Robert left the inn and headed toward the docks. Argus had a warehouse on the waterfront; at least he’d had one the last time Robert had visited. It was early yet and he figured the old smuggler would still be working. As he made his way through the busy streets Robert considered the best way to approach Argus.
He devoutly hoped Argus would remember him and the favors his father had done for him. The best possible outcome would be willing assistance.
Not likely, but certainly best. He hated using blackmail, but getting Shara home safe was his main concern. If he had to play rough to get the job done then heaven knew it wouldn’t be the first time.
Argus’s warehouse was a huge dilapidated structure with a sagging roof and crumbling pillars. It looked for all the world like a swift kick would send it tumbling into the sea. Robert knew it was just an illusion meant to fool the city assessors into lowering his taxes. He walked up to the small side door and knocked.
A surly looking fellow with an eyepatch opened the door. “Yeah?”
“I’d like to speak to Argus, please.”
The doorman spat on the floor. “How do I know the boss wants to talk to you?”
“You don’t. Tell him Robert, son of Julian Longridge, would like to speak to him. I assure you he’ll remember my father.” Robert crossed his arms trying to look confident.
The doorman grunted and slammed the door in his face.
Robert leaned against the side of the warehouse and whistled a dirty sailor’s tune. A pair of seagulls squawked at him and Robert smiled. Everyone was a critic.
The doorman returned after a few minutes. “Right this way, sir.”
The surly man had become the perfect majordomo.
The inside of the warehouse was nothing like the outside. Rows of sturdy shelves filled the main room. Two longshoremen were busy loading a wagon with goods. Along the wall was a staircase that led up to the office. Robert followed his guide up the steps. They paused just outside the door.
“Please don’t mention my rudeness earlier,” the doorman said. “I meant no disrespect.”
Robert clapped him on the shoulder. “Forget it.”
The doorman smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
He opened the door to the office.
Inside, Argus was seated behind a huge wooden desk. Paper covered every inch of its surface. “You should hire a secretary, Argus. In a year or two you might even see the top of your desk again.”
Argus stood up to his full six-and-a-half-foot height. A thick red beard hung down over his huge belly. Biceps bigger than Robert’s thighs bulged as he pushed himself up out of his chair. “Bobby? Little Bobby, is that you?”
“Long time, Argus,” Robert said with a smile of genuine pleasure.
“Too damn long.” Argus came around the desk and hoisted Robert up into a crushing bear hug. Argus set him down and took a step back. “Torment my eyes, but you’ve grown into a man since I last saw you.”
“I’m not the only one who’s grown.” Robert poked his friend in the gut.
Argus patted his belly. “Aye, been livin’ too much of the good life on land. I ain’t spilled a man’s guts in years.”
“I suppose all lords must sacrifice.”
Argus grimaced. “Heard about that did you? Wasn’t my idea, my wife wanted to mix with the nobles so becoming a lord was necessary.”
“You got married?” Robert tried not to sound incredulous and failed.
“Who’d have thought, hey Bobby?”
“That must cut back on your wenching quite a bit,” Robert said.
“I gave it up,” Argus said.
Robert stared, stunned. He’d once heard Argus bedded ten women in one night. “The hell you say.”
“I’ll swear by any demon you care to name. I haven’t touched another woman since I met my Marie. If you’re looking for some action I know a few places.”
Robert felt his face flush. “No need.”
Argus grinned. “Got a little woman too, haven’t you?”
Robert thought of Blade’s reaction to being called a little woman and smiled. “Sort of, though nothing official.”
Argus gave him a knowing look then turned serious. “So, what is it you need from me?”
The moment of truth had arrived. “I need transport to the High Kingdom for myself and two companions.”
“That’s no problem; any of a dozen ships could take you. So why come to me?”
“I’m just about broke,” Robert said.
Argus nodded. “I see. I’ll look into it, on one condition.”
Here it comes. “What is that?”
“That you and this woman with whom you have no official relationship join me and Marie for supper tomorrow.”
Robert let out the breath he’d been holding. “An excellent deal, we’ll be there.”
“Splendid, we live in the nobles’ quarter to the north. It’s a white house surrounded by an iron fence. You can’t miss it, there’s an old ship’s wheel over the gate.”
Robert got to his feet. Blade and Shara would worry if he didn’t get back soon. “Thank you for everything, Argus.”
Argus walked Robert to the door. “No promises, Bobby. I don’t do a lot of business with the High Kingdom.”
The men shook hands. “Whatever you can do will be much appreciated, old friend.”
“Until tomorrow night then.”
Robert nodded and retraced his steps through the warehouse. He waved to the doorman as he left. Outside the cool night air felt refreshing. It was almost dark but the sun still held on by a thread.
Robert took a deep breath of the salt air. He felt relieved and more than a little surprised that Argus had decided to help of his own free will. Maybe getting married had mellowed him. Robert really liked the old sailor and would have hated to have to ruin their friendship.
He made his way to the inn keeping to the shadows. As he moved between two buildings he suddenly felt silly. No one in King’s Port was looking for him. As it was he stood to draw more attention to himself acting like a thief than if he just walked along like an honest citizen.
He had just decided to follow his own advice when he heard a harsh, familiar voice. “What do you mean turn back the other way? I thought you said she was this way.”
Robert could hardly credit his ears. That sounded like Shale. Couldn’t be, of course. The Wolfen should have killed them all.
All the same, Robert decided to play thief a little longer. He crept through the shadows toward Shale’s voice.
“I know you can’t just tell her to hold still,” Shale said. “You know, forget it. I’m beat. Let’s find an inn and continue searching tomorrow.”
Robert poked his head around the corner of a building and sure enough in a shaft of dying light stood Shale. His face looked pretty cut up, but Robert recognized him. Standing beside him was a familiar cat. It appeared Scratch had lost his voice. Shale held the crystal rod that would lead him to Shara.
Shale tucked the rod away and started down the street. Scratch just sat in the road and stared at him. Shale stopped and turned around. “I don’t care if you want to keep looking. I’m tired. Go ahead and look on your own if you want. Maybe I’ll get lucky and some bum’ll kill you and have you for his supper.”
Shale continued on his way and Scratch followed, tail drooping. Robert trailed them for the better part of fifteen minutes before Shale found an inn to his liking. It looked like the cheapest one in the city. The roof sagged in the middle and the windows bore a coat of grease and soot so thick Robert couldn’t see through them.
Man and cat entered the building and Robert lingered for a few more minutes to make certain they didn’t come out again. When he felt satisfied that they were settled for the night, he retraced his steps to his inn. He had to tell Blade that Shale survived.
Robert hurried through the streets no longer concerned about being seen. Other than the occasional doubletake no one paid him the least attention. He stopped to catch his breath outside the door of the inn.
When he’d composed himself he entered and spotted Blade sitting by herself near the fire. He saw no sign of Shara, probably upstairs sleeping. Blade stood as he approached.
“We’ve got trouble,” they both said.
They stared at each other for a moment. Blade looked as confused as he felt. “You want to go first or shall I?” he asked.
“I will. Your news couldn’t possibly be any worse than mine.”
He gestured for her to proceed. If Blade thought the news was bad it had to be.
“I lost her, Bobby,” she said.
“Lost her?” He suddenly felt sick.
She nodded. “Six men with crossbows jumped us. I never had a chance. A seventh man took her away while the rest kept me from following.”
“Son of a bitch! Well, you’re right. Your news is worse than mine. On the way back from the warehouse I spotted Shale and Scratch.”
“You did?” Blade looked pleased.
“Yeah, you seem happy. That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.”
“Are you kidding? This is the best news I’ve had all night.”
Half an hour later, Robert and Blade were crouching in an alley across from the filthy inn where Shale was staying. They spent the entire night watching to make certain their former comrades didn’t leave under cover of darkness.
Blade kept watch the first part of the night then woke Robert from his garbage-pile bed to handle the morning watch. She was asleep now, leaning against one of the buildings, her bare sword on her lap. Robert kept his crossbow cocked and loaded.
When Blade had been happy to hear about Shale’s arrival Robert couldn’t have been more surprised. It hadn’t taken Blade long to explain her plan. She intended to use Shale to lead them to Shara. Once she’d explained, Robert had found the irony delicious.
The sun was just starting to color the horizon when Shale came out the door. He held the crystal rod in his left hand. The tip glowed in the dull morning light.
Robert bent down and touched Blade’s arm. Her eyes popped open.
“They’re on the move,” Robert whispered.
Blade hopped to her feet and sheathed her sword. Shale was headed north. Robert and Blade followed along behind trying to keep out of sight. They hardly needed to do anything special as Shale rarely looked up from the crystal.
They finally stopped in front of a two-story stone building. There was no activity outside.
Robert looked at Blade. “I’d have thought there’d be guards posted outside.”
“Might too obvious,” Blade said.
Robert didn’t feel inclined to argue. Shale tried the front door which opened with no problem. “Don’t tell me they decided not to lock the door too.”
“Something’s definitely wrong,” Blade agreed.