Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3) (2 page)

When he regained consciousness Kalinya momentarily thought he
’d gone blind. He rubbed his eyes vigorously and found his eyes were gummed together with sticky blood which had run profusely from a jagged gash on his head. He felt light headed. By the angle of the sun he could see it was hours past daybreak. The docks were now a site of activity. Men shouted and cursed as they moved their carts around the docks between the water vessels and the warehouses. Women had set up a bunch of little stalls along the side of the warehouses and were crying out to passersby, boasting the exaggerated attributes of their merchandise. Several dogs were fighting over an old piece of meat they had stolen and hundreds of sea gulls lined the docks looking for any discarded fish as the boats unloaded their catch. Kalinya moved around the pile of broken crates and pushed his way through the crowds towards the water. At the northern end of the dock there was a wooden ladder leading down to a rocky ledge which jutted out into the sea. He climbed down the ladder and sat on the rocks, holding his head in his hands in a vain effort to stop it pounding. He leaned forward and took a handful of water and began bathing the cut on his head. It was all he could do not to shout as the salty water touched the wound, but he continued doggedly until he felt he had removed most of the blood from his face and hair. He reached forward one last time and stopped in surprise. Lying on the sand and covered in water, right in front of his nose was a small silver coin. He reached forward eagerly and scooped it up, hardly believing his luck. With this coin he could buy himself several meals. Clutching the coin in his hand, he dragged himself up the wooden ladder and walked along the docks to where loaded carts were departing. There was a small inside pocket in his vest and he slipped the coin inside, patting it every few seconds to ensure it remained safe. He hesitated when he reached the carts, then approached the nearest of the merchants.

‘
Sir,’ he called out politely and the merchant turned towards him.

‘
Move!’ shouted the merchant, gesturing for Kalinya to get away from his horses.

‘
I just wondered-’ Kalinya began again, but the merchant interrupted.

‘
Get out of the way boy!’ Kalinya leapt backwards as the merchant drove his horses forward. He waited until his fright subsided and tried again. This time he approached the cart from the side, hoping this might prove less dangerous. He walked up to the cart, and raised his hand to catch the merchant’s attention.

‘
Are you trying to steal something?’ asked the merchant obnoxiously before Kalinya could speak.

‘
No sir, I-’

‘
Then what are you doing near my goods?’

‘
I’m trying to-’

‘
You thieves are everywhere. You look like innocent children but-’ The merchant ranted on and Kalinya gave up and turned away. His eyes fell on the next cart. It was a huge colorful affair with many workers loading it and preparing it for travel. He approached one of the dock workers.

‘
Where is the merchant please?’ he asked and the dock worker pointed to a tall bold looking man perched high up on the front of the cart directing the proceedings. ‘Sir!’ Kalinya called out once again, gaining the merchant’s attention.

‘
Grab him and get him away from the cart,’ ordered the merchant, not waiting to hear what Kalinya had to say.

‘
No!’ Kalinya shouted back, as frustration took hold. ‘I just want-’

‘
Shut him up and get him out of here. He needs a whipping. He’s been going up to all the carts, probably stealing stuff,’ the merchant shouted to one of the dock workers. The worker gripped Kalinya by the upper arm and dragged him away from the cart.

‘
Just a moment,’ a man said firmly. ‘Let the boy go.’ Kalinya stared up in surprise to see a cross looking man standing right in the path of the dock worker.

‘
He’s a thief,’ replied the worker, trying to push his way past.

‘
No he’s not,’ the cross man insisted.

‘
He’s been hanging around all the carts trying to distract the merchants. He’s probably got a little band of thieves just waiting to pounce. It happens all the time,’ said the dock worker.

‘
He’s not a thief! He was just trying to get someone’s attention, but no-one would listen to him.’

‘
You stay out of this! It’s none of your business!’

‘
You can’t punish an innocent child for something you assumed he might do.’ The cross man’s face darkened angrily.

‘
I’ll do what I want! Now get out of my way before I make you get out of my way,’ said the dock worker threateningly.

‘
First let the child go.’ The man’s hands balled into fists.

‘
What’s going on?’ asked the merchant, leaping down from the cart and shouldering his way through to where the dock worker stood nose to nose with the cross man, but still gripping Kalinya tightly by the shoulder.

‘
This child has done nothing wrong,’ the man growled.

‘
How could you know that?’ the merchant snorted obnoxiously.

The man hesitated for a fraction of a second then seemed to come to a decision.
‘Because he works for me,’ he said boldly. ‘I sent him to you with a message.’

‘
A message,’ the merchant repeated in disbelief. ‘What message?’

‘
I just wanted to tell you that we were taking longer to load than expected and if you wished to move out ahead of me that would be fine.’ The man folded his hands across his chest confidently.

‘
You want us to go ahead of you,’ said the merchant, looking skeptical. It was unusual enough for most of the merchants to speak civilly to each other, but it was unheard of for one to allow another the commercial advantage of reaching other cities and other markets first.

‘
I do. Coombah here was sent to give some of the merchants this message; he just had a little difficulty in making them listen to him.’

The merchant shook his head and gave a flick of his hand as if to dismiss the man
. He turned abruptly away. ‘We’re moving out!’ he shouted to his workers. ‘The idiot said we could go ahead of him,’ he added nastily.

‘
You’re welcome,’ said the man drily. He pulled Kalinya from the dock worker’s grip and guided him towards his own cart. Before Kalinya could say a word, the man lifted him onto the cart and smiled at him. It was immediately obvious to Kalinya that this man was not normally a cross man. ‘Are you looking to work, or were you wanting a ride somewhere?’ the man asked him very quietly. ‘You look far too young to be working.’

‘
I have to leave Tathra, but I can work if you will take me away from here,’ said Kalinya eagerly. ‘Or I can pay you this,’ he added reaching into his vest for the silver coin. He gave a cry of disappointment as his finger went through a hole in the bottom of the empty pocket.

‘
Never mind lad,’ said the man. ‘If you are working for me, then I should be paying you. How much money did you lose?’

‘
It was only a silver half coin, and it wasn’t really mine. I found it in the sea when I was washing the blood from my hair,’ Kalinya explained sadly.

‘
One silver half coin. That can be managed,’ said the man, reaching into a small coin purse. He drew out a half moon shaped silver coin and gave it to the child. ‘I want you to work for me, and you may consider this your first payment in advance. I won’t see an impecunious lad wandering around Tatharlia. That wouldn’t be kind.’

Kalinya
gazed solemnly at the coin. ‘Thank you,’ he said gratefully. ‘I’ll work hard,’ he declared, remembering his mother had always told him that a man should work hard for his wages. At the thought of his mother, tears came to his eyes and he blinked them back anxiously, hoping the man hadn’t noticed.

‘
I can see we will have much to talk about,’ said the man thoughtfully. ‘You can stay in the cart until we leave the city. ‘I’m Kindalin,’ he added, smiling once again.

‘
I’m called Kalinya,’ Kalinya replied.

‘
I think I’d better call you Coombah until we leave the city,’ said Kindalin. ‘Perhaps you could do with some rest.’ He pointed to a cleared area near the water barrel at the front of the cart. Kalinya lay down out of sight.

* * *

Graedy flinched as Sub-Commander Luhxdal glared at him. ‘I don’t trust you,’ Luhxdal growled, standing over the Overseer and glaring down at him. Guli strained to hear the conversation from his hiding place behind the drinks counter of the silahfohr. It annoyed him that he had missed the beginning of the discussion.

‘
I don’t know what you mean,’ Graedy said nervously, his eyes flicking to the corners of the crowded room.

‘
One of my Guards wonders if you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing,’ said Luhxdal, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

‘
Of course I am.’ Graedy’s attempt at indignation failed when his voice rose an octave in fright.

‘
Why is it, that every conversation we have is about money and how you are managing it?’ Luhxdal didn’t wait for Graedy to answer. ‘When are you due back inside the Sanctuary?’

‘
I need to be there this evening.’

‘
Good. Guard Penn would like a few words with you. He too has a few concerns about how you are managing your work. You will see him as soon as you return to the Sanctuary.’

‘
I’m supposed to report to the Empress.’

‘
Then you’ll have to move quickly, won’t you? It wouldn’t do to be late.’

Graedy ducked his head nervously and backed away.

‘Oh and Graedy, I want to know if any foreigners try to enter the city. See to it that anyone unusual is brought to me, directly to me.’

Luhxdal
watched Graedy go then sat himself at an empty table. Guli was just about to crawl through the rear door of the building when another man he recognized entered the Silahfohr. He returned to his hiding place and pressed his face forward to watch the man through the slight crack where the two sides of the serving counter were badly joined. The man walked directly over to Luhxdal and sat opposite.

‘
I told Graedy to come and see you tonight,’ said Luhxdal.

Guard Penn guffawed loudly.
‘I’ll bet the fat bastard just about pissed in his pants!’

‘
Probably, he does seem to have a guilty conscience. More to the point, I’m hoping the threat of having to explain himself might help him remember where the money is coming from and who it belongs to.’

‘
It might help but I doubt it will make a lot of difference. He already knows you’re watching him like a hawk watches an injured lizard. I doubt we’re the only ones who have a problem with the spineless bastard. I don’t trust him at all. He could have any number of little schemes running behind our backs. Who knows what he’s up to?’

‘
I keep him a bit scared, just in case.’

‘
The Empress?’ Guard Penn rested his elbows on the table and his head on his clenched fists.

‘
The Empress is young.’ Luhxdal leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. His eyes narrowed. ‘But she’s not an easy target. Anyone who attempted to attack her would be dead in seconds.’

‘
I agree. Her personal guard is about the fastest thing I’ve ever seen on two legs. And he rarely leaves her side. Have you means to protect yourself from questions, should they arise?’

‘
Uh...no...I suppose not.’

Guard Penn
held up a small pouch and waved it in Luhxdal’s general direction. ‘Keep this handy. And remember, if you have to use it, don’t overdo it. It’s only Ollneda, but it will kill you if you eat too much of it. One leaf is enough to get you out of trouble. Are you entering the Sanctuary this evening?’ He placed the pouch of Ollneda leaves on the table.

‘
Yes. The Empress’ cousin is expecting me.’ Luhxdal’s face was entirely devoid of emotion.

‘
Ah. Pevita! Not too bright, but certainly a tasty little dish.’

‘
Insulting, but accurate,’ agreed Luhxdal. ‘She’s exactly who I need.’

‘
You mean to marry the girl?’

‘
All in good time. Tonight I am simply courting her.’

‘
So, she’s exactly what you need; a means to an end.’

‘
Again you are insulting but accurate.’

Penn grinned and rose from the table.
‘Well, it certainly won’t inhibit my plans. I wish you...success,’ he said, turning away.

Luhxdal snorted and shook his head.
‘Let me know what you find out from Graedy. You know it might be time to do something about his inefficiency. I mean, do we really need him? We know he’s sneaky, conniving, spineless, easily influenced. Those who work beneath him are far more efficient.’