Mage of Silence

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The trip went well. Daeron and Castien spent much of their time honing their fighting skills and after the first few times the sailors stopped wagering on which one would come out the victor. They were so well matched that it became a moot point. With the captain’s permission Castien sharpened his thieving expertise as well, under the supervision of one of the captain’s trusted lieutenants, of course. The vessel carried some valuables they wanted to arrive in Angelcynn in the same cases in which they left the mainland. Not that they didn’t trust Castien, but even the most honest man could be tempted by some of the ‘trinkets’ in the captain’s safekeeping.

Finally they pulled into port. The day was cloudy and overcast, which Castien prayed did not augur ill for his visit to Daeron’s homeland. When he let Daeron know of his apprehension, he just laughed and told Castien he had best get used to it, the weather at this time of year was more often than not rainy and gloomy.

They were met at the docks by two of Daeron’s men who took them to a nearby inn where they dined and spent a pleasant evening telling grossly exaggerated stories of their varied adventures. At least the others did, Castien remained silent. He listened and very occasionally let them know with mime and chuckles he found their tales to be amusing but unbelievable. More than once Daeron leaned close to tell him that while they were embroidering their exploits for the enjoyment of the other patrons, the basic information was indeed true.

Late in the evening they wended their way upstairs to their rooms, a bit the worse for drink. Before Castien collapsed on his bed he paused just long enough to remove his boots and slip Ange under his pillow. No matter how far gone he was, nothing or nobody could get close enough to steal her from him. He knew this from past experience. The link the mage had forged between them saw to that.

Hours, or perhaps minutes, later Castien awoke with a start. Thin light filtered through the small window, pale but enough to show him the dark shadow of a person who knelt by his possessions. He watched through half-closed eyes as he waited until he was certain the intruder’s concentration was totally fixed on finding whatever they were searching for. Then, silently, Castien slipped from the bed with Ange in his hand.

He moved with great stealth to come up behind the person and put Ange against the stranger’s throat. There was a panicked gasp when the person realized he’d been well and truly caught.

Castien put a hand on the intruder’s shoulder to keep the person on his knees then moved so he could see the stranger’s face. Elf, he thought when the lad’s long hair swung away from his slightly pointed ears, or half-elf.

Dark green eyes framed by long dark lashes looked up at him in fear. “Please,” the lad said, his voice tremulous, “please don’t hurt me.”

“Why are you here?” Castien mouthed. He hoped the lad understood.

“I thought…you looked well-to-do and I was…if there was anything here I could…” He looked down to say in barely a whisper, “I am hungry and destitute and…”

Castien stepped back and indicated he should stand. When he did, Castien looked him over. His clothing supported what he’d said. He wore breeches, a shirt belted at the waist over them and a thin doublet. All of the pieces were well worn and patched in several places.

Castien tapped his lips and wondered what to do with him. He could send him on his way with the hope he had told the truth, call Daeron in to question him on the off chance he had been sent here to look for something a superior thought Castien had, or turn him over to the constables. Castien really didn’t want to do the last. He knew what would happen to the lad if he did. There was one other option. Castien pointed to the one chair in the room and the lad hastened to it, sitting silently as he looked up at him.

Castien looked back at the lad. He would have to cast some spells on him but was loath to use Ange in his presence so instead he used the cord from his robe, binding the lad to the chair to keep him restrained while he went to awaken Daeron. It took only a moment after using Ange, once he found Daeron, to let him know what was needed from him. Then Daeron followed Castien back to his room.

Castien released the lad, set a truth spell on him, and then Daeron began to question him.

“Who sent you? What were you looking for? Do you know who we are?” Daeron asked in quick succession.

“No one sent me, I swear. I just hoped there was something here I could take and…and trade to one of the local merchants for food.”

Castien nodded to Daeron, unwilling to speak again; so far what he’d said was the truth.

The lad hesitated for a moment. “I was in the taproom earlier, Sirs, when you and your friends were telling your tales. I overheard two men talking. One told the other he was to hurry and let their master know the Draug had returned. They were looking at you,” he nodded slightly toward Daeron.

“Damnation,” he muttered. “Castien, get ready to leave immediately, gods know how much longer we have before they return. You,” he turned to the lad, “are coming with us.” That said he started out of the room.

The lad jumped up with a shake of his head as he glared at Daeron. “I won’t go with you, you can’t make me.”

“I’m very much afraid we can indeed, one way or the other, so you might as well accept it. Besides from what little you’ve said I don’t see that you have anything holding you here, you mentioned no family, only yourself.”

“Well, yes, I am alone, but still you have no right to take me, you know that.” He stared at them, tossed his head angrily, then went to pick up a cape that lay on the floor where he had been kneeling when Castien had found him. He flung it over his shoulders defiantly and headed to the door, trying to brush past Daeron.

Daeron grabbed his arm to stop him. “For your own safety, I would suggest you reconsider. If anyone saw you come in here, or sees you leaving, they will assume you are either a friend of ours or perhaps a boy of easy virtue who was keeping my companion here ‘company’.”

His hand flew to his mouth in horror. “They wouldn’t, I’m not, how dare you imply…”

“Oh I wasn’t, but you must admit it could look that way and once you get that reputation, well you won’t have to worry about thieving, there will be certain men vying for your attentions and they won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

The lad turned to Castien. “You know that’s not true, I wasn’t, I didn’t.”

“Boy,” Daeron said with a sigh, “you are joining us, like it or not. It truly is not safe for you, or for us, to leave you behind. So sit down, or make yourself useful and help him get his gear together while I gather up our other companions.” He walked out, closing the door firmly behind him.

The lad sank down on the bed to look up at Castien. “He’s serious, isn’t he?”

Castien nodded, as he began to stow his gear in his pack. When he’d finished he sat next to the lad to pull on his boots. The lad touched his hand to get his attention.

“Will you protect me from, from the other men if they…” he bit his lip, his head bowed. “I’m not what he said. I’m just a thief, nothing more.”

Castien smiled, tapped his shoulder to be certain he watched and then held his hand to his heart in promise. He got up then and strapped on his sword. Ange was already on his belt, sheathed. Then he picked up his pack, beckoned for the lad to go ahead of him, and they went to join the others.