“I am sorry, okay? I bumped into him by accident! I do not hang around the upper crust of society. How would I know who he is? Maybe if he was a local thug—”
Gunnar steps in. “Are you comparing our Duke with a common thug, Halfy?”
“No, of course not. I was merely pointing out that a local thug is more recognisable than a nobleman.”
“You have put your foot in it again, Solo.” And it is Seth’s turn. “You can be an idiot.”
Belgrim pipes in too, “Laddie, I feel sorry for you. Who is this lot with you?” Charming as always.
“This is my new Charter, the Rejects. Joan Stillwater, our leader.” I see her blush with that statement—do not know why. “Gunnar, our ... What do you do again, Gunnar?”
“I heal your sorry arse ... Solo.” I guess he noticed that Seth was half-human like me. “Also, I can do things you wouldn't believe.”
“Yeah, like talking to mangy strays.” He fumes at that. “So, that was the Duke, hey? Looks like he could handle himself.”
“You can be a little daft. From what I’ve heard, he served in the army, just like most citizens.” Belgrim said.
“He looks like it, Grim, but he would not fight on the frontlines, would he? He is the Duke.”
Seth and Belgrim just laugh at me. Seth replies, “That man held off a barbarian attack for twenty days on a village up in the colonies with only ten soldiers! I can't believe that you haven't heard that.”
“So, he’s actually done something for common people?” Gunnar said. Gunnar is being sort of nice to Seth. Wonders never cease.
“Yep. He has done much more too. You’re not from Western Duchy?”
“No, I'm from the south.”
Belgrim grabs Gunnar on the shoulder. “South, hey? I'm from Southern Earldom. What's your family name? We might be related.”
Gunnar moves his shoulder to loosen the grip. “I don't have a family—” That is strange. Dwarves are their family. “—so we can't be related.”
“Just hold on, son. No disrespect. I'm an exile too. My family kicked me out once they heard I was going to join a monastery. No benefit to their profit. Wanted me to join the Church.”
Gunnar just grunts. I see Stillwater talking to a few other people. Good, no angry woman.
Seth looks at me and changes the topic. “So, how did your 'adventure' go last night?”
Gunnar turns to me and stresses under his voice, “What did you tell these people?”
I was about to open my mouth, but Belgrim cuts in, “Don't worry, son. Solo here was just talking about it when we met him at the hall I assume that you foiled this 'adventure'?”
“Stop calling me son! I knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut, Solo!”
That is it! I know we have to keep it down low, but really. Seth steps on my foot, looks at me, and shakes his head. Fine!
“Good Dwarf, if it wasn't for Solo here, we wouldn't have discovered the Bloody Swords waylaying traders and farmers travelling to Lake Merrin.”
Now I am going to open my mouth, and damn the next person who interrupts me. “What? What?” Not the best way to voice myself.
“Yeah, Solo. Thanks for that. We would have had our hands full too, if it wasn't for the Count and his personal guard.”
This is spinning right out of control. “One second.” I move over to where Stillwater is talking to some sort of official. “Excuse me, my Lord, but there is something that needs Mistress Stillwater’s attention. Joan ...”
Stillwater is taken aback by my statement. “Excuse me, my Lord, it seems my Charter needs to speak with me.”
The stuffy individual looks a little smug. “No need to apologise. The young man seems to deem this matter more important. Maybe we can speak later, Champion Stillwater?”
“Most certainly, my Lord.” As we move away, Stillwater whispers, “Why did you pull me away? That was a member of Count Darel's court.”
“I think there are better ways to talk to the Count.”
I can see the wheels turning in Stillwater’s brain. “Fine. Who or what is this better way?” Althanis and Laura have joined us. I motion my head to this sight. Stillwater asks, “How do you know the Travellers?”
“Luck ... and ale.” That infuriates her and I smile as I walk back to the group. “Greetings, Travellers, this is our esteemed leader Joan Stillwater.” Gunnar and WayWocket roll their eyes.
Laura moves forward and grasps Stillwater's hand. “Nice to meet you, Joan. It seems that we have been dealing with similar issues.” Stillwater looks dumbfounded. I feel the same. Such heroes.
“My wife is being a little vague. After meeting your fellow Adventurer, we found out some new information ourselves—”
Stillwater butts in, “So you know what happened last night?” The Travellers all nod. Stillwater glares at me. Great. “And what is this new information?”
Laura gently touches Althanis on the arm. “I’ll explain this, my love.” Never seen that look on Gunnar's face before, it seems like a gravity of sorrow that can never be filled. “After you left last night, Solo, we headed out to talk to a few trusted people at the marketplace. Apparently, for the last two weeks, imports have either been delayed or have never arrived. Food supply is becoming a little stretched. You didn't know that, did you?”
This seems to be familiar, oh yeah, Brice! While the others shake their heads, I say “I heard something about that, but I did not really understand. How was it not well-known to everyone?”
“We still have the grain bins and a few other reserves in town, so they guessed it would be fine,” Laura says.
Althanis continues, “So we headed out last night, hoping that we could help.”
Belgrim laughs. “Yeah, bit of a three-ring circus happening on the roads.”
“Grim, quiet.” Althanis looks around and lowers his voice. “Like I was saying, the incident that The Rejects were dealing with, we found that there were people stopping food from being transported into town. We got lucky, didn’t sleep much either, but around Community Highway coming to Lake Merrin, we found some of the Bloody Swords.”
The Rejects look at each other, shocked. Stillwater asks, “The Fellowship of the Sword? They were in town? It’s a standing order to trail them.”
“It is a standing order?” I cannot believe my ears. “I heard from someone that they have been hanging around, mostly talking to Zlata.” A complete hush falls over everyone. “What? My friend saw them at the Anvil and Musket and at Corbin's.”
“Who saw the Swords with Zlata?”
“Her name is Pela. She was a waitress at Corbin’s, and now at the Hall.”
“Can you introduce me?” I nod at Stillwater. “This whole thing is bigger than we thought.”
Suddenly a bell is ringing and people are moving. Housen calls out, “Lords and Ladies, please find your seats. Dinner is about to be served.” Where are we sitting?
Housen moves through the crowd towards us. “Rejects, this way. Travellers, you are over there.”
Damn, we are not sitting together. We move towards the dining hall; it has a lot of tables. As we get to our table—it is not right in the back, but it is pretty close—there are a few people already seated. They look nearly as out of place as we do.
As we sit down, I hear someone banging something on the floor. Count Darel is standing up with the Duke on his right. In a booming voice, he says, “My Lords, my Ladies, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight to honour His Grace, my cousin Trahern Isenhart. Not only are we honouring His Grace tonight but we will also be awarding heroic individuals with the Iron Medal of Heroism.”
He pauses for a moment before continuing in a solemn tone. “I have been hearing very disturbing things of late, concerning my subjects and their safety on the highways. For the last three days, I have been out with my personal guard to investigate these wrongdoings.”
He motions towards one of the tables. “I happened upon the Travellers of the Road this morn, and after questioning them, found that w
e were out there for the same reason. I can announce this evening that we uncovered a Charter that was hired to attack farmers and tradesmen—”
Audible gasps. Everyone voices their indignation in a clamour of distressed voices. I look at the rest of the Rejects and I can see the wheels turning in Stillwater’s eyes, but for the life of me I have no idea what she is thinking. Women are weird.
The Duke stands up and waves his hand. “Please, everyone, silence. Cousin, please continue.”
Darel nods at the Duke and picks up where he left off. “We uncovered a Charter that was hired to attack farmers and tradesmen coming to Lake Merrin. Several have been brought in, while others escaped and will be brought to justice. I would like to thank Althanis and his Charter, Travellers of the Road, for coming to the aid of my county.”
Well, this got interesting. He continues, “Please, everyone, let’s enjoy our meal. After dessert, we will be rewarding these incredible heroes.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Journal Entry Three continued …
Yes, I received a medal. But after hearing what other people had done to be awarded such a great honour, it made me feel small. I did not deserve it, I know that now, but I still have it because it was one of the reasons I started to change ...
We look at each other. What the heck has been happening? This shows that Zlata has been more involved than we thought. I knew she was a monster, but a traitor too?
The others at our table are chatting about what the Count said. One looks over at me. “I am so glad that we travelled here by boat. I knew that being so close to the Wild Lands was dangerous, but bandits? May Trinity protect us.”
Everyone at the table mumbles and makes the sign of the Trinity. Please Trinity, protect me from this conversation. “Yes, I grew up near the border.” They all look shocked; well, not my group. “With the Duke's Shields and the Favinonian Army, we never saw any problems. One reason why I joined the army in my youth.”
“Oh, you are part of the army? A lieutenant?” another one asks.
“I left the army to become an Adventurer.” Their collective eyes widen. “I am a part of the Charter called the Rejects. This is our leader, a Champion of the Hall, Joan Stillwater; our medic and scout Gunnar of the Green; and finally, our scholar and alchemist WayWocket. And I am receiving the Iron Medal tonight.”
Stillwater leans in. “Champion?”
I whisper back, “We need to sound important. I have got this.”
They look at each other smugly. I think they are pleased to be at a table with such a guest. Pity we are not as high up as they think. “A Champion, a cleric of the Green, a war hero, and a master from the engineer college? I thought I was put in the back, but I guess we are very lucky to be in such company! This is my wife Mercer and I am Klaus Handwerk.”
Great, some slip-sucker merchant. He smells like a flower garden, and the wife has too much blush on. Stupid! “Pleased to meet you, Master and Mistress Handwerk. What brought you here tonight?”
As he is about to answer, the first dish arrives. My glasses are filled with wine and ale. I take a drink and try to remember how to eat properly—slow and steady, with the right cutlery.
Stillwater joins the conversation. “Yes, good people. What did bring you here tonight?”
“Ah, we were most fortunate to gain an invitation to the Grand Ball. It cost me a few slips, but you do not have access to this level of people just down at the local tavern.”
Stillwater continues, “That is too true. What is your business, if you don't mind me asking?” I have to give it to Stillwater, she knows how to work the conversation.
“I have been in lumber for years, and wish to expand to the Northern Colonies and some southern contracts, but we need sponsorship. I was hoping to gain it at this gala, but … Sorry, I didn't acquire your name, good sir.”
I should give them my Adventuring name. “It is Lone Solo, Master Handwerk. Lumber; strange market. Do you make much money from it?”
“Lone!” I pissed off Stillwater. “I apologise for my comrade, Master Handwerk. He can be a little blunt.”
Klaus waves his hand. “It is refreshing! I am glad that we are at your table. I like blunt. My wife here thinks that I can be a little too blunt sometimes. Isn't that right, my love?”
Her face goes pink with embarrassment. “Yes, Klaus. He has hindered us in the past with his bluntness.” Klaus laughs at that; such a good belly rumble. A few people around us look a little offended by it. “Klaus, a little quieter. I am sorry about my husband. This is one reason he has been blocked by another dealer of lumber.”
“My love, if I can't be myself then I am not a Handwerk or Iron Dukedom citizen!”
“So, you were born and bred here, Klaus? You do not mind me calling you Klaus?” I inquire.
We finish the first dish and the second arrives. I am glad they are small. I do not know if I can handle much more of this rich food.
“Of course you can, Lone. Yes, born and bred, and I have even served in the army too. Least I could do is give service to my nation.”
WayWocket whispers, “This cutlery is the same; barely any silver in it. Less than what we were using before.”
Great. WayWocket with the silver again. “Excuse me, my friend is a little mystical. He is stating that the cutlery is not true silver.”
“Truly? Hmm.” Klaus looks at the fork in his hand. “Strange, but I think your friend is correct. This fork has some flaws in the forging. Quite unusual for something in this sort of place.”
I look at my own fork, but I cannot notice anything. “Are you sure?”
“I am not an expert. Love, you have a look.”
She takes a couple of the forks, knives, and spoons and places them in front of her, studying them for a while. Stillwater asks, “Does your wife have experience with silver, Master Handwerk?”
“Oh my, yes! Mercer’s father is a great silversmith. It cost me a pretty large dowry to win his heart.” She looks up at him with a reproachful look. He laughs again; WayWocket and I join in. “Sorry, my dear.”
As she is finishing up her examination of the cutlery, our third course comes out. Good, the pastry. I like fish, but I do love a good pie and this one has a very nice game flavour to it.
“My, my. These are forgeries; not made well enough for a keen eye. Strange, Klaus. Could we use this?”
I have finished my first glass of wine and my ale too. I hold my hand over the glass, like I was told. I cannot have too much to drink or Stillwater will—!
“We could, but we can't just go to the Count with a spoon in our hand. Champion Stillwater, would your Charter be interested in investigating this? We are willing to pay, say—” He is willing to pay us to find out about spoons? “— five thousand slips? With a bonus of two thousand if you use your influence to organise for us to present the evidence to the Count with you. What do you say?”
Stillwater looks at him with that stare and he holds his ground. I am impressed. “So, you’re going to use this as a method of gaining notoriety with the court?”
“To be honest, yes, but this is just to give us a slight advantage. I will report that it was the Rejects who brought it to my attention, but that I wanted to personally fund the investigation. If there is silver around, theft is still theft, and should be brought to the Blue Court.”
“So, you will pay us for something we would have looked into anyway?” She smiles at Klaus.
“You are not just Champion by name, you have a heart to match it as well.” I have to acknowledge that too. She is an amazing, um, warrior. “So, Lone, how did you earn the Iron Medal?”
“I saved a small girl from a burning building by jumping out of a five-storey window.”
“How is that possible? Wouldn't the fall kill you?”
I laugh at that a little. I nod over at WayWocket. “If it were not for my friend there, it would have.”
Wide-eyed, Mercer asks, “How do you save someone from a five-storey drop?”
Say what? I can see that everyone on the table is dumbfounded by WayWocket's description. We sit in silence as the fourth course, a vegetable dish, arrives. Looks like some sort of stew. Interesting taste; feels like being back at the orphanage.
Even this will not distract me. I knew he was smart, but what was that language he was talking? Never heard it before. WayWocket is ignoring us now. He seems to be a little angered by our non-response. How could we understand? We are not that smart.
Gunnar is the first to talk. “So, you said lumber? Are you just using soft cultured wood or are you wanting to be a hardwood supplier?”
“Well, hardwood is where the money is. I have a few sources.” One question and everyone is back to normal. “The growth forests. I have some stakes in a few plantations, but they do not receive the premium prices.”
I go from confused to bored. I think I need another glass of ale. I hold up my glass like I was told. A very pretty lady fills it. Stillwater gives me that look—'control yourself'. Like I need to be reminded every minute. I have tuned Gunnar and Klaus out. Just bring on the meat!
“That is a very good point, Gunnar. I’ll look into it at a later date. I have to thank you, Rejects. Your name doesn't live up to your intelligence or tenacity.”
Um, did I miss something? Stillwater smiles. “Thank you, Master Handwerk. We are grateful for your and your wife’s company. It seems the fifth course is going to be served.”
Finally! I need some meat! A fantastic pile of roast beef arrives in front of us. It does not even have gristle or fat. I would just love being rich.
“Klaus, I was wondering about the price of us finding out about the spoon forgers.” He looks at me. “I think five hundred is a little small for such a task.”
Lake Merrin Page 23
