Ch: 147 Like A Prayer
Kids riding boards in the green caps of the Sweet Tooth Guild came and went on their errands, bartering chocolate for goods and services all over town. The days of orphans in ragged clothes hustling for bits were over.
A small number of ad hoc enterprises had sprung up, inspired by the green caps and their success. A few had livery of their own devising:
Any kid in a bright red sash in town could be flagged down to carry a message or make a small delivery anywhere in the local area on their swift little ‘toys’ for a few bits.
Brown vests signaled a kid who would deliver groceries or supplies in a hand cart, or bring a team to move larger quantities of goods.
More than a few wore both the sash and cap, a few added the vest as well… the kids were motivated.
Red neckerchiefs were the sign of the new band of Adventurers that had sprung up in the orphanage. They were under close supervision by Mikkel and a priest from Healer’s temple, but had proven themselves a match for the local minor monsters and problematic wildlife.
That left the Adventure and job boards nicely clear, freeing up the bathers for some rest...
With two big boats tied up to the inn’s pier, Gary used a little occult nonsense to form an embankment and shore moorings along the deep water pool and a small pontoon to exclude any further oversized interlopers.
He left the decorated pier across the river on his very periphery, even though it felt mildly uncomfortable, like he’d bitten his own cheek or sipped tea that was too dang hot.
Neither duke wanted to risk the loss of dignity that moving his boat and mooring on the other side would bring. Instead, they decided to just occupy his pier and pretend they had intended to moor on the opposite bank, to a commoner’s home.
That meant the crews of both would be coming and going through the yard constantly, which posed certain problems all its own.
The small group of sleeping urchins and walking people came home to a busy inn yard, filled with sailors and guards.
Khan was tending bar, pouring short mugs of beer and maintaining good order, while Luna and Tallum waited tables. Dannyl was in the kitchen with Herlick and Bannock, working from a simple menu.
A small band of late teens were jamming in the corner, improvising pretty well in local flavors. Some of the instruments were from the store display, while others tasted like his gifts to the orphans from not so long ago.
It was nice to come back to music and friends cooking together… This was a bit too crowded for comfort.
They slipped inside and took the little ones up to bed cloaked in a veil of sneakiness. Mikkel and Hannah helped tuck in the kids, then slunk down to the baths for a soak.
“Oh, thank all the blessed gods and spirits, I really needed a nap…” Nara murred, slipping into Wilford’s bed and mauling him gently.
When a grateful Gary turned around, Becky was smiling and tying on her apron. He shook his head in exhaustion.
“I can’t face a crowd right now, I’m gonna go hide in the garden.” She nailed him with a flat, disappointed stare.
“I’ll stay inside the lines…” He sighed. “I’m safe in my garden. Trust me, Maple is lurking out there, she and Plumeria have been super active, I think they’re plotting something.”
“Yeah, they have their own agenda… but I trust them.” Becky said with a smile. “You do too.”
#
Out at his back edge, the well planned and sunlit orchard, with its lush understory of berry bushes, fruiting and flowering vines and ground hugging herbs gave way. Hardly any light reached the floor of the tanglewoods, mushrooms, ferns and moss proliferated here. The vines were tough and thorny, flowering in shades of violet and pale white.
Among the low, twisted trees, there was always a clear path where he walked, even if no one else could have seen it. He found a small clearing with a stone in the middle, just the place for what he needed to do.
The juxtaposition of having so many strangers, all active and moving in his house and yard, while also being quite alone, out in his shadiest corner had a lot of potential energy.
He sat on the boulder in the middle of his idyllic little clearing, pulled his first flute out and began to play softly. No calling or pulling, pushing or magic. He let his will roll out and over the area, blanketing it with a passive and subtle sense of utter Garyness. He settled into the moss and stones, soaked into the ferns and rustled the leaves on the trees with his breath.
He ran up the roots of the plants like water and out through their leaves. In utter peace and tranquility, he found his bond with Beast; vibrant and very present, but so much a part of his nature, it was difficult to detect.
He wallowed in it, drinking in the sensation, marking it in his mind, so that he could find that feeling again later. Slowly, his aura spread out, following after those strange tendrils of his will, carried on his music and gift.
Even with all his magic bottled up tight, it was still present, winding and twining among the ferns, looking for animate life to attach to.
“Creepy…” He whispered. Whatever it was, it was not strictly magical… or even magical at all. He switched for a mundane flute, completely normal, but the effect persisted.
It wasn’t harmful… by itself, but neither was it helpful. The phenomenon was just a slippery, invasive, sneaking thread of his own will, instinct and more than a little hunger. That hunger was the thing that made it feel icky, like he could eventually figure out a way to feed on other life forms with this… someday.
Those invisible, intangible threads, wriggling through the undergrowth were more than a little disturbing.
“Super creepy.”
#
Abed Mubarak was having a tough day… Despite his best efforts he had been unable to find any fault in Belen’s hospitality. That embarrassing farce at the riverside was his own damn fault. He’d ordered the captain to tie up at that stone pier, realizing only too late that Holloman would blithely follow him in.
The sight of slick, stylish duke Lucius Holloman stomping down that shaky, splintery dock would have been delicious, assuming his behemoth didn’t simply crush the pathetic structure. That would have been humiliating for both Belen and the obnoxious vassal of the shameful commoner ‘duke’.
The resulting joyous and excited reception for his bride to be soothed his ruffled feathers somewhat… How Trelawny Belen managed to beat them to Wheatford was worth investigating.
Travel gifts and spells were terribly rare and often wildly inefficient, exhausting the travelers thoroughly. Often, the recovery time was terribly longer than any benefits could equal.
He thought that inn looked familiar somehow, as well.
Those thoughts and feelings were a slow, cold upwelling current, swept away by the tempest Jaspreet’s ‘condition’ was setting off.
His plans to defy tradition and the law, by marrying in ‘secret’ during a state visit to his greatest rival, were bearing fruit… in a number of ways.
Belen even arranged a tour of his orphanage and a complete explanation of his reforms and new curriculum, hosted by none other than Otho of Joy.
That would have to wait until Jaspreet finished her round of prayers and veneration at the local temples.
She emerged from the temple of Healer, followed by a visit to the temple of Joy herself, Jaspreet’s patron goddess. She was going to be a while…
Until then, Abed entertained himself, indulging in Belen’s quirky tradition of wandering the streets in common garb, wearing a veil to ‘conceal’ his identity from the common folk.
The duke’s second son, Adam Belen accompanied him, wearing his robes of Healer’s clergy, serving as tour guide.
“Our craft ward is not large, but you may find some of our local works to your liking. If you wish to make any purchases, please allow me to negotiate in your stead. It is needful that we make a point of taking no advantage, when under the veil…” The young priest spoke discreetly as they walked, accompanied by a single guard in plain clothes.
“We have a fine maker of musical instruments in town now as well, though he only deals in barter… Some complication of trade law. Perhaps we will visit his shop after the market ward, if you are interested.”
His soft spoken, golden host led the young duke through a colorful, prosperous and startlingly clean town.
Carts and wagons trundled by, pulled by familiars, mostly donkeys, though the occasional dog or goat cart came along. There were no natural equines in town, leaving the streets clean and fresh smelling. Likewise, there was no unclean reek of human habitation, or even trash on the streets.
Every shopkeeper and householder took pains to keep their own frontage, as well as their neighbor’s across and on either side tidy. Oldsters and children wielded brooms and dustpans on nearly every street they walked down, depositing any detritus in the waste pits in every neighborhood.
Shoppers strolled with baskets, while young kids in sashes, vests and caps indicating membership in some group or other were busily scooting about, on strange wheeled boards. Some made deliveries or carried messages, others bartered small, colorful paper packets for goods in the shops and stalls.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
They were in a tailor’s shop, eyeing the wares and crafts while just such an urchin was bargaining with a beautiful, golden blonde seamstress.
“Three dozen bonbons and two dozen truffles, six bars of dark chocolate and a pound of cocoa powder for the whole order…” The tall, brown haired girl in colorful skirts said, happily as they shook hands.
“That takes care of the boys, but I think it’s time to fit you for a proper bodice, Colette…” Jennah murmured softly, to her increasingly buxom client. “I will have it all delivered to the orphanage by midweek.”
She hugged the girl before turning to the men. “Let me see to these gentlemen, since you will want to explore our latest fabric selections, I’m sure…”
She turned a very dangerous set of dimples on the two men and delivered a graceful curtsey, not too much, nor too little.
“Welcome to Thimble and Shears, I am lead apprentice Jennah, how can I assist you today, honored clergy, good master?” She asked with a very familiar wink at the duke’s similarly golden and dimpled guide.
Abed ground his teeth in frustration as the brother and sister pretended to be simply a clergyman and a seamstress. One a nobleman, though outside the line of succession as a cleric, the other houseless disowned and disgraced by her scandalous public betrothal to a common Adventurer indentured to war.
The two debated cloth and cut for a while, as though simply crafter and client. That left Abed to fume and pursue the examples and samples on display. It was exquisite. The shop’s humble exterior failed utterly to conceal the beautiful craft on display inside; his own tailor could perhaps learn a thing or two here…
He wandered the surprisingly large shop as the siblings had a fine time at his expense. He found himself surprised at how different the shopping experience was, under the veil. No oily shopkeeper hustling and wheedling, while plotting how to most fully pad his bill. No cringing apprentices, terrified to displease and fearful; or worse yet, scheming and flattering to gain advantage like lesser versions of their obsequious elders.
Lost in his contemplations and enjoying the solitude, he turned a corner and found himself in a small workspace, rather than the sales floor. A number of dressforms, all female, were scattered about the small room, making it seem as though a whimsical party were taking place.
The dummies all wore shining, sheer or silky things, little more than the flimsiest of underthings… Lace and slender straps held aloft the thinnest gossamer patches of cloth, revealing far more of the voluptuous, upholstered models than one would expect.
On the worktable, scraps of deep indigo silk and pieces of exquisite, golden lace were scattered, some work in progress, no doubt. It could almost seem that the thing was being disassembled by a skilled crafter, to divine what secrets it held… that would be utter madness of course.
He could glean nothing of the final design, but the fabrics and colors caught his eye.
With new thoughts bubbling in his mind, his heart began to beat more swiftly, as he caressed a satin gown that was so brief and thin as to be…
“My apologies Master Abed, this is a private workspace, none of these things are available for purchase, they are… special projects, research and experiments.” Jennah spoke softly, sounding more than a little embarrassed.
Abed for his part, flushed a deep coppery bronze and stammered uncomfortably. “Forgive me… but these garments… what are they?”
“These are simply sweet nothings, stitched together from remnants to amuse the apprentices, please put them from your mind…” She lied, while twitching a clean white cloth over the worktable, with its colorful and compelling ‘remnants’ and ‘sweet nothings’.
She hustled him back to the front of the shop, politely, but firmly; refusing to discuss the small room and its mysterious contents at all.
“That is a small conceit of this shop, pay it no mind please. Let me show you something in a rubbed linen shirt for the summer season, it is almost dangerously soft on the skin…”
Thoughts of that room kept creeping back into his mind as he wandered with Adam Belen, who staunchly denied any knowledge of whatever those garments were.
Healer’s clergy cannot lie, so Abed was forced to drop the matter… for now.
#
Tawny and Jaspret walked from Dana’s temple, directly to Joy’s. From there it was on to the temple of Order, and the six shrines to the spirits scattered around the temple quarter. The temple of Craft on the avenue of smiths, in the craft quarter, seemed to end their whirlwind ecumenical tour.
“You have no shrine to Secret in town?” She asked Tawny, on the steps of Craft. “That seems odd…”
“It was removed by the cult, for reasons they unsurprisingly are keeping… secret.” Tawny answered happily.
“What cult removed it?” She asked, curious now. Her fascination with the ‘Kim’ book drove her interest in Secret, entranced by the ‘Great Game’ and deeply curious.
“Removed the shrine? Secret.” Tawny answered without hesitation.
“How can that be? The shrine is a public edifice, it can’t be removed in secret…” Jaspreet complained.
“It was removed by Secret, or rather, by his cult. We now have a temple of Knowledge usually, so it all works out.” Tawny smiled happily and hugged her aunt. “We should go there now, you’ve visited all the other holy sites, might as well collect the set.”
Tawny was smiling and humming a little tune as she walked her aunt through the market ward. She flagged down a young girl in a red sash and handed her a few iron bits. After a brief, whispered exchange, the child unslung a strange, wheeled board and zipped away startlingly quickly.
#
The two men walked through the market ward and out into the busy and hectic gate market. Carts, tents and stalls covered the wide expanse, with broad avenues and clear sight lines.
A platoon of guards stood ready at the gate, in light armor and armed with very functional looking spears. Their alert, no nonsense stance went beyond professional standards, these men looked actually alert and ready.
They patrolled in pairs, always at least three groups in motion at all times, while the remaining six stood at the city gate.
Adam noticed his gaze on the ducal guards and smiled grimly. “We have had a few disturbances of the peace lately, hence the heightened guard presence.”
“There were rumors of a slaver attack and a murder this winter…” He began, probing for clues unsubtly.
“It was less of an attack… than an attempted abduction. The slavers were routed by their intended prey and the local Adventurers, rather decisively. A ghastly business.” He flushed molten bronze in embarrassment.
“The other was an attempted murder, also foiled by local forces, the victim survived, while the assailant seems to have vanished.” He looked deeply uncomfortable, as he spoke. “I’m told that the issue has been ‘fully resolved’ through some occult means.”
“I would like to speak to the survivors of these attacks, if duke Belen’s investigations are complete, my fringe settlements are plagued by the threat of slavers and raiders from the wastes.” He grumbled quietly.
“The captured slavers will be sent for trial in Port Ellis, as the victim was a personal friend of my family, the victim may speak to you if he wishes.” Adam said awkwardly.
“And the person attacked in the market? May I speak with them?” The disguised lord pressed.
“The same fellow was the target of both attacks, so yes, if He will speak to you, house Belen has no objections.” Adam replied with a sigh of relief, as a runner came rolling up, his red sash flying behind him.
“Message for you, honored cleric!” The girl sang happily. “The lady Jaspreet is on her way to give veneration at the temple of Knowledge, she asks that you meet her there.”
“Thank you Kelly, please inform the lady that we will meet her there, when we are finished at the music shop.” He flipped her a copper bit with a golden grin.
“Blessings of the day to you honored cleric!” she chirped happily, as she snatched the coin from the air with a swift and sure hand. With a flourish, she produced a small packet from her satchel, handed it to the priest with a bow and skated away on her strange board, with a tip of her green horsie cap.
“Our orphans have become quite industrious of late.” Adam crooned, as he tore at the small paper box she had given him.
“The red sashes are messengers, the brown vests deliver goods all over town, while the green caps…” He sighed happily.
“They only deliver joy, sweet sweet joy. It’s devilishly clever really…” Adam finally got his tiny box opened and he handed Abed a small, brightly wrapped paper twist.
“What’s this?” The duke asked softly, having seen these traded around briskly by those green capped kids.
“Joy.” Adam replied, unwrapping a small brown lump and popping it into his mouth with a shudder of pleasure.
The duke followed his companion’s example with a shrug.
“Chocolate?!” Abed mumbled, while struggling to maintain his composure… and balance. “Gods… I’ve never… I need more, Jaspreet must try this!”
“The Sweet Tooth Guild is a local institution now… Though, due to a trade dispute, their wares cannot be bought directly, only traded or given away, unless you find someone willing to sell what they have.” He shook his head sadly.
“Few will part with it willingly, as supply is very tight… They have been cutting back production for a few weeks now. Delicious, is it not?”
“I’ve tried chocolate a few times before, aside from the scent… this bears no resemblance to that other stuff. Is this new?” He asked, sucking his teeth in delight.
“When asked, the minions of the Sweet Tooth Guild spin a fanciful tale of a Starman who fell through time to bring candy to the children of men…” He smiled fondly at the rapidly vanishing child. “They swear the tale is true. I’ve heard stranger tales, just since midsummer.”
The duke smiled a brown toothed grin at the young priest. “Just so you know, I plan to implement every one of your innovations and reforms in Shiraz, the moment I return.”
“Very good news!” Adam almost bounced with excitement. “Otho has been trying to get his reforms through for generations… His results speak for themselves, but the conservatives almost always win out anyway… In this case, his latest crop is quite remarkable.”
“Really, tell me more of this ‘latest crop’ of young Adventurers…” Abed smiled sharply, smelling a weakness. Adam was a true enthusiast, speaking on the matter about which he was most passionate.
“As you no doubt are aware, house Belen is uniquely close to the orphan’s league. Our family has such close ties to Healer and Joy, we almost all become clergy. Hence our tradition of marrying and elevating local commoners…” He smiled again, in mild embarrassment.
“Controversial, yes, but again, our results speak for themselves.”
“I am well aware.” The duke answered dryly.
“As a result…” Adam continued, without skipping a beat. “...we spend more time and effort cultivating our orphans than most domains. Not just in martial skills and tactics, but in first aid and even more advanced healing arts for those with aptitude.” He smiled even more radiantly.
“Our orphan lay healers are always in demand at auction. Shiraz purchased one last year if I recall… How is Frida doing?”
“She is on my strike team, another innovation I stole from you… shamelessly.” Abed announced with pleasure.
“If I had another team like them in my stable, I’d not have lost so much this winter. That is an error I plan to correct this year.”
“Yes we have some promising contracts available… the competition will be stiff. Wheatford’s orphanage is making a lot of noise in the region.” Adam nearly oozed satisfaction.
“We have reignited our literacy programs and broadened our educational foundations, so things will be even more interesting in the future.”
“I’ve seen your books… a fascinating innovation.” Mubarak spoke in frank admiration. “They purport to be works of human cultural heritage, what I have seen bears that out. Did you find some secret library lost to time?”
“Oh, those… that is some prank of Tawny’s pet orphan…” The handsome, golden priest sighed in frustration.
“The poor mad creature’s aura distresses me such that I cannot approach him. He’s a tragic case, best we avoid such a distressing topic.”
“A prank, you say?” Abed asked softly.
“The poor thing is moon-touched and addle-pated. Whatever afflicts his mind, it is beyond any human art to cure…” He shuddered in obvious and honest distress.
“Now, my young band of pre-indenture Adventurers… They are a topic you may find interesting. Three will go up for auction this year, already badged and enrolled as apprentice Adventurers. I myself have supervised them on some local monster interdictions. Level appropriate foes, of course.”
That got his interest and held it keenly. “Those are yours?” He asked. “The new team that has been working in the area?”
“Indeed, I was not aware that they were making an impression in the wider region yet.” He seemed pleased with himself.
“The Scarlet Ascots are making some impressive strides…” Adam began happily.
“I thought they were called ‘Ginger Dread-something’ at least in the reports I received… Do you recognize this person?”
The disguised lord held up a small scroll, bearing a silly sketch of a young man in ladies clothing, being eaten by a tree.
“Gods… him again…” The handsome priest looked crestfallen. “You will want to speak with Tawny, she has once more fallen in the midden heap… and come out smelling of lilacs…” He said sadly.
“My orphans really are excellent, they are trying so hard and growing stronger…”
Sensing he had stumbled into a sibling rivalry and a false trail, Abed tried to shift the topic. “You mentioned a music shop?”
For some reason that soured his mood even more. “Yes, we are almost there… the music shop and then the temple of Knowledge.” He said, as he struggled to hide his disappointment.
“I will certainly look at your orphans Adam, I’m sure they are very fine…” He soothed the agitated priest. “I always need fresh warriors.”
His golden smile once more in place, Adam led the visiting lord deeper into the market ward and across the bridge… To that impossibly familiar inn.
#