When none came, she stammered, “I’m Meena Gavaan.”
“Amicia Spicer,” Ami replied with a grimace.
“No time for that,” Piers snapped, lining everyone up after pulling his blanket-cloak around him to keep the siren hidden. “We follow Meena straight to her place. Don’t stop, speak or make eye contact with anyone until we are safely inside. Everyone understand?” Garnering their agreement, the rest followed as he led them down the path to their haven.
Any Price
Cutting through the streets of the city, they met few and none who seemed interested in conversing. Leading the way, Meena kept her back stiff, her hood in place as she kept them moving, only pausing when the need to let someone pass arose.
Behind her, Bally followed, with Animir close behind. His height more than the others, he stood out, and the point of his ears and slant of his eyes indicated his ancestry quite clearly, which put him on edge. However, they had passed or seen three others by the time they reached the stone steps to her home, which gave him some relief that he wouldn’t be an unusual visitor to the area.
Behind him, Ami kept pace, pulling her sweater around her despite the air remaining quite warm at the moment. She could hear Piers’s heavy steps behind her, and they brought a little comfort that he was there. He carried the siren, which would keep her safe as well. So far, they had met two people, and they both had reacted strongly, which had her on edge.
Bringing up the rear, Geoffrey followed the line of outsiders, his mind turning with every step. They had been in Whitefair more than a decade, and the pair had learned fairly quickly that money above all else made for a happy life in the middle of the desert. Without it, they would have nothing and nowhere else to go at that. Taking care of this lot would pay handsomely, and if the midget woman turned out to be what he suspected, he just might turn a year’s worth of profits in a single night.
Arriving at the last turn, each climbed the stairs while looking around over the streets and houses below. Only a few were built with a second floor, so they were able to see many of the roofs spread across the vast metropolis.
“How many people are here?” Baldwin asked, surprised at the size of the town.
“Near a hundred thousand last time they took a count,” Meena supplied, surprised by the random question.
“Ignore him,” Piers suggested. “He rambles about nonsense frequently.” Stepping into the kitchen, he opened his robe and helped his charge to the floor, then indicated the bedroom. “Go in and rest, Lin. We’ll call for you when it’s safe to come out, and we can have a bit of dinner.”
When she had done as he asked, he turned to join the others on the patio, only to find Geoffrey peeking through the curtain that served as her door. “Do you mind?” he demanded, pushing his way out and pulling the cloth closed.
Wearing a satisfied grin, the other man placed his hands on his hips and spat, “Not at all. When shall I return for the pickup?”
“Night after tomorrow,” Meena replied, handing him a fistful of coins.
Opening his palm, he studied the lot for a moment, then closed his hand around them, giving them a shake so that they jingled as he turned and marched down the stairs.
On the table, a meal had been spread, complete with a bowl of broth. “I guess the fat man does know where to get the grub,” the Mate chuckled. Turning back to the door, he called inside, “Oldrilin, dinner is served.”
Scurrying out on her tiny feet, the siren joined them, where she was handed her bowl of broth as she sat upon the bench next to a few potted plants.
Staring down at her, Meena breathed, “Holy shit!”
“What?” Amicia asked, accepting her bowl of stew and a hunk of bread.
“I didn’t see her when you came over the wall,” the older woman gasped. No, she had been too awestruck by the girl to notice. “Did Geoff see her?”
“Aye,” the Mate nodded, also taking a bowl and a chair. “He seemed quite interested now that you mention it.”
“We have to get you out of here, tomorrow night at the latest,” the older woman replied in a shaky voice before she darted down the stairs.
“Hey, that was not our agreement,” Piers spat, getting out of his seat to follow her. At the bottom, she spun around, running into him. Catching her as they collided, he paused, staring down into her deep brown pools, the green flecks sparkling in the dim light.
“She’s a siren, isn’t she,” the woman whispered, her hands pressed against his chest as she joined him on the bottom step.
“Aye,” he agreed, squinting at her with concern. “What difference does that make?”
“They are rare,” she breathed, looking over her shoulder before catching his hand and leading him up a few steps before pausing. “Elves, nymphs. Those are common here. We even get a few trolls once in a while. Mermaids are a different story.”
“And?”
“Geoffrey and Humphray are traders. They buy and sell, that’s what they do. Something so rare wanders into the village, you can wager he already knows who would be interested in acquiring one,” she hissed, keeping her voice low.
“Lin is not for sale!”
“Shh,” she warned at his raised voice. “Of course not, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to steal her. I’m sorry. If I had known she was among you…” Her voice trailed away.
“Ah, you could have set up your own buyer,” he accused.
“No!” she spat, instantly angry. “I would never sell another living being, not for any price!”
“Pfft, you sell yourself. I find that hard to believe.”
The slap landed with a loud crack, catching him off guard. “You listen to me, Piers Massheby. A harlot was not my first choice in this life. I’ve spent many days starving and many nights sleeping in an alley. Too many not to realize how much I am worth or what my life costs me.”
His hand sliding over the wounded cheek, his beard tingled. “Careful. I might like it rough,” he growled.
Thrown off by the banter, she blinked at him. “Are you always an ass?”
“Aye,” he chuckled, “just ask my friends.”
Her lip twitching, she fought the smile. Something else about him that doesn’t quite fit, she observed. “Well, your little friend is in danger,” she reminded him curtly. “We have to get her out of town before they can come to take her.”
“All right,” he agreed with a small nod. “We’ll discuss it after they’ve eaten. Maybe tomorrow. They could use a good night’s rest as well,” he stipulated, turning to complete the climb to his dinner.
Piers glanced around at the group, noting they had all near finished eating by that time; save Rey who stirred his portion aimlessly. “Still drunk?” he asked.
“Aye,” the younger man replied. “That was the strongest beer I’ve ever had.”
“Well, some of it was liquor,” the Mate chuckled. “Those smaller glasses you were downing. Do you have any gold left at all?”
“Nope. I didn’t have much to begin with.”
“It’s ok,” the Mate let him off easy, considering his condition. “We’ll have enough.” Reclaiming his seat, he ate a few more bites, then pushed the bowl away. “Meena thinks we can’t wait. We need to get our supplies together tomorrow, so we can leave out tomorrow night.”
Instantly sober, Rey sat up straight. “Why’s that?”
Watching the siren as she finished off her broth, Piers laid his hand over his heart, feeling it beat heavily inside his chest. It was no secret he had never cared for the tiny creature, or her kind. However, realizing she could be in danger disturbed him just the same.
“I don’t want to get into that,” he said, avoiding the reason for the change in plans. “Suffice it to say there is nothing fair about Whitefair, and the sooner we get out of here the better.”
“Where will we go?” Amicia spoke up, drawing her sweater tighter around her as she listened in on their conversation.
“We’re still headed north,” Piers in
formed her. “Although I’m not totally sure what we will find when we get there.”
“Trolls and wolves,” Meena dropped flatly, taking a seat next to him. Pouring herself a drink from a bottle of wine, she raised it in a toast. “Might as well bid you the best of luck now.”
“Why is that?” Rey demanded, glaring at her.
“Trolls are a right nasty bunch. They don’t make friends. Even the few who have ventured here keep to themselves. The wolves, well, they aren’t much better. They take crossing their lands kind of personal,” she sneered, having a hefty taste of her beverage.
Her eyes wide, Ami considered the possibilities. Clutching her merdoe through her shirt, she swallowed hard, then asked, “Is there any way around?”
“Depends on where you’re going,” the other woman smiled.
“We’re not really sure,” the Mate confessed, running his hands through his hair, pulling at the knot to free it and let it hang down loosely upon his shoulders. “We’re looking for a ship, or a place we can build one, so we can return to the rim.”
Spitting into her cup, Meena glared at him. “You’re serious! Hasn’t anyone told you? There is no leaving Eriden.” She cut her eyes over at the blonde, blinking at her a few times. “Only the dragons have ever seen beyond the barrier that protects us.”
“We’ve been told,” Amicia agreed, meeting her stare. “Call us slow learners. That, or hard-headed fools who refuse to give up,” she laughed, glancing at their leader. “Either way, that’s where we’re going.”
Her hand trembling, Meena placed her cup on the table, then rubbed her palms across her skirt. “Let’s say that it was even remotely possible. You would need help.”
“And how much is that going to cost us?” Piers snapped.
Staring at him, Meena curled her tongue for a long moment, then tears formed in her eyes. “Perhaps you would consider a trade,” she replied softly.
“Ah, and let me guess. You require a place within our company and passage to the rim,” he chuckled, rolling his eyes.
Shocked, she glanced around at the others, “Is that not what each of you seek? A way out of Eriden. An escape to a better life?”
Her dark features crinkled, Zaendra observed with a raised chin, “Certainly not. I wish to explore more of my homeland, not that I ever wish to leave it.”
Pursing her lips, Meena turned on Animir. “And what of you, elf? Do you desire to visit the realm of mortals?”
Cracking a wide smile, he laughed, “I’m sure I wouldn’t make it far there,” indicating the pointed tips to his pierced ears. Wafting his hand at her, he nodded, “But you on the other hand. You might walk among them unseen. But why would you care to leave? Is your life here among your people truly so hard?”
Rising, she left them, moving into her quarters, only to return a moment later with a small golden orb in her hand. Sitting in her chair, she held it up before her.
“An orb of truth!” Amicia gasped.
Cutting her eyes over at her, Meena stifled a laugh. “An orb of truth? So, you have seen one of these before.”
“I have,” Animir intervened. “What I don’t understand is what a wan such as yourself would need of one.”
“Wan? What’s a wan?” Piers demanded, shifting his gaze among the trio curiously.
At that moment, Oldrilin fell off her perch and landed on the floor, jarred awake by the tumble.
“Lin!” Rey gasped, leaping to his feet and scooping her up.
“Sleepy, Rey Daye,” she whined, rubbing at her eyes.
“Oh, I know,” he agreed. “Where will we be sleeping? Or she… be sleeping?” he asked of their host.
“I’ll make her a pallet on the floor in the bedroom. That way, a few of you can take the bed, and I’ll sleep here on the patio or on the bench inside,” the woman of the house offered, placing her orb on the table and showing him through the portal.
As soon as she had gone, Animir snatched the glittering ball and gazed into it. “A wan is a female wizard,” he explained. “Wizards are the closest relatives to mortals of the rim here in Eriden. Males hold great magical power, while females hold no magical ability whatsoever.”
“Most females,” Meena corrected, rejoining them. Taking the device from him, she held it before her, where it took on a subtle glow.
“Is that why you want to come with us? You don’t fit in here and you want to get away. To escape to a new life somewhere better?” Piers teased. “Well, let’s set the record straight. If and when we find a way out of here, we aren’t taking any of you natives with us, so if that’s why you’ve come along on this crazy adventure, you can exit any time.” His voice grew loud, his blood boiling at the thought of the consequences taking them back to the rim could hold.
Shifting his gaze angrily between them, he continued, “Secondly, we don’t want anything from you that you aren’t willing to give. No tricks, no empty promises. We’ll pay if we must, but be assured, we aren’t thieves, and we mean no harm.”
Lowering her prize, Meena studied him over the top of it, then sank down on the bench next to Amicia. Turning to face her, she smiled, “Tell me about this orb of truth. Where did you learn of it?”
“Lady Cilithrand,” Ami whispered. “She had it and used it to show me a few things.”
“And did you believe what she revealed?”
“No,” Amicia grinned, having realized the elf’s deceit. “Every bit of it was a lie. I think she was trying to manipulate me with it.”
Giggling for a moment, the older woman nodded, then offered hers to the girl. “Take it.”
With trembling digits, Amicia accepted the small globe. Staring into it, the golden glitter shifted to clouds that parted before a bright green dragon flew across her view. Gasping anxiously, she covered her mouth with her free hand as the image faded and the orb returned to its normal opaque state.
Accepting the trinket back, Meena nodded, “You are unique, Amicia Spicer.”
“And you are not the first to recognize this,” Piers accused, his eyes narrowed as he leaned towards her. “Perhaps you should do some explaining before I have to amend my statement about not harming anyone.”
Wizard’s Bounty
Nodding, Meena offered a crooked smile. “It’s been many years since I have spoken the truth about such things openly,” she confessed. “Would you like a glass of wine?” she offered, helping herself to a fresh cup.
“I’ll take some,” Ami agreed, hoping it would calm her nerves. Glancing between the other men, then up at Rey as he rejoined them, she asked in a calmer voice, “Why did I see a dragon in your little magic ball?”
“The better question is, how do you, a mortal of the rim, see anything within it,” the older woman replied, pouring glasses for the others. “Piers, be a dear and select another bottle for us. They are in the rack under the back table,” she requested, giving him a warm smile.
His gut wrenched at her familiar behavior, but he stood to do as she had asked. Placing it on the table, he returned to his chair, an odd feeling tingling over him. “What sort of magical powers do you have?” he quarried.
“My, we are full of questions,” she observed, looking at each of them in turn. “Let’s start with me, shall we?” When no one protested the suggestion, she took a large sip and began.
“I was born near fifty years ago. And you are right, Animir, wans are understood to be non-wielders of magic. When my powers manifested themselves early on, my parents did everything they could to hide that fact. Whitefair was a safer place back then. Ziradon was the Supreme Dragon, and all of Eriden was at peace,” she said with a smile, having a noisy sip.
“I married when I came of age to the wizard my parents had chosen for me.” She cut her eyes over at Amicia as she explained. “We seldom marry for love, you see. But I grew to love him, quite deeply in fact. He wasn’t troubled by my powers, helping me to keep them hidden, and together we flourished. The routes between the north and the south were well established, a
s well as those between the east and the west.”
“People used to visit Whitefair regularly,” Piers qualified.
“Oh, yes,” she agreed with a nod. “We sit almost square in the center of the Peaswan Desert, and our springs are the only source of water within it. For centuries, the wizard community has enjoyed the bounty they have provided.”
“So, what happened?” Bally asked, enthralled with her story.
“He died,” she supplied with a shrug, not elaborating as to how or why. “It was near the same time much of Whitefair and the rest of Eriden suffered a great loss.”
“Ziradon,” Animir agreed with a nod. “When Gwirwen stole the throne.”
“Shh,” she warned, pressing a single digit to her lips. “Gwirwen has many supporters here, as it is his rule that has allowed such vile men to rise to power. But legend says that our great leader lives, imprisoned by his successor, where he might one day be freed to reclaim what is rightfully his.”
“Oh boy,” Piers laughed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb. “Ok, so we have the dragons, who are like the great guardians of all the land, but a not so great dragon is now in charge. As a result, your town has fallen into its currently deplorable state, and you have been forced into… whatever you want to call this now. Taking care of yourself the best you can,” he offered, raising his glass towards her in a small toast.
“Yes,” she agreed with a nod. “I have faced many hard choices. At first, I was resigned to my principles, but I quickly discovered that I could not eat them. I was evicted from my home, and all I had was taken from me.”
“Aye, you said this was your husband’s house,” the Mate recalled.
“It was, and it was our home while we were married. There are a few wealthy men, wizards who run most if not all of our city. One of them had me removed,” she explained, lowering her gaze to pick at the fringe on her skirt. “Once I agreed to his demands, I was allowed to return. I have stayed here ever since,” she sighed. “I provide hospitality to those he requires and to others when I have the opportunity to make a little extra on the side.”
Dragon of Eriden - The Complete Collection Page 40
