Loud, rowdy laughter reaches our ears at that moment, and the door closest to us in the courtyard flies open with a bang. A man falls out into the road at our feet. He is quickly followed by a woman, scantily dressed, her face painted with such colors I fear for a split second she must be a raider. She stares at us with bleary eyes then quickly dismisses us to help the man to his feet. They stumble away into the narrow alley, obviously under the influence of the whiskey.
“You can’t be serious?” Jax says, staring at Tater like he had lost his mind. I don’t understand, and I look from Jax to Tater as the little man shrugs.
“A safer place in all of Littlepass you will not find. Trust me, many a soul has hidden here, and the occupants … they know how to be tight-lipped. As my dear mother would say, ‘What happens here stays here.’ Besides, the proprietor is a friend of mine.”
“Tater, we can’t. Finn can’t stay here.”
I cain’t understand why Jax is protesting so. If it’s a friend of Tater’s, then what’s the problem? And Tater says it is safe enough. Jax looks over at me and Finn, and I can swear he is flushed with embarrassment.
“What’s the problem, Jax?” I say.
“This place is … it’s … it’s a service den.” He almost whispers the last words but don’t make no matter. He could have yelled them, and I still wouldn’t have known what he’s talking about. He must see the look of confusion on my face ‘cause he tries again.
“A service den. A house of ill fame.” I can tell he’s getting frustrated with me, but I still don’t understand.
An ill house? Did that mean the house is sick? Maybe Jax is right. We shouldn’t be staying in no sickly house. Before I can voice my objections, Tater jumps in.
“What our prudish friend is trying to say, Tara, very in-eloquently I might add, is that the ladies who reside in this residence are visited quite frequently by men. Many men. And that they treat those men as a wife would treat her wedded husband. Sometimes much better.” He smiles at his words then continues on, “And in return, they get paid for their unique … services. Do you understand?”
I do understand. Somewhat. I mean, I ain’t a complete idiot. I’ve seen animals and their breeding acts, and I kinda know that people ain’t much different. But Jax seems to be real put off by the whole idea, so of course I, on the other hand, don’t mind it at all.
“Can we go in? I’d like to meet those women.” I’m bursting with curiosity about what Tater is telling me. What kinda women are they to do that sort of thing for payment? I want to know.
“Oh, for the gods’ sake, Tara,” Jax mutters at me, and I just stare back, confused.
“What?” I say, still not getting what his problem was. Ain’t he ever seen animals mate before?
“Trust me, Jax. Finn will be in no way affected by our little side trip. I grew up in a house like this, and I turned out just fine. But if it troubles you so, you all can stay here with the animals while I procure a room for us. I’m sure my friend can provide us with one that is somewhat out of the way of the main … clientele.”
Jax seems to be okay with what Tater is suggesting, but I sure as hell ain’t going to stay out here. I want to see what has Jax riled up so. It cain’t be that bad. So I leave Finn with Jax and the nags. I can hear Finn’s rapid fire questions as I walk away.
“What’s an ill house, Jax? What kinda women did Tater say they are? How does a woman treat her wedded husband? How come I cain’t go in? What’s an elephant?”
And Jax responds with, “Drop it, Finn … never you mind. Finn, I ain’t telling you that! Elephant…what?”
It makes me snicker. Good luck trying to shut Finn up on this one. Once something got stuck in that boy’s craw, he don’t give up on it easily. Tater looks back at me trailing him with raised brows but just shrugs as I accompany him into the dim interior of the ill house.
The first thing I notice is the smell. It’s an odd combination. It’s like sickeningly sweet berries and stale smoke and unwashed bodies all rolled into one. I wrinkle my nose and pull my wrapper up a little higher, but Tater don’t seemed to be bothered at all. In fact, he’s smiling, looking ‘round the little room with affection, like he’s home.
The room is oddly furnished. There ain’t nuthin’ in it but cushioned seats and pillows and layers of silky-looking cloths hanging from the ceiling. I don’t even notice the door behind the cloths ‘til a woman walks through unexpectedly, making me jump. Her appearance is very similar to the woman we’d seen earlier, face heavily painted and her dress barely there, so low cut that I’m afraid her chest is gonna fall right out in front of us. Tater don’t seem to be afraid of this at all though; he’s smiling at her like she is a vision from the gods. Unlike the other woman; however, it seems to work for this one. She walks with grace and dignity, her look almost … queenly. That’s the word that pops into my head. At seeing us, her eyes open wide with surprise.
“Why, I’ll be … Tater? I haven’t seen you in forever, my friend. Where have you been?”
“Hello, Duchess. I hope we find you well?” He goes to her, and they embrace with the familiarity of long-lost friends.
“As well as the gods will allow,” she responds, bending slightly and dropping a kiss on his wrinkled cheek. “Are you here as a paying customer?”
“Regretfully no,” he says and sighs in disappointment.
She notices me then, and she eyes me sharply, whatever else she’s about to say cut short by my presence. She looks me up and down, sizing me up. “And what have you brought me here, old friend? A new girl perhaps?”
Tater looks back at me in surprise, like he almost forgot I was there. “Oh, dear me, no. No, not this one. I’m afraid she’s too … prickly for your establishment. She would chase all your customers away.”
They laugh, and I ain’t quite sure, but I think I’ve just been insulted. Again. She keeps eyeing me and then shrugs her slim shoulders. “Pity. With a little work, she would have made for a very profitable investment.”
“No, I wouldn’t waste your time on this one, Duchess. She is just a poor, orphaned child I found in the sand lands. I escorted her to Littlepass for she has family in the city … somewhere. But I am in need of a great favor, Duchess. We had a rather unfortunate encounter with some raiders in the mountains—barely escaped with our lives.”
At her sharp gasp, he continues. “Indeed! They have robbed me of everything, and I’m afraid I am now rather down on my luck. Until I am able to earn some coin, I was wondering if you would be generous enough to offer me a room. I would pay you back of course. Maybe something out of the way … back alley so we do not interfere with your daily business?”
Loud laughter comes from the room the “duchess” just came out of, and I find myself itching to see what was going on back there. I stand on my toes, trying to peer past her shoulder, but all I can see are the gauzy curtains. Suddenly, the curtains are pushed aside, and a man and woman emerge. Eagerly, they make their way to a staircase built alongside the back wall. If there’s any doubt in my mind of what Tater was trying to tell me earlier, it’s cleared up by the way the man gropes the woman as they make their way up the stairs. Oh, my! Cheeks flaming with embarrassment, I look away, back at Tater and the duchess. They don’t seem to be the least put out at all, like they ain’t even noticed. No wonder Jax don’t want Finn in here. I hate to admit it to myself, and I sure as hell ain’t going to admit it to him, but he’s right.
The duchess smiles at Tater, and it surprises me how that smile makes her painted face look so much younger.
“Of course, my dear. I could never say no to you, Tater; you know that.” She reaches into an unseen pocket and pulls out a ring of keys. I didn’t even think that dress could hide a pocket let alone the key ring. Sorting through, she pulls one out and hands it over.
“Here, it’s the room above the stable. Rarely gets used anyway, so may as well make some coin for it.”
Tater bows to her regally. “Thank you, Duchess. Y
ou truly are a generous and noble woman,” he says.
“Yeah, yeah, I will expect my full payment. And just make sure you and your … orphan girl leave it the way you found it.”
They exchange a bit more conversation, but it’s cut short by some ruckus from the mystery room. The duchess quickly excuses herself, and I follow Tater back out into the courtyard, eager to get away from that cloying smell. I breathe in deep the moment we are outside, trying to cleanse my nose. I wouldn’t exactly call it “fresh” air, but it’s much better than inside.
Finn and Jax are still standing by the nags like we’d left them, but Jax ain’t looking at me with the “I told you so” look like I was expecting to see. Instead, he looks angry and anxious. Why? I think. I take a couple of steps toward them, wondering what it is this time that has him looking like his innards are tied in a knot. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a quick glimpse of movement. Before I can turn around, something hard and cold is driven into my back, and a voice speaks almost directly into my ear.
“Do not move.”
I watch as the courtyard fills up with brown-robed Army. They move real quick, shooters drawn and held on us from all directions.
No! Not now, I think. Not after we have come so far.
They encompass us, cutting off any exit, any chance of escape. What’s happening here? I thought Tater said we had nuthin’ to worry about? Why is the Army here? And how had they found us so fast?
Jax catches my eye, and his gaze slides to the saddle bag on his horse. Our shooters are in there.
I know right away what he’s thinking. Before I can shake my head no at the idea, he moves for it. As quick as he is, he ain’t quick enough. One of the soldiers whacks him across the back of his knees, and he goes down hard.
“Jax!” Finn cries, but he don’t run to him. The soldiers between him and Jax prevent him from doing so. Jax struggles back to his feet, not bothering to hide the anger on his face.
“Try that again, boy, and the next time, you won’t get back up.” The sneer on the soldier’s face as he stares down at Jax is full of arrogance, and I can tell Jax is just itching to wipe that smug look right off of his face, but he don’t. He may be angry, but he ain’t totally stupid. Tater steps out in front of us all, his hands held up in surrender.
“Calm down, gentlemen. This is all a misunderstanding. I think you have us mistaken for someone else. We are nothing but a group of travelers, minstrels, and traders just looking to do some business,” he says, a disarming smile on his face.
“Is that so, old man?” This from the same soldier who’d spoke to Jax. “A dwarf, two boys, and a girl. A very distinct group, is it not? The exact same sort of group an Army squadron was sent out to pick up weeks ago and from which only two survivors returned. You can see why such a group entering our city walls has raised our suspicions.”
Tater nods. “Yes, yes, I can see where you may think that, but really, we are just travelers. Harmless, entertaining travelers. As a matter of fact, if you know of anyone looking for our services—”
The soldier rolls his eyes impatiently and interrupts Tater. “Enough talk old man.” He turns to his men. “Take them all.”
“Wait.” He stops and turns back to us at Tater’s command. Tater drops his hands and steps boldly up to the young man, and I tense. What the hell is he doing?
“Where is your commanding officer?” he asks.
The young man looks taken aback. “I am—”
“No, you are just a trainee.” This time it is Tater who interrupts the soldier. I’m shocked at Tater’s words, his tone. What is he playing at?
“You are just a little boy playing soldier. Who is actually in charge here today?”
“That would be me.” The voice is mild, pleasant, and comes from the shadowed alleyway. He steps into view, and I’m surprised to see a potbellied, squat little man with a balding head and round, silver spectacles sitting low on his nose. If it weren’t for the Army getup, you would believe he was just a neighborly sort. He ambles over to Tater, his chins wobbling from his effort.
“Hello, Naryz. I thought it would be you,” the half-man says.
“Tater.” The fat man nods, and I feel a huge wave of relief washing over me. Tater knew him just like the other guard. It’s going to be okay.
“I have information for you,” Tater says.
“Is that so?” The fat man sounds dubious.
Tater nods. “Indeed. First thing’s first though, in anticipation of what may occur, I have to inquire about your diligence. Are you equipped with serum today?”
“As you well know, Tater, we are always prepared. Why do you ask?”
“And the reward still stands?” Tater’s words are puzzling me. Where’s he going with this?
“It does.” The fat man nods again, making his chins wobble some more.
“Then he will be very pleased for I have brought him a wonderful gift indeed. This girl standing before you is probably one of the most powerful New Bloods to come into his possession for a very long time.”
Wait! What? What is Tater saying? Shizen. Why’s he telling them I’m a New Blood?
“And you are sure, Tater? He has been disappointed before, and trust me, old man, you do not want to disappoint him.” The fat man’s words are meant for Tater, but he is eyeballing me like I’m suddenly a piece of meat on his dinner plate. I’m stunned, unsure of what’s going on. Did Tater truly just say those words, or is my mind playing tricks on me?
“I am sure. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. She is a true New Blood in every sense of the word. And the two with her are her willing accomplices.”
Jax’s “Bastard,” shocks me, as he lunges for Tater, snarling like an animal. He is immediately taken down by half a dozen soldiers before he can get anywhere near him and disappears under the barrage of bodies.
Jax’s yelling brings me out of my stupor, and I finally realize what’s happening. I stare at Tater with uncertainty. “Tater? What are you doin’?” I whisper.
He ignores me entirely and turns back to the fat man. “I shall expect my payment to be prompt.”
The impact of what is happening hits me like a punch to the gut. “You bastard!” I echo Jax, only this time, it don’t come out as no whisper. “You lyin’, traitorous bastard!” I move at him quick, my intent to wrap my hands round his scrawny neck. But like Jax, I’m instantly restrained by numerous hands. Struggling against them, I stare at Tater’s back with hate-filled eyes. “How could you do this? We trusted you. I trusted you. Look at me, Tater. Dammit … look at me. You betrayed us all.”
I can hear Jax still struggling against his captors and Finn’s quiet sobbing, but my focus is solely on the half-man in front of me. I need to understand. I need to know why he would do such a thing to us. He turns then, and his eyes are cold and ruthless, not like the man I had come to know at all.
“I warned you, girl, of the evil and corruption. I said you would see things that would change you forever.” He shrugs. “This is merely one of those things. Only the strong survive in this world, and when you have riches, that’s when you are the most powerful.”
That’s why he did this? For the reward? We meant so little to him that he turned us in for iron? He turns his back to me again and starts to walk away with Winnie in tow, but I ain’t done.
“I’m gonna make you regret you ever crossed us, Tater.” I’m screaming now, but I don’t care. I’m pulling at my captors, nearly dragging them as I try to follow Tater. “Mark my words, half-man. I will kill you!”
Hurt, anger, betrayal. The emotions all boil over, and the buzzing starts out of nowhere. I welcome it with open arms. I welcome my Chi. I embrace it. The hands that seemed so strong holding me back I now shake off like swatting away maskeetos. I almost laugh out loud as the fat man backs up in fear, his eyes almost bugging out of his head, and yells at someone behind me, “For gods’ sake man, take her down already.”
I feel a small prick of pain as something jabs me in
the neck. I whirl around, hand on my neck, and come face to face with my attacker. His eyes open wide as I grab him by the throat, and he drops a small white chamber with a sharply pointed end. He’d stuck me with that? What the hell?
An icy coldness starts at the spot on my neck. I can feel it quickly working its way through my enflamed blood, cooling me down, making me weak. The hand holding the soldier’s throat goes limp and falls away on its own, like I cain’t control it. What is happening? The coldness works its way down into my legs, and I wobble a bit. What is this? Magic? I try to step away from the soldiers approaching me, but I fall into their hands instead. Jax by now is back on his feet, and I can see his bloodied face peering at me, calling my name. Finn too, but they sound strange … distant … distorted. I shake my head, trying to clear it, but it don’t work.
I can feel myself being dragged helplessly through the narrow alleyway and tossed roughly into some kind of boxed wagon. I land in a heap on the floor, but I’m too weak to even make myself sit up. I hear the others being herded in, then gentle hands grab me, move me to a sitting position, and I stare up into angry, blue eyes. One of Jax’s cheekbones is already turning purple, and he’s bleeding from his lip and the old injury on his temple.
“You’re bleedin’,” I try to say, but it feels like my tongue is swollen twice its normal size and all that comes out is gibberish. But he understands, and he shakes his head.
“I’m fine. Finn, too.” He sounds so strange, like he’s talking real slow. Finn sits on my other side, staring at me with worried eyes. I want to tell him I’m okay, but I cain’t seem to form the words. What is happening to me? I cain’t move, cain’t speak. I’m so scared. Is this what it feels like to die? A single tear escapes the corner of my eye. I can feel its wetness trail down my face, but Jax gently wipes it away.
“You’re going to be okay. We’re here with you. I won’t let anything happen to you, Tara. I promise.” Somehow, I know he actually means it. Jax always keeps his promises. I find it eases my fear some, and I relax in his arms.
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