“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said quietly. “I’m going to help you up. You’re going to stand and slowly give me my sword back. Then, you’re going to give me back anything else you’ve stolen from me. If I think it’s enough, I’ll let you go. If not…well…we’ll see.”
In truth, he wasn’t expecting to get his money back. It would make life easier, yes, but all he truly needed was his sword.
He reached down, grabbed the man’s arm and hauled him to his feet. The man swayed, groaned, but stayed upright.
“My sword,” Solomon said, “now.”
The man’s fingers clumsily worked at his belt until he loosened the buckle. Sliding it off, he handed it over to Solomon.
“Good. Now the rest.”
Blearily, the man dug into his pocket and dropped several coins and pieces of gold on the table. There was more left than Solomon expected.
“Go on now,” he said. “And keep this in mind. If I see you doing to others what you did to me, I’ll be back for you.”
The man stared at him for a second, then staggered away. At the door, he turned back, spit on the floor, then disappeared.
“Sorry about that,” Solomon said to the bartender, buckling on his sword belt and scooping up his other things.
“No problem here, friend,” the bartender replied. “He was in here causing problems, drinking for free and implying that if I didn’t like it, he’d give me the sharp end of that thing. Good riddance, I say. Offer you a drink?”
“No, thank you.” Solomon looked out the door to where the kids stood gathered, watching through the opening with wide eyes. “But maybe you can tell me where a man can buy lunch for some friends around here.”
♦ ♦ ♦
It was late afternoon by the time they finished eating. Christoph let out a huge belch, which caused the others to laugh and try to top it. One of the girls was the clear winner until Solomon sat back and stunned them all with a horrifically loud one. The laughter that rang out after that was pure childhood joy and Solomon wondered how long it was since it was heard there.
“Thanks again,” he said. “I wouldn’t have gotten my things back without you.”
The kids smiled and jostled each other.
“Now, want to do some more? This one isn’t as dangerous.”
“Sure,” Christoph shrugged. “You’ve been square with us, so why not?”
“Great. I’m searching for someone else. Someone who came to Dunfield a few weeks ago. She’s a woman, but she’ll be like me. Taller than anyone else here. Her name is Celia. If you help me find her, I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Who is she?” one of the kids asked.
“Just someone who means a lot to me.” ‘
“Ooooh…is she your girlfriend?”
Giggles rose from the kids, including Christoph, which Solomon was glad to see.
“Yep, she is,” he said easily, “and I’d really like to find her.”
“All right,” Christoph said, “we’ll keep our eyes open.”
“Great.”
He was rising to his feet when one of the smaller boys tugged on Christoph’s sleeve and motioned him away with a jerk of his head. Solomon stopped and watched the whispered conversation. Finally, Christoph straightened, nodded, and came back.
“Micah has seen her.”
“What? Already? Where?”
“Several nights ago. He was with someone else. Someone bad, but don’t blame him. He was scared and didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
Christoph stared a challenge at Solomon, ready to protect his young friend. Solomon raised his hands. “No problem. I know how it is. Where did he see her?”
“In an alley, not that far from here. They came across her sleeping, after those things were gone for the night. The guy Micah was with…well, he tried to get her…”
Christoph’s voice stumbled, apparently unsure of how to say what he was trying to get across.
“I understand what you mean,” Solomon said. “Go on.”
“Anyway, this woman, she broke his leg. Micah and the other, the one who’s still with the guy, they dragged him away. After that, Micah doesn’t know what happened to her, but she’s here, or she was anyway.”
Solomon smiled again. Not only was Celia here, she was protecting herself. A far cry from the entitled, snobbish girl he first met.
“This is great news,” he said. “Thank you, Micah. Do you think you can find her again?”
Now Christoph smiled. “Of course. I already told you. We know this city better than anyone!”
♦ ♦ ♦
It was heading toward evening when the kids found Solomon again.
“No luck,” Christoph muttered.
“No problem,” Solomon said. “We’ll try again tomorrow. You guys hungry?”
As they all ate again, Solomon looked around. The ever-dim light of Dunfield was starting to fade and soon the weird people in the bright clothes would be out and about.
“Where do you guys stay at night?” he asked.
Christoph shrugged as he took a last bite of his food. “Wherever we can.”
“Well, tonight you’re with me. Let’s go.”
He rose to his feet and led them along the streets, heading back to Doc Mia’s. But it was later than he first thought, and the sun disappeared while they were walking, allowing dusk to fall over the town.
“We have to hide,” Christoph said. He and the other kids were glancing around nervously.
“No, let’s keep going,” Solomon said. “I’ll protect you.”
They continued, but strangely, there were no whistles and no sign of the brightly dressed people.
“What’s going on?” he wondered aloud.
After a few more streets he was convinced that there was no danger from those things. Although Dunfield at night still held other perils. They walked along the main street, coming to a large fountain that contained only a shallow pool of still, fetid water.
“That’s where they come from.” Christoph pointed up the street to
