declared himself King of Melbin. He had the old garrison destroyed and a wall built around the city. Other than the seacoast, there are only three gates to get in and out of the city, one on each side of the city. In the center of the city he built himself a grand palace. The times were very troubled then and the wall around Melbin attracted many immigrants. The city is now filled to overflowing and construction is occurring outside the walls. The King taxes the people heavily, but they seem willing to pay his tribute because crime is almost nonexistent in Melbin. The laws are very strict and many minor offenses result in the death of the violator. Do not steal or cheat a merchant during your stay in Melbin.”
Garth paused to make sure everyone had heard his last statement. “Magic is forbidden,” Garth continued, “but like a lot of things, magic is used in private with no consequences. The Black Devils maintain a house in Melbin openly and no one complains. I suppose that I do not have to remind you to stay clear of the Black Devils, but remember that if you use magic inside Melbin, you will draw their notice. Kalina and I are going to use the West Gate to enter. The rest of you will use the South Gate. There is an inn on the coastal highway called the Fluttering Jib. That is where you will stay. We will be staying in the Bosun’s Chair across the street.”
After they had ridden on for a mile, Garth and Kalina veered off towards the West Gate and the rest of the group continued on towards the South Gate. Their excitement rose as they neared the walls and approached the massive South Gate. Streams of people were entering and exiting the city. Tedi felt uneasy passing before the stern looking guards in their orange and black livery, but the guards paid the group no more than a passing look.
Once inside the city walls, smells and sounds assaulted the group’s senses. Arik and Tedi savored the salty air of the seaport, while Fredrik and Niki inhaled the scents of the merchants and food sellers. Hawkers cried out to them as they passed, offering deals at favorite inns and restaurants, or offering to take them on a city tour. The Rangers ignored the offers and strode on towards the Fluttering Jib. Fredrik had to pull Niki along several times as she stopped to inspect a merchant’s wares.
Even the street in front of the Fluttering Jib was busy with street-side jugglers and musicians. Arik turned and looked across the street to the Bosun’s Chair as they turned down the alley alongside the inn to the stables. The stables were large and well cared for and Arik inquired about a blacksmith and was told that the inn had a working relationship with one. Arik could make his arrangements with the blacksmith and leave the horses in the stable. The blacksmith would collect the horses as needed and have everything ready in the morning.
Satisfied, the group entered the Fluttering Jib through the back door to the common room. The place was busy, but the innkeeper saw them and came right over. Arik was staring at the size of the common room, so Fredrik spoke to the innkeeper. He requested two rooms and the Rangers turned to look at him as he gave his name as Lord Wason of Cidal. The innkeeper, however, showed the proper respect due a Lord and escorted the group upstairs and showed them their rooms. The rooms were large enough to be comfortable, but small enough to prohibit spending any more time in them than necessary.
Once the boys entered their room, Fredrik stripped off his traveling clothes and donned the red velvet suit, which he was wearing when he left Cidal. Arik and Tedi began teasing him about it, until they noticed his serious look as he started fastening knives to his legs and arms. Another sheath was strapped to his back at his waist and one between his shoulder blades. Two more went into his waistband in the front, one to each side and Fredrik arranged his jacket so they were not visible.
“Are you planning for a battle?” Arik asked.
“I want to try them out and see if anyone detects them,” Fredrik explained. “People in cities are used to hidden weapons and one game they play is to try to spot a newcomer’s hidden cache. I plan to fatten my private coffers with a little gambling. Would either of you care to join me?”
“I promised Tanya that I would join her in a trip to the weapons merchants,” declined Arik.
“No, Thanks,” Tedi said. “I think I will just walk around and see what a city is like.”
Arik left soon after Fredrik, and Tedi went down to the common room to get a bite to eat. The inn was still serving the midday meal and the common room was fairly crowded. Tedi found a seat at an empty table and waited for someone to offer him food. A guard in the orange and black livery of Melbin and a man in a light green woolen tunic occupied the table next to Tedi and he listened to their conversation as he waited. The conversation was fairly boring as it centered on women, gambling, and crude jokes and Tedi was glad when a young girl finally came to offer him some food and drink. Tedi was elated that fresh fish was one of the food choices and ordered a plate of flounder and potatoes with a green salad. The price was a bit high, but all of the Rangers had a fair bit of coin taken from the bodies of the Dark Riders and Tedi desired a good fish dinner.
Tedi let his eyes rove over the crowd in the common room while still listening to the conversation at the next table. The men started talking about other people and Tedi had no idea who they were talking about, but every once and a while he picked interesting comments about other places. He heard them mention a mercenary company from Cidal in a favorable light. There was talk of two rival factions fighting for control of Trekum and some game that was played in Tagaret called, The Game of Power, that was killing people. There were mentions of places that Tedi had never heard of and creatures that sounded impossible to imagine.
Tedi’s food arrived and he savored the smell and flavor of the seafood. He had never thought that he would miss eating fish, but the mere flavor of the flounder brought a smile to his lips. He thought about Fredrik’s comments before leaving the room and looked at the people in the common room anew. There were all sorts of people about. Most of them were travelers, of course, but the room seemed to be favored by locals, as well. Tedi saw several tables where the people kept coming and going, but those who were already at the table always knew the newcomers. This obviously marked them as locals having the midday meal.
Others looked around cautiously as though they were unfamiliar with their surroundings and fearful of everything and everybody that came into the room. These were obviously new travelers and Tedi laughed to himself that he probably looked just like them. Still others had the look of being separate but familiar. This group was used to traveling and staying in strange places, perhaps they had even stayed here before, but they were still wary. They didn’t shun the companionship of the others, nor were they eager to invite it. They gave the impression that this was a normal occurrence in their profession and, therefore, familiar, but had had enough experience to know that danger always existed, even in familiar territory. They were probably messengers, merchants, and couriers.
Tedi had seen much of the same behavior in the Fisherman’s Inn in Lorgo when he spent several weeks there following his mother’s disappearance, but the Fluttering Jib presented it on a much larger scale. From the number of inns they had passed on the way to this one, he knew that Melbin must be a city of considerable importance for quite a distance around.
Tedi finished his meal and sat drinking his weak ale. He watched as a guard in the orange and black livery entered and began searching the room. The man was obviously looking for someone and when he looked in Tedi’s direction, his eyes widened and he started forward. Tedi felt a moment of fear as the guard marched towards him and he relaxed only when he realized the guard was interested in the table next to him.
Tedi berated himself for being so foolish, as the newcomer joined the guard and man at the next table. Tedi drained his ale and prepared to leave when the conversation at the next table caught his ear.
“So, there you are, Hanjel,” the newcomer said. “The Captain will have your throat if he finds you in here. You are still listed as on duty.”
“Easy, Lomar,” the seated guard replied. “He thinks I am delivering a message and when I get back my shift will be over. Join us for a bit.”
“Did I just hear you offer to buy me a drink?” chuckled Lomar.
“Now, why would I do that?” Hanjel coughed.
“Because I know something that will interest you,” smirked Lomar.
Hanjel signaled the serving girl and said, “Sit and convince me that you know something interesting, Lomar, before the serving girl collects my money.”
“I just saw Mikal Obanik walk into the Bosun’s Chair,” Lomar grinned.
Hanjel choked and spit ale across the table. “The devil, you did!” he cursed.
Chapter 16 King Alfred
