COP S1.5 Leaving Kenuport
This close to the chamber still, I hadn’t dared take the chance I’d dream and travel back there to whatever lay in wait.
Want a different story?
Previously on…
After scaring both the fisherman and Steffan with her choice of bintinn, Lyn waited for Steffan to come find her. They had a brief conversation where Steffan implied Harry had sent her to help Lyn. Though she doesn’t believe it, Lyn does think Harry sent her for some other reason. After a tense exchange, Lyn tells Steffan they’ll leave early the next morning before the bintinn kicks in.
The sun hadn’t breached the horizon when the port came alive. The clock tower had rung five and it would be dark for at least another half hour.
I was dressed and ready to go as I had decided against sleeping. Sometimes I dream traveled, often not even remembering the next day until something reminded me. This close to the chamber still, I hadn’t dared take the chance I’d dream and travel back there to whatever lay in wait.
My stomach growled as the scent of fresh bread breached the window from the kitchens down below. I stood and stretched before wrapping up the few things I’d taken out to keep myself busy during the night: My pen, ink and a small sketchbook. I’d often draw when I needed to keep my mind busy. At least when there weren’t any good books about. Kenuport Inn’s library had turned out to be much thinner than most places I’d visited. Though that was to be expected so far out. I had hoped there’d be a local book, something I couldn’t find anywhere else.
Apparently, literary pursuits were not appreciated in the fishing town.
I swung my pack over my shoulder, checked to make sure my staff was secured in my belt, then made my way to the inn’s foyer. The stable boy ran through the doors and stopped short when he saw me. I paid him to have Spiri ready for me outside by six, and he rushed off. I hated traveling by ship with Spiri, as she would be kept down below for too long. Most captains refused to let me bring her on deck. I wondered then if I should change plans and ride after all.
The idea of going by ship was it would get me away from the chamber faster. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but something made me uneasy about the choice.
My stomach growled again.
I wandered down to the bakery. Four loaves of pacizi bread, dried apricots—imported from a town just to the south—some cheese and two sweet rolls filled my pouch. It was enough for the journey across to Isig, but would also last if we rode to Yiat instead.
I didn’t like indecision. In anyone, but especially me. I was leaning toward changing plans. I just couldn’t tell if it was because of my intuition, or something else pressing on my mind.
That something else I’d been trying not to think about.
Across the street, I picked up a couple of slabs of salted beef and fish. Definitely road food and not ocean travel food. I guess I’d decided.
Back at the inn, I sat on a chair in the foyer and nibbled on bread and cheese as I waited for Steffan to show up, not entirely sure that she would. Whatever mission Harry had planned for her, maybe she’d already done it just by keeping me busy the night before.
The tower hadn’t struck seven yet when she popped out of a door looking exactly the same as the night before, except for a small travel bag slung across her chest. It radiated magic, just like her suit had the night before. It probably was bigger on the inside. I figured that was the only way her hilarious suit would fit inside. Enchanted garb like that was too expensive to leave behind.
“Do you have a horse?” I asked her.
“No.”
Not surprising. “Can you ride?”
“Are we going to ride over the ocean?”
Her sarcasm belied her nervousness. She shifted her feet back and forth and kept looking at the door.
“Change of plans. We’re riding to Yiat instead.”
“Great. I’d ask if we could eat first, but I’d like to leave before I die.”
“We won’t get far with you walking.”
“I’ll run the hell away from here if I have to.” Her eyes narrowed.
I’d have to be careful. She clearly liked to hold grudges.
The stable boy ran in. “Your ride’s ready, Miss. She’s a buty!”
“That she is.” I glanced at Steffan, then at the boy. “Is there any merchant or caravan leaving this morning?”
“None. They come and go ev’ry third day. That’d be on the morrow.” He stood up straight, saying the words confidently.
I’d bet he wouldn’t always be a stable boy. If I were the betting type.
“What about horses for hire, then? Are there any we can take as far as Yiat?”
He stared determinedly at a spot on the wall, then replied, “Might be, Miss. Captain Midtid boards horses here for land travelers he brings ‘cross the ocean.”
“Captain of the Gloriad?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
I pulled out another small coin. “Can you get one of them ready while I go convince him to let me trade my passage for a horse?”
He frowned again and shook his head.
“I’ll pay you a full gull to do it, whether or not he agrees.”
His eyes lit up, then he shook his head again. “Traveler rides need to be set up ‘head ‘o time through the boss. If he sees me doin’ it without him tellin—”
“I understand, but we’re in a bind for time. Here,” I handed over two gulls, “give these to the boss and tell him I’ll give him two more whether the Captain agrees or not—for his trouble.”
His face screwed up.
“And don’t mention that I’ll be paying you, too. That’s just between us.” I winked.
A smile returned to his face, and he darted out the door.
“Come on,” I said to Steffan, “let’s see if I can negotiate with the Captain fast enough to get you out of here in time.”
Out on the pier, a chill borne of water and wind cut across my cheeks. The Gloriad, a two-mast wooden ship, was berthed at the end. Captain Midtid, his long wool coat buffeting in the breeze, stood at the top of the ramp, enjoying my predicament.
“One o’ my horses tis worth a dozen first class passages on ta Gloriad.” He patted the railing in reverence.
I wanted to argue about his usage of ‘first class’ as nothing about the ship resembled first in anything. Sturdy, sure. Adequate, sure. First? No. Keeping my tongue in check, I said, “But I’m not asking to buy one. Just to convert my passage, ah first class passage fee to your usual rental and return fee.” I kicked myself for not asking the boy what the usual fee was.
“Why would you need t’ change, hmm?” He strode down the ramp. “Could it be your friend here,” he gestured toward Steffan standing beside me, “can’t afford her first class passage? That you intend t’ double up on one o’ my horses, straining him so much he’ll be useless for days?”
I tilted my head at him. “You know very well I have my own horse, as a berth for him was included in my fee.”
He stared intently at Steffan before returning his attention to me. He’d stopped on the ramp just far enough up so he would look down on me. “True. I think we can come t’ terms. Given the short notice, I think an extra two silvers would be enough.”
Steffan coughed, and the color left her face.
I knew he’d be greedy. I just didn’t know how much. And we didn’t have time to argue. Too long. “I’ll give you half that and spare you having to deal with me riding my horse on your deck the next two weeks.”
His eyes narrowed. Then he relaxed into a smile. “That’ll be fine.” He held out his hand.
I plopped a silver into his palm, noticing how light my coin purse was getting. Once I got back to Lanthe, I’d need to visit my benefactor.
“Boy!”
A long-haired, scruffy boy of about eight ran down the ramp. “Sir!” He said as he nearly slid off the end.
“Run ahead t’ the stables and tell them t’ get a horse ready for Miss Keenglay. See you get back before seven, boy. We won’t wait for you!”
“Aye!” The boy disappeared down the pier, dodging crates, barrels and men.
The captain went back up the ramp, yelling at his sailors as he went.
The clock rang six thirty.
“Let’s hope the stable boy has that horse ready.” I said and pushed Steffan ahead of me. We ran, doing the same dodging dance down the pier as the boy, then through the busy streets to the stable. Steffan got there ahead of me and was already mounting a beautiful brown horse with wide eyes when a burly man, at least a foot taller than me, blocked my path.
“You must be the boss,” I said.
He grunted.
I gave him his two gulls, which he examined carefully, then stepped aside into the barn. The stable boy peered out of the doorway at me and I smiled, placing the coin I promised him on top of the post where he’d tied up Spiri. He nodded and smiled back before the boss grabbed his shoulder and dragged him farther inside. I hoped he’d be the one to find the coin. If there’d been more time, I’d have snuck it to him another way. As it was, all that was left of Steffan was a cloud of dust.
I caressed Spiri, calming him down after Steffan’s flurry of energy. He was a sensitive like me. Oh, he looked like a normal horse—a gorgeous black horse with a silver-white mane—but he wasn’t. That was one of my most closely guarded secrets.
A drizzle fell, and I shook with a chill. “Time to go, Spiri. It’ll be much warmer on the road south.”
He neighed in agreement, then charged after Steffan.
Want more stories? Check out my flash fiction, serials and ebooks!
