Diligence Point by Alice Sabo

Author:Alice Sabo [Alice Sabo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alice Sabo
Published: 2023-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-two

Flint was well aware of the shadow she’d acquired as she wandered through town. She debated going back to the inn, or looking for Steel, but decided it couldn’t be that dangerous. There had been several points in her meanderings that she could have been accosted or kidnapped, and it hadn’t happened. It made her wonder who this person was, and why they would concentrate on her. She had little importance in comparison with some of the others in her group.

She bought a few necessities, a few luxuries and inspected the other possibilities. Moormount was a very mixed city being on the crossroads to Greenvale on the east and High Barrens to the north. They were not far from the bridge over the Black River, right on the Icy River where the bridge to Greenvale brought a lot of traffic. There were all sorts of people and products to be found. Despite the busy streets, she was enjoying the bustle of a city.

Flint found a traveling writing kit that she’d never seen before. It was perfectly organized with pens and notebooks, a slot for loose paper, and a number of various sized pockets. The outside was made from a thick drycloth that would protect the contents and there were straps that could be attached to a saddle. She gladly handed over the coins for it. She added a few more notebooks, a sheaf of paper, pencils and two of the newly designed pens that contained their own ink.

She’d almost forgotten about her shadow when she sat down at a cafe for tea and cake. The man sat down opposite her. She stared at him coldly but relented at the look of misery on his face. A glance showed her that his spirit fire was clean but was badly stressed. “What can I do for you?” she asked.

“I…” he faltered. He took a breath, but tears welled up in his eyes and his mouth clamped shut.

Flint felt sorry for him. Whatever he’d come to her for was breaking his heart. She took a sip of tea, but he seemed to be losing his nerve. “Just tell the truth.”

“There’s a blight on the land,” he said. “Now it’s come for my family.”

“Where?” Flint asked.

“You believe me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked curiously.

“Because I’m just a mudfoot.”

Flint had heard the term but had assumed it was just slang. She realized now that it was more. “I’m from High Barrens. I don’t know what that means.”

He flinched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude,” he said hunching into himself.

“I grew up on a farm at the foot of the Skytops,” she said. “We speak very plainly up there.” She cut her cake in half and offered him a portion.

“But you’re with them,” he said, glancing around as if it was a secret.

“Because I am of use,” Flint said, hoping to put him at ease, but his eyes widened. “I have a knack,” she added, to clarify. She finished her cake in three bites and nudged the remainder toward him.

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