Pipes inhaled sharply. “That…you…box…” he stammered, pointing to the broken box in my hand.
“This?” I asked, walking closer to him. “What do you know about these boxes?”
“That the prophecy is true,” he whispered, biting down on a fist. Deakon dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground again.
I rolled my eyes. This was going to take more finesse than I’d thought. I had to change directions. “Deakon?” I asked sweetly. “Do you think I can borrow your glass?”
“Of course, my lady, whatever I can do to help.” He fumbled around the ground in front of him where it had dropped and handed it to me.
“Thank you, my friends. You surprised me, and I dropped most of the coins from the box. Do you think you could help me find them? I will of course pay you for your efforts. I think that’ll help the cause, right?” I asked innocently.
Deakon scratched his forehead. “We can’t take that money, my lady. We need to make sure it gets to where it’s needed.”
“W-well, of course I’ll get the money where it’s needed. I just thought you might need some as well,” I stammered.
Deakon stood by my side and held out his hand in offering. “You’ll have our help regardless, my lady. We’re humbly at your service. Just tell us where to go.”
I smiled and pointed to the tree from which he’d grabbed me. “I’m afraid it’s not very far, just difficult to see in the dim light and overgrown brush. I appreciate your kindness.” I batted my eyes and walked purposefully to the back of the tree.
The sunken impression of my fall marked the soft ground. I stood in front of it, hoping to block their view of my clumsiness. The Golden Hero shouldn’t make mistakes.
“Here?” he asked, pointing to the ruffled leaves and debris.
I nodded and knelt by his side. Before long, a third pair of hands helped clear the ground and uncover the dark coins. I heard them whistle as the box filled.
“Thank you,” I said, breaking the silence between us. “So, I gather you’re on your way somewhere special?”
Deakon blushed and continued shuffling while Pipes took the opportunity to stop searching through the leaves.
“Yes, we’re on our way to the new capital for tonight’s demonstration,” he said, checking to make sure all his weapons and tools were secured on his belt.
“Hmm?”
Pipes took the invitation and continued: “We were called away when we got word of the execution. We barely made it there in time.”
“Or out in time,” Deakon said.
“Yes, or out in time,” he admitted, lowering his head and covering his heart. “Bless the king. I wish he didn’t have to go the way he did.”
“How was that?” I asked, already knowing I didn’t want to hear the answer.
“Berkos,” he answered grimly. “He had him killed. Publicly, no less.” He hung his head. “It’s a travesty.”
I looked between the men. I still had no idea who these people were or how this information could help me get home. “Is there anything we can do?” I asked.
Both their heads jerked up as they looked at me, then each other. Deakon responded, “Of course, my lady. That’s why we’re in such a hurry to get to the capital. We have to spread the word and make our plans. You already have something in mind, no doubt.”
I nodded and looked back to the ground. Ideas ran through my mind, but they had nothing to do with these men or their cause, and that unsettled me. “I think we’ve found all the money we’re going to. Thank you,” I said, flipping a coin to each of them. Their faces registered a range of extreme emotions until settling on grateful tears.
“My lady, we’re forever in your debt,” Deakon said, touching the ground with his forehead once more.
“No,” I said, laying my hand atop Deakon’s. “I am in yours. And I’m afraid I still need your help.”
Deakon exhaled and lowered his eyes. “Of course, my lady, whatever you need. It’s just—” He pursed his lips and looked back at Pipes.
“Just what?” I asked with an exasperated sigh.
“It’s just that we need to get to Lindle before nightfall. We’re the entertainment,” he said, exposing the bright clothing beneath his cloak proudly.
I smiled at the exaggerated costume, and then glanced at the growing shadows in the forest around us. “You’re right. Of course, we’ll need to be on our way then.”
“We?” Pipes asked.
“Yes. We. I’m coming too. I need to know more, and you need to get to Lindle. It seems we can do both at once. Do you suppose there’s a market there?”
They exchanged looks again and burst into laughter. “Oh yes, my lady. Only the most extravagant market you’ll ever see. The new capital is full of shops, food, entertainment, and more luxury than you’ll find anywhere else in the kingdom.”
“Well then, it’s settled. We’ll go to Lindle, and you can tell me more along the way.”
“But my lady, I don’t think we should,” Pipes said, running his fingers through his hair. “Lindle’s not…”
“Not what?”
“It’s not…” He hesitated and looked to Deakon for support.
“It’s not that we don’t want to help, my lady, but the capital may not be what you’re expecting,” Deakon said.
I looked between the two, wondering what they were leaving out. Danger or not, I needed that marketplace. “I think I know where I need to be,” I said, hardening my gaze.
They averted their eyes. Pipes dragged his feet through the pebbles, and Deakon sighed. He looked up and shrugged. “I suppose you know what’s best.”
“I do know what’s best. Thank you.”
Pipes held out his hand with a slight bow. “Then we are humbled to be your guides.”
With that, I took his hand as he led the way.
Their stories of the world and familiarity with the woods sped the remaining journey. They flushed out the puff birds and trampled the dragon weeds without concern as we marched down the path. By the time Pipes finished his tale, I had more details of King Helio’s execution and their trip than I wanted. Worse, after hearing about Queen Elin’s extended confinement, I had no doubts about what they wanted me to do as the Golden Hero. They expected me to save the queen. I shouldn’t have been surprised; I had played this game for years. But knowing something intuitively and hearing it aloud can be different.
We walked the rest of the way in silence, but inside, my mind screamed. How could I give them what they wanted when it risked my life and my chance at getting home? Besides, I wasn’t exactly hero material. I glanced between my companions and bit my upper lip.
Pipes opened his mouth, and the lightest trilling poured out. A trail of birds crowded behind us, streaking above our heads. Blended together, his voice and the birds grew to a symphony. I heard the familiar theme song burst through the hidden notes.
“We’re almost there,” Pipes said.
I nodded and smiled, hunched over to regain my breath.
The forest ended sooner than I expected. The canopy opened, and the distance between trees grew. Cobblestones formed in the dirt, creating a modest road. The stones curved around the thinning trees until flag posts replaced the trunks. A heavily fortified fortress of wood dominated the landscape, more imposing than the simple market I had expected. I scooted close to Deakon and peeked over his shoulders. Planks of knotted wood alternated in a pattern up the broad face of the building. At the top, a wide pathway guarded with armored men marked the space between the decorated towers.
“Welcome to Lindle,” Deakon said. “Everyone, put on your happy face. It’s entertaining time.”
My companions removed their cloaks, draping them over their left arms, revealing the bright outfits I had glimpsed earlier. They touched their right hand to their chin, then forehead, and then reached out in a strange salute to the guards.
A guard’s gaze drifted over to me, and I froze. A lazy, yet expectant stare met my confusion
. My heart choked me. What was I supposed to do? The guard narrowed his gaze and barked an order to another guard at his side. My fingers twitched. I didn’t know what move to make next.
Pipes whistled and broke through my hesitation. I heard the beginning of the theme and hastily followed his previous gestures. I held my breath. Had I done it in the right order? It was like punching in the code all over again. Everything depended on the right combination.
The guard hesitated with a long look at me, and then jutted his chin towards the other guards spaced evenly across the tower ledge. The steel gates protested as they separated. A strip of light burst through the narrow opening, blinding me. I blinked away the golden haze and bit the inside of my lip as I waited for my vision to clear. The creak of the chains slowed as the guard pulled it taut. Behind the massive gate and bleak tower, a masterpiece of music, color, and scents awaited.
My mouth dropped. The game had not prepared me for this.
Chapter Six
The guards narrowed their gaze as we passed by. Nothing, not even their clunky helmets, could hide the accusations in their scrutiny. The same initial shock of recognition that I had noticed in Pipes and Deakon now stood on the faces of the guards. But they didn’t seem as pleased to see me. I tried to ignore it but couldn’t. The hair on the back of my neck stood on edge, and every muscle in me tightened. I wanted to run and hide. I walked, slower than I thought possible, not wanting to give them any more reason to question me.
I held my breath as we walked across the wooden bridge and entered the busy marketplace.
“Good luck,” Pipes whispered, brushing past me.
“Huh?” I asked, dumbfounded by my surroundings.
“Good luck,” he repeated, leaning closer. “Heed my words: get what you need and get out. Lindle’s not a safe place, especially now. Especially for you, even if you know what you’re doing,” he said. He bowed theatrically and patted Deakon on the shoulder. Their painted smiles didn’t erase the concern in their eyes.
Deakon nodded in agreement and gave me a solemn look. “If you need anything, look for help within the trees.” He pointed to a small patch that I hadn’t noticed before sewn into the cuff of his costume. It was a large oak with a castle at its base, the Dreamscape logo.
“No, you can’t leave me,” I said, grabbing the sleeve of Pipes’ cloak.
They exchanged a glance and then Pipes looked down to where I gripped his sleeve.
“I only mean that I don’t know my way around the market yet. I should have an escort,” I corrected myself, letting go of his sleeve and pulling my shirt down.
“I suppose we can do that my lady. We need to get ready for our show, but our stage is on the other side of the square. We can show you on our way there.”
“Perfect. I’ll follow you for now.”
Deakon hesitated, glancing around at the crowd.
“I know what I’m doing, remember?” I raised an eyebrow.
Pipes shrugged at Deakon and held out his arm. “My lady, we go this way.”
“Why thank you,” I said with a smile.
Deakon grunted and sped through the crowd, vanishing into the throngs of merchants along the outer edge.
Pipes pulled me back. “Not quite yet. Let him go ahead. There’s no telling what’s waiting for us at the stage.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” I narrowed my gaze.
“Nothing more than you already know. We may have left out a few details, though.”
“Like what?” I asked in a whisper, forcing a smile.
“Well, when we heard about King Helio, we left in a hurry. A few of the shopkeepers were upset at that.”
“Why?” I asked.
“We do drum up a bit of business for the town with our entertainment. Let’s just say, a few were a bit upset when we left unannounced.”
“How upset?” I asked.
Pipes adjusted his collar and chuckled. “Their henchmen followed us for a few miles into the woods.”
“And then?”
“Well, we are trained with our weapons,” he said.
“So, you just—”
“Defended ourselves, my lady. That’s all we did. Seems it’s all we’ve been doing lately. I hope you’re here to change that.”
I swallowed hard. “We can hope. Can we go yet?”
Pipes scoured the courtyard and nodded. “Follow me, but take notice of what you need and where to go. Once we reach the stage, Deakon and I are committed.”
A cobblestone pathway wound through the open square in a curved fashion between shops, vendors, and gardens. Rickety old carts and brightly painted wagons were squished together, lining every inch of the route; their owners stood in front, barking out orders. The cacophony of voices excited me. Amidst the laughter and bartering, I sensed a rhythm. Items were traded with speed and merchants’ smiles increased in proportion to the gold exchanged. Some things seemed universal.
I shook the wooden box and smiled as the coins clinked together. It was almost time to shop.
Where to begin? Carts overflowed with freshly baked goods, flowers, and fabrics. Strewn petals littered the ground, tossed by quick bursts of air from the opening gates. A flock of puff birds gathered around the base of the bread carts, stealing crumbs while avoiding the stuttered kicks of a merchant who couldn’t seem to decide which he wanted to do more: kick the birds or sell his bread.
Dancers twirling saffron scarves weaved in and out of carts, urged on by whistles and cheers. They moved down the pathways, rolling their hips as they wound around the crowd. Some of the busiest carts stood in the shadows of the square. I tried not to image what a disheveled man picking at his teeth with a knife sold, but his cart had a steady line of customers.
I hardly noticed the stares and strangled protests of the people maneuvering around me until the dust from their frantic pace choked me.
“Outta my way, lass,” a deep voice commanded.
I jumped in surprise. The commotion had hypnotized me for a moment. I shook out of the trance and mumbled an apology as a burly man clothed in a wool tunic passed by me. A small herd of winged sheep tromped in front of me, kicking up enough dust to hide them in shadows. Unable to catch my breath, I coughed, drawing the attention of the people passing by.
Women dressed in opulent gowns glared at me over their bags of rolls. Children pointed and laughed, stopping mid-bite. Surely my cough wasn’t that loud. Why were they all staring?
Then I looked down and saw my torn shirt. My cheeks melted with embarrassment. I hastily pulled it down and slinked into the shadows along the side of the square, behind the rows of carts. I ran to catch up with Pipes, now a dozen steps ahead.
“Care for a trinket? Pretty jewels for a pretty lady,” a melodic voice called out. I turned to answer, but he wasn’t talking to me. I shrunk deeper into my shirt.
As I walked further along, I listened to snippets of conversation and watched the interactions.
“… But two golden coins is the best I can do,” one woman said, batting her eyes and tilting her head to the side, ogling a dragon necklace in her hand.
“Sold. Here you go, my lady,” the merchant said, sliding behind her to clasp the jewelry onto her neck.
“Fresh bread!” the baker called out, waving his loaves overhead. My stomach rumbled, but I didn’t want to spend my money yet. Not until I knew everything that this market had to offer.
“No. All sales are final,” another peddler said, pushing a woman’s items away.
From the darkened shadows along the outer edge of the path, I could only see the items placed along the sides of the carts, but that was enough. My eyes grew wide at the sight of decadent chocolates. Baskets of ripened berries flipped my stomach, and my hands twitched with a desire to hold the soft fabrics and scarves draped and billowing in the wind.
Not every cart held the extravagance I had expected. Hidden between the opulence, older carts sold smaller trinkets. Worn leather books propped up the broken leg of one ca
rt, while small flies swarmed over boxes of overripe fruit. I stepped up onto my tiptoes to peek at a nearby wagon.
“Sssomething yous like over there, my dear?” a voice rasped from behind me.
I jumped and whirled around, hiding my startled gasp. “What?” I asked, trying not to stare at the grungy man leering at the hole in my shirt. The setting sun glinted off the edge of his knife’s blade as he rolled it over his cheek. Dirt smudged his forehead, and crumbs stuck in his matted beard. When he smiled, my stomach turned. His rotten teeth and rancid breath were nothing compared to the twisted gleam in his eyes.
“I’s can get yous anything yous wisssh, my dear. Yous name it,” he offered, taking one step closer.
I tightened my grip on the wooden box behind my body and stepped closer to the crowd. “I don’t have any money, sir,” I whispered.
He wiped the blade along his tattered shirt and slowly lowered his gaze. When he met my eyes again, his smile sent a shiver down my spine. “Paymentsss are negotiable.”
I turned and ran into the crowd, knocking over a display of Lindle souvenirs and banners.
“Watch it!” a woman grumbled as she hastily grabbed her items.
“Sorry,” I said, stumbling forward, anxious to get out of their sight. It seemed every move only made me stand out more. Pipes’ words came back to mind. This place wasn’t safe. I shuddered and ran my hands down my arms. I hadn’t thought about any non-game dangers.
My heart jumped when I caught a glimpse of neon fabric mixed in with the crowd. How had I let him get so far ahead? Ignoring the jeers and stares, I hurried forward, only briefly glancing at the carts and dancing girls.
This city seemed to accept the darker exploits with ease. I bit my inner lip and continued trailing my new friend. I couldn’t see any more flashes of the bright costume he wore. My heart sank. In this crowd, how could I hope to find a single person?
Through the noise of the crowd, I heard a single bird chirp. Then another joined in, followed by a soft whisper.
“Where’d you go my lady?”
Dreamscape: Saving Alex Page 5
