Flameseeker (Book 3) (14 page)

“Seven doses’ll do.”

Stix filled two small pouches with fine,
tan-colored powder, secured them with a leather tie and handed them to Nester.
“I’ll sell you those for twelve gold.”

Nester blinked. “T-
twelve
? You’re no longer
givin’ me a discount?”

Stix rubbed his short spiky hair, making it an
amber mess. “That
is
the discount. I’ve had to raise the prices of the
poisons due to the unsteady inflow. I’m sure you understand.”

“Aye, aye ...” Nester made a sour face.

“But, we’re friends, eh? If you find me some valuables
during your travels, I’ll throw in an extra supply, and we’ll call it even.”

“Deal.” Nester placed the packets into one of his
belt pouches then fished for some coins in his purse to hand to Stix. “I told
you I’ll find you stuff, anyway. I just need some time ... an’ a boat.”

Stix raised his thin eyebrows. “A boat? So that
was your
other
request, I take it?”

“Aye. My mates and I are tryin’ to get to Ankhram.
We’ve got some business over there. I figured you’d be th’ best one to pull th’
right strings an’ find us somethin’ that’ll take us across th’ sea.”

Stix rubbed his short sideburns as he pondered. “I
could get you something, but I’ll need a favor from you, first.”

Nester groaned. “Aw, c’mon, mate. It’s really important
that we get to Ankhram as soon as possible. Can’t it wait till I get back?”

“I’m afraid it can’t, if you really need that
boat. But trust me,”—he smirked—“you’ll like my offer.”

XIV

While waiting for Nester to return, Kaijin and the
rest of his friends sat around a large wooden table in the Inn of Good Home, having
a meal. Dusk was fast approaching, and the city’s outdoor and indoor activities
were coming into full swing, bringing boisterous customers into the inn. Tables
and benches had been moved aside to allow more room in the center of the inn. In
one corner, a pair of flamboyantly dressed bards played a lively tune on their
lute and
bansuri
, inspiring some of the patrons to get up and dance.
Kaijin laughed as he watched some of the dancers trip and stumble, jostle
waitresses, and bump into tables.

Something furry tickled Kaijin’s shin, and he
looked under the table at Sable, who was happily indulging in a plate of fish
that was almost as big as she was. Nearby, Percival tore greedily at a smaller
dish of chicken.

“I’m surprised Nester’s still not back yet. He
seems like the type who wouldn’t miss this kind of entertainment,” Jarial
mused, nursing a tankard of mead.

Omari nearly choked on his stew. “‘Surprised’? Surely,
you jest, Master Glace. If that confounded brownie were here, he would only be
causing trouble and embarrassing us.”

“Hmm. Yes, you’re right.” Jarial took a sip, hiding
his smile. “But still, the little scoundrel does grow on a person.”

“He’ll have to come back at some point,” Zarya
said. “The waiting list for the next boat to Sinan is four weeks long, so he is
just as stuck as we are.”

Kaijin idly ran his finger along the brim of his
cup of barley tea, not paying much attention to his friends. He stared at the
ring on his finger and let his mind drift to Ranaiah. But his thoughts were
interrupted by the sounds of a spoon plunking in an empty bowl. He shot a sidelong
look at Aidan sitting beside him.

The giant seemed oblivious to the group’s conversation.
He rammed bite after bite of his massive meal, enough for ten people, into his
mouth—roasted pork, chicken, stew, vegetables, and bread.

A young elven waitress approached their table,
carrying a tray of cups and overflowing tankards that sloshed about. Once she’d
served everyone, she sashayed away in time with the happy music.

Zarya stood up. “Oh, I can’t stand it anymore.
Everyone looks like they’re having so much fun. I’m going to dance!”

Kaijin smiled at her but remained sitting. He took
a slow sip from his fresh cup of tea.

She looked at him hopefully. “Would you like to
dance with me, Kaijin?”

Kaijin averted his eyes to his cup’s contents. “Uh
... No, thanks. I honestly don’t know how to dance. I’ll probably end up
stepping on your feet or something.” He looked up at her, smiling
apologetically.

Her eyes dulled. “No, you ... you won’t. Never mind.”
She headed into the crowd.

Kaijin watched her for a moment, then turned away
and took a bigger gulp of tea, hiding his frown.
I’d rather not go.
His
thoughts returned to Ranaiah, and he felt a bit less flustered. He glanced
across the table at Omari, who smirked at him, and Kaijin wondered if perhaps
the other mage had read his mind.

In a huff, Jarial stood. “You’ve a lot to learn
about women, boy. Especially young beautiful ones like her. Never leave them
unattended.” He stepped around the table and joined Zarya, who looked surprised
for a moment, but then happily took his arm.

Kaijin blinked at the two of them.
Master
Jarial? And ... Zarya?

As Kaijin was trying to comprehend the scene, the
waitress returned with another meat dish for Aidan, but the half-Dragon waved
her off, indicating his fullness with a pat of his distended belly. She promptly
cleared away the empty plates and left.

A thundering belch came from Aidan, and he covered
his mouth, hiding his growing smile. “Pardon,” he muttered.

Omari arched an eyebrow. “For what? Your belly is
full, and you enjoyed your meal, did you not?”

Aidan wrinkled his brow. “Well, yes, but—”

“You know, Omari,” Kaijin interjected, “some
people
do
find belching to be obnoxious behavior.”

“Not so in Ankhram,” Omari said. “It is considered
a compliment. But I will tell you what
is
obnoxious: shaking hands.”

Kaijin made a face. “What?”

“I noticed this shaking hands business is most
prevalent amongst the elven race. They have such a disgusting way of greeting
each other.”

“I don’t quite understand. What’s wrong with
shaking hands? It’s a sign of mutual trust and respect.”

Omari’s eyes went wide. “Confound it! Do you know
how unsanitary it is to shake another person’s hand? Ugh! It makes me want to
take a bath, just thinking about it.”

“So how do the people of Ankhram greet each other?”

“Simple. We bow.”

“That was what Aidan did, too, when he lived in monastery,”
Aidan said.

Omari nodded. “Good. So then you understand.”

Aidan shrugged. “It was one of the rules. The
masters would punish us if we did not obey them.”

“Your masters were wise, Aidan.”

Kaijin rolled his eyes and turned back to continue
watching the dancing. He smiled, watching Jarial and Zarya. Despite the initial
oddness, Jarial’s disguise did give the illusion that the two of them could be
a fitting couple. Kaijin had never seen his master so spry and lively, and the
way he kept in step with the music’s quick tempo was amazing. For so long,
Kaijin had only known Jarial to be a stoic man who discouraged fun; that night,
however, Jarial acted like an entirely different person.

I guess I see why he likes staying young all
the time.

Zarya danced as elegantly as she looked. Her perfectly
proportioned body flowed like water, and her movements mesmerized him. He knew
little about the Celestial race, but assumed they were all like gods and
goddesses in everything they did: perfect in every way.

Occasionally, Zarya glanced over at Kaijin,
catching his gaze, but then she would avert her eyes. Sadness still lingered in
them, and for a moment, Kaijin thought he saw Ranaiah, instead.

* * *

It’s great to be young again,
Jarial
thought as he twirled with Zarya. Holding her hands, he guided their steps in
rhythm with the music. Her hands were soft and gentle and very smooth.
Everything
about her is completely flawless.
He smiled.

Their eyes met briefly, and Zarya blushed.

What is she thinking right now? What does she
think of me?
Jarial tried to hide his worry, but his thoughts went back to
five days ago, when she’d seen his face and body as they truly were: wrinkled
and ugly.
Gods, how could I have been so careless?

Jarial breathed a sigh of relief when the music
began to slow and transition into something more melodic. His youthful disguise
gave him the stamina and endurance of a young man for a time, but pushing the
illusion too hard was unwise. He was still an old man beneath the glamour, and
he had to be careful.

Zarya released his hand, smiling. “I’m going
outside for some fresh air.”

Jarial watched her head to the door, and then he suddenly
realized he was going to be alone again. “Ah ... wait, my dear. Would you like
some company?”

Zarya raised her eyebrows, then nodded once. “Yes,
I think I would very much. Thank you.” She turned and exited the inn.

Before he followed her, Jarial glanced over his
shoulder at Kaijin, Omari, and Aidan, who remained at the table, chatting with
each other. Sable sat comfortably atop the windowsill near them, watching the
inn’s activity.

Jarial met with Zarya outside in a small courtyard
tucked beside the inn. They sat together on a bench under a tree. Jarial didn’t
didn’t sit too close to her, as tempted as he was. But even from where she sat,
he still caught her alluring scent and inhaled with a smile. “Thank you for
that lovely dance, my dear,” he said, breaking the silence.

She returned the smile, but it faltered, and she
looked away.

With a slight tilt of his head, Jarial reached
over and carefully placed his hand over hers. “Your hand is cold. Are you all
right?”

She looked down, but didn’t withdraw her hand.
“I’m fine. I’m just ... a little tired from the dancing, it’s all.”

He gently squeezed her hand. “I think not. Please,
tell me what ails you.”

She raised her head slowly. “I ... I should not be
feeling this way. But it bothers me. Why does the Goddess allow me to dwell on
the past? Is this some sort of test?”

“What do you mean?”

She sighed. “I am worried about Kaijin.”

He sensed she wanted to say more, even though she
didn’t. But he already knew. “You must care deeply for him, Zarya. I must
admit, I envy him, but I understand. Please rest assured you have nothing to
worry about, however, as you are a lady of the Goddess Celestra, and your faith
in Her will ensure his safety.” He tenderly brought her hand to his lips, eyes
still fixed on hers. He felt his heart pound faster as he did so. “Moreover, it
is obvious that Ignis has plans for Kaijin, being that he is a Firebrand.” As
he said that, he heard the soft batting of wings above, and spotted Miele
hanging from the branches high overhead.

Zarya’s cheeks went pink, and she pulled her hand
away. “Yes, but Ignis is as unpredictable as His element. We can never put our
full trust in Him that Kaijin will remain safe.”

“Of course not, but there is nothing either you or
I can do about it, right now.” He looked at her hand, so far from his, and
sighed. “I am more worried about you, Zarya. We are all depending on you for
your healing and prayers. You must perform your very best.” He stood and turned
toward the inn. “I think I am going to retire for the night.” He took a step,
but Zarya suddenly grabbed his arm.

“Jarial ...”

He paused.

“Thank you. For listening.”

He turned to her and smiled. “Of course, my dear. I—”

The sound of hurried footfalls stopped him. As he
looked around, he spotted Nester run past the courtyard’s entrance. Nester
backed up and peered into the courtyard at them.

“Oh! ’Ey! Am I glad to see you two!” the brownie exclaimed,
out of breath. “I’ve got some great news!”

* * *

With his arms crossed, Kaijin shifted his weight
as he and his friends gathered in a sleeping room of the inn, listening to
Nester, who stood on a chair so everyone could hear and see him. Everybody
looked attentive to what the brownie had to say, except for Aidan, who was
preoccupied with rubbing his back on a corner of an armoire. His actions almost
mimicked Sable’s, who rubbed her whole body against the leg of the chair that
Nester stood upon. Percival, seemingly amused by the cat, playfully pawed at
her tail, which she continuously flicked irritably out of his reach. Meanwhile,
Miele remained perched on a wooden ceiling beam above Kaijin, her wings folded
around her.

“So let me get this straight, Nester,” Zarya said,
placing her hands on her hips. “Your shady friend wants you to search the tunnels
for some items that were stolen from him?”

“Aye, that’s about right, beautiful.” Nester
grinned innocently. “No ’arm in a little explorin’, aye?”

Omari rolled his eyes. “There is obviously more to
this story than he is letting on.”

“Indeed,” Jarial said coolly. “How much did your
friend
give you to do this?”

“Nothin’, I tell you! I swear on my pa’s grave ’e
ain’t give me a soddin’ thing to do this! I’m just tryin’ to ’elp others, like
you blokes always keep tellin’ me to do!”

“All right, Nester,” Kaijin said. “And you are
sure
that we will have access to a boat afterwards?”

“Aye. Th’ next passenger ship’s not due back for a
month, but there are many merchant an’ supply ships that come an’ go daily. But
th’ only way to board those is to ’ave th’ special documents I was tellin’ you
all about. Trust me. This’ll be easy!”

Omari scoffed. “Trust
you
? Do not make me
laugh.”

“Well,” Kaijin said, looking to the rest of his
friends, “we don’t have a month to wait, so why don’t we do this with Nester?
What do we have to lose?”

“Our minds, if you honestly think Nester is really
doing this out of ‘good faith,’” Omari said flatly.

Frowning, Nester hopped off the chair, his heels
narrowly missing Sable’s tail. “Fine! I’ll just do it myself! I’ll get that
soddin’ ship an’ leave all you blokes ’ere!” He stormed out of the room.

The door slammed, and Kaijin sprang out of his
chair.
I need to go after him!

Jarial grabbed his arm. “Wait, Kaijin.”

Kaijin glared. “I can’t wait that long for a boat,
Master. It’s obvious that Nester is the only one of us that knows enough about
this city to get around. There are people back at the Pyre counting on me to
make things right.”

“I think Kaijin is right,” Zarya added. “Unfortunately,
we seem to not have much of a choice. We should follow Nester.”

Jarial looked at the priestess, frowning, but
freed Kaijin’s arm.

Omari looked around the group and scoffed. “You
people
cannot
be serious!”

“Zarya’s right, Omari,” Jarial said. “We should
not delay Na’val’s vengeance any longer than we can help.”

He scowled. “Oh, confound it all! Fine. Let us get
it over with, then.”

Kaijin looked over to Aidan, who was still struggling
with an itch. “Will you join us as well, Aidan?”

Aidan paused his scratching and acknowledged
Kaijin with a grimace. “Yes, whatever. Aidan will help,” he said hastily and
continued scratching.

Zarya went to the half-Dragon and assisted him. A
few scratches with her fingernails helped calm him.