I wondered how Jacques managed to rule the country while I was gone. It shouldn't be much problem, but he really hated the job. Good thing I had the power to force him, I smiled to myself.
Close to the castle here in the city of Torsang I knew an old inn. A weeks stay here while the crew repaired the Shadow Dancer, and we would be ready to go.
I noticed a wagon stuck on a parallell street and was about to walk over to it to see what the problem was, when I found the street being deserted. The sound of steel, and drew my sword. Four men approached, cutlasses and axes in hands, while I backed off, until I hit the wall on one side of the street. In each direction, I saw small groups of people. Probably guards, to make sure I didn't run away. Nowhere to go. Great.
"Lets see. You're not jealous husbands. And I don't owe you money. So what's the problem?" I said as the first attacks were thrown at me. I parried both, while moving sideways to deny their friends the opportunity of attack.
My questions were left unanswered. Not very talkative guys these. I thrust at one of them, and left him a spot of dark red on his shirt, a spot that grew rapidly. He was no more a problem, but the attack had left me open to attacks, and I felt a slight sting in my left arm as my parry was a fraction of a second too late.
The wound wasn't serious, but if the fight would go on long enough, it would be draining me.
Parry, circle lunge. My blade flashed and one of the axe-men found himself impaled. I brought him toward me, and threw him against his mate, the other guy with an axe, while I feinted an attack toward the sword arm of the last of my foes. He tried to parry it. I grinned as I found his heart with my blade. The last of them backed away, up the street toward his friends, who now hesitantly came toward me. Dozens of them. A whole damn posse! I quickly estimated my chances, and found retreat the better part of valor. I jumped up the wagon as crossbow bolts hit the wall right beside me. I climbed over the wagon and took to my feet. The crowd did sound more and more confident, and I began running.
I knew the streets well enough to find my way back to the ship and I slipped aboard, panting.
"Hello, dear. Are you in a hurry?" A familiar, voice came from behind.
"Mother! What are you doing here?" My voice spoke as much of my surprise as the rising anger.
"Are you not happy to see me? It's so seldom you come by nowadays I thought I should visit you."
I will never learn to read that smile of hers. I know it's not of ridicule, but despite my age, by now I have seen five centuries Amber time, I still feel slightly patronized.
"Never mind. The day is ruined anyway." I showed her aboard as I ordered the crew to raise the anchor.
No, Torsang wasn't a free port any more.
| Friday, October 10, 1997 |
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