Scrivener's Tale (20 page)

‘It's always like this, sir,' the boy wheezed. He reeled off a couple of names and rough directions.

‘Thanks,' Cassien said, showing the boy the bronze regent before slipping it into the lad's pocket.

‘Of course, sir, most men of your kind stay at the Yew Inn. It's away from the main square, a bit quieter — it's in the centre of the swordsmiths.'

Cassien frowned. Perhaps his clothes were marking him, for the boy surely couldn't see his sword beneath his cloak. ‘What makes you think that's where I should be?'

‘It's a better sort of establishment. And, with your weapons, sir, I'm presuming you are here to talk to the guild or one of the smiths.'

‘You can hear —' He stopped himself. ‘What's your name?'

The boy adjusted his load. ‘Ham, sir. Er, Hamelyn.'

‘Well, Hamelyn, I shall go to the Yew Inn. In that direction, you say?' Cassien said, pointing over his shoulder.

‘Follow that street to its end. You'll come to a small crossroads, at its centre a small fountain. Go right and continue … you'll see the smith shops and the inn is along there.'

‘Who do you work for, Ham? Wait, let me take that off you.' He dragged the load from Ham's shoulders. The lad visibly sighed before stretching.

‘Thank you, sir. I am an errand boy for hire. There are many noblemen who come into the town needing the smiths and they all want errands run. This job is for Lady Hartnell.' When Cassien looked unimpressed, Ham added, ‘She's Lord Hartnell's wife and is setting up a country house on the outskirts of town.'

‘Couldn't Lady Hartnell have this taken by horse and cart?'

‘They forgot this.'

‘Ah. When you're done with Lady Hartnell's errands, come and see me. I'll be at the Yew.'

Ham's face lit up. ‘Yes, sir. Who do I ask for?'

‘I'm Cassien Figaret. Now, let me help you get loaded up again.' They lifted the bundle together and Cassien was astonished at just how heavy the burden was on Ham's back. He was strong. ‘All right?'

‘Yes, Master Figaret. It's balanced.'

‘Call me Cassien. I'll be waiting.' He lifted a hand in farewell but the boy had already turned and lurched off. That was intriguing. How could Hamelyn hear his weapons when they were magically silenced? He looked forward to seeing the lad again.

Cassien found the Yew Inn without difficulty but he took his time and moved slowly through the street of swordsmiths, awestruck that he was actually here. He wanted to visit each of the shops, but Wevyr's, like a beacon, drew him toward it. He could see it up ahead; nothing grand about it and yet it seemed to emanate an aura … silent, slightly sinister, yet not in a way that was alarming. It had none of the traffic that the other smiths appeared to be experiencing. Wevyr's seemed to deter anyone from entering. It clearly didn't take idle enquirers. He smiled. This street — and particularly Wevyr's — was like the high altar for any obedient warrior.

Before he could pay a visit to the famous swordsmith, he needed to get his horses seen to. A man seemed to read his thoughts.

‘Are you staying at the Yew, sir?'

‘Hoping to.'

‘There's room,' the man replied. ‘Shall I take the horses?'

‘Er, yes, thank you.' Cassien frowned. He could almost imagine this was a scam and then the man would walk away with a fine pair of mounts and laugh with his friends at the idiocy of the stranger in the dark cloak. ‘Wait, I'd like to see the stables, please.'

‘Follow me, sir. My name is Robb.'

The man led him down a side street and then into a smaller lane that brought him to the rear of what was clearly a busy inn and an equally busy stable. He felt foolish for being so suspicious but reminded himself that not to be might cost him his life. He needed to be suspicious of everyone and every situation, especially while he was familiarising himself with people and city life.

‘These horses have travelled a long distance and bravely, because I had to push them. I want them to have the best feed and sweet water. Do you understand, Robb?'

‘All our horses —'

‘No, Robb. I want these horses to be treated generously and with kindness. I insist. I'm happy to pay you handsomely for your trouble.'

Robb blinked slowly as he digested this. ‘I understand, sir.'

‘Thank you.' Cassien produced another coin, a silver duke this time. ‘Give them a good rub down, too.'

Robb's eyes widened. He clearly wasn't used to seeing silver and reached for it greedily. ‘Consider it done, sir.'

‘Good. I'll be back later to check on them.'

He wove his way back to the entrance of the Yew Inn. His belly, which he'd ignored since the previous evening, was now howling to be fed. The landlord greeted him warmly.

‘A room for you, sir?'

‘Please. Two nights,' he said, unsure why he'd need that long. ‘Do you have one with a bath?'

‘No, sir, I'm sorry. But the baths in Orkyld have few equal, save the public one in Pearlis. I'd wager you'd have a better soak there than in your room.'

Cassien grinned. ‘Truly?'

The innkeeper nodded. ‘I'd recommend the one favoured by the guild. It's not far from here and tends to be frequented by men such as yourself, sir. We have others, of course, equally good but perhaps not as … discreet.' He smiled. ‘And, if you're looking for relaxation of a different nature, sir, there are the brothels, and the better ones have bathing facilities.'

‘Indeed. Are there many brothels in Orkyld?'

The man reached behind him to some hooks and found the key he was looking for. ‘I've lost count. Orkyld is now the second largest town outside of the capital.' He shrugged. ‘That means there's plenty of everything.'

‘Innkeeper …?'

‘Erris, sir.'

‘Good. Erris, what if I wanted to find a particular girl? I promised an old friend I'd look for her … if you get my meaning,' Cassien said, sounding conspiratorial. He winked for good measure.

Erris gave a sly smile. ‘I do, sir. Anything you need can be arranged for a price.'

Cassien dug into the pocket where he'd stored some of Fynch's coin. ‘How much do I owe you for the room and meals?'

‘That would be a crown and six.'

Cassien did a quick calculation. He was having to re-learn how to use money. Six meant regents he recalled. ‘I see. And if I wanted that particular errand we've recently discussed?'

‘I'd round it up to two crowns, sir, and assure you that it was all included. I can have her sent to your room … er, that is, if you prefer not to visit the brothel and will take your bath in one of the houses.'

‘Yes, that would be convenient, Erris, thank you.'

‘May I have the girl's name, sir?'

‘Well, here's the thing, I've forgotten it,' Cassien lied, making a sound of disgust at himself. ‘I was drunk when I was told and all I can remember is that her name is something like Petal, or Pila, perhaps?'

‘Ah, no, sir,' he said with a wide, knowing smile. ‘It's not Pila. Her name is Penely. Hair like flame, mayhap?'

‘That's the one!'

Erris chuckled. ‘It's whether she's available, sir. Penely is extremely popular.'

‘Do what you can, Erris. I'm keen to meet her, even for a brief time, although tell her I will pay her for a night even if she can only spare an hour.'

Erris regarded him with interest. ‘I'll see what I can do, Master …?'

‘Figaret.'

‘Figaret,' Erris repeated. ‘After your evening meal, sir. Shall we say three hours after sundown?'

‘Fine. There's also an errand boy calling for me. His name is Hamelyn. He can probably catch up with me at the bathhouse.'

‘Of course, sir,' Erris replied.

Cassien arrived outside the bathhouse, having taken his time getting a feel for this lively town. Ham had been right. The area around the Yew Inn was quieter and somehow more secretive.

He wanted to get the business of the whore behind him. He didn't know what he was going to do yet. Cassien knew that if he had to kill her he'd need to follow her for a few hours and make it appear as though one of her other clients had done the deed. He couldn't have her found anywhere near the Yew Inn or her brothel.

He started to notice a steady trickle of men arriving and realised this would not to be a quiet experience. At the Abbey, the Brotherhood bathed in tubs dragged into a single cold room. The more senior the Brother, the hotter and cleaner the water. Cassien couldn't remember a time when he'd ever bathed in clean hot water, not even at Wife Wiggins's, who swore it was freshly drawn, but Cassien knew she had lied; he'd shared enough tub water to tell fresh from used. He felt a twinge of uncertainty and was fighting a desire to head back to the inn when a familiar voice hollered.

‘Master Cassien!' He swung around and could see young Hamelyn running at full pelt. Cassien lifted a hand in relief. The youngster arrived, not even out of breath, and smiling. ‘The innkeeper sent me here to find you. Are you taking a bath?'

‘I need a shave and hair trim more than a bath.'

‘I know someone who can do that better. And even more privately.'

Cassien was impressed. ‘How do you reckon I need discretion?'

‘Hidden weapons, sir. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn.'

‘No, I'm glad you're here.'

‘It's not a very elegant establishment.'

‘Take me. I no longer care.'

Ham was carrying a sack. ‘I brought you this, Master Cassien. The innkeeper is putting it on your tab.'

Cassien peered inside and saw a small loaf and a hunk of cheese.

‘I heard your belly growling earlier.'

‘Shar's breath, but you're attentive and smart.'

The lad nodded, grinning.

‘Thank you,' Cassien said, taking the sack. ‘I hadn't realised how famished I was until this moment.' He reached in and took the heel of bread out. ‘Here,' he said, ripping the bread in half. ‘You look pretty scrawny yourself.'

Ham caught the food nimbly.

‘Half the cheese is yours, too. Tell me, Ham, who do you belong to?' Cassien asked, falling in step as the boy led them down a small alleyway.

‘Belong to, sir?' Ham asked in between chewing.

‘Please, I want you to call me Cassien. In fact, I insist and, as I'm paying, you have to do exactly as I request.' Ham smiled tentatively. ‘Yes,' Cassien continued more gently, ‘belong to, as in family.'

‘I have no-one. I live at the orphanage, share my takings with Master and Wife Bally, who look after the orphans of Orkyld.'

‘I see. I was orphaned,' Cassien admitted, ‘but I was fortunate to be given a home with a large and generous family.'

‘You look prosperous.'

‘Looks can be deceiving,' Cassien admitted, ‘but I have means, yes. And I would like to employ your services full-time.'

‘As what?'

‘Ham, you said you could hear my sword.'

‘Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it.'

‘Why?'

‘Because a sword that speaks is obviously magical and I suspect that's not something you wish attention drawn to. I know your sword, you see. I watched it being forged.'

Cassien halted. ‘I thought Wevyr worked in complete secret on his special jobs.'

‘Normally he does. But I heard it. It spoke to me.'

‘Now you've got me intrigued.'

‘I was making a delivery to Master Wevyr for one of the nobles, at an unusual time. Night, in fact. I didn't want to disturb the swordsmith, but his lordship insisted, paid us both double for the bother. I couldn't find Master Wevyr initially, then I heard a strange murmuring that was half-sung, half-spoken. I thought …' He shook his head.

‘Thought what?'

Ham looked embarrassed. ‘I thought the voice called my name. I walked toward the forge. I knew I shouldn't disturb anyone, but the calling felt insistent and it was in my head. Hard to describe, sir,' he said, forgetting himself.

‘You're saying it's magic?' Cassien asked quietly.

The boy shrugged. ‘I'm just telling you how it felt.'

‘So you went inside the forge?'

‘No. I found a peephole and spied inside. I saw the iron of your sword being poured.'

‘You sound scared.'

Ham took an audible breath. Then lifted a shoulder in a manner that suggested he didn't like talking of this. ‘We're here … Cassien,' he said, pointing to a shabby shop entrance.

‘Thank you. Ham, can you hear my sword now?'

He nodded. ‘I can hear it making normal sounds of metal as you walk, but I know others can't. I can also —'

‘How do you know others can't hear it?'

‘Can you hear it?'

Cassien shook his head. ‘No.'

Ham said nothing but looked down.

‘You can also … what?'

Again the boy took a deep breath. ‘I can still hear it murmuring. It went away for a while but then called strongly to me today. It's how I found you when you arrived in Orkyld.'

‘You found me? No. I picked you at random.'

Hamelyn gave a sad smile. ‘The sword called me to you. It didn't actually say anything in words so much as I somehow knew it needed me to meet you.'

‘Shar's balls! What's happening here?' Cassien growled to himself, hating the notion that he was being manipulated. ‘What did you see in the forge?'

‘I'd rather not say.'

‘Why?'

‘It was too odd.'

‘Tell me, Ham. I have to work out what's going on. We're both involved and we're being coerced.'

‘I don't know what that means.'

‘It doesn't matter. I need to make sure neither of us is in danger but especially that you are not.'

‘Don't worry for me. Besides, the sword is my friend. So are its companions.'