‘Sleep well, lad,’ Mr Joshua said, opening the door to leave. ‘I still have a little work to do out here, so why don’t you get some shut-eye and I’ll be back in the morning.’
With that, he closed the door. Samuel extinguished the lantern and then pushed his way into his bed of rugs, amazed by its softness and warmth. As he lay with his eyes closed, the voices beyond the door became a low buzz and he soon found himself asleep. A strange sense of calm had replaced all the horrible dread and fears of earlier in the day and he felt comforted by the reassuring words of Mr Joshua. The man was truly the first friend Samuel had found in a long time.
Samuel was surprised to be woken by Mr Joshua well after dawn.
‘Sleep in?’ Mr Joshua asked, stepping around Samuel’s bed.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well, thank you, Mr Joshua.’
‘That’s good. We both have a busy day ahead so let’s go get some breakfast together and then we’ll see about your new job.’
Samuel hopped up and folded his rugs while Mr Joshua arranged some papers on his desk. Samuel plucked up his bag and they both then went into the markets, where Mr Joshua bought them some fresh bread and fruit to breakfast upon. As they walked to the far side of town, where the buildings and houses began to thin, Mr Joshua started to explain a few things.
‘You see, Samuel, not only do I trade in goods and items but in information as well. I’m sure you realise the potential value of a good secret. Mr Frost, for example, is a close associate of mine, but he works for a group of men that don’t like me very much at all. I can’t meet Mr Frost directly, so whenever I knew he was in town, thanks to you, I could arrange to catch up with him in secret. He would usually give me some snippets of information that I could trade or sell or simply use to gain more business.’
‘I’m glad I could help, Mr Joshua, but what will you do now? How will you meet with him and do all your business?’
‘Don’t worry, Samuel,’ Mr Joshua said kindly. ‘You have done good work for me, but you are far from being the
Samuel nodded.
‘As I have already told you, there is another inn here in Stable Canthem where I can get you some work, but there are certain things you must do for me while you are there. You see, this new inn is a little unusual. It’s for men who belong to a rather peculiar organisation. And if I could find out what their organisation is doing, I’d be greatly appreciative and, of course, it would help my business. So, what I want you to do is find a way to get the names of the men who stay there-there will only ever be men-and tell them to me, as well as anything you hear them say about where they are going or what they’ve been doing.’
Samuel nodded. ‘Are they Imperials, Mr Joshua?’
‘Hmm, many of them will be but some of them aren’t. Their group is certainly Imperial, so you should be careful what you say to them all the same. Now, here’s my friend, Mr Sparcock,’ Mr Joshua said as they met a man who stood idly by in the street. He was a lanky, untidy-looking character who seemed nervous of everything that caught his eye. He was holding a small bag loosely in one hand and Mr Joshua eyed the man’s appearance with some disdain. ‘Mr Sparcock will take you to the inn and help you to get the job. I cannot go, for I have other business to take care of-I’m still trying to undo some of the mess you have put me into. Mr Sparcock
Samuel nodded again and followed Mr Sparcock, weaving his way through the people in the street.
‘Here’s your bag, kid,’ Mr Sparcock said, pushing the small, black bag he was holding towards Samuel.
Samuel opened the bag and peered inside. It contained a few items of clothing that Samuel could only assume were for him, judging from their size. He slung the bag over his shoulder and followed on after the lanky man.
They soon came to a high wall on the outskirts of town and Mr Sparcock shook a small bell that hung at the gates. After several minutes and several rings, a long-nosed, balding man opened the gate and examined them.
‘Yes?’ he enquired.
‘I hear you’re in need of a new stablehand,’ Mr Sparcock said in his thin voice, coughing and clearing his throat, ‘and I’m leaving town. I thought my nephew could use the work.’
The man peered at them both for a few moments, looking doubtful. ‘Come in,’ he finally said, sighing and shaking his head.
They stepped inside and found themselves in a great walled garden, with immaculately trimmed lawns, shrubs and flowerbeds. They followed a cobbled path towards the greater central building, where their host led them inside through a set of doors. They came into a study and, after offering them seats, their guide left them, disappearing back into the hall. Shortly, an older gentleman with a pleasant face and clear blue eyes came in. He was surrounded with a fine shimmering radiance, a healthy glow unlike any Samuel had seen. Some people are
‘I am Peter Kelvin,’ the man began, sitting opposite them. His voice was slow and his words well pronounced and carefully spoken. ‘I am the caretaker of this establishment. I find it quite curious that you should know of my sudden need for a stablehand.’
‘Word gets around, Mr Kelvin,’ Sparcock explained, shifting nervously in his seat.
‘Yes. So it seems, indeed. Last night, my stableboy disappeared mysteriously and today a replacement comes knocking on my door. Very curious, indeed.’ He turned his attention to Samuel. Mr Kelvin looked as if to speak, but stopped with his mouth already half-open, as if caught by surprise. For some moments, he scrutinised Samuel with a raised eyebrow, almost seeming to stare straight through the boy. Then, he coughed and drew a handkerchief from his pocket to rub at his eyes, before continuing as before. ‘He does seem a little young. Do you have experience, young man?’
‘He does,’ Sparcock interjected. Mr Kelvin raised an eyebrow at the comment before returning his eyes towards the boy.
‘Yes, Sir,’ Samuel began. ‘I’ve worked at the Three Toads Inn for a long time now-ever since I first came to Stable Canthem.’
Mr Kelvin accepted the statement with a nod. ‘Very good. What about your parents? Where are they?’ he asked.
Samuel looked to the floor. ‘My family were all killed, so my uncle looks after me now.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. Very well. You shall do for the time being or until my old stableboy turns up again. Kans may need to help you while you settle in. I will pay two Imperial crowns each week, board and lodging inclusive. Can you start at once?’
Samuel almost baulked on hearing the terribly low wage, but he had few other options at this point, so he had no choice but to accept.
‘I have my bag ready, Sir,’ Samuel declared, showing his bag to prove it.
‘He has his bag,’ Sparcock confirmed, nodding.
Mr Kelvin scrutinised Mr Sparcock with some contempt, his brow creased and wrinkled, before turning back to Samuel with a warm smile. ‘Very well, young man, go out to the stables and become acquainted with the place. Good day, Mr Sparcock. Thank you for your visit.’
With that they all stood and Mr Kelvin let them out.
‘Well done, lad,’ Sparcock bent over and said in a whisper. ‘Joshua will contact you when he needs you.’
Samuel nodded and wandered off to find his new workplace, while Sparcock was led by the long-nosed fellow
