Dragon Clan #4: Gray's Story

CHAPTER SEVEN

After examining three more maps, all with vague and conflicting drawings of the coastline of Breslau, Gray came to the decision that they were all probably wrong. Worse, he believed it intentional, as did Bear and Shailer. Someone didn’t want people in the Northlands Province to know what Breslau looked like, how it was ruled, or anything else.

The sun was down before Bear settled himself into his chair and lifted a new cup of hot tea. Looking at Gray, he said, “I think it’s time to tell us of your green dragons.”

The information Gray had already gained would never have been gathered without their help, and he had promised to share, as they had. He decided it was in the best interest of the Dragon Clan to share at least part of the information. “A few years ago green dragons arrived here. They fight our red, tans, blacks, and even our greens. Having spoken to three different friends of the Dragon Clan, all confirm that the greens must come from another land. They first appeared in Fleming.”

Bear said, “So a search for their origin has begun, I assume.”

Shailer listened carefully, then reached for another map as he spoke. “Your friends telling you this may be wrong in their assumption. If you look at this map, Shrewsbury is further down the coast, located at the tip of a peninsula. It is also the first port of call for the Lady Marion when she returns from Breslau.”

Gray said, “No, the green dragons are seen flying near Fleming.”

“Look at this map, my friend. The ridge of mountains that makes up that peninsula is where they might nest. North of Shrewsbury, south of Fleming. It’s the same distance from those mountains to Fleming as it is to Shrewsbury.”

He was right.

Bear said, “It would also make sense for anyone arriving from Breslau to get off the ship there. It’s a much smaller port with fewer eyes watching.”

Gray reached for his refilled cup and realized he had not seen Kelby slip in to pour more cider. But his mind quickly returned to the implications the two had pointed out. They were right. Shrewsbury was a better place to arrive, with fewer eyes to watch. The dragons flying over the Fleming Bay could be a ruse to confuse the Dragon Clan, or it might be as simple as good hunting for the green dragons up north of Fleming.

Then there was Caldor and Prater. How did they fit into the subject? He felt certain that they did, but he didn’t know which side they were on. Tessa leaned to theirs, but she was not sure and didn’t trust him too much. But he had been helpful. Of course, that may have been a ploy to get closer to her.

The appearance of Prater on the road now seemed even more suspicious. However, how could he have known Gray would walk out of the desert at that place?

The biggest question and the one he’d been sent to resolve was why had a dragon-bonded newcomer, or other, helped Raymer escape? It would be easy to lose sight of that objective with all the other information he was learning. A simple answer came to mind, and he paused, looking at the wall with blank eyes as he considered it. Suppose that person had not intended to help Raymer. Perhaps Raymer’s escape was a coincidence or red-herring. What if it covered up something else? Or drew attention away from another activity that helped the others?

Bear said, “This is all very interesting, but if I might impose on you, Gray. I’m terribly hungry, and the walk to the Red Bear is safer with two.”

Shailer stood and as they walked into the front room of the bookstore said, “I would join you, but I would like to spend some time with my maps and studies and meet again in a day or two.”

That sounded both reasonable and met the needs of all. Outside, after short goodbyes, Gray drew in his first lungful of damp, night, sea air. Down the street, three sailors sang a sea chant, but he wasn’t sure if they all sang the same tune. A man wearing all black was slinking in the shadows. An older woman who tried to appear and act young tried to draw them nearer.

Bear navigated their way up the hillside and into the Red Bear Inn. He took Gray’s arm and steered him to an empty table near the fireplace. “I hope this is fine with you. I get cold these days, or I should say these nights.”

“I like the warmth.”

Bear smiled, “I’m sure you’re used to it.”

Answering would reveal another small fact. It seemed Bear never let up. Gray said, “I will need sleep soon. This has been a long day.”

“It may get longer. Quickly gather your wits about you.”

A hand found Gray’s shoulder, and he turned to see who it belonged to. Caldor stood at his side and a little behind. “My name is Caldor, and I believe we have a friend in common. An athletic woman called Tessa?”

Gray had two conflicting thoughts on how to respond. He could deny knowing Tessa, or he could ask how Caldor knew that he was her friend. Instead, he stood and shook Caldor’s hand, grinning and nodding his head like he was the uneducated second cousin from the backcountry.

“It is very good to meet you. I enjoyed the time I spent with Fleet and the little time with Tessa.”

“Fleet has spoken of you many times,” Gray said while thinking that each of those times Fleet warned that he didn’t trust Caldor.

Caldor turned to Bear. “May I join you?”

“Of course. We were just about to eat.”

While the two of them talked, Gray scanned the dining room for Prater. When he didn’t see him, he wondered if he might find him ransacking his room upstairs while Caldor held their attention, or perhaps outside in a dark alley where he could watch all who arrived or left.

He also realized that the two men were not friends, but more acquaintances. Bear gave the appearance of being a little slow, and often confused. But in the bookstore, Gray had seen another Bear, one quick and intuitive. He decided to speak little, think first, and let Bear, a master at gathering information, do most of the talking.

Bear signaled a serving girl and asked for three fish dinners, bread, and ale for all three. He didn’t consult them, and nobody objected.

“So you arrived today?” Caldor asked Gray.

Gray decided to confront Caldor with a question of his own and see if he stumbled. “Today? How do you know that, if I may ask?”

“I saw you enter with your travel belongings around mid-day.”

Chagrinned, Gray said, “Please excuse my abruptness, but I’m normally a private person and wondered.”

“In Fleming, there’s not much that’s gone unnoticed,” Caldor said, an irritating smile that others might take for humor.

Gray and Bear passed a brief look that told they recognized the smile. “The fish is very good,” Gray said, trying to keep to safe subjects.

Caldor leaned closer. “Do your people eat a lot of fish?”

The obvious inference was Gray’s family lived in the drylands where there was little water and no fish. But Oasis had a lake teaming with them. Without a pause, he said, “Yes we do. My mother was fond of baked fish, but I like fried.”

Bear gave a small nod of approval as he bit into a handful of still warm bread. The tension at the table had increased a notch with Gray’s answer.

Caldor turned to Bear. “I have not seen you bidding on cargo lately.”

“That’s because I haven’t.” Bear didn’t offer any excuse or explanation.

But Caldor then said, “Perhaps in a few days. Some ships that carry interesting cargo are due. I believe the Lady Marion will arrive in a day or two.”

He had stressed the name of the ship only slightly as he watched for reactions. Gray realized he hadn’t reacted because he’d missed the mention of the name while thinking of Kelby, the girl in the bookstore. Bear was simply too wily to fall for such an obvious trap.

Bear said, “The Beacon is also due, and I’ve heard it may have bolts of clothing from across the sea.”

Caldor couldn’t conceal his reaction at the mention of across the sea, although he tried. He patted his lips with his napkin and said, “Where would that be?”

“A rumor, only. I heard a sailor talking to another one night. He was sitting over there.” Bear motioned to a table near them. “He said his captain heard that cargo from across the Endless Sea brings gold down to Shrewsbury, but you know how mariners lie when they drink.”

“They do indeed,” Caldor agreed.

But his eyes looked worried. Gray was still on his first mug of ale while the other two were on their third. Gray intended to make his last the whole evening. However, Caldor stood and excused himself with apologies and promises to continue talking another night.

Bear said, “He seemed upset when I mentioned Shrewsbury.”

“Yes, he did. Upset or worried. Maybe both.”

“You did well, Gray. I thought I’d have to help you, but you handled yourself in a way I like. Mostly you knew when to keep your mouth shut, and finding a business partner like that is a blessing for me.”

“Partner?”

Bear laughed. “Well, it is true that I have not asked you formally, but I thought you might consider being a paid agent for me and for my shipping business. I am too old and fat to travel these days. Besides, I have to remain here and keep an eye on that woman who runs my inn, or she’ll steal even more from me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I thought that I may expand my purchases of cargo. A good place to do that might be Shrewsbury. There’s less competition and some interesting cargo, so I’ve heard.”

“Heard from imaginary sailors?” Gray asked.

“Think about it. I’ll send you there, and you will have to explore the options on cargo purchases and shipments. I wouldn’t expect you to keep our business relationship a secret. Others would know of it from the first, and they’ll understand your interests in ships and cargo. Of course, if you may also have other interests of your own, but they are not my concern.”

Gray liked the idea. It was simple and believable. He had already decided to travel to Shrewsbury when he had first examined the map in the rear of the bookstore. The idea that the others disembarked there made sense, too. It explained why nobody in Fleming seemed aware of strangers in their midst. Doubly odd when rumors in Fleming seemed to spread through the streets faster than a man could run.

His new friend and benefactor, Bear, also knew far more than he let on, especially about the Dragon Clan. He allowed hints to slip without ever making a firm statement about it, but the hints were often so direct there could be little doubt. Gray also suspected Bear thought him part of the Dragon Clan and hoped for verification.

Gray didn’t believe he was stubborn or too secretive. But before revealing his origins he wanted to understand why Bear was interested. Even with the best of intentions today, tomorrow might bring other objectives for the owner of the inn. The same went for Shailer, the bookstore owner.

“I’ll do it,” Gray declared, pounding his palm on the table.

Bear reached out to shake hands. “Tomorrow we will make plans. Is there any reason you cannot depart the morning after?”

“I can leave tomorrow if you like.”

“No, that’s too soon. You’re excited now, and more tired than you know. When you come down in the morning, we’ll talk and eat, and go watch the cargo being loaded. People will see us, and they’ll talk and wonder about our relationship. We might even stop in at that little bookstore. You can perhaps escort Shailer’s daughter down the street. Let them see your reason for visiting there.”

“I can do that,” Gray said, feeling the ale had taken hold of him.

“You’ll have to pretend to be very close with her. Allow her to hold your arm and walk together as if you’re a couple. Just to fool any who happen to take note of that sort of thing.”

Gray couldn’t hide the smile as he excused himself and headed for the stairs. Once in his room, he tried to keep the floor from tilting. He threw open the shutters and breathed in the refreshing night air.

He hadn’t lighted the candle yet, and as he stood in the darkness, he noticed furtive movement deep in the shadows of an alley across the road. His years of standing duty as a watcher for the family made him stand perfectly still. His eyes roamed, looking for another movement. Seeing none, he concentrated on the place where it had been earlier.

Others walked the street, singularly or in pairs. Two emerged from the inn almost at his feet, and the splash of light from the door detailed a man hovering at the edge of the alley. A tall, thin man wearing the same sort of clothing as Prater.

Gray closed the shutters gently. He pushed the chair to where the door opened so the chair legs scraping on the wood floor would wake him if any tried entering. Then he placed his knife carefully on the floor near the bed where an intruder would not see it.

“I hope it rains,” he told himself as he climbed into bed and thinking of Prater in the alley.