Origins: A Deepwoods Book - a Collection of Deepwoods Short Stories (Deepwoods Series 0) by Honor Raconteur

Author:Honor Raconteur
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Coming of Age, Young Adult, Sword & Sorcery, origins, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA, pathmaking, Anthologies & Short Stories, Deepwoods, Raconteur House, Anthologies, Fantasy, Honor Raconteur, Teen & Young Adult, guilds, Literature & Fiction, Short Stories, Short Stories & Anthologies
Publisher: Raconteur House
Published: 2016-05-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Grae’s dire prediction fortunately did not come true. The storm was indeed a terrible one but at midnight it abruptly stopped except for a few sputtering raindrops. Then it abated completely. The water level was indeed higher than normal, but by the time they made it the length of Island Pass and to the Grey Bridge, it had receded enough to make travel to Teherani safe again.

It took them a full day to reach Dykes, the first city on Teherani soil. Like Quigg, or Converse, it had an eclectic population of every possible race and people. It collected travelers the way most trade cities did, and the architecture was as varied as its people. Fei had been through here many times and enjoyed the place more than most cities, as it had a certain freedom to explore that most places did not. Security was taken very, very seriously in Dykes. The enforcers here had no sense of humor, not even about the smallest of crimes, and it was one of the few places in Teherani (or any of the four continents, for that matter) that a woman could walk about unescorted without any fear.

This would be the one city that Fei felt it safe to let his guard down a little. He couldn’t, of course—that wasn’t part of his job. At least, not until the caravan was squared away for the evening he couldn’t. Still, he didn’t have to keep a sharp lookout in all directions either.

Jacobs was beyond happy to get in as early as they did, as it gave him two full hours in the market before it closed for the day. He was quick to offload some of his wares and start bargaining. It fell more to Deepwoods to get the rest of the caravans actually settled at an inn. Fei followed the wagons themselves while Siobhan dealt with the drivers, making sure that everything was tucked away securely for the night. Retrieving his own bag, he headed into the inn. It was a popular one for caravans to use because of its large stableyard, so he had been here multiple times before. It was clean and spacious with the wonderful aroma of dinner preparations wafting from the kitchen.

Fei looked around, trying to spot someone from the guild. Beirly and Grae were settled at a table near the door, and there was only a tankard in both man’s hands, suggesting that they weren’t settled on staying in for the evening but were intending to go out. Perhaps they had plans to sightsee or do a little trading of their own?

He headed for them, intending to ask their plans, when he realized that both men kept casting nervous looks toward the ceiling. Strange behavior. Drawing out a chair, he sat next to Grae and asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Wolf’s in for it.” Beirly didn’t so much as glance at Fei, eyes glued on the ceiling as if he could see through it.

That did and didn’t answer his question.

Fortunately, Grae elaborated.

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