Chapter 6
Time will tell
THERE WAS ONLY THE VOID, but he wasn’t scared anymore. There was no sensation at all other than thought. Where am I? Is this death? Time passed, or maybe it didn’t. Lebuin considered the situation. He recalled being attacked by an assassin. The memory of it brought it clearly to his mind. He was able to examine it in detail. The girl, the energies, his responses, the details of a man burning into a pile of coal...It was all clear to him, all of it.
What was the reason for it all? More images; he recalled classes at the Guild. He remembered marks spent pouring over old tomes. He also remembered other classes where there were more than just a student and teachers. Memories he had forgotten came back clearly, as if he were reliving them. The time he was five and he started exploring the Guild. He found he could use a little magic to unlock the door the teachers used. There was a lot more to the place than the little wing where he lived. He spent weeks sneaking around exploring before he was caught. Instead of being angry, they just left the door unlocked, with the condition that he not play with the other kids unless two teachers were present. He was young and didn’t listen. One of the bigger kids pushed him, as kids will do, he had gotten mad and magic flowed. Magi had come pouring out of every doorway at the sounds of kids screaming and five of them quickly blocked his view of the results. They had rushed him off, lightly chastising him for not listening, but smiling and making him feel better. He hadn’t thought of that event again, but after that none of the kids would play with him and most ran away when he appeared.
Now that he could replay the memory in detail he saw that the five mages who had taken him away all had fear in their eyes. It wasn’t until the Grand Magi had appeared with some candy to soothe him that they relaxed. Looking back over that memory with his more experienced and adult point of view, he knew he had released a tremendous amount of energies, more than should have been possible for such a young child. Three of the other kids had been seriously wounded by the backlash. The older boy who had pushed him looked like Magus Cune, except much younger. He had seen that boy thrown back into a wall like a doll before tears had blurred his vision. A young Magus Cune had rushed out in the yard and been screaming for help as he had picked up the limp body of the boy. My Lord, did I kill Magus Cune’s son? Is that why he hates me so much? Going over his memories, he couldn’t find any others of an older apprentice that looked like Magus Cune.
They had kept me isolated for everyone’s protection. That is why there were always Magi nearby. The other apprentices must have been talking about me for years. Fear in the eyes, smiles on the faces, always soft tones, always careful handling. It wasn’t until he had matured and gained control of his emotions that they slowly began to relax, to trust. Eventually they put him in the regular programs. They needed to train me but were afraid of the results. I was so isolated; no friends, no companions, just the older mages and my family. The thought of his family brought images of his father and surprisingly his real mother; she sang a strange lullaby in the void. If he could he would have smiled at the memory. More came — he remembered how she prepared his meals and how she always sang as she worked. She was an amazing seamstress; she wove her own cloth, singing songs to him in his cradle. He remembered her talking with his father, both of them buzzing with happiness about her pregnancy. For nine cycles he had shared his mother’s joy and happy songs. But, even now, the songs were in a language he has never heard since. He wondered what language it was.
A presence joined him. He didn’t know how he knew it, he just did. He wasn’t alone.
“Lebuin, hold, you must hold.” It wasn’t a voice, but it had a sound, if sound could move in this place. It also had emotion. Lebuin could feel the anguish, worry, and sorrow that the other felt.
“Where am I?”
“Between. You must hold. You must fight back. Lebuin, hold.” Anguish and a deep regret at having to make the request came as well.
“I don’t understand.”
“Look for the thread. Hold, you must hold.”
Concentrating, he tried to see, but there was only the void. “I can’t see anything. Hold to what?”
“Open yourself, you will find the thread.” Like a sharing of memories and experiences, he understood then that he had to share himself with this place. Now that it had been explained he realized he was actually shielding himself unconsciously. Opening himself, the void was replaced by a mesmerizing swirl of colors, feelings, and energies. It was beautiful; he relaxed and simply enjoyed the flows.
“Hold, you must hold.” Lebuin recognized love under the anguish and guilt and knew the presence was deeply concerned for him. The presence was a bright swirl of energy with four tendrils wrapped around him, as in an embrace. “Do you perceive?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Here. You must fight, follow this, you must hold.” And with those words came understanding.
Finally, he saw the faint, silvery thread. It looked very fine, like a spider’s thread. He didn’t have a body here, yet the thread came out of him and it stretched off into the distance. The thread was playing out like a fishing line. He tried to grab it, but nothing really happened. Thoughts are what rule here. This is not a physical place. He tried again; this time he used his will, as he would to use a telekinetic formula. It worked, and immense pain flared through his mind. He screamed but no sound came. He felt the burns on his arms and chest, and worse, the knife in his chest. He let go and the pain vanished.
“Hold, you must hold.”
“The pain is too much. I’m dying. It’s done.”
“No. We act.” He understood; many entities were pushing at agents, urging haste to his aide. He understood that this was immensely dangerous to all. The presence was being careful to not share how. “Hold. You must hold.”
“Why? What is going on?”
“In time...” He understood something important was coming and it needed to be in the flow of things. The entities were trying to not cause a catastrophe while trying to avoid a catastrophe. “You have it in you. Hold, you must hold.”
He grabbed for the thread, the pain was almost too much. He held.
“Hold. Fight. Follow it back.”
He screamed, although there was no sound. He screamed and he pulled. It took every ounce of energy and concentration he had. He pulled. As long as he held the thread he could feel everything. Someone was carrying him, bouncing along, the knife in his chest moved, causing even more pain. He screamed and pulled, screamed and pulled.
“Yes. Fight. Hold.” Pride and love, guilt and anguish mixed in the entity’s communication.
The pride and love gave him energy and he used it to pull.
Someone was tending to him. Something moved the knife, pain too much pain.
I wish screaming did something, this is too much.
His mind focused on the task of pulling. Worldly things began to come to him.
Pull — Pain and he could smell the medicines and linen bandages.
Pull — Pain and he could feel the stiff cot under him.
Pull — Pain and he could feel that his left boot was tighter than his right.
Pull — Pain and his awareness of the presence faded slightly.
“Don’t leave me.”
“I will not, I will remain until conclusion. Hold… Fight... She comes.”
Other presences. There were three new entities. Two he knew to be in both realms at once. One was female, very powerful, and yet he was comforted by her closeness. The second was male, also very powerful, and he understood they were there to help. Last there was another powerful being, she existed only in the physical realm; she also was comforting. Lebuin tried to look at them but could not see them with the senses of the physical world, only feel their presences. In trying to see he found two other entities, both female; one was in the worldly realm, the other was in this realm. Both of the women were powerful, but not at the level of the others, and they both were simply watching.
Warmth washed over his body, the pain eased, and without warning the knife was pulled out. The warmth in his chest blazed into a searing heat. He screamed and felt a disorienting lurch as he slipped out of the void and into the world he knew.
As he lost the sense of the other realm he heard the entity’s parting words, “Well done,” and felt a tremendous flood of pride from the entity.
He was back in the mundane world, more tired than he had ever been in his life, but he could breathe and there was no more pain. Exhausted, he simply fell asleep.
Voices floated into his dreams. The first, a melodic female voice, spoke softly. Groggy, he only caught the end. “…Unexpected.”
A male voice answered, also melodic… a wonderful tenor with an odd accent. “Yes, but in this case the unexpected could be a sign we are finally on the right path.”
“This was too close, and I had to ask.”
“Me too... Time will tell.”
“That is my worry. Shhh, he awakes.” The female voice came closer, and he felt her warm breath on his ear. “Shhh, Lebuin rest now, all is well.” She sang then, softly, in a language that reminded him of the songs his mother used to sing. He couldn’t fight it; he fell back into sleep, feeling totally warm, safe, relaxed, and happy.
- - -
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a large room, lying on a cot. Dust motes swirled in a light breeze as they fell through warm sunlight streaming through some high windows.
“Master Lebuin, how do you feel?”
Looking up he saw the upside down and worried face of Ditani. That is a very good question. I should be dead. I had a knife in my chest. He couldn’t feel any magic flowing in him. “Good question, Ditani. I’m not in pain, but I cannot feel any magic. Help me up.”
Ditani moved to his side, helped him sit up and turn, putting his feet on the floor. He felt slightly dizzy; an acolyte in smudged light green robes, which fit moderately well, came over with a look of concern. “Journeyman Lebuin, please don’t move too fast. You need to recover. It is uncertain how much strain your body can handle. Also, I am instructed to warn you that you could become forever powerless should you try to use magic at this time.”
Frowning at the news, he looked at the man, who was about the same age as he was. “How long before I can try to channel my power?”
Looking sternly at him like any good physician, he spoke in what was probably his most professional voice. “It is suggested that you do not try to channel for at least a cycle. The Great Lady also recommends that when you begin to practice, you start slowly, first with air, then water, and then earth, moving on to each when the previous ones are re-mastered with ease. Only when all three of the other elements are effortless, is it her recommendation, should you attempt fire.”
He put his head in his hands and looked down. Well, I am alive, and that was the strangest experience I have ever even heard of. Thinking back over his memories, he wondered if it had all been real. Wiping his eyes, he saw that his wonderful doublet and shirt had been cut open down the middle of his chest. Sputtering, he managed to get out, “My clothes! What did you do to my clothes?!”
Ditani just looked at him, wide-eyed.
“Seriously, what happened to my clothes? Ruined! My two best outfits, in two days, totally gone!” Looking down again, the anger faded into nothing as his fingers came upon and traced the vertical scar on his exposed skin. Looking down at the cot, he saw where the blood had soaked through the canvas to pool on the floor; it was hastily cleaned, but the signs were still there. Sighing, Lebuin looked back at Ditani. “Sorry, I guess this really did happen,” he said, his fingers resting on his first real scar. “I don’t understand what is happening. Is every Journeyman’s life so dangerous?” I was dying. If not for swift action by beings who shouldn’t have cared, I’d be dead now. My skills meant nothing — a single knife in my chest and it was almost over.
“I have heard that some are, others are not.” Ditani gently placed his hand on Lebuin’s shoulder. “I don’t understand why someone would attack you like that.”
“I think it might be Magus Cune trying to exact revenge.”
Ditani looked at him, shocked. “Master, that cannot be! Magus Cune has always loved and protected the Guild. He would not attack a Journeyman unless that Journeyman was a traitor.”
I bet he is involved in this. “What can I do? I cannot use magic for at least four weeks, which means I might as well just walk naked through the city.”
“Master, I hired a Dagger to get you here. By sheer luck, I believe she is one of the best in the city. I may have overstepped my place acting on your behalf. It was just that I didn’t know what else to do to save you.”
Lebuin’s hopes jumped. “No, no that is perfect! You really are a Godsend, Ditani. I wanted to hire a Dagger guide to both guard and help me with my Journeyman quest.”
“In that case I am pleased. Except, well…” Ditani looked a little worried and embarrassed.
“Yes?”
“Well, the Dagger took your money and left to try to find Magus Vestul. She ordered me to not let you leave here until she gets back.”
Astonished, he looked at Ditani. “Did you say ‘she’? This Dagger is a woman?”
Ditani nodded. “I thought you’d be upset about her helping herself to your purse.”
Lebuin instinctively pulled the purse out. It didn’t feel empty. “How much did she take?”
Looking at the floor, Ditani said, “two crosses.”
Lebuin laughed for a moment. “That’s it? Two crosses? You made it sound like she took my whole purse!”
Ditani looked up, surprised. “You’re not angry? Master, two crosses is a lot of money!”
“Is it? I thought I would be spending dozens of crowns to hire a Dagger for any length of time.”
“Master…” Ditani stopped and looked at the doorway. Lebuin, following his eyes, could not believe what he saw. I must be dreaming, that is the lady from the alley and market. But Lord, look at her. She wore boots that were a dull grey, with a hinted pattern done in forest green. Above the boots she wore leather pants which were tailored perfectly to fit her. They were not new, but the pants were well-maintained and would likely last a very long time. The leather had been treated so that it was a dusky grey, smooth but not polished. I bet it repels water, he thought. Over her pants she wore a thigh-length shirt, also expertly tailored. The shirt had shifting patterns of grey and was made of a tight woven cloth that absorbed the light to excellent effect. Over the shirt was a leather belt, in nearly a charcoal gray; on the belt were a short sword, four knives, and a medium-sized pouch that blended in to her clothes. The focal point of this entire outfit, he noticed, was an ornate dagger. Her grey, patterned cloak flowed behind her, like the wind itself was personally escorting her. Every inch of her outfit spoke volumes of the wearer. How can she pull off that kind of perfection with such simple materials?
The Dagger stopped in front of Lebuin and put both hands on her hips, her feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and looked him full in the eye. He felt like he had just been caught doing something naughty. I have never seen a woman with so much authority, or presence. She could probably stand toe-to-toe with anyone. Looking down at her boots, he realized they must be the boots she took from her assailant. Now that he could see them up close he could see why she had taken them. I would have taken them myself, even if they do look a bit small for me.
Her voice was pleasant but every bit as authoritative as her stance. “There are Knives are on your tail already. Of course, it wasn’t really all that hard with the commotion you made. Our next trick will be to get you out of here without them seeing it.”
Lebuin shifted focus from her boots to the dagger that was only about a foot from his nose. It was beautiful; the hilt was diamond-shaped, with a bone hilt polished to a glossy shine. The cross guard had a hunting motif with hounds that appeared almost alive. The dogs faced in both directions and could have been running down their quarry or attacking an enemy. It is very suggestive of a guard or hunter. But that is the point, isn’t it? The dagger describes the Dagger. Impressions, first impressions are the key. The tables by the walls, means they have their backs covered and are in a stronger position, hence are more experienced or capable. It is so simple a code.
Ditani asked, “Did you find any news of Magus Vestul?”
“We can talk about that when we are someplace safe. I took out one of the two observers. The Knife is likely waiting to ambush you on the way back to the Guild; instead I am going to take you by a longer, more circular route to the Dolphin. We can plan your next move there.” She shifted stance slightly. “Journeyman Lebuin, your man authorized any price to get you here, and then to help with your search. I don’t expect that offer to extend beyond this moment. I took two crosses, one for my services today and the second to cover needed bribes. If you desire me to remain your Dagger, I expect six crosses a week, in advance. Agreed?”
Lord, she took out more people already? She is killing things hunting me. Whatever payment she wants she can have; I can spare it, and it is far less than I was already planning on paying. It’s a bargain either way. Looking into her eyes, he nodded agreement.
Her reaction was hard to read, but something in her eyes came alive with speculation. “Do you think you can run?”
She is actually excited by the danger. Guess that would be a reason to become a Dagger, but how could a woman get the kind of training she must have had?
“I can barely sit up, so I doubt I can move very fast.”
Her eyebrows tightened with concern, but looking at something behind him, she smiled slightly. Turning, he saw a doorway, presumably to the Temple. “Get up. We’ll get you a change and go that way.” She reached down and grabbed his arm with a strong hand.
He stood and felt a little dizzy but managed to stay in place. “Um, what do I call you?” She started to turn away and then looked at him in surprise; something passed through her mind, and she smiled. Her smile was like lightning. Oh Lord she is beautiful. That someone so beautiful can be so dangerous is a wonder in itself.
Face to face she was slightly taller than he was. She held out her arm. “I’m Ticca of Rhini Wood, Dagger in your service.”
Taking her arm, he locked it with his. “Journeyman Lebuin of the House Caerni; I am pleased to accept your service.” Her eyes widened only a hair’s width at the name of his house. Well, she knows us. She is really good at hiding her emotions; I bet she would do well at the tables. “Ticca, please call me Lebuin; and I assume you already know Ditani.” He gestured to the other man.
Nodding, she pointed to the inner door. “Now that we are all formally introduced, can we please proceed with getting to someplace safe?”
They made their way to the Temple’s inner door. Lebuin had to lean on Ditani a little to stay steady, and they were soon intercepted by an acolyte. “That way is not proper.”
Ticca looked at the acolyte sternly and said nothing, and after a moment the young man, looking more than a little nervous, decided it might be best to let a higher authority take care of the matter. “Please wait a moment, I’ll get a Healer.” He went through the door and closed it behind him.
Looking around near the door Ticca picked an empty cot and pointed at it. “Rest there while I make some arrangements.” She then boldly stepped to the door and opened it, stepping through. Lebuin sat down with Ditani’s help and they waited.
“Ditani what is a Knife, in the context that Ticca was using?”
Ditani looked at him, his eyes going a little wide. Yes, I am totally ignorant, please don’t belabor the point. Ditani seemed to read his mind. “Milord, a Knife is a professional assassin, just like a Blade is a professional soldier, and a Dagger is a warrior-specialist.”
Lord, she is killing professional assassins for me?! I might pay her a bit more just to keep her happy.
Ticca was back in about a half-mark, her arms loaded with the light green robes worn by initiates in the Temple. Ticca had already gotten rid of the fine cloak she had been wearing, and was followed by an older woman wearing the dark green robes of a priestess of Dalpha. Coming over to the cot, she tossed the robes on the end. “Here, get into these.”
Ditani stood and started picking through them quickly and efficiently, selecting one for him and another for his master. Lebuin looked at the robes he was handed in disdain. “You want me to wear this in public?”
Ticca stopped in the middle of stepping into a robe herself and gave him a look of disbelief. “Are you serious? Would you rather walk out on the street with that target spot already nicely laid open for the next Knife?”
Lebuin felt a little ashamed at his reaction. What in the world am I thinking? Damn it! Something dangerous is going on and I am complaining about the clothes. I must look the total fool. “Sorry, I am not thinking clearly; of course I’ll follow your lead.” He put on the new robes and found a way to fasten his pin on the inside so it didn’t show. No reason I can’t at least stay clean and comfortable.
When they were dressed the Priestess checked them over. She made some minor corrections to their belt knots and then standing back, she nodded. “This will be just fine. You must wear the hoods up at all times; and you should not look around. Keep your hands loose at your sides. Stay in formation behind me. I will take you to Gold Street, about half a mile from here, where we have a small hospice. From there it would not make sense for us to travel this way.”
The priestess looked at Lebuin, concerned. “I want you to follow behind me. Should you find that you cannot continue, pull on the back of my robes. I will find an excuse to stop. Please don’t try to push through, let me know as soon as you begin to feel a little tired.”
Lebuin nodded. “I understand.”
“Good. Now you stand here, and you two walk side by side behind him; keep two steps distance between us and try to stay in step. I will go slowly, so this will take quite some time. No one will be able to tell that you do not belong here. Some priests think deeply while traveling from place to place.” The priestess opened the door. “Now, while in the Temple, it is practice. When we exit by the main door your lives will depend on looking the part.”
Gravely, they put their hoods up and fell into the measured step set by the priestess. From time to time she would glance at them as they walked and corrected them on various small points. By the time they approached the main doors, Lebuin felt like they might have a good chance at surviving this. In the main hall the priestess stopped. “Lebuin, are you well? Can you do this for a full mark more?”
This is no time to be boastful; our lives depend on me not falling on my face. He looked within himself and considered what he had done since waking up in the Temple. “Yes, I can do this; I know our lives are on the line. Thank you, Lady, for your aid.”
“Service in the Lady’s name is my reward. The time for practice is done; Come.” And turning, she led them out of the main doors.
Lebuin’s heart raced as they stepped over the threshold. No shields, only thin cloth between me and the world, and then another thought occurred to him, and this is how most people live every day. He concentrated on staying in step and at the correct distance from the others. He found that while looking straight down, he could just see the front edges of Ditani’s and Ticca’s robes. Lebuin was surprised to see that Ticca had found time to exchange her boots for a different pair; they were made of supple leather, dyed a soft green that matched the robes very well. That is an amazing lady. She must have spotted the boots when she found the robes. I can’t believe she would just leave those other boots. He pondered the day’s events as they walked. He found that although he was tired, he could push himself further. I have never had so much strain or trouble. This whole day makes all the troubles at the Guild silly in comparison. For the first time he felt vulnerable and mortal. As they walked, he tried to find any time in the Guild that had threatened and frightened him so much, but no problem or slight — even by Magus Cune — compared.
After what felt like forever, they climbed the steps to another building. The smells of the herbs and incense found in a hospice were a welcome relief from the fear of attack. Lebuin was about to pull back his hood when the priestess quietly commanded, “Follow me, I must present the three of you.” Her tone clearly worried about something.
They stayed in step as they moved through the hospice room; they did not get very far before the priestess cried out, “You would dare attack inside the house of Dalpha?! Lebuin, get behind me!” and spinning, she lifted her staff high. As Lebuin pulled his hood back to find the source of the priestess’ alarm, the light in the room took on a greenish tint.
A simple workman dressed in smudged brown and worn clothes with a soft gray wool cloak was diving to the side as knife rebounded off a shield created by the priestess.
Ticca spun, pulling her robe open down the front. She pulled her dagger and another knife as she jumped between Lebuin and the man before his knife had a chance to hit the floor. “Lebuin, run! Follow the priestess!”
The man rolled to his feet, facing Ticca, and smiled. “You think you can best me, girl?”
The priestess repeated Ticca’s command. “Lebuin, come, now.” She grabbed Lebuin’s collar and tugged him away from the fight. I can’t help, I’m powerless! Lord, help her! Turning, Lebuin grabbed Ditani’s robe and pulled him along too. The priestess kept the shield up and backed them towards a doorway.
Ticca and the man approached each other cautiously at first. They said something to each other in low tones, which he couldn’t make out.
Lebuin didn’t see who moved first but their knives flew, filling the room with the ringing sounds of metal hitting metal. As he went through the doorway he saw the man entangle Ticca’s robe with one hand and yank her off balance. He heard Ticca yelp in pain before the priestess slammed the door closed. Turning, she pointed down a hall. “This way.” And she ran faster than Lebuin thought was possible in all those robes.
Although tired, he had no problem finding the energy to run after her. Ditani remained right behind them. At the far end of the hallway the priestess threw open another door and motioned them inside while she watched down the hall. Once inside she closed the door and locked it, leaving them bathed in a soft green light of her staff. Her staff shifted to glow with a brighter white light, and Lebuin saw they were in an alcove with a flight of stone stairs leading down. The priestess hurried down the stairs, and with no other instructions, Lebuin and Ditani followed.
The stairs led to a large cellar filled with shelves; the priestess strode over to one of these. “Ditani, help me with this, please.” She pointed at a shelf and then lifted one end; a soft click could be heard. Ditani moved where she indicated and helped lift and pull out the shelves. The shelves moved slowly to reveal a hidden door, and Lebuin heard the sound of water coming from beyond the door. They followed the priestess into the unknown.
In the soft light Lebuin was surprised to see that he was on a narrow ledge and there were boats attached to rusted rings sunk in the walls. Taking some sacks from a pile by the door, the priestess pulled a knife out of her robes and cut the sacks while talking. “Take one of the small boats. Go where the current will take you. You’ll come out near the merchant docks. Do not wait. Leave the boat tied if there is time.” She handed Lebuin and Ditani a pair of very rough shirts made from the old sacks. “Leave those robes here; they’ll just mark you now. Take these, they will make you look more like poor workers — and put some dirt in your hair and get some grime on your hands and face.”
Lebuin just looked at the sack in disbelief. Poor-fitting robes, dirty sack shirts, grime! This is like the worst nightmare imaginable, hired assassins trying to kill me, people dying to protect me. There must be more than Magus Cune’s revenge here. Lord, what is this all about? Ditani had already tossed his robes aside and was pulling the shirt over his head. Lebuin slowly took the robes off, remembering to take his clasp.
The priestess saw the clasp and asked, “What is that?”
“Nothing, just an artifact I made. It keeps my clothes clean.”
The priestess stared at it and then him in disbelief. “Keeps you clean? Why would you waste your time making something like that? Lady, forgive me, but that is completely useless!”
Lebuin puffed up. “It’s my choice to make what I like.”
“Lebuin, you cannot take that with you; it will ruin any chance you have of getting to safety.”
Sighing, he nodded. “Yes, I know. It’s just today was supposed to be very different.”
The priestess nodded in sympathy. “Yes, yes it was at that. Give it to me, you can have it back if we make it through this alive.”
Lebuin sighed again but handed over the clasp and then struggled into the rough shirt. The rough fabric scrapping his skin, Lebuin thought, My Lord, this is harsh! I have seen workers dressed like this passing the Guildhouse. I never imagined I’d be dressed like one of them. Lebuin looked at the priestess. “Holiness, how will Ticca find us?”
“Don’t worry about her. If she lives, she’ll find you.”
Ditani had selected a boat and was waiting for him. “Where should we go?”
The priestess thought for a moment. “I am not sure, where was Ticca planning to take you?”
Ditani answered, as Lebuin cautiously climbed into the boat. “She was taking us to the Blue Dolphin, Holiness.”
“Then I suggest you continue on that path. If she doesn’t make it soon, you will need another Dagger.”
Ditani found the oars and pushed off into the current. “Our eternal thanks, Holiness.”
The priestess waved. “May Dalpha bless and watch over you both. Good luck.” She turned and went back up the stairs with a purpose.
Lebuin rubbed an itch caused by the shirt. “Ditani, do you think we’ll live?”
Ditani was concentrating on the currents and answered absentmindedly, “Time will tell.”
Lebuin looked at his companion for a minute. That was an odd inflection, it sounded like my dream. Was it Ditani I heard while I slept? Everyone keeps saying that today. Lord, can things get any worse?
Thankfully once they were in the broad current it was a leisurely trip. The waterway was lit by sunlight that came through a series of grates which were evenly spaced along the sides. Here and there were small ledges, unevenly spaced along the path. Most of the ledges had a stone staircase leading up and some had boats or barges tied to the same types of rusted metal rings. Above each stairway hung an engraved white stone, each carved in a language foreign to Lebuin. Some of the platforms had small wooden signs naming the establishment above. From time to time, workmen in boats would row past them, heading upstream, but most just used the currents to move their goods.
The canal soon joined with a larger channel, where traffic increased. Barges were poled and boats of various sizes maneuvered between them and the channel’s banks; there was an intersection and more of those white stone plaques, laid into the walls, one on each side of the intersection. Floating in the water below them was a buoy with a sign showing street names he was familiar with.
As they traveled, more and more of the boats had lanterns out, shining bright in the gloom. Seeing that all the boats, including theirs, had lantern or torch holders, he looked at Ditani. “What is this place?”
“Have you never heard of the Delivery Channel?”
“Yes, but I thought it was a tributary to the river?”
“Yes, and the whole city is built over it; the water flows gently towards the ocean. The western docks have an entry system, so large craft don’t have to fight the current. Most of the city’s deliveries and goods are moved through the channel.”
Lebuin looked at the construction and noticed that there were no seams except where the platforms were and where other tunnels intersected. “This looks carved from the rock itself.”
“Llino is one of the oldest cities; all old cities have features like this, and no one today understands how they were made.”
Lebuin looked from Ditani back to the odd seamless stone walls. “No one knows how to do this?” He asked, pointing at one of the white-inlaid stone signs. “So what language is that?”
“Again, Master, no one here knows.”
Lebuin marveled at the engineering that this water channel under his very home represented. An itch reminded him of the sack he wore. This is amazing. I haven’t even left the city and I have already learned many things about this world. I can see the reason for Journeymen to journey. Only why do I have to have all of it coming so fast?
Ditani maneuvered the boat near a wall where some sludge had built up. He purposefully let one of the oars pick some up and let it drop between them on the floor of the boat. He then cursed and started to throw it out by hand. A nearby group of workmen on a barge laughed at Ditani’s seeming inattentiveness. Lebuin watched for a moment before Ditani looked at him meaningfully. Remembering the priestess’ instructions, he bent down and helped, getting plenty of smudge on his hands and arms. He wiped his hands on his shirt and pants, following Ditani’s lead. Finally Ditani pointed at his boots, and, grimacing, he proceeded to ruin those too. And it does get worse. I have never been so dirty in my whole life. This stuff stinks, too. Stabbed, burned, chased, robbed of my powers, my clothes ruined, wearing an old oat sack for a shirt, and now river sludge on my whole body. This is worst day I have ever had, but also the most enlightening day too.
The boat passed through an open gate made of steel that shone like a mirror. Those don’t look like they have aged, but they have to be as old as the city. He tried to remember how old the city was. The Duianna Empire was the first civilization in human history, and that was founded over fifteen thousand years ago if the reference books are to be believed. Then the accords were signed, breaking up the failing empire into roughly the current smaller countries of today, and that happened about nine thousand years ago. The Mages’ Guild of Argos was founded just over four thousand years ago. This city is supposed to date from the time just before the Duianna Empire, which means that the city itself is maybe sixteen thousand years old, or possibly older. What civilization was here before we came? Why did they leave? And why do we know nothing of them and yet live in their cities which seem to have been built for us today? Once past the gates they came out into the docks just as the priestess had said. Ditani found a place to tie up and they climbed on the docks just like the dozens of workmen milling around vessels of every size and shape.
Carefully, they made their way unnoticed through the docks until they came to Merchant’s Road. Turning, they walked with the flow of foot traffic to the Blue Dolphin. Many workmen were heading there as well, it being the end of the day. Lebuin and Ditani joined the flow of workmen walking into the Blue Dolphin. I think we overdid the grime; most of these men look cleaner. Sniffing, he decided they were not really too far apart. Lebuin headed for the bar, but Ditani grabbed his shirt. “Aye, I see a clear spot, buddy,” he said, indicating a place at a common table.
Lebuin rubbed the shirt and nodded agreement; they made their way over to the table and sat down. Ditani ordered dinner and took a couple of hyly mugs off of a passing tray. Putting one down in front of him he picked it up and sniffed. Taking a careful sip, he found it thick and lightly sweet. Actually, this isn’t as bad as I imagined. He drank his fill, finding he was thirstier than he realized. Ditani watched and smiled at him, and feeling a bit better, Lebuin smiled back.
When the food arrived there was no napkin, nor water to wash with. Lebuin watched as Ditani produced a knife and cut a piece off a hunk of meat, using his hands. Ditani left the knife in front of him, and grabbing some bread, began to eat bare-handed with his dirty fingers. Lord, I know I needed to learn... but really, this is almost too much. Smelling the meat, his stomach made up his mind for him. He grabbed the knife, cut into the meat, grabbed some bread, and ate. As he ate he thought over everything, and realized Ditani had done more for him in one day than he had ever done in his life for anyone else. Smiling, Lebuin realized he really enjoyed Ditani’s company, so he dug in and enjoyed dinner with his new friend.
Next to their table a bard stepped up to the small platform and struck up a jaunty tune. Lebuin grabbed a fresh mug of hyly and thought that things could get worse. But for now, this was a wonderful dinner after all. Ditani smiled at him and he smiled back. Time will tell indeed. I just hope it is finished with today’s tale!