Keith Baker - The City of Towers

“Pierce! Where are the others? Where’s my sword?”

Pierce turned to face him, seemingly unsurprised. “Jode went out earlier this morning. I believe that he took your sword with him. Lady Lei is in the common room, finishing breakfast. Mistress Dassi is about to close her kitchen, and Lei thought you might want food. I’m supposed to tell you that she ‘won’t be conjuring food for anyone too lazy to get out of bed at a reasonable hour.’”

Daine scowled and reached for his chainmail shirt.

“I don’t believe you need arms, Captain. I was studying the other patrons. There were a few knives, but I don’t believe there is any imminent danger.”

Daine shrugged. “Well then, let’s go.”

Lei was sitting at a round table, talking with the innkeeper. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and she seemed more pale then usual. Her voice was cool and level. “You’re in luck, Daine. Dassi saved the last bowl of gruel for you. By now I imagine it’s cold. Just the way you like it.”

The halfling scuttled off to fetch Daine’s meal. Lei’s conjured food had no taste whatsoever. After trying the innkeeper’s cold, pasty porridge, Daine found that he missed it.

“How are you?” he asked.

Lei glared at him. “Fine. Wonderful. Oh, I couldn’t be better. General.”

Her voice was sharp, but Daine let it go. At this point, anger might be the only way to hold back tears. “No sign of Jode?”

“No. The wretched weasel took my pack. If he does anything with my warforged, I’ll skin him alive.”

“Lei …” He tried to touch her hand, but she jerked away. “We’ll get through this.”

She glared at him. “Don’t you dare tell me how I should feel, Daine. You have no idea. This is my family. This is my life . To be treated like this, to think that Hadran would allow this …”

“Is there anyone you can talk to? This isn’t your first time in Sharn. Is there anyone who might give us information?”

Lei started to snap, then took a deep breath and began again. “Yes … it’s possible. They’d never see me at the enclave, but there are a few people I might look to. But you have to understand, my family was from Metrol. I don’t know many of the Brelish Cannith, and if Hadran won’t see me … I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Try to be patient. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

The door flew open, and Jode came in from the street. He was smiling and flushed, and half-dragging Lei’s pack. “Drinks all around!” he called, tossing Dassi a gold galifar. “First round’s on me.”

“At tenth bell?” Daine remarked. But none of the other patrons were turning down a free round, and it had been some time since Daine had had anything other than water. Unfortunately, the Manticore’s ale was of the same fine quality as its porridge.

Jode climbed up on the table and slid the pack across to Lei. She watched him with narrowed eyes. He smiled disarmingly and took a long pull of ale, followed by a terrible face.

“How is it we’re suddenly buying for the house?” Daine asked. Lei was already looking through the pack.

“Well, I thought it would be good if I got the lay of the land, got to know my way around town, and while I was at it I found a pawner who seemed like a decent woman, and I thought it would be good if we had a few coins to rub together.”

“Where’s my crossbow?” Lei said.

“Oh, come now. We’re in the greatest city in the world! Do you really think you need a crossbow on the streets of Sharn?”

Daine put a gentle hand on the halfling’s shoulder. “Pierce said that you took my grandfather’s sword with you when you left this morning. May I have it back now?”

“I’m sure it will be safe, Daine.” He tightened his grip. “You know I’ve got a good sense for people! Besides which, you’ve still got your dagger, right?”

“Jode …”

“I know, this may seem unwise, but I assure you, I’ve already put the coin to good use!”

“By buying watered-down ale for a group of strangers?”

“I tracked down an old friend of yours. Someone I’m sure can help us find our feet.”

“I’m listening.” He hadn’t released his grip.

“Alina Lyrris.”

Daine swore and knocked his tankard to the floor. He pulled Jode across the table. “Is this a joke?”

“No! She’s been in Sharn for over a year. I thought that with your history … you know, perhaps she could offer us work.”

Lei was lost in her thoughts again, but Pierce took an interest. “What history is this? Who is this Alina?”

Daine took a deep breath and let go of Jode. He forced a smile and sat down. “Alina Lorridan Lyrris is an old friend I … had dealings with before I joined the Queen’s Guard.”

“How might she help us?”

Jode answered. “Alina is a wealthy woman, and I’m sure she has a lot of connections in Sharn. I’m certain that she’d be happy to help an old friend like Daine. I’ve already talked to one of her associates and set up a meeting in one hour.”

Daine bit his lip, but stayed silent.

“Then let us ready ourselves,” said Lei.

Daine shook his head. “I don’t know …”

“… If we should concentrate all of our resources in one place?” said Jode. “Brilliant as always, General. Pierce, why don’t you and Lei see what you can find out about House Cannith? There must be someone in Sharn who’s willing to talk to you, Lei. Daine and I can speak with Alina.”

Pierce glanced over at Lei, and after a moment she nodded.

“Very well!” Jode say brightly. “We’ll meet back here at, shall we say, two bells?”

“I’m going to get my armor,” Daine said, scowling.

“Alina Lyrris? What have you gotten us into?”

High Walls was just as dismal by the light of day as it was in the dark. The ghetto was an exterior district, built along the outer wall of the great tower of Tavick’s Landing. The alleys and streets were filled with refugees of all nations, but the majority of the beggars and miserable laborers were Cyrans. With the destruction of their homeland these unfortunate souls had nowhere else to go. They passed a one-armed veteran of the Queen’s Guard, who stretched out his good hand in an imploring gesture. In a nearby alley, a pair of feral children were chasing a dog, stones in their hands.

“You know she’s our best hope,” said Jode. “You know she’ll have money.”

“And what will we have to do to get it?”

“Give her a chance. We don’t have to agree to anything.”

“I’m going to see Alina Lyrris. And you know what the best part of it is? You pawned my thrice-forsaken sword!”

“All the more reason to see Alina, yes? The sooner we get some money, the sooner you can get it back.”

“You-”

A new voice intruded. “Pardon me … General?”

The voice belonged to an old man, who had come up behind the pair. Like all of the inhabitants of High Walls, it was clear he had seen better days. A horrible scar could be seen at the base of his neck, puckered flesh disappearing beneath his robe. But despite the dirt on his skin and his torn clothing, the stranger carried himself with a sense of dignity and pride, and his voice had an air of quiet authority. He studied Daine with an appraising eye.

“I thought I knew most of our generals, yet …”

“Ah, a simple mistake,” Jode said brightly. “I know that there have been a lot of wild stories about the region, but my companion is Captain Daine of the Queen’s Guard. He served with valor and distinction until the very end, and I’m sure you’ve simply heard how he saved the life of General ir’Dalas in the Battle of the Three Moons.”