“To ensure that we remain unseen as much as possible. Many people on the isles know me as I travel wide and far to settle squabbles for the vahasi. Without the whiskers, I look less like me. Also, when we set out into Yaza Kee, we will be traveling as a wealthy merchant and his hired bodyguard.”
“Not so much of a stretch from reality,” I said. He rubbed his hand over my chest to knock the crumbs free. That small touch made my skin heat.
“No, not much. The best fabrications are steeped in truth.” His gaze held mine for a moment before his hand dropped. He pushed to his feet. Rich green robes with fashionable white threads woven into the fabric billowed around his lean form. His feet were clad in sandals with shimmery ivory beads. Heoffered me his hand. I took it. Standing made my head swim for a moment, but it eased once I found the far-off docks of the city of Yaza Kee coming into view.
I gaped at the beautiful sight. This looked nothing like the docks of Celear.
Giant palm trees lined the black sands. Ships of various sizes with banners of yellow, red, blue, and lime fluttered atop a dozen or so mainmasts. The docks ran upward from the sea, into what appeared to be a vibrant marketplace packed with people. Awnings of peach, magenta, cool blue, as well as striped ones, stood out sharply against the dark wooden decking. Stairs led from the docks and market to white and tan buildings with graceful arched doorways. Blue and gold embellishments ran along the walls and gardens of the homes. Lush flowing plants with blooms of deep purple and pale pink danced in the wind. Large golden domes adorned many of the portside buildings.
“What a glorious sight,” I whispered, my stomach bubbling softly as I clung to the rail. I glanced at Teryn. He nodded with a pleased twist to his lips. “As is the port.”
Something heated ignited in his eyes. He wet his lips but said nothing. I should not have complimented him on his beauty. We had said we would keep our heads on this covert mission, but some things needed to be said. The man was stunning. I did prefer him with his sleek goatee though, but even without, he stole my breath.
“You are speaking with the tongue of a man delirious from lack of drink.” He padded over, lifted a cup of tea from a small table under the awning, and brought it to me. “Here, drink. It will wash away the lingering taste of the paste while refreshing your mind.”
I took the cup and returned my attention to the port as we sailed into one of several open berths. Smaller ships sat tied to the dock, little things that held perhaps two or three fishermen.Around the side sat larger ships, some with three or four sails as well as oars numbering in the dozens. The calls of the port workers reached my ears first. Several hastened to catch the ropes Porgo tossed to them. The ship thudded into the dock, and the noise of the marketplace could just be heard now.
“My name on this journey is Omid Emani, and I deal in importing lavender from the steppes of Celinthe.” He explained as our ship was secured and a gangplank laid out. “Your name is Farris Blackfire. I hired you just recently when we stopped at the port of Galesdi Gulf.”
“Understood.” I watched Porgo make his way to the gangplank to greet whoever was striding across it. A port master, no doubt, coming to check our paperwork and cargo, both of which I knew nothing about. “You may get dressed. Please wear the armor that you were given as well as your weapons. An intimidating guard speaks loudly without saying a word.”
“What of the cargo?” I asked in a whisper as a tall elven man in deep blue robes strode onto the deck. His face was lean, skeletal almost, but his pale blue eyes were sharp. A silver pin adorned his left shoulder, clasped to a small half cape. It appeared to have some sort of seal pressed into the metal.
“The hold is full of lavender,” Teryn whispered. I thought to ask how that had happened and then recalled this mission had the full backing of the king. Aelir probably emptied the royal stores of lavender to give our story credence. “Just get dressed. We will have to find our lodgings and arrange transportation for the night.”
With that, he left me standing at the rail, clad only in some light trousers and shirt, as he, Porgo, and the port master fell into conversation. The port master repeatedly glanced at me as I pulled on the coil root armor. Perhaps he had not seen many pale-skinned elves before. The armor was a pleasant surprise.It was lighter than my customary full plate. The wood had a slightly pungent smell. Or that could have been me. I’d not bathed in a few days. And I had been sick. Even now, tied to the dock, the motion under my booted feet made my belly churn. We could not exit this ship quickly enough.
When I was fully suited, I planted myself on the right side of Teryn, three steps back as I did for the king. The conversation was in Sandrayan. They seemed to have reached an accord. Teryn placed several gold coins in the port master’s hand. With a nod, the man gave me a long look before trundling down the walkway to melt into the dockworkers.
Teryn glanced at me, nodded his approval, and laid a hand on Porgo’s shoulder. “Now that the docking fees have been paid, would you be willing to oversee the cargo being unloaded, my friend? Then go find a nice room to rest. We will meet up in three days’ time on the other side of the Rajaz Mountains. Meet us at the port city of Shar-Aab where we discussed.”
“Aye, Mahouk.” Porgo gave me a tired-looking glance before heading off to meet with the dockworkers to begin toting the crates of precious lavender from the hold.
“Come then, Farris. I wish to wash the salt off my skin,” Teryn barked in a sharp tone. “Grab my bags.”
I did as told, fetching his bags and mine, then falling in behind him. The gangplank was thin and bounced when stepped on. My gut clenched with each step. When I stepped onto the dock, I felt a wash of relief. There was no rolling to and fro. If I’d not been playing the part of a hired sword for a man of great privilege, I would kiss the soggy boards. Leaving the ship behind, praise Ihdos, I followed Teryn. He had pulled a bit of his robing over his head to protect himself from the blazing sun. I was already soaked in sweat. The temperature here was quite high, much hotter than Celear, which was pleasant and temperate. The air was thick with moisture that clung to theskin, making it hard to cool off. Thankfully the armor eased the heat.
We climbed a long set of wooden stairs to enter the marketplace proper. The calls of dozens of merchants shouting out to us in a language that I did not understand floated past my ears. The plain wooden helmet I now wore exposed my ears. Glances from people milling about touched on me, their eyes darting to my pointed but shorter and much whiter ears. They stared openly, many with looks of disdain, others curiously. Now I knew how the wood elves and Sandrayans felt walking among the mainland elves. I kept my hand on the hilt of my sword, a silent but clear message, as I walked behind Teryn. I took note of many wealthy-looking people—men and women in robes, the men with various sorts of facial hair, robes adorned with jewels, milling about with stout men in similar types of light armor at their heels. Teryn and I did not stand out other than my pale face, for that was all that showed. Even my hands were covered in weathered leather. Whoever assessed my size for this armor had done a fine job. The gauntlets fit well, no small task as I had larger hands than most male elves.
Rich smells of roasted meats and grilled vegetables mingled with the aroma of spices. Caws of caged birds rang out. We passed several shaded stalls holding several quadoth, the humped beasts of burden used here in the Black Sands. Smaller cages holding spotted wildcat cubs were found across from the quadoth pens. The stall next to the cats had ginger monkeys on leashes that danced about for passersby who tossed coins into a cap their owner held out. The monkeys were entertaining. I’d only seen them in the menageries. Those did not dance. Those flung feces at people while baring long fangs. These seemed more docile.
Teryn stopped to talk to a heavy woman wearing a patch over one eye. I moved closer to the ambassador, wary ofeveryone who passed too close. They bartered quickly. Coins changed hands. Teryn walked off without saying a word.
The fat woman spat at my foot. I moved off, keeping up with Teryn throughout the maze of stalls and people. We climbed tall stairs and then entered one of the gold-domed buildings. The shaded interior was much cooler. A fountain bubbled merrily as well-dressed Sandrayans lounged on padded chaises, fanning themselves with brightly painted palm fronds as servers carried drinks and foods to them. A lovely young woman smiled at me from a blue chaise, her breasts easily viewed through the sheer robe of soft rose she wore.
“You are not here to gawk at whores!” Teryn spat loudly. The terseness surprised me, but then I recalled who we were playing. I ripped my sight from the woman and lowered my head to offer an apology. “Stupid mainland oaf.” Those around us tittered. “Stay at my side, or I shall send you back to the sisters where you can spend your miserable life hauling flower petals.”
“My apologies,” I mumbled as he strode off. I followed like a duckling waddling after the mother duck. Teryn did not glance back as he stopped at a desk. I waited, feeling much like one of the woodland beasts that used to be on display at the menageries of Melowynn. They had all been freed a season ago, the last cage emptied, the animals returned to their native lands. That had been a happy day for the wood elves. When Teryn left the desk, I fell in line at his heels, gawking at the smooth, cool walls as we climbed up four flights of steps. We stopped at an arched doorway, smaller than the exterior ones. With the turn of a key in a brass lock, Teryn threw open the door and disappeared inside. I entered, closed the door, and glanced around the room. It was pleasant and airy, with only one large bed with soft white sheeting draped around it from four tall posts at each corner.
“Pasil.” Teryn sighed, removing the linen robing from his head. “I am so sorry for the vile way I have treated you so far. Sadly, it is part of the ruse we must endure.”
“There is no need for apologies, Mahouk,” I said just as the door eased open. Turning quickly, sword leaving its scabbard, I looked at the terrified face of a serving girl with two buckets of hot water. Her dark eyes widened in fear.
Teryn rushed over, sliding in front of me, and spoke to the young woman in his native tongue. I eased back, slid my sword back into its scabbard, and removed my helmet. Another servant appeared. A stout man with huge ears carrying a hammered brass tub. Things were said as I eased to the far corner by a set of white open doors. Teryn joined me, melting into a small space that pressed his arm into mine.
“They are bringing us a bath and then a meal,” he explained as the staff of what I assumed was a hostelry toted bucket after bucket of water in and backed out when the tub was filled. The big man with the large ears gave me a saucy wink before leaving. “That is the second man who expressed an interest in you since we have arrived. I’m not sure if I should be flattered that they find my taste in protection so good or upset that so many people are lusting over your milky skin and stubby ears.”
I stared openly. “My ears are not stubby,” I parried and got a soft, amused laugh from Teryn as he slid his earring back in and gave his head a shake. The charms rang out subtly. “And who was the first?”
