Purveyors and Acquirers (The Phosfire Journeys Book 1)

by Unknown

  “Zeal, you are doing wonderfully. Keep it moving. The stairs are right behind you. Watch your step.”

  Zeal continued to rally the aggregation as it followed them. “Come this way. There is a lot more. Yes, just follow the path.”

  Ice had to dive off the steps and out of the way when the mass suddenly surged forward. He reached out to grab Zeal, who’d stopped moving, and his fingertips brushed Zeal’s shoulder, but he failed to get a grip.

  Ice heard several voices shout Zeal’s name in warning and fear. Ice tumbled, twisting onto his knees in time to see the conflagration flow rapidly at Zeal. Zeal knelt and flung his arms up over his head. The fiery mass mimicked the upward movement and elevated into the air, passing over Zeal’s head and dropping behind him at the bottom of the steps. Zeal looked back over his shoulder and watched it rush along the wet path to engulf the promised nourishment. The fire flared, roared, expanded, and ballooned outward. The light it created pushed back the night as it greedily consumed its reward.

  As Ice slowly regained his feet, Zeal turned away and headed back into the building. Ice quickly moved to catch up to him. Inside, smoke still drifted into the cone he had conjured, escaping through the hole in the wall. Although the kitchen was a mess, the Temple wouldn’t be destroyed by fire tonight.

  Zeal walked over to the grease trap, which had almost burned clean; the fire had fed on its fuel. A small residual flame still consumed some residue inside.

  Ice heard other people enter the kitchen behind him as Zeal, speaking softly, reached into the trap and coaxed the flame to his hand, where it formed into a ball.

  He turned to Ice with his hand held out. “It’s going to stay with me.” The ball shrunk and was absorbed into Zeal’s palm.

  Through the opening in the wall, Ice could see that the fire outside had died, leaving ash, scorched earth, and a few coals from the burnt casks. He knelt and gathered Zeal in his arms. “That was nicely done, lad. Nicely done indeed. How do you feel?”

  Zeal hugged Ice in return. “Was it all right that I kept some?”

  Ice chuckled. “Yes, it is fine this time, but let’s avoid your keeping every bit of flame we come across, until I can determine if doing so will harm you.”

  From behind them, Slag said, “That was incredible. Impossible as it seems, your plan worked.”

  Ice released Zeal and turned toward Mirada, Izlan, Slag, and the many others. “I acted on Zeal’s suggestion.” To Izlan, who was inspecting Zeal to see if he had been harmed, he said, “Matriarch, now do you understand why Zeal needs to go to Havensharth?”

  Izlan made eye contact with Slag, and Ice wondered if she needed to check with Slag before announcing, “So be it. You have my permission. But only if Zeal agrees to leave with you. Zeal, what do you desire? If you want to stay, we will try to find a way to help you.”

  Zeal glanced toward his fellow apprentices before standing straighter. He said to the adults in the room, “We have decided that Tulip and I will go to Havensharth.”

  Ice stammered, “Now, wait a moment. I don’t need to take Tulip. Who are these ‘we’?”

  Izlan briefly smiled. “You have heard the terms, Master Ice. Zeal and Tulip will travel with you and Mirada to Havensharth. Either you take them both or Zeal stays.” She glanced again toward Slag before adding, “I doubt anyone present wants to challenge my decision. Well, give me your answer. I have a kitchen to put to right.”

  Ice sighed, knowing when to surrender. There was time before the White Swan sailed to try to amend the deal. “I agree to your terms, Matriarch. Both Zeal and Tulip will accompany me to Havensharth. Mirada will make sure that I take good care of them.”

  Izlan scrutinized the chamber. “Now, except for our guests, the rest of us have a lot of work to accomplish. Let’s put this kitchen into some kind of order until repairs can be made. Molls, tell me, how did this all come about?”

  CHAPTER FORTY

  ICE LEFT ZEAL with the rest of his friends. Thinking of Essmee and Kit, he wondered if perhaps the apprentices were better thought of as a pride. Zeal seemed no worse for wear after his ordeal and had consumed a large portion of Cook’s cake, which the children raided from the kitchen.

  He found Izlan and Mirada chatting in the common room. “If you would excuse me, Matriarch, I need be on my way. Has Slag departed? I wanted to thank him for his help earlier.”

  Izlan leaned toward him. “Slag left while you were with the children. Obviously, with all that has happened this evening, it is too late for one of my wards to act as a guide for you. Do you know how to get to the location of your meeting?”

  “I have made arrangements. Mirada, I’ll head to the Inn when I’m done but will return to check on Zeal sometime in the morn. Send a runner to the Inn, if a problem develops involving his talent before then.”

  Mirada set her empty mug on the table. “Inform Widow Kipper that I’ll be staying here tonight. I’m thinking of spending the remainder of our stay in Arlanda at the Temple. I’ll retrieve my belongings, if I do. Widow Kipper will be compensated.”

  He nodded. “Understood.”

  Izlan and Mirada saw him to the gate and set the bolt, locking the gate behind him. Ice crossed the road and saw a shadow disengage from one of the dark doorways. In the dim light, he recognized his now familiar but still unnamed escort.

  “Evening. I am ready to follow you to the meet.”

  “Night’s blessings to you, as well. We head this direction. I understand there was a bit of excitement at the Temple. Care to elaborate?”

  Ice matched her pace, and they walked down the road, appearing to be a couple on a very late stroll. “There was a fire in the kitchen. Fortunately, it was put out, and no one was harmed in the process.”

  When he didn’t provide any further information, she said, “I see you’re not very big on details.”

  He grunted in response.

  Less than a quarter of a mark later, they approached a building with a sign over the entrance that read Blue Crystal House of Pleasure. His guide smiled. “Welcome to the Blue Crystal. I would suggest you keep your hands where they can be seen at all times and don’t let them even stray toward a weapon.”

  Two seemingly unarmed men were at the front door. They ignored him but nodded to his escort as they entered. Bulges in their clothing let him know the men weren’t truly weaponless. The Crystal’s interior was plush and tastefully decorated. Three passageways led from the small anteroom, and Ice followed into the opening on the right. The carpeted hallway ended at a closed door guarded by a hooded figure dressed in black, who was clearly well-armed. Ice recognized the guard’s clothing was made of Anrotean Spider Silk as he opened the door for them and they entered a cozy chamber.

  Inside, a lone male figure was stooped over, adjusting the logs in his fireplace with a poker. He looked vaguely familiar.

  When he straightened and turned around, he said, “Welcome, Ice. In what way can I assist you?”

  “Trade Master Slag, I appreciate your receiving me. I intended this to be a courtesy call, but, as you are aware, we have other business to conduct.” He respectfully bowed his head and tried to keep his surprise off his face. Well, that explains a lot, he thought, reflecting momentarily on Slag’s earlier interaction with Izlan at the Temple.

  Slag gestured toward three well-padded chairs in front of the blazing hearth. “Have a seat. Join me in a little refreshment.”

  Ice smiled. On a heavy end table sat a decanter of amber liquid and three small glasses. The table was positioned to act as an encumbrance, should anyone chose to take a sudden action against another.

  Slag poured a portion of the decanter’s contents and handed glasses to Ice and his guide, keeping the third. He sat and rested the tumbler on the arm of his chair.

  “Ice, I was impressed by what you and Zeal accomplished tonight. The disruption caused by your arrival in Arlanda seems to have fulfilled a prophecy.” Slag looked uncomfortable to Ice and somewhat upset.

  �
��I’m sorry, Trade Master, but you need to enlighten me. I am unaware of your foretelling.” He glanced at his guide, who quickly vanquished a confused look from her face.

  Slag ran his finger along the rim of his glass. “Seasons ago, a person whose identity I still have yet to discover introduced a babe to me. Zeal. I was given his apprentice fee and informed that, in ten seasons, two people would come for him. I pictured it would be long-lost relatives from Arlanda who would raise the boy here, where he could continue his training in the Trade. Not someone like you and Mirada, who would take him far away. Now it appears that two young people, of whom I am very fond, are to accompany you and Mirada when you depart this city.”

  Ice set his drink down. Neither his guide nor Slag had yet to sample the contents. The chain of events leading to Zeal had become more twisted. Not that anything in life was straightforward. Ice wondered if this new information explained the unease he felt around Slag. “I never imagined circumstance would provide as it has, when I made plans to visit your city. Trade Master, I hope you understand that Zeal is the only apprentice of yours I wanted.”

  Slag turned and abruptly threw his glass at the hearth where it shattered, the alcohol feeding the flames loudly and reminding Ice of the recent Temple fire.

  “Being the Trade Master has taught me that sometimes doing what is best for the family is not always what I desire for myself. What is best for Zeal has been decided. Tulip will go with you. I assume you are familiar with the Trade Master in Havensharth.”

  Ice nodded. “I am.”

  “Upon your arrival to Havensharth, you are to make introductions and see that Zeal and Tulip have the option to continue their lessons in the Trade.” Slag removed a pouch from his belt and tossed it.

  Ice snatched it from the air and felt several small, hard, irregular objects in his grip.

  “The contents of that pouch should more than see to Zeal and Tulip’s equipment and training and defer any personal expenses you incur.”

  Ice set the bag on the table with a thump and took a deep breath. “I don’t need your coin, Trade Master, and know my duty to Zeal and Tulip. They will have the opportunity to take advantage of all that the enclaves in Havensharth have to offer.”

  Slag leaned across the table and pushed the bag toward Ice. When he spoke, it was in a consolatory fashion. “The Trade Master— No, let me begin again. You see, I must take care of my own. Please accept a donation for the benefit of my children.”

  He sensed Slag’s temper arose from his acting like any parent would; Slag seemed to blame Ice for Zeal and Tulip’s having to leave. Ice picked up the pouch and tucked it inside his shirt then looked Slag in the eye. “I promise you I will do everything I can to protect and care for Tulip and Zeal.” He did hope he would be able to keep them safe.

  “Ice, you have my word that I will be cognizant of all that transpires while the children are in Havensharth, and I’m not above making you aware of my displeasure.”

  “Trade Master, I acknowledge your implied threat but insist that your warning is unnecessary. Can I assume you will be keeping the Matriarch informed?”

  Slag sat staring at the flames for several heartbeats. “Yes, but you should note that Izlan’s wrath could possibly exceed mine, if you caused her wards any harm. How soon before you conclude your stay in Arlanda?”

  “We’ll cast off as soon as the White Swan is ready to depart.”

  Slag stood, his features again composed. “Not much longer then. The captain of the vessel has almost completed acquiring his cargo. See me again before you sail. If you have need of anything, let me know. Do you desire an escort back to the Slumbering Giant, or do you plan to avail yourself of the pleasures this house has to offer? Since you state you’re not in need of coin, you should be able to afford the services provided here.”

  “No, thank you. I believe I’ll return to the Inn.”

  Slag walked over and opened the door, where the guard stepped away and allowed Slag to leave. His back to Ice, he said, “I muse to apologize to you, Master Ice. I am surprised at how strongly the reality of Zeal and Tulip having to leave has affected me.” He continued forward, and the door was shut.

  Ice turned to the woman still sitting beside him. “If you don’t mind, I’ll wait a bit before heading to the Inn, to enable the Trade Master to vacate the premises. I gather he was unusually demonstrative this eve?”

  “Very perceptive. My name is Bell.”

  Iced studied the woman, Bell, who in turn was scrutinizing him. “Why’d you give me your name?”

  “I’ve heard and now seen for myself that you are worth knowing. Plus, you need to remember who to watch out for, if you don’t keep your promise to the Trade Master. Zeal and Tulip are the younger siblings I never had. I won’t take kindly to the person who is responsible for them coming to harm.”

  He shook his head. The apprentices had indeed found a family in the Trade. They were loved by Slag, Bell, Izlan, and he didn’t know how many others. He himself had been given unconditional love by Master Feneas and, in her own way, by Essmee. He wasn’t sure if he was capable of doing the same for Tulip and Zeal, but he would endeavor to do his best by them.

  ***

  Izlan couldn’t sleep and thought she would consult her longtime mentor. Iris looked up and smiled at her when she entered the mausoleum. The babe and kitten Iris held were cuddled together, sleeping. When, as a girl, she had first discovered Iris was a living statue, they hadn’t been there. She was keenly aware that Iris guarded her secrets and shared them only when she desired.

  Iris held her hand out. “Why are you troubled, my daughter?”

  Izlan took it. “As if you don’t already know what concerns me. I don’t want them to leave.”

  “You’re not losing them, love. Just as you once left to become you and gained the skills needed to assume the mantle of Matriarch, now it is Tulip’s and Zeal’s turn to begin the next phase of their life’s journey. All here have already received one of the blessings associated with their growth. We will see them both again.”

  Iris was right. Zeal’s safety lay elsewhere. “You will keep watch over them?”

  “I always have. There is much for them to learn, and many of their lessons will be difficult. Just as you faced danger and threat of loss of life when you were away from the Temple, so shall they. You have done the best you can to help prepare them to face their future.”

  Izlan nodded. “I find this difficult. Tulip and Zeal are the first of my flock to leave our nest.”

  Iris leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Now go. You need to take care of yourself, if you’re going to have the strength to worry for others.”

  “Thank you.” She squeezed Iris’s hand before turning away. She left the mausoleum and headed to her sleeper to rest for the few marks that remained before dawn arrived.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  ZEAL TRIED TO CATCH sight of the bird in the branches that was chiding him and Tulip for invading the orchard so early in the morn. The sun’s light greeted them, kissing the treetops as it rose. Ground-hugging mist dampened and pulled into the air the rich scent of fresh-turned soil.

  Tulip yawned. “Why did you wake me? What are we doing out here? Do you need Master Ice’s help with your Phosfire thing?”

  He shook his head. “No, I’m good.” The prior night, the boys had gathered in the girls’ room. A good portion of the evening had been spent discussing him, until sleep had claimed them all. “I wanted to talk to you about Kit and Mother Essmee.”

  “I noticed you never mentioned Kit or Essmee to Mehrle and the others. Do you plan to tell them?

  He picked up a piece of wood from last fall’s pruning and dug in the dirt with it. “I don’t think so. At least not right now.”

  “Why do you always say Mother Essmee instead of just Essmee?”

  “It’s the name she told me to use. Thank you for not saying anything, either.”

  Tulip grunted. “Don’t thank me. Essmee told
me before we left the residence that I was not to speak of her or Kit to anyone. I figured you’d received the same orders. Frankly, she scares me, and I think you should be frightened of that creature, as well.”

  Her statement surprised him. “Tulip, they aren’t creatures or animals to me. Yes, the shape they wear is different from yours or mine. Their weapons are part of their bodies. We, on the other hand, make tools to use in a fight. But I think they are just as perceptive, intelligent, and caring as our kind.”

  “Zeal, we don’t eat folk who cross us.”

  “True, we just kill them and leave their corpses to rot. I understand how dangerous Mother Essmee is, but I don’t fear her. I respect her.”

  “You’re one strange fellow, but I admit life hasn’t been dull with you around.”

  Zeal laughed. “Guess I’ll take that as a compliment. But to finish addressing your earlier comment, I have a strong feeling that I shouldn’t spread word of their existence, for their safety.”

  “Don’t you mean the less said the safer other people are? Didn’t you hear what Masters Feneas and Ice divulged regarding Essmee?”

  He wondered why Tulip seemed apprehensive when it came to Mother Essmee. “I don’t understand. They never said anything to me.”

  Tulip sat quietly for several heartbeats. “You must not have heard the discussion. It occurred while you were face-to-muzzle with Kit. Let me tell you what was shared.”

  He listened to Tulip’s report. Her information answered several questions he had regarding Kit and Mother Essmee. Shadow Cats. No wonder Tulip felt unease. And Kit was part Shadow Cat. What was her other half? Zeal wondered. And would Master Feneas share more information about the terrene of Shadow with him? Wait, he thought. He could ask Mother Essmee. “You’re right. I missed all that. Do you think Kit would appreciate me giving her a present?”