The Crimson Talisman by Adrian Cole

Author:Adrian Cole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sf_fantasy

Not for the first time that day, Vaddi was amazed at Nyam’s resourcefulness. He seemed to be able to pull from thin air the clothes, weapons, and provisions they needed for their pursuit of the Sea Harlot. The peddler’s connections in Pylas Maradal were remarkable and his credit was no less so. More than ever Vaddi was aware that Nyam was not the simple peddler he affected.

“Not that I’m prying into your past, Nyam,” said Vaddi, once he had changed into the nondescript but comfortable robes of a trader and strapped to a concealed belt a fresh dirk plus two other short swords, “but you seem well known to these people.”

Nyam grinned. “I confess I have had more than a few dealings along this seaboard, some that I’d rather not discuss! I’m just calling in a few favors, and I do have something set aside, as it were, against my needs.”

“And the ship?”

“There’s an elven trader bound for Shae Thoridor. Just delivered its cargo to the docks. Ostensibly rare woods from Aerenal.”

“You mean there was another cargo?”

“I know the captain. He wouldn’t miss a chance to earn some real gold. I suspect there was a weighty supply of contraband weapons onboard. The officials in Pylas Maradal try to control such things, but there’s a big demand for elf bows with certain forbidden spells woven into their grain. Dramman Wandel would prefer no passengers on the return, but he’ll take us.”

“Are you sure?”

Again Nyam laughed. “Oh, yes. We go back a long way, and what’s more, he’ll vouch for us in our new guises as traders.”

“And what are we trading in?”

“Rare woods. They have some of the finest in Eberron. We need a valid reason to be in Aerenal, and trading for wood will satisfy the authorities there.”

“What do we have?”

“We are negotiating on behalf of a certain Lord Kazzerand.”

“We are?”

“Indeed. We have the seal of Kazzerand himself.”

Vaddi’s eyes bulged as Nyam proffered a disc that seemed to be made of beaten silver. “But where did you get such a thing?”

“There are smiths in a certain quarter of Pylas Maradal who can reproduce anything. For a price, of course, but my credit is good.” He slipped the disc away.

Vaddi grinned, but inwardly his mind was in turmoil. There was so much about Nyam that he knew nothing about. True, he’d have been helpless here without him. But what did the peddler really want? Was he working for someone else? Surely not Kazzerand. That seal! Maybe it was genuine and he was in the warlord’s employ.

But no, Vaddi thought, I can’t believe it of him. And Zemella trusts him.

There was little time to deliberate, for they had to get to the harbor. Nyam led them through the maze of bazaars that were the perpetual flow of the lifeblood of Pylas Maradal. At last they fought their way to a narrow alleyway that led to a wharf where a ship buzzed with activity. As they went down the alley, a group of elf warriors materialized, blocking their retreat on either aide.

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