A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) (28 page)

"If anyone, whether citizen or visitor, threatens a competitor inside the city during a competition then you pay the consequences. Trey the beast threatened Raven D'Cloud Lightfoot with bodily harm. This was witnessed by Zack of Lyons. Trey will be serving a year in the city sewer for his choice." The audience met this announcement with shock and dismay. The gentleman shook his head, "Now, we have a winner to reward." He turned and waved Raven forward. "This young woman has demonstrated a keen ability to handle knives, above and beyond most. We offer her this prize in hopes that others will be inspired by her skill and that she will continue growing in her abilities." He handed her a small purse filled with gold and a handful of papers, most likely vouchers for the other prizes. The crowd cheered loudly and stomped their feet. The noise made it hard to think. Raven made her way to us sitting on the wall, receiving slaps on the back and congratulations as she worked her way through the crowd. The clearing started to empty since the contest was over.

"Way to go!" Cried out Skyler. "I knew you could do it!" She hugged Raven around the neck. "I am so sorry that happened. It is just like a cave folk to behave like an animal."

Xavier pulled Skyler close, "Now my sweet. You would not be bad mouthing my people?" He smiled gently.

She shook her head, "Your people might live in the caves in the mountains, but there is a difference. That man is a beast for sure. To threaten someone over a simple competition." She sounded disgusted.

"I agree with her." A new voice spoke softly. Zack had approached our group quietly. "That man is more beast than human. He made threats that Raven would have been justified in responding with great harm." He nodded to Raven. "You are a skilled woman. I have enjoyed pitting my abilities against yours this evening."

Raven blushed, "It was my honor, master." She bowed.

Zack's eyebrow's rose. "Master? I am not your master young lady."

Stain grinned, "That would be me." Zack nodded.

"I call you master because you are a master knife handler." Raven stated this firmly.

Zack smiled and nodded, "I will accept that. I must wonder how you knew. I have never met you before and you are not from around Lyons."

Raven smiled broadly and pointed to a knife strapped to Zack's hip. "Only a master carries that knife."

Zack looked down and grinned broadly, "Truly spoken." He pulled the blade out. It looked like someone had hammered five different blades together until sharp points sprouted outwards in a strange pattern, resembling a hand almost. "Then you have been trained by a master. Good. Such a talent needs to be nurtured." He put the odd blade away.

Raven frowned, "Being a master, you could have beat me easily. Why did you let me win?"

Zack shook his head. "I might be a master, however your skill won tonight. Mastery of a thing means you understand it and can perform it. It does not mean you are the best in the world. Most masters are extremely good at their craft, but someone of such natural talent as yourself will be formidable once you reach mastery of the knives." He grinned and looked around. "You have a valuable woman here. Do not let her go." He turned to go.

Raven grabbed his elbow gently, "At least allow me to share in my good fortune?"

Zack stopped and looked at her. "How so?"

Raven handed him a few of the slips of paper. "While I could use some of these, others would be wasted on me. Could you not take them and put them to better use?"

Zack looked surprised, but took the papers. "Thank you young lady." He put them in his pocket. "Before your group leaves town, please pay me a visit at the Bawdy Steer and allow me to gift you a small token of my appreciation." He turned and headed off into what was left of the crowd. People called out to him, he was obviously well known.

"That was handled well, my apprentice." Stain spoke this softly, his voice showing his pride. "I think we need to find our lodgings. I feel quite tired now."

Skyler nodded, "It has been a long day for me also. Husband, take me home." She put her arm through Xavier's and they headed back towards the Wounded Gull. "Come by and visit!" She called out over her shoulder.

Raven put her arm through mine, "I am tired husband of mine." She leaned against my shoulder. "Find me a bed to fall upon?"

Everyone chuckled and we headed towards the direction of the Blue Maiden.

***

"Welcome to the Blue Maiden!" A young girl cried out as we entered a brightly lit building. It looked clean and well maintained, unlike a lot of inns. "Would you be needing food, beverages, or a place to rest tonight?" The young girl asked.

Tulip nodded, "My brother, Timothy of the Dirty Hand, suggested that we visit your establishment."

The girl smiled broadly, "Timothy! He is always in here. Let me get my sister!" She hopped from her stool and dashed behind the counter and through a curtained opening. Her voice could be heard talking to another person. Shortly a woman appeared from behind the curtain.

"My sister tells me you are the sister of Timothy." She stepped forward and looked our group over. "I do see a family resemblance. He has been a blessing to my family and our business. My mother would have died without his healing potions." She looked at a book behind the counter. "We have a suite that should work well for your group. Enough berths for all and a space to eat, if you choose not to dine in public." She grabbed her sister. "Take them to the suite." She turned and headed back to the curtained opening. "I am Lizz. Ask for me if you need anything."

"Yeah, she is Lizz. I am April. I am the youngest. She is the oldest. There are three more girls between us. No boys. Too bad. We could use the help with the heavy lifting. But that is how it goes." April rattled along as she led us to the suite. "If you need anything, pull on the blue cord. Someone will show up soon and help you out." She handed Tulip a key and left. We entered a large room with a table large enough for us to sit together and doors leading off to sleeping areas.

"I am going to bed. It has been a good, but long day." Tulip locked the door and went to the first room beside the door. She opened it and shut it behind her.

Ruth shook her head. "I am going to bed also. My eyes are starting to cross, I am so tired." She took the room beside Tulip's.

Amelia and Roger took the last room on that side of the room. They wished everyone a good night and closed the door.

Stain took the door opposite of Tulip. "Good night you two. Raven you did very good tonight, with everything." He closed the door and we could hear him sit on the bed.

"We will take the middle room." Mophar hopped down and went into the one beside Stain's. Pat followed.

"I guess that means we get the last room." Raven walked to the door, unbraiding her hair as she went. "Coming to bed, darling?" She looked over her shoulder and smiled.

***

The next morning we found ourselves packing up and preparing to leave.

"Since we will be heading in a different direction than most of the rest of our group there is no reason for us to stay here." Tulip was explaining. "We might as well pack up and head on towards the mountains. The sooner we can get going the sooner we might arrive."

Stain nodded. "I had just hoped to find a guide, one who knew of this mysterious pass we are searching for on this side."

Tulip grinned, "If there is a guide to be found, it will not be in Shadow's Edge. Too much oversight. We need to seek farther down the road." She stood. "We need to leave."

"What about stopping and seeing Skyler and Zack?" Raven asked.

Stain nodded, "It would be wise to do so. We three will do so while the rest go ahead and prepare the wagons for travel."

Tulip chuckled and shook her head. "Fine. Meet us back at the campsite. We will move out as soon as you arrive." They left and we headed towards the Wounded Gull.

"That woman is used to being in charge." Stain commented with humor in his voice. "Very take charge."

Raven and I smiled to each other, enjoying Stain being flustered.

"Shall we visit the Wounded Gull first? Perhaps a breakfast is in order?" Stain picked up his pace slightly, hunger driving him.

"I could eat quite a bit myself." I commented.

"But of course you could. You are still young. You could eat anytime." Stain tossed this over his shoulder. As we walked along we looked at the buildings. It was dark when we passed through before. Now the colors jumped out and grabbed our attentions. Shadow's Edge was a city awash in colors. Each building was painted a bright color while a separate color was used for different elements of the buildings. Bright doors and windows cheered up the buildings. Some people must have attended the contest the previous night, they called out to Raven, offering well wishes. She grinned, blushing each time. In very little time we arrived at the steps of the Wounded Gull. Smells wafted out, good food and drink smells.

Skyler was talking to one of her workers when we walked through the door. "Welcome back our victorious champion!" She grabbed Raven and guided us to a table in the back of the room. "What would you like this morning?"

We all sat at the table and placed orders for food and juice. Skyler nodded and hurried off.

"So, we are going to find a guide to help us locate the pass through the mountains?" Raven asked Stain.

Stain nodded, "I had thought we might find one here, but Tulip disagrees and it seems as if she is right. I have yet found anyone able to lead us that way."

"Where else might we find a guide?" I asked Stain.

He shook his head, "More than likely it will be a smuggler."

Skyler arrived with some help. "Food, drink, and advice." She sat down as her workers filled the table. "Trey the giant escaped this morning. He will most likely seek out revenge for what he probably considers an insult to his manhood. Your group needs to put some miles between you and this town." She grabbed a roll and took a large bite, ripping it in half.

Stain nodded, "We wanted to stop by here and then at the Bawdy Steer. Zack asked Raven to stop by for a moment. Then we are leaving."

Xavier walked up just then, "That is good. Do you need an escort outside of the town?"

Stain shook his head, "We can handle it outside of town. Some company might be good inside of the walls though."

Xavier nodded, "I will be right back with a patrol. We will see you to the Bawdy Steer and then to the gates." He left quickly.

"He worries." Skyler looked after him. "That is one of the things I love about him. His good heart." She stood, "Eat and then be careful. If you are ever passing back through Shadow's Edge, please stop by." She left us to finish our meal.

"Well, this morning gets more exciting as the sun rises higher. We need to be moving." Stain stated this and bit into his bread. Raven and I quickly finished off our food and were ready to leave when Xavier returned with the patrol.

"These fine men will see you safely through to the Bawdy Steer and then on your path from the city." Xavier nodded to a big man carrying weapons. "The captain of the patrol, Mavish."

Captain Mavish nodded his head, "Xavier has explained the danger and we will see that you are allowed to leave the city without harm." He turned and stepped out of the Wounded Gull.

Xavier shook his head, "A good, if tightly strung, man. He will do his best to defend you, as long as you do not violate the law." His tone made it clear he meant the use of magic.

Stain nodded, "We understand. Let's get this done so we might leave soon." He stood and led the way to where Captain Mavish waited. "We are ready to proceed."

Mavis nodded and motioned, his patrol taking defensive positions around us. "Onward to the Bawdy Steer." Mavish declared. We moved forward at a steady rate, the morning crowds making way for us and the soldiers. Within a short period of time we arrived at the Bawdy Steer. "Wait here." Mavish entered the building with another young soldier. Moments later he exited. "It seems safe. Mark will stay inside, if you seem to be in need of us he will call." He motioned for us to enter the building and the patrol took up positions beside the entrance. Out of the way, yet prepared to rush into the building.

Stain nodded his thanks, "Let's go see this Zack quickly." He led the way into the building.

When we entered the building the difference in light caused us to pause for a moment. It was deepingly dark inside. Looking around we located Zack sitting at a table farther back in the room. We slowly made our way towards him. He sat alone at a large table, evidently anticipating our arrival.

"You made it!" He stood and waved us to seats. "I had heard that brute had escaped and worried that you might not stay long enough to heed my request." He sat after we each took a seat. "I do appreciate your kind gift last night and wished to repay you in some manner." He reached under the table and retrieved a bundle. "As you pointed out I am a master knife handler. One of the highest in this area, in fact. I can tell you have trained with other masters, foreign ones most likely." Raven nodded to his subtle probe. "Since, you lack a trainer at the moment, I thought I might help you in your training in the way of the knife." He handed the bundle over to Raven. "These should help you gain a greater understanding and skill."