’t have heard of it,” Bellia said. She felt her face redden as he scrutinized her.
“You’re turning red,” he said smiling.
“You’re a handsome man. All such men make me blush.” Bellia said it to cover her embarrassment over her lies, but realized she spoke the truth.
“Well, I’m Karan and my uncle has owned this establishment since before I was born. Could you sign your name here?” She opened a register.
“Bellia of Greenwell, Testia.”
“A royal name from far away.”
“Royal name?” Bellia ground her teeth for showing confusion.
“It’s the ‘lia’. All the highest noblewomen in Grianna have names that end that way. The men’s names end with -ian.”
“So you’re name would be Karanlia if you were a Lady?”
“If I was a Lady?” he raised his eyebrows and then laughed putting his hand on Bellia’s wrist. “But I’m not, so my name would be Karalian.” He laughed a bit while he scribbled in his ledger. “I’ll be around tonight. I’d be interested in hearing how you came to be from a little town on the other side of Grian, traveling all the way from Testia. I’ll buy you a drink.”
They were interrupted by her traveling companions trudging in carrying their possessions. Fillia’s household possessions remained tied down in the wagon. “Do you have a room with a real bed?” Fillia said. Bellia realized her name ended with a noble ending, giving some credence to the fact that her father was of noble blood. Corl’s full name must be Corlian.
“Your friends have arrived. You,” she gave a key to Fillia, “have room 8. It’s the closest to the bath room. We have plumbed in hot water from the kitchen, so you won’t have to worry about waiting to have it filled. And you men,” he gave another key to Bellia who handed it to Lurini, “have room 5. It’s just about across the hall, but above the tavern.”
Bellia thanked Karan and brought her little group together outside. “I told the man we are heading to a little town on the other side of Foserwood and have come from a little town on the other side of Grian. If he thinks we’re heading in the opposite direction, it may give us some cover, so remember that when you talk to anybody.”
“Has the inn changed hands?” Lurini said. “I would have remembered him and I don’t, but that was some years ago.”
“His uncle presumably owns the place and has done since before he was born.” Bellia looked back. Karan still scratched on the paper, but he glanced up, smiled at her and then kept smiling as he turned his gaze back down.
“We must still be careful. He said he wants to talk a bit to me later, so perhaps I can get some information from him.”
Lurini poked her in the ribs. “I’ll bet he does.”
Bellia colored and then ushered her group back into the inn and up the stairs, helping to carry their bags.
Some minutes later, they assembled in the dining room. It was nearly full of people.
“What makes this fief so happy?” Bellia asked the server, an older man with a ready smile.<
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“Our lord is a bit more enlightened than the others. He realizes that busy people create more wealth than draining every penny from the farmers and townspeople.”
Fillia perked up. “In my town, the people killed the mayor and the Lord did nothing. It was dog-eat-dog.” She glanced at Lurini, who smiled at the turn of her phrase. “Too much of Grianna is losing its civilized behavior.”
The man frowned. “I’d watch your tongue. Even our Lord won’t countenance evil speaking of the King.” Then he leaned over and said with a mock whisper, “no matter what the rest of us think.” He winked and gave them three options for their dinner.
“Good counsel,” Bellia said. She looked at Lurini. “I’m beginning to think some shrewd and canny people run this place.”
“If it’s not a trap, you may be right.”
Bellia sighed. “Why can’t life just be simple?”
“It is simple for me and my people.” Ulu said, smiling.
“Only for so long. Only for so long.” Bellia felt like her life just drifted from bad to worse, except for her time at the Temple of the Blind God.
They ate their dinner and Fillia, Corl and Ulu went up to bed. Bellia and Lurini walked over to the tavern side and ordered ale.
“Ah,” Lurini said as he drank long and deep of his ale. “It’s been a long time.”
“That’s right. We’ve been on the run since your emergence.”
“This is my first and probably my best since I was turned into a dog.” He smacked his lips.
“So do you recognize anyone?”
“The barman. I think he is the owner. He wore a beard and had a bit more hair the last time I was here.”
“If that’s the case, then Karan’s offer isn’t one of interest in me.” Bellia sort of felt deflated.
“Perhaps both, my girl. Can I have another?” Lurini raised his hand for the barmaid.
“So how is Fillia?”
“She’s much better. I persuaded her to lie down on the bags and it seemed to have helped her painful backside somewhat. You know she is much more educated that I first thought.”
“So her story about being a noble is probably correct?
“Oh no doubt.” Lurini waved his hand. He looked at it with a sorrowful expression. Bellia wondered how he still felt about losing his powers.
“What about her name?”
“Fillia? Certainly a noble name. It’s much more common for women then men to have a royal-type name.” Lurini looked at Bellia.
“Perhaps you should just shorten yours to Belle or something. That’s more common for women. I didn’t even think about it until just now. I guess because I know your story.”
“Whose story?” Karan said from behind Bellia. He pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. Bellia hadn’t even seen him approach the table.
“Oh. This is Lurini. He’s an old acquaintance from Greenwell. We ran into each other unexpectedly and I invited him along with us as we tour Grianna.”
Karan looked over Lurini with a practiced eye. “Greenwell? Never heard of it before I saw you write it down. You look like a teacher or maybe a wizard, Lurini.”
Lurini looked at Bellia and rose from the table. “I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink. Time for bed.” He yawned and stretched. “It’s been a long, long day.” He gave Bellia a grin and a wink and left.
“I think Lurini’s seen too much of the world,” Karan said.
“And from a unique viewpoint,” she said, thinking of his doggy eyes only a foot off the ground. She smiled at her little comment.
“What’s your viewpoint? You don’t really look like a Griannan. Too light, that sandy hair.”
“My mother had blond hair and my father and my brother’s had dark.”
“Had?”
“They’ve all passed on through the years.”
“I’m sorry.” He actually did look sorry. “Can I be honest?”
“Sure.”
“You’re not on your way to Foserwood. You’re on your way from Foserwood. No one is heading from Grian, or I would have known, especially private citizens wearing weapons.” He leaned over and looked at her swords. “Especially women wearing weapons.”
Bellia thought about persisting with the lie, but this man was too sharp. “No. I’m new to this subterfuge. I’m an ex-soldier who’s been pressed into service.”
“You an ex-soldier. I’d say you’re right around twenty. Whose service?”
“I served with the North Wansuan army. It was destroyed and I wandered over to Eustia. I’m just headed to Grian to see what happens.”
“Are you sure you’re not some bastard daughter of a noble trying to get yourself a fief? There’s lots of money to be made in Grianna.”
He was right about her being the daughter of a noble. “For how long? This country is dying; falling apart. The town the lady is from has just descended into barbarism, and Foserwood was already immersed in it with Count Crotho and his greed. At least in Banta, people are eager to assert their rights and somehow maintain order.” Bellia found courage in her words.
“I couldn’t say it better.”
“But why hasn’t your Lord clamped down here like the others?”
“Because there is no Lord. Oh, there’s a man who acts as the Lord, but a council really runs this feif. The only way to keep things going is to pretend it has a Lord ruling over all of us.”
“But the King…”
“The King gets more tribute from us than from any of his other Lords. None of the others can keep themselves from stealing tribute money.”
“Why are you telling me this? How do you know I don’t work for the King?”
Karan smiled. “I could see you making up your little lies on your face. It was really cute.” He put his hand on her wrist again.
Bellia’s first reaction was to pull it away, but she let him keep it there. “So you’ll let us go on to Grian by ourselves?”
“I didn’t say that.” He somehow managed to say that with a huskier voice. This man wasn’t millennia older than her. They were much the same age and his presence made something stir within Bellia she hadn’t really felt before.
“What will you say?” Bellia concentrated on keeping the banter going. The strange feeling confused her mind like a bad headache, except it wasn’t a headache, something far different.
“We’ll add a few more to your party. Something is going to happen soon in Grian and we want to be part of it.” His face darkened a bit as if he had other plans he thought about while talking to her.
“I don’t know quite what you mean?” Bellia was suddenly aware of his squeezing her wrist.
“It’s better for you not to know until we are further on the road. Do you trust all you travel with?”
Bellia thought about Lurini, but discounted him being an agent for the King. “Yes.”
“What do you know of the woman?”
“Fillia? She’s the little boy’s aunt. We saved her from a very bad situation in her village. The boy was under guardianship, living with her cousin and her cousin’s husband who were killed on the road for carpenter’s tools and the threat of becoming competition in the village. We took the boy to her house. That’s about all we know of them.”
“That wouldn’t happen here.” Karan said with a trace of pride.
“Well it happened there and I would imagine it’s happening all over Grianna.”
Karan nodded. “And what’s your story?”
“I’m a soldier of fortune. I really did grow up in Greenwell, a northern village in Testia. I’ve been wandering, more or less, since I joined King Rollack’s army in North Wansua and ended up at a friend’s house in Togolath. I was telling you the truth that my parents were born here. I felt I wanted to see what my home country looked like.”
“With a name like Bellia, they probably left when King Cressian took the throne.”
“Before. I was born not long after they arrived in Testia.”
“Interesting.
There were some turbulent times before the King’s father died. Brothers killed or fleeing away…” he paused, “and other nobles rising and falling in influence.”
“That’s what evidently happened to Fillia. Her father was a poor noble. She described them as living in genteel poverty.”
“Plenty of those around. Perhaps your parents wanted a fresh start in Testia. What did your father do?”
“He was a scholar. He brought books and scrolls with him to pursue his studies. But he died and then a sickness came into our house and killed my mother and brothers. I was left an orphan at seventeen and entered the army.
“That must be why you are so robust for a woman.” Karan flashed his eyes. Bellia merely rolled hers, blushing like a young teenager. They both laughed.
“Yeah. An old army buddy dragged me on a treasure hunt in Eustia and I wandered around until I came here.”
“Did you find your treasure?”
“Yes, in a way I did. I met Ulu along the way. He joined me in my journey and here we are.”
“Somehow I think there’s a lot that happened in between those words.” Karan looked at Bellia appraisingly.
“I’ve been on my own for years, and there is a lot between those words. But tonight’s not the night to bore you.”
“I hope very much that such a night will come, Bellia. You must change the name in Grian. How about just Belle?”
“Lurini suggested that. I guess I can’t turn down the suggestions of two people.” She couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face. What was happening to her?
“Perhaps we can talk more tomorrow, Belle. Perhaps you should pick up some more feminine clothing before you leave.”
“Maybe I will.” Bellia had to leave the man. She stood and bowed slightly to Karan and left, walking up the stairs in a bit of a daze. She wondered why she felt so light and drained of energy. Was it because he so easily saw through her lies? Or was it something else? She decided she’d think of it some more and went to sleep thinking of riding dresses.
The next morning, Bellia’s group assembled in the tavern for breakfast. While they ate Karan and two other men walked in.
“We will be going with you,” he said.
