A short walk later and he finally reached his destination – an inn called The Major’s Reward. The Reward was a decent sized place, two-story, and built of faded grey wood with a stable around the corner. Iago knew the barkeep, Eurbie, from some time ago, so he felt comfortable coming here first. He wasn’t ready to trust his life to the man, but he at least considered Eurbie to be honest, and he owed Iago a favor. They walked through the open door and into the common room of the inn. Tables of all sizes were scattered about, most of them at least half full of people talking, laughing, drinking or arguing. A bar covered the entire right wall of the room, a young man busily pouring drinks behind it, then handing them off to the serving maidens. Iago didn’t recognize this barkeep; Eurbie was much older and fatter, so he decided to grab a table and wait to see if he showed up. Iago led the way through the maze of tables toward the back corner and found an empty one that would serve them just fine.
“We’ll eat here and rest a bit,” Iago said over the din of thirty other conversations in the room. “I don’t know if we should stay the night, though.” The others nodded and sat down, eager to get off their feet. Jonir waved a barmaid over who held up her hand, implying she would be a moment before she got there.
They’d barely settled into their seats before a very short, very thin man approached their table from the other side of the room. He had a long, gaunt face with a sloping forehead and a large, protruding, beak-shaped nose. His hair was long and white, and hung straight back. He did not look human.
“Great,” Iago groaned, curling his lips at the newcomer, “a ratman.”
The man cocked his head at Iago, “I am Liren, Anzarin, and I have a name. Perhaps you would care to use it instead of throwing insults around at people you do not know.” The Liren’s shrill voice and accent made it hard to tell if he was put off by Iago’s remark.
“Your people deserve every ill remark you get,” Iago said.
The Liren considered that for a moment. “Perhaps I am different.”
“Perhaps you should leave. Lirens are nothing more than liars and thieves.” Iago leaned forward. “I have never had an honorable dealing with a ratman.”
It was tough to be sure, but from the look on his face the Liren almost seemed amused. “Anzarins are not known for their kindness and generosity either, but you do not see me assuming that to be true of you as well. Maybe, since I am giving you the benefit of my doubt, you could give me the benefit of yours, before belittling the name of my people and my honor to your companions here.” The Liren pointed back and forth to himself and Iago with fingers so thin a strong wind might break them. Iago leaned back and shook his head, looking around the common room, not even interested in discussing things further.
Galen leaned closer. “What is your name and what is it you wish to offer us?”
The Liren’s face brightened “Ahhh, a reasonable man. Perhaps it is because you seem to be Assarin and not Anzarin that you do not judge before hearing my proposal. My name is Ilem, and I can see you have come from some distance to reach Tyr. I would like to be your guide in this great city, and to help you with anything you may need.”
Iago interjected. “Everything he can provide would be illegal and dangerous.”
“Nonsense, faithless Anzarin,” the Liren hissed. “How long would I be in business here if I dealt with anything that was illegal or dangerous?”
“You would be surprised how many people I know here who deal in your trade, ratman, and have done so longer than I’ve been alive.”
Ilem suddenly became cautious. “Who is it you claim to know, Anzarin? Or do you speak large?”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Everyone remained quiet for a moment, until Hal broke the silence.
“Speak large?” he asked, more to Iago than to the Liren.
“It means to lie, which I’m not.” Iago stared back at Ilem defiantly.
“What trade do you deal in, Ilem?” Galen asked.
“A little of everything, Assarin. I can get you women, fighters in the Pits, the smoking weeds,” Ilem turned to Iago, “none of which are illegal or dangerous. And I can certainly offer better prices than any of your friends, Anzarin.” Ilem turned back to Galen. “Perhaps you know that before the breaking of our nations the people of Lir and Assar once traded honorably.”
“Women?” Hal asked.
Jonir shook his head, “Not the type you want, Hal, or could afford.”
“You sell women and men?” Galen asked, no longer amused by this exchange. “Are you a slave trader?”
“No, I am not a slaver, but I can offer good deals from them. There are many in the city who trust me.”
“We have no need for a guide,” Iago said. “I know the city.”
The Liren paused for a moment, glancing at the others but finding no help from them. “So be it, Anzarin. Have an excellent stay and remember me should you find yourself in need.” The Liren’s smile as he turned and walked away seemed more like a smirk to Iago.
“What was that about?” asked Galen.
Iago waited a moment, watching Ilem walk back to the other side of the room. “We don’t need a Liren anywhere near us unless you want your clothes stolen right off your backs. They’re liars and cheats, and all of you would do well to avoid them.” Iago frowned.
“Surely they’re not all bad,” Hal said, smiling.
“They eavesdrop, they gossip like old women, and they’ve turned thievery into an art. No good can come from dealings with any you find in Avis. Even with the ones in the Market you must be careful. In fact, I’d check your belongings right now, just to be sure.”
“Good eve, gentlemen.” The arrival of the barmaid interrupted everyone’s sudden unease. She was an older woman, probably around her fortieth year, with long, dark hair hanging straight down her back. She looked like she had little time to deal with the six of them right now. “What do you need tonight?”
“Women,” Hal said, eliciting a laugh from Saalis and Jonir.
Iago shook his head. “A round of ales for the table, and some dinner if we can.” The barmaid almost walked off before Iago stopped her. “Is Eurbie around tonight?”
“He’s been gone a few days now, sire. Last I was told he went north for a couple weeks.” Iago nodded and she left. He wondered what business Eurbie could possibly have out of Tyr. He never left the city the whole time he’d known him. This could be a small problem, because now he’d have to work his way down the list of people he could reliably approach, a list that was unfortunately very short. He sighed. He would have to take risks, now.
“Who is Eurbie?” asked Hal.
“An old friend of mine. I came here thinking he could help us,” Iago said, tapping the table in thought.
“Apparently not,” Galen replied. “Who else can we go to?”
“I still have people I can talk to. I just need to be careful about it. We shouldn’t discuss it here, though.”
They said nothing more about their mission that night. Dinner and ales were served, and they ate and drank enough to make up for the rigors of their trip and then some. Eventually Iago told Galen they could stay here tonight, but it would be best to find a new place in the morning. Staying in one place too long would invite people to notice them.
After Galen and Iago spoke with the barkeep about lodgings, the six of them went to the back to three rooms. Galen and Margis took the first room, Hal and Jonir the second, and Iago and Saalis the last. They entered their small rooms and found two beds set up on either wall. Saalis dropped his bags and almost fell down into his bed, ready to sleep for days. Iago was more deliberate. He set his bag down but kept his cloak on and his sword close.
“I’ll be out a bit. I’m not sure how long.”
“You need me to come?” asked Saalis.
Iago shook his head. “I need to find someone. If anyone else is with me when I do, he might get scared off.”
Saalis nodded. “How long should I wait?”
“Go to sleep. I may be a while.” Iago rummaged through his pack, finding a few coins. He pocketed them, and threw his hood back over his head. “But if I’m not back by morning, get the others and leave this inn, and the city for that matter.”
“Aye.” The fatigue left Saalis’ face, replaced by obvious unease. “Be careful, Captain.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
Iago left the room. He walked back down the hallway and into the common room. He kept his head low as always, hoping no one here thought to watch him too closely. He stepped out on the street and looked around in the darkness. The only light came from torches outside the inns and a few in posts placed every fifty or so paces. Iago pulled back his hood a bit, confident he could walk around in the dark without worrying too much about being recognized. He would be spending his time in the back alleys anyway, looking for the one other person who could help him and his friends.
