‘We have a problem,’ the cheat said.
‘I guessed you may,’ Gidyon replied.
The man jabbed him in the chest. ‘You have money of ours.’
He smiled quizzically. ‘I thought I’d won it.’
‘Yes but we’ve changed our minds. We want it back.’
‘Ah, well now I see you’re right—we do have a problem.’
‘I see your stammer’s gone,’ the man said as he suddenly realised he was no longer talking with a simpleton.
Gidyon grinned. ‘It always works…regularly fools people.’
‘And now I think of it, the closest monastery is a five day ride from here.’
‘Correct again. What can I say?’ Gidyon said, throwing up his hands in mock capitulation.
The man nodded in appreciation of the young man’s arrogance. ‘Shall we ask my friends what they’d like to do about this?’
‘Why? We both know you cheated and we both know I cheated. Whoever you ask, I’ll still come up with the same reply. The money’s mine.’
‘I’m intrigued,’ the cheat said, chancing a look around Gidyon’s body because he was not tall enough to see above his shoulder. He saw that his friends approached slowly. ‘How did you dupe us all on your own?’
‘An ancient skill. I can’t show you, I’m afraid, or the guild of cheats will take me off its list of members.’ He gave his most amused grin.
‘Light! You’re a cocky bastard,’ the cheat said, suddenly losing his calm. ‘I can’t wait to pound your arrogant, handsome face to a pulp.’
‘Charming,’ said a voice Gidyon knew well.
‘Yseul!’
‘I knew it was you,’ she said, throwing a look of disdain towards the cheat.
‘Where were you? I’ve been looking for you?’
She snorted. ‘Hardly. If you’ve got this man chasing you it means you’ve wasted the day playing Hari. What are you doing back here, Belcher? I thought the Mayor told you and your lads to stay away from Brittelbury?’
‘We have,’ he answered indignantly. ‘It’s been two summers since we were last here.’
‘Well, that’s not long enough,’ she said calmly. ‘Take them and go or I’ll get the town guard onto you.’
He shot a look of hate towards Gidyon and glowered at Yseul. ‘I mean to get my money back, you whore.’
‘Not only charming but polite as always, Belcher. Leave or I will call them. I’ve seen this man fight,’ she said, pointing to Gidyon. ‘He’ll take six of you on and hold you off until I’m back with the guards.’
Belcher’s eyes narrowed as he considered his next move. He chose to back off and with a gesture called off his henchmen behind them. Gidyon and Yseul watched them leave.
‘I’m not sure you’ve seen the end of them,’ she murmured. ‘They turn up from time to time—I think they work the whole realm.’
‘You’re amazing.’
‘And you’re lucky I came along.’
He shrugged. ‘I had it all under control.’
She laughed. ‘Yes, I don’t doubt you did, knowing what you’re capable of.’ Both of them suddenly felt shy. Yseul filled the uncomfortable moment. ‘Er…look
why don’t you come over to where I have my stall and we can talk?’
‘You have a stall?’
‘Yes. My parents are the chandlers for the town. We’re all involved…even Gwerys.’
‘How is he?’
‘Oh, he’s fine.’
They walked together and Gidyon chanced taking her arm. She did not break step and he was pleased to have the physical contact, furious with himself for not kissing her hello and hating Belcher for spoiling their reunion. Now he would have to work towards a reason to kiss her again or Themesius would be disappointed.
‘So he’s over the trauma?’
Her smile faded. ‘I’m not sure really. He seems happy enough and it’s wonderful for him to be home again with the family but he still has nightmares and shakes uncontrollably. I do my best to be there for him.’ She shrugged.
It was instinctive. Gidyon moved his arm and gently draped it over her shoulder to pull her closer. ‘He’s a lucky boy to have you for his sister.’
‘Oh, he’s got four of us—all love him madly. I just have a special bond with him after all that we went through.’ She pointed to a neat stall with a striped awning. ‘Here we are.’
‘How clever your family is,’ Gidyon said, picking up candles and turning them around to marvel at the perfectly smooth and shiny wax.
‘My father’s family has done it for several generations. I think the knowledge just runs in our blood now.’
‘And you sell them here?’
She laughed. ‘No. We would only make a pittance if we did. Father takes them all around the Kingdom. Sells them to the monasteries and convents mainly. We make very special ones for the royal households and even more decorative candles for the crown ceremonies and events. We recently had to deliver a merry pile for the coronation. Did you hear about all the honoured guests…even the Cipreans sent a delegation.’
‘So I heard,’ Gidyon replied.
Yseul picked up a plain, creamy candle. ‘These here are just for local use in households. My youngest sister normally runs this stall but everyone’s sick in our family at the moment except me, my brother and my father who is away again.’
‘Oh.’ He did not know what else to say. They smiled and then their faces became more serious.
Yseul took a breath and put on a bright voice. ‘So, you’ve come.’
‘As promised,’ he said and did a short bow.
‘For the stone.’ It was not a question.
Gidyon looked towards his feet and then back into her strangely light-coloured eyes. He nodded.
‘Of course you did.’ She attempted a brave smile. ‘I don’t have it here, Gidyon. Perhaps I could bring it to you?’
He shrugged. ‘Yes.’ Then, feeling stupid, he added, ‘Are you busy this evening?’
‘Busy? Um…no, the usual things.’
‘That’s right, your family, I forgot,’ he said, wanting to rip his own tongue out for the clumsy way he was handling this.
‘No, they’ll be all right. What were you thinking of?’ He noticed she seemed just as anxious as he was.
‘Oh, it’s just that, I’m here with some friends.’
‘That’s nice,’ she said, nodding, not sure what he meant by this.
‘We’re in the
Greatest Show in the Land
.’
‘You’re in what? Oh…you mean the Freak Show…at the Green?’
He grinned. ‘Apparently I’m so handsome, it’s freakish.’
And he won the big laugh he wanted to hear from her. ‘Is that so?’
‘But tonight, my friends and I shall be performing a rather incredible balancing act. I thought you might like to come along, bring the stone…bring Gwerys.’
‘You mean it?’
‘Yes, I would love you to join us.’
‘Is Figgis with you? I should like to see him again.’
‘He is. And a new friend, Themesius. He’s a giant. Gwerys’s eyes will fall out of his head when he sees him.’
She burst out laughing again. ‘You jest.’
He shook his head with a knowing look. ‘Promise me you’ll come.’
‘All right. I’ll bring Gwerys…and the stone.’
‘Good. Tonight, then,’ he said, putting down the candles he had been holding during their conversation.
Her pale eyes were shining and she looked so pretty and happy to see him, he could not help himself. Gidyon leaned down and kissed her. Yseul did not allow him to get away with a peck and flung her arms around him. When he pulled away from her embrace he felt breathless.
‘I’m so glad you came,’ she said.
‘I can tell,’ he said and with a final affectionate grin, he left.
On his way back to the caravans, a lightness to his step and a sense of joy in his heart, he opened a Link to his father.
I shall have the stone returned tonight.
Good work, son. No trouble?
None. How about you?
Oh, you know, the usual trials…prisoner escaped, your mother and Saxon each shot with an arrow, Cloot’s tracking the attackers…everyday problems.
Gidyon paused, trying to work out if his father was just larking.
This is a jest?
His father sounded suddenly tired.
No, son. It’s my way of remaining calm. I have just removed the arrowheads from your mother and Saxon. They’re both sleeping now…and healing. I’m sitting here alone and wondering what in the Light will happen next.
Are you all right?
Yes, yes, I’m fine. I’m worried enough about your sister and now this. The arrow was surely meant for me. They were such bad shots.
How bad are the wounds?
They’ll both recover but they’re going to ache for days which will slow us up. I’m hoping the fevers will pass through them swiftly if they have to face them at all.
And Goth?
As soon as they make it through this night, I’m going after him.
Alone?
Cloot and I.
Right, so we’ll start backtracking towards you, then. You’re going to need help.
Head east as fast as you can, son.
We’ll leave tonight after the show.
Show?
A tale too long in the telling.
Fair enough. Get to your mother and Saxon. They’re going to be fairly helpless for a day or two.
The Link snapped shut and Gidyon’s high spirits came crashing back to the dusty road on which he walked.
Night fell and whilst Alyssa and Saxon shivered through the first touch of fever and Tor banked up the fire and watched them closely, Cloot stole ever closer to the group of men which included Goth. He was in obvious pain but the falcon had to admire the man’s strength. He talked through it, telling these men how rich and landed he was. It was obvious they did not recognise him. But then why should they? No longer instantly recognisable as the former chief inquisitor, the men accepted his twitching, tortured face without familiarity.
Cloot listened carefully for any information he could pass back to Tor.
‘Where are you men from?’ Goth asked, edging closer to their fire.
The one who seemed to be the leader grimaced. ‘Nowhere. Sailors originally,’ he said.
‘I’m surprised to see you in this Forest—and such a lonely part of it.’
‘What’s it to you?’
‘Nothing more than curiosity. Most Tallinese are frightened of the Great Forest.’
‘Not us. And not you, it seems.’
‘True,’ Goth said, lying. He had every reason to be afraid of the enchanted wood. He guessed they were men who had good reason to flee to deserted regions…even those considered dangerous. He changed the subject. ‘Where are you headed?’
‘Northwest. Caradoon.’
‘Ah. I know the place well.’
They looked at him carefully now.
‘It’s not a place for gentlemen,’ one replied.
‘I didn’t ever say I was one. I’m simply a rich man.’ Goth laughed mysteriously.
The sailors could tell he was a man with secrets and dark ways. They joined him laughing.
The leader pointed. ‘Then we are glad to have helped you—as you begged. But mind my words. If I don’t see your promised coin soon, I shall slit your throat as easy as a lamb at slaughter.’
Goth nodded. ‘I understand. You have my word. At Caradoon, I shall reward each of you highly for taking me away from those people. Trust me.’ He tried to grin but it never worked for him. ‘And whom might I be sharing this journey with?’
‘No names.’
‘Oh, my good fellow, you need not fear me. I am impressed enough with you both to offer you work. There is no need to find a ship to take your service…which is what I presume you are planning to do in Caradoon. I will pay you handsomely to act as bodyguards.’
The men looked at each other, sizing up the offer.
‘It’s been a while since we were at sea, Nord.’
Nord glared at his companion.
‘Ah, Nord,’ Goth said. ‘I am delighted to make your acquaintance and thank you for rescuing me from those people. Let me thank you properly by paying you a sizeable and regular fee for your protection services.’
‘Starting when?’ the huge former sailor said through slitted eyes.
‘Right now. You don’t think they will not give chase. I’ve already warned you about the bird.’
Nord snorted. ‘I’m not scared of a bird…and your talk of magic don’t scare me either.’
Goth nodded. ‘Still, show caution. Do you accept?’
The sailor glanced at his men who nodded enthusiastically. ‘Well, if I’m to share my name, I’ll know yours too.’
‘But you already do, my friend. I am Almyd Goth, former chief inquisitor of Tallinor and now outlaw in this Kingdom. However, I have since become the close and trusted adviser of the Ciprean monarch and I am here on secret business for my royal.’
Goth was the only one amongst them who was impressed by this speech.
‘Money alone talks, Goth,’ Nord replied.
‘And it will talk heartily to you, my friend.’ He held out his hand to shake on the deal with a questioning look on his face.
The man took his hand. ‘The name’s Nord Jesper.’
Cloot reported back all that he had learned, and wished he and Tor were together.
Why does that name ring a bell?
One of the sailors on
The Wasp? Cloot prompted.
No. But it’s so familiar. I shall have to think on it.
How are Alyssa and Saxon?
Sleeping, intermittently shivering and then come the sweats. It’s for the best. At least I know their bodies are fighting back.
Any plan?
Tor laughed.
You always hate my plans!
True,
the falcon said sagely,
but I also always go along with them.
I’ve spoken with Gidyon and he says he will have the stone shortly. He, Figgis and Themesius are leaving tonight, headed back east towards us. I’m hoping he can reach Alyssa and Saxon in the next two days.
So it’s safe to leave them alone?
I’d prefer not to but they have each other and we all have the Link. I will not let Goth get away again. What about you?
Fine. Cold. Wishing for my Forest.
Have you eaten?
No!
Grumpy, then?