The Hidden City - David Eddings 26 стр.


Sparhawk and his two friends went down the gangway with their sea-bags on their shoulders and with a certain amount of anticipation. Now I see why sailors are so rowdy when they reach port, Sparhawk said. That wasnt really much of a woyage, and I still feel a powerful urge to kick over the traces.

Where to? Talen asked when they reached the street.

Theres an inn called the Seamans Rest, Stragen replied. Its supposed to be a clean, quiet place out beyond the main battle zone here along the waterfront. It should give us a base of operations to work from.

The sun was just going down as they passed through the noisy, reeking streets of Beresa. The buildings were constructed for the most part of squared-off logs, since stone was rare here on the vast, soggy delta of the Arjun River, and the logs appeared to have been attacked by damp rot almost before they were in place. Moss and fungus grew everywhere, and the air was thick with the chill damp and the acrid wood smoke from the charcoal yards outside of town. The Arjunis in the streets were noticeably more swarthy than their Tamul cousins of the north, their eyes were shifty, and even their most casual gait through the muddy streets of their unlovely town seemed somehow furtive.

Sparhawk muttered the spell under his breath as they passed along the shabby street, and he released it carefully to avoid alerting the watchers he was sure were there.

Well? Talen asked. Talen had been around Sparhawk long enough to know the signs that the big Pandion was using magic.

Theyre out there, Sparhawk replied. Three of them that I can pick up.

Are they concentrating on us? Stragen asked tensely.

Sparhawk shook his head. Their attentions sort of generalized. They arent Styrics, so they wont know Ive gone looking for them. Lets just move along. If they start to follow us, Ill let you know.

The Seamans Rest was a square, tidy inn festooned with fish nets and other nautical decorations. It was run by a burly retired sea captain and his equally burly wife. They brooked no nonsense under their roof and they recited a long list of house rules to each prospective tenant before they would accept his money. Sparhawk had not even heard of some of the things that were prohibited.

Where to now? Talen asked after they had stowed their seabags in their room and come back out into the muddy street.

Back to the waterfront, Stragen replied. The chief of the local thieves is a man named Estokin. He deals extensively with smugglers and with sailors who pilfer things from cargo holds. Ive got a letter from Caalador. Ostensibly, were here to make sure that he got his moneys worth during the Harvest Festival. Arjunis arent generally trusted, so Estokin wont be too surprised to see us.

Estokin the Arjuni was a man who had clearly been destined for a life of crime from the day he was born. He had what was perhaps the most evil face Sparhawk had ever seen. His left eye peered perpetually off in a northeasterly direction, and he had a pronounced squint. His beard was sparse and straggly, and his skin was blotched with a scaly disease. He scratched at his face almost continually, showering white flakes like a winter sky. His high-pitched, nasal voice was very much like the whine of a hungry mosquito, and he reeked of garlic, cheap wine and pickled herring. Is Caalndor accusing me of cheating him, Vymer? he demanded with some show of indignation.

Of course not. Stragen leaned back in the rickety chair in the back room of the smelly waterfront dive. If he thought youd done that, youd already be dead. He wants to know if we missed anybody, thats all. Were any local people particularly upset when the bodies started to turn up?

Estokin squinted at Stragen with his good eye. Whats it worth to him? he haggled.

Weve been instructed to let you live if you co-operate, Stragen countered in a cool voice.

You cant threaten me like that, Vymer, Estokin blustered.

I wasnt threatening you, old boy. I was just letting you know how things stand. Lets get to the point here. Who got excited here in Beresa after the killings?

Not very many, really. Stragens chilly manner had evidently persuaded Estokin to behave himself. There was a Styric here who was fairly free with his money before the Harvest Festival.

What was he buying?

Information, mostly. He was on the list Caalador gave me, but he managed to get awayrode off into the jungle. Ive got a couple of local cut-throats on his trail.

Id sort of like to talk with him before they put him to sleep.

Not much chance, Vymer. Theyre a long way out in the bush by now. Estokin scratched at his forehead, stirring up another snow flurry. Im not sure why Caalador wanted all those people killed, he said, and I dont really want to know, but Im getting a whiff or two of politics, and here in Arjuna that means Scarpa. You might want to warn Caalador to be very careful. Ive talked with a few deserters from that rebel army in the jungle. Weve all heard stories about how crazy Scarpa is, but let me tell you, my friend, the stories dont even come close. If only half of what Ive heard is true, Scarpas the craziest man who ever lived.

Sparhawks stomach gave a lurch, and then it settled into a cold knot.

Father? Sparhawk sat up in bed quickly. Are you awake? the Child Goddess asked, her voice roaring in his mind.

Of course. Please lower your voice a bit. Youre jarring my teeth.

I wanted to be sure I had your attention. Some things have happened. Berit and Khalad got some new instructions from Krager. Theyre supposed to go to Sepal now instead of coming here to Beresa.

Sparhawk swore.

Please dont use that kind of language, Father. I am just a little girl, you know.

He ignored that. Is the trade going to take place in Sepal?

Its hard to say. Beviers been in touch with me too. Kalten talked with an outlaw whos been selling beer to the soldiers in Natayos, and he says that Scarpas gone back there. Then the outlaw told Kalten that Scarpa had two Elene women with Him when he returned.

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Sparhawks heart leaped. Was he sure?

Kalten thinks so. The fellow didnt have any reason to lie about it. Of course, Kaltens beer merchant didnt actually see them for himself, so dont get your hopes up too much. It could be a very carefully planted story. Zalastas in Natayos, and he could be trying to lure you there or trying to trick you into giving away any secrets you might have tucked up your sleeve. He knows you well enough to know that youll try to do something he doesnt expect.

Is there any way you could find out for sure if your mothers in Natayos?

Im afraid not. I could slip around Scarpa easily enough, but Zalasta would sense me immediately. Its too risky.

What else is going on?

Ulath and Tynian have reached the Troll-Gods. Ghnombs going to take them to Sepal in that frozen time hes so fond of, and theyll be there when Berit and Khalad arrive. Ghnomb knows another way to play around with time, so hes going to skip Ulath and Tynian from moment to moment. Its a little complicated, but theyll be there and watching and nobody will be able to see them. If Scarpa and Zalasta try to make the trade in Sepal, Tynian and Ulath will be right on top of them to rescue Mother and Alcan.

Zalasta can follow them into that frozen moment, you know.

That wouldnt really pay him, Father. Khwaj was outraged when he heard about Mother, so hes going to be lurking in No-Time. If Zalasta tries to follow Ulath and Tynian, Khwaj will set him on fireand the fire wont ever go out.

I could learn to grow fond of Khwaj.

Sephrenia and Xanetia are in Delphaeus, Aphrael continued. Edaemus is being tiresome, but the news about Klael shook his tree, so Ill probably be able to coax him down out of the branches. He knows that Mothers captivity puts the arrangement you have with Codon at risk, so hes agreed to help us rescue her. Ill keep working on him. If I can push him just a little further, he might agree to let the Delphae come out of their valley. They could be enormously helpful to us.

Why didnt you tell me about all of this earlier?

What would you have done if I had, Sparhawk? Jumped over the side of Sorgis ship and swum ashore?

I need to know these things when they happen, Aphrael.

Why? Let me take care of the fretting and worrying, Sparhawk. All it does is make you foul-tempered.

He let that pass. Ill tell this to Bhelliom.

Absolutely not! We dont dare open that box. Cyrgon or Klael will feel Bhelliom instantly if we do.

Didnt you know? he asked her mildly. I dont have to open the box to speak with Bhelliom. We can talk with each other right through the gold.

Why didnt you tell me?

What would you have done if I had? Jumped into the sea and come swimming after Sorgis ship?

There was a long moment of silence. You really enjoy turning my own words around and throwing them back in my teeth like that, dont you, Sparhawk?

Naturally. Was there anything else youd like to share with me, Divine One?

But the sense of her presence was gone, leaving only a slightly huffy silence behind.

WheresahVymer? Sparhawk asked Talen as the boy entered the room a few minutes later.

Hes out attending to something, Talen replied evasively.

Attending to what?

He asked me not to tell you.

All right. Im asking you to ignore himand Im right here where I can get my hands on you.

Thats a crude way to put it.

Nobodys perfect. Whats he up to?

Talen sighed. One of Estokins men stopped byjust after you came up to go to bed. He said that there are three Elenes in town who are letting it be known theyll pay good money for information about any strangers who seem to be settling in for a long stay. Vymer decided to look them up. Talen glanced meaningfully at the walls of their small room. Id guess that he probably wants to find out just exactly what they mean by good money. You know Vymer when theres some profit to be made.

He should have told me, Sparhawk said cautiously. Im not any more allergic to a quick profit than he is.

Sharing isnt one of Vymers strong points, From. Talen touched his ear and then laid a finger to his lips. Why dont we go out and see if we can find him?

Good idea. Sparhawk quickly pulled on his clothes, and the two of them clattered down the stairs and out into the street.

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