Read Online Midnight Quest by Honor Raconteur - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Honor Raconteur
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I need a bit of a favor, Liam. Is there some place private we can talk?”
“Sure, sure. This way.”
Rialt took five ground-eating strides before turning and entering a room, ducking a bit as he did. Was the doorway too low for him to properly clear? He bent even further, sinking into a chair that groaned as it took both his weight and hers. Jewel sat up as the door clicked shut. She would have sought her own seat, if not for Rialt’s restraining grip on her.
“Interesting company you have with you, Sarvell.” Another chair groaned as a person sat.
“It’s a long story, Liam, and best for you that we not tell you who either of these people are. The favor I need is to sneak these two into Ramath.”
“Smuggling people?” The inflection was meant to be ruminative, but there was a layer of unmistakable excitement. “This will be a first. I think Brant and I can concoct a way to get you out tomorrow. We’re loading up a train now. I’ll charge you the usual fee plus bragging rights, when you can tell me the full tale later.”
“You’re a smuggler amongst smugglers, Liam.”
“Cork those honeyed words, boy!” Liam laughed in delight at what Sarvell had obviously meant as praise. “Now, can you two mysterious guests stay here quietly for the rest of the day?”
“Eh, and gladly,” Rialt rumbled. “A bit of food and rest would be a welcome thing.”
“All three of you look like you need a good night’s sleep,” Liam observed. “Sarvell, I don’t suppose I can have that story soon ?”
“That depends. Can you keep your mouth shut for at least a fortnight?”
“Absolutely!” Liam assured him, as if there wasn’t a trace of doubt in his ability to keep a secret.
“Good. Then I’ll tell you in two months.”
Jewel choked back a laugh, both men’s dry humor getting the better of her restraint.
“Fifteen years!” Liam exclaimed in mock sorrow. “Fifteen years I’ve been working with your father, and this is how little you trust me.”
“Liam, it’s because of those fifteen years that I don’t trust you. Now, I’m going to go out and get some decent food for us. You make sure that no one comes in here or I’ll have your head.”
“Such a mistrusting, cynical man you grew up to be,” Liam mourned. “And such a sweet child you were.”
“Considering I spent most of my formative years under your tutelage, that statement doesn’t move me one bit.” Sarvell’s hand captured one of hers, holding it gently. “Jewel, is there any food that you would like me to bring back?”
“A meat pie?” she requested wistfully.
“Eh, I second that,” Rialt added just as wistfully.
“Two meat pies, then.” Sarvell gave her hand a squeeze before letting go and striding for the door. “You rest until I return.”
“Rest where?” Jewel asked Rialt. “What’s in this room?”
“Bolts of cloth and bales of leathers, mostly. Here, let me guide you around.”
“Yes, thank you.” She climbed off his lap and followed where he led, using her hands to investigate the room and mark out in her mind where everything was placed. There were only two chairs in here, both near the door, and the rest of the space held just cloth and bundles of leathers.
They spent a few minutes re-stacking some of the bundles, giving them a comfortable place to sleep. By the time three separate areas were made, Sarvell came back with the meat pies. He assured them their horses were taken around back, safely out of sight and suitably cared for.
With a proper meal in her stomach, Jewel found it almost impossible to stay awake. For the first time in days she was warm, safe, and fed. The combination was her undoing. She curled up on top of the leather bundles, snuggled her new cloak up around her neck, and slipped instantly into deep sleep.
~*~*~*~
Jewel sat quite still in the muffled confines of the wagon. The area was so small that she cuddled into Rialt’s lap as there wasn’t space for them to sit apart.
“Sure, sure. This way.”
Rialt took five ground-eating strides before turning and entering a room, ducking a bit as he did. Was the doorway too low for him to properly clear? He bent even further, sinking into a chair that groaned as it took both his weight and hers. Jewel sat up as the door clicked shut. She would have sought her own seat, if not for Rialt’s restraining grip on her.
“Interesting company you have with you, Sarvell.” Another chair groaned as a person sat.
“It’s a long story, Liam, and best for you that we not tell you who either of these people are. The favor I need is to sneak these two into Ramath.”
“Smuggling people?” The inflection was meant to be ruminative, but there was a layer of unmistakable excitement. “This will be a first. I think Brant and I can concoct a way to get you out tomorrow. We’re loading up a train now. I’ll charge you the usual fee plus bragging rights, when you can tell me the full tale later.”
“You’re a smuggler amongst smugglers, Liam.”
“Cork those honeyed words, boy!” Liam laughed in delight at what Sarvell had obviously meant as praise. “Now, can you two mysterious guests stay here quietly for the rest of the day?”
“Eh, and gladly,” Rialt rumbled. “A bit of food and rest would be a welcome thing.”
“All three of you look like you need a good night’s sleep,” Liam observed. “Sarvell, I don’t suppose I can have that story soon ?”
“That depends. Can you keep your mouth shut for at least a fortnight?”
“Absolutely!” Liam assured him, as if there wasn’t a trace of doubt in his ability to keep a secret.
“Good. Then I’ll tell you in two months.”
Jewel choked back a laugh, both men’s dry humor getting the better of her restraint.
“Fifteen years!” Liam exclaimed in mock sorrow. “Fifteen years I’ve been working with your father, and this is how little you trust me.”
“Liam, it’s because of those fifteen years that I don’t trust you. Now, I’m going to go out and get some decent food for us. You make sure that no one comes in here or I’ll have your head.”
“Such a mistrusting, cynical man you grew up to be,” Liam mourned. “And such a sweet child you were.”
“Considering I spent most of my formative years under your tutelage, that statement doesn’t move me one bit.” Sarvell’s hand captured one of hers, holding it gently. “Jewel, is there any food that you would like me to bring back?”
“A meat pie?” she requested wistfully.
“Eh, I second that,” Rialt added just as wistfully.
“Two meat pies, then.” Sarvell gave her hand a squeeze before letting go and striding for the door. “You rest until I return.”
“Rest where?” Jewel asked Rialt. “What’s in this room?”
“Bolts of cloth and bales of leathers, mostly. Here, let me guide you around.”
“Yes, thank you.” She climbed off his lap and followed where he led, using her hands to investigate the room and mark out in her mind where everything was placed. There were only two chairs in here, both near the door, and the rest of the space held just cloth and bundles of leathers.
They spent a few minutes re-stacking some of the bundles, giving them a comfortable place to sleep. By the time three separate areas were made, Sarvell came back with the meat pies. He assured them their horses were taken around back, safely out of sight and suitably cared for.
With a proper meal in her stomach, Jewel found it almost impossible to stay awake. For the first time in days she was warm, safe, and fed. The combination was her undoing. She curled up on top of the leather bundles, snuggled her new cloak up around her neck, and slipped instantly into deep sleep.
~*~*~*~
Jewel sat quite still in the muffled confines of the wagon. The area was so small that she cuddled into Rialt’s lap as there wasn’t space for them to sit apart.
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