“No, I didn’t say misery. I said serious.”
“You didn’t actually say…”
“The point still stands. You seem oddly happy.”
Zedek smiled and nodded and held his hands up, gesturing all around him. “The End of the Year Festival. This is one of your celebrations that I don’t actually mind.”
Trimas looked at the banners adorning the houses, hung out of windows, and the way shops had been opened and lit and filled with people in costume. Everyone was drunk on booze, or drunk on food, and people were smiling at each other as they passed in the streets.
“Yeah. I like this one too. So why do you like it?”
“We have an end of the year back home. It’s a different year, but it still means a year has passed since the last so the date isn’t important. It’s the idea. One year older, the world one year advanced.”
“Do you have a lot of festivals back home then?”
“One thing humans and elves share is their love of feast days.”
“You surprise me.”
Zedek wrinkled his nose. “Why?”
“I thought you’d all be sat round looking at rocks or something.”
“You make us sound boring. Miserable and boring. I am quite the ambassador.”
“Bollocks.”
“No, you do.”
“Sorry, no, I meant I forgot my purse. We’ll have to go back.”
They turned and walked through an equally grinning stream of traffic.
“So lots of feast days then?”
“Indeed.”
“Surprised you’re all so thin.”
“Is this Mock My Ancestors Day?”
“Yes. This is the end of year festival, everything gets mocked.”
When they came to the butcher’s Trimas opened the door and suddenly stopped in the wooden frame.
“What is it?” Zedek said behind him.
“Er, perhaps we should…”
“Come in and taste the puppies!” Erik boomed.
Zedek shoved Trimas forward and found … well, what had he found? A man who would once have been the butcher’s assistant, but dressed in a costume so outlandish and ridiculous as to make Zedek’s blood go cold. The fanged teeth, the clawed hands, the long pointy ears which stuck out at arms’s length.
“What is that?” Zedek asked flatly.
“He’s an elf!”
“Of course he is.”
“We’ve got to have an elf to sell the puppy!”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“We’ve taken a load of beef, cut it up, and are claiming it’s puppies, little dogs yunno, because what would elves eat? They kill puppies!”
“Inspired,” Trimas said, having retrieved his purse and now taking Zedek’s elbow and wheeling him out of the shop. “We’ll see you later.”
“Is it any wonder we hate you all so much,” Zedek muttered as they stood outside.
“You’ve liked elves in costume before. In fact I quite remember you taking a shine to one such…”
“Let’s get moving and see if we can be people who enjoy this festival without acting like soiled trousers.”
“That’s … certainly a new insult on me.” But, he thought, why not let the man find some space and get back into the moment? No need to needle.
“I feel guilty,” Zedek suddenly revealed.
“Don’t tell me you want to have a stern word with Erik and defend the honour of your people or something?”
“No. Why are people terrible cowards. I feel guilty for leaving Daeholf behind.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“He’s lying there and we’re out enjoying ourselves.”
“Oh, you’re enjoying yourself are you?”
“Alright, we will be I’m sure. Point…”
“Still stands. Well, he insisted we go. I think he clearly told us not to stay behind cooped up on his account, but to go and have fun.”
“Can we?”
“I can’t rule out he’d seen that costume and was hoping we’d be absent, but even so, I’m sure we’ll think of a way to unwind.”
“I presume this includes drinking and talking vulgarly to women.”
“I’ll have you know I have a full senatorial vocabulary I could deploy to talk to women if I wanted to.”
“Then why don’t you?”
“I tried, they all think you’re a pillock.”
“The Senate not exactly popular in your current social circles?”
“The women of the higher social circles prefer the same thing to all the others, and it’s not long words and an hour long piece of rhetoric.”
“I sense we are dangerously close to a lecture on human love and sex which I do not need to hear.”
“Well that’s certainly one way of filling the evening. Did I ever tell you…”
“Quickly, someone bring wine.”
“You can’t get drunk and avoid me.”
“I can get you drunk and avoid you.”
“Oh, right. That would work, yeah.”
“Are you sure we shouldn’t go sit with Daeholf?”
“I think he’d be more annoyed with us around him all evening.”
“At least he has easy access to puppies.”
“You see, you’re coming round already.”
*****
Valin stretched, yawning and nearly knocked the ale from his friend’s hand.
“Hey,” Braf said, swinging his mug out of the way, spilling some of the contents as he moved it somewhat drunkenly. Ale splattered over the chest of the next man who just looked down and cheered. The cheer was taken up by the rest of the group of guardsmen as they stood to one side of the square underneath one of the many coloured lanterns that came out at this time of year.
“You’re losing more of it than I was,” Valin said with a grin.
“Your fault old man. You owe me another drink,” Braf said.
“Says who? I bought the one you’re holding now,” Valin said.
“Only fair you replace it then,” Braf said.
“Hard to fight logic like that I suppose,” Valin said. “Though didn’t I buy the one before that too?”
“You’re getting old and forgetful,” Braf said.
“Old, yes. Forgetful, no.” “Weren’t you thinking about going home? No point me buying you a drink if you’re going home is there?”
“Perhaps I can stay for one more.”
“Good man. Um, I think.”
“If you get them in.”
“Oh. Are you sure it’s my turn?”
“Very.”
“Oh.”
“Get them in then.”
“You’re getting the next one?”
“If you’re still upright. And if I haven’t gone home first.”
“Can’t go home then. You’ll owe me a drink.”
“Whatever,” Braf said, wandering over to the man with the barrel.
Valin smiled as he watched his friend wobble off. And he was getting old, he supposed. Couldn’t keep up with the youngsters like he used to be able to, though perhaps a little better than Braf. Braf was probably the lightweight of the group. He yawned again. Hah. Speaking of lightweights. Early though it still was, he couldn’t help but long for his bed. Whilst it was nice to celebrate with the City Guard, sometimes he regretted signing up for the extra term. His legion pension, though a bit sparser than he’d have liked, would probably be enough despite what his wife claimed. They’d manage if they really tried. It wasn’t like they still had to bring up any more children, they were both long past that and they all had jobs of their own. He really could be retired. Instead he was out creaking through the drills and occasionally walking the streets keeping the peace. Hah. It was nice to have a night off.
He watched Braf rummaging in his pockets for some coins. Another drink.
Perhaps it was time to go home. It wouldn’t be much longer before Braf fell over and he really didn’t feel like carrying him home again. Still, Braf buying him a drink was
good. Made a nice change. So maybe he should stay for one last beer? It certainly was nice to let off a little steam. The city had been so tense lately, and if the last rumours were right, no one was safe anymore, wherever they were.
Still though, there was something he needed to deal with first. Let something other than steam off, so to speak. There was a distinct pressure in his bladder that had been growing for a while. He looked around for a suitable alleyway nearby.
“Need a piss,” he said to a couple of the guardsmen nearby. They cheered and waved him off.
There was an alley off to one side of the square that looked sufficiently secluded. He didn’t much feel like pissing in public, he’d been taught slightly better manners than that. Though apparently not quite enough to go looking for a proper latrine, he smiled to himself. He walked over quickly, reasonably steady on his feet. He could still hold his beer at least.
He peered into the alley. Dark and unoccupied. Perfect. He walked a short distance down, placed one hand against the wall and unbuttoned his trousers.
“Ahhhhh,” he said, satisfied, as a stream spattered against the wall in front of him. That was much better. There was a noise from further down the alley. He looked but could see little in the darkness. No one had put up a coloured lantern here. Perhaps a figure leaning against the wall further down? Was he pissing too?
“Good party,” Valin said, still flowing.
The figure moved slightly. It may have been a nod.
“Fun’s back there,” Valin said. “I’ve had my fill for now.” He shook himself off and started to tuck himself away as the figure approached. One button proved difficult so he looked down.
It felt like he’d been punched, low in the abdomen. He suddenly felt weak as he reached down, hand becoming wet and warm. It wasn’t urine.
“What…?” he said as he stumbled. Strong arms grabbed him.
“Don’t fight it,” came a voice. Calm and assured.
Valin stumbled, falling to his knees. The strong arms guided him down. “I’ve been stabbed,” he said stupidly.
“You have,” came the voice.
“Please, help me,” Valin said.
“It’ll be over soon,” said the voice as the arms eased him to the ground.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Vali said weakly.
“It shouldn’t.”
“But why doesn’t it hurt?”
“Because I know what I’m doing. And my knife is very sharp.”
“Oh,” Valin said, breathing erratic. “It’s you then.”
The killer smiled.
Valin breathed out one final time, then lay still. His killer set to the cutting, a determined look on his face. There wasn’t much time.
“Valin? You down here?” Braf said drunkenly from the entrance to the alley. There was a scuttling noise before silence fell.
“I’ve got your beer. Don’t make me drink it too.”
Silence. Braf could hear nothing over the noise coming from the square.
“Valin you old git. This isn’t funny.”
No response.
“You’d better not have gone home. The others said you came this way.”
Not being able to see anything, Braf started walking unsteadily down the alley. Something got under his feet and he tripped, swearing, ale going everywhere. Momentarily winded, he put a hand down to steady himself as he tried to get back up.
His hand was warm. And wet. “Eh?” he said to himself. Piss? It didn’t feel right.
Struggling, he reached back for what he’d tripped on.
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
Braf shouted into the night.
*****
“Hello.”
Daeholf turned over on the bed and looked. “Um, hello,” he said surprised.
“Mind if I come in?” Elena said.
“No, not at all. I’m not too stinky. Though I thought you’d be out partying. The rest of the city seems to be.”
“Left you here on your own, have they?” Elena said, walking into the room, one arm behind her back.
“I insisted. Beside which, if we all tried to stay cooped up in here for another night, it’d probably have ended up in a fight. You can have too much of a good thing.”
“Yes, well. I thought you might want some company. I brought beer,” Elena said, revealing the surprise she had been concealing behind her back.
“It is possible God may have sent you,” Daeholf said.
“I rather doubt it. I don’t hold much store in them these days.”
“Really?”
“Do I come across as the god-fearing type?”
“Perhaps not,” Daeholf admitted.
“What about you? I take it you’re religious in some capacity then?”
“I’ve had plenty of reasons to be a sceptic, too, but I grew up as a fisherman and there isn’t a single atheist out on the sea when the waves get big, regardless of what you thought before.”
“I suppose not. I’d not really thought of it like that. I thought you were a soldier though? You give the impression of someone that had been one for a long time.”
“Fisherman first. Enlisted later. Been in some pretty hairy situations since I joined up, a bit of faith is helpful at times. Now, since we’re asking questions...”
“I suppose I walked into that. I was hoping we’d get a couple of drinks down first though.”
“Well, before we get there, I have one important question to lead off with. Hopefully it’s not too rude.”
“Go on,” Elena said with a frown.
“Why are you here?” Daeholf said softly.
“Don’t you want me to be?” Elena said, looking slightly hurt.
“That’s not what I meant at all. I just wanted to be sure there isn’t somewhere else you really should be instead. For me, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend the evening with.”
“Steady there,” Elena said, eyebrows raised.
“Well I’ve already said another evening with the boys would probably result in a fight. Most of Erik’s stories are about meat. And I don’t really know anyone else in the city,” Daeholf said with a smile.
“I see you’re not exactly setting a high bar then,” Elena said, mock frowning.
“Hey, you brought beer. You could be properly grumpy and spend the next hour finding new ways to insult me and it’d still improve my evening,” Daeholf grinned.
“That sounds like a challenge,” Elena said, looking him in the eyes.
“Let’s put it on the list.”
“You have a list?”
“Drawing it up in my head as we speak.”
“Should I be worried at what is going on it?”
“I’m stuck in a bed. How much trouble can I get you into?”
“I suppose there is that.”
“First things first though.”
“What?”
“Perhaps we should lubricate our insults with a drink? You did bring it all this way after all.”
“Hang on, our insults?”
“You didn’t think I wasn’t going to join in did you?”
“You spend too much time with the other two.”
“It has been said.”
Elena laughed. “I didn’t come here just to insult you.”
“Just to insult me? So you have a list too then? This’ll be fun.”
“Are you always like this?” Elena said, rolling her eyes.
“Nope. Just a little overexcited to spend time talking to someone that isn’t going to grumble about doing all the work and get revenge by snoring.”
“I can confirm neither of those things is going to happen.”
“Then this is already the best evening I’ve had for weeks,” Daeholf said with an overly serious expression.
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“These things are relative.”
“I suppose so.”
“Speaking of…” Daeholf said, trailing off.
“What?”
&
nbsp; “Relatives.”
“Please don’t”
“I’m trying to get it out of the way early.”
“What?”
“Shouldn’t you be out with your brother tonight instead?”
Elena frowned. Before she could say anything, Daeholf added, “Or does he have a date?”
Elena gave a momentary laugh despite herself. “No, no date that I know of.”
“Okay, all done with the questioning now. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting in the way of anything. Plus you brought beer and that means I’m being rather rude.”
“No, you’re not getting in the way of anything. Maybe this was a mistake though.” Elena turned and looked back at the door.
“Hey, as I said, you’ve brought the beer all this way. It’d be very rude of you to wave it at me then take it away. And it’d be even ruder to leave it without sharing at least one with me.”
“Is that so?” Elena said, turning to look back at him.
“It’s the rules. They’re very specific on things like this.”
“Really. And which rules are these?”
“THE rules.”
“You’re trying to be funny and charming, aren’t you?”
“Trying. You’re providing me with something of a challenge though.”
“You’re quite used to getting your own way aren’t you?”
“At times. Not so much recently though if I’m honest,” Daeholf said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
“You referring to the arrow and the roof or me?” Elena said curiously.
“Arrow and the roof,” Daeholf said, putting a hand to his chest. “Not exactly my first choice of events. And I could hardly expect to get one over on you, could I?”
“What do you mean?”
“You did come over here demanding to drink beer with me. And as we’ve already agreed, I’m helpless.”
“Not as helpless as you are making out I think.”
“You’ve got something I want. Beer. It’s my job to squeeze as much of it as I can out of you.”
“So you just want the beer?”
“I’ll let you keep me company whilst I drink it if you like?”
“You’ll let me keep you company. What happened to being excited by my company and wanting to trade insults?”
“As far as insults go, I’ve changed my mind on that one. I’m sure I’d win, so why bother trying.”
“You’re sure you’d win?”
Knives of Bastion (An Empire Falls Book 2) Page 31
