Fallen Grace (The Death Dealer Book 1) (10 page)

The young woman angrily kicked a stone that was in her path. Donald was lost in his own thoughts. They couldn’t even speak to one another. They both knew they were careless and stupid, especially since the Prince had been gracious enough to point that out. If they’d kept Calvin in his room, Grace might have succeeded. Or if they hadn’t even tried to compete, all would have been right.

Behind them the noise of hoof beats arose, traveling fast. Grace looked at Donald and the two moved to the side of the road. No longer could they share the road with any members of nobility. The two lowered their heads and waited for the horses to pass.

They grew closer and closer and slowed as they came within a few feet of the travelers. Grace just wanted them to hurry along, but the horses stopped.

“Do not lower your eyes to us,” Calvin’s soft voice floated to Grace’s ears.

She looked up and saw her cousin with Cassandra. He slid from his horse and pulled Grace into a hug. His right arm was wrapped up, so he wasn’t able to give Grace the hug he wanted to. “I am so sorry, Grace. I could not let them kill you, but I never thought to break you free. Drake left me a note after Frederick announced another witch had freed you. We left straight away so we could see you one last time.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing. I should not have been so rash, but I did not want to see Arganis have to forfeit the tournament. Forgive me, Calvin.”

“
Grace, do not worry about that. The tournament does not matter.” Calvin released Grace and motioned to Cassandra. The maid got off her horse and pulled down two bags with her.

“
My lady,” she said; hugging Grace. She released her and then hugged Donald. “Sweet Donald.”

“
I thought you might need these things on the road ahead. You can use them to travel back home, or if you decide to break away, these supplies will serve you well. As long as I dwell in Arganis you are welcome – you know that, right?” Grace nodded. “Please write me from wherever you find yourself. I will worry too much if you and Donald fall out of touch.” Calvin hugged Grace one last time and then mounted his horse again. “And this is for you – Henry of Egona wrote it. Be careful and do not keep us in the dark about your whereabouts.”

Cassandra handed Donald and Grace their bags. “Watch over her, Donald, and do take care of yourselves.” Cassandra hugged them both one last time and then mounted her horse.

After they were out of sight, Grace opened her bag. Two plain linen dresses, a small brown pouch of coin, and some food. She rummaged around some more and saw the glint of steel. Her sword and The Death Dealer clothes were stuffed into the very bottom.

She looked at Donald. It was apparent that Calvin and Cassandra hoped she would continue her work. She wondered what Donald thought, but then Donald guessed what was in Grace’s bag and smiled. “I hear the port city of Glenbard is a breeding place for murderers and robbers. Perhaps we should head there.”

Five

Glenbard was located on the eastern coast of Cesernan in Ursana, close to the northern border of Egona. Originally the city was meant to be the capital, and a small castle was built there. However, in the early days of Cesernan, pirates ravaged the shoreline and the capital was moved farther inland.

It took Grace and Donald three days in the blistering heat to arrive in the port city. The trip took so long because when the noonday sun was at its height, the two would stop and resume walking some hours later once the worst of the heat passed. By the time they finally made it, both were so sunburned they looked like tomatoes. Grace had every intention of getting a room at the local inn and staying inside for a week.

Glenbard was a sprawling city; twice as big as the city surrounding the King’s castle. It was home to the largest port in Cesernan where scores of ships – military and merchant – passed every day. Its temple district sported the biggest and finest temples, even finer than the King’s. Its merchant district had houses of the biggest, most fashionable, and latest designs from around the world. The marketplace filled every day with hundreds of vendors and shoppers. These vendors sold their wares in the large, open market space in the center of the city, while nearby prostitutes sold theirs from doorways and alleys. Wherever they went, children were under-foot. Some playing, some pick pocketing, and others begging for a meal.

Upon entering the city, travelers were assaulted with a host of smells. Some were pleasant, such as fresh bread and exotic fruits; others curdled the stomach, like the latrines or horse droppings yet to be shoveled from the street. The colors flying about the city were no less potent. Colorful signs hung from doorways to indicate the trade that was to be found inside. Vandals took to some buildings more than others; decorating doors and walls with colorful displays against the King or in favor of a certain woman.

Together, the two outcasts made their way through the city’s narrow streets. Donald stopped in front of a tavern that appeared to have rooms on the upper level. “I suppose this is as good a place as any. We are not likely to find the best or safest lodgings here in Glenbard.” So far though, the area where this tavern and inn were housed looked safer and more pleasant than any other they had passed.

“
The Angel Tavern.” Grace looked at the old wooden sign hanging outside, quite worn from weather and time. The picture of an angel was cracked and faded, but one could tell the angel was once very beautiful when her paint was still fresh. “Let’s go get ourselves a room, then.”

Donald held the door open for Grace and she stepped lightly into the common room. It was only midday, but the tavern was already bustling. Most of the fisherman and merchants of Glenbard were escaping the noon heat by taking their meal in the common room. The place stank of sweat, ale, and the faint smell of vomit. The heat always brought up smells that had long since been dead.

Grace looked around and tried to get a feel for the inn, and sensed no real danger for her or Donald. The people within did not seem to care that two strangers entered. A few looked up, but only for a quick glance at the newcomers. Grace liked this place. She liked the idea that people might not care what she looked like or where she came from.

Donald took her by the elbow and led her to the innkeeper’s desk. “Excuse me, sir?”

A burly man with a balding head and scraggly gray beard looked at Donald. He was probably a strong man in his youth, but years in an inn had taken their toll on him. More specifically, in his expanding belly. “Yes?”

“
Are you the innkeeper here?”

“
I am, and who might you be, laddy?”

“
I am Donald and this is my friend, Grace. We are looking for two rooms to rent.”

“
Well you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of rooms here…that is, if you’ve got the means to rent them.”

Grace turned away as Donald and the innkeeper haggled over a room price and continued her scan of the inn. A group of people stood near the stairs. They seemed to be standing around an older, fierce-looking man who was seated, drinking from a pint and smoking a pipe. He had dark hair peppered with gray, a trimmed beard, and his dark eyes took in the whole room. Every now and again he waved his hand and one of his followers rushed off. A teenage girl with curly blonde hair sat on his right side. She had an intense look about her and looked as fierce as her male counterpart. Grace watched them for a minute before moving her eyes elsewhere.

Finally, her eyes landed on a lone figure seated in a dark corner. His head was bent toward his food and drink, and he looked very sullen and angry. He sported short brown hair and a trimmed goatee, and was attired in black breeches and a gray shirt. He was the only person in the entire inn not conversing with anyone. As though he sensed staring eyes, he looked up and caught Grace’s gaze; each holding their stare. Normally others looked away under Grace’s watchful eyes, but this man just kept staring.

They probably would have stared at each other until day ended, but Donald touched Grace’s arm and she was forced to look away.

“We have two rooms. Let’s go unpack, Grace.”

Calvin had given the two plenty of money to live on until they could get everything sorted out. Donald planned on unpacking and going to see what kind of work could be had around the port. His father was a carpenter in Arganis, so he hoped a carpenter in Glenbard had need of an apprentice. Their small store of gold should be able to buy an apprenticeship.

Grace planned on unpacking and then going to talk to the innkeeper about being a barmaid for the inn. If that failed, she wasn’t sure what other jobs she could do that would keep her tattered dignity intact. She wasn’t even sure she could pass as a barmaid.

~*~*~

Donald left and Grace found her way back into the common room. She strode up to the innkeeper’s desk and coughed politely to get his attention.

“
Can I help you, miss?”

“
Yes, sir. I am in need of work and thought you may be in need of an extra hand around here, perhaps a barmaid? I would be grateful and indebted to you if you would but give me the chance.”

“
You’re awfully well spoken, aren’t you? Not really the way my serving wenches usually are. They’ve all put sailors to shame with their harsh words. But I haven’t the use for another wench, in any case. The ones I have are sass-mouthed women who aren’t worth what I pay them. I don’t need another one hanging around, even if she can fool us all with soft words.”

“
You have no jobs I could do for you? None at all? I promise I am not a sass mouth.”

“
I need another stable hand. You look too prim to be mucking out my stables, though.”

“
I can take care of horses for you. Horses, cows, any kind of animal. And I learn fast; I can muck out the stalls.” Grace had never mucked out a stall in her life, but the thought of going into Glenbard looking for work was terrifying. Grace didn't know how a woman could earn a living without selling herself, and she was not interested in such a move.

The innkeeper looked Grace over. To his eyes she looked small and rather helpless, but he liked her determination and the fact she didn’t mind getting dirty for the job. Still, the Angel had only ever taken on sturdy young men to aid in the stables, not small, frail girls. “You’d have to start every day at sunrise and work until sunset. At sundown, Liam comes in to take care of the animals. You’ll be working with Mayhew, who likes everything done nice and fast and has no patience for anyone. He’ll work you to the bone and it’ll make no difference to him that you’re a girl. Think you can handle that? Plenty of durable men haven’t been able to.”

“Yes sir, I can keep up and handle the stables.”

The innkeeper held out his hand to her. “Name’s Jim Little.”

“Grace.”

“
Be up bright and early tomorrow for your first day.” Jim smiled down at Grace. “You look plucky. Mayhew may have a hard time driving you away.” The innkeeper smirked but didn't share any more of his thoughts, and she had the feeling she was being made the butt of a joke.

Grace was still quite pleased with herself, even though she knew it wasn’t going to be easy. All she knew about taking care of horses was how to groom, saddle and unsaddle one. She would manage, though. She would just have to keep reminding herself that she’d have more freedom here than she ever had at court.

“Working for old Mayhew, are you?” Grace looked up and saw the teenage girl she noticed earlier. Now that she was closer, she didn’t look as fierce as she had at a distance. “He can be quite a pain. Hates everyone, except of course, those blasted animals.” She extended her hand to Grace. “Hi, I’m Ridley Hunewn.”

Grace gladly accepted her hand. “Grace.” Again, she neglected to give her family name. Surely some bit of news had already been received in Glenbard about the shameful woman who tried to compete.

“And new to Glenbard, I see. I noticed you and that man enter a while back. We always like to see strangers around here because they bring the best news. I love news from outside Glenbard and Ursana. That’s why I love tournament season; many of our merchants head to the castle area to set up shop, and they bring back the greatest stories of the tournament. I don’t suppose you have any stories from the tournament?”

The girl clearly liked to talk, but she was friendly and didn’t seem to judge Grace as harshly as the women of the court had. Though at first glance she looked fierce and uninviting, now that she was actually talking to Grace she found all that sternness melted away. This girl clearly never had any real reason to be angry with anyone. “I actually come from Arganis, but I spent a few days at the tournament. What I saw was exciting.”

“Arganis?” Ridley began; leading Grace toward an empty table. “We rarely get someone from so far north here. Only a few from there ever pass through, and most never stay to tell us about it. Or if they do, it’s always about the lumber business up north. How boring! They say that’s where The Death Dealer is from.” Ridley’s eyes brightened as she said it. “Have you ever seen him?” Ridley sat down at a corner table and Grace sat across from her.

“
Only once, just outside my village.”

“
Was he as wonderful and courageous as the tales tell?”