A Business of Ferrets (Bharaghlafi Book 1) by Hilgartner Beth

Author:Hilgartner, Beth [Hilgartner, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-09-24T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen—Desperate Ventures

The taproom at the Trollop's Smile was full of people, but for all that, it was fairly quiet. People ate and drank but sparingly, and there was none of the roistering gaiety one associated with a tavern full of people. Mouse and her parents sat at a table, nursing cups of ale and picking at bread and cheese. Donkey—restored to his uncle's good graces by necessity—was behind the bar, while the tavern master bustled to and from the kitchen. From Arkhyd's sour expression, Donkey could tell that he was muttering imprecations.

The door swung open suddenly, and a large, blond foreigner stumbled through, slamming it shut behind him. He was pale and clearly winded; a makeshift bandage, soaked with blood, was tied around a forearm, and there was a crusted cut across his brow. But even under the blood, and without his uniform, Donkey recognized Dedemar.

Dedemar came to the bar. As Donkey passed him the mug of ale he ordered, he leaned casually toward him and pinned the boy's wrist with one hand. "Donkey," he said in a low voice; there was menace in his tone, though he kept his expression pleasant. "I know you are not as stupid as you pretend. I have a message for you, and for Ferret, Squirrel, Kitten and Mouse. It is from the Lady Ycevi Ghytteve, and it is about Owl. If I tell you, will you tell the others?" When Donkey remained silent, his face blank, Dedemar's grip tightened painfully in warning. "Answer."

Donkey nodded.

"Very well. The Lady bids me tell you that Owl is not for sale—not for any price. You must give up any hope you cherish of freeing him from House Ghytteve. Do you understand? Answer."

Donkey nodded again.

"Good," he said. Still pinning Donkey's wrist, he picked up the tankard in his other hand, drained it, and shoved it back across the counter to be refilled. When Donkey complied, Dedemar took the cup to a table near the kitchen door. He sat there, deep in thought, for several minutes before he took several objects out of his pockets and put them into a leather pouch. Donkey tried to see what he was doing, but the man was too far away. The next time Arkhyd bustled out of the kitchen, Dedemar stopped him. They spoke together, too softly for Donkey to hear; then, Arkhyd went back into the kitchen and Dedemar followed him.

***

While Donkey was receiving Ycevi Ghytteve's message in the taproom, Donkey's uncle Arkhyd grumbled around the kitchen. Squirrel had made himself useful and was slicing bread and cheese at the counter, while Kitten tried to squeeze into one corner of the room, out of the tavern master's notice.

"A bad business, Guild war," Arkhyd groused. "The place is full of people bent on staying out of the way of the bravos; they're not hungry; they willn't drink; and I canna turn them out." He glowered at Squirrel. "Slice that cheese thinner, boy: happen only the gods could say when we'll be able to get more from the market.

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