The Towers

Copyright (C) 1997 by Charles Tryon


5: Westgate

As the first rays of the sun broke the horizon, the crew cast off and the ship again headed east. Sucaba and Trouble had returned some time during the night, though GreyEagle had not heard them arrive. Neither one would give any hint of what their business in the city had been. They sailed before a quick breeze and clear skies, keeping within sight of the coastline until they had sailed through the straights and into the Sea of Fallen Stars.
Just after noon on the fourth day, the city of Westgate came into view off the starboard bow. When they arrived at the harbor, it was crowded with boats of all sizes and types coming in and out, as well as with the small skiffs of the numerous harbor officials checking cargos and identifications. They spent a number of hours waiting at anchor out in the bay before they could finally approach the dock to secure the ship. The wait wore on Sucaba's nerves, and he paced back and forth, cursing under his breath. Finally, he became so agitated that he jumped up on Horton's back and the pair took off, swooping low over one of the small boats carrying harbor officials and laughing as the boat nearly capsized. Berakus screamed curses at the mage and shook his fist angrily. He had no desire to aggravate the officials, knowing that they could make his life very difficult with their mountains of red tape and regulations.
Coyle came up on deck dressed in a suit of fine leather armor and a short cloak thrown over his shoulders. His boots were of shiny black leather and his long sword hung from a broad leather belt with a large silver buckle. GreyEagle thought he made an impressive sight as he walked up to them.
"We will be in port here for three days while the merchants carry on their business," Coyle told them. "The city is normally peaceful during the day, but it is quite a different story at night. Weapons are not forbidden, but cause any trouble, and you will likely find yourself in the city lockup. I would advise you to be back here at the ship before dark in order to avoid any unpleasant situations. Believe me, these people do not fool around here," he added sternly as he handed out identification papers for them to carry. "Do not loose these papers. I knew a man who spent two long nights locked up because he couldn't identify himself. It took a great deal of swift talk and not a few pieces of gold to get him out before the ship had to leave port. We almost had to leave him behind."
"Three days!" GreyEagle moaned. "We will never get to the South at this rate. It will be winter before we get back." It didn't look like she had any choice, so she decided he would have to put up with the delay.
Coyle smiled as he saw her displeasure. "If it will be of any help making the time pass, I will be going out during the day, and it would give me great pleasure to give you a tour of this fair city, along with Marianne and Recuahc, and any others who might like to join us, if you would, please." He finished with a bow.
"We certainly have time enough," GreyEagle said with a sigh. "I would be glad to look around as long as we are here, rather than sitting around all day."
"Ah, of course," Recuahc chimed in. "I'd love to catch up on all the local gossip."
"I have other business to attend to, so I will not be joining you today," Trouble said.
GreyEagle returned to her cabin with Marianne. While she gathered some things, she looked over and saw that Marianne was nervously fidgeting with the locket around her neck.
"Marianne, what is troubling you?"
"I was once attacked in the city here." Marianne quickly let go of the locket and looked up at GreyEagle. "I don't know what would have happened if Coyle and Jeryl had not been there to drive them off. As it was, both of them were hurt in the fight." She shook her head. "I made the mistake of seeing a shop I was interested in and wandering off on my own. I will never do that again," she added with a nervous laugh. She abruptly shook her head and held out her hands to GreyEagle. "Enough of gloomy thoughts though. We will be safe enough together. Let's go and have some fun." She pulled out a pretty dress from her things and held it up for GreyEagle's approval. GreyEagle gave her a nod as she strapped on her shortsword and collected a small pouch of coins to bring along. Once she had put on the dress and had smoothed out some of the wrinkles, Marianne stopped. After a moment's hesitation, she stooped to dig through her things. Buried deep down at the bottom of her sea chest she found what she was looking for and drew it out -- a long dagger with a jeweled hilt. She lifted up her dress and carefully strapped the dagger to her thigh. "No use going out there unprepared," she said with a sly smile. Then she gave GreyEagle's hand a tug and the two of them headed back up to the deck.
Coyle was waiting for them on the deck along with a number of the soldiers. He gestured for the women to precede him down to the pier. They were followed by Recuahc and the silent mage.
Ormec stood by the rail as they walked down, and one of the soldiers waved to him. "Come, fine dwarf, and we will show you places to eat and drink to satisfy even an appetite like yours," he said with a laugh.
"We will see," said Ormec with a scowl. "Thanks to this boat ride, I now have an empty stomach, and it growls like an angry beast. Well, at least I feel better now," he laughed. "Let us see just what this city has to offer a starving dwarf."
They pushed their way through the crowded streets of the city. All manner of people were there, from humans to elves, gnomes, dwarves, halflings, and a few others that GreyEagle could not identify.
"You can find anything here," Coyle told them as they walked past a row of shops, "if you are willing to pay the price." The shops displayed all manner of crafts, from the common to the exotic. Pottery, fragrances, candles, wood carvings and fine clothing were just a few that GreyEagle saw. She was fascinated as they wandered through different parts of the city and she stopped from time to time to look into windows or examine the wares which were out on display at the open street stands. The silversmiths caught her attention, and she stopped by one small shop to look. She picked up one particularly exquisite necklace and held it up in front of a small mirror in the shop before she replaced it with a sigh. The city was also famous for its selection of fine wines, and she stopped to buy a bottle which she carefully placed in her pack.
They passed a large inn near the center of the city and spotted Horton sunning himself on top of the stables, much to the consternation of the horses and stable hands below. Coyle suggested that they go inside to join Sucaba for a couple of drinks.
"It was already late in the afternoon," Ormec said at the door. "We might want to start thinking about dinner."
Coyle laughed and gave the dwarf a hearty slap on the back. "No, Ormec, we will not forget your dinner."
Inside, they found Sucaba already slouched over a table. Coyle went over to the mage and shook his shoulder. "May we have the pleasure of joining you mage?"
Sucaba's head teetered as he looked up slowly, but when he saw the others there he smiled broadly and stumbled to his feet to wave towards the other chairs around the table. "Sure, have a s-seat," he stammered. Seeing GreyEagle, he stumbled over to her and indicated a seat for her next to his own. "Sorely you will take the seat of honor next to mine."
At first she stood with her hands on her hips and gave him a disgusted look, but then she laughed. "You old fool. You can hardly stand up, and still you think you are a gentleman. Looking for a favor, I would guess, but I thank you anyway." She took the seat and sat down.
Coyle signaled the waiter and pitchers of ale and dinner were quickly served. GreyEagle enjoyed being able to eat the meal without the continual pitch and toss of the boat. It seemed like it had been an eternity since she had been able to enjoy food this much.
Near the end of the meal she pulled out the bottle of wine which she had bought. "I propose a toast," she laughed, "to surviving our first storm." She looked over at Coyle. "Oh, I am sure that you thought it was nothing, but I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to stand on solid ground again."
"And to food eaten on a table which doesn't move, and drinks which do not always spill," Ormec added. At the mention of drink, Sucaba's head popped up and GreyEagle had to jump to keep the mug which had been sitting at his elbow from splashing into her lap. "Well, almost," Ormec laughed. The others gladly joined her and the bottle was passed around and quickly and noisily consumed.
After they had sat talking for a while, Recuahc climbed up on one of the tables and called for their attention. "Great adventures deserve great songs," he said, "and I have a song for you." With a deep bow, he began to sing.
When this adventure is over,
I can sleep until noon.
When I'm safe on the boat and have sailed far away,
I will sit down and write me a tune.
When I've fixed the armor and mended my boots
There just might be money for beer.
If I want to live to a spry, ripe, old age,
I won't ever leave there.

Now the adventure is over,
I could sleep until noon.
While the boat's in the harbor and everyone's safe,
I should sit down and try a new tune.
My sword has been sharpened. My wardrobe is clean.
Why does the beer taste so stale?
If I acted out all the thoughts in my head,
I would end up in jail.

Now the adventure is over,
Things are boring and dull.
The boat is too small and the stars are too far.
I look at the sky and still feel their pull.
I need to travel, to see a new place.
It must be bred in my bone.
I can't live somewhere for more than a week.
I'll call Emporia home.

He was received with great applause and banging of mugs on the tables. When he was finished, he got down from the table and began to circulate around the room, stopping here and there to talk. The other patrons of the inn were particularly interested in talking with him as he carried them news from the North.
They continued to talk long into the evening, though GreyEagle found herself only half listening. She was tired from the day, and drowsy from the wine and a full meal.
Eventually, Coyle stood up to leave. "It is late enough that I think we should be heading back to the boat," he suggested. The others at the table rose slowly, unwilling to admit that festivities of the evening were over.
"I think I'd rather stay here than on the boat, at least tonight." Ormec said with a yawn. "I'll take any excuse to get off that infernal boat for a while."
"If you plan on staying, then take care," Recuahc cautioned. "I am uneasy about leaving you here alone." He looked over at Sucaba who was still slumped over with his head on the table, snoring loudly. "Well, you aren't exactly alone," he said with a chuckle, "but I'm not sure how much help Sucaba is going to be this evening." GreyEagle pushed away from the table. When she moved, Sucaba quickly jerked his head up and gave her a longing look. She returned his look with a fierce stare, and with a shrug, his head slowly sank back to the table.
They returned quickly through the darkened streets. Where before, they had been crowded and noisy, the streets were now hushed, and filled with shadows. GreyEagle edged closed to Marianne as she noticed dark figures lurking in doorways and alleys, watching them as they passed, and she brushed back her cloak to expose her sword. They returned to the boat without incident, but GreyEagle was not able to relax until she and Marianne were safely back in their cabin with the door latched.
The next two days passed quickly. On their last afternoon in port, Coyle suggested a tavern which they had not yet visited. "It is on the other side of the city, but it is well known in this whole area, both for its food and for the traveling musicians who stop there. I guarantee that it will be a fine night of music and dancing."
GreyEagle's ears perked up. "Dancing? I've not had an opportunity to dance in some time. I would love to go."
"I thank you, but I believe that I have had enough carousing for one shore leave," Sucaba said quietly. "It's time to get back down to business."
"What more important business is there than good food and drink?" Ormec asked, giving Coyle a great slap on the back. "It will give us pleasant memories to think on while we're stuck on that miserable ship. Are you sure you will not join us Sucaba?" Sucaba shook his head and left to go back to his cabin.
"I believe I am ready for a dance and a song," Recuahc said. "Will you join us, my silent friend?" The mage nodded, and his eyes seemed to sparkle in anticipation.
"And what about you, Marianne my dear?" Coyle asked, extending his hand.
Marianne shook her head. "I don't think I will be going with you," she said with a sigh.
GreyEagle looked over at her and thought that she didn't look well. Now she was torn then between wanting to stay with Marianne and wanting to go into town with the others. She was looking forward to the opportunity to dance, but she felt like she owed it to Marianne to stay with her.
"I think I will stay here with Marianne," she finally said. "I would love to come with you, but I think I'll keep Marianne company." She sighed and tried to smile. "Have fun, and don't get into trouble." She looked at Coyle and saw that he looked sorely disappointed.
"Oh no, GreyEagle, you go with the others," Marianne quickly said, and she gave GreyEagle a little push. "I just need to be alone for a while." GreyEagle bit her lip and hesitated.
"Are you sure you won't change your mind?" Coyle pleaded. "I was very much looking forward to this evening, and I would be very much disappointed if I can't have at least one of you with me."
GreyEagle looked back at marianne one more time. "Well, if you are sure you will be all right." Marianne nodded, and with a sparkle in her eye, GreyEagle turned back to Coyle. "Well then, are we ready to leave?"
Recuahc leaned over to Marianne and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Sleep well then," he said. "Be bright and fresh in the morn." Marianne blushed and looked away.
Coyle lead the way down the gangplank, with the silent mage right behind him. The mage was in a bright mood and had an unusual spring in his step. At the foot of gangplank he turned and offered his arm to escort GreyEagle. Coyle too positioned himself at the end of the plank and offered his arm. He raised an eyebrow at the mage's offer but said nothing.
GreyEagle stopped abruptly as she saw the two men standing before her and looked nervously from one to the other. The mage was good looking, and the ladies at the inn in Arabel had spoken of him with great admiration, but she had no desire to become just another one of his many trophies, like a prize fish caught and put on display. Then again, her feelings towards Coyle were ambivalent too, and she was not sure she was ready for him either.
"What's up here?" Recuahc asked from behind her. The solution to her predicament suddenly flashed into her mind.
"Nothing Recuahc," she said. With an impish smile and a toss of her long hair, she slipped her arm through his and pulled herself close to his side. "I'm ready to go." Recuahc stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face for a moment, but then he grinned broadly. He puffed out his chest and stepped between the two men standing at the end of the gangplank. They looked at each other in disbelief, and then Coyle chuckled.
"Well, mage, it looks as if we both have egg in our faces. The night is still young though, and we will yet see what happens."
Coyle led them quickly through the streets to the tavern. About a dozen of the soldiers in Coyle's group had joined them, and it was evident that they were well known there as they received a warm welcome from the master. A large table was prepared for them, and soon they were served large platters heaped with steaming food. The food was indeed excellent, and GreyEagle could see why Coyle had saved this particular place for their last night there.
However, as good as the food was, the music, which began shortly after they were finished, was even better. GreyEagle had always enjoyed music and dancing as she had grown up, and now it lifted her spirit. A trio of the serving girls removed their heavy aprons to reveal brightly colored dresses. An area in the center of the room was quickly cleared and for a while, the girls performed for the patrons there. Then they swept out into the crowd to select partners to join with them. GreyEagle was not surprised to see the silent mage picked up right away. He was in truth an excellent dancer, and immediately became very popular as he seemed to fly across the floor, hardly touching it. In a very short time the open area in the center of the room was full of people, swaying and spinning in time to the music.
GreyEagle looked over at Recuahc seated opposite her at the table. He was strangely quiet, as if he was overwhelmed by the confusion of people and noise and motion. The music was in her bones though, and GreyEagle could bear sitting still no longer. "Recuahc," she asked as she reached across to touch his arm. He jumped at her touch. "Are you going to dance?"
Recuahc smiled at her, but he hesitated. "I have always been on the other side of the floor."
"Please dance with me."
With that, he nodded. "I would be honored to have this dance with you."
GreyEagle stood up excitedly, but she frowned as she remembered her sword still strapped to her side. She was uncomfortable with the thought of leaving at the table, but it was obvious that she would not be able to dance with it on.
"Tonight is a night to leave fighting and swords behind," she said, unbuckling the belt which held it. "I will think of nothing troublesome or evil." In a second, she had the sword off and draped over the chair. She swept around the end of the table and grabbed Recuahc's hand and tugged him towards the dance floor.
In spite of his initial shyness, GreyEagle found that Recuahc was a surprisingly good dancer. He was young and strong and full of energy, and even she had trouble keeping up with him. Soon, she was breathless and sweating. She looked down and suddenly remembered that she still had on her leather armor. That too would have to go, she decided. She had already thrown caution to the wind. What difference would it make if she took off her armor? She went back to the table and began to untie the laces which held the heavy leather pieces in place. This drew cat-calls from a few of the men nearby, so she played it up a little, throwing one of them a kiss before she returned to Recuahc. Her hair was free and it fell loosely around her face and shoulders as she lost herself in the music and motion of the dance.
They had barely returned to the floor when GreyEagle noticed Coyle whispering in the ear of the lead musician. After a couple of minutes, she saw Coyle head back to the table while the musician beckoned to Recuahc. Recuahc excused himself politely and went to speak with the musician. GreyEagle went back to the table to get something to quench her thirst, but she kept her eyes on Recuahc and the others.
"May I have the honor of the next dance with you?" Coyle whispered in her ear from behind her.
"Neat trick there, getting rid of the competition," GreyEagle replied, turning and patting his cheek lightly. Coyle raised his eyebrows in feigned surprise and hurt. As she had guessed, Recuahc had been volunteered into joining the other musicians on the small platform and was beginning to sing a lively tune. He looked like he was enjoying the chance to show off his skills, and she wasn't about to stand around as long as there was music, so she grabbed Coyle's hand. "You wanted to dance sir. Shall we go?"
The music and dancing went on through the evening and into the night. Conrad and Ormec both enjoyed themselves immensely, though neither of them was in the mood to participate in the dancing. Recuahc tried to coax Conrad to come out on the dance floor at one point, but the gnome politely excused himself.
GreyEagle sat down to rest for a while. She had only been there for a moment when the silent one stepped up to her and offered his hand. She was surprised, and balked at first, but then she reached out and took his hand. She looked into his eyes but they did not betray his thoughts. She had wanted an opportunity to dance with him as she had watched him move through the other women on the floor, but now she was not sure.
He gently lifted her to her feet and led her to the floor. He slipped his arm around her waist and she could sense the strength of his will. His scent was potent and sweaty, and seemed to call her closer to him. As they began to move, she felt stiff at first, but he silently lead her, moving slowly at first, and then faster and faster. Soon, she felt as if she had never danced before. His arm around her back was strong and sure, his steps as smooth as silk. He swept her across the floor and time stood still. She only vaguely remembered stopping and the silent one leading her back to the table. He bowed low before her and gave her hand a light kiss. But there were others waiting for his attention, and he quickly stepped back from the table and was swallowed by the swirling crowd.
GreyEagle let out a long sigh and leaned back to watch for a while. She almost wished that she could stay there forever, without a care. The cares of the battle which they faced and the darkness of the towers had weighed heavily on her soul over the past weeks. She wanted to forget about them, but even now the thoughts invaded her mind, casting shadows on all of the merry-making. The crowd had already begun to thin, and she knew that they would soon have to return to the ship.
She looked over at Coyle who was sitting at the far end of the table. He had a far away look in his eyes, as if he saw nothing of the activities just a few yards from his face. She slipped around the table and sat down next to him.
"How is it that your face is so long, Coyle of the merry heart?"
Coyle shook himself and smiled back at her. "It is nothing." There was a touch of sadness in his voice though. Then he took her hand. "Nothing, that is, which another dance with you should not cure." He grabbed her hand pulled her towards the center of the floor.
They had danced for a couple of minutes when they heard the crash of a table being knocked over, followed by angry shouting. Suddenly, there was a scream which sent a chill through GreyEagle's heart, and a deadly silence swept across the room. In one corner, close to where they were standing, two men stood facing each other with their daggers drawn and covered in blood. Between them, a young girl lay slumped on the floor at their feet. One of the men let out a pitiful moan and dropped to his knees by the girl while the other turned and scrambled for the door.
GreyEagle's first thought was to stop the man before he got away. She knew that, from where they stood, he would reach the door before she would be able to reach the table and her sword, so if she was going to stop him, it would have to be with whatever she had at hand. She was slightly closer to the door than he, but the man already had a jump on her. She would have to move fast. She dove through the people standing there, reaching down to grab the dagger from her boot as she ran.
She reached the doorway just a couple of steps before him and spun around, blocking his path, her long dagger held up to emphasize her point.
"Out of my way wench!" the man screamed, wild with anger and terror. "I must go for help!" He franticly waved his dagger at her, but GreyEagle stood her ground without flinching and said nothing. He lunged forward, but before he could strike out at GreyEagle, he toppled to the ground with a crash, with one small gnome wrapped tightly around his legs. Conrad had apparently slipped under the tables and had grabbed the man's legs as he had stood there. In an instant, Ormec reached them and his foot came down with a sickening crunch on the man's hand holding the dagger. Conrad scrambled to his feet and quickly had his own sword drawn, and its point resting on the back of the man's neck.
"Surely you must be running for help," Recuahc said in a quiet voice as he knelt down next to the man gasping on the floor, "however, it may be best at this point if you allowed someone else to take care of that task for you. I suspect that some here may have a question or two for you." Out of the corner of her eye, GreyEagle saw the silent mage slip to the edge of the room, scanning the crowd for any other trouble.
With the escape stopped, GreyEagle quickly slipped back to the side of the young girl. The other man knelt on the floor with her head in his lap, weeping over her and pleading with her to hold on. The front of her dress was already stained deep crimson with the blood still oozing from the gaping wound in her chest. Her life had already slipped away. GreyEagle turned away and cursed. Another life senselessly squandered, probably over some petty argument. Her eyes stung with tears and she wondered if she would have been able to save the girl with her potion of healing if only she had gotten there more quickly. It was a senseless question now though, as she could not go back and change her actions. What was done, was done.
The owner of the tavern stepped next to the man and put his hand on his shoulder. The distraught man shook off the touch and gently placed the girl's head on the floor, bathing her with his tears as if they held the power to bring her back again. He looked up and saw the crowd by the door, and his eyes flashed with rage. He jumped up and grabbed his own dagger from where he had dropped it. "I will kill you for this," he screamed as he lunged for the door, but several of the soldiers standing near by grabbed and held him before he could take more than a few steps.
GreyEagle heard the sound of whistles blowing outside. With a quick hand signal from Coyle, most of the soldiers slipped quietly out a back door, along with the few remaining patrons. The distraught man dropped his dagger and returned to where the girl lay and slumped to the floor next to her. GreyEagle knelt next to him, but she had no words to speak as he wept over the lifeless body.
The city guards quickly secured the exits of the tavern. When she saw them, GreyEagle quietly slipped her own dagger back into her boot. One of the guards bore a large golden shoulder knot. He strolled in after the others with an air of confidence and control and quickly scanned the room. The man who had tried to escape began to protest bitterly that he had done nothing as the captain of the guard directed two of his officers in his direction. They quickly restrained him and led him out the front door.
"I will need all of your identification papers," the captain said calmly to those who remained. He sat down at one of the tables and brushed aside the various mugs and pitchers which were still there from the merry-making of a few minutes before.
Coyle approached him. "I am Coyle, lieutenant in the guard of the Parade's Pride and officer here. May I speak with you."
The other regarded him carefully. "Yes. You may speak your case." He looked around at the others. "You are in charge of these others."
"Yes sir, and I may speak for them. May I speak privately with you?"
The captain raised his eyebrow for a moment, but then ne nodded towards the other guards who bowed and backed off a couple of paces. Coyle nodded and approached.
GreyEagle fidgeted nervously with the ends of her hair as the two of them spoke in hushed tones. Conrad sat back down at the table and began to nibble at the few remaining bits of food which had been left there while Recuahc moved around the room picking up belongings and organizing them on the table where they had been sitting. The air became stifling as they stood there waiting.
After what seemed like an eternity, GreyEagle saw the two men nod and shake hands. There was a barely perceptible flash of gold coins as the captain of the city guard slipped his hand into a pocket. Coyle walked over and silently signaled them together.
"We are free to go now," he said quietly. "I explained everything to the captain and he seems to be convinced. He will have a couple of his men escort us back to the ship, but we are not to leave the ship again before we set sail tomorrow at sunrise." They quickly gathered their things and headed out the door with an escort of four of the city guards.
As she went through the door, GreyEagle paused to take one last look back at the body of the girl and the pool of blood in which she lay, and a shudder went through her frame. She looked at Coyle and saw that he too was giving one last parting look. The smug look which had been on his face after talking to the captain of the city guard was gone, replaced once again by the sad look GreyEagle had seen earlier that evening. Then they were out the door and into the chill evening air.
The guards laughed quietly among themselves as they walked, paying little attention to Coyle and the others. They passed quickly through the streets, but this time GreyEagle thought they felt even darker and the shadows more oppressive than before. She was glad when they spotted the lights of the harbor and the ship tied up at its berth.
They were greeted there by Berakus standing silently on the deck. "I hear there was trouble Coyle," he said darkly as they came up the gangplank. "I trust you will be able to give me a full report."
Coyle placed his hand lightly on GreyEagle's shoulder. "I must speak to the captain for a moment, but I wish to speak with you afterwards. Will you wait for me?" GreyEagle nodded and stepped aside. She drew her cloak tightly around her shoulders to ward off the chill of the night and walked to the opposite rail of the ship while Coyle and Berakus spoke in hushed tones. She could see the lights on the opposite side of the harbor shimmering off the gentle ripples in the water. What lay behind those lights, she wondered. Happiness, danger, death? She would not sleep well tonight, and she wondered if Marianne might still be awake. The young girl had been a complete stranger, but somehow her death still left a deep hurt in GreyEagle's heart. She fretted with the drawstring on her cloak as she waited.
Her thoughts were scattered by the touch of Coyle's hand on her shoulder. "Would you come walk with me?" he asked. When GreyEagle nodded, he took her arm and they silently walked to the bow of the ship.
"What is it that weighs so heavily upon your heart Coyle," she asked as they stood looking out over the waves at the lights of the harbor. "I saw your look as we left the tavern tonight, and I knew all was not well."
Coyle did not answer immediately, but stood looking deeply into her eyes. GreyEagle wanted to turn away, but something inside her told her not to.
"Tell me GreyEagle," he asked finally, his voice strained, "are you involved with Recuahc, or perhaps someone else?"
GreyEagle felt her blood run cold. She had been afraid that this question would come up sooner or later -- ever since they had sat together on the dock side watching the sunset -- but she had tried to block it out of her mind. She had even avoided Coyle when they had walked to dinner earlier. Her eyes began to sting with tears, and she turned away to hide them. It was lonely without Schimray there, and it would be so easy just to slip into Coyle's arms. In spite of her first impression of him, she now found him attractive, kind and gentle. Schimray would never know, would he? But she would, and she would never be able to forgive herself.
"Recuahc is a friend," she said, "and fun to be with, but that is as far as it goes between the two of us." She paused, afraid to hurt Coyle's feelings, but finally she blurted out, "But, I am in love with Schimray, and I do not wish to betray his trust in me."
Suddenly she became angry. "I don't know!" she said, throwing up her hands. "Why can't you just leave me alone?" As soon as the words slipped from her mouth though, she was sorry she had said them, and her eyes filled with horror. The tears flowed unchecked now, and she hid her face in her hands. Turning, she ran back to her cabin. She wanted to go back to Coyle and say that she was sorry, but she could not face him now.
She burst into the room and slammed the door behind her. Marianne was there sitting at a small desk and writing a letter. When she saw GreyEagle's face, she quickly put down her pen and slipped to the bed, silently motioning for GreyEagle to sit down next to her. GreyEagle flopped down and buried her face in Marianne's shoulder. It was some time before the sobs receded to a point where she could speak. Marianne said nothing as she gently stroked GreyEagle's hair. Eventually, GreyEagle sat up and dried her eyes.
"So, GreyEagle of the green eyes," Marianne said quietly, "what could have caused such a lovely night as this to end with such bitterness?"
GreyEagle sat for a while and stared blankly at the opposite wall. "I should have seen it coming," she said, shaking her head. "Actually, I did, but still, I was not ready when it came. He is in love with me Marianne, and I cannot return his love, for I have given my heart to Schimray. Now I fear he will hate me."
Marianne put her arm around GreyEagle's shoulder and gave her a squeeze. "You need not fear that," she said with a little laugh, "Coyle does not give up so easily." She shook her head slowly. "I was afraid that this would happen sooner or later, but I had hoped that it would not come with such a storm. I saw it in his eyes the first time you beat him in practice. Coyle finds no pleasure in loosing, but he cannot tolerate weak, silly women." marianne laughed again. "You showed him you were not the type to back away from a challenge, that you were more than empty words." She stood up and walked to the other side of the cabin. "I wish now that I had talked to you about it, but I was afraid to interfere. I suspected that there was something between you and Schimray, but I had no idea how far it went."
Marianne paused before she sat down next to GreyEagle again. "Please, be careful." Her face twitched with uncertainty. "I know little of Schimray. In our dealings with him, he has always been fair and true to his word, but everywhere he goes, the whispers follow. His magic is dark, and he speaks with creatures the very names of which I fear to utter." GreyEagle started to protest, but Marianne held up her hand. "I do not know for sure if any of this is true, for I have never witnessed it myself, but I do not want you to be blind to that which you do not wish to see."
GreyEagle shook her head violently. "I cannot believe it is true. Why would he have been so kind to me?"
"People have many different ways of getting what they want."
GreyEagle scowled. "His heart has been broken many times. I cannot bear to break it again."
"Then why were you so disturbed by Coyle's question?"
"I don't know -- it was innocent enough."
"Could it be that you have been asking the same question in your own heart, and you are afraid of the answer?" Marianne's words stung GreyEagle, and she was silent for a long time.
"When my husband was killed, Coyle took it very hard," Marianne said, as much to herself as to GreyEagle. "He blamed himself for not being there when Jeryl needed him. He felt responsible for us, and offered to take my sons as his own, and me as his wife. I thought about it for a long time, but I knew that he would never be able to take Jeryl's place. Still, he has always been a brother to me, and a kind and generous uncle to by boys." She turned and looked intently into GreyEagle's eyes. "I do not say I know what you should do, but please see the man that I see in Coyle. Give him time -- do not shut him out just because you fear to be untrue to Schimray."
"I wish I had more time to think about it," GreyEagle sighed. "We will soon reach the end of this part of our journey, and we will have to go our separate ways."
"True, time is a luxury we do not have right now, but when you return from this errand Schimray has sent you on, I do hope you will come to see us in Arabel or at my father's farm."
"If you are there, and if I return." GreyEagle looked away. "I have not had a place to call home for a long time now. Sometimes it is lonely."
"Sometimes the loneliest places are those which are the most crowded with people." Then Marianne chuckled. "Of course, I'm a fine one to be giving you advice now, for I too am caught between a rock and a hard place, but in my case it is the lad Recuahc who has snared my heart." GreyEagle smiled mischievously at Marianne. She had suspected this for some time, but had never said anything. Marianne caught her look and winked back. "This is the first time I have felt this way since Jeryl died. I wonder now if I should throw caution to the wind and take my chances, or behave as a woman in my position should.Actually, it was to try to sort out my feelings that I stayed back tonight, but alas, I am no closer to an answer now than I was when you left. I finally gave up and sat down to write a letter o my family. So how is it that we always seem to get ourselves in these situations?"
GreyEagle giggled, but then she became serious. She stood up and walked to the small port hole where she could see the start brightly shining in the clear night air. "Sometimes I am tempted to stay here with you, Marianne. Who will I have to talk to once we leave? But we must go on." She wanted to talk with Marianne about that which was before her, and the fears she faced, but she was not sure how much Marianne had been told, or had guessed, and she was afraid to involve her any more than was absolutely necessary. Schimray had warned them to secrecy, but now she wondered about what his motivations were. The secrecy issue grated on her, but she would have to live with it for now.
Next...

7 April, 1998