A fight amongst drunkards woke him up. Vyncent grunted and opened his eyes; rats scurried upon the cruck frame overhead. It was a dreary, white morning, and Vyncent could see the light snowfall outside. Cold, thought Vyncent as he hugged himself.
The sleeping room had five beds, each one holding at most two guests. Two had been occupied the night before; one of them was undesirable with fresh piss soddening it. Pyran, the man in blue, had to share with Ferangis. Vyncent shared with Larissa, who still slept soundly despite the argument outside.
But when he gently tossed his side of the blanket over her to keep her warm, she turned to him as he got out of bed.
"Is it time to leave?" Larissa asked, sleepiness heavy in her voice, "I'll get up."
Pyran and Ferangis had woken before them; their beds were empty. Vyncent sniffed the air; he could smell the scent of bacon. Oh, heavens, Vyncent thought, the only pleasant smell this city has to offer. He changed from his tunic to his traveling clothes, slipped on his boots, and headed downstairs. Larissa did the same and followed him.
Barlett smiled and waved at them as they came down the steps.
"Good morrow, my valued guests," he said joyfully at the two, "take a seat anywhere you like." He twisted his head to the kitchen doorway. "Clara!" he shouted. When the serving woman poked her head out, he showed her two fingers and jerked his head at Vyncent. The old woman nodded and hurried back in to get the food.
Pyran and Fernagis were seated at a table in the corner, Vyncent saw, so he headed over to them.
"Slept well, young ones?" Ferangis asked.
"Yes, thank you," answered Vyncent as he seated himself.
Sooner than he expected, Clara was already making her way to their table. As kind as the old woman was, her smile was quite chilling; it was a forced grin. She was afraid of the swaddled magicians, most likely. The man and the woman still wore their wraps; Vyncent did not even see them unravel themselves before they went to bed.
"A l-l-l-lovely b-b-breakfast for o-o-our g-guest," said Clara. Slices of bread, rashers of bacon, a small capon, soft boiled eggs, and even candied fruits were set before them by Clara. "S-s-s-special guests."
My goodness, thought Vyncent with amusement, this is quite extravagant.
As Clara shambled away, Reyen came and placed flagons and cups onto their table. Milk, ale, and honeywater were their choices. When the boy left after filling their cups, the four began their discussion.
"It seems you two found each other rather quickly," said Ferangis, as she pulled the cloth from her mouth before eating. "Fate works fast."
"You know all about us?" Vyncent looked at her coolly. What if she's like Ebernathy? They saved them, to be sure, but he couldn't help but be cautious. After last night, they proved to be more dangerous than Elbert; at least the woman did. Ferangis swiftly took note of his apprehensiveness, however.
"We know what you are," Ferangis assured, "the mark of Vysse. You carry it, and the girl next to you carries that of Lynesse." Reaching in a sleeve, she pulled out a diamond. A golden light within it pulsed as she placed the gem in front of the pair. "I felt it last night. That is how I knew."
"A trinket made to find us?" Larissa asked quietly, admiring the diamond's brilliance.
"The one who crafted it was the Lady in the Elms," Ferangis confirmed, "Mistress Farrok."
"You are the Esper-bearers," Pyran added. It was not a question but an observation he knew with certainty.
When Vyncent made a look of surprise, the woman tilted her head.
"I may have been brusque in telling you all this." A wan smile passed over Ferangis's lips. "I have not even asked your names. My apologies." Vyncent saw sorrow in those beautiful green eyes of hers. "Truly, I was never one to remember my social graces."
"No," assured Vyncent, after swallowing spit, "all is well."
Having more trust in his new companions, he told Ferangis and Pyran about himself and his journey: about Captain Jihn Xu, his village at the southern coast of Virtera, and Ebernathy's betrayal.
"Dragoneater?" Pyran uttered in that deep voice of his.
"You know him?" Vyncent asked the big man.
"I knew his grandfather personally," Pyran mused, scratching his chin, "Jihn Suo was a good man. Honest and hardworking. But that grandson of his …" the big man sighed heavily. "It's a shame to see the fruit sour as the tree grows."
Vyncent frowned at this. What does he mean to say about the captain?
Larissa, who nibbled on a piece of bacon, swallowed and began to tell her tale. But the girl was only able to tell them her name; a man suddenly burst through the doorway, shouting news that took everyone's attention.
"They've taken Wylder," the man said, out of breath and sweating.
"That's no good," said Barlett from his desk and scrolls, worry creeping on his features, "what are the Greenboys doing about it?"
Before the messenger could answer, a patron cut in, asking: "What does Ashferth intend to do him?"
"Twasn't Ashferth that done it," corrected the messenger. He took a cup from a sleeping patron's table and drained the last of it. "Bloody city's guard found their stones, they did," he said after burping, "he's going to hang. Come! To the square. Hurry!"
A murmur rose among the patrons. Some stopped eating their breakfast to follow the messenger back into the streets.
"Who's Wylder?" Vyncent asked Ferangis.
"Leader of the Greenboys," she answered.
"The Greenboys?"
"Another gang just as rotten as Ashferth's." Ferangis clarified, her voice steeped with contempt.
"We've stayed here long enough." Pyran said in a flat tone, uncaring about the city's events. When he finished breaking his fast, he headed outside as if he expected the others to agree with and follow him. Despite the sweet-smelling meats before them, the big man chose only to eat the bread and drink milk.
"He's right," said Ferangis, "I must admit, I should not have used my flori. Ashferth's creatures won't be quiet about what I did to them."
"Your flori?" Larissa asked quietly.
"Ah, you humans call it magic." As Ferangis said this, she picked up and admired the diamond before placing it back in a pouch at her belt. "Are you familiar with the word, Larissa?"
"Yes." She reached into her shirt and showed her the frog leg, "Badzabi says I too can use it … use it to call for him, that is."
"The mark of Lynesse allows you to do it with ease," informed Ferangis. The shouting outside grew louder; men, women, and children hastily walked towards the main road. "There is more to tell you two, but here and now is not the time, it seems. I did not expect the city to be in such a state."
Vyncent finished eating his chicken leg and drank the last of his honeywater. He picked up his bag and slung his long gun's cord across his chest. Out from his bag, he pulled out and donned a woolen cloak. Larissa wore one as well, bearing the colors of her family: silver and scarlet. His own cloak, torn with more sober colors, paled against hers.
"Do you want to wear mine?" Larissa offered, seeing Vyncent hug himself and shiver. "It's warmer, and the cold doesn't bother me. Snowvale blood, my father says." She made a weak smile.
"I will be all right," he assured, "but I thank you for the offer." When Vyncent returned her smile, she blushed.
The trio left the Well of Blood; Barlett smiled and nodded at them, telling them to come back whenever they need food, drink, or a bed for a night. I'm never coming back to this city, Vyncent thought with relief, if this is the best Roum has to offer, I'd happily return to Virtera when this is all done.
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