The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (17 page)

The boy ignored it and waved a dismissive hand at the barman. He became quite efficient in the last week ignoring such encounters. He even held a brief conversation with a watchman while he listened in at a fishmongers stand across the square one day. But this, this was different. He deftly ignored the distractions that threatened to block him from his target, but his target moved too quickly. How could he lock in on them when he wasn’t sure where they were?

Kael let himself reach up and over the crowd. The noblemen were lost from him for a moment then just as quickly reappeared. Kael moved in on them.

“....the king. We just simply need more manpower.” said red hat. “I cannot imagine where...”

The voice faded as the pair turned right at a crossroads. However, Kael was amazed to discover that he knew which way they turned without even seeing it with his eyes. He steered his consciousness in the direction of the voices.

“...still too many men in the South.” said bald head. “ We have spent centuries protecting them and now when they are needed, we get nothing.”

”FINEST SILK EVER MADE! CARE TO FEEL, YOUNG MASTER.” said a merchant holding out a roll of cloth.

“No, thank you.” replied Kael as he turned the corner.

“I hope the Ulrog don’t stop here if we do lose.” sneered red hat. “Those lazy Southerners deserve to have their villages burned to the ground for abandoning us!”

“Quite true!” chimed bald head. “Oh look! We’re in luck. Olpy has a catch of fresh fish. I must pick some up before the commoners paw all over them.”

Kael let himself return and his senses heightened to his physical situation. He turned right at the previous crossroads and strolled through a marketplace full of competing fishmongers. The intense smell of both fresh and severely spoiled fish watered the boy’s eyes. Cats ran to and fro along the packed alleyway, and drying salt coated the cobblestones.

About thirty paces ahead, a crudely painted sign hung from one of the larger booths on the street. “Olpy’s Fresh Fish” read the sign.

As Kael and Ader approached the booth, the boy noted the pair of ornately dressed nobles leaning on heavy walking sticks, inspecting the goods. An old man and a boy unloaded a cart of fresh fish into the booth.

“....fresh is a relative term, fishmonger.” groused red hat. “You claim your catch is the freshest on the street, but I’ve seen much fresher just a few streets back in Bartle Lane.”

“Then my lords are welcome to purchase their meal there.” smiled the old man bowing. “All I know is my sons stayed awake the past night hauling nets from the river, and my grandson delivers the catch as we speak. I don’t know how a catch can be fresher.”

“Hold your tongue, old man!” barked red hat.

“Yes ... yes!” stammered bald head. “We’ll tolerate no back talk from you!”

“I apologize, my lord.” mumbled the old man bowing his head again. “I’m simply ...”

“Enough!” huffed red hat. “ We simply question the veracity of your claim. Many here know the reputation of the fishmongers for ‘exaggerating’ the freshness of their catch. If you wish to remain free of interference from the king’s tax collectors, you’ll cooperate with our informal inquiry!”

The old man looked to his feet and sighed. He appeared to resign himself to some course of action. The grandson clenched his teeth and glared at the pair of nobles.

“Perhaps you gentlemen might take a complimentary filet or two as a sign of my support for the crown and the king’s collectors?” mumbled the old man.

“Now you’re showing the proper respect, Olpy.” smirked red hat.

“Boy!” shouted bald head to the grandson. “Wrap up four of your finer filets ... and wipe that look from your face if you know what’s good for you!”

The grandson quickly retrieved the filets and wrapped them in wax paper as the curl of his lips softened, but the glare in his eye remained. He handed the fish to the nobles.

“I hope we’ll have no trouble with the king’s collectors.” requested Olpy.

“Perhaps not.” mused red hat. “But we shall see.”

“Maybe you should pay for the fish?!” snapped Kael from behind the nobles.

The men spun on their heels and inspected the Southerner. Red hat’s eyes rose in a look of utter indignation. Bald head spluttered and inspected the boy from head to toe.

“Sheer insolence!” blubbered bald head.

“Indeed.” sneered red hat. “The lad needs to learn some manners.”

Red hat slowly lifted his walking stick as he glared at Kael. The boy felt himself drifting into the part of his head where he produced the wall of flame.

“Perhaps I
should
  pay first.” mumbled a hunched over Ader as he shuffled between Kael and the nobles. The old man inspected a bag of coins in his open palm. “Olpy should count the coin before we cart the fish off to the Hold.”

Both nobles were shocked by this feeble old man’s intrusion into their business.

“Out of the way, old man!” shouted red hat.

“Yes... be gone with you, old fool.” said bald head.

Ader slowly turned and squinted at the two men as if his weak eyes just noticed their existence.

“My apologies, my lords.” wheezed Ader. “I certainly didn’t mean to interfere in my lords’ business, but my young friend and I attend to the king’s affairs and must be quick about it.”

The nobles glanced at one another then narrowed their eyes on Ader. A small crowd gathered around the commotion.

“I’ve been ordered to retrieve and pay for the catch Olpy’s sons made by requisition for the Hold. I hope my young friend didn’t startle you gentlemen, but often he must shout to get my attention. My hearing is not what it once was.” mumbled Ader and he turned back to Kael. “Of course I must
pay
first. I’m not here to
steal
good man Olpy’s fish. Just give me a moment.”

The nobles once again turned toward one another inquisitively as Ader pushed his way past them.

“I hope the desired number of filets are here as requested, Olpy.” coughed Ader. “Prince Manfir desires his hard working recruits to enjoy a fine meal this evening and I’m sure you know the penalty for trying to cheat his majesty or his majesty’s men out of their share.”

Ader glanced up at the fishmonger from the sack of coins he dumped  upon the counter. Olpy stood mouth agape, unsure of what to say.

“If just one filet is missing, I don’t care who the culprit, he’ll be dealt with harshly for depriving one of his majesty’s troops of a rare respectable meal!” snapped Ader.

Ader spun and pushed back past the nobles to stand in front of Kael.

“Load the catch onto the cart and make sure you count the number. If Master Olpy or his people try to cheat the king’s men in their hour of need, there will be trouble this night.”

“Yes, sir!” snapped Kael in reply.

Red hat quickly passed his wrapped filets into the hands of bald head who tossed them onto Olpy’s counter as if they were red hot coals. Ader spun back to the fishmonger.

“I hope the coin there on the counter satisfies our contract, Master Olpy?” stated Ader.

“More than enough!” exclaimed Olpy. “The king is generous in his business affairs.”

Kael began to load the catch back onto the cart.

“He must be.” continued Ader. “The graft and corruption of the nation is a knife to the throat of all he tries to accomplish. As these good gentlemen could most assuredly attest, those who divert goods and services from the people and the Guard harm our cause as greatly as an Ulrog Hackle with a cleaver.”

Most of the crowd turned and looked to red hat who stood in front of the counter wide-eyed and silent. Bald head glanced at his companion then nervously turned to the crowd.

“A ... agreed, my good man. It is up to all of us to do our share.” stammered bald head.

“These are tough times.” announced Ader in a much stronger voice. “Any man who cheats his neighbor, cheats the crown. Every merchant is already overburdened by his obligation to support the Guard. He needn’t have his back broken by the greed and gluttony of others. If any merchant is coerced in the course of his duties, he should immediately report this transgression to the Hold. Prince Manfir will deal with the culprits in due course.”

Ader straightened and his presence grew. Kael finished reloading the cart with the help of Olpy’s grandson. The Seraph turned and addressed the grandson.

“If you please, young man. Deliver the catch to the gates of the Hold with the compliments of Prince Manfir for his hardworking troops. My charge and I must attend to more of the prince’s business on this busy day.”

“As you request, my lord.” bowed the smiling young man.

Ader turned and brushed past the stunned noblemen in long powerful strides. Kael’s eyes twinkled as he jogged past the pair to catch up to the Seraph. When they were a fair distance from the booth, Ader slowed and Kael fell in step with the him.

“That was foolish, Kael.” stated Ader.

“Why?” inquired Kael. “That was one of the few times my ...abilities  made me feel useful.”

“You don’t understand.” growled Ader turning on the boy. “You can’t help everyone. Just as I told you not to get involved in the gossip and details of everything you hear, you also can’t try to save the world one person at a time. You must concern yourself with the bigger picture.”

“But those men were wrong!” protested Kael. “They were stealing from that old man.”

“Yes they were!” nodded Ader.

“But ..”

“But nothing, Kael!” snapped Ader. “How tragic would it have been to allow such a
heinous
act? What would the outcome have been?!”

“Well, uh ..”

“Two obnoxious, pompous fools would return to their homes smugly convinced they duped one of the unwitting rabble of the streets. Olpy would harden his heart a little more toward the aristocracy, and life would go on!” exclaimed Ader.

“But it’s wrong!” barked Kael.

“Yes! It is, Kael!” shouted Ader. “But it’s not your job to judge and punish. There’s someone else ready and waiting to perform that duty. If your powers give you the illusion that it
is
your job, you travel down a dangerous road. One Amird found too interesting to ignore. A road that’s more of a trap than you think.”

“I’m not like Amird!” shouted Kael.

Ader raised an eyebrow.

“What were you preparing to do back there when that noble raised his cane?” asked Ader.

Kael’s expression was puzzled.

“I ... I was going to defend myself.” said Kael weakly.

“Oh?  Let me see if I have this straight.” said a frowning Ader. “You listened in on their conversation. You discerned their untoward intent. You confronted them . You goaded them. To what end? You know of your powers now. Do you really think an overstuffed buffoon wielding a walking stick is any match for you?”

“Well, no I guess...”

“It seems to me that you were baiting them.” interrupted Ader.

Kael hung his head.

“The things they said about the Southlands were untrue.” mumbled the boy.

“So!” snapped Ader. “You couldn’t just leave it alone?! You heard those remarks while listening in on them. Hear me loud and clear, Kael Brelgson. You are
not
a judge for every man that walks this world!”

Kael dropped his head.

“Yes, sir.” stated the boy.

“Besides.” came a voice from behind Kael. “Those two are quite harmless.”

Kael turned to see a bearded Zodrian carrying a large basket of bread. Beneath the floppy hat and the unruly whiskers, Kael found himself staring into the eyes of Teeg.

“Both men own modest properties to the North of the city and are heavily burdened by the war effort.” continued Teeg. “The gentleman sporting the blazing red hat has had a most difficult time. The rumor amongst his staff is that he will dismiss the lot of them shortly. He cannot afford to pay them.”

Kael turned to Ader.

“But he was an arrogant bully!” pleaded Kael.

The Guide frowned.

“Arrogance doesn’t deserve what you were willing to do to him, Kael.”

Kael averted his eyes.

“Come.” said Ader. “That’s enough for today. We must return to the Hold and explain to your father why a load of fish will arrive today.”

The Seraph and boy moved off and Teeg spun back into the crowd calling out.

“Loaves! Loaves of fresh baked bread! Just a few coppers for a fresh loaf!”

CHAPTER 9: WAGON GREASE

Ader continued Kael’s lessons throughout the week. Each day the Guide added a new wrinkle to the equation. Once, Ader asked Kael to monitor two conversations taking place at opposite ends of a tavern. On a separate occasion, Kael ‘listened’ to the events in a room on the second floor of an inn he never stepped inside. After each failure, Ader patiently explained the process and the correct way to attack the problem. Kael slowly improved.

On the fourth day since their run in at the fishmonger’s booth, the pair strolled back toward the Hold after a long day of training. Kael was rather tired and dreamily watched the people and places of Zodra slide by.  Ader halted without warning.

“I have some business to take care of.” said Ader. “You‘re nearly to the Hold so I’ll leave you here. We’ll advance your lessons in the morning.”

Kael nodded his assent and continued toward the Hold as the Seraph departed. After a few moments, he felt a strong hand on his arm and turned to look into the sharp gray eyes of the bread salesman.

“Now it’s my turn to be the teacher.” winked Teeg.

The Elf directed the boy into a dark alleyway where he retrieved a medium sized burlap sack. Teeg snatched the cap from Kael’s head and shoved it into the sack. As he drew his hand out, it held a small net with coarse brown hair woven onto it. The Elf talked feverishly as he worked.

“The true test of a spy is if he can fool those closest to him.” smiled Teeg. “Your grandfather is a man of extraordinary talents. He sees things that others do not. He feels things that go unnoticed.”

The Elf lord reached into the sack and ripped a long, stained cloak from it. He quickly draped it around Kael and fastened it at the neck. Kael fumbled with the cloak so it draped properly.