《Elverad》


 Chapter 1 - An Unwelcome Guest

    The ticking of a clock echoed throughout a darkened tavern, signalling the inexorable march of time. A scrawny young boy of fifteen years observed the tavern¡¯s main room with a discerning eye from his post behind a large walnut panelled bar. Everything was spotless. Not even a speck of dust had been missed in the most hard to reach corners. Tables were set, and the chrome taps that provided both warm and cold ales gleamed in the evening light.


    Everything was ready for opening. Except for one thing. The boy turned his gaze to the large grandfather clock in the hallway. A lithe man stood before it, alternating his gaze between the clock¡¯s face and the pocket watch in his hand, muttering to himself. He was immaculately dressed, in a silk waistcoat and a white collared long sleeved shirt. His jet black trousers were freshly pressed, and not a strand of his grey, thinning hair was out of place. He shifted his wire rimmed spectacles higher onto his nose and sighed.


    ¡°Elverad, are you sure you wound it this morning?¡± the old man asked.


    Elverad Arbaca suppressed a sigh. Among his other eccentricities, Vermand Mantas, the proprietor of the Whole Hog Tavern, was a fastidious man, almost to a fault. Something as minor as an improperly positioned table setting was enough to send the old man into a tizzy. Many found working for him unbearable, but the old man paid handsomely, and the work was simple enough once you got used to his foibles.


    ¡°Yes, Mister Vermand. Exactly twelve times at eight am, precisely, just like I have every morning since working here,¡± he said as brightly as he could manage.


    Vermand furrowed his brow. ¡°This can¡¯t be right. My timepieces are out of sync by twelve seconds. Twelve! How on earth could this have happened?¡±


    Elverad swallowed a snide remark. He had only worked here for six months but knew that the old man was deeply distressed by the discrepancy. He forced a polite smile. ¡°Should I fetch your tools?¡±


    The boy held his breath until Vermand eventually shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s too close to opening time.¡±


    Elverad breathed a sigh of relief. Vermand Mantas was fastidious to a fault, and it wouldn¡¯t have surprised the boy if he¡¯d closed the tavern to tear his clock apart in order to discover why it was running slow, and much like every other business in town, if the tavern didn¡¯t open, the staff didn¡¯t get paid.


    ¡°No,¡± Vermand continued. ¡°Let¡¯s give it another hour or two, to see which one of these clocks isn¡¯t running properly. Perhaps I should get a third¡­¡±


    Elverad shook his head. Clocks were precision instruments and incredibly expensive. Besides, being a few seconds off wasn¡¯t the end of the world. No one seemed to care that the grand clock set at the top of the town hall was off by three full minutes. No one, that was, except Vermand Mantas, who would launch into a lengthy tirade every time he walked past.


    ¡°So, are we opening?¡± Elverad jumped when he heard Teo¡¯s voice in his ear.


    Teofania Helfrad was a year younger than Elverad and had worked in the Whole Hog Tavern for three years. She moved like a ghost and seemed to delight in sneaking up on the boy and catching him by surprise. She wore a simple but clean blue dress and had her shoulder length brown hair in a neat queue.


    ¡°Miraculously, it looks like we are,¡± he replied as nonchalantly as possible, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of seeing him react to her sudden appearance.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a relief,¡± she breathed.


    Elverad heard the inflection in her voice and whirled around to face her. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    She fluttered her long eyelashes at him innocently before replying. ¡°Me? Nothing.¡±


    Elverad narrowed his eyes suspiciously. ¡°What do you know?¡±


    The girl looked over at Vermand, who was still muttering to himself as he looked between his pocket watch and the clock before turning back to Elverad. ¡°Mister Tomas slowed the hallway clock with his hand yesterday. He has a bet with some of the other patrons on how long it would take Mister Vermand to notice.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s your part in all this?¡± Elverad ventured.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Teo replied with an innocent smile. ¡°All I get out of this is our guest¡¯s satisfaction, which as Mister Vermand has often told us is job number one.¡±


    ¡°How much did they pay you to keep this quiet?¡± Elverad demanded.


    Teo¡¯s eyebrows shot up indignantly. ¡°What makes you think¡­¡±


    ¡°Your share of tonight¡¯s takings buys my silence,¡± Elverad whispered, not believing her act for a second.


    The girl¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Why¡­¡±


    Her protests were silenced by the ringing of a bell. It was the bell that hung above the tavern¡¯s main door which announced the arrival of guests. Elverad frowned. The Whole Hogs¡¯ patrons were mostly local and knew well enough that opening time wasn¡¯t for another ten minutes, and not a second before.


    Moments later, a man appeared in the hallway. He wore a stained travelling cloak, and its hood was pulled low over his face, obscuring his features. The newcomer was tall, and he had to stoop as he walked to prevent his head from bumping against the ceiling, and broad at the shoulder. He towered over Vermand, who hadn¡¯t noticed his arrival and was almost twice as broad at the shoulder. His shoes were filthy, tracking mud over the previously spotless floor.


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    Elverad looked over at Teo and felt his temper flare when he saw that the girl had disappeared. He then cleared his throat. ¡°Excuse me, sir, I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t open for another ten minutes.¡±


    Vermand turned around and jumped when he realized the newcomer was looming over him. The stranger¡¯s head dropped as he looked the proprietor in the eye.


    ¡°Vermand Vermand,¡± the stranger¡¯s voice was low and soft. ¡°Your services are required.¡±


    The lithe old man stared wide-eyed at the stranger, and Elverad wondered if he should run out the back for help. Would that mean he was abandoning the old Mister Vermand in his time of distress? He couldn¡¯t think of any meaningful intervention he could make should things get violent. Elverad glanced over his shoulder and peered into the kitchen, wondering if Teo had the sense to summon help. He bit back a curse. The barmaid was adept at looking after herself, but unreliable when it came to doing the right thing to help others.


    Then, Elverad remembered what his boss kept hidden under the bar. Vermand had given him strict instructions to never use it unless in dire need, and the boy could see circumstances becoming very dire indeed. He reached under the bar and a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek when his fingers touched cold steel.


    ¡°Ingram?¡± Vermand gasped. ¡°Ingram, is that you?¡±


    The figure nodded his head slightly, and Elverad moved his hand away from the weapon but remained poised to grab it if necessary


    ¡°It¡¯s been years!¡± Vermand cried.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here for a reunion,¡± the man said brusquely. ¡°The boss is in trouble. The whole band is gathering in Lucentum. Or what¡¯s left of us is, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t understand,¡± the old innkeeper began.


    ¡°It¡¯s all hands on deck, Vermand,¡± Ingram said. ¡°We need to be there in three days.¡±


    Elverad watched the colour drain from his boss¡¯ face. The old man pressed his lips into a thin line that quivered before he spoke. ¡°I have a business, Ingram.¡±


    Vermand¡¯s voice was soft, and Elverad had to strain his ears to hear. ¡°I can¡¯t just up and leave. People are counting on me.¡±


    ¡°The boss is counting on you!¡± Ingram roared. ¡°You owe him a debt, we all do!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Elverad cried, pointing the old blunderbuss at the stranger. ¡°I don¡¯t know what your business is here, sir, but you must leave!¡±


    The stranger turned towards Elverad, and his eyes caught the evening light. They were the colour of steel and looked just as hard. ¡°And what if I don¡¯t?¡±


    The man¡¯s voice was quiet now, but there was an undercurrent of fury in it that sent a chill down Elverad¡¯s spine. The boy¡¯s mouth was dry, and it took him a moment to speak. ¡°Or I¡¯ll blow you away!¡±


    ¡°We both know Vermand is too careful to keep a loaded gun under his counter,¡± the mountain of a man scoffed. ¡°But I promise you this. If you pull that trigger, I¡¯ll rip your head right off your scrawny neck with my bare hands.¡±


    ¡°Leave!¡± Elverad bellowed at the top of his lungs in the hopes that someone outside might hear and investigate. ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡±


    The man darted towards him. It seemed impossible for a man his size to move that quickly, and he closed the gap between them in the blink of an eye. Elverad pulled the trigger and heard a loud click as the gun¡¯s hammer struck home, followed by nothing¡­ The man was right after all. He dodged to the side and tore the weapon out of Elverad¡¯s hands. The boy looked up and saw murder in the man¡¯s eyes but glared at him defiantly.


    Elverad was sure the man would bring the weapon down on him, crushing his skull, but to his surprise, Ingram carelessly tossed the weapon aside before turning around to face Vermand.


    ¡°Your employee is a brave one, willing to risk his life for his boss without hesitating,¡± the tall man remarked. ¡°You could learn a thing or two from him¡­ And what¡¯s the use of keeping a weapon close at hand if you¡¯re not going to keep it ready for action?¡±


    ¡°We¡­ we have cut ties¡­¡± Vermand stammered. ¡°All of us did¡­¡±


    ¡°Everything you have, this happy retirement of yours and so much more,¡± Ingram said, looking around the tavern pointedly. ¡°You owe it all to the Captain, and you know it. You cannot turn your back on him in his time of need.¡±


    ¡°What has happened to him?¡± Vermand asked.


    Just then, the bell on top of the door tinkled, announcing a new visitor. Elverad¡¯s heart sank when the small rotund figure of Mister Tanbor, the butcher waddled in. He wouldn¡¯t be of much use in a fight.


    ¡°I heard shouting,¡± Tanbor said. ¡°Is everything alright?¡±


    ¡°Just old friends excited to see one another,¡± Ingram said as he stepped past the butcher. ¡°I¡¯ll be going on ahead. Remember, be at Lucentum in three days.¡±


    The bell tinkled again, and as suddenly as he had arrived, Ingram was gone. The footprints and the weapon that had been cast to the ground were the only signs that he had ever been in the tavern, leaving bewilderment and fear in his wake.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± Tanbor asked, scratching his head as both he and Vermand stared at the door.


    ¡°Has he gone?¡± Elverad jumped when Teo appeared beside him again.


    ¡°Where were you?¡± he demanded.


    ¡°Hiding,¡± she replied without an ounce of shame. ¡°You didn¡¯t expect me to be of use in a fight against a brute like him, did you?¡±


    ¡°You could have at least gone for help!¡± Elverad exclaimed.


    Teo gave him a blank look before breaking into a toothy smile. ¡°I suppose I forgot in the heat of the moment. Panic and all that. That man was so scary.¡±


    ¡°If the two of you are quite done,¡± Vermand said, placing the blunderbuss Ingram had tossed earlier onto the bar. ¡°Teofania, if you would be so kind as to clean up that mess in the hallway, we are opening in five minutes.¡±


    ¡°We are?¡± Elverad and Teo asked in unison.


    ¡°Of course we are,¡± Vermand said. ¡°The good people of Noggle¡¯s Watch are likely already on their way here.¡±


    ¡°I just thought¡­¡± Elverad began while Teo fled to fetch a brush and bucket.


    ¡°Oh, Tanbor? I sent him away, though I doubt he will have gone far,¡± Vermand said. ¡°Opening time is at six and not a minute earlier, as I¡¯ve often said.¡±


    ¡°No, I meant your¡­ friend?¡± Elverad said.


    A shadow crossed Vermand¡¯s face but only for an instant. The old innkeeper waved his hand in front of his face as though to dispel a bad odour. ¡°Oh, Ingram? Don¡¯t worry about him. I very much doubt you¡¯ll be seeing him again.¡±


    ¡°But what about you?¡± Elverad pressed. ¡°Are you¡­¡±


    Vermand broke into a faint smile. ¡°Going to close up shop to go off galivanting on a grand adventure?¡±


    Elverad gave his boss an expectant look, and at length, the old innkeeper shook his head. ¡°Perish the thought. I¡¯m far too old. Besides, I¡¯m a pillar of the community, providing an important service to the good people of Noggle¡¯s Watch. Not to mention the two youths who depend on me for their livelihoods. These are all responsibilities that I will not shirk lightly.¡±


    Before Elverad could bombard him with more questions, Vermand clapped his hands together. ¡°Now then, our first guest will soon be here, so please return that ghastly weapon to its place and wipe the bar, it¡¯s positively covered in grime.¡±


    As he took the blunderbuss, Elverad cast a discerning eye on the bar and found that it was spotless. When he looked up, Vermand had already disappeared into the kitchen.

 Chapter 2 - A Busy Night

    It was eight pm, and the Hog¡¯s Head Tavern was almost at capacity. Noggle¡¯s Watch was a small, tight knit community where strangers were rare, and news of Vermand¡¯s visitor had spread through the town like wildfire. It felt as though half of the Noggle¡¯s Watch population was now sitting in the tavern, seeking the latest gossip.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the three ales for Mister Corven¡¯s table?¡± Teo demanded as she passed by the bar. ¡°I need another five beers for Mister Nedrin¡¯s table, and another six ales for Mister Heldrim.¡±


    ¡°Mister Corven¡¯s order is over there,¡± Elverad cocked his head at the three tankards at the end of the bar as he pulled a pair of ales. ¡°Hold on, these are for Dustin and his lot.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll come by later,¡± she said breathlessly. ¡°I need a couple of bowls from the kitchen. There¡¯s a pile of dishes waiting in there when you have the time.¡±


    ¡°I have my hands full here,¡± Elverad said through gritted teeth.


    He cast a glance at Vermand, who was in his element. There was no shortage of patrons calling the old man over, and he flitted from table to table like a hummingbird amongst a field of flowers. Of course, all of them wanted to know about the raised voices Tanbor had reported, and information on the mysterious stranger who had stopped by, but Vermand deflected them all expertly with a compliment here and a short but humorous anecdote there.


    Sensing his employer could use a reprieve, and knowing he definitely needed one, Elverad called out. ¡°Mister Vermand, I could use a little help here!¡±


    The boy eyed his employer as he approached the bar. He had been watching him all evening and nothing seemed amiss about the old man. In fact, he seemed a little too unaffected by the sudden visit from earlier. It was hard to imagine Vermand Mantas cavorting with the likes of that brutish man, and the boy couldn¡¯t help but wonder what they could have gotten up to together, and who their mysterious boss was. Could they have been part of a gang of bandits?


    ¡°Five beers for Nedrin¡¯s, was it?¡± Vermand asked, making sure to wipe his hands thoroughly on a clean cloth before grabbing five empty tankards. He frowned and looked around. ¡°Where are the rest of our cups?¡±


    ¡°In the back, waiting for washing,¡± Elverad replied breathlessly.


    ¡°Well, run the ales to Mister Dustin, and then get back there,¡± Vermand ordered.


    ¡°Right away,¡± Elverad said being sure to wipe his hands before stacking the tankards of ales onto a serving tray.


    He stepped out onto the floor and nearly spilt the drinks when someone grabbed him by the arm. The boy whirled around to see a wiry, ruddy faced man with a sloppy smile plastered across his face. ¡°Mister Grantham?¡±


    ¡°El¡­ El¡­ Boy¡­¡± the man began, slurring his words badly, leaving Elverad impressed that the tailor could get so drunk in so short a time.


    ¡°Can I help you, sir?¡± he asked, biting back a curse.


    ¡°About¡­ about that man¡­ Vermand¡¯s¡­ Vermand¡¯s fwend¡­¡± Grantham Barney began, his fumbled words elicited giggles from the friends at his table, and he whirled around to snap at them. ¡°Shut up, I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m trying to get some¡­ some information here¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but if it¡¯s about Mister Vermand¡¯s friend, you¡¯ll have to ask him,¡± Elverad said as he struggled to pull himself free. ¡°I was in the kitchen at the time and really didn¡¯t hear anything.¡±


    ¡°Mister Grantham, I must insist you keep your hands to yourself!¡± Vermand warned from the bar.


    The bar fell silent for a moment. None wanted to incur Vermand¡¯s wrath lest they join the list of persona non grata at the establishment. The tailor released Elverad, causing him to stumble, and it took a considerable amount of acrobatics for the boy to prevent a single drop from being spilt. None of the other patrons stopped him on his way to deliver the ales, even though he could tell that they dearly wanted to grill for details on his boss¡¯ caller. Once the order was delivered, Elverad walked swiftly to the kitchen where he found Teo huddled by the door.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he demanded. ¡°It¡¯s a madhouse out there!¡±


    Teo made a face. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve answered your own question there. Do you know how many times I¡¯ve been pulled aside? And not gently, I¡¯ll have you know!¡±


    ¡°Well, Mister Vermand has put his foot down, though, so things should improve,¡± Elverad then spied the mountain of soiled tankards and plates in the sink and gasped. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have done some washing while you were hiding here?¡±


    ¡°Speaking of which, does he seem off to you?¡± Teo ventured.


    ¡°Oh no, you¡¯re not changing the subject!¡± Elverad snapped.


    ¡°Service! I need some service here, please!¡± Vermand called from the bar.


    ¡°Duty calls,¡± Teo sang, and bounced onto the floor before Elverad could protest. The boy¡¯s shoulders sagged when he turned his attention back to the pile of dirty dishes.


    Elverad worked the cast iron handpump to top up the water in the sink. His fingers had become numb from being immersed in the ice cold water. More had come into the tavern as the night wore on, and the pile of dirty dishes had spread from the edge of the sink and now covered the prep table behind him as well. At least they had made it through the night. The last of the guests had just left, and Vermand and Teo were busying themselves tidying the main room up.


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    A clatter of plates announced Teo¡¯s arrival in the kitchen. Elverad looked over his shoulder at the large pile she was bringing and groaned.


    ¡°Did we have this many plates and tankards?¡± he groused.


    ¡°I had to borrow some from the Sheep¡¯s Skin down the road,¡± Teo sighed. ¡°Mister Vermand said to return them before they close so you¡¯ll want to wash these first.¡±


    The Hog¡¯s Head closed a good hour earlier than most of the other taverns in Noggle¡¯s Watch, but Vermand was an excellent host and a cook, and his prices were fair, making it one of the more popular establishments in town. Elverad caught a glimpse of Vermand wiping tables through the door and lowered his voice.


    ¡°How was he tonight?¡±


    Teo frowned as she added her dishes to a precariously balanced pile by the sink. The barmaid looked exhausted from the night¡¯s work. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Mister Vermand,¡± Elverad replied impatiently. ¡°Did he seem off to you?¡±


    Teo let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°You know, I didn¡¯t have much time to pay him any attention.¡±


    She followed Elverad¡¯s gaze and frowned. ¡°Is this about the caller from earlier? Who was he, anyway?¡±


    Elverad didn¡¯t miss the flash of curiosity in Teo¡¯s eyes and smiled mischievously, knowing that his colleague would be unbearable if the tables were turned. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like to know?¡±


    ¡°I would, actually,¡± she snapped. ¡°But I¡¯d also like to get into bed before midnight, so if you¡¯ll excuse me, some of us have work to do.¡±


    Elverad looked at the pile of dishes and sighed. ¡°What do you think I¡¯ve been doing here all night?¡±


    ¡°Skiving, I¡¯m sure,¡± Teo replied as she walked towards the door.


    ¡°Now, children, it¡¯s late,¡± Vermand said as he entered the kitchen with a tray piled high with used tankards. He blinked and looked around. ¡°My, it has been a busy night, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    Teo arched an eyebrow. ¡°Are you just realizing that now?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t hold a candle to the Winter Solstice, now does it, Teofania?¡± Vermand ventured.


    Teo frowned and shook her head. ¡°No, I it does not.¡±


    Vermand looked around and took a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s put our heads down into cleaning so that we can all turn in. I¡¯ve already set aside your shares of tonight¡¯s takings.¡±


    Teo¡¯s face brightened greedily. ¡°How was tonight¡¯s business, Mister Vermand?¡±


    ¡°Roughly double yesterday¡¯s,¡± the innkeeper replied.


    The barmaid¡¯s smile broadened. ¡°Wonderful. Perhaps you should ask your friend to come calling more often.¡±


    It was only for an instant, but Elverad saw a shadow cross Vermand¡¯s face. Teo didn¡¯t seem to notice and happily strode out of the kitchen to finish tidying up outside. Vermand noticed Elverad staring and blinked.


    ¡°Is everything alright, young man?¡±


    Elverad shook his head. ¡°No, everything¡¯s fine. Should we come at the usual time tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Vermand said absently before turning back towards the main room. ¡°The usual time tomorrow.¡±


    Elverad frowned but then noticed more dirty dishes piled on the tables outside and sighed. He would have his work cut out for him if he wanted to be home before midnight.


    The clock in the hall chimed midnight, and Elverad turned around to admire his work. The kitchen was spotless, and a pouch of coins weighed heavily on his belt. All in all, it had been a good night¡¯s work. The back door opened, and a gust of frigid winter air blew into the kitchen. Vermand walked in moments later and closed the door gently behind him. Elverad studied him, looking for signs of anything being amiss. The old man looked weary, but they all were. It had been a very busy night.


    Vermand saw Elverad and blinked. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here.¡±


    ¡°I just finished cleaning up here,¡± he declared proudly and decided to probe the old man a little. ¡°I dare say we¡¯ve earned a late start tomorrow.¡±


    The old innkeeper frowned. ¡°No, we start at the usual time. We don¡¯t want to fall into bad habits now, do we?¡±


    Elverad breathed a sigh of relief. Vermand was as fastidious as ever, and he seemed committed to his business and not running off into the wilderness.


    ¡°Well then, if that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll be taking my leave,¡± Elverad said, stifling a yawn.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re still growing, aren¡¯t you?¡± Vermand remarked. ¡°Sleep is important for growing lads.¡±


    ¡°Good night, Mister Vermand,¡± Elverad bowed his head before walking towards the back door.


    ¡°Thank you for your hard work tonight,¡± Vermand said absently as he walked into the main room. ¡°Oh Elverad!¡±


    A wave of dread washed over Elverad as he kept his hand poised over the doorknob. Had his employer made a last minute decision?


    ¡°I fear Teofania has fallen asleep in the main room,¡± he said. ¡°Could you wake her up and see her home, please? I still have some work to do behind the bar.¡±


    Elverad bit back a curse before replying with as much cheer as he could muster. ¡°Of course, Mister Vermand, glad to.¡±


    It took Elverad a moment to find the barmaid curled up in an easy chair by the window, fast asleep, and he was surprised that Vermand had spotted her from the kitchen door.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s time to go home,¡± he growled, shaking her by the shoulder.


    ¡°Just leave me here,¡± she murmured. ¡°Then when I wake up, I¡¯ll already be at work.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t allow that, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Vermand called from the bar. ¡°It simply wouldn¡¯t be appropriate, a young lady like you spending the night under the same roof as an unattached and unrelated man.¡±


    Both employees recognized the tone in their employer¡¯s voice, and at length, Teo reluctantly climbed out of the easy chair. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, Mister Vermand.¡±


    ¡°Good night, both of you,¡± he said without looking up.


    Once they were outside, Elverad waited expectantly for Teo to lead the way. The girl turned to look at him suspiciously. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m escorting you home,¡± the boy replied.


    The girl¡¯s face contorted into a look of disgust, and Elverad sighed. ¡°Mister Vermand told me to do it.¡±


    ¡°We can go our separate ways here and I¡¯ll tell him you did as you were told tomorrow,¡± she said.


    ¡°No you won¡¯t,¡± Elverad pointed out, not having the energy to get angry. ¡°You¡¯ll hold it over my head and blackmail me before ¡®accidentally¡¯ telling him once you¡¯ve squeezed everything you can out of me.¡±


    Teo gave the boy a hurt look. ¡°Do you really think so little of me?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied bluntly. ¡°Now, if you¡¯re quite done, lead the way, please. I¡¯d want nothing more than to collapse into my bed.¡±


    ¡°Fine, it¡¯s this way,¡± she said.


    ¡°Where do you live, anyway?¡± Elverad ventured as they walked down the street.


    ¡°On top of Barlava¡¯s Teahouse,¡± she replied.


    The boy blinked. ¡°I thought she only rented single rooms. What about your family?¡±


    Teo scowled. ¡°They live out in the Valley.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not so far away that you¡¯d need to live on your own,¡± Elverad remarked.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t shut up about marrying their friend¡¯s son, so I moved out, alright?¡± Teo snapped. ¡°Hurvel Yatesman! He was still wetting the bed until last summer!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Teo snapped when Elverad began to chuckle.


    The boy shook his head. ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°So what brings you to Noggle¡¯s Watch, anyway?¡± she asked. ¡°You¡¯re from out of town, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Elverad sighed. ¡°There¡¯s not much to it. My parents and most of my family died in the famine three years ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry to hear that,¡± Teo said softly. ¡°It was hard for us here as well.¡±


    Elverad shrugged to dispel the sadness and continued. ¡°I spent a few years drifting from town to town until I ended up here. I count my blessings that I happened to stumble across Mister Vermand¡¯s door. He¡¯s been a wonderful employer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, he has,¡± Teo agreed. ¡°You don¡¯t think he¡¯s going anywhere, do you?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so,¡± Elverad replied. ¡°He told me to be at the tavern bright and early tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be late, will you?¡± Elverad ventured.


    A sly smile crept across Teo¡¯s face. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll see. A girl needs her beauty sleep after all.¡±

 Chapter 3 - The Missing Innkeeper

    It was a clear day, and the sun shone down from a cloudless blue sky but did little to warm the freezing temperatures on the ground. Naked branches rustled as a frigid wind blew in from the mountains to the west, signalling that winter had well and truly arrived, and sent people scurrying from cover to cover as they made their way down the town¡¯s frozen streets.


    Elverad shivered before pressing his hands against one of the Hog¡¯s Head¡¯s windows and peered inside. The main room was impressively spotless. Old Vermand must have stayed up all night tidying up. Perhaps that was why he wasn¡¯t awake at this hour. Elverad could see the clock from his vantage point. It was ten minutes past noon. Ten minutes past when he was supposed to begin work. It was out of character for his employer not to be ready well before the help arrived, and Elverad was beginning to worry. Had the stranger¡­ Ingram¡­ had he returned in the night? There was no sign of struggle as far as he could see¡­


    ¡°Why are you skulking about outside like some sort of thief?¡± Elverad jumped when he heard Teo¡¯s voice behind him.


    The boy whirled around and scowled. ¡°You¡¯re late.¡±


    The barmaid looked past him and into the tavern before shrugging. ¡°So is Vermand, from the look of it. Why are you waiting out here?¡±


    Elverad rattled the doorknob theatrically. ¡°It¡¯s locked.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you just precious, young Elverad?¡± Teo giggled before producing a key from her pocket.


    ¡°No,¡± the boy gasped, wide-eyed as he watched the girl insert the key and twist it. The locks slid open with a loud crack, and she opened the door triumphantly.


    ¡°Why did you Mister Vermand trust you with a key?¡± he demanded.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t,¡± Teo pressed a finger to her lips and winked. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this our little secret, shall we?¡±


    ¡°Wait, you had a copy made without Vermand knowing?¡± Elverad hissed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell the whole town,¡± she laughed before stepping inside. ¡°Now, do you want to stand out in the cold, or do you want to get to work?¡±


    ¡°How are you going to explain how you got in?¡± Elverad asked, deciding to remain outside.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just say the door wasn¡¯t locked,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Shut the door if you¡¯re going to stay outside. You¡¯re letting the cold in.¡±


    Elverad debated his options, and it didn¡¯t take him long to decide he¡¯d rather be inside, out of the cold. Fuming, he walked in and closed the door behind him before looking around.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like Vermand to sleep in,¡± he remarked.


    ¡°Perhaps that has something to do with it,¡± Teo remarked, cocking her head at a half empty bottle of brandy on the bar. ¡°He¡¯s probably sleeping it off upstairs.¡±


    Elverad looked up the stairs and his worries began to subside. Obviously, Mister Vermand had been rattled by his old acquaintance¡¯s sudden appearance, had a few drinks to calm his nerves, and was now just sleeping it off.


    ¡°Perhaps someone should go check on him,¡± the boy suggested.


    Teo shook her head. ¡°No, let¡¯s let him sleep in a little more. Then we can hold it over his head the next time one of us is late.¡±


    ¡°You have a wicked mind,¡± Elverad growled. ¡°Has anyone ever told you that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a dog eat dog world out there,¡± Teo sang. ¡°If you don¡¯t look out for yourself, who will?¡±


    A sudden thought occurred to the boy, and he hurried over to the bar and reached under the counter. His pulse began to quicken when his fingers couldn¡¯t find the blunderbuss. He ducked his head under and gasped.


    ¡°It¡¯s gone!¡±


    ¡°What is, the strong box?¡± Teo demanded as she hurried over. ¡°Have we been robbed?¡±


    Elverad blinked and looked at the locked metal box where the day¡¯s takings were kept. ¡°No, that¡¯s still here.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Teo said, sounding relieved as she leaned over the bar. ¡°What¡¯s missing, then?¡±


    ¡°The blunderbuss Mister Vermand keeps under here,¡± Elverad replied. ¡°I fear¡­¡±


    Teo disappeared before he could finish his thought. Elverad blinked before chasing after her. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    The barmaid didn¡¯t reply, but Elverad caught a glimpse of her skirt as she rushed up the stairs.


    ¡°Wait!¡± he cried. ¡°We¡¯re forbidden from going upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Then stay down there,¡± she barked.


    From the sound of her voice, she was already halfway down the hall of the upper level. Elverad looked at the coat rack by the doorway and frowned. There was Mister Vermand¡¯s coat, scarf and hat¡­ It was freezing outside, where could he have gone without them?


    ¡°He¡¯s not here!¡± Teo called. ¡°His travelling cloak and hat are gone as well!¡±


    ¡°Travelling cloak?¡± Elverad asked in a bewildered voice. Curiosity got the best of him, and he began climbing the stairs in time to bump into Teo, who was on her way down.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± she breathed.


    Almost at once, Elverad knew what he had to do and walked towards the door. Once there, he realized he was forgetting something and changed course for the kitchen.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Teo asked breathlessly.


    ¡°After him,¡± he replied without hesitating.


    Teo chased after him and asked breathlessly. ¡°What do you think that will achieve?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk some sense into him, beg him to come back, cry if I have to,¡± he replied curtly and began gathering loaves of old bread. He didn¡¯t know how far he would have to travel, and the only money he had was what he¡¯d been paid the night before, and who knew how long that would last on the road?


    ¡°Do you even know where he went?¡± Teo demanded.


    ¡°The stranger mentioned Lucentum yesterday,¡± Elverad replied before wrapping the loaves of bread with a square of cloth. He paused and looked around for a bag. He found a large haversack used for carrying bottles and emptied its contents onto the kitchen floor and shoved more food inside.


    ¡°Why go to such lengths to bring him back?¡± Teo asked. ¡°Vermand¡¯s made his decision.¡±


    Elverad stopped what he was doing and looked the girl in the eye. ¡°I was on the road for three years, doing whatever work I could find. This is the best paying and easiest gig I¡¯ve found. I¡¯ll be damned if I let it slip so easily.¡±


    A sly smile twisted Teo¡¯s lips. ¡°And you had a go at me for looking after myself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also concerned about Mister Vermand¡¯s wellbeing,¡± he added before looking around the kitchen for more things he could stuff into the haversack.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you are,¡± Teo remarked dryly. She watched Elverad pack for a moment before declaring. ¡°I¡¯m coming as well.¡±


    Elverad gave her a look. ¡°Oh no, you¡¯re not.¡±


    The girl jutted her jaw out and folded her hands across her chest. ¡°And just who do you think you are to tell me that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going alone,¡± the boy declared.


    ¡°Oh, and you know the way to Lucentum, do you?¡± she asked. There was a challenging tone to her voice.


    The boy blinked. ¡°No, I don¡¯t¡­ do you?¡±


    Teo angled her head back so that she could look down her nose at Elverad in triumph before replying. ¡°Of course I do. Mine is a family of merchants, and my father took us there when I was five.¡±


    ¡°I can ask for directions,¡± he snorted.


    ¡°You know full well there¡¯s a difference between getting directions and knowing the route first hand,¡± she said. ¡°Old Vermand has a head start on us, and it¡¯s not as though you can afford to take any wrong turns, can you?¡±


    Elverad paused and ground his teeth. Teofania Helfrad person he could have wished for as a travel companion, but she had a point. He didn¡¯t know the way, and the roads around Noggle¡¯s Watch were vague at best.


    Sensing that he was wavering, Teo went for the jugular. ¡°Besides, two of us will make a more persuasive argument than one.¡±


    ¡°Then why not just invite the whole town?¡± Elverad groused.


    ¡°Perhaps we should?¡± she said, punctuating her question with a dramatic fluttering of her eyelashes.


    ¡°Fine,¡± the boy conceded at length.


    A shocked look crossed Teo¡¯s face. ¡°I was only joking about inviting the whole town, you know.¡±


    Elverad scowled. ¡°I meant fine, you can come with me, but I¡¯m already seeing why that¡¯s a bad idea.¡±


    ¡°Oh come now, don¡¯t be such a stick in the mud,¡± she giggled before placing a hand on Elverad¡¯s arm and looking him deep in the eye.


    The boy¡¯s heart almost stopped when she leaned in towards him until their noses were almost touching. Her hand flashed, and the boy jerked back to see that she had retrieved a knife from the chopping block.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need one of these, you know?¡± she said. She paused and arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, were you hoping for something else, perhaps?¡±


    Blood rushed to Elverad¡¯s face. The boy had never felt a greater fool and angrily tightened the straps on the haversack before storming towards the door.


    ¡°Oh come now,¡± Teo laughed. ¡°Can¡¯t you take a little teasing? Where is your sense of humour?¡±


    Elverad burst out of the front door with Teo hot on his heels. He made it less than ten paces down the street before coming to an abrupt halt.


    ¡°Did you forget something?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You need to lock up,¡± he growled. ¡°Can¡¯t leave the place unlocked and unattended now, can we?¡±


    ¡°I suppose,¡± Teo allowed. She grabbed Elverad by the arm and her eyes turned liquid as she looked up at him. ¡°You¡¯ll wait for me, won¡¯t you?¡±


    The boy felt something stir within him, but the wound from earlier was still fresh, and he quickly came to his senses. ¡°It¡¯s only ten paces away.¡±


    The girl broke into a mischievous grin. ¡°I almost had you again there, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Just go,¡± he snapped.


    While Teo hurried back to lock the door, Elverad spotted Tanbor¡¯s immense bulk waddling down the street towards him. He pulled his hat low over his face and looked away, but it was to no avail.


    ¡°Elverad lad, good afternoon!¡± he called.


    Elverad suppressed a sigh before answering. ¡°Good afternoon, Mister Tanbor! Cold day, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s downright frigid!¡± the butcher laughed. He looked up and down the street before leaning in. ¡°I came by earlier to have a chat with Old Vermand, but he didn¡¯t answer the door. I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve seen him, have you?¡±


    ¡°He only came to the door to say he was feeling ill and sent us away,¡± Teo said, catching both men off guard with her sudden appearance.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Tanbor blinked. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you know if the Hog¡¯s Head will be open tonight, do you?¡±


    Teo shrugged. ¡°He didn¡¯t say, but I think odds are it won¡¯t be.¡±


    ¡°How unusual,¡± the butcher breathed.


    ¡°It is indeed,¡± Teo agreed. ¡°But he had a big day yesterday, what with the visitor and the busy night that followed.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s true¡­¡± Tanbor allowed.


    ¡°Could you help us spread the word?¡± Teo asked. ¡°It¡¯s rare for us to have a day off, and I¡¯d like to take the opportunity to bring Elverad here to see my parents.¡±


    Tanbor blinked in surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t think the two of you were¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t misunderstand,¡± Teo said, punctuating her sentence with a giggle. ¡°I¡¯m introducing him as a colleague, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Tanbor nodded and licked his lips as though they were parched. ¡°I suppose I could in exchange for¡­¡±


    ¡°Your first round when we reopen tomorrow will be on Elverad here,¡± Teo beamed, slapping the boy on the shoulder.


    The boy¡¯s protests were nipped in the bud when Teo pinched him hard in the side. The boy forced a smile, and Tanbor laughed.


    ¡°I accept your generous offer!¡± he laughed before tugging the brim of his hat. ¡°I bid you good day.¡±


    The old butcher paused before turning to Elverad and gave him a cheeky wink before ruffling his hair. ¡°And I bid you good luck, young man.¡±


    The pair waved at the old butcher as he waddled down the street. When he disappeared into a nearby business, Elverad whirled onto Teo. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked, looking genuinely surprised.


    ¡°You lie as naturally as you breathe!¡± Elverad exclaimed. ¡°What was all that about?¡±


    ¡°A diversion,¡± Teo replied with a straight face. ¡°Now that incorrigible old gossip is going to be more concerned with earning a free round instead of digging around why the Hog¡¯s Head is closed for the first time since Vermand took over.¡±


    Elverad blinked. His colleague had a point. Ordinarily, the old man would have had a mountain of questions for them about what Vermand was up to and why they were leaving while he was indisposed.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you lived off the streets for years without being able to lie,¡± Teo remarked.


    ¡°We¡¯d better get going,¡± Elverad suggested and set off in the direction of the only road out of town. He paused and turned to Teo. ¡°Wait, you weren¡¯t lying when you said you knew the way Lucentum, were you?¡±


    Teo fluttered her eyelashes at him and smiled warmly. ¡°Oh, I would never lie to you. Come along now, follow me.¡±