“Hopefully he’ll be willing to give us a ride. Remember, my name is Malakai as long as we’re in Nedra.”
“Is the alias really necessary?”
“It’s not an alias.” Freddy grinned as he waited a beat. “It’s myaltarego.”
Shea sighed deeply. “I suppose, given our impending visit to Dorian, I should have expected you would adopt his brand of humor.”
“You have to admit; it was pretty clever.”
“Was it, though?”
“I bet it could have made even Lizzie laugh.” The worn path to the building climbed up a shallow embankment before leveling out. The weather had shifted from a light drizzle to a steady rain, dotting the hard-packed earth with dark spots. Freddy shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped the heavy fabric around his lute in an attempt to protect the instrument. “But the point is, I don’t need word getting back to Alfred that Prince Frederick of Kysta was booking river cruises without stopping to say hello. He would most likely take it as an offense, and I would prefer to keep Nedra from becoming enemy territory.”
A shadow, so brief that he nearly missed it, passed over Shea’s face. “I understand.”
They crossed the last remaining steps to the front of the building, and Freddy knocked sharply on the door. Shuffling sounds on the other side slowly grew louder, until the door swung inward with a creak, revealing an elderly gentleman with white, wispy hair and whiskers. His skin was wrinkled and tan from the sun, and despite his age, he boasted a hale, hearty frame and strong shoulders. His simple clothing, though clean,was nearly as patched and frayed as Freddy’s own, and his stockings were visible through holes in the toes of his boots.
“Whaddya want?” he barked, narrowing his sharp, dark eyes at them.
Freddy moved forward half a step. “We need a ride down the river. I was told that you could help us.”
The man leaned his head out the door, peering over their shoulders at the rain. He pulled his head back in with a shake. “Not a good day for it.”
Freddy put on his most engaging smile. “I understand it will be an inconvenience. My friend here—” He reached back and pulled Shea forward. “—is willing to pay you extra.”
Shea’s brow quirked in curious amusement, but he played along. “Of course. Just tell us how much.”
Hesitation played over the man’s face as he considered their offer. “I dunno. The Serpens’ bound to get feisty on a day like today, ‘specially as we go downriver.”
Freddy straightened his shoulders. “Look, mister…what is your name?”
“Rupert.”
“Rupert, I know the day is not a pleasant one for traveling, and I’m sure you would rather be inside in front of a cozy fire rather than ferrying two strangers down the river, but I’m trying to reach the woman I love before it’s too late.”
“Hmph.” Rupert crossed his arms. “If she loved you, I doubt she’d want you spendin’ the day in the rain and catchin’ your death of a cold.”
“But I love her, so it’s worth it.”
“Maybe for you, but not for me.” Rupert stepped back and started to close the door.
Freddy’s desperate hand shot out to keep the door from shutting. “Please. We’ll pay you double. I’ll even give you my boots.”
Rupert’s eyes gleamed with a sudden interest as he looked down at Freddy’s feet and back to his face. “I’ll go to Ackens, but not a lick farther.”
A sigh of relief escaped him. “That’s fine.”
“And it will cost you 20 silvers.”
It was an exorbitant price, but Freddy didn’t hesitate. “Done.”
“And the boots?”
Freddy leaned over and began untying the laces. He slipped them off, grimacing as the wet ground soaked through his socks, and handed them to Rupert. “Here.”
The old man grabbed them and held them greedily to his chest. “Let me get my coat.” He stepped back and slammed the door in their faces, leaving both men standing in the rain that had now become a downpour. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“I assume you have a way of paying for all this?” Shea asked easily. “Or shall I write a letter to the Kystan treasury?”
