I noticed Tapp’s pudgy enthusiasm without really paying attention. I heard Whistler, Bea, and Leddie arguing about something. None of that meant anything. Halla and I stared at each other, not talking but relying on years of friendship to know what the other was thinking.
Halla turned to Tapp. “We will go.”
TWENTY-NINE
The sun had set by the time our conversation with Tapp ended. He called for a lantern and led us to his house, which lay three shadowy streets away.
“Goat fat makes for a horrid, nauseating candle,” he said. “Tallow from other places costs dear—you might as well set your own finger afire—and oil’s worth more than molten silver. Not many people choose to light the outside of their houses, under those circumstances.”
The captain had demanded we sup with his family and then stay the night with them. We could then search for the ring with proper vigor tomorrow. I didn’t argue. Everybody appeared tired, and they were all younger than me.
We arrived at a long building and walked to one of many doors leading onto the street. Tapp turned and pointed past Leddie. “You can sleep in that barn across the way, although I won’t be sad if you fling yourself down a well, you grinding whore. Go eat a rat.”
Leddie laughed and swaggered away as if a palace had been aired out and waxed for her.
Tapp and his children called his wife Mama, and she told us to do the same. She was short, energetic, and pretty, with a crooked smile. At least five children ran through the house, wrestled, asked us questions, sang loudly, sat and ate occasionally, and showed us a kitten. We monopolized four of their seven stools, but the kids didn’t hesitate to sit in somebody’s lap to eat, and our laps weren’t off-limits.
I found it pleasant to visit with happy people. The children weren’t strictly well-washed, and they fought quite a bit until their ma would grab one by the ear. They reminded me of my childhood. Halfway through supper, I realized that Bea was watching the children and weeping like the world was done. Mama gathered her up and took her outside.
Tapp passed a pitcher of beer to Halla. “I don’t want to discourage you in any way at all from setting off to find this ring, but I am curious. You seemed to be damning the idea, and then quick as spit, you grabbed onto it. I’d appreciate understanding why.”
I swallowed a mouthful of boiled goat. “You described those golden bowls and whatnot so beautifully that we have to go see them ourselves.”
“Sure.” Tapp nodded. “I thought you might have interest in magic too, considering the way you killed those sorcerers all to hell. Although I doubt that you’re pining for Cofter’s Fine Trousers.”
“The Bloom of Unheeding Prowess,” Halla said.
I threw a chunk of bread at her.
“I won’t say anything.” Tapp shrugged. “I don’t know what I’d say. I don’t know what the heck this Bloom thing is, anyway.”
“We do not, either.” Halla filled her mug again.
I paused to think and then smacked Tapp on the arm. “Since you’re a wonderful host and have a beautiful family, we will confide in you, Captain. Nobody knows what the Bloom of Unheeding Prowess is. Few people even know that such a peculiar thing exists.”
Halla said, “It is probably a weapon. The evidence is not good, but it exists.”
“Although it might be a crown or a hat,” I added.
“It could be a shoe,” Halla said. “Some people have thought that. It would surprise me, though.”
“No living person can tell us, but it’s said to be potent as far as magical doodads go,” I said. “Such a thing will be helpful to us soon, or so I predict.”
Halla grunted. “Bib cannot predict the future. But he is right about this.”
“I hope you find this Bloom thing then.” Tapp belched and rapped the table. “It sounds to be a fair shot more interesting than training recruits and disciplining drunk soldiers. I can’t go into the crypt with you, though. It would be irresponsible. And Mama might stab me in my sleep for taking risks.”
We all slept on the children’s three big pallets, and the children draped themselves on us to sleep. I have passed more restful evenings.
Before dawn, Tapp led us back to the square, up a shallow hill, and around behind a three-story stone house. Chilly mist sucked in around us. Bea had remained with Mama, so Halla, Leddie, and Whistler tramped along behind me. Leddie and I carried lanterns, and I had paid Tapp lavishly for the oil we’d burn.
Two dozen white stone monuments of varying sizes stood behind the house, and a slab of pink granite, bigger than a wagon bed, lay flat on the grass near the center. A tall but puny mahogany tree stood thirty feet away. Two iron doors had been set into the granite, each with an iron handle. Somebody had wound a thick chain through the handles to fasten the doors together. Three iron locks held the chain in place.
I nodded toward the doors. “Open them up.”
Tapp raised his eyebrows but pulled a big key off his belt. Two minutes later, Halla and I hauled both doors open. They moved with a greasy whisper, as if the hinges had just been oiled.
Halla peered in. “Do you know if there are traps?”
Tapp said, “Well, when people go in . . . I’ll just say that from all the screaming, I would assume you’ll find some traps.”
I joined Halla and peeked too. Stone steps plunged into the ground, disappearing into darkness. “Whistler, go with Halla.”
Whistler took a breath and drew his sword. Halla grabbed his sword arm and pulled him away with her as she walked back toward the street.
Tapp squinted at me but didn’t ask a question.
Leddie blew a kiss at Tapp. “You’re
