Sea Queen (10 page)

“My…my master ordered me to gather him some new clothes,” Talon finally said.

A light of revelation crossed the shop keep’s face, and he nodded with consideration. “Why didn’t you say so? What’s the occasion?”

“Occasion?”

“What kind of function does he need the clothes for? A ball, a dinner, business, leisure?”

“Uh, leisure.”

The shop keep led Talon past a variety of suits, with high collars and shiny buttons, to more leisurely attire. A leather vest caught Talon’s eyes. Next to it were matching boots and gloves.

“What size is your master?” the keep asked.

“My master sent me to get clothes because we share exact measurements,” said Talon.

The man regarded him curiously over his spectacles. “Well, what’s his taste? I haven’t got all day for late shoppers.”

“Uh, he would like this vest, and the matching boots and gloves.”

The shop keep quickly measured Talon at different angles, murmuring to himself, and then found the right size vest.

“You sure his feet are the same size as yours?” the keep asked, reaching for a pair of boots.

“Yes, sir”

“Try these on—but if they don’t fit your master, I’m not offering any refunds.”

Talon bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”

He slipped the boots on and they fit well. The first pair of gloves were too tight, but the next were perfect.

The shop keep moved toward the trousers. “Your master got a favorite color?”

“Them brown ones will do— and one of them blue shirts with the short sleeves. On second thought, better make it two pairs each.”

He noticed a long, dark blue cloak with a hood. It would be perfect to hide behind. He pointed to it. “I’ll…My master would like that too.”

The shop keep grunted and gathered the clothes, making his way to his counter. He put the merchandise neatly in a sack, and added up the sale on paper.

“Fifteen silver.”

Talon gulped. He rummaged in his coin purse for a gold piece. He laid one down on the counter with a clink—by paying with a gold coin, he could finally learn how many silver one was worth. The keep lifted the coin and eyed it thoughtfully. “Dwarven gold, eh? Your master got business with the Ky’Dren dwarves?”

Talon reached for the bag. “His business brings us all over.”

The keep nodded and counted out the change. “Ten silver is the difference,” he said, handing over the coins.

Talon took the change, and made a mental note that one gold was worth twenty five silver. He turned on his heel with a quick thanks and moved quickly to the door, but stopped at the threshold. “Where can my master purchase a fine horse, do you know?”

“Might have some luck at the stables to the west of town, up by the orchards—place called Greyson Coursers, or he can hire one from the hackneymen in town, whichever pleases him.”

The sun had set outside, and twilight was waning into the night. In the shadows of an empty alley, Talon ducked behind a pile of crates and changed out of his Skomm attire. The weight of the cloak was reassuring. He felt safer peering out from under the hood. He stuffed his old clothes behind the crates and emerged from the alley a new man. No one would be able to tell that he was Skomm from a distance. He kept his head down and made for Greyson Coursers.

The farm was easy enough to find. It was on a high hill overlooking the village. Three long barns and two houses sat on the property.

Talon strode up to one of the barns with the confidence of a free man. A young boy of seven or eight was chasing a chicken with a stick but stopped when he noticed Talon.

“Who are you?” the boy asked.”

“Hello, I’m…Jahsin Akkeri. I’m in need of a horse.”

The boy laughed and said, “That’s a strange name.”

“Is the master around?”

The boy pointed to the center barn and said, “In there,” before scampering off.

Talon reached the barn just as a big, broad shouldered man walked out. He extended his hand and said, “Hello, sir. I’m Jahsin Akkeri. I’m in need of a horse.”

The man regarded him for a moment before shaking his hand. “Lucas Greyson,” he said. “Bit late to be calling.” He turned and started walking toward the barn.

Talon followed him to the door but stopped there, having not been invited inside.

“I apologize, but I just got into town. I ain’t for staying the night. I’ve business in the west,” he explained.

“Well, then come on. I’m late for dinner as it is.”

Talon followed the man to the back of the long barn. Along both sides were horses of all different colors.

“You need a packhorse, I imagine.”

“Yes,” said Talon.

Greyson leaned against one of the stalls and pointed to the last few horses in the row. “These here are young and strong. Just shoed ‘em too.”

Talon inspected the horses as if he knew what he was looking for. One of them, mostly white with big blotches of brown, moved toward him and stuck his head over the stall door. Talon pet him cautiously.

“How much for this one?”

“Thunder? I’d part with him for seventy five silver and nothing less.”

Talon couldn’t hide his surprise. “Seventy five silver!”

“Look here, kid, he’s got new shoes and comes with the saddle to boot. My dinner’s getting cold as we speak. What’s it going to be?” He folded his arms and spit on the floor.

“He comes with a saddle?”

“Is what I said.”

“Alright, sir, you got a deal.”

The man gave a nod and unlatched Thunder’s gate. As he went to retrieve the horse, Talon rummaged through his bag until he found three of his four gold pieces. He handed the money to the man and was given the reins.

Greyson inspected the coins. “He’s eaten recently and had plenty of water. Mind you take good care of him.”

“Oh, I will,” said Talon, and turned to lead Thunder out of the barn.

“Say…hold up there, son.” He eyed Talon thoughtfully. “It’s late and dinner’s ready—how ‘bout you join me and my family for a meal. We can tie off Thunder in front of the house. The wife has cooked up a few chickens, and her apple pie is the best in Shierdon.”

The thought of hot food made his mouth water. “I don’t know…”

“Think nothing of it. You say you got business in the west—well, a hungry ride takes a lot longer, believe me. Come on.”

“Well…I guess I have time for a good meal,” said Talon. “I will join you, thank you.”

Horsemen follow through the night. Man with krellr rides with them. Torches split dark, they draw close. – Gretzen Spiritbone, 4980.

The Greyson
Bighouse
—as they called it—was bustling with activity. Lord Greyson employed six stablemen along with his two sons. His wife and three daughters tended to the cook fires while the men sat around the long table, laughing and carrying on. When Greyson introduced Talon as Jahsin Akkeri, everyone offered him a hearty hello.

Talon couldn’t help but grin and blush, given all the attention. “Hello, everyone.”

He marveled at the house’s fine woodwork. Jahsin’s little hut had seemed grand when first he saw it, but this abode proved it shoddy in comparison. No mud was squeezed between the boards, and the floor was hardwood, rather than dirt.

“Thellious, Bryson,” said Greyson, “come with me for a moment.”

Two of the men seated followed him out the door.

“So what brings you to these parts?” asked one of those who remained. He was sucking on a long piece of green straw. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

Talon smiled. “I’ve business in the west.”

“What kind of business?” asked another.

Talon stammered. “Well—”

“Enough talking for now, boys. Dinner’s ready,” said Greyson’s wife. She and the girls had started to bring dishes of food out from the kitchen.

Greyson soon returned and took his seat at the head of the table. The promised chickens smelled wonderful, and it seemed when Greyson said “a couple,” what he meant was four. Fresh bread was laid out too, still steaming from the oven, along with peas, carrots, boiled potatoes, corn, and some sort of greens.

Greyson’s oldest daughter bumped Talon’s shoulder with her bosom as she laid the dishes on the table. “Sorry,” she said, with a coy grin. She was about sixteen and beautiful, with long blonde hair and small, delicate features. Her big blue eyes held his gaze for a moment, but he turned away quickly.

“Help yourself, Jahsin,” said Lady Greyson.

Talon thanked her and happily complied.

One of the boys—with shaggy blonde hair and the same delicate features as his sister—scooped up a forkful of carrots and brought it to his mouth.

A swift slap from one of his sisters found the back of his head. “Not ‘till we say thanks, Elwin. You know that!”

“Mom!” the boy called.

“Mind your sister,” said Lady Greyson.

Everyone at the table joined hands. On Talon’s right was one of the stable hands, and on his left, the eldest daughter. She offered him another smile.

Lady Greyson looked to her. “Alexandria, dear, would you lead us in thanks?”

As she stood, the others closed their eyes and Talon followed their lead.

“Lord and creator of all things good and pure.” she began, squeezing Talon’s hand.

He peeked at her and, to his horror, found she was staring right at him. A quick sweep of the table revealed that everyone else still had their eyes shut.

“Thank you for the quick spring and long summer…” She began rubbing Talon’s finger with her thumb.

He tried not to flinch.

“Thank you for seeding our fertile land.” Her hand squeezed his again.

Talon gulped.

“Thank you, Alexandria. That was wonderful,” said Lady Greyson.”

The man to Talon’s right released his hand and dug in to the food, but Alexandria still held firm. He gently pulled his sweaty hand away, and began eating with the others. The chicken was delicious—a bit too much spice for his liking, but good nonetheless. The vegetables were in season, and there was even butter for the bread. He’d rarely eaten so well, and savored every bite.

“Where are Thellious and Bryson,” Lady Greyson asked her husband.

He indicated he had just taken a bite, and chewed quickly before answering. “They’ll be along shortly, dear.”

She seemed unsatisfied by the explanation, but said no more, and turned to Talon with a kind smile. “Have you traveled far, Jahsin?”

“I have.”
Think of something, Talon, think. They know you are Skomm.

“You’re from Volnoss aren’t you?” asked Alexandria. She was staring too intently for his liking.

“Alexandria, mind your manners. Not everyone of darker skin is from Volnoss. Besides, those animals are giants,” said Lady Greyson—though the same question was in her eyes.

“Where
are
you from, if you don’t mind my asking?” said Lord Greyson, gaining him a flat stare from his wife.

“Uh, western Eldalon,” said Talon, frantically. He tried to remember the name of a city or village in Eldalon, but instead, used the name of the mines he had worked in. “A village called Oreton.”

“Oreton,” Greyson said to himself, pondering. “Never heard of it.”

Talon gave a small laugh. “You wouldn’t have. It ain’t much worth speaking of.”

Two of the men shared a look and offered Greyson a knowing glance. Lady Greyson didn’t miss the silent gestures. She looked to her husband and to Talon in turn. He suddenly felt trapped.

They know!

Talon finished his glass of goat’s milk and rose from his chair wiping his mouth.

“Well, I’ve got a long road ahead—”

Lord Greyson stood as well. “Nonsense! You still haven’t tried Lady Greyson’s pie.”

Everyone stopped eating and watched the two.

“Thank you for the offer, really, but I must be going.”

“You’re not going anywhere, slave,” Lord Greyson said with authority.

The other men stood to block his way.

“What in the name of—” Lady Greyson began.

“Get the girls upstairs, Anna!”

The men began closing in.

“Please, just let me go. I don’t want to hurt you!” Talon pleaded.

“Everyone stop!” Lady Greyson screamed. Even her husband complied. “Explain yourself, Lucas Marshall Greyson!”

“This one here’s a runaway slave. He’s wanted for killing seven men in Dresden,” Greyson explained.

“This boy is no killer. What makes you think it was him. Do those look like the clothes of a slave?”

“He fits the description of one of them perfectly, fancy clothes or not. There’s a bounty on his head of fifty gold.”

Talon had noticed the window behind him and took advantage of the momentary confusion. He turned, took two powerful steps, and leapt through, landing on the flowerbed below. From inside the house he heard Greyson’s orders to catch him and sprang to his feet. A strong hand grabbed his collar through the window.

“I got him!” said one of the men.

“Let me go!” Talon cried.

Just then he noticed a large group of men on horseback riding toward the house. They were still a good distance down the road, but their torches told him there were at least a dozen. He shrugged off the stableman’s grip as the others, armed with swords and knives, spilled out of the house.

The horsemen were already spreading out to block him in all directions, leaving him no time to untie Thunder and get away. He turned and ran for the barn as fast as he could.

“Don’t let him get away!” Lord Greyson cried. “Five gold to the man who stops him!”

The farm hands cheered and pursued Talon with renewed vigor.

“Chief, come to me!” he cried.

Chief appeared running beside him in the blink of an eye. Upon seeing him, the horses in the barn went berserk.

“We got big trouble, boy.”

Chief growled.

Talon suddenly had an idea and began unlatching the stalls as he passed.

“We have to get out of here. Chase them horses out the front—that’ll slow them down.”

Soon a steady stream of horses was fleeing from Chief and nearly trampling stablemen.

Talon followed them out, trying to stay low, but was quickly lassoed from both sides. Two big stablemen pulled with all their might, and Talon’s breath was squeezed out of him. Chief attacked one of them and the man fell back, screaming.

“Wolf!” someone cried.

The men on horseback had circled the barn—McGillus among them. Talon yanked on the other rope and sent the man sprawling in the dirt. More ropes came at him as he scrambled out of his bonds. To his right, a man with a big net was stalking toward him, and one of McGillus’s horsemen came with one as well.

“Chief!”

The wolf charged and the horse reared, throwing off its rider.

The distraction offered Talon a way out, and together he and Chief cut through the chaos toward the forest. The horses took some coaxing from their masters, but soon the sound of steady galloping ensued.

Arrows flew past Talon’s head and stuck in the ground in front of him.

“Stop, boy, or the next ones in your back!” a voice warned.

He ran on.

The power of Kyrr gave him strength and made the night seem like day. Once again, time seemed to slow. The ground flew by beneath his feet in a blur. The whine of arrows sounded clearly in his enhanced ears, and he followed their flight by sound, leaping to the side as one flew by.

“I have your girl!” yelled McGillus.

Talon slowed.

The captain called again. “I have Akkeri!”

Talon’s legs buckled slightly and he staggered. He turned to face his pursuers, who slowed to a trot as Chief took a threatening stance.

“That’s far enough!” Talon yelled.

On McGillus’s command the horsemen stopped, and he rode ahead of his men a few strides.

Talon knew they couldn’t see him well in the faint moonlight, even with their torches, but he on the other hand could see for miles. He called out to McGillus, “I didn’t murder those men. I was attacked and I defended myself justly.”

“You’re a runaway Skomm. An Agoran was killed when you helped the others escape—it doesn’t matter if it was in self-defense or not,” McGillus answered. His voice was naturally loud, and carried easily. It commanded attention and exuded authority. “Aside from me and mine,” he continued, “you now have the attention of the Shierdonian guard. You’re not long for this life if you keep running.”

“Steady, Chief,” said Talon, considering his options.

“I would have words with you,” said McGillus. “Privately.”

“Just you, alone,” Talon called back.

Some of the men seemed to be urging McGillus not to do something foolish, but he waved them off with annoyance. A hooded figure to the right of the captain said nothing of the matter, but seemed to reinforce his will.

Finally, McGillus said, “Me and my guard—it seems only fair…you have the wolf.”

Talon cursed under his breath. “Fine, but stay where you are. Have your men retreat to the barn. Then we’ll talk.”

With his enhanced sight, he watched as McGillus ordered them all to comply. All the while, the hooded figure seemed to stare right through him.

When the men had reached the barn, Talon crept a few feet closer, and McGillus and his man got down from their horses.

“What do you want from me?” Talon asked.

“The law says I should take your head. You and that band of yours killed many of my men, but I haven’t gotten where I’m at by being hasty and emotional. I want to strike a deal.”

“You said you have Akkeri…prove it.”

“All in good time, lad, all in good time. Lay down your arms and come with me. You can see for yourself.”

Talon scoffed. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“On the contrary, my boy,
stupid
does not thwart the Chiefson of Timberwolf Tribe.
Stupid
does not escape from Volnoss. No, Talon Windwalker, I do not think you are stupid.”

Talon realized anyone with one good ear would have heard stories about him from the newly purchased Skomm. He hadn’t considered it before, but now realized word of his escape would have already spread far and wide on Volnoss. “What’s the deal you mentioned?” he asked.

“Work for me and I can guarantee your charges will disappear. No one will hunt you. You can be with her—you can live as a free man.”

Talon considered his words, trying to figure out what the angle was.

McGillus sensed his hesitation. “If I wanted you dead I wouldn’t make up an elaborate scheme and risk my neck like this. I would simply wait for the bounty hunters, or Shierdonian soldiers, to bring me your head. What will it be?”