Unlike Reidh, spring had already arrived in Aonach and summer was quickly approaching. Sinking towards the horizon, the sun was still a dazzling bright yellow ball of fire and the spring afternoon was still warm. All along the crowded wharf, the pungent odor of fish permeated the air. The fishy smell mixed with the strong scent of sweat, tar, and rotting seaweed, created an unpleasant odor. Those who lived here had grown accustomed to the offending smells and hardly noticed them, but for the foreigner, Aonach's harbor was more pleasant to see than to smell, yet it was hard to have one without the other. Rocking at their moorings, ships from all over Kambrya filled the harbor, each waiting for its turn along the wharf to load or unload its cargo. The wharf itself was alive with activities. Sailors sauntered to and from the city; vendors cried out, and buyers and traders squabbled over prices. Aonach was on the trade routes of both sea and land, and was a thriving prospering city, yet there was something wrong in Aonach. One could almost feel it in the air: Aonach was an occupied city. Tension and fear were visible upon every face.
Feeling the dark mood around him, Elwin stopped and stared at a large square rigger ship that was tied up to the wharf. Golden skinned sailors were hard at work. Sweating under the hot sun, the sailors rolled barrels down the square rigger's gangplank. A frown crossed Elwin's face. The flag flying off the ship's transom had a black eagle blazoned upon a field of white. The flag was that of the Strigiol and every ship in the harbor flew the same flag. Even over the city gates the white and black flag snapped and twisted in the wind. All of Kambrya seemed to be flying the Black Eagle.
Following Elwin's gaze, Colin gave a start. He stepped close. "It is not wise to stare." Unlike Elwin, Colin had not been isolated in Reidh the past few years. "It flies everywhere,” he went on, keeping his voice low. "And the Severed Head have temples and guards in every city; they do not take kindly to malcontents. If they suspect you are up to something, they may very well take you to the temple for questioning. You do not want them to take you to the temple. Not everyone who enters the temples comes back out again."
As if the Severed Head could hear Colin, one of the guardsman suddenly appeared. With his head held high, the guard came striding down the wharf, falling back out of his way, the crowd fell silent. The guardsman had an arrogant saunter to his step and seemed to be enjoying the effect he had on people. In his finely polished breastplate and black coat, his eyes drifted across the crowd. Painted upon his right breast, he proudly wore the red flame of the Severed Head. In mid-stride, he stopped and stared at a vendor. Patently the guardsman of the Severed Head waited until the vendor saw him and briefly met his eyes. The vendor began to sweat and quickly looked the other way. A thin smile crossed the guard's face. Satisfied, the guard let his eyes drift over the crowd once more, looking for his next victim.
Elwin had never seen a temple guardsman before, but there could be no doubt this man was one. Quickly, Elwin looked away from the flag, but not before the guard had noticed him. The man stared at Elwin with intense and accusing eyes. A dark frown upon the man's face let Elwin know he was in trouble. Attempting to put distance between himself and his friends, Elwin took several steps towards the tall ship that was tied up along the wharf.
Pallas tried to follow, but Colin, seeing what Elwin was trying to do, stopped Pallas with a quick jerk. He pulled Pallas close and whispered. "Stay here. The guard will think Elwin is alone. If that guardsman makes any trouble, we will have the element of surprise. Try to look natural, but be ready." Sitting on a barrel, Aidan pulled his bow from his back. Slowly, he started casually oiling its wood. An arrow lay close by. The guardsman stepped in front of Elwin and placed his hands upon his hips. "What are you looking at?" he demanded.
Trying to appear surprised, Elwin let his mouth drop open, and his eyes widen. "Who? Me?"
"No, I am always talking to myself," the guard replied with heavy sarcasm. "Of course, I mean you, boy! I don't see no other lowlife scum around here... Speak up, or do I need to take you to the temple for questioning?"
"The temple?! No... I mean... I wasn't doin' nothin'. Just admirin' the ship is all." Elwin tried to sound like the country boys he had heard in Reidh, though he was not nearly as good as Pallas, yet here away from the county it just might work.
"Do you disapprove of the High King's flag, boy?"
Elwin fringed a horrified look, “Good heavens, No! I am a truly loyal... to me bones, I am."
"That's what all you troublemakers say. Maybe you are one of those renegades."
"Renegade?"
The guard shook his head and chuckled. "No, I don't think you are a renegade. A skinny boy like you? Even the renegades can do better than that."
"I am the cabin boy aboard the Falcon,” Elwin remembered seeing a schooner by that name when they had entered the harbor.
"A cabin boy, aye. Where are you from? You don't sound as if you are a native."
"I be from Lowford in Reidh county. Ever been there?"
"Hardly. Having to patrol this stinking wharf is bad enough. So, you are a country boy coming to the big city, aye?"
"Yes, me lord."
The guard smiled at the title. "Well, get on with you. You can't just stand around here gawking."
Elwin gave a deep bow. "Of course... me Lord." Quickly he backed away and moved into the crowd.
"Good act," said Pallas catching up to Elwin. "I could not have done better myself. Well, maybe a little better. That accent was awful! Good thing he has never been to Reidh." Elwin sighed.
It was only a short walk from the harbor to the city gates. Aonach’s double arched gates were tall and strong, and they were built to withstand a long drawn out siege. Still hours before sunset, the city gates now stood open. Long lines of people and wagons were trying to make their way in or out of the city. On either side of the gates, two Guardsmen stood watch. For the most part, they just kept the people moving along, trying to maintain the gate from getting congested.
The two guards breast plates shimmered in the afternoon sun. Unlike the guard on the wharf, these men had dark green uniforms under their armor that billowed out at the sleeves. On their chests was an emblem of a white swan rising out of a chalice, which meant that they were city guardsmen. After a short wait, Elwin and his friends approached the gate leading into the city. A dark haired city guardsman frowned and pointed at Aidan out to his fellow guard. The other guard's eyes narrowed as he watched Aidan suspiciously. This far south, Elves were almost considered myths. Aidan's pointed ears were hidden under his long blond hair, but there was no hiding his facial features. His narrow face and slightly slanted green eyes gave him away. It was obvious that Aidan was different. After a long, suspenseful pause, the second guard gave a shrug and the first waved them on. "Keep moving," he ordered.
Once past the suspicious eyes of the guards, Aidan pulled his hood up over his head. "I do not like cities."
"We better find an inn," stated Pallas. "Aidan is going to stand out and attract attention."
Elwin nodded. He too wanted to be out of sight. Dressed in his dark green cloak and a peasant cotton shirt, he looked more like a shepherd than a prince. Dressed so un-lordly, it was unlikely that anyone would recognize him as the Prince of Ceredigion, but there was no point taking any risks. "Do you know of an inn, Pallas?"
Pallas gave a noncommittal shrug. "I have only been here once, and that was a long time ago. We stayed with the king in his castle." He pointed to the inner city where a single tower could be seen over the rooftops. "And of course, father's guards were always making sure I did not wander off and enjoy myself, or some other awful thing like that."
"I do not think the king’s castle is an option this time," said Colin.
Elwin looked up. Above the tower crenellations, the black and white flag of Strigiol could easily be seen flying above the flag of Cluain.
"Agreed," said Elwin.
"It is hot," Aidan spoke up, stating the obvious. Once through the harbor gate and away from the ocean breezes,
the air had become still, and the temperature rose. Aidan let his light green hood drop off the back of his head. He loosened his shirt throngs. People were staring at him anyway.
A hooded man in this hot weather made Aidan stand out as much as his outlandish features. "I do not care where we stay, as long it's out of the sun, and away from all these staring humans. You would think they have never seen an Elf before."
Pallas smiled, "They haven't. To them, you are a myth."
"A myth?! I never! Well if I am a myth, then I am a hot one in need of a cold bath. Can't we hurry? I think I am beginning to melt... I really do."
Despite that none of them had ever been alone in the city, finding an inn had not proven to be difficult. Aonach was filled with both inns and taverns. Elwin chose a small inn named the Silver Thorn. The inn had only two floors and appeared to be well kept. Compared with some of the inns they had passed closer to the harbor, the Silver Thorn seemed calm and had an almost homey appearance to it.
The innkeeper was a muscular heavyset man. He stood behind the bar like a lord before his court. Around his waist was a spotless clean apron. As the four youths entered, the keep eyed them. His tight angular face gave way to a wry smile that verged on open laughter.
"Farmers with swords," the keep laughed, "and a short boy with a big bow. I have seen your type before. Going to join the army, aye? Well, I have been around and seen enough of your kind to know you don't have any money. And times are hard. So be off with you. I can't give out any more charity, and I don't need any more kitchen help. Take old Ned's advice and go home. This is no place for you, and there is no more room in this world for four more country boys dreaming of adventure. Go home, this adventure of yours will only lead to some early graves and grieving mothers.”
"We need a room, not a lecture," Elwin stated flatly.
Ned smiled. "Don't misunderstand my words, young man. They mean you more good than harm. The world has grown dangerous, it has. Ned here, that's me of course, has seen a thing or two in his day. Take my advice, and go home." Then a strange sadness came into his eyes. "Dreamers like you four are rare and wonderful. Go home before this cruel world crushes it out of you. Go home before it is too late."
With an unblinking stare, Elwin met Ned's eyes. "How much for a room?"
The keep frowned and shook his head. "For the four of you? Eight coppers. More than you four could possibly ..." Elwin reached into his pouch and produced the required coins.
"We need a room for the night and a bath."
The keep’s frown deepened, but he scooped up the coins all the same then tossed Elwin a key. "The room is up the stairs and at the back. It's number 4. I'll have some extra cots brought up later, and there's a bath at the far end of the hall."
Elwin threw his pack on the bed. He sat down and dug out a piece of cheese and bit into it. "That keep irritates me."
"What does it matter?" asked Aidan. "We got a room for the night. Isn't that what really matters?"
"I don't know. I guess," replied Elwin. "It is just that he reminds me of someone. And I don't like being treated like a child."
Aidan replied with a shrug.
"Now what?" asked Colin. He walked over to the window and drew the curtains closed.
Elwin took a deep breath. Aidan was right... the inn keep did not matter. Still, the man reminded him of someone. He looked up. "Sorry. Did you say something, Colin?"
"Yes. Now that we are here, what do we do next?"
Elwin took off his dark green cloak and laid it over his pack. "I guess we should buy supplies and some horses."
"Do we have money for horses?" asked Pallas.
Elwin nodded, "I think so. Besides, it is a long walk to Aleach."
"Then let's go and get what we need," said Colin. "The sooner we get moving, the sooner we will get out of this city."
"I agree," said Aidan. "The sooner we are out of this city, the better. Tomorrow morning won't be soon enough for me."
"Not so fast." Elwin came to his feet. "We can't all go." Being in charge felt very uncomfortable. His whole life, others had chosen what was best for him. Now he had to make the decisions. He could feel their eyes watching him. He began to pace.
"Colin and Pallas will have to go out and buy what we need. Aidan and I better stay here, and out of sight." He stopped pacing and tossed Colin a small round bag of money. "Use that sparingly. That’s all we have, and we don't have enough to waste, and try to find out what you can about the road to Aleach. And Colin, please keep Pallas out of trouble."
Colin leaned heavily onto the table. He was in a sour mood. "Elwin said nothing about stopping at every tavern we pass. We are supposed to be getting supplies and horses.”
"We also need information," Pallas stated. "And taverns are the best place to pick that up."
"I am supposed to be keeping you out of trouble,"
Pallas smiled and threw up his hands. "What trouble?"
"Trouble follows you like the plague! If there is any to be had, it will find you. And taverns are the best place to find that too."
"Stop worrying. You sound like my mother". Pallas signaled the barkeep.
“Who has a lot more sense than you,” added in Colon. “If you had your mother’s good sense, I would not have to worry."
Pallas only smiled at his friend as the barkeep came over to the table. "What can I do for you two?" Unlike Ned from the Silver Thorn, the apron around this man's waist was stained and greasy.
This was a harbor side tavern, and would typically be filled with unsavory patrons, but today the place was empty except for themselves and a table near the door where five men sat quietly talking with their heads close together.
"Ale," ordered Pallas.
"Nothing for me," grumbled Colin.
A few moments later the keep returned with Pallas' drink. "Anything else?"
"Some information. We have just arrived in town." Pallas took a long drink from the foam-covered mug. "Good ale. Reidhen I would say."
The barkeep smiled, "It's from last year's supply. Some big storm down south has been making it hard to come by."
Pallas nodded. "As I was saying, we are new to Aonach and my master, who is a carpet merchant, has just arrived by sea with cargo, and we need to buy some horses and a wagon to take his carpets inland. He has sent me out to find where the nearest stables might be, one that won’t rob him blind. My master is a good man but not rich."
"Good luck to 'ya. Horses are scarcer than Reidhen Ale. The Strigiol army has confiscated just about every available mount. Rumor has it that the High King will attack Mythra before the end of the summer, and he is building up the cavalry."
Colin looked up. "We have been to sea for some time. One must travel far to the south to the free cities to purchase fine imperial carpets. What other news is there?"
"Biggest news is the warrant."
"Warrant?" both Pallas and Colin asked at the same time.
"A thousand gold sovereigns for the man who can deliver the Prince of Ceredigion."
Colin's eyes widened, and Pallas gave a long whistle. "Big money! What has he done?"
From behind them came a deep rumbling laugh. Both Pallas and Colin turned to see a dark man standing behind them. He was one of the men who had been sitting by the door.
Snatching up the coins Pallas left on the table, the barkeep frowned at the man. "I have things to do," he mumbled and hurried off towards the kitchen.
Ignoring the bar keep's reaction, the dark skinned man eyed Colin and Pallas. He adjusted the eye patch that he wore over his left eye. Hanging from his left side was a long, deadly looking blade, and on his right, a short knife with an elaborately carved ivory handle.
And appeared capable of handling both. With the grace of a will trained dancer, he came to his feet and crossed the room. He walked with such a light step, he almost seemed to glide across the room. "You must have been at sea for some time if you don't know about the renegade prince."
Colin did not like the s
ound or the looks of this one-eyed man. "We have indeed. So what has this Prince of Ceredigion done?"
"Done?... He refuses to recognize the High King for one thing. And for another, the outlaw prince is behind the recent increase in the Renegade's activities, or so the temple officials are saying. Just yesterday there was a raid on a caravan only a few miles west of the city. The Renegades are getting bolder by the day."
"They're probably just rumors," said Pallas. "Why would a Ceredigion prince be in Cluain?"
The one-eyed man nodded. "You are probably right. Yet, the temple itself posted the warrant just two days ago. It is not like them to react to rumors. Then again, this prince might be in Mythra, the Free Cities, the Empire, or even hiding in Ceredigion like a scared rabbit. They say he is just a boy and a sickly boy at that. But like you said, it is probably just a rumor, yet the temple wants him, and wants him badly."
"A thousand gold sovereigns," uttered Pallas. "That's a good price, even for a prince."
Pulling out a chair, the man swung the chair backward and dropped down into it. Setting his clay mug onto the worn wooden table, he leaned forward. "It is at that, lad, it is at that. I'd guess you'd take a share in that, would 'ya not? Even a third of that type of coins would set you up for a long time. You could even become your own trading master. Yep, that kind of money could change your life."
Watching the man over the brim of his mug, Pallas took another sip of his drink. "Sure would. You could buy a small kingdom with that kind of money or at least a county."
The man laughed and slapped Pallas on his back. "None are for sale, lad. All kingdoms, as well as counties, belong to High King Jerran now, 'ya know."
The man took a long swig from his own mug. With the back of his hand, he wiped the foam from his thick mustache. "You can call me Patch,... everyone else does." He tapped the black patch that was over his eye. "A suiting name, don't you think? I don't even remember my given name. Let me buy you two a drink."
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