Dralin (4 page)

“Sheela, I . . . I murdered a man. If you
want nothing to do with me, I wouldn’t blame you . . .” Frath said
as though trying to convince her that he wasn’t worth her time. It
was clear the incident had taken a deep toll on his spirit.

Nerves threatened to tie her tongue into
knots. Here he was telling her about something that had affected
him greatly and he expected condemnation. She lifted a tender hand
to the side of his cheek. “I have no right to judge you. It sounds
to me as though you tried to help a friend, but I wasn’t there. I
know the man you are
now
, at least I know how you’ve treated
me.” She moved closer to him, requiring the feel of the arms he
wrapped around her in an unconscious gesture of need. “I believe
you’re a good man: compassionate, warm and you care for people.
Those are good qualities in my eyes.”

He pulled her tighter and kissed her again
for an instant before remembering her previous reaction. Sheela
didn’t return the kiss but didn’t pull away, only looking at him
vulnerably. He kissed her forehead gently before offering his arm
again. She took it willingly and they walked in silence awhile.

The old stately manors gave way to a mixture
of stone and wooden buildings that didn’t match at all. It was as
though different architects had a contest to see who could be the
most unique. None of it was anything like the poor farm where
Sheela had grown up.

The people were just as varied as the
buildings. There was the occasional merchant, peasant, worker or
older person sitting on steps or talking to each out of upper level
windows. Other people bustled about and Sheela had no idea who they
might be or what business they might have. Frath waved a hand at
the eclectic mix. “This is the Mosh District. It was named after a
wizard who saved the city from a horde of ravenous defbats
centuries ago.”

“That sounds terrible. One of those took our
cow a few years ago,” Sheela told him with a shudder. “I don’t
understand how they fly with wings like webs and such an oversized
head. The sickly brown color of their skin made me sick. I was
terrified when I saw it.”

“I’ve never seen one myself. They don’t come
into the city. That one time was unusual,” Frath admitted. “Anyway,
a lot of odd people live in the Mosh District. Many of the
performers from Carnival have homes here and there’s always a party
somewhere.”

“It sounds like a lot of fun.” Sheela
listened to the murmur of people talking and the occasional shouts
and laughter of children playing. There was so much noise in the
city as opposed to the oppressive silence of the countryside where
she grew up. At times, it had seemed like even the birds weren’t
thrilled about blessing the farm with their songs. Sheela didn’t
see the look of worry Frath gave her when her smile turned down at
the memories.

She shook off the gloom and took a deep
breath. In the district where the Shining Shield Inn was, men and
ladies wore perfumes, the gutters were kept mostly clean, and
smells were mostly gentle. In the Mosh District, odors became
stronger, people wore twice as much perfume in place of taking
baths and the streets weren’t filthy, but they weren’t clean
either. Most of the people seemed to be happy and friendly though,
even tipping their hats or nodding in greeting to the two of them
on occasion. Frath would always nod back seriously while Sheela
smiled and even waved a little bit. It felt good to smile, but odd
at the same time. She worried that someone might catch her doing it
and tell her she was being insolent.

Noise grew louder when they neared Carnival
while the smell of a myriad of food wafted under their noses,
drawing them forward. One moment they were walking between
buildings and the next, brightly colored tents and banners ruffled
in the light breeze.

A garishly dressed performer walked by them
on his hands while juggling three multicolored balls with his feet.
Sheela turned and gawked at him as he traveled into the Mosh
District they had just come from. He somersaulted to his feet and
caught all three balls before walking away. She turned to Frath
with a wide grin on her face. “Did you see that?” He was watching
her reaction joyfully, causing her to blush in embarrassment.

“There are all sorts of performers like that
who perform tricks for a copper or two,” he explained.

“Oh, should I give him a copper?” she asked
in alarm, looking back for the figure that had disappeared in a
crowd.

“No. Don’t you dare spend your coin right
now,” Frath admonished. “Keep it for something you really want.
Most performers know who can afford a coin or two and often enjoy
performing more for those who don’t have a lot. It’s not always
like that, but for now you keep what you have.”

“Alright,” Sheela agreed readily, glad she
didn’t have to give away the coins. They passed more performers who
did their acts on small wooden stages placed at random intervals.
Whenever Sheela found one that was particularly fascinating, they
would stop so she could watch. Frath seemed to be enjoying himself
as much as she was.

Vendors sold all sorts of wares in canvas
booths. Sweet treats and specialty foods were common items for
sale. Frath bought her a sticky bun and a vegetable shish kabob,
both of which she thoroughly enjoyed. Many hawkers sold jewelry,
perfumes and incense or outlandish clothing. They shouted about
their wares from in front of their tents unless they already had
customers. Frath steered her away from the some of the more
aggressive salespeople who tried to grab her arm to convince her to
try a nice skin cream or to get her ears pierced.

They came to a small theatre dug into the
ground in a half bowl shape with forty rows of gradually
descending, curved benches. “Here we are. It’s crowded, but I think
I see some seats.” He pointed to the right hand side of the bowl
and led her in that direction.

A couple of men glared at Frath when he
wanted to sit about halfway down into the theatre. He took the hint
and moved on. At Sheela’s questioning look he shrugged. “Not
everyone likes the Guard. I’m not going to spend our date creating
conflict. I think there’s a better seat anyway.” He pointed at a
clear space in the tenth row that was closer to the middle.

The people sitting on the bench moved their
legs so they could get through and a moment later, the two of them
were sitting in excellent seats with a clear view of the stage. A
brightly dressed woman with multiple piercings and tattoos, who sat
on Sheela’s left, nodded politely and went back to talking to her
friends.

Frath positioned his sword so it was
comfortably at his waist, but he could still get to it. Not
thinking, Sheela reached out and touched a small design on the
crossbar. The steel felt cold against her fingers and light rippled
through the design. She jerked her finger back, looking guiltily at
Frath.

The expression on his face was unreadable.
He reached down and touched the design, causing the light to ripple
again. “It’s the crest of the City Guard, a hawk holding a sword in
one claw and a wand in the other. All swords carried by the Guard
have a touch of magic. Dralin has more wizards and magical items
than anywhere in the world, so it’s a necessity.”

“It sounds so dangerous.” She wanted to
touch it again, but realized it would be inappropriate. “I think
you must be very dangerous, too, to be in the Guard, no?”

“Yes, I am . . .
very
dangerous,” he
admitted with downcast eyes. Then he looked up. “I promise I’m not
dangerous to you. I’ll protect you with my life.”

Sheela returned the gaze intently. “I know.
I’m not afraid of you. In fact, you make me feel safer than I’ve
ever felt in my life.”

“Ladies, gentleman, women of ill repute and
rogues from dark alleys. We welcome you all to the Gilded Lilly
Theatre!” The audience hushed as a foppish actor with an enormous
hat and booming voice announced the start of the show.

“May I put my arm around you?” Frath
whispered in her ear. Sheela nodded and snuggled close to him. The
feel of his thigh and armored side sent a thrill through her. She
idly noticed that his leg was more than twice as thick as hers
before paying attention to the actor again.

“Today we have a most wonderful show for
you. Originally we were going to perform a terrible show, but
decided against it at the last moment!” His words drew laughter
from the crowd and Sheela joined in as well. Frath’s rumbling
chuckle fell pleasantly on her ears and she could feel it through
his chest too.

Leaning down to her, he said. “Some of the
humor is bawdy. I didn’t think of that before . . .”

“It’s alright,” she assured him, although
she didn’t have any idea how she would react to it. The thought of
watching something bawdy sent a thrill through her veins.

Sheela blushed numerous times throughout the
show and laughed loudly even more often. A couple of times, Frath
told her they could go if she was uncomfortable, but she just told
him to hush so she could listen. A little over an hour later, the
show was done and Sheela had a large grin on her face while her
cheeks ached from laughter and were heated from blushing.

They spent the rest of the day strolling
around Carnival, watching various performers and snacking on treats
that Frath bought for her. Sheela was thankful that she didn’t eat
a lot so he wouldn’t spend too much money, not knowing how much he
could afford. As the sun lowered to the tops of the buildings in
the west, Frath suggested they head back, not wanting to have her
out at night when Carnival became more dangerous along with the
rest of the city.

Before they reached the Mosh District, Frath
drew her into one of the stalls selling jewelry. It wasn’t
expensive, but not cheap costume jewelry either. “How much for the
silver feather chain?” he asked the skinny vendor, pointing at a
sturdy but feminine chain with a small feather dipped in
silver.

“That’s a bargain at eight silver pieces,”
the man replied. He was so skinny that Sheela thought he might turn
into a skeleton if he didn’t eat soon. She gasped at the mention of
the price, thinking how amazed she was at having two simple
coppers, each worth only a tenth of a silver piece.

“Oh,” Frath replied with the enthusiasm gone
from his voice. He looked guiltily at Sheela, and then back at the
necklace.

Both shock and joy jolted her heart as she
realized he wanted to buy it for her, followed by panic that he
might actually do so. “Frath, no . . .” she told him, putting a
hand on his chest. “You’ve given me the most wonderful day of my
life. If you wasted that much money on me, the day would be ruined
by guilt.”

“Here now, you’re a pretty girl and it’s not
a waste!” the vendor exclaimed in concern at the thought of losing
a sale. His voice rose an octave. “I’ll lower the price to six
silver, a bargain, but just for you!”

Sheela ignored him. “No, Frath. Please. I am
so happy just to be with you.”

“Five silver, that’s my final offer!” the
vendor bargained desperately.

“You made the day worth living,” Frath told
her. “I’ve enjoyed this day more than any other in my life too.
Someday I’ll buy you jewelry worthy of your beautiful neck.” He
offered his arm to Sheela again and they continued on their way as
the vendor followed them out of the stall, insisting they take the
necklace for four silver.

***

They went through the gate into the garden,
back to the spot where they had started that morning. Frath held
her hands and looked into her eyes. The emotion in them was deep
and filled with meaning that had no words. Sheela understood what
those eyes communicated because her own were telling him similar
things.

“I’m scared . . . but you can kiss me now .
. .” Sheela whispered.

Frath didn’t move right away, causing her to
wonder if he would or not. She wasn’t sure which she hoped for
more. Then he put his right hand on her cheek and his left around
her waist. When his lips lightly touched hers, lightning shot
through every nerve in her body.

It was a short kiss that seemed to last an
eternity at the same time. When it ended, he placed his forehead
against hers for a few moments while she digested the emotions she
was feeling. Once again, Sheela froze during the kiss, but this
time she had been ready and enjoyed it. Wanting to experience more,
she tilted her head up to him.

He responded by kissing lightly again. This
time she returned the kiss tentatively and liked it even more.
After another, they sat on a nearby bench and talked about the day
at Carnival. One of the servants came out and lit scattered
lanterns in the garden as daylight faded the rest of the way. The
two of them continued to talk, interspersing conversation with the
occasional kiss. Sheela became more and more comfortable with
it.

After Purla walked by the third time and
coughed in their direction, they stood reluctantly. “Can I visit
you again?” Frath asked hopefully.

“Yes, I get every third day off like today,”
Sheela responded eagerly. “And you can visit for a few minutes any
other time. Purla says you’re a good man or else she wouldn’t allow
it.”

“Then I’ll be back next third day and maybe
a few times before then for a kiss . . . If that’s not too
bold.”

She shook her head vigorously. “I like
kissing now.” To prove her point, she gave him another. Then he
walked down the path to the gate, turning and looking back a few
times with a foolish grin on his face. “Be careful!” she called out
to him, suddenly nervous about him going out into the treacherous
city alone at night.

When Purla put her arm around Sheela’s
shoulders, she jumped. “He’ll be alright. I’m guessing the two of
you had a good time today?” the matronly woman asked in her kindly
voice. Sheela’s only response was to nod and grin like a fool. “I
thought as much. Will he be visiting again next week?”