* * *
Early the next morning, Gef and Krell set off in the cart, bumping and bouncing their way to Silar. “You’d think they’d have better roads so near the city at least,” Gef complained.
Krell nodded and held his hat.
“Listen, Krell, when we get there, stay with the cart. If anyone asks any questions, just play like you don’t understand ‘em.”
Krell nodded again. “Aye, Gef, I don’t know nothing.”
“I doubt if that happens, but you never know. We’ll find the house first, circle about and see if they have any guards outside. Then we’ll hide you and the cart in the woods as close as we can get. I plan to walk the market area to see if I pick up any other information, then tonight we’ll do the deed and be on our way.”
Krell smiled. “Aye, be on our way, that’d be good. I’d like to be away back to home.”
Once they had the cart tucked away, Gef walked to the market square. He’d wandered about for perhaps half an hour when he saw what he believed to be his target.
A young woman strolled through the square holding the hand of a small blond child trotting at her side to keep up. Two men walked slightly behind, sharing a pint and trading jibes. Another walked off to one side.
Gef chuckled to himself. He and Krell had quickly found the largest house in the village. It had to be the right one. And, he noted with joy, it was a sprawling single story surrounded by gardens and trees.
Now, if these were the guards he’d have to contend with, he had a very good feeling about this job. He could imagine the weight of those getlaks filling his pockets.
He noticed the woman kept the child near wherever they went. She would probably be the most watchful of all. Gef wondered if the child slept in the room with her. That could be a bit of a problem.
Carefully keeping them in sight, he pretended to look through the shops. He watched as they bought something at the apothecary, then the bakery, and finally, some cloth at the mercantile. Gef waited until they left the square, counted to a hundred, then followed in the same direction. He rubbed his hip absently as he walked. The damp of the ship had settled into it, causing it to throb. The jouncing of the cart hadn’t helped either. He’d be glad to have this done and be back in Pentra sitting in the warm Ale House with a fine draught after collecting his getlaks. Then he, Mags and Krell could start making plans to move out of the city.
The long, straight road made it easy enough to see them well despite their distance ahead.
III. Swept Away
The moon’s silver glow bathed the town of Silar with a cold light. One sleek pale ray stole through Merrith’s window to caress her soft cheek. She slept with the careless abandon of innocence, wrapped in the knowledge of her warm, safe world.
Gef and Krell approached the house with trepidation, circling it first to look for any trace of guards. They found one man at the front door and another near the child’s window, but to their surprise, they were both asleep! A sharp tap with his truncheon made sure they stayed that way. They followed the moonbeam to the window with the bright curtains and the stuffed doll. Using his knife, Gef pried the latch, which sprang open with a solid click. For a moment he stood still, but heard nothing stir within. He slid the window open. His gentle movements were almost unimaginable for such a large man.
With a muted grunt, he squeezed through the tight opening. Krell waited outside.
As he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dimness, he listened intently for any sound, but heard none. Approaching the little bed, he stood over the sleeping child, pressing the point of the knife he still held against his large thumb while he studied her. He put the weapon away before leaning over to prod her shoulder. She didn’t even twitch. Her breath came slow and even, whispered through gently parted lips.
He lifted her into his arms and fumbled at his belt for the small vial that hung there. The cap popped off easily and he poured the contents on the sheet and pillow, staining them dark red.
“Farra won’t like that,” the child stirred and murmured in his ear, gazing over his shoulder.
Every muscle in his body stiffened ready to subdue any outburst, but her calm, steady gaze stayed him.
“She won’t mind so much,” he whispered, heart pounding. “Once the sheets are changed, she’ll forget all about it.”
She gazed at him for a moment as if considering his words. “You don’t need to be afraid.”
Startled, he said. “I’m not afraid.”
She smiled, “I told the guards to sleep, Farra and the Mistress too. They’ll be sad, but we can go now.”
She knows! The thought leapt unbidden to his mind but he shook it away. That would be impossible.
“Where are we going?”
“To a place filled with butterflies.” It was the first thing Gef thought of that a child might like.
“Oh, good.” She smiled, and rested her cheek on his shoulder.
Then she popped back up. “Oh wait, I need to get Tiki!”
“No, shh, we can’t tell or bring anyone. Here, let’s put your robe on.” He stood her on the floor and pulled her robe on, then recoiled as a small grey mouse jumped to the windowsill.
Merrith lifted the mouse and kissed his head, then put him in a pocket in her robe. “I have to bring Tiki.”
Gef picked her up and handed her out to Krell who waited below.
“When will we see the butterflies?” she asked Krell, as he wrapped her in a dark shawl.
“Butterflies? Ain’t no butterflies where we’re goin’.” Krell ducked his head and blinked rapidly.
Landing beside him with a thud, Gef took the child back and held her protectively. “Of course there’s butterflies, Krell.”
Krell’s eyes widened and his head bobbed, “Oh, aye. Of course. The butterflies. Must’ve slipped me mind, them butterflies.”
Gef glared at Krell, but Merrith already slept again. He looked around, then motioned Krell to follow.
They slipped across the lawn into the shadows under the trees, carrying Silar’s hope with them.
Tucking the sleeping child into the back of their peddler’s wagon, they urged the old nag on. The wagon rumbled steadily through the night under the watchful gaze of the moon. Gef noticed with relief that his hip had quit aching.
Well before morning, they’d reached the harbor.
As Gef lifted the child from the wagon, she opened her eyes. He looked around uneasily. “I don’t like this, it’s too quiet.”
Merrith smiled. “No need to worry, we’re safe.”
Gef didn’t have time to ponder how she knew this; they needed to be on the boat and away.
Lagnor watched them approach. “It’s about time you two got back,” he said in a low voice.
Gef frowned. “Look, you, I don’t like none of this, but it’s done. We’re the ones what put ourselves in harm’s way. You had naught to do but wait. Just get us back home so those black-robed devils can pay us our blood coin!”
Gef didn’t know why he felt so angry. He’d been ready enough to take on this job. The Priests had convinced him they needed this child to keep the realm safe. He was doing his godly duty and being well paid to boot. But he didn’t like putting the girl in Lagnor’s care. He just wanted to be home with this mess finished. He didn’t looking forward to the next three days on the tiny boat.
They took Merrith gently below decks into the waiting arms of Magdalah, who crowed and cooed as the child opened sleepy eyes.
“This cannot be an evil child,” Magdalah whispered to Gef with astonishment. “What can these priests be thinking?”
“Not for us to judge,” Gef answered, looking away before she saw his own doubts. “I’m going up to the wheelhouse. I’ll check back on you later.” And he lumbered back up to the deck above.
“Rest now, little pretty one,” she whispered, “let the gently rolling sea rock you to sweet dreamland.” Magdalah settled her into the small bunk and covered the child with the shawl she?
??d been wrapped in. Merrith slumbered gently as the waters carried her further and further from her homeland.
When the rising sun turned the waters to a bejeweled pathway, Merrith sat up, her gaze settling on Magdalah in the rocking chair at the foot of the bunk.
“Are you my guardian now?” she asked, no hint of trouble in her voice.
Magdalah chuckled. “No, child. I’m just here to help you while we travel. I’ve no doubt you’re hungry. I’ve made you some gruel with a bit of bread and cheese. Not what you’re used to, I’m sure, but it will fill you up well enough.”
The child smiled sweetly, arose and walked to the crude table where she tasted the gruel. “Thank you, Magdalah, it’s good. Where is the man who will take me to the butterflies?”
“Butterflies?” The woman looked puzzled. “You must mean Gef. He’s here on the boat. Krell too.”
Merrith reached into her pocket and pulled out Tiki, the grey mouse, offering him crumbs from her bread.
“Oh, my!” Magdalah backed away. “A mouse!
“Don’t worry, Magdalah, he’s my friend. He won’t hurt you.”
“Well, oh, a friend you say? Perhaps we can find a nice little box with a lid for him to ride in, where he’ll be safe.”
Just then the boat gave a lurch and Magdalah almost fell. “Gracious, it seems the sea is a bit rough. Here child, hop on the bunk where you’ll be safe and I’ll tell you a story.” She didn’t notice the mouse scamper out through the door that had swung open when the boat shifted.