Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

We rolled through the city and I was finally able to see the huge square I'd glimpsed on the road to Mirum. The open space had dozens of booths lined up in relatively straight lines. People hawked their goods and customers strolled through admiring and sampling the goods. A rich aroma glided into the carriage through the hole and I couldn't help but inhale.

"We'll fetch something on the return trip," Will promised me with a bemused smile. "I only want to find the location of his warehouse. Nothing else should be done before nightfall."

I lifted an eyebrow. "What should be done after that?"

He folded his arms over his chest and sighed. "I'm not sure. I hope time and inspiration will grant me an idea."

We rolled around the perimeter of the market and found ourselves traveling down a wide road that followed the flow of the river. The gentle waters were guided by a high wall that wound its way through the neighborhoods until the way opened, but not to another market. The road turned leftward to make way for the widening of the river into a small lake. Docks and boats lined the high stone walls and an especially large pier stretched a quarter of the way out into the waters. A wharf intersected the pier and several of the smaller docks, creating a bustling area of commerce. Buildings large and small dotted the wide planks of the wharf and created a little water-specked village.

A pair of huge wooden gates at the opposite end were open and allowed the vessels to travel in and out of the artificial lake. Mechanisms on either side of the high defensive walls that surrounded the rest of the city showed the gates could be closed at a moment's notice. The way revealed the narrowing of the river some half a mile out where a depot awaited shipments.

"Where does all this stuff come from?" I wondered as I beheld stacks of crates and small wooden boxes. Sacks of soft substances were also piled high.

"The fields around the city and the high parts of the valley," Will told me. "And then there are the traders who come in from the far lands under the control and protection of the city."

"Do you send stuff here?" I wondered.

He nodded. "The townsfolk send wood products and pelts."

We rolled to a stop beside a set of stone stairs that led down to the wharf planks. Will stepped out and helped me, and I was immediately struck by the scent of fish and wet logs. My feminine form caught the attention of more than one wharf rat, one of whom whistled at me. Others grinned and a few eyed me with more than appreciation as I walked down the steps.

One look at Will's bright eyes, however, made their faces grow pale and they whipped their heads away. He kept a tight grip on my arm as he escorted me down the planks and toward the cluster of buildings. Some of them had barn doors that were opened and others were shut tight.

I noticed one in particular nestled between two larger buildings and I pointed at its walls. "Is that a clapboard building?"

Will nodded. "It does appear to be. Let us find out who owns it."

We moved toward the building but were intercepted by a burly man with a sharp eye and a confident swagger. He stepped in front of our path and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "And what are you doing here?"

Will smiled at him as he nodded at the building. "We merely wish to satisfy our curiosity. Who owns the building there?"

"The city."

"Then who rents it from the city?"

The man narrowed his eyes at us. "Who's asking?"

A twinkle slipped into Will's eyes. "Someone who knows you, young Beck."

The man tensed. "How do you know my name?"

Will nodded at the waters. "Your mother called it enough times when you were rowing that dingy out to the middle of the lake. If memory serves, you wanted to see if there was a mermaid out there."

Beck's face fell faster than a boulder chucked into the lake. "How do you know that?"

Will looked down at himself. "Have I changed that much?"

The stern man's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. "You. . .you're Lord Thorn?"

Will bowed his head. "At your service, though you are a little too big for me to easily carry you to shore now."

The men let out a great cry and leapt at us. I was shoved out of the way and Will was engulfed in the man's girth. A muffled cry of surprise came from the dragon and I spun around to find Will had been swallowed in a big hug courtesy of the man who he had saved.

Beck drew them to arm's length and looked him up and down with the biggest grin I'd ever seen. "It's been a ship's age since you were last here! What brings you to these waters?"

"Merely to inspect the buildings. We're especially interested in that clapboard one," Will told him.

Beck released Will and wrinkled his nose. "Why that one in particular?"

"It seems familiar to us and we were curious to know its owner to ask them about it," Will answered.

The wharfman put a hand on his hip and stroked his chin between his large fingers. "I don't know about telling you that. It's against the rules."

"Then you know who it is?" Will guessed.

A crooked grin slipped onto Beck's lips as he cupped his chin in his hand. "Of course. You're looking at the wharf manager."

Will grinned and bowed his head. "Congratulations are in order."

Beck scoffed. "None of that now, Lord Thorn. I'm not that young sprite you hauled out of the water twenty years ago. I know a fast compliment when I see one and I won't let it spill who's renting it out, even if you were to shove my face through the rear window." He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at us. "Now get out of here before I have to throw you into the water."

Will grabbed my hand and nodded. "Of course, sir. My apologies for the trouble."

He scooted us around Beck and we hurried down the wharf. A few of the men glared at us but Beck's sharp voice shouted at them. "Stop gawking and get back to work!"

They dropped their heads and dove back into their tasks. We skirted them and soon found ourselves on the far side of the cluster of buildings. A smile graced Will's lips as he stared ahead with shimmering eyes.

"Did Beck give us a hint back there?" I asked him.

Will nodded. "And a good one. We should be able to find our window with little difficulty."

We rounded the corner of the last building and turned, following the length of the structure. A narrow path led between the rear of the buildings and the high stone wall that surrounded the lake. We squeezed in there and scooted along until we rediscovered the clapboard building. It wasn't too hard to see the small window that faced the wall. It stood about ten feet above the wharf planks and just about even with the upper road.

"I think we turned too early," I mused as I looked back in the direction we had traveled. "We could go back and up the stairs."

He shook his head. "There's no guarantee of seeing through the window from that distance. The pane could be covered in dust."

"Then what do we do?"

Will flashed me a mischievous grin. "You stay here."

He flexed his fingers into claws and dug one of his hands into the wood. The soft timber gave way beneath his sharp talons and he did the same to a spot higher up the wall. I took a few steps back and watched as he eased himself up the wall one arm's length at a time. Will left only a few almost imperceptible holes in the wood and soon reached the window. He was forced to use his sleeve to wipe the glass as he feared and then he peered inside. His scrutiny lasted for a few moments before he pulled both hands out of the wall, dropping to the planks in front of me.

"Well?" I asked him.

"The warehouse is filled with crates, but a crack in the frame around the window let enough air out for me to tell there is an abundance of perfume inside," he confirmed.

"So what do we do now?" I asked him.

Will furrowed his brow. "I must admit I'm at a loss, but perhaps Alex will have an idea."