To Claim the Elvin Princess: Apprentice (15 page)

25

Elaradan had made the journey many times to the Elvin city and was reasonably familiar with its arrangement, especially as to where the markets and traders might be found. The great market was enormous, and a place where a thousand merchants might have spacious room to display and sell all manner of wares. The place known as the lesser market was more utilitarian, selling all manner of foods and produce, baked goods and other staples, but little in the way of clothing or hard goods.

The wandering merchant seldom came here, except to get candies and other items that would travel well, or something for himself, while in the city. Even so, it took only a bit of roaming to find the one named Coudrien, at a stall where he sold and traded all manner of valuables, especially jewelry.

“Ah, what brings you to me, this fine day? Coudrien wondered, when Elaradan approached him.

“I have journeyed far, and been among friends, who asked me to seek you out. A certain one has words she wished me to convey,” Elaradan quietly whispered.

“And who might this one be?” Coudrien wondered.

“She calls herself...Shocara...perhaps you’ve heard of her?”

“You are free to travel to such a distant place, but yet enter in here unhindered? My friend! We have much to speak of! Let me finish my affairs, and we will go to a place where no prying ears might hear us!” Coudrien suggested, winking.

The merchant left his helper in charge, and guided Elaradan down the street and up a flight of stairs to a small cafe, where they could have a drink, and sit near the railing at a table far from any other. There were few in the place, it being mid-afternoon, and little prospect of any arriving for a time.

“What is new among the Eridians?” Coudrien wondered. His companion shrugged.

“Little seems different. They attack the Elvin, and the Elvin attack them. Shocara has seemed eager for new things...”

“Her attack here was quite shocking, and caused much upset. It made me quite proud!”

“How long since you left your homeland?”

“Nearly ten years...I do well enough, but miss my old life among the people. There are others here, but all who are have abandoned our way of life, being well corrupted by the Elvin! What brings you to me?”

“Shocara wishes you to help her...to gain information that might aid your people, and believes you can find such! She knows I am willing to carry such to her, if you can acquire it!”

“That is the hard part. But I may have a way. I have managed to get one into the Citadel, within the Princess’ own staff. She is only a maid, but I can use her to subvert another, who would know more; that one keeps Amein’s affairs in order, and is privy to much about what is happening. That could help our friends!”

“And how might you bend such a one?”

“She holds a secret, that she would be loath to have revealed.  Faced with such a possibility, she will do as we wish!”

“What secret?!” Elaradan demanded, suddenly curious

“It is her nature...she is not what she appears!”.

“She is a Coumaderini? Shocara tells me such exist, and are hidden among the Elvin.” Elaradan whispered, after looking over his shoulder. Coudrien looked nervous, but nodded.

“Such is true. Guard well that knowledge...it is a dangerous secret. The Elvin have no idea any of them still exist. The one I wish to subvert is such, and will no doubt wish to keep herself unknown! The Elvin are not fond of being deceived!”

“I would hope so. If she were to speak to the Elvin, that would be unfortunate!”

“She is young, and likely to be too afraid. What knowledge might help our friends?”

“The Princess is most interested in knowing in advance what the Elvin are intending. Where and when would be greatly helpful, if you understand me,” the trader suggested.

“That is reasonable. I will see what I can do to gather such. But how will you get such information to our friends in a timely fashion?”

“Are you familiar with the Eridian village of Azarkitan? It is the closest one to this city. Shocara has caused a couple of flyers to stay there, so that such bounty might reach her sooner than by travel such as I might effect. A rider on a horse could reach there in a day...might you know someone reliable to convey it there?”

“I know several who might do so...I could even attempt it in dire need. I may also know one inclined to relay such, who is close to the Citadel, where our spy might easily go to pass on such good gems, and garner no suspicion, should any watch her.”

“Your plan seems sound. I would hate to have to face the Elvin, being known as an enemy! Their powers are wicked and unbeatable!”

“Ah, but not endless. You would be shocked to know that fully ten thousand Coumaderini live here, appearing as Elvin, unknown and unknowable by the Elvin?” Coudrien suggested slyly. Elaradan’s expression well displayed the truth of this.

“How can such be possible?” he whispered. His companion shrugged.

“I have no idea. Few of them now know any of the history of their own people, they having hidden successfully for two centuries!”

“How might you be so well informed of this...unless...”

“Of course...I am one of them. I went from hiding among the Eridians, to being here, hidden among the Elvin. Our people are tired of being trapped as we are. Should you manage to undermine the Elvin, we might at least be free ourselves, to shed our pretence and walk as we are!”

“And thus you are willing to aid the Eridians!”

“Of course. What motivates you to take these risks?” The trader shrugged.

“Maybe I’m fond of helping what seems a lost cause? Honestly, I’d like to own myself an Elvin female...” he sighed, as Coudrien laughed loudly.

It was three days before Coudrien had a chance to see the one hidden in the Elvin Citidel, Gishari, who seemed a normal elf, but was in fact a shape shifter like Coudrien. She had wandered into his market stall, seeming eager to look at the shiny wares displayed there. She was carrying a bag slung over her shoulder, like one fondly used by most elves when they went shopping for things. Hers had accumulated all manner of sweets and treats, such as the typical elf might favor, along with a couple of items of clothing to wear, when not wearing the dress required of her as a servant. She was accorded much free time to recreate or engage in such play as any elf might wish, spending only part of each day working to keep Amein’s private areas tidy and well ordered.

“Ah, the young elf girl likes pretty things!” Coudrien declared, approaching her. He gave no sign that she was other than a normal, random visitor to his place.

“I am fond of such, you are correct, but am not wealthy!” she laughed.

“But you are well employed in the Citadel, are you not?” the merchant asked, seeing the subtle marks on her dress which so declared her.

“I am gratefully so, but only as a lowly servant. I will never have huge riches as such!” she laughed brightly.

“But you dream of such, do you not?” Coudrien asked quietly, so none might hear. “Perhaps you’d like to aid some friends, and thus be better rewarded?” he asked. Gishari glanced around, before answering.

“Of course I would, but is it dangerous? I imagine one might be well compensated for taking a risk, would they not?” she asked, whispering.

“I should enlighten you more in private! Perhaps you would visit a lonely merchant, and hold his hand, while telling him amusing tales?”

“Tell me where I should have such a meeting!” she replied, picking up an expensive pair of ear rings. “I am fond of these!” she spoke louder, so any about might hear, and assume they were haggling over goods.

“Come to the third abode on the smith’s lane, just past the corner tavern at the ninth hour. Take the stairs up to the second floor, and seek out the second door on the right hand, and knock boldly four times. We have much to speak of! If you are prompt, I shall reward you with these...since they please your eye! And don’t wear the livery of the Citadel!” he added. Gishari nodded, and looked a bit longer, before going off.

The light was rapidly fading, as she approached the appointed place a bit before the ninth hour. It had taken nearly an hour of walking to reach her destination, and her eagerness was wilting, by the time she climbed the stairs. The corridor was well lit, and she had no trouble finding the proper door. Four sharp raps brought no response, and Gishari was debating whether to knock again, or simply leave, when a small metallic sound reached her ears. The door suddenly swung open, and Coudrien waved her in, grinning fully. He said nothing, until the door was shut and latched.

“Come, join me for a drink!” he suggested, his mood festive. He took her hand, and led her further, coming at last to a second room. He bade her sit, and retrieved two glasses and a bottle, from which he poured wine.

“It is seldom that one such as you graces my humble dwelling!” he suggested.

“I can’t imagine you’d have difficulty finding an elf in such a city as this!” she laughed. “There must be a million here!”

“But not near as many are as you are!” Coudrien insisted, taking a drink.

“You act as though I’m special!”

“You are...you are no elf,” he quietly declared, having placed his hand on her upper arm. Gishari felt his hand grip her arm tightly, as she sat, scarcely able to breath.

“What might you imagine I am?” she asked, trying to stay calm.

“What I am...a Coumaderini!” he said, suddenly having his face shift to it’s natural state. “Please, be yourself! Your secret is safe here!” he declared. Gishari sat, open mouthed, and utterly mesmerized, before she put her glass down, and likewise transformed.

“How is it you know my secret?”

“Someone long ago became aware of it, and eventually passed the knowledge to me. Have you ever wondered how you managed to be chosen to be in the Elvin Citadel?”

“My friend, Elaria suggested I try to...you know her?!” she demanded, seeing things in a new light.

“We wished to have friendly eyes within such a place...friendly to our people!”

“I though almost none were in existence! All I know are my close family!” she hissed, angry.

“So it has been, as we seek to avoid the scrutiny of the Elvin...perhaps you’d like to help our friends, and maybe help free our people?”

“Who are our friends?” Gishari wondered.

“The Eridians...there are ways you may seek to aid them!”

“Dangerous ways?”

“Not so bad...” he said, reaching into his pocket, and pulling out the ear rings Gishari liked. He turned her hand over and placed them in her palm, then put a half dozen coins therein also.

“You would find that the Eridians pay better than the Elvin!” he insisted. “What do you think? Are you willing to help us?”

Gishari stood, and turned, and slipped onto Coudrien’s lap. “I am tired of pretending to be an elf! Tell me what I must do!” she whispered, and closing her large eyes, she leaned close to touch her lips to his.

26

Rasten had begun his day at first light, moving from one practice exercise to the next. He had first gone for a run with Amein, whose Elfish stamina had been hard to equal, when he first began. She had been delighted to tease and motivate him, running in front of him so he could chase her cute behind, and even running backwards occasionally to taunt him when he complained overly about being tired. She stopped this after tripping and landing on her butt, accompanied by Rasten’s loud laughter.

As his conditioning improved, he found keeping up with her easier. In addition to this, he had a session of other training, to develop his strength and agility. The first few sessions of this had been brutal, but he soon overcame it, much to his own amazement.

On this day he had worked at both allowon riding and flying on a terranak, before going to Master Roein’s for more sword work. By mid afternoon he was beat, and eager to go have a bath, the smell of sweat and allowon strong. Instead, he was met at the door to the Master’s place by a young and adorably cute Elvin female, who had other ideas about where he needed to go.

“Greetings Lord Rasten! I am Kyieria; The Princess wishes me to guide you to meet the Sage, Amin Hareiastin! He will instruct you on matters of great importance, that being your special powers and abilities!” the young elf gushed, clearly excited to be given such a task. Rasten merely sighed, and offered her his arm.

“I don’t smell all that good, after all my training,” he complained.

“It does not bother me!” she exclaimed, looking like she would agree to being had even were he covered with mud or manure.

Their long walk took them far up into the heights of the city, into the part on the west side of the Citadel, and almost above it. The view, as Rasten paused to look out over the city was astounding, the large lake to the south of the city beautiful and a rich blue in the late afternoon sun.

“Forgive the long hike to reach me, but I am partial to the view!” A voice rasped behind him. Rasten turned to find an elf that looked older than any he had yet seen. Compared to beings who all seemed ridiculously young, this one was ancient.