by Unknown
Sloan noted Charion’s slight hesitation and, although something was being hidden, chose not to challenge her. “What is Liddea’s physical description and dress?”
“Liddea has brown curly hair, hazel eyes, and is missing the first upper left back tooth. She left the Temple yesterday wearing homespun pants and blouse, both charcoal in color, matching belt, jacket, and worn brown boots. She is a little over fourteen hands in height, medium build, no identifying scars, and her favorite color is blue.”
An older officer, dressed in the green pants and gold tunic of the Watch of Arlanda, walked out of the back workroom and stopped next to Sloan. His uniform had three black stripes on the lower right sleeve and a black stripe down the outside of each pants leg. It looked as if he had just brushed off his clothes. Sloan stood.
“Watch Commander Wills, let me introduce Matriarch Izlan of the Temple of the Ladies of Life and her assistant, Lady Charion. They are here to report a missing ward who did not return last evening. Ladies, this is Watch Commander Wills.”
“I am sorry to hear of this unfortunate event. Rest assured we will give this incident our full attention. I promise to personally look into the matter.” Wills gave an abbreviated bow to each of the ladies and then reached for the report that Sloan had just completed. He began to read it over.
“I heard there have been other children missing in our city, Watch Commander,” Izlan said. “What is the Watch doing in response?”
Sloan was curious to hear Wills’s reply, himself.
“My apology to you, but I am unable to discuss the particulars associated with an ongoing investigation.”
What ongoing investigation? Sloan thought. And what was the watch commander playing at? He decided perhaps he should have a discussion with Wills later.
“Do you have anything else to add that would be helpful?” he asked the two women.
“No,” replied Charion as she looked to Izlan for confirmation. Izlan concurred.
“Then I will contact you once we have any information.” He walked Izlan and Charion to the door.
“Thank you for your help, Officer Sloan.”
Sloan acknowledged the Matriarch. “I will give her case my utmost care.”
As the ladies walked away, Sloan remembered a detail he had not written down and turned back to inform Wills, whom he saw step into his workroom and close the door. He made his way to Wills. The door swung open slightly, the latch not having engaged, and he could observe the watch commander through the narrow gap. Wills, his back to Sloan, held the girl’s report by the corner and lit it from the flame of the lantern on his desk. As Sloan continued to view Wills unseen, Wills then moved over to the fireplace in the room and dropped the last bit of parchment into the flames.
Sloan hurried back to his desk to think about what he had just witnessed.
Why had Wills destroyed the document? The commander’s action explained the lack of information regarding the disappearances for him to review. Although shocked and surprised by this revelation, he also felt angry and betrayed. He needed more information before reporting his observation to the Trade Master.
Less than a quarter mark later, the watch commander walked past Sloan as he headed for the front door. “You have the House, Sloan.”
“Yes, Watch Commander.” It was too early for the Commander to make his rounds. Sloan waited till Wills had left then opened a desk drawer and pulled out a gray overcoat and hat. He placed his helm on his desk, walked to the window, and located the watch commander as he traveled down the street.
Putting on the overcoat, which covered him all the way down to his ankles, Sloan jammed the hat on his head and then yelled back over his shoulder to the other officer present, “Mandry, the House is yours.” Intent on the Watch Commander’s retreating form, Sloan didn’t wait for Mandry’s reply.
***
Izlan and Charion talked as they made their way back to the Temple.
“Between the watch commander and Slag, we should receive some sort of news, don’t you think, Izlan?”
“Yes, but I’m hoping sooner than later.”
Charion noticed Izlan’s worried look. “We have to believe that Liddea will be fine. One thing we can be thankful for is that she has been learning to take care of herself.”
“They all have been. But if I get my hands on those responsible, they’ll not be long for this life.”
Charion couldn’t help noticing how forcefully Izlan gripped her cane. “Now that is the old Izlan I campaigned with talking. But you know you’ll only get to play with my leftovers.”
Izlan smiled. “For Liddea’s sake, I am willing to share with you!”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
QWEN WAS SITTING at the table when he was notified by one of the air spirits that had befriended him that the children were approaching his cottage. A Zephyr opened the door for them.
As they entered, Qwen gestured for them to join him. He pulled a pot of water off the stove, poured the contents into a waiting teapot, added leaves, and then put the teapot on the table to allow the brew to steep. From the chiller, he removed a platter of sliced bread, meats, and cheese, which he also placed on the table. “I wasn’t certain you would be coming today after I learned of Liddea’s disappearance.” Cups and small plates were placed next to the platter. “Please help yourselves to the food and drink.”
“Is Liddea a Practitioner?” Zeal asked.
“Her exam was inconclusive.”
Nester picked up a piece of bread. “Is there anything you can do to help find her?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps there is.” Qwen stopped to think for a moment. “I need a personal item of Liddea’s to accomplish the task. Do you think you can bring me something?”
“Like what?” Mehrle and Tulip asked at the same time. They turned to each other and snapped their fingers twice.
“Clothing she’s recently worn but that has not been washed. A piece of jewelry or prized possession only she uses and handles. A hair sample obtained from her brush.”
“She rooms with Tulip and Mehrle. I am sure they know what to look for.” Fronc looked toward the girls.
Tulip nodded. “Yes, we can find what you seek.”
“It will take time to prepare a conjure to use, so no testing today. Eat up, go back to the Temple, obtain the item, and return it to me. I might even let you watch me work.” Qwen poured tea for everyone, including himself.
Zeal raised his hand.
“Yes, Zeal, you have a question?”
“Did you have anything to do with Liddea vanishing?”
Qwen looked around the table. Everyone had stopped eating and sat staring at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. He hadn’t known Liddea long, but the thought of her taken, possibly suffering, unexpectedly sent talons ripping into his heart. What had given birth to such a strong feeling? He wanted them to see his face clearly as he answered and gave each a steady gaze.
“I assure you she was well when she left here. I have been away from Arlanda and only recently returned. I was unaware that the city had a problem with missing children. Had I known, there is no way I would have let Liddea leave my place alone.”
One at a time the apprentices began to eat. Qwen assumed his reply had been acceptable. Liddea’s absence troubled him and took away the pleasure he normally felt watching others eat his cooking. There was no further discussion. The food was quickly consumed, and the apprentices thanked him and left. He looked out the window and saw them at the end of his property, having a discussion. His Zephyrs carried their conversation to him.
Mehrle had stopped next to Tulip. “Tulip and I will head back to the Temple and find something Qwen can use. Why don’t you three boys check out the most likely route Liddea would have taken? Who knows, you might uncover a clue we can use to help her. Meet Tulip and me back here in two marks.”
Nester leaned in toward the others. “Do you believe what Qwen had to say?”
Zeal looked toward the cottage. “I do. We should
give him a chance to prove it.”
Qwen heard them agree to Zeal’s proposal. He never thought he would have a strong need to convince a group of children that he was an honorable person. But, surprisingly, he found their opinion of him mattered.
The girls left in one direction and the boys headed off a different way. He looked up at two of his companions. “Please follow and keep an eye on them. Let me know if they encounter any danger. I should have thought to ask one of you to follow Liddea last night.”
An unseen air spirit left to accompany each group.
***
Tulip and Mehrle heard a crested wren call from off to their right as they approached the Temple. When they scanned in the direction the call came from, they saw Kaid step out of the doorway of the tailor’s shop located across the road from the Temple’s main entrance.
“Tulip, you go on ahead and find something of Liddea’s. I’ll see what Kaid wants.” She watched Tulip continue on to the Temple for a few heartbeats before turning to the approaching Kaid. “Good day, Master Kaid. How are you?”
“Now, don’t be ‘Mastering’ me, little missy. You young ones only do so when you’re up to something. What would it be? And where is Tulip going in such a hurry?”
Mehrle placed her hands on her hips and struck an indignant pose. “I am not up to anything, nor is Tulip. We are on a task given us by Qwen, if you please, and naught else. Qwen thinks he may be able to locate Liddea if he has a personal item of hers, so we came back to the Temple to fetch one for him.”
“I stand corrected then. Important business and all, I see. Tell me what you know about Liddea’s disappearance.”
“We’ve learned she was alone when she left Qwen’s and never made it home. That is all. No one seems to care enough to talk to us.” Mehrle hadn’t missed the twinkle Kaid had in his eyes and tried to appear as slighted to him as she could.
“Why, Mehrle, what do you think I am trying to do right this moment? But it seems you’re already aware of what I had to share. You’re correct. Liddea left Qwen’s and disappeared somewhere between his place and here. Believe me when I say inquiries are being made to find out what happened to her.”
“Well, we should be allowed to help look for her. She is our family, too, you know!” Mehrle stomped her foot to emphasize her point.
“It seems to me that you’re already assisting. ‘Course, before you contribute too much you should all come to talk to me. Speaking of all, where are the boys?”
“Tulip and I last saw them at Qwen’s. We’re to meet them back there with one of Liddea’s possessions.”
“I see. Well, you tell them what I’ve said and make sure everyone travels together. An eye will be kept on you. Not mine alone, if you get my meaning.”
“Yes, I understand. We’ll be careful.”
Tulip approached Kaid and Mehrle with a cloth bag in hand. “Were you waiting to talk to us, Kaid?”
“You are old enough for me to tell it to you straight and wise enough to keep what you’re told in perspective. The Trade Master assigned me the task to keep an eye on the wards residing at the Temple. We don’t want to have any further children turn up missing. Let me know what your plans are before you act on them. I might have a little helpful advice to offer that could keep you away from trouble. If you can’t find me, then talk to Bell.” He looked down at Tulip’s sack. “Is that what Qwen needs, Tulip?”
She held the sack up. “Yes, it is.”
“Off with you both, then. Get the contents back to him so he can locate Liddea. Now remember what I said.”
“Yes, Kaid,” the girls answered together.
Mehrle looked toward Tulip’s sack as they walked away. “So what did you get?”
“I got her doll. You know the one she keeps with her every night and hides under the sleeper, so no one knows about it.”
“Good. That’s what I would have chosen. You know she is going to kill us, because everyone will now know about her doll.”
Tulip laughed. “I would rather have her home safe and able to try. What else did Kaid have to say? Why would he want to help us?”
“We discussed Liddea’s disappearance. You heard his request.”
“He sounded pretty reasonable. Should we confide our future plans to him the way he wants?”
“True, but as Zeal pointed out, the adults will always seek to protect us from any of the risk involved in Liddea’s recovery. We don’t even know what we‘re going to do yet. Let’s think on Kaid’s proposal till we decide on a course of action.”
“That sounds good to me.”
Mehrle led them back to Qwen’s.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SLOAN FOLLOWED Watch Commander Wills as he wound his way through northeast Arlanda. It appeared to him that Wills reveled in the attention and recognition he received from Arlanda’s inhabitants and only acknowledged those who treated him as a person of importance. When offered a taste of food, drink, free wares, or given a compliment, he took a moment to interact with the “supplicant.” Everyone else, however, he ignored. Sloan had long thought it a poor way to treat those you have sworn to serve
Wills was so engrossed in his journey that he neglected to notice Sloan, who followed his every move. Sloan knew the commander was full of himself but had never before suspected him of nefarious behavior. He sensed further revelations regarding the man were imminent, however.
Wills’s travel delivered them to the wharf. Sloan hung back further as Wills approached the vessel docked at slip seven. The watch commander briefly conversed with the sailor on guard at the top of the boarding ramp and then strode up the plank and headed toward the ship’s stern.
Sloan, with a modicum of difficulty, was able to make out the faded letters on the bow of the craft. The ship was named Wave Dancer and was a standard trader with three masts; it sported a catapult on the stern and a ballista fore and aft. He crossed to the opposite side of the boardwalk to the Gull’s Nest, one of the many taverns along the wharf; it happened to be conveniently located across from the Dancer’s slip. A seat at an outside table allowed him to monitor the activity on the ship and wait for Wills to conduct whatever business he had aboard her.
He sat in the shade to keep his features out of the direct sun light, ordered lunch, and then reached down and rolled the legs of his pants up, so the cuffs wouldn’t show below his long coat. His boots were unpolished and scuffed enough to pass for a workman’s foot wear. While he waited for the watch commander to disembark, he listened in on the conversations of the sailors and dock workers who ate and drank around him. Perhaps one or more of them were mates on the Dancer, he thought, and he might overhear an interesting tidbit of information regarding the ship, crew, and captain.
***
Wills was relieved that he was finally away from those who thrusted their demands and lives upon him. He now could breathe freely and think. It was fortuitous that he had acquired the latest statement Sloan had taken. It had been easy for him to cause the report of the girl’s disappearance to, well, disappear. Wills chuckled to himself. This would bring the number of girls the captain had obtained to five. Their agreement was, after a half dozen acquisitions, the vanishings would end. So far, he had been able to suppress any investigation regarding the missing girls, but it was getting harder with each disappearance.
He addressed a crew member sitting at the top of the gangplank. “Permission to come aboard. I have business with your captain.”
“Come on up then. You will find Captain Naider at the stern. Mind your step.”
Wills climbed onto the deck. Gear was being stowed by a few of the crew. A small group was completing the installation of a new center mast. Another group was installing the new rigging. As Wills strode toward the stern, he saw the captain in discourse with a man dressed in the garb of a city worker. The individual’s teeth had been blackened from habitually chewing the leaves of the local peujan tree, which acted as a stimulant and gave a mild euphoric effect. Wills saw him take a bi
te from a plug and place the remaining piece in his pocket. Although not illegal, the staining of the teeth that resulted marked the person as low class and without social aspiration. When the fellow noted Wills’s approach, he made a quick comment to the captain and then hurriedly walked away.
Captain Naider adjusted his baldric as he turned toward Wills. “Watch Commander, I hope you are well. Come this way, if you please.”
Wills followed him up a short flight of steps to the ship’s steering wheel. The captain waved his hand at the crewman who manned the post. “Leave us, and make sure no one else bothers me unless the ship is on fire.” The crewman moved away and took a position just out of hearing.
Wills stood close to Naider and lowered his voice, directing his comments for the captain’s ears alone. “I dealt with another report related to certain disappearances that have been occurring. It is becoming harder to forestall an investigation. The problem has come to the attention of my officers. One in particular has begun to worry the bone, so to speak. I hope you’ll soon finish selecting your cargo in Arlanda.”
“Yes, as you can see, the much-needed repairs to the Dancer’s main mast are completed. We should be able to set sail in two morns. Are you here to inform me that difficulties have developed? If so, then I will sail with the cargo I have already commissioned on the next tide.”
“No, you don’t have to rush off.”
“Let me thank you, Watch Commander.” Naider removed a small pouch from inside his jacket, set it between two of the spokes of the ships wheel, and walked away.
The mate remained where he had been waiting. Wills ignored him and picked up the pouch, taking a moment to appreciate the weight of the coin within the bag before placing it in a pocket. Leaving the Wave Dancer behind, he decided to continue to make his rounds of the other Ward Houses.
***
Sloan finished a meal while waiting for Wills. He ignored the look his server gave him. Although he had purchased food, he had not ordered drinks. Sloan figured she thought he was taking up space that could be put to better use by a thirsty customer. More money was made at the establishment selling liquid than solid refreshment.
