by Gideon Mills
Wyatt, on the other hand, was not. The mage hated gathering with nobles and the wealthy more than anything in the world. Nothing was more tedious and cumbersome to Wyatt, as all the lower nobles buttered up the upper ones to move up in the world; it was sickening. Cat was going to be in for a rude awakening.
“As great as this is,” Wyatt said. “I’m going back to bed. We can’t meet this bard until later.”
24
Nothing ever goes Smoothly
It was well past midday before Wyatt was ready to tackle the day. He had indeed gone back to bed and felt much better with the extra hours of sleep and not to mention a nice meal when he woke up.
Octavia had gone out and gotten some food and made them some of her favorite dishes. Going out of her way to make sure that both an elf and a human would like it.
“This is delicious,” Cat said between bites.
Wyatt agreed with her. Once they were all done, they changed for the day and got going to the Monster Gem tavern. There were more taverns in Imlay that Wyatt could count. This was one that he had never been to and he had to figure out where it was. Not that was too hard since some of the people in the city seemed to know each and every tavern, inn, and brothel in the place.
After asking just a few people, he had the location, and they could walk across the city and go. It wasn’t in the best part of town. They would have to walk a ways to get to it. It was on the other side of Imlay. The docks were closer to Wyatt’s place than the tavern.
“Of course, it’s over there,” Octavia said.
Wyatt glared at her. “You’re the one of us that seems to like walking. How many long walks have you led us on?”
She snorted. “I don’t like walking. The first was Francis’s doing, and the other, well I can’t control where the dwarves live.”
“She can’t,” Cat added.
It appeared they were going to team up on him and blame him for the walking. So be it. Wyatt knew a losing cause when he saw it. Instead, he put his head down and started off in the direction of the tavern. It would be close to another mealtime by the time they reached the place. Hopefully, the bar had decent food.
Summer was getting hotter and hotter. Usually, Wyatt loved the heat. The way it felt as the beads of sweat rolled down his face and back made him feel like he was actually working and achieving something. Right now though, he was growing to hate the heat and the sweat. All this walking and working felt like they weren’t achieving a thing.
Though the streets were abuzz with the fight in the elven districts the night before. People couldn’t believe that the elves won or that the Wyvern Boys helped them. Not to mention the fact that one of the groups had a mage to defend it.
Amon had been busy spreading that news. Wyatt wasn’t a fan of people learning that he helped the elves. It wasn’t that he felt terrible about it, but it made him a target. Or more accurately, more of a target. He was building up an extensive list of people that wanted to hurt him.
“You’re becoming famous,” Cat said.
Octavia smirked. “The great savior of the elves and the little people.”
“As nice as that might be,” Wyatt said. “It’s made our task harder. We don’t need attention. What we need is to move unseen.”
“We aren’t assassins,” Cat said.
“Can we be ninjas?” Octavia asked. “I always wanted to be a ninja.”
“Those aren’t real.” Cat sounded like she knew for sure. Wyatt had heard of them but never saw one. Anything was possible. The way the city was going, there just might be a ninja behind it all, but Wyatt doubted that. The more he thought about it, the simplest answer was the best. Amon was the man in charge, and it was the Brotherhood behind it all. Wyatt didn’t know much about the mages, but it wouldn’t surprise him that they had a secret group that was behind it all. Just another reason that he wanted nothing to do with the other mages.
Why the mages wanted to take control of Imlay and, in doing so, rule Urgan, Wyatt didn’t know. The mages of the world were mysterious and always did seem to think they knew best.
Halfway to the Monster Gem tavern, they made a left onto a lesser-traveled street. One that Wyatt hoped would allow them to move at a faster pace. Instead, standing in front of them was a group of thugs with makeshift weapons. Ones that actually looked deadly, and the men appeared to be able to use them.
The leader of the group looked to be part troll and human—a strange and disgusting mix. “You’re the mage that the king wants,” he said.
“Yeah,” another said, who was a mix goblin and elf maybe. Wyatt wasn’t sure and didn’t care, but the man didn’t look healthy. Some of the races just weren’t meant to have children. When they did, their offspring would turn out weak or sterile. This one appeared to be just that. Wyatt felt bad for him, but only for a moment. He was there trying to hurt Wyatt.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Wyatt said. Trying to play dumb. The last thing he needed or wanted was yet another fight.
Over the last few days, he had been in as many fights as a typical year. Being a PI meant Wyatt got into more altercations than the ordinary person, but this was to the point of ridiculousness. Wyatt wanted one day, one trip with nothing going crazy.
“You can’t trick me,” the leader said.
Wyatt groaned and reached for his mana. As he did that, both Cat and Octavia went into action. They had left their own weapons back at his place. Walking around with them would have drawn more attention, but they sure would be useful right about now. Cat reached the half-goblin elf man. With one fluid movement, she had him on his back and held onto his homemade morning star.
It was an excellent-looking weapon, and they could have used it when they were in the skirmish with the King’s Guard. Octavia was just behind her, moving to one of the humans. Wyatt had the mana in him and went to cast a spell that would hold them in place.
Just as he did, Octavia took the legs out from under a man. Then they were all frozen in place. Cat looked back to Wyatt. “Way to take the fun out of it.”
Wyatt shrugged. “Just tie them up, and let’s move on.”
“You sure are a buzzkill,” Octavia said.
“Last time you said I wasn’t a great mage since I didn’t use my magic. This time you are mad that I did.”
“I’m a complicated woman.”
Wyatt wasn’t going to touch that with a ten-foot pole. She was great, but she could be all over the place. That was the norm for pretty much every person he had ever met, man or woman.
The three of them took care to move the thugs to the side and discard the weapons they had. Then they continued on their way to the tavern. His stomach rumbled with hunger after the exertion of the spell; it cost his body.
25
Monster Gem
Walking into the tavern, Wyatt’s nose was filled with a pleasant aroma of stew and freshly baked bread. Not to mention the stench of men that had been hard at work all morning.
“Ah,” Cat said. “The smell of hard work.”
Octavia crinkled her nose. “More like the smell of men who need to bathe.”
Wyatt chortled. The goblin wasn’t wrong in her assessment. The men in here reeked of body odor and a mix of the places they worked. Some worked in the forges, some in the stables, and many other places in the city. It created a mess of odors in the establishment.
Yet, the one that was on top of it all was the food, and it made his stomach rumble for some of it. Putting that all to the side, Wyatt scanned the room for a table and found one that wasn’t being used. He marched over to it and took a seat.
The stage in the place was empty for the moment, but in the corner of the raised platform was the gear of a bard. Wyatt was relieved to see that since it meant that Bard Matrim was bound to be around.
Within a minute of them sitting down, a barmaid appeared next to the table. “What can I get ye?”
“That stew and bread for me,” Wyatt said.
“Just the b
read,” Cat said.
“And the stew for me,” Octavia added.
“Ale or water?”
All three of them asked for the water. Right now wasn’t the time to have an ale. Not that Wyatt was opposed to drinking. He had done his fair share and gotten shit-faced drunk with Cat just the other night. Wyatt wouldn’t mind seeing Octavia having a few ales or wines. To him, she seemed like she’d be a fun drunk and would tell some stories that would make him laugh.
Before the food arrived, the bard returned to the stage. He picked up the flute that was in the corner and played. An old song that Wyatt had only heard once before. This bard wasn’t as good as the minstrel they saw the other night. But he was one of the best bards that Wyatt had heard play the flute. The song was about an ancient adventure across the lands to stop a war from happening. Some believed it to be accurate, but many didn’t. Wyatt loved how it showed teamwork and trust.
The barmaid returned with the food while the bard played. Wyatt didn’t hesitate to start eating. The stew was just as good as it smelled, and that was saying something. It could just be his hunger from the day of walking and magic use. Though he doubted that.
Wyatt ate the stew in record time. Then returned to watching the bard play. The next song was a much faster paced tune about a battle with both sides failing. This was a common one played in many taverns in the city.
Bard Matrim played for over an hour with no break. He was a younger bard, maybe a year or two younger than Wyatt. Not many of that age in the city, as they had to earn the right to play here. This one clearly had. If he wanted, he just might be able to get a minstrel to take him under his wing and eventually become one himself. Though that would take several more years of apprenticeship that the bard might not be willing to do.
Once the bard left the stage, he looked Wyatt right in the eye and strode to him. “Wyatt Ryder?” Matrim asked.
“That’s me. And this is Cat and Octavia.”
“I see,” Matrim said. “Gareth Stone said you might be arriving to speak today.”
Wyatt wasn’t sure if this was the best place to talk. The mage really didn’t want to be overheard. If any of these guests in the tavern went and told a guardsman of what they spoke about, sneaking into the palace would be even harder than it already was.
“Come with me,” Matrim said. “You and your friends.”
The bard turned and strode away, only pausing to speak to the barmaid. “Put their meal on my tab.”
She nodded. “As you wish, Master Matrim.”
The barmaid appeared to be fearful of the bard, and never before had Wyatt heard a bard called master or anything other than just bard. Seemed a bit strange, but Wyatt was being surrounded by strange these days.
They arrived in the rear of the tavern and entered an office that was next to the kitchen, which was filled with humans and trolls cooking the food.
“Close the door,” Matrim said.
Cat was the last one in and did as he asked. Once they were alone, the bard sat on the top of the desk in the office. “Gareth said you needed to get onto the castle grounds and fast.”
Wyatt nodded. “I do. I’m a PI and have a job that requires it.”
That was the shortest and simplest answer to the reason why. While it was the truth, it left a lot out of the equation, and the less they spoke of, the better. It wasn’t that Wyatt didn’t trust this bard. He did, but he just didn’t want to make things even more complicated.
“I’m sure there is more to it. Not many are willing to risk the wrath of the king. I know a King’s Guard woman who is on the outs with the group. About to be fired or worse. She can get you the stuff you need, but it won’t come cheap.”
“What do you mean?” Octavia asked.
The goblin had an anxious look about her. She enjoyed the bard’s show, but now she just appeared to distrust him. Wyatt knew that trust was hard to earn, and hoped she didn’t offend the bard. They would need him for the time being.
“Gillian will be doing stuff that could get her killed. I don’t want anyone I know doing that for free. She might not be my best friend; in fact, she probably doesn’t even like me much these days. But my sister is a good guard.”
“I don’t want to cause anyone you care about trouble.”
“We have to get in the palace,” Cat said. “You have seen all that is going on.”
“I have, and that is why my sister is willing to aid. She heard of the things that Gareth was asking about and offered to help. She refused to join in the fight in the elven district, and I’m sure you were part of that.”
The three of them stood in stunned silence. That was enough to verify his suspicions, and they all knew it. Wyatt answered. “We were, and as I’m sure you have worked out. I’m the mage.”
Matrim nodded. “I figured as much. Look, I can direct you to my sister, and she will help, but you must protect her, mage. Make sure she comes to no harm.”
Wyatt sighed. “I can’t make a guarantee, but we will do our best.”
“I know that your magic has limits, but if she gets hurt or caught, I will find you and make you pay.”
Wyatt didn’t doubt the threat one bit. This bard was extremely serious and had more about him than most. Wyatt had over the course of this short exchange grown to have a respect for him. The way he cared for his sister spoke a lot of the man. Not to mention that his sister refused to do the biding of Amon. This was a guardswoman that Wyatt had to talk to. Even if he didn’t need her help.
Matrim gave them all the information they would need to see Gillian Arbor this evening. She would be at her tiny apartment not far from the tavern. That meant staying over here for several more hours before going back home.
26
Gillian Arbor
Wyatt, Cat, and Octavia stood down the street from the place that Matrim told them was home to his sister. The road wasn’t much to look at. In many ways, it was one of the most boring streets in all of Imlay. If there was one thing that Wyatt learned over the years, it was not to trust a place like this.
“Keep your eyes open,” he said.
“Why?” Cat asked. “This place looks dull.”
“Too dull.” Wyatt just didn’t like the way it appeared. It had him on edge and his senses tingling of danger and a trap. He didn’t think the bard would do that since he was working on behalf of Gareth Stone, and that would be an excellent way to get killed.
“Uh,” Octavia said. “If you say so. I don’t get how it could be too dull.”
“Like just as we step into the place we’ll be attacked.”
That got the other two’s attention. “You’re paranoid,” Cat replied.
Neither of them seemed to have the concern that the mage did. Without fear they stepped along the street. At first, all was well. Nothing stirred, and they made their way to the house that Matrim said was Gillian’s. The air was thick around Wyatt, and he didn’t like that one bit.
Octavia shrieked. She was a few feet in front of Wyatt as she and Cat didn’t wait for him to catch up. “I can’t move my foot,” she said.
Sure enough Wyatt looked down, and she had stepped right into some sort of clue trap. Cat had missed it by inches.
“Fuck,” Cat said. “Maybe you were right.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes. With the knowledge there was at least one trap, he reached out to his mana. Not that he knew how to remove Octavia from the gooey trap she was standing in.
“Freeze,” a voice sounded around them.
Now Wyatt was getting annoyed. He should have listened to his gut and not walked down this street. Wyatt didn’t really have another way to the house, but this was going to be hard. He froze in place as the voice commanded.
“Turnups,” Cat said.
That was an expression that Wyatt had never heard before. It sure sounded like a curse if Wyatt had ever heard one.
“You are all under arrest,” the voice said.
“Under what charges?” Wyatt asked. It was probably stupi
d to ask, but Wyatt didn’t care. He had to know what they knew and were doing. He was a man that liked to have all the answers, and it was killing him right now that he had so few.
“Treason.”
Cat grunted. “That’s rich.”
Octavia glared at the elf. The last thing they needed to do was piss off the people that were trying to arrest them. Wyatt hadn’t looked to see how many were here. Once he had that number, he would be able to use his magic and get them out of here. That was one of the negatives about the spells Wyatt knew. He had to see the target for most of them. If Wyatt could just make them all freeze in place without looking, the mage would. That was the best spell for a situation like this, and he had recently used it. Though he might not be able to hold them for long. His mana wasn’t limitless.
Down the street, the house they were headed toward had some action. A woman exited the place in her armor and glared down to them. From this distance, she appeared to have short, spiky black hair. That had to be Gillian Arbor, and she was about to slip away from them.
Wyatt cursed under his breath. This day was going spectacularly, and there was nothing he could do about it. Gillian stood there looking down at them and started to head in the other direction. Then she suddenly stopped, perfectly still. If Wyatt had to guess, Gillian was arguing with herself on what to do. From all that her brother said about her, she wasn’t like the other guardsmen and wouldn’t stand for this.
She spun on her heel and headed in their direction. The closer she got, the more attractive she became. Her hair fit her gamine face perfectly, and her body appeared to be melded into the armor she wore.
“What are you doing?” she asked when she was close enough.
“Guard Arbor.” The voice didn’t appear pleased she was here.
“I said, what are you doing here?”
“We are arresting criminals that partook in the battle in the elven district.”
