Ebudae (27 page)

“Sorry, Captain,” Florsy apologized with a
blush.

She waved it off. “It’s actually not a bad
plan other than the part where two teenage girls go off putting
themselves into danger.” Captain Zephan folded her arms on the
table and stared at Pelya.

“I’ll rescue the Carnies. We’ll call it
reconditioning as part of my recovery.” Frath grinned widely,
eliciting a chuckle from the weaponmaster and a roll of the eyes
from the Captain.

“So it’s set then,” Grinkin said. “Me and
the boys’ll liberate any records related to Carnival takeovers and
kidnappings while Sergeant Jornin rescues the Carnies.”

“What about the official records?” Clutz
asked.

“I’ll send someone to the record house.”
Captain Zephan brushed the disobedient strands of hair behind her
ear yet again. “I think Captain Pumosa is investigating Master
Blavoci’s holdings. I’ll talk to her and see if she has more
information. Perhaps we can coordinate actions. You said Captain
Fallamer was investigating the death of the Carnie . . .
Juggles?”

Pelya nodded. “Yes. I don’t know what his
real name is.”

“Alright. I’ll let Captain Fallamer know we
have information and that we think Thanzin is behind it. She likes
you, Pelya, so she’ll be thrilled to help.” The captain put a hand
on Gilron’s shoulder. “What will you do sir?”

“It’s best I not tell you, Captain.” He gave
a slight smile with no humor behind it.

Captain Zephan stared at him for a moment
then sighed. “Very well.” She pointed at Frath. “You are
not
going anywhere by yourself. Who are you taking with?”

“Me.” Pelya lifted her chin in determination
that would not be swayed. “This is my mess. I know who the Carnies
are by sight and I’m extremely capable.” Just as everyone was about
to protest, she smacked her hand on the table hard. “I
will
grow up whether you want me to or not. You all know my abilities
and know that I’ll follow Daddy’s orders when we’re in danger. I’m
a good person to have guarding your back.” Pelya said the last part
to her father. She pleaded with her eyes, praying he would take
her.

Frath looked at Captain Zephan and Commander
Coodmur, but they just returned his gaze, letting him make the
decision. He looked back into Pelya’s eyes and smiled sadly.
Running the back of his hand against her cheek, he said, “Your
mother would love what a strong and determined young woman you’ve
become.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” Pelya didn’t say
anything else, but tried to look a little more strong with just a
touch of pitiful.

“There’s no one I’d rather have watching my
back,” he finally said. “If you get hurt though, you’re going to
see me kill a lot of people in a rage I won’t be able to control.
If that happens, you find a corner to hide in. After that, we may
have to leave Dralin in a hurry.”

She looked for any sign that he was joking,
but only found grave severity in the words. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Go then,” Captain Zephan said decisively,
the powerful words jerking them all out of the moment. “Before I
change my mind and realize that this is probably a terrible plan
after all.” She got up from the table to begin her own
preparations.

Pelya followed her father out of the garden,
feeling excitement at getting to go on an adventure with him and
worry that she might let him down.

Chapter
18

Pelya walked fast, but every once in a while
she had to take a few extra steps to keep up with her father. He
was lost deep in thought and she decided it was best not to disturb
him, plus she had enough things racing around in her own mind.

Lizor was dead and her uncles wouldn’t give
any details, which meant that it was probably gruesome. The images
she envisioned of his dead body made her stomach clench and she
brushed them aside.

She liked the muscle builder. He had invited
them into their shady tent and accepted them without judgment.
Lizor didn’t think Frath was a terrible person for raising Pelya in
the City Guard. He thought it was impressive that her father cared
so much for her that he would do so.

The Carnies had accepted her and Ebudae
without taking their raising into consideration. While it was true
that they hadn’t helped rescue the slaves, Pelya understood that
the Carnies were entertainers, not knights or heroes. Just rescuing
Aphry’s brother had gotten them taken or killed.

The one thing that didn’t make sense was
Juggle’s fate. Why in the world would anyone assassinate him? It
would make Thanzin’s dealings more difficult the next time he asked
someone for information. She wondered how Ebudae would take the
news.

A jolt of fear ran up her spine and caused
the hair on her arms to stand up. “Daddy? Do you think Thanzin
would hurt Ebudae? Would he have already visited?”

Frath looked at her with a frown and thought
about it for a moment. “Come on.” He set the pace at a
ground-eating jog that Pelya matched with effort.

They reached the estate slightly out of
breath. Nothing appeared wrong externally and the squirrel let them
in without pause. Mary opened the door for them after a few knocks.
“Is everyone safe?” Frath asked her.

“Yes. Lady Pallon is in the sitting room.”
Mary frowned at Pelya for no reason.

She ignored the look. Pelya didn’t like Mary
any more than she liked Lady Pallon. “Where’s Ebudae?”

“Probably sleeping like usual. She’s not my
concern.”

Pelya opened her mouth to respond, but her
Father dragged her inside. “We’ll pay our respects to Lady Pallon
first.” Pelya met Mary’s glare behind Frath’s back with one of her
own. They entered the sitting room where Lady Pallon was sitting
next to a crackling fire and looking out the window. The room was
cooled from the outside heat and the lit fireplace seemed out of
place. “This is an unusual place for you to sit, Milady,” Frath
said in surprise. “You normally take breakfast in the
conservatory.”

“I’m getting old, my friend.” Lady Pallon’s
voice had aged unnaturally and she looked tired. “This manor is
finally winning its battle to kill me.”

Frath sat down on the edge of a chair near
her. “What is it? You don’t look well.”

She closed her eyes. Everything about her
manner spoke to apathy. “I hate raising children. I just wanted a
peaceful life. It made me happy when Melody ran off.” When she
reopened her eyes they were crazed. “Ebudae is evil. She’ll murder
everyone in this forsaken city if she’s allowed to live.” Lady
Pallon reached out and grabbed his arm with a bony hand. “
Kill
her
,” she rasped. “Kill her, my friend, before it’s too
late.”

“Don’t you
dare
speak about her that
way, you
wicked,
terrible beast!” Pelya screamed at the
woman.

Lady Pallon gave a strangled cry as if
seeing Pelya there for the first time. The grip on Frath’s arm
became tighter and she crouched down. “Kill
her
too.”

Frath stood and angrily shook the arm off.
He didn’t say anything for a moment, but stood protectively in
front of Pelya. “You’ve been a good friend to me, Milady. It hurts
my heart to see you lose your mind.” He bowed. “I will always
remember you fondly. Good day.” Frath turned Pelya around roughly
and shoved her toward the exit of the room.

“KILL THEM!” Lady Pallon screamed at their
backs. “
Kill them before they destroy the world!
”

Pelya tried to look back, but her father
pushed her forward. She saw anger fighting grief across his face.
She dashed up the steps, trying to keep ahead of his pace.

The door to the suite was closed. Pelya
grabbed the handle and made to dash through. She crashed into it
hard because it was locked. Frath came up behind her. “It’s
advisable to open the door before walking into a room.”

She playfully scowled at him and was happy
to see an amused smirk on his lips. Pelya took out a key that
Ebudae had given her when they were younger. She opened the door
and they both went in.

Tina was standing at the entry to Ebudae’s
bedroom, watching to see who was entering. When Pelya and Frath
walked in, she visibly relaxed. Blankets and a pillow were on a
couch in the sitting room of the suite, indicating that perhaps the
woman was sleeping there.

“Hello, Tina. Is Ebudae alright?” Pelya
moved toward the room, relieved when the servant nodded. Frath
stayed in the sitting area with Tina.

The bedroom was dark with the curtains
closed. She climbed on the bed and crawled to the lump under the
covers with wild hair sticking out all over a pillow. “Ebudae?”
There was no movement. Pelya shook her shoulder. “Ebudae, wake
up.”

“Gmmbly”

Pelya tried to decipher the word. “. . .
What?”

Ebudae lifted her head and looked at her
with slitted eyes. “Go away. I’m tired,” she whined.

“Your life is in danger and your grandmother
is crazy or something. Wake up.” Pelya shook her again.

“I don’t like you anymore. Where’s my food?”
She sat up against the pillows and grabbed a tray of food on the
nightstand.

Pelya reached for a piece of bread and
snatched her hand back when Ebudae slapped it and growled at her.
“Are you still hungry from the spells you cast underground?” Pelya
asked.

“No. I went out the next night and had to
cast more. Then a man came here and I zapped him with lightning.”
It was hard to understand the words since they were said through
mouthfuls of food. “What time is it?”

“It’s morning three days after we broke into
the warehouse.” Pelya wanted a slice of bread, the oatmeal hadn’t
been enough that morning, but knew better than to take anything off
the wizardess’s plate.

Ebudae chewed on some cheese. “I need sleep.
I’m exhausted and my mind is muddled.”

“One of Blavoci’s men, named Samael Thanzin,
knows that we rescued those people and wants us to pay. Daddy and I
are going to rescue Aphry and Glav. They were kidnapped. I was
hoping you’d come with.”

“Does he have slick hair and a gold-gilded,
black coach?” Ebudae wiped an arm across her eyes and Pelya could
tell she wouldn’t be any help on their quest.

“I don’t know. I haven’t met him.”

“I hit him with lightning and threw a dagger
into his bodyguard’s leg. They limped out of here.” Ebudae looked
at Pelya miserably. “I can’t go. I need sleep so much.”

“Okay. You lie down and get some rest.”
Pelya set the food aside and tucked in her friend. Ebudae was
asleep instantly. That slice of bread Pelya had been coveting was
still on the plate along with a few strawberries. She gathered them
up and made her way off the large bed.

Frath and Tina were waiting at the bedroom
door. “Is she alright?” Frath asked.

“She used a bunch of magic and needs to
recover,” Pelya answered. “Tina, is she safe here?” Tina nodded
heartily, making it clear that the servant would protect her lady
with her life if need be. “Good. I’ll be back as soon as I can to
help you take care of her, but I have something to do first.”

Tina nodded and escorted them out, locking
the door behind them. Pelya looked back at the door and then at
Frath. “I’m scared for her.”

“I’m scared for both of them, but right now
I’m more concerned about your safety.” Frath rubbed his temples.
“There’s nothing we can do here right now, but we
can
rescue
your friends. Once we’re done with that, I think you should stay
here with Ebudae until you’re both out of danger.”

“That sounds like a good idea to me. I’m
ready. Last one down the stairs is old.” Pelya dashed down, beating
her father by two steps.

***

It took three hours to reach the Western
Livestock District next to the Western Slum District. There were
four primary highways into Dralin, one at each compass point. Just
as Dralin had enormous warehouse districts along each highway, it
also had livestock districts, inn districts and other districts
geared toward handling the vast amounts of people and wagon trains
travelling into and through the city. There were circular highways
within the city that connected the main highways. No trade passed
through the Wizard District or even the old districts surrounding
it.

There were also more slum districts than
could easily be counted. The biggest were named after the compass
points, just because it matched the names of other districts. Frath
had told his daughter more than once that city planners were lazy
and didn’t feel like working for their pay.

Pelya wasn’t allowed in slum districts or
many of the other more dangerous districts. The City Guard had
presence in them, but it was difficult to keep order and they
always traveled in full units. One of the biggest concerns that
Frath and Pelya had was that it was against regulations for a
Guardmember to be away from a unit in dangerous districts and that
included any slums.

Frath stayed inside the Livestock District
specifically for that reason. There were massive warehouses
surrounding livestock pens as far as the eye could see. Handlers
yelled and whistled at the various animals: cattle, goats, pigs,
horses and other domesticated stock that bellowed and called out in
frustration at being crowded inside of the thick wooden fences. The
stench was overwhelming in any season and any time of the day, but
the late-morning, summer sun drew the worst odors out of the ground
and animals. Pelya followed her father’s example when he put a
bandana over his mouth and nose. It was more common than not in
livestock districts and the only people who didn’t wear them were
individuals who spent their entire lives around the stench.

Most buildings in Dralin were built at least
partially out of stone. The city was inviting to all sorts of
criminals including many arsonists. Buildings made out of wood
tended to be set on fire, either by the arsonists, or by rivals
intent on destroying whatever business, gang or individual that
resided within said building. In this section of the city, only a
few of the warehouses were made of stone, but most had at least a
few feet of stone or brick walls with wooden planks making up the
rest of it.