He’s opening his mouth to respond when movement at the top of the stairs catches his attention. Putting on twin pleasant expressions, we immediately face the man walking with his steward. He’s tall, and all his features are pointy. He smiles when he draws closer, but I seem to be unable to focus on anything but his unusually large nose.
Baron Malcomny looks very much like a human stork.
“Pleasant afternoon,” Sebastian says, bowing at the waist. When I don’t move, he subtly jabs his elbow in my side, reminding me to curtsy.
I do my best, but I’m unpracticed. That, and it looks ridiculous when you’re wearing trousers. It feels far more graceful when you have a skirt to fluff out when you dip down.
Baron Malcomny doesn’t seem to notice my discomfort. He comes forward, heartily greeting us. “I was beginning to give up hope on anyone in Baywhite answering my inquiry. I thought I was going to be forced to post one in Tiern.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Lordship.” I come forward. Then, feeling ornery, I continue, “I am Lucia, and this is Sebastian…my assistant.”
CHAPTER TWO
Anything You Can Do...
“My partner and I are from Reginae,” Sebastian explains, only glaring at me slightly. “We were passing through Baywhite when we chanced upon your advertisement. We are scouts, experienced in the skill of artifact and alchemy ingredient collection and have worked together for my grandfather who owns a renowned fine goods shoppe in Reshire. We would be pleased if you would consider us for your task.”
“I’d be nothing but elated if you and your wife will track down my orchid. I’m afraid the request has been on that wretched board for so long now, I need it in a dire way.”
Sebastian looks slightly ill. “We are not married, Your Lordship. Or courting. Or in any manner of romantic relationship.”
I roll my eyes.
The baron pauses, thoughtful. “But you said you and your partner…”
“Business only.” Sebastian clears his throat.
“But that’s not what you said, is it? If you’d said ‘business partner,’ that would have been something entirely different.” The man smiles in a grandfather sort of way. “You must say what you mean, boy.”
I watch Sebastian with a sick sort of amusement. Not only did the man greatly insult him by assuming he and I…well. But he also called him “boy,” which Sebastian is far past.
Not one to walk away from five thousand denats no matter the insult, Sebastian swallows and plasters a pained smile on his face. “Very true.”
Unable to hide my glee, I turn toward a plant growing nearby. It’s an atrocious thing. Bulbous stalks bear stubby leaves in a sickly gray-green color.
“Do you like it?” The baron asks when he catches me gaping. He runs a finger along a stalk. “Though I spent most of my younger years in medical arts, I rather fancy myself a horticulturist. This is an Anubish Gramerilianor—very rare.”
“Are you an alchemist, sir?” I ask.
“No.” He shakes his head, thoughtful. “I have no talent with the magical skill required for alchemy, but I’m a fine apothecary. I’ve made a salve or two in my day. In fact, I would like to think that many of my tinctures and concoctions have been beneficial to the wellbeing of the city.”
“Is that what the orchid is for?” Sebastian eyes the plant. “A medicine of some sort?”
Baron Malcomny’s face goes grave. “The Moss Forest orchid is destined for something very important indeed. I am grateful you have come to offer your services.”
Before we leave, the baron hands us a burlap bag of dried moss, gives us all kinds of instructions, including how to collect the cuttings—none of which I bother listening to—and sends us on our way.
“I have to admit,” I say as we walk down the street, toward an inn, “It feels good to have something worthwhile to do again.”
Sebastian glances at me. “What’s that? Playing barmaid and flirting with drunk men for tips isn’t good enough for you anymore?”
I scoff so he won’t know how that particular comment stings. I’ve never liked the taverns. Unfortunately, the taverns seem to be the only establishments that like me.
The light grows dim as the sun sinks toward the horizon. The streets are busier than earlier as people leave their shoppes for the day. A woman selling cut flowers packs up her cart, and the baker locks his door. It’s the end of the week, payday for many. Baywhite’s few restaurants and taverns grow noisy as patrons bring in their newly-earned money. In many of the seedier establishments, the ones on the north side of the city, the customers will likely leave as poor as they were this morning.
The local duke’s guards walk the streets, eying the crowds as they pass. They wear light leather armor, and most are armed with nothing more than a short sword or dagger. This city isn’t large enough to see many crimes, and the guards have a lazy look about them. One stands with the blacksmith, a mug of ale in his hand, and they laugh about the day’s events.
Up ahead of us, a trio of noblemen’s daughters giggles as they make their way down the streets in their fine silks and brocade fabrics. One walks a wolfhound, a giant dog with a noble head and serious eyes. The other two carry jewel-colored munchkin dragons in satchels at their sides.
The creatures sit aloft in their tiny, fabric carriages—two front feet perched at the edge, eyes bright, scaled wings relaxed—as much a fashion statement as the girls’ gowns. They’re ridiculous.
I’ve always secretly wanted one.
I look away before Sebastian catches me watching them. We pass the eastern gate, on our way toward one of Baywhite’s quieter inns. A caravan has just arrived, and their leader speaks with a guard posted at the village’s entrance. Moments later, the man waves the group on, and the donkey-pulled carriages roll toward the main plaza.
Sebastian watches them with a guarded expression. He’s not fond of the caravans. A few groups are honest, but many are made up of men and women who are, by trade, not much better than outlaws. Still, they can be useful.
They’re the best people to glean information from, and their carts are an excellent place to look for alchemy ingredients at a reasonable price—if you don’t mind taking the risk that said ingredients may have been pilfered at some point. Several groups used to sell to Sebastian’s grandfather’s shoppe. He put an end to that, however, when he learned an entire smuggling ring was using him to launder their stolen goods.
We enter the inn just as the sun sets. There are a few people gathered at the bar, and one family sits at a table near the unlit fireplace. The maid at the counter acknowledges us as we walk in, smiling at Sebastian in particular.
“I suppose you have enough money to pay for your share?” Sebastian pauses by a table, motioning me to take a seat before he goes up to make our order.
I pull out a chair. “You’d suppose wrong.”
Sebastian only shakes his head and walks toward the counter, where the maid waits for him with an eager, hopeful look.
As Sebastian orders our supper, I scan the inn. A man who appears to be in his late twenties sits at the table behind me, frowning over a book. His jacket rests on his chair, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. A discarded tankard sits empty in front of him, forgotten some time ago. He likely belongs to one of the local guilds. His clothes are fine, but he doesn’t have the look of a nobleman.
“Scholar?” I swing my legs toward him and rest my elbow on the back of my chair, placing my chin on my arm.
The man hesitates before looking up, as if he wants to read just one more line. I give him a smile when our eyes finally meet.
“I’m sorry?” He blinks at me and then glances out the window, looking startled that it’s now dark.
I point to his book. “I was asking if you’re associated with the scholar’s guild.”
“Oh, no.” The man rubs a hand through his sandy hair and closes the book. “I’m a member of the laborer’s union.”
“Really?” I raise a
quizzical eyebrow and let my eyes drift over his attire. “Are you?”
An embarrassed smile plays at his lips. “Well, my father is. I’m an honorary member.”
“It appears your father is successful.”
“He took a chance about twenty years ago, quit his job as a cobbler and began growing a new strain of wheat from the east. It’s done well.”
“Apparently.” I give him another smile. “Say, you’re in agriculture. I don’t suppose you know anything about Moss Forest orchids?”
The man shakes his head. “I’m afraid I’ve never heard of them.”
“That’s all right. I hadn’t either until this morning.” I stand and take the empty chair next to him.
His smile warms. He leans close and taps the cover of the volume in front of him. “You might find the information you seek in a book.” He grins. “And I happen to have an extensive collection.”
I lean closer as well. “Is that so?”
He’s about to answer, but his smile falters, and he casts a wary glance toward the bar. Sitting back, he says, “Or you could try the book shoppe.”
Startled by his abrupt change in attitude, I lean back and sigh. “And where might that be?”
“Two blocks from here, on the south side of the street.” He stands hastily, picking up his book as he rises. “I should be going. Good luck finding what you’re looking for, miss.”
I stare at him, baffled. He hurries out the back entrance, not so much as glancing back once. From behind me, Sebastian clears his throat.
“Are you finished?” he asks, his voice wry.
“Please.” I shoot the girl behind the bar a look as I return to our table. “I’ll have you know I was collecting information.”
“Is that so? And what did you discover?”
“That we may be able to learn more about the location of the orchid…from a book.” Even I know what a pathetic answer that is.
Sebastian sets the tray in the middle of the table and gives me the smug, condescending look he’s so good at. “Is that so? That man was truly a wealth of information, wasn’t he?”
“At least it’s something.” I lean forward. “I don’t suppose your little miss barmaid helped at all.”
“It just so happens I already know where to locate the orchids.” Sebastian begins to fill his plate. “It’s getting there that’s the problem.”
“Getting there? Where are we talking, exactly?”
“Farther than we have gold for—unless you discover some hiding in your bodice.”
Unable to help it, even though I know he’s changing the subject so he doesn’t have to share the flower’s whereabouts with me, I crack a smile. “Did you see the look on Malcomny’s steward’s face?”
Sebastian laughs. “You almost gave him heart failure. I swear if your mother had seen you—”
“Don’t you dare tell her, or I swear I’ll drop you into the nearest wyvern pit.”
He shakes his head and goes back to the meal. Starving, I load up my own plate.
Sebastian finishes first, but I haven’t had a decent meal in days. He watches me eat, looking almost amused. When I’m finally finished, he motions for the platter and settings to be taken away. Then, looking too serious for my liking, he sits back in his chair and studies me.
Firelight and shadows dance over Sebastian’s face in a striking way. His teak hair is black in the dim light of the tavern, but his eyes are still strikingly green. It’s always a bit unsettling when you’re reminded just how good-looking your once-awkward friend has become.
“Are you going to say something?” I demand. “Or just sit there staring at me all evening?”
“Before this goes any further,” he begins once he finally has his thoughts in order. “I think we need to be clear that our renewed partnership” —he grimaces— “is a temporary one.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Are you referring to the business partnership or our romantic affair?”
“Honestly, Lucia,” he growls. “Are you incapable of having a normal conversation?”
“I don’t know, love.” I prop my elbow on the table and rest my chin in my palm, batting my eyes at him. “Do you think that’s the problem with our relationship?”
“I swear—”
“You do that a lot.” I grin. “Maybe that’s our problem.”
He rubs his temples and stands unexpectedly. “I don’t know why I thought this could work.”
Realizing he’s serious, I stand too. “Now you’re just being dramatic. Of course, we can do this. We’ve been partners for the last few years.”
“And look how that worked out. We have nothing to show for those two years.”
Irritated, I scowl at him, at a loss for words. His tone makes it sound as if I gambled our money away, not lost it to a very clever con artist. After I’ve taken a moment to seethe, I step away from the table. “Perhaps you’re right. This won’t work. I’ll find the orchids on my own.”
He stands with his hands clenched on the back of his chair. “Unless I find them first.”
I refuse to look at him. “Fine.”
“Fine.” He hesitates, though I wish he’d just leave. “Where are you going to stay tonight?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” It’s too late to find a tavern to work in now, so I’ll probably resort to a nice bench in the main square.
Without a word, he tosses half a dozen silver denats onto the table. I shove them back at him. “I don’t want your handouts.”
He refuses to take them. “And I don’t want you sleeping outside, especially when it looks like it might rain.”
This right here is what makes Sebastian so infuriating. He’s snobby, self-important, and stubborn to a fault. But just when you want to punch him, he does something nice. Well, sort of nice—he still has that obnoxious look on his face.
“You know what? I am going to take these.” I brush past him. “Best of luck to you, Sebastian.”
“I’m going to find the orchids first,” he calls when I’m halfway out the door.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I give him a flirty wave. “You’re welcome to try.”
***
Despite all my bravado, I’m back where I started, with the exception that I have a few denats in my pocket. So, I suppose I’m far better off than where I started. But I still have no idea what a Moss Forest orchid is.
I sweet-talked my way into the scholar’s guild this morning, and though I’ve been sitting amongst the dusty tomes for hours, I have no idea where to find the Moss Forest or the orchid that grows there.
I have no doubt Sebastian is on his way right now. Disgusted, I plop my forehead on the table and groan.
“Are you all right, young lady?” A gentlemanly scholar says from my side.
Not bothering to look up, I grumble an affirmative.
“It seems your search is not going well. Perhaps you could use assistance?”
I tilt my head so I can look at him through the long bangs that have fallen over my eyes. He’s my father’s age, and he looks nice enough. So did the kindly banker who swindled me.
But what choice do I have? It feels like admitting defeat to accept direct help, but I cannot bear the thought of losing to Sebastian. I sit up and brush my hair back. “I’m trying to locate a Moss Forest orchid.”
The scholar tents his fingers together and scrunches his mouth as he thinks. “Moss Forest orchid—that sounds familiar. Do you know the genus?”
“The…what now?”
He shakes his head, already moving past the question. “Native to Grenalda, I believe. Moss Forest is a valley in their wildlands. Does that sound right?”
“Er…yes?”
With a flick of his wrist, he motions me to follow him through the rooms. We end up in front of a row of bookcases dedicated to assorted flora. He mutters to himself as he scans the titles. After several moments, he finds what he’s looking for and pulls a large book from the shelf.
A s
mall cloud of dust poofs into the air, making my nose itch. Hoping to distract myself so I won’t sneeze, I silently count backward from ten.
The scholar, seemingly immune to the dust, whips the book open and flips to a page.
“Here we are, Moss Forest orchids. You can read, correct?” he asks as he hands me the open book.
He doesn’t say it rudely, and the truth is none of my family can. But Sebastian taught me.
I glance at the illustration of pale pink flowers growing on a tall stalk. “Yes, thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”
Without another word, he disappears around a corner.
“I’m going to need a lot more than a few denats,” I mutter after I read the first few lines of text.
The plant grows in a cloud forest in a small kingdom halfway across the Aelerian Sea. They only flower once every twenty years, so identifying one is going to be nearly impossible. The text goes on to explain the plethora of tinctures and salves that can be made from their pollen and various other parts of the plant.
At least I won’t have to deal with a dragon. Or a goblin…or a troll. After all, how difficult will it be to find a harmless flower?
CHAPTER THREE
Enter Captain Greybrow
“I’m sorry,” I say to the man on the wharf in disbelief. “How much did you say it was going to cost?”
The sea slaps against the merchant ship’s hull, angry and cold. Farther out, the waves whitecap, and gray clouds churn close to the water. It’s not ideal weather for my first sea voyage.
“Five hundred denats, seven if you want a cabin,” the boatswain answers.
I rub my temples. I used almost all of Sebastian’s money to get to Fermall, the port city I’m standing in now. How am I going to come up with five hundred denats?
“When do you leave?” I ask.
“In the morning, just after sunrise.”
Nodding, I turn away. “I’ll be here.”
“Best be on time,” the seaman warns.
“Yes, fine.”
I walk down the planked dock, avoiding crates and cargo and dock hands. It’s chillier near the sea than I expected for summer, and I wish I’d remembered to bring a cloak last time I left home. As I stroll up the stairs that lead to the shopping district, I take in the city, instantly deciding that Fermall is more functional than lovely.
Moss Forest Orchid (Silver and Orchids Book 1) Page 2
