“The parks of Dralin have almost no crime,” Frath told her as they sat. Sheela moved as close as possible to his warmth and security without actually sitting on his lap. The feelings that were in her mind and body felt unfamiliar to her and she didn’t understand them. What she did know was that it was nice to be close to the handsome guardsman. His voice was smooth and seemed to caress her skin, which was another sensation she didn’t understand.
“You’re not eating . . .” he observed with concern. She jumped at the words and took a fast bite. The burst of flavor in her mouth overwhelmed her. It had been so long since she had eaten anything substantial that she hardly knew how to handle it. In a moment, she was chewing as rapidly as possible, trying to finish in case it might escape.
Once he was certain Sheela was going to eat, Frath continued speaking between bites of his own draddly. “I’m sorry about what happened in the bazaar. Slavers and kidnappers have been getting bolder lately and more people have been disappearing than usual. I can’t believe one would be so stupid as to try to steal you from my protection though.”
Sheela studied his handsome face, noticing unease in the set of his jaw. A thin scar ran from chin to cheek and she resisted an urge to run her fingers along it. “Are we safe here?” she asked worriedly.
“The City Guard patrols all the parks,” he told her, pointing at a unit of six guards walking between the ponds. “But even the various criminal guilds help protect the parks. They’re safe havens for almost everyone.”
“Almost?” Sheela asked around a mouthful of food. She held a hand underneath her chin to prevent any crumbs from escaping.
“The Deformed aren’t allowed in the parks. They try to sleep here, but their taint would corrupt the parks too.” Frath popped one of the chips in his mouth. They were nearly gone between the two of them.
“What exactly are the Deformed?” Sheela asked. “From what I’ve heard, magic corrupts them or something?”
“Something like that,” Frath confirmed. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that magic leaves residue after it’s cast. There are more wizards in Dralin than anywhere else in the world. There are also potion makers, priests and just about anything else to do with magic.” He frowned, his thick eyebrows lowering over sad eyes. “The residue gathers in streets and sewers. The Deformed are generally homeless people who sleep in polluted alleys. The magical waste corrupts their bodies and minds, twisting them into deformed versions of people. They’re dangerous and nobody knows what to do with them.”
“Why don’t they clean up the magical residue?” Sheela asked. Her draddly was finished and she took the last chip when Frath offered it to her.
“Because the High Council runs the city. They don’t care about the welfare of the people. Dralin is also the richest and most powerful city in the world and they buy off or kill anyone who complains too loudly.” The set of his jaw showed anger at the careless disregard for the safety of the citizens he was sworn to protect.
Sheela put a comforting hand on his thigh, enjoying the feel of his leg through his trousers. “It seems foolish. I heard that this is one of the only cities in the world without a wall surrounding it. Is that because it’s so powerful?
Frath nodded. “That and it would be useless because the city keeps growing. By the time they finished a wall, more houses would be built outside of it. At this point, it would be impossible to defend any wall that surrounded the city anyway.”
“Oh . . . why?” Sheela asked. Her only education had been about taking care of chores on a farm. The concept of defending a city seemed awesome to her.
“It would take all of the soldiers in Altordan’s army to man it. Even then, a concentrated attack in any direction would be too hard to defend against.” Frath sounded as if he knew what he was talking about so she just nodded in agreement. He saw circles of exhaustion under her vulnerable eyes. “Let’s get you to the inn.” Frath took her hand and together they left the park.
A little less than an hour later, they were in a much quieter part of the city where the buildings were larger and older. Lanterns adorned many of the buildings in addition to the streetlights. Sheela looked in awe at the stone buildings with their tiled roofs and green lawns, wondering how many coins it would take to buy one of them.
“This part of the city is hundreds of years old,” Frath said. “A lot of wealthy merchants and some of the old noble families reside here. There’s not a lot of crime and the buildings are beautiful to look at. I like coming here.” He gestured to one on the left that had small cherub statues underneath the eaves. The windows had glass in them, unlike most houses that had window openings covered with leather, furs or wooden shutters.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Sheela admitted, gawking at the ornate etching in one thick wooden door. “It’s more magnificent than I imagined.” An armed guard sitting at the bottom of a stone railing nodded to Frath, acknowledging the presence of a city guardsman. Sheela had noticed that many of the buildings in this part of the city had guards.
“Here we are.” Frath pointed to a large, four-level building just past the next street. The front of it took up the entire block and she could see a tall stone wall extended along the side street for a long distance. The inns along the highway had been more massive, but nowhere near as elegant. Next to the main walkway to the entrance was a large stone sign with a picture of a shining shield and letters that Sheela didn’t understand because she had never learned to read.
Frath led her up the stone steps to a landing with four marble columns. Two sharply uniformed guards appeared very capable to Sheela’s uneducated eye. At the door was a finely dressed man in colorful red leggings that matched the color of the guards’ tabards. He also wore a lacy white shirt and a long red jacket.
The butler gave a sharp nod to Frath, but took in Sheela’s poor dress and dirty appearance with disdain. Frath spoke to him. “I’d like to speak to Albert, please. He’ll see me.” The man didn’t look happy, but he led them inside.
The butler had them wait in a corner just inside the door while Albert finished talking to a customer. Sheela looked around the common room in amazement. It was clean and warm, with wooden walls painted mellow green. Tapestries of magnificent battle scenes covered most of the walls.
The Shining Shield Inn catered to knights visiting Dralin as well as other nobles. A few of the men were dressed in their armor, all polished and well cared for. Others wore elegant clothing unlike anything Sheela had ever seen or even imagined. Most wore fine swords on their belts. Sitting with the men were squires and servants that helped the inn staff to take care of the knights. Noble ladies were at many of the tables, drinking wine and holding dignified conversations.
“Hello, Frath. It’s good to see you.” Albert was a burly man built like a tree. Frath had told her that he was a former knight who lost his sword arm in battle. Upon seeing Sheela, Albert frowned in disapproval. “Why have you brought this vagabond into my establishment?”
“Hello, Albert. This is Sheela and she just arrived in Dralin. I heard that you need a new girl to clean rooms and help out in the kitchen.” Frath spoke quickly with determination. He kept a hand on Sheela’s back for moral support. “I see a lot of people pass by every day and their faces all blur together. I’d like to help a lot of them, but there’s not much a simple guard like me can do.”
“You’re not a simple guard, Frath. You’re a good man with the heart of a knight.” Albert put his lone hand on Frath’s arm in a gesture of respect. Then he looked Sheela up and down. “She’s small and terribly skinny, but I can see spirit in the way she stands straight and looks me in the eye. We’ll have to get her something decent to wear.” He motioned for a pretty, blonde woman, who had just finished delivering food to a table, to come over. “Tonya, this is Sheela. Try to find something for her to wear, get her some food and put her in the room in corner of the basement. She’s small enough to fit in it.”
Frath let out a barely percep
tible sigh of relief. “Thank you, Albert. May I come to visit her on occasion?” His arm moved back over her shoulders as though he suddenly didn’t want to let go.
Albert raised an eyebrow, but nodded without saying anything. One of the customers called and he left to take care of him, giving Frath one more clap on the arm. With an encouraging smile, Tonya held out a hand and wiggled her fingers for Sheela to go with her. Frath smiled encouragingly and gave Sheela a giant hug, which she returned fiercely. As Tonya led her to the basement stairs in the back of the common room, she looked over her shoulder. Frath was watching her with a smile on his face. She smiled back happily as she walked down the steps.
Chapter 2
The next two weeks passed quickly. Sheela truly was a hard worker and did an excellent job. Albert didn’t manage the staff directly, having managers in charge of different aspects of the inn to do that for him. His wife, Purla, efficiently ran the kitchen and oversaw the hotel staff, tolerating no foolishness.
The food served to Sheela and the other servants was basic, but well made. It was the best she had eaten in her life and there was always enough for everyone. At first she made a couple of mistakes in doing her job, but Purla and some of the others taught her how to do things correctly, for which she was grateful.
Frath came to visit three times in those two weeks, but she was always too busy to spend more than a few minutes with him. On the first visit, they spent time just holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. The next two times they held each other tightly as though the world might rip them away from each other. Frath would always ask if she was alright and she would happily tell him she was doing wonderfully, which pleased and relieved him all at once.
Purla had finally given her time to spend with Frath on his day off. Sheela waited for him on a small ironbound wooden bench in an expansive garden behind the inn. Brick-paved paths meandered around numerous fruit trees and well-manicured flowerbeds. It was a nice place where she spent what little free time she had. Albert allowed servants to use the garden as long as they didn’t bother the guests and gave up seats when asked. The weather had been nice the last few days and everything was dry. The sun was warm enough to keep away the chill of a light morning breeze that rustled through the remaining multicolored leaves in an attempt to shake them off the trees. The aroma of flowers drifted underneath her nose and she inhaled deeply while brushing honey-brown hair out of her eyes each time a gust mussed it.
Purla had given her two copper pieces for her work. Normally, she would make seven copper pieces a week, a decent wage that included room and board. However, most of that had gone toward purchasing three dresses, a pair of shoes and basic personal supplies. Sheela stared at the coppers in her hand, not sure what to spend them on or even how to use money.
“Congratulations on your first payday,” Frath said softly from behind, startling her. She dropped the coins and scurried to pick them up. Frath bent over to grab one and handed it to her as they both stood straight. “I’m sorry I startled you,” he apologized sincerely. His deep voice wrapped around her, making her feel safe and foolishly happy.
“It’s alright,” she assured him with a cheerful smile. Looking back at the coins, she said, “I’m not sure what to do with them. I’ve never had money before.”
“Keep them in your purse,” he told her, pointing at the small leather pouch on her belt. “Then put it between your breasts, otherwise a cutpurse will easily take it from you.” Upon seeing Sheela blush at the mention of her breasts, Frath apologized. “I’m not doing well today, am I? You’re so innocent and this city makes me rough. I don’t deserve you.”
Sheela threw her arms around his waist in desperation. “Don’t say that! I don’t want you to leave me.” For all she had remained strong throughout everything in her life, he was the only person who had ever shown her compassion. It had been possible to hold her chin up when she didn’t have someone who cared. Now that she had tasted that sensation, there was no way she could survive its loss.
He gripped her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Her hair was clean from the twice-weekly baths she was required to take and she liked how soft it could be. The feel of him wrapped around her and the warmth of his breath comforted her. He breathed deeply and said, “You smell of raspberries. I could breathe your scent all day and be content.”
Sheela laughed as she separated from him a little, putting her hands on his chest. “Tonya put raspberry oil in my bath this morning after I got in. She said it would make me smell nice for our date today.” Blood drained from her face as she realized that she had called their day a date. “That was what Tonya called it . . .”
Frath tipped her head up by putting a finger under her chin. He did it every time he wanted to make sure she heard his words. Sheela was certain he liked looking into her eyes as much as she liked looking into his. At the same time, she wondered if he knew how much she willingly surrendered to him every time he did. “It would please me greatly if you would do me the honor of accompanying me on a date this fine day,” he requested formally.
She curtseyed as she had seen some of the ladies do for their knights. It wasn’t as elegant, but she thought she did a decent job. “I would love to go on a date with you, my brave champion.”
When Frath put a hand behind her head and kissed her firmly, she froze. A thousand feelings burst into her mind and through her body all at once. Many of them were extremely unpleasant and brought terror to the forefront of her thoughts. Frath pulled back and studied her for a moment. His face paled at the sight of her shock. “I’m so sorry, Sheela. That was inappropriate and I should have asked first.”
Sheela didn’t know what to say so she burst into tears and seized his waist again, clinging to him for dear life. He held her and they stood there for a few minutes until she could think again. He had a handkerchief for her to wipe her eyes and nose when she took a step back.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me,” she begged pitifully.
He gently took her arms and knelt so he could look up at her. “I won’t leave you. You have nothing to be sorry for. I was too bold.”
She shook her head fiercely. “No. You weren’t. I liked the kiss and want to try again sometime. I like you . . . I love you.” Her gut clenched as she said the last, hoping he wouldn’t think her the fool.
“I love you too, Sheela,” he responded immediately. “I have since that first day you arrived. It seems foolish to fall in love so fast, but it’s how I feel.” They embraced again, both desperate to cling to love and hope in a city filled with despair.
“Are you two actually going anywhere today or are you just going to stand there trying to see who can squeeze hardest?” Purla asked from nearby. They jumped and looked guiltily at the woman who was taking freshly washed and folded sheets back to the inn. Purla was the sort of person who worked just as hard as her staff.
Sheela quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Purla. We’ll go right away.”
The matronly woman laughed lightly. A life of smiling was beginning to add pleasant wrinkles on her face. Life and vigor filled her in spite of the grey taking over her brown hair. The innkeeper’s wife truly cared for the women who worked for her, a thing that had surprised Sheela, especially in such a dark city. “I’m just teasing. You two can stand there like trees if you wish, but it’s a beautiful day and you should enjoy yourselves.” With that, she briskly went back to her task.
“Will you keep this for me?” Sheela asked, holding out the pouch still in her hand.
“Of course,” he agreed, taking it and putting it in an inside pocket of his tunic. Even on a day off, he wore the uniform of the City Guard, sturdy black pants sewn with brown thread and a brown tunic with black seams and buttons. His wavy black hair matched the clothes, but the blue of his eyes stood out, making for a striking effect.
As they walked toward the back gate she asked, “Do you ever wear anything other than your uniform?”
He shook his head. “No. Re
gulations require guards to wear the uniform at all times. Luckily, we’re supplied four, plus the chain shirt. There’s a dress uniform for formal events. Pants and tunics are washed for us, but we have to care for our own armor and swords.”
The guard at the gate let them through and they walked into a small alley between the inn grounds and the stable area that took up another two blocks. Many of the knights had fine horses and Albert only employed the best stable hands.
Frath continued explaining as they turned onto a side street. “It’s a high crime to kill a member of the City Guard. When it happens, every member of the Guard is charged with finding the offender and bringing him to justice.” He tugged on his tunic. “Wearing these colors keeps me safe. Only the most insane fool would dare to attack me. It should help keep you safe, too, when you’re with me. I reported the incident where someone tried to grab you at the bazaar two weeks ago and it upset my sergeant so much he said a few swear words even I didn’t understand.” Frath chuckled and shook his head.
Sheela had been trying to forget that, but had woken up with nightmares a couple of times, a fact she didn’t mention to him. “Thank you for saving me that night . . . for everything you’ve done.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied with a gigantic smile. “I can’t stop thinking about you, honestly, and I’m so glad you came to Dralin. I’d been feeling down about things and now I’m walking on a cloud.” Frath did a little skip which shocked a passerby and caused Sheela to laugh pleasantly.
Workers and servants filled the streets, going about their business. A few merchants and nobles could be found in the crowd, in addition to many young entrepreneurs and business people eagerly looking to advance their position in life. Frath led Sheela at a leisurely pace, matching his steps to hers. He was nearly a foot taller; she liked his height because it made her feel safe. She held onto his arm, alternately smiling at him and then looking around at the people and buildings. “What are we going to do?” Sheela asked eventually.
Dralin Page 2
