The Guardians (Book 2) (48 page)

‘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.’

Penn turned back towards Luhxdal, with a bemused expression. ‘It’s strange. I was having that exact thought just as you spoke.’

Luhxdal folded his arms and smiled. ‘You’re my half-brother. It’s bound to happen occasionally.’

Penn frowned and shook his head slightly. ‘Keep that to yourself. It wouldn’t do for people to know the Sub-Commander is related to me. They’d think any promotion I might get comes from favoritism.’

Luhxdal shrugged. ‘As you wish. Sit back down for a moment.’ Penn returned to his seat and looked expectantly at his brother. ‘How do you feel everything is coming along?’

‘It goes reasonably well. I’ve had a few setbacks, but its back on schedule.’

‘Are you sure you want to go through with it?’

‘I have to!’ Penn watched Luhxdal angrily. ‘These are my people! People just like me! I won’t let them down.’

‘Keep the noise down! It’s just such a huge undertaking. I heard there was a problem at your factory.’ Luhxdal stared interrogatively Penn.

‘It’s nothing.’ Penn waved his hand dismissively. ‘There were a few difficulties. So we moved the factory. We have a new building, new workers, so it’s all fixed.’

‘I have no idea where you find the time. If anything else goes wrong, you can’t come running to me, I have enough to deal with inside the Sanctuary right now.’

‘I’ve never come running to you before and I don’t intend to start now,’ Penn said scornfully. ‘You go and chase your woman and I’ll go and interrogate Graedy.’

Luhxdal shrugged, rose from the table and disappeared through the door.

Guli stayed hidden under the counter in confused silence. He frowned when he heard Penn’s voice once again. He pressed his eye to the crack and then drew back sharply. The man standing in front of Penn was definitely a warrior of the fallen. Even at this distance, Guli could see his almost black eyes.

‘We’re ready,’ Penn was saying. ‘Provided there are no unexpected interruptions, I’m certain all will go as planned. And I doubt there will be any interruptions. We have the Empress surrounded by useless servants. Anyone who seemed like they might be even remotely helpful to her, we’ve removed. Unless she calls for help from another country, I doubt we need to worry.’

‘Hmm.
Another country.’ The warrior looked at Penn speculatively. ‘Keep an eye on the city gates, won’t you. Cahndrech might be young, but she’s not stupid. Never assume anything. Don’t leave anything to chance. And keep an eye on that soldier from Alkira. I wouldn’t put it past the Empress to send him for help. Have Guard Kaduk keep an eye on him.’

‘I told my brother to watch the city gates for foreigners. Tell me - not that I don’t appreciate your help - why would one of the...
er...Free be interested in my business? Penn seemed nervous talking to the warrior and Guli couldn’t blame him. The warrior could kill him easily and disappear before anyone even realized what had happened.