Apparition

by Tom Liberman

  “Look!” said Marianna turning her head toward the entrance to the commons. It was a large wooden archway that led back to the entrance foyer; a gaggle of the girls had appeared near there as if by magic. The noise in the room suddenly diminished as all eyes turned toward the arch.

  A moment later a grizzled orc warrior wearing a thick chain shirt strode through. He was broad of shoulder with a thick and rather ill-kept beard and moustache. His hair was thinning at the temples and somewhat gray. He had a prominent scar gouged out of his chin and wore a heavy sword at his side in a scabbard decorated with rose emblems. He looked around the room for a moment, reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out a thick glob of weedy grass which he shoved into his mouth thus displaying his stained and irregular teeth.

  He then waved to a tall man with a tray of drinks and made a motion with his hand which brought the man over to transfer one of the mugs to the newcomer.

  “That’s Helmfire?” said Marianna her face screwed up and her nose wrinkled. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  Rhia shook her head as well, “I don’t understand. I mean, I’m sure he’s a fine warrior but ….”

  The girls in the room were now talking excitedly to one another but none of them went over to the warrior or tried to engage him in conversation.

  “I don’t get it,” repeated Rhia, the wrinkles in her forehead prominent as she tried to come up with an explanation for events.

  The adventurer walked firmly through the crowd and stopped by the biggest fireplace where a group of dwarves and men were sitting drinking from heavy mugs. One particularly fat dwarf got up and let Helmfire sit down and the rest began an animated conversation.

  The warrior kicked his legs up onto the stone rim of the fireplace, took a huge swig of his drink, spat out a wad into a spittoon, and began expounding on something that seemed to fascinate his companions. The noise in the commons immediately swelled to its previous level. The young girls continued to babble and primp.

  “I guess he’s rich,” said Marianna looking over at the group by the fireplace.

  “I guess,” said Mike and Rhia and then laughed at each other.

  “I made arrangements to stay out behind the stables,” said Rhia deciding the entire thing was too much of a mystery for her. “That’s the only place they had left. They set us up some cots. I’ll show you where they are but it’s not going to give you any privacy to change out of your gear,” she continued on talking to Mike. “Maybe it’s best if you just stay a boy for the time being.”

  “I’ve got no objection to that,” said Mike with a grin.

  “Oh,” said Marianna quietly.

  “What?” asked Rhia looking at the girl who was staring back at the entrance to the commons with her mouth agape and her eyes wide.

  “What is it … oh,” said Rhia turning her head to see what so engaged the girl. A young man with a head full of curly blonde hair was standing at the doorway. He clearly had orc blood in his veins for his jaw was thick and sturdy but his eyes were blue and he had a wide grin on his face. His body was long and lean and strong muscles stood out in his arms. He immediately walked over to Sir Helmsfire, sat down on the fireplace stoop, and began to pull off the boots of the warrior.

  If Helmsfire even took notice of the activity it was merely to lift his foot high enough to be disengaged of the boot. After both boots were off the boy pulled a thick curry brush from the belt at his side and began to vigorously scrub at them.

  The reaction of the girls in the room was immediate. They all quickly found a reason to be near the fireplace with all of them checking each other’s skirts, hair, blouses, and makeup.

  “Now I get it,” said Rhia with a laugh although she too watched the handsome boy working away at the adventurer’s boots. “Maybe I’m glad Lofo sent us here for more than one reason.” Her hand went to her hair for a quick adjustment.

  “Yes,” said Marianna still staring at the boy.

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” said Mike suddenly standing up and heading to the exit.

  The dwarf displaced by the great champion happened to be standing near them and cocked his ear as he overheard their conversation. He walked over to them and sat down in the chair vacated by Mike. He was quite large in the belly with a giant head. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his breath came loudly from his mouth.

  “Don’t mind if I join you?” he asked although his presence was already undeniably at their table. “Borrombo Blackiron is the name. Iron merchant by trade. That big lummox just chased me from my seat and my bulk is too much for my legs to carry.”

  “Rhia Buffalorider,” said Rhia with a polite smile. “That’s our friend’s seat when she … he comes back.”

  “A shame, a shame. I was hoping to enjoy the company of you two lovely ladies myself but one of you has a paramour?”

  “A what?” asked Rhia.

  “A male companion, a husband, a lover perhaps.”

  “No, no. Nothing like that,” said Rhia shaking her head vigorously. “Just a traveling companion. We’re headed north to see the great ceremony of the gnolls.”

  “Ah, I am on a different mission but I heard about that and I’ve changed my plans to attend. There’s another little ceremony of the gnolls taking place not far from here as well and this very night.”

  “Really?” said Marianna rather distractedly her eyes still darting back and forth to the handsome young boy attending to Helmsfire’s boots.

  “He’s a handsome boy,” said Borrombo with a grin following her gaze.

  Marianna snapped out of her trance with a startled shake of her head, “Oh yes. I’m sorry, I’m Marianna.”

  “It’s lovely to meet you, Marianna,” said Borrombo with a grin. “Borrombo Blackiron is the name and iron ore is the trade. You’re not a merchant by any chance?”

  “No,” said Marianna with grin. “I’m just with Rhia and Mike.”

  “But you must do something,” said Borrombo leaning forward to examine her closely. “The world is not for those who do nothing. We must be vigorous in our activities. I’m afraid aside from trading in iron ore, eating is my highest skill. Speaking of which,” he waved to a passing boy who came over almost immediately.

  Borrombo pulled out a heavy sack from his side and retrieved a large coin clearly made of gold. “Drinks all around and some of your venison stew. Four plates I think. Your friend will be rejoining us? Find us an extra chair as well. Keep the change.” He finished passing over the coin to the boy.

  “Yes, Mr. Blackiron,” said the boy with a grin and slipped the heavy coin into his pocket. Several other young servers looked daggers at the chosen boy but were soon too busy with their own orders to do anything about it.

  “I’ve never seen a coin like that,” said Rhia looking at Borrombo with narrow eyes.

  “I’m from a dwarf citadel far to the north,” said the man with grin and patted her on the shoulder. “We trade in gold and gems. Down here you’re more used to silver I’ve come to find.”

  “That was a lot of money,” said Marianna looking closely at Borrombo now. “For just a few drinks and some food.”

  “It doesn’t hurt to get a reputation for generosity with the regular folks,” said Borrombo with a wink. “You’re not iron merchants so I don’t mind sharing a secret or two. If the cook and the maid think you’re a good man then they’ll whisper it to the master. If the master thinks you’re a good man then you get a better price for your ore. It’s all about personality you see, negotiations are based on more than you could ever imagine. That’s your lesson for today, girls.” He concluded with a big smile and wiped his sweaty brow with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket.

  “You’re trading iron with the inn?” said Marianna wrinkling her own brow.

  Borrombo erupted in a laugh so loud that his several chins jiggled as did his enormous belly. When he finally regained his composure he leaned over and gave Marianna a little kiss on her cheek, “Of course not my dear, of course not.
But, there are people here who might well be across the trading table from me in the near future and if they see that I like my liquor a little too much and am prone to spreading gold around a little too easily they might be off their guard when it comes to negotiations.”

  “Oh,” said Marianna blushing at the kiss. “I’ve never really done any trading before.”

  “No need to apologize, lovely Marianna,” said Borrombo with a grin. “No need at all. It’s refreshing to be able to talk freely. Normally I have to be guarded with my every word. Where are you ladies from?”

  “Tanelorn,” said Marianna with a little grin.

  “Indeed, indeed. I’ve heard much of Tanelorn,” said Borrombo. “But it has yet to be my privilege to visit the Gray Lands. I’ve heard much about the Gray Lord, and the travels of his son have reached as far away as my homeland.”

  “I met Jon when I just a little girl,” said Rhia somehow immediately opening up to this jolly dwarf.

  “Is that right?” said Borrombo with another infectious grin. “I’d love to hear that story. I would indeed. What’s this?!” he suddenly said looking over Rhia’s shoulder. “A handsome boy leaves your table and an astoundingly beautiful young lady, albeit with the exact same haircut, returns in his place.”

  “Who are you?” said Mike now dressed in a rather tight tunic laced at the bosom revealing a shapely figure.

  Borrombo stood up and bowed, “Borrombo Blackiron at your service. Iron merchant by trade, admirer of beauty by heart. Please, take your seat back, if it was you that left so abruptly a few moments ago.”

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Mike.

  “Nor do I,” said Borrombo with a chuckle just as the young server brought over another chair. He plopped down into it with a thump. “I’ve had rather too much drink and I’m sure I’m confused. It wouldn’t be the first time such has happened.”

  Mike sat down in her former chair which creaked considerably less under her diminutive weight and casually looked over her shoulder to where the boy was still scrubbing at the boots.

  “Retribul Blackrose,” said Borrombo noting her gaze. “Finest boy in the Five Nations according to all reports. I’ve been dealing with the orcs of late and I can make an introduction if you desire.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Mike leveling her crystalline green eyes at the iron merchant.

  “I wouldn’t mind …,” said Marianna.

  “Nor would I,” said Rhia with a grin. “Who is he?”

  “He is said to be the best swordsman, the finest horseman, and the fastest runner in all of the Five Nations, and only sixteen. He is the grandson of the current chief of the Blackrose Nation,” said Borrombo. “The product of a mixed marriage. His father was the son of the chieftain who bested a Tanelornian woman in single combat but in the end it was he who was defeated by his own heart.”

  “How romantic,” said Marianna her eyes aglow.

  Rhia started to laugh, then realized the girl wasn’t making a joke, and stifled it with a choking sound.

  Borrombo looked over at her, “The beer has arrived at last!” He said and pulled a mug off the tray proffered by the boy and handed it to Rhia. “Drink deep for that is the only way a good dwarf knows how.” With that he downed his entire mug with one swift motion.

  Rhia tried to follow suit but ended up spluttering a good deal of beer onto the table and her own leather jerkin.

  Borrombo laughed again, “Not to worry, you’ll get the hang of it, if you’re to be accompanying me on my journeys. I cannot allow a group of three beautiful young lasses to travel unescorted through the lands of Grelm. No indeed, what would my mother say if I allowed such a thing to happen? We’re together now, it’s settled.”

  “I don’t know,” said Rhia the smile gone from her face as she tried to study the fat dwarf more carefully. “We don’t even know you.”

  Borrombo laughed again, “Of course you do, I’m Borrombo the iron merchant.”

  Rhia laughed despite herself, “I mean we’ve only just met you. You could be a thief or anything!”

  Borrombo laughed and pulled out his sack of coins again. He opened it showing Rhia more gold than she’d ever seen in her life. He winked at her and looked down at his belt.

  Rhia followed his gaze and he opened another pouch and this had gemstones of all the colors of the rainbow.

  “I don’t go showing that off to just everyone,” he said in a low voice that apparently passed for his whisper. “You’ve got nothing I wish to steal.”

  Rhia looked at him for a long moment and then shrugged her shoulders, “I suppose we’re both headed in the same direction and it doesn’t hurt to have another person.”

  “Good,” said Borrombo. “Now, as to this other ceremony I was talking about. I think a group of young women might find it interesting, but it’s happening late tonight. We’ll have to leave in a few hours if we want to watch. It’s not open to outsiders so it might be a little dangerous. Unless I misread you three, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “What sort of ceremony?” said Rhia for both Mike and Marianna were still casting furtive glances to the handsome young boy by the fireplace.

  Borrombo shook his head, “I have heard rumors of it, but I cannot say for certain what it is all about. I don’t want to tell you something that ends up being false. In any case, it will be interesting and it will distract your friends from young Retribul.”

  Rhia nodded her head, “We’ve already paid for cots by the stables tonight but it wasn’t much silver.”

  Borrombo shuddered and shook his head, “I don’t mind sleeping outdoors with the wild animals. I was once young, but out back of the stables with a hundred drunken men who won’t have enough sense to find the outhouse? No thank you. You ladies are better off with me by far.”

  Rhia nodded her head, “I was imagining exactly that,” she said looking around the room and noting that more and more people were arriving and those that were already there were becoming louder and wilder. “Perhaps we should get out of here while we can. Mike and Marianna might attract some unwanted attention. I know I’m no beauty but with this many men this drunk, and so many pretty girls around there’s bound to be trouble.”

  Borrombo nodded his head, “You can use that sword at your side?”

  Rhia nodded.

  “Excellent. As I said, we may find ourselves in difficulty if we try to spy on this ceremony, but I wish to learn more of the gnolls of Grelm. Sometimes knowledge gathering is a dangerous business but it helps in negotiations.”

  “For ore?” said Rhia looking at him closely again. He was obviously quite intelligent and there was more to the man than first glance might indicate, Rhia was sure of such.

  Borrombo turned to her and smiled, “For ore, of course. Now, gather your friends and meet out by the stables. I have a wagon and horses to pull it. We’ll use that for part of the journey and then go on foot the rest of the way.

  Rhia nodded her head, “Give me a few minutes.”

  Borrombo stood and made a little bow, “It was a pleasure meeting you, ladies. But I must give you my farewells. There is much business to be done.” With this he winked at Rhia and trundled out of the room, his massive bulk moving more nimbly that Rhia imagined was possible for such a large man.

  Rhia looked at the two other girls and tapped Marianna on the shoulder, “Come on, we’re leaving.”

  Marianna looked at her with a frown, “Why?”

  “Borrombo has something interesting he wants to see and he’d like to take us as well.”

  “But why would we go with him?” said Marianna glancing over her shoulder again.

  “Because it’s better than hanging around this tavern all day and sleeping out back with a thousand filthy, drunk men who don’t even know enough to piss in the latrine.”

  Marianna looked at her for a moment and then grinned, “You’re persuasive.”

  Rhia laughed. “Mike,” she sa
id.

  Mike turned to her and grinned, “What?”

  “We’re leaving.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s better than spending the night with a bunch of drunks even if one of them is quite cute,” she said with a smile. “I’ll explain everything but we’re getting out of here.”

  Mike shrugged her shoulders, “He’s not that cute,” she said and rolled her eyes. “He is pretty cute though.” Then she stood up and wobbled a little. “So where are we going?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” said Rhia. “I’ve got everything taken care of. Just follow me.” To ensure the girl didn’t fall over, Rhia took her by the arm and escorted her out of the ever more crowded inn. They managed to make their way back to the stables where Rhia and Marianna had stowed their gear.

  “I’m not feeling so good,” said Mike and immediately threw up.

  “I’m even more glad we’re not staying here tonight,” said Rhia watching as the girl wretched up a horrible mix of stew and beer.

  “Me too,” said Marianna shaking her head and then suddenly she felt a lurch in her own stomach. She looked away and swallowed but it was too late, she was immediately vomiting as well.

  Rhia looked at the two of them and started to laugh before she felt an uneasiness in her own stomach and had to turn away. She waited until they both finished, it was quite some time, and then grabbed all three of their bags, “Come on, Borrombo has a wagon. At least you won’t have to walk.”

  “I drank too much,” slurred Mike and almost fell to the ground.

  “I’m aware of that,” said Rhia with a chuckle. “Come on, he can’t be too far away. He said the wagon was here at the stables.” She led the two others around to the front of the stables and spotted Borrombo’s covered wagon across the street. The dwarf was sitting at the front.

  “We’re here,” whispered Rhia. “They aren’t feeling so good.”

  “Too much revelry no doubt,” said Borrombo with a shake of his head and a frown. “I’d laugh but I’ve been victim to that particular disease more than once myself. Youngsters tend to overindulge before they realize they’ve done it. Come around to the back. I’ll put down a step to help them get up. Find a bucket at the stables, two for that matter and leave a coin, we won’t be back for a while, if ever.”