By Moonlight Wrought (Bt Moonlight Wrought)

by Crandall, John

  The friends graciously denied any compensation other than dinner, having enjoyed their day of freedom, and waved farewell as Melissa led them back to the path through the woods carrying their only solid memory of their day, two pies, still warm. They walked across the field as the sun hung near the city’s vast walls, visible just above the tree tops. As they disappeared into the foliage, the farmer and his wife could be seen waving good-bye; Varley smiling then for the first time.

  Though Cinder had an engagement of one sort or another nearly every night, she usually canceled such dates when Dirk came around. She enjoyed his company; that much was obvious even to Dirk. They were surely more than lovers. Though neither made much money, Cinder’s gambling—and the sum she still possessed from her ‘inheritance’—kept them supplied with enough currency to fraternize at Cinder’s expensive tastes two to three occasions a week. There were times when Dirk would not go see Cinder for four or five days at a stretch, but she would always show up at Bessemer’s to learn the reason and coerce him into another night on the town. It always worked; but once.

  On this occasion, one of the four guards was ill and could not make his rounds, so Dirk had to stay and assume his duties. Cinder remained with Dirk, preferring to spend her time with him in the store than not at all, and she saw his new bedroom for the first time. She also received a tour of the establishment which after closing, dark and quiet, appeared extremely vast. So the next night Cinder insisted Dirk would have to atone for their missed dinner engagement.

  He did, and from Bessemer’s Dirk led her west all the way to the harbor. There they turned north and strolled up the boardwalk. It was well after dark because Cinder had not been able to leave work until late. The smell of fish was strong on the dock, understandably, as was the pungent, salty sea-air, tinged with the faint odor of decay and wet wood. Lights from bastions protecting the outer side of the harbor twinkled through the darkness and reflected off of the dark waters, and the sounds of crews unloading their cargoes even at that late hour under lamplight drifted along the docks.

  Cinder held Dirk’s huge arm as always, stroking and clasping his hand now and again, walking slowly, carefully, keeping her heels from getting stuck between the cracks of the walk. “It’s nice to walk with you,” Cinder said, leaning her head on his arm. He leaned over and kissed her midnight tresses.

  “Maybe someday you can take me for a walk in your woods,” he said.

  “Maybe,” she answered kindly, though she had no desire to see the forest, not for some time at least. They heard the sound of singing grow louder as they moved north, emanating from a ship where sailors from far away Trendia were passing the night with a raucous party. The decks of the huge Trendian vessel were swarming with four or five dozen sailors brawling, gambling, and singing. Some called and waved as the two passed by. Dirk and Cinder waved back.

  “Care to join us, Andrelians?” one sailor called, while those around him grew quiet, waiting for a response. Dirk immediately looked at Cinder.

  “Don’t even tease them,” he warned and she smiled at him.

  “I like a good time, Dirk, but I know better than to go on a ship with fifty drunken sailors, even in your care. I wouldn’t see daylight for a week.” She put her head back on his arm.

  “Probably never,” he said, disgusted then turned to the ship, “No. Thank you, anyway. Maybe another time.” The sailors laughed.

  “Wise decision, friend,” the first sailor called humorously. “Fare thee well, and yer lass.” The sailors cheered a salute to Cinder and proclaimed Dirk’s good fortunes for several minutes until the two had passed well into the night.

  They arrived at the Snapdragon and found it much like the other taverns that they frequented on those evenings when a fun time was all that was desired, not a fine meal or quiet conversation. Andrelia had more inns and taverns than the couple could visit in a year’s time. On those nights they usually ate somewhere first, or if not particularly hungry relied on the fare at the festhall they had chosen that particular night; such common food as boiled eggs, biscuits, nuts, crackers, pretzels, cheese, etc. But there was always plenty to drink, from honey mead and beer, to brandy, wine, and even the newly discovered whiskey. Festhalls had drinks, usually a light atmosphere, large crowds, and were most often found in the dock district, that being the “seediest” part of town. The seedier the place, the more bizarre the entertainment: from a singing minstrel and bands, to drugs and exotic dancers, well evidenced at The Spittoon. The Snapdragon was mild as far as festhalls went. It was bright and clean, with a pretty young minstrel singing for the guests. Though there was an entrance fee, Cinder made the money back in her first hour of gambling.

  Cinder was dressed for the occasion; much brighter and sophisticated in a three-quarter length, backless dress of a light blue color. Dirk was even outfitted accordingly, since they had first gone to eat at an expensive inn. He wore a new silk shirt and fine boots, but no armor or gauntlets, this time. He did bring his sword, however. Several times out, maybe inspired by Cinder’s table success or high class attire, they had been waylaid and robbed. Dirk had even been attacked, though not seriously. Weak willed thieves liked to take those rare opportunities to hit a man as large as Dirk while their accomplices could hold his lady at knife point, guaranteeing he would not respond. So now he always wore his sword, and he hoped when he had saved enough money that he could learn professional skills in sword fighting at one of the many academies in town.

  After three hours, Cinder was ready to move on to a more exciting place and they were about to rise from the table when Dirk saw Melissa and Fiona paying the entrance fee at the front and only door. Melissa saw Dirk and quickly tried to turn and leave, but Fiona grabbed her and spoke quietly with her. Dirk could not hear them, but he could passably read lips; an interesting trait he had mastered as a lonely orphan, always being on the outside of conversations. Melissa’s back was turned, but he could read Fiona’s mouth and saw most of what she said.

  “I told you to give it a while. He’s not going to fall in love and marry you in one month. Come on,” she commanded, dragging Melissa toward Dirk. Fiona walked by and ran her hand across Dirk’s cheek, and Cinder’s. “Hi, Dirky,” she said, sitting across from him, next to Cinder. Melissa sat in the other chair between Fiona and Dirk.

  “Hello,” Melissa said quietly, trying to smile. Her head was down but her eyes up, looking across at Cinder.

  “Hi,” Cinder said perkily. “I’m Cinder. Do you know Dirk?”

  “Yes,” said Fiona, looking at her studiously, actually sliding her chair near the half-elf and leaning even closer, as if she needed an exceptionally close look at her. She studied Cinder closely, sternly.

  “Yeah,” Melissa said, her eyes now on Dirk. He smiled uncomfortably at her.

  “This is Melissa. She used to work with me. And that’s Fiona. They work together now,” Dirk said.

  “Oh!” Cinder exclaimed. “And what do you both do?”

  “We’re bodyguards,” Fiona said, studying her, trying to see if she had the brains to match her body; meaning, was she as shallow and flighty as she appeared?

  “What? That can’t be,” Cinder giggled. “You’re both much too pretty for that. You should have someone to guard your bodies. What do you really do?”

  “That’s it,” said Melissa. “What do you do?” If she had seen Cinder in her normal festhall type clothing, she would have been sure that she was a whore. Now, though, she only thought it highly likely.

  “I sell perfume,” Cinder said proudly of her first real job. Then she looked at Dirk. “Do they really do that?” she asked, sounding rather simple, even Dirk had to admit.

  “Yep, they do. But you’re right, they are too pretty for that.” He took Melissa’s hand.

  “What are we pretty enough to do? Prostitute?” Fiona asked Cinder with an evil grin.

  “I meant it,” Dirk objected and Fiona turned her softening gaze from Cinder to him.

  “You’re to
o kind,” quipped Fiona, her serious eyes boring into his, though she was smiling coyly.

  “It’s true,” Dirk insisted, getting angry. “I bet I’m with three of the prettiest ladies in town.” He pouted, thinking that they might not believe him and seeing his evening fall apart before his eyes; his entire life and growing happiness seemed on a precipice that moment and he wondered if his worry was evident.

  “We believe you,” Fiona said. “I’m only picking on you. We’re certainly with the strongest and most handsome man in the city.”

  “Mm-mm,” Cinder agreed with a nod.

  “Isn’t he?” Fiona nudged Melissa. They all looked at her. She frowned, but when Fiona kept needling her for an answer, a smile grew over her face; a smile of embarrassment.

  “Yes. I guess so.”

  “You guess so?” asked Dirk playfully, teasing her as well, though blushing shyly.

  “Yes. I said yes. Don’t push your luck, Dirk,” Melissa warned.

  “Well. Why don’t we three show Dirky-poo a good time?” Fiona asked.

  “Yeah,” Cinder agreed eagerly, touching Fiona’s hand. “That would be fun.”

  “He has a date,” Melissa said angrily, looking at Fiona.

  “That’s okay, I’d like you to stay,” Dirk said.

  “Who’s place should we go to?” Cinder asked.

  “I thought you wanted to go out?” Dirk asked, bewildered.

  “Not now. Didn’t you here Fiona?” asked Cinder.

  “Yes, I heard her,” he said. “Have a good time. Right?”

  “Yes,” Cinder urged. She looked at him as if to say, “Don’t you get it?” When he didn’t, she explained, “Love, Dirk. All of us.” Dirk looked disgusted at Cinder, then at Fiona. Melissa bore the same expression as he.

  “What’s the matter with them?” he asked Melissa.

  “Fiona’s a little weird sometimes,” said Melissa, not taking the other women seriously. “She’s just teasing.”

  “Thanks,” Fiona said, laughing, delighted in the shock effect her wild behavior had on the more ‘straight-laced’, like Dirk and Melissa.

  “That’s not weird,” Cinder objected. “It just depends on how exciting you want to be.”

  “Well, I don’t want to be that exciting,” scoffed Melissa. Dirk nodded in agreement.

  “Come on, Fiona,” Cinder said, “let me show you this table,” and they left Melissa and Dirk together. “I think that maybe they would like to be alone,” she said as they moved across the room.

  “Oh yeah?” Fiona asked, starting to realize that maybe Cinder was not as dumb as she looked or acted. “Aren’t you serious with him?”

  “No. We’re just good friends,” she said, with a giggle to herself. Fiona smiled and sighed in relief. She was happy that she did not have to hate or punish Cinder for stealing Dirk from her dear friend. Cinder seemed like someone Fiona wanted very badly to like, and have like her back.

  Meanwhile, after several moments of initial silence, Dirk and Melissa began to talk, even though it was just small-talk. Between sentences, Dirk tried to lip-read what Cinder and Fiona were saying, but he saw nothing involving him.

  “Do you like her?” Melissa asked.

  “Do you like Fiona?” he asked in return.

  “Yes, do you like her?” Melissa repeated.

  “Yes. She’s very interesting, and nice. We’re friends.” Dirk did not want to play mind games or lie, finding the truth so much easier and relaxing, so he spelled out simply what he felt. “Don’t be mad. I like you and I can’t just have one friend. I’ve never had many, and I like you both so much. Don’t try to make me give her, or any other friends, up...please.” It was that simple, and Melissa was sensitive enough to appreciate his pleading look and realize how important it was to him. How could she deny such an honest appeal, even though it meant permitting him to spend his time with a woman like Cinder? She understood and felt most of her jealousy fade as she smiled meekly. Dirk smiled back. In a way Melissa was relieved: Dirk had made her decision for her. She would not worry about trying to corral him. She would just enjoy his friendship, and there her life was instantly less complicated. Though she knew when she was home, alone, that night the tears would flow.

  And Dirk was relieved: not only did he now keep Melissa as a friend, but his problem of telling her about Cinder was past, a great burden he had been preoccupied with for many days, even though she had suspected he was involved with another woman for some time. They soon joined Cinder and Fiona, spending the next few hours together. As the night drew on, Melissa and Fiona went off together, and Dirk for a walk with Cinder.

  When they left the Snapdragon, Dirk led Cinder back the same way they had come; heading south and home along the waterfront. “You have nice friends,” Cinder said squeezing his hand between hers as it hung by his side.

  “Thank you,” Dirk replied, though still uncomfortable at having met Melissa while out with Cinder. While part of him was relieved she knew about Cinder, he was still disappointed, as if Melissa not knowing meant he really wasn’t doing anything wrong and now his relationship with the half-elf would have to be dealt with anytime he was with Melissa, changing the dynamics of their friendship. And he was disappointed that neither one of them seemed jealous of the other, as if he wasn’t worth possessing.

  “Fiona’s very smart, and funny.” Cinder fell silent as they walked, raising his hand to her lips and kissing it softly. Dirk looked over at Cinder as she stared ahead. He studied her: her enrapturing eyes, small nose, full pouting lips, her great hair falling softly all around her. “Melissa’s pretty,” Cinder said, still looking ahead. “You two make a nice couple.” Just then she glanced at him and a childish smile came to her brightening face, her cheeks filling with the red of a full blush. She cast her eyes down a second, then back to his, her lashes fluttering bashfully. “What?” she asked, uncomfortable under his serious gaze.

  “Nothing,” said Dirk simply, thinking of how Melissa had almost an identical reaction that first night in his room, so demure, so soft, so smitten. He smiled softly and pulled his hand away, putting it around her shoulder, thanking the gods for his changing fortunes and wondering slightly if somehow he would later pay fate for such happiness. Dirk realized then that Cinder was becoming more important to him everyday, and he didn’t know where it would stop or how it would affect his emotions toward Melissa. While Cinder never said as much, she certainly alluded that she would never be ‘his’ and what she did with him was, as he had tried to explain to Melissa, was an odd sort of friendship.

  They walked a little farther in silence. When they approached a dive called the Soused Serpent, a man came flying backwards out of the front door. As Dirk led Cinder past the sprawled fellow, several more spilled out onto the dock and began fighting all around. Another large group of men were coming up from the south and started running toward them. Two from the first group began to pummel Dirk, while three others grabbed Cinder, fighting with each other to see who was to throw her over his shoulder. Then still more rushed out and drove off the first three, fighting for the same privilege. The group coming from the south rolled over the brawl like a great wave, the men on Dirk and Cinder seeming to be washed away. The brawlers were matched in numbers but outclassed in tactics as the leader of the newcomers barked orders, moving his men in concert to pummel the others unconscious or toss them into the harbor to cool off. As this force mopped up its opponents and Dirk moved Cinder behind him to shield her, not knowing what was then to follow, the leader turned and they recognized him as the Trendian sailor who had called to them from his vessel. His eyes sparkled as he bowed and reached, unopposed, around Dirk to retrieve Cinder’s hand and grace it with a soft and gentle kiss.

  “Glad to be of service, m’lady,” he said straightening. He then shook Dirk’s hand with a wink, called his men together, and led them on their way still farther north, singing. Several called and whistled, one even tried to kiss Cinder but was pulled away by his shipmates and soo
n they vanished into the darkness.

  Dirk sighed in relief and hurriedly took Cinder home. Regrettably, for Cinder, she could convince Dirk to stay for only an hour before he kissed her good-bye and went on his way.

  Selric slipped in just ahead of the gate, as it “clanged” to. He peered out, watching the expensive carriage wheel away down the street and disappear over the hill, its lanterns swaying as it rocked back and forth over the uneven cobblestones. He ran across the courtyard as the Masters of the East had taught him: as fleet as the wind, silently, and so softly that he barely bent a blade of grass. He approached the large double doors and, peering in the windows which framed the portals, saw what he feared: two footmen.

  As Selric raced around to the rear of the building he heard a deep bark. Selric stopped as he saw the beast pursuing him. Large head and teeth, spiked collar, no tail: it was a fearsome guard animal. Selric put his hand out, signaling it to stop. The other hand he raised to his lips. “Shhh,” he whispered. The dog approached, sniffing, its tailless rump wagging in delight as it stood on its hind legs to lick Selric’s face.

  “Princess, how are you?” Selric rubbed her floppy ears and kissed her wet nose. When he heard the doors open he quickly imitated flapping noises with his hands, accompanied by the cooing of a dove.

  “Leave the birds alone, stupid mutt,” one of the guards yelled. Selric patted his friend and together they raced to the back door. He opened the lock, patted Princess’s ribs, dropped a piece of fresh beef liver into her mouth (carried knowing he was to see her again) then shut the dog outside the door.

  Selric slipped unnoticed past the cook in the kitchen and the butler coming down the stairs, then found Lady Andrelin in her bed, reading a love story by the light of a single lamp. Selric walked in to stand beside the bed, smiling. She looked up from her book then threw it on the floor returning his smile and pulling the covers down to reveal her body: she was dressed in a racy negligee, common on women half her age, though she definitely wore it well, Selric thought. She donned it every week, never knowing which Bleday, the second day of the week, Selric would come that month. He blew out the light and got into bed.