Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

Salmitaya shuddered as she watched him disappear aroundthe corner. She dusted herself off, put away the bucket and brush,and headed to the tavern district. The streets of Baltria were filthyby Kaltinor standards. Though well-paved and maintained, you couldhear the mud and grime crunch beneath your feet. The city wassituated in the very center of the largest delta in the world. Thesoil was rich and black, and the humid climate made the ground wetmost of the time. It was nearly impossible not to track mud whereveryou walked. Frequent rain washed away the buildup before it could getout of hand, but it left a strong musty odor, to which Salmitayaswore she could never grow accustomed.

The houses where mostly single story, brick and mortarstructures, even those owned by the nobles. However, closer to thedocks you began to notice houses and shops built on tall pylons toavoid the occasional extreme high tides.

One of the largest cities in the world, Baltria wasknown mostly for its massive ports and market places that were as bigas some towns. Goods from everywhere were shipped from the GoodbranchRiver. From there they spread to all points near and far.

Salmitaya despised the tavern district. Yanti had hergoing every two or three days to check local gossip and pay hisinformants. At first, she feared she might be spotted. Word of herbetrayal had certainly traveled this far by now, and if she werecaught she would be spending the rest of her life in a dark templeprison cell. However, it soon became clear that, in her present stateof filth and dishevelment, no one recognized her. Twice she had seensisters and brothers that she had known, but they walked right passedwithout so much as a second glance. After that she removed themirrors from her room.

This time of year in Kaltinor, snow would be falling,but here it was unbearably hot. Her heavy clothing made the heat seemlike a torture, and the humidity made the filth cling like leeches.

“Taya,” called the raspy, uncouth voice ofSaul Milspend.

Salmitaya clinched her jaw and stepped up her pace. Saulwas a fish merchant and one of Yanti's local informants. His baldhead, short round frame, and smile that was missing several teeth,caused her to recoil every time she saw the man. Worse, he wasconstantly trying to touch her on the hand or shoulder, in a clumsyattempt at flirting.

“Taya!” he called louder.

Salmitaya dropped her head and stopped. She could hearSaul's lumbering footsteps running up behind her.

Saul caught her by the shoulder. “I am glad Icaught you.”

Salmitaya recoiled. “What is it Saul?” Thestench of rotten fish caught in her nostrils. “The innkeeper atthe Malt and Mane said you should come by. He said make sure you comethrough the back.” He held out his hand and gave her atoothless smile.

Salmitaya reached into the small pouch that hung fromher belt and gave him a copper. Saul tried to thank her, but shequickly walked away in the direction of the inn.

The streets were crowded with the many local and foreignmerchants and city dwellers. Fashions from the farthest reach of theworld could be seen everywhere. Salmitaya was particularly fond ofthe silk wraps and colorful dresses of the eastern desert. Thoughevery time she saw one, it reminded her of her own poor appearance.It took her the better part of an hour to wind her way through thecity to the tavern district.

The Malt and Mane was typical of the many inns inBaltria. Not particularly nice, but not a flophouse either. Still, asa lady of culture and dignity, it was not a place she wanted to be.That she was instructed to enter from the rear was as much of aninsult as she could bear, but she dare not ignore it. Yanti hadintrigues everywhere and was constantly gathering information.Salmitaya reckoned he had dirt on every influential person in thecity and he made sure they knew it.

As she rounded the corner where the inn was located, shefroze. Not twenty feet away stood Celandine, talking to a fruitmerchant. Immediately she spun around and hurried back around thecorner and put her back flat against the building.

Salmistaya peered around slowly, careful not to be seen.Celandine wore a tan linen dress, rather than her novice robes, andher hair flowed loosely about her shoulders, but there was nomistake… it was Celandine. Salmitaya watched until she entered theMalt and Mane, then sped off back to the house, unsure what she wasgoing tell Yanti.

By the time she reached the house she was drenched insweat and her legs burned. She paused, composed herself, and entered.It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. A smalllamp in the living room to her right was the only source. Yanti satcross legged in a plush chair, dressed in a white, cotton shirt andtrousers, reading a small, leather-bound book. How he could see toread, Salmitaya couldn't imagine.

Yanti looked up and smiled, closing the book. “Well,my love.” His voice was honey. “I see you're backquickly. A bit too quickly.”

Salmitaya tried to meet his eyes but couldn't. “Isaw Celandine in front of the Malt and Mane.”

“Celandine?” he remarked, raising andeyebrow.

“She was a novice…”

Yanti raised his hand, silencing her. “I know whoshe is.” He rose from his chair. “Interesting choice.”

“I don't understand,” said Salmitaya. “You…”

Yanti shot her a glance and drew close. “My love,there is much I know that you don't. The sooner you accept that, theeasier your life will be.” He reached out and held her chin,lifting her head to meet his gaze. “You should stay out ofsight for the time being. I wouldn't want you to come to harm. Atleast not yet.”

She began to tremble. Whatever his plans were, she knewshe was disposable to him. She needed to prove her value in order tostay alive. “Let me help you,” she begged. “I canwatch her without being seen.”

“I am pleased with your enthusiasm,” hereplied, sounding almost sincere. “And I'm certain you could doa wonderful job. But I have enough eyes. No. I will restrict yourmovements to inside the house for the time being.” He releasedher. “You should be happy. It will be a respite from yournormal duties.”

“Thank you,” she said in her most submissivevoice. Yanti laughed softly. “Get cleaned and get rested.”Salmitaya bowed her head and turned to leave.

“I don't want you to worry,” Yanti calledafter her. “I will have much for you to do, soon enough.”

A chill ran down her spine, and tears welled in hereyes. Whatever he had in mind, she knew it wouldn't be good.

Dina entered the Malt and Mane, carrying a basket offresh strawberries. She let the scent fill her nostrils. As a child,her father would take her into the forest to go strawberry picking.Most often they would eat half of them before they got home. Dinahadn't thought of that in many years, and a small smile crept acrossher face.

“You look far away.” Lee sat at the tablenext to the kitchen door.

The inn was typical for the area. Two large common roomswere on either side of the entrance. The one on the left had a dozentables, each large enough to accommodate six people, while the otherhad a bar on the far side with tables lining the walls and a raisedplatform in the middle for entertainment. Just next to the bar weretwo doors, one leading to the kitchen and the other to the guestrooms. Brass lamps hung from the ceiling, and two small fireplaceswere in opposite corners.

Dina joined Lee at the table and handed him astrawberry, which he took gratefully. “I was just thinkingabout when I was a child,” said Dina, still with a faraway lookon her face.

“Is your father still alive?” asked Lee.

“No,” she replied. “As you know I'molder than I look, and I was very young when I found the Order.”