Chương 13: A Date with a Rogue

Callondum is one of the great cities of the twenty-five kingdoms and has survived both siege by the Jomskar Vikings and inundation with ash from Mount Astreus, a volcano in the neighbouring Arkine empire that erupted in the year I was born. Although they are not openly at war with us, Callondum is a dangerous city for us yet had looked quite harmless ––delightful even–– as we approached, since it sparkled in the sunlight like a fairy castle.

The tall walls and round towers of Callondum are built with sandstone dense with glittering crystals. A remarkable canal has been built to run through Callondum from the upper reaches of the Callon, the wide river that gives the city its name. Because the city is built on several hills above the flood plain of the river, the canal has to be conveyed by an impressive aqueduct from the high ground to the north. And it's not just the mighty aqueduct that earns my admiration whenever I have a view of it.

All the buildings here are impressive and I wonder (imaginewithacrow'seyeview) how the Vikings had ever dared attack such a formidable place and a people so capable of construction. I am finding it difficult not to stare at the people around me as we move through crowded streets. Lisandra is being carried by six strong men, lying within a palanquin ––a new word for a crow to learn and I do not like new words –– as befits an aristocrat here. I am behind her personal tent as a servant, Belle alongside me.

I'm enjoying myself happy that the beautiful Belle that I could hardly find a moment to speak to in Nekis is sharing this experience with me. Both of us wanted to travel. Both of us were constrained by our daily responsibilities and her ambitious mother. Now we are free and seeing one of the world's most famous cities for ourselves.

As for Gerard and Aarax, we decided it was not wise to travel as the same group of five that escaped Lady Horsta, even though we have probably outrun any messages they may have sent to the capital. Our former coach drivers have continued on with the horses to a gate further east and our plan is to meet with them shortly in The Gravediggers Inn, our agreed rendezvous.

Over the course of four days' hard riding through woods and fields, I had dreaded the prospect of the paladin and assassin suddenly appearing and galloping along the road to catch us. Yet here we are, in the much safer environment of a busy city, without any indication we are being chased. I am not complacent: it must be assumed that Lady Horsta and Amaris are looking for us still. I am, however, Crow the child of the streets and back in my proper habitat.

Those anxious days on the road, exposed under sun and moon had, at least, given me time to level up my skills and after reaching the cap of 10 for Stealth (ten Stealth! I feel like skipping with joy whenever I check my skills) I had swapped my afk levelling to Spot Hidden which had quickly gone up to 4 but then hadn't moved overnight. I am using the skill now, trying to ascertain if our troupe are attracting undue attention.

Palanquins, such as the one being carried in front of me, seem to be rare, but then, so are the aristocrats of Trolland. According to Lisandra, they travel behind curtains because they are contemptuous and wary of the crowds of commoners. If they do travel entirely sealed off from the citizens, then they are missing out. The mix of peoples here is very different to that on the streets of Nekis. Back home we do not get so many travellers and visitors. People fear us. We have a reputation.

Specifically, they fear being turned into zombies, not understanding that this is an honour reserved for the best of our citizens. Callondum has elves, dwarves, lizard people, and humans from across the Twenty-Five Realms. There are people with extensive tattoos; people with many silver rings in their ears; people entirely covered up with hooded capes; and others with almost no clothing at all, just a loincloth but dozens of bronze bangles on their arms and at their ankles.

Many soldiers are evident, not only the pike-wielding guards of Trolland. It is not taken amiss for samurai from Hailand to walk around in full armour, swords at their waist, or for riders from Cantreth to stride through the streets carrying their bows on their backs. As natural as it is for a plant to seek the sun, so it is my nature to seek evidence for the presence of rogues in Callondum and especially for their organisations.

With crowfast eyes and my skills –– Spot Hidden 4; Knowledge (Streets) 1–– I note the woman at the window who flashes her mirror at our passing and the answer from a man at a fountain. There are others keeping pace with us for a while, before handing off to a comrade. They are interested. No doubt they want to know more about this seemingly wealthy foreigner and whether she would make a good mark.

The Gravediggers Arms is a large corner building at the intersection of three wide streets in Boltstown, an affluent part of the city. When it is clear that Lisandra intends to descend from her palanquin at the inn, staff from the building run out to greet us, bringing a stool for her to step onto and searching in vain for her baggage. Belle and I carry our few belongings.

Tomorrow, we will attend the merchants of the town and re-equip ourselves thanks to the necromancer's bag of coins, coins that have been shared equally among us, not for personal use but for safety. There are many rogues in this city. One extra as of today and a shadow dancer too. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Fuss. Bowing. Greetings. Polite exchanges. The scent of slow-cooking beef from the kitchens.

Wooden floors, smoky with age except where polished by the repeated tread of guests and staff. And at last we have our rooms, two adjacent ones on the third floor: a master room with a four-post bed for our sorceress and a servants' room beside it with two beds of canvas stretched over wooden frames. Even though they are crude, mine appeals to me: come, Crow, lie down, you are tired. It has been a long four days, with little sleep.

And though I am able to refresh myself with short naps, even while on horseback, a proper, deep sleep is much needed. Not yet though. First, I must see Aarax and Gerard safely returned. I spend my time waiting in the servant's kitchen. And it is a pleasant time, for the people here are cheerful.

'Where are you from?' A fair-haired young woman, not much older than me, red-cheeked and with sweat on her brow from having recently tended the large stove, takes the chair beside me on my right.

'Is your mistress a noblewoman? She looks it.'

'Hello; I'm Crow,' I offer her my hand.

'That's right,' says the middle-aged woman on my left.

'Names first. I'm Elodie. That's Sara and she is always this nosy.'

'Well, don't tell me you aren't interested in his answer. We like to talk to travellers and find out about their lives. We get all sorts at the Gravediggers.'

'Of those who come to stay, are there many from Northway?' I ask.

'Not so many, no,' Elodie says.

'There was a duke or earl or something from there stayed last year. Do you remember?' She is leaning to look past me and there is something knowing in her expression that worries me until I see that Sara is blushing.

'This may sound somewhat random, but servants from Northway are usually handsome,' I look down at myself, modestly, and Elodie chuckles.

'He's another smart one, watch out for this Crow, he'll steal your heart too.' Annoyed, Sara stands but before she leaves I catch her hand and push back her sleeve to tap a blue dot that has been tattooed on her arm and which I had glimpsed when she moved her chair. In Nekis a similar mark is given to those who were members of the rogues' guild.

'Can you help me join? In case there are opportunities for me to purloin?' I stand and lean in towards her ear to whisper.

'How did you…?' In the heat and bustle of the busy room there is a place of calm and concentrated silence. It is the space between us. Her eyes are pale blue. I let go of her wrist.

'I finish work at eight. Meet me here. But it's not easy, joining the guild. Especially for visitors.' Sitting down once more, I am pleased with my having noticed the tattoo. And my happiness rises even further when descending the far stairs is the familiar, tall figure of Aarax. The young man is comfortable in the servants' environment, smiling and greeting the other people at the table with ease. As though he does not know me, Aarax shakes my hand from the far side, both of us having to lean to do so.

'Aarax, manservant.'

'Crow, servant also.'

Late that afternoon I am lying on my cot, having been woken by the man himself from a dream about an angry Gerard. In my dream, Gerard is sitting squat on the floor like a giant toad and complaining about the music of nearby youths. It is not as melodious as when he was a lad.

'Come on Crow, the others are waiting.' Only after I have blinked several times does the real Gerard establish his presence in my mind, driving out the dream Gerard. In her bedroom, Lisandra lies on a padded couch near the window, skin gold from the descending sun. On the rug below her, Aarax looks comfortable, seated cross-legged. And in a fine walnut chair that has been placed near Lisandra is Belle, with her back as straight as that of the chair. Lithe Belle. Always a joy for my heart to have her in my view.

She smiles to see me. Blue eyes; black curls. I join Aarax on the carpet, looking from one person to the other, while Gerard leansits on the corner of the bed nearest the rest of us. Slightly apart, as is his nature.

'Here we all are,' says Lisandra.

'It's exciting,' says Belle.

'Big city. New people. New types of food. I'm going to go out dancing tonight.'

'Dancing?' Lisandra shakes her head.

'We are here to get the next key piece and hurry away before that paladin finds us. There's no time for dancing.'

'There's always time for dancing,' says Belle firmly. And I find myself grinning.

'Will you come with me Crow?'

'I would but I have planned a date; I make contact with the rogues' guild at eight.' While Lisandra looks astonished, Gerard mutters, 'This is not what we agreed.'

'The opportunity came my way; I thought it best to seize the day.'

'A date?' Belle is smiling. But dangerously.

'Just a rhyme, to match the time.' Or was it? Would I have found the word date had my contact not been an attractive young woman of about my age?

'Well, that might prove useful. We don't know where the challenge for the key takes place. Try to find out, can you Crow? And Belle, it's been a long time since I was in this city. We don't know how safe it is at night for anyone, let alone a young woman, let alone a young woman with a stranger's accent. I'm sorry, you'll have to stay here in our rooms.'

'Or, perhaps, if you don't mind, I'd very much like to see more of Callondum. Their music in particular. I play the flute back home and …'

'That's perfect Aarax! You can come with me. We'll find music and dancing,' Belle leaps up and gives a spin before Lisandra can object. Gerard murmurs, 'It's still not safe.' But Lisandra sighs, 'They are young. Let them have their fun. And they have a level and a class. Most of the people they meet will only be level zero.'

'It's not the level zeroes I'm worried about.'