Gewey. He pretended not to notice, but it was hard to ignore her.
He hoped Kaylia was unaware of Dina’s gaze, but he held little hope that anything would escape the elf’s attention. By the time they reached Delhammer, Gewey was ready for a change of scenery. The city wasn’t as big as Kaltinor, but at least the gates, though guarded, were open. Millet stopped and asked one of the guards about the quality and location of the inns, and the guard was more than happy to help once he was given a copper.
The streets were busy, but much cleaner than those in Kaltinor. It seemed that commerce had not been affected by hard times, and the people were cheerful and smiled as they passed by.
The inn they found was decent, and the common room was filled with patrons enjoying the antics of a juggler and magician, something Gewey had never seen. Lee paid for the rooms while Millet stabled the horses. Gewey shared a room with Lee, while Dina and Kaylia shared another. Millet and Maybell got rooms of their own, though both of them protested, arguing that they were perfectly willing to share and even sleep on the floor if necessary. Once they were settled, Maybell left in search of the temple district, insisting that Dina accompany her. Millet and Lee went looking for a caravan headed west. Gewey persuaded Kaylia to join him in the common room and watch the acrobat who, as it turned out, played the lute and sang. Kaylia was uneasy at first, but she soon realized that no one paid her any attention; as she grew more comfortable, she even laughed at some of the more silly songs. Lee and Millet were the first to return, and they joined them at the table.
“I see your aversion to being seen in public has lessened,” Millet said cheerfully.
“I didn’t want Gewey left unprotected,” she answered unenthusiastically. “And luckily, these people don’t seem so interested in the comings and goings of others. A hooded woman doesn’t seem so out of place here.”
“I think you’ll find that to be more and more the case, the further west we go,” Millet replied.
“Did you find a caravan?” asked Gewey, still watching the entertainment with glee.
“We did,” Lee confirmed “It doesn’t depart for two days. Still, I think it’s the best way to travel unnoticed.”
“I think I could use a break anyway,” Gewey noted. “This seems like a fun place.”
“We can’t be reckless,” Lee said sternly. “And we can’t afford to expose ourselves too much.”
“If the entertainment here is as good at night as it is at midday, then I think I’ll be happy not leaving the inn,” said Gewey.
The acrobat was juggling six apples, taking a bite from each one as it passed, before making them disappear.
Seeing Gewey in such high spirits, Millet couldn’t help but smile affectionately. “I think the lad does need a bit of fun in his life right now, my lord. Who knows when he’ll get another chance, given what the future may hold?”
Lee sighed. “You’re right, of course. I forget sometimes that he’s only seventeen.”
“
“Good point,” said Lee, slamming his hands on the table. “I think we could all do with a bit of fun. Wait here.”
Lee got up and went to the bar. Gewey saw the barman nod enthusiastically as Lee whispered into his ear.
“What did you do?” asked Gewey when Lee returned.
“You’ll see tonight,” Lee said with a sly grin.
Kaylia shook her head, unimpressed. “I think I’ll be staying in my room tonight.”
“Not a chance,” Lee said, pulling out a red scarf from his pocket.
“This, my dear, is traditional attire in this region, and it should cover up your more…obvious attributes. Besides, Gewey needs looking after, and it seems you’ve volunteered for the job.”
“Mind your tongue,” Kaylia fumed.
“I didn’t think you could blush,” Lee teased, paying no mind to Kaylia’s anger. “I guess I was wrong.”
Just then, Maybell and Dina returned.
“How are things at the temples?” asked Lee.
“Better than I expected,” Maybell replied. “I spoke to the High Priestesses at the temples of Gerath and Ayliazarah. They’ve been suspicious of Salmitaya for some time. Apparently the witch wasn’t as careful as she thought.”
“Why didn’t they move against her?” Lee inquired.
“It’s not as easy as you think to oust a High Priestess,” she answered. “Even a corrupt one. Besides, Salmitaya was well protected within Kaltinor-and still is, from what I’ve learned. We have no soldiers to simply march in and remove her. But I am pleased to say that if she is caught outside the city walls, she will spend the rest of her life in a temple prison.”
“What else did you find out?” Lee asked.
“Not much,” she admitted. “At least, nothing useful.”
Lee looked concerned. “I had hoped we could get an idea about what we might run into as we get further west.”
“Communication between the temples has become spotty at best,” added Dina. “I spoke to a few of the Sisters, and from what they told me, suspicion between the temples has become a plague. They hear the rumors about the gathering strength in the north, and some even claim there are agents of Angraal living openly in some cities, gathering followers.”
Lee scratched his chin. “I want you to go to the other temples tomorrow and see if you can find out anything else. For now, we should all keep our eyes and ears open.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
“But now, my friends, Millet and I have an errand to run, and we must leave you,” Lee said. “Be washed by sundown, Gewey; I have a surprise for you.”
Gewey looked confused as he watched Millet and Lee leave the inn.
“A surprise? What could he possibly be up to?” he wondered aloud.
“With that one, who knows,” Maybell replied. “But if you don’t mind, I haven’t seen an acrobat in years.”
They all watched until the acrobat had finished, then retired to their rooms to wash and get ready for supper. The smell from the kitchen promised roast lamb and fresh bread. Gewey’s mouth watered at the thought.
Lee entered the room just as Gewey had finished bathing. He was carrying a bundle tied with twine.
“Here,” Lee said, tossing him the bundle. Gewey opened it, and saw that inside was a set of new clothes and a pair of fine leather boots. The long tunic was gold silk with silver embroidery, and the pants were of the same design. A polished black leather belt completed the outfit. Gewey stared, not knowing what to say.
“Well?” Lee asked happily. “Are you going to try it on or not?”
“I don’t get it. Why did you give me this?”
“To wear at your coming of age celebration,” he said matter-of-factly.
“My what?” Gewey cried. “I’m only seventeen.”
“True,” Lee replied, smiling. “But the way I see it, the age of a God should be counted differently. Besides, who knows if you’ll have the chance to have a real coming of age party?”
“True,” Gewey acknowledged, holding up the clothes in front of him. “We might be dead by then.”
Lee laughed heartily. “Not what I had in mind, but a good point,” he admitted. “Now get dressed. I’m going to Millet’s room to get ready. I’ll send him for you when it’s time.”
An hour later Millet showed up at Gewey’s door, dressed in fine blue linens, looking very much a city dweller. His face beamed with delight when he saw Gewey in his new finery.
“Now that’s proper dress,” Millet remarked. “You look very much the young lord.”
Gewey felt awkward. He had never worn anything fancier than festival robes. He couldn’t stop pulling and tugging at the long tunic, and the heeled boots made him feel as if he would tip forward at any moment.
“You’ll get used to it,” Millet laughed. “One day, I suspect you may dress like this all the time.”
That idea didn’t please Gewey. He felt much more comfortable in his own clothes-the clothes of a farmer. He smiled anyway and tried to stop fidgeting.
When Gewey entered the common room, everyone smiled cheerfully and clapped their hands with approval at the sight of him. He saw that the others were dressed in fine attire as well. Lee was decked out in a bright red suit and jacket with gold buttons. Dina and Maybell both wore emerald green dresses with matching scarves wrapped tightly around their heads. Their hair, adorned with tiny white flowers, fell loosely from underneath the scarves.
