The mold stench of the docks filled the air as Leeneared. Sailors in brightly colored shirts and hats stumbleddrunkenly through the streets, and merchants shouted their wares topassers-by. It wasn't long before Lee could see the tall masts of theships peeking over the roof tops and sounds of orders being barkedand bells ringing carried on the air. A minute later the massive dockcame into view. It stretched out from east to west as far as the eyecould see. When Lee first saw them, years ago, there were hundreds ofships coming and going, loading and unloading. But now there wereless than fifty ships in all.
Lee frowned. The dark times havestruck everywhere.
The Plank Walkers cafe, where he was to meet hisfriend, was located only a few yards from the docks. Mostlypatronized by officers and merchants, Lee knew the place well. Itboasted the best seafood stew in the known world, a claim wellsupported by popular opinion. Lee had once tried to get the owner togive him the recipe but to no avail.
Lee climbed the stairs to the deck where a short, plump,young woman greeted him. She smiled warmly and showed Lee to a table.
“And what'll you be havin' today, sir?” sheasked cheerfully, with a thick Baltrian accent.
“Seafood stew, of course,” Lee replied.
“Right away.” She spun around heading to thekitchen.
A few moments later a young, dark haired boy brought himsome bread and a bottle of wine.
“Careful, Starfinder,” said a voice from thesteps. “That isn't weak northern wine you're drinking.”
“Lanson Brimm.” Lee laughed. “I don'tthink it's my drinking that needs to be monitored.”
Lanson was a tall, slender, middle-aged man. His fine,sandy blond hair blew carelessly in the sea breeze. He wore a bluecotton shirt and trousers with white silk embroidery, and asilver-handled short sword hung from a black leather belt.
Lee stood and embraced the man tightly. “It's goodto see you.” He offered him a chair. “Are you eating?”
“I'm sorry, my friend,” said Lanson. “Imust leave you soon. Frankly, I was surprised to get yourinvitation.”
“Why is that?” asked Lee.
Lanson shook his head and wagged his finger. “You'vemade some powerful enemies. Every noble in the city has been paid forinformation on you, and the Gods only know how many street vermin areon the lookout.”
Lee straightened. “Paid by whom?”
“Don't be naive, Starfinder.” Hereached over and took a piece of bread. “The ambassador fromAngraal started making inquiries months ago.”
“Ambassador?” Lee exclaimed. “InBaltria?”
“I'm afraid so,” said Lanson. “He andhis attendants have set up residence inside the governor’smansion.”
Lee suddenly felt exposed. “The King allowedthat?”
“Allowed?” laughed Lanson. “He gave itto him.”
“And the governor?” Lee asked.
“He moved into his own private home, claiming itwas his decision.”He bit off a piece of bread. “I…” he swallowed. “Ipersonally think the man is no longer running the city in anycapacity.”
“Why would you think that?” asked Lee.
Lanson shrugged. “Because crime is down, and inspite of the empty docks, profits have never been better. GovernorGreenly is a moron. He couldn't manage the city in good times. If hewasn't the King's nephew, he would never have been appointed in thefirst place. No, Angraal is in charge around here. They'repumping gold on top of gold into the economy.”
Lee was appalled. “So you want them here?”
Lanson nodded indifferently. “Sure. They're goodfor the city. So long as they don't send an army our way, I don'tmind.” He could see Lee's apprehension. “Don't worry. I'mnot one of the faithful.Those people are lunatics.”
“The faithful?”said Lee. “What in the name of Dantenos are the faithful?”
Lanson cocked his head. “You have been gone a longtime, old friend. The faithfulfollow The Reborn King of Angraal. They claim he's thereincarnation of King Ratsterfel, and spend most of their timecausing trouble for the temples. Lately, it's become fashionable tobecome one of them if you're nobility. But, if you ask me, it's abunch of hogwash. None of them really believe it. They just like thattheir purses keep getting fatter.”
“What are the temples doing to stop them?”asked Lee.
“What can they do?” Lanson replied. “KingTalminian doesn't seem to care what the faithfuldo, so long as the gold keeps flowing into his coffers. As for me…I have found it wise to stay out of it.”
“Talminian has always been a fool,” Leegrumbled. “And weak.”
“Dangerous words,” said Lanson. “Butas you're already in danger, I suppose it doesn't matter. Speaking ofwhich…” He reached in his pocket, pulled out a small key, andpushed it across the table. “I assume you'll not heed my wordsand leave the city at once. You remember my rental house.”
Lee nodded.
“It's vacant,” continued Lanson. “Iwant you to hole up there until you're business here is finished,which brings me to the next question. What is it you need me to do?”
“I need you to tell me when Millet arrives inBaltria,” he answered. “And if I'm found out give mewarning.”
“You didn't drag poor Millet into your adventuresagain, did you?” he scolded. “But I already know theanswer, don't I? Even if you tried to leave him behind, he wouldn'tlet you.”
Both men burst into laughter. Just then the server camewith Lee's meal. Lanson stood from the table. “I must leave youto your meal. I'll make inquiries regarding Millet. But please, stayout of sight. The Gods only know what will happen if you'rediscovered.”
Lee smiled warmly. “I'll be careful, my friend.”
Lanson twisted his mouth and shook his head. “Idoubt that very much. But at least I can say I warned you.”
Lee watched as Lanson turned and walked away. Alone, hefelt even more exposed. He ate quickly and headed back to the inn.His paranoia grew with each step. He knew he couldn't leave the cityuntil Millet and Jacob arrived, but should the servants of the DarkOne realize his presence he could get them all killed. He consideredsending Dina away but dismissed the idea. If they were aware of him,they may be aware of her as well. She may need his protection.
When he arrived at the inn, Dina was still in her roomsleeping. Lee regretted waking her but considering what Lanson hadtold him, he felt he had no choice. She came to the door, yawning andwrapped in a blanket.
“Get your things together and meet me in thecommon room,” Lee ordered.
Before Dina could ask questions, Lee walked down thehall to his own room and began to pack his gear. Twenty minuteslater, they were both standing in the common room. Lee had the horsesbrought from the stables and walked with Dina to the door.
“What's going on, Lee?” asked Dina.
Lee recounted his conversation with Lanson as theysecured their gear on their mounts. “At least your frienddidn't betray you,” said Dina.
Lee nodded. “He's a good man. But I still hatethat he goes along with what's happening here.”
Dina mounted her horse. “What would you have himdo? Besides, from what you said Angraal isn't actingaggressively. He has no reason to suspect their true intentions.”
“That's just it,” Lee countered. “They'renot a bunch of uneducated fools. They know what's going on. Some evenwelcome it. So long as they stay rich, they'll go along withanything.”
“But you thought that might be the case,”said Dina. “Why are you so angry?”
“I'm angry because we have been lazy,” saidLee. “We've allowed The Dark One to spread his liesunchallenged. Now, who knows if he can be dislodged? He'll conquerthe world one city at a time before one battle is even fought.”
“What can we do?”
“We can play his game better. The moment I'vesecured Millet and my son, Valshara must be told what is happeninghere. In fact, when you visit the temples tonight, I'll have you senda message to Althetas.”
They wound their way through the str
eets to Lanson'srental house. Lee remembered Lanson using it to rendezvous with hismistresses in years past. The man had a bit of a wild side and areputation with the ladies. But, he reckoned that Lanson had settleddown, if he was renting it out. It was a modest, single storydwelling, typical for the merchant class. Its solid brick walls andtan tile roof were well built, and suited for the climate. The yardwas small but well kept, and a wrought iron fence surrounded it.
Lee led them to the rear of the house and put the horsesin a small stable at the back of the property. They entered throughthe back door and Lee set about lighting lamps. The interior was welldecorated and deceptively spacious. The main living room was equippedwith a small fireplace, a plush suede couch, and two matching chairs.The fireplace was more for decoration than anything else, as the hotclimate usually prevented the need for a fire. The three bedroomswere big enough to accommodate a married couple comfortably, and thebeds had thick, goose down mattresses.
There was a bathing room that had running water, and atub heated by coals placed in a compartment under its base. Lee andDina each picked a room and washed and changed in turn. Once dressed,they relaxed in the living room.
“I'll go out later for food and drink,” saidLee. “There's an eatery a few blocks from here that serveswonderful mince pie.”
Dina smiled, trying to hide her apprehension. “Ishould go with you,” she said. “I don't think that I likethe idea of either of us venturing out alone.”
Lee nodded. “I'll walk you to the temple and we'llpick something up on the way back.”
There was a knock at the door. Lee drew his dagger andpeered out the window. Lanson stood uneasily outside. Lee opened andlet him in.
“I see you're prepared,” said Lanson,referring to the dagger. “Good.”
“Has something happened?” asked Lee.
Lanson eyed Dina. “Such matters can wait untilafter we've made proper introductions.” Dina smiled and got toher feet.
“Lanson,” said Lee. “This is my dearfriend Celandine….” he paused and looked at Dina,embarrassed. “I'm afraid I don't know your last name.”
“Such things have not come up,” Dinareplied. “Lord Lanson Brimm I presume.” She curtsied,elegantly. “I am Celandine Selborne.”
Lanson took her hand and kissed it lightly. “Mydear, it is an honor.” He tilted his head. “Do I detect aBaltrian accent?”
“I lived here in my youth,” she said. “Thatis to say, when I was a little girl.”
“Indeed,” said Lanson. “Well, our cityhas missed your beauty.”
Lee slapped him on the shoulder. “And here Ithought you'd settled down.”
“Me?” Lanson, smile mischievously. “Never.”He made his way to the couch and sat down while Lee and Dina took thechairs. “I thought you might want to know that I was told to beon the lookout for you, just after we parted company.”
“By whom?” asked Lee, leaning forward.
“One of those blasted faithful,”he replied. “I think they must know you're in the city. Andit's no secret that we're friends.”
“Isn't it dangerous for you to come here?”asked Dina.
Lanson smiled. “It will be after today. I had onlywalked a few blocks before they stopped me. I'm afraid I can't riskreturning here until you've left Baltria.”
“Did anyone see us together?” asked Lee.
“I don't think so,” said Lanson. “Ifollowed them after they spoke to me, and they gave me no indicationthat they knew anything. They spoke to three other nobles, then wentto the governor’s mansion.” He held up his hand. “Andbefore you ask, I wasn't followed.”
“We should leave,” said Dina. “Iwouldn't want to put you in danger.”
“My dear,” Lanson replied. “I may notbe the hero that Lee is. But, I do not abandon a friend. Especiallyone that has saved my life. Besides, no one will think to look here,even if they suspect me of helping you. As far as anyone knows, it'soccupied. The last tenants only moved a week ago.” His face wasgrim with resolve. “I'm having food and supplies brought foryou within the hour.”
“We had planned to visit the temples,” saidDina.
“Don't,” Lanson objected. “All thetemples are being watched by the faithful.They like to know who comes and goes. There's no way for you to enterunnoticed.”
Dina crossed her arms in disappointment.
“How will you communicate with us?” askedLee.
“Do you remember my servant Jansi?”
Lee nodded.
“He'll bring you any word of Millet,” Lansonstood up. “I wish I could say I'll see you soon…”
Lee and Dina got to their feet. Lee embraced Lansontightly. “Thank you,” he said, smiling. “I thinkwe're even now.”
Lanson laughed and turned to Dina. “My dear, Ionly wish I could behold your loveliness once more… but alas.”
Dina kissed Lanson's cheek. “Thank you for yourkindness.”
Lanson put his hand over his heart and walked to thedoor. He turned just before he crossed the thresh-hold. “I knowyou were upset by my attitude regarding Angraal. But, Ithink that attitude is changing.” He bowed and left.
Soon after, a young boy showed up with a wagon load offood, wine, and other essentials. Dina and Lee busied themselvesputting things away, then prepared the evening meal. Dina tried toconvince Lee that they should attempt to get into the temples,despite Lanson's warning, but Lee wouldn't allow it.
That night Lee slept in one of the chairs in the livingroom, his sword across his lap.
Chapter Seventeen
Millet and Jacob disembarked from the river craft. Theheat in Baltria was causing no small amount of discomfort for thetwo, and both were sweating profusely.
“I'll never understand how people live in thiswretched heat,” said Jacob.
Millet had never been around someone so contrary andill-tempered in his life. Though he tried to be understanding thatthe boy's mother was in captivity and his entire life had beenstripped away, he couldn't help but become irritated. On more thanone occasion, he marveled that this ill-mannered youth could be theson of Lee Nal’Thain.
“You had better be grateful that they do,”remarked Millet. “Most trade goods in Hazrah come through here.Without Baltria and its port, most of the world would starve.”
“Hazrah isstarving,” snapped Jacob.
For once Millet felt as Jacob did. The thought of thepeople of Hazrah suffering caused anger to swell inside him. “Yousaid you have friends here?”
“Yes,” Jacob replied. “But I'll needto visit them alone. They do not enjoy meeting new people.”
“I assure you that I can fit in,” saidMillet. He didn't like the idea of Jacob venturing into Baltriaalone. “I know this city very well. I think you'd be betteroff-”
“I said I'm going alone,” he growled.“Besides, don't you need to find my… father?” The word“ father” dripped with hatred.
“Your father will find us,” said Millet.“You can count on that.”
“If you say so.” Jacob shrugged, trying toappear indifferent. “I don't care. You wait for him, and I'lldo what I have to do.”
Millet led them through the city, into the taverndistrict, to the Green Barnacle Inn. Lee had stayed there for a monthwhen they had first come to Baltria many years ago. He would oftenreturn to see the jugglers or musicians and relax. Lee had alwaysenjoyed less sophisticated company. Millet had considered the Maltand Mane, another of Lee's old haunts, but Millet had never cared forthe place. If Lee were there, he would look for them at the GreenBarnacle, too.
Millet still had a considerable amount of money on him.He had plenty left from the trip and more still from the sale oftheir horses. He decided to spring for some new attire after theychecked in. His clothes were dirty and worn from travel. He smiled,thinking of the many trips and hardships he had endured in histravels with Lee, and despite the boy’s ill temper, he waspleased to have had the experience with his son.
Millet and Jacob stowed their belongings in thei
r rooms,and took time to eat a modest meal of roast pork and wine. As theyate, Millet began to regret filling his stomach the moment heremembered the seafood stew at the Plank Walker's Cafe. If Lee werealready here, he would have made it one of his first stops.
Once he was finished, Jacob stood from the table andmoved toward the door. “When should I expect you to return?”asked Millet.
“When my business is done,” he shot back,without turning around. With that, he left. Millet spent the next fewhours wandering the city, buying odds and ends, including a new setof clothes. Once finished, he had a messenger deliver his goods tothe inn and headed off to the Malt and Mane.
As he sat listening to a bard spin a tale to the musicof a lute, he scanned the common room for signs of Lee but to hisdisappointment there were none. He knew that there was thepossibility he had arrived ahead of him. The river was swift and thevessel had only made two stops before arriving in Baltria, and thosewere only to offload a small portion of their cargo and take on freshwater.
Just as he was about to give up and head back, thebarmaid handed him a folded slip of parchment. He glanced around butcouldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Slowly he opened thepaper. Meet me for the best seafood stewyou've ever tasted. There was no signature.
Millet left the inn and made his way to The PlankWalker’s Cafe. Once there, he scanned the place for afamiliar face but saw none. He took a table near the edge of the deckso he could see people as they approached, and ordered a bowl ofseafood stew.
A few minutes went by when a tall, slender man withdark, shoulder-length curls that fell about his shoulders, walked tothe table. His sharp, angular features and soft, white, cottonoutfit, spoke of wealth and breeding. A small dagger sheathed in ajeweled scabbard hung from his belt and he carried a bottle of wineand two glasses.
“Millet, I presume,” said the man. His voicewas deep and masculine, yet smooth and pleasing. “May I joinyou?”
Millet tensed but held out his hand, motioning for himto sit. “And you are?”
“You may call me Yanti,” he replied, bowinghis head. “It was I that sent you the note at the Malt andMane.”
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