Chapter 19: Low Street (2)

Chapter 19: Low Street (2)

As he passed the fountain, he looked down at some junk laid out on a tarp in front of it, tended by a smudge-faced girl who couldnt have been more than ten years old. He was going to simply walk by when something caught his eye, a dolphin-shaped pendant carved from driftwood. The craftsmanship wasnt amazing, but it obviously wasnt the work of a complete amateur.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Stopping, he knelt and picked up the pendant.

Your work? he asked the girl.

She nodded.

He turned it over in his hand. His sister Ahassunu was only eight years old, but she loved both jewelry and dolphins. She would definitely like this pendant.

How much? he asked.

Fifteen minas, the girl squeaked back.

Xerxes tried not to smile. Glancing at the two mages and seeing that they were already entering the street, he lowered his voice and said, I was born around here, you know. Gesturing vaguely with his head, he said, Around the corner from Shellburn Way. You know that little dead end with the scraggly tree and the rock that looks like a big shell?

By the old soup-seller lady? the girl asked.

He grinned. Yeah, over there. Anyway, I want to buy this for my sister, and I also want to help you out. But I know its not worth fifteen minas.

She averted her eyes, and at the same time, he saw the faintest of smiles at the corner of her mouth. Two minas, she said.

Shed take one mina if I pushed hard, he thought. Digging into his money pouch, he counted out three minas. Here, take an extra.

Really? Thanks!

Stuffing the dolphin pendant into a pocket, he stood and hurried after Ninsunu and Satahsusar. They hadnt even noticed his absence, or if they had, refrained from saying anything.

Low Street was narrower and even more winding than the main avenue theyd just walked down. It was barely wide enough for three people to walk next to each other, so the mages went single file. The buildings sloping, tiled roofs had eaves that stretched out so far they nearly blocked out the sky. That style of architecture was indeed unusual, as most Isinian buildings had flat roofs that made it easy to enjoy the evening breeze during summer.

Being in the back, Xerxes noticed how Satahsusar kept her robes clamped tightly against her body. He sneered. Granted, this neighborhood wasnt exactly a gleaming example of cleanliness, but it wasnt as though the place would infect her if she touched something.

Damn rich people, he thought. It would probably do Satahsusar good to come live in Harborview for a time. Shed been alive for over two centuries, but it wouldnt surprise him at all to learn that shed never had permanent lodging anywhere other than Garden Terrace.

At a certain point, Low Street widened out into something akin to a courtyard, possibly even a square, with four residence gates visible within it, two on either side. Compared to the cramped alleys, the place seemed spacious. All four residences were obviously mansions, with slightly finer plaster on the walls, fancier roof tiles, and the like.

Ninsunu stopped and looked at the four gates set into high walls.

Xerxes suppressed his distaste for the woman and opened his mouth to voice agreement with her.

Before he could, Ninsunu said, Ive arrested dozens of cultists through the years. Never once did any of them run away when I knocked on the door. Even they know that running makes you look guilty.

Satahsusar shrugged. Xerxes flipped his sword around and rested the blade on his shoulder.

A few more seconds passed, then Ninsunu stepped closer to the door until she could reach out and touch it. That said, I do agree we shouldnt just stand around forever.

Closing her eyes, she put all her fingers on the wooden surface of the door.

Xerxes didnt sense anything unusual, but it was obvious she was sending her mage sight into the door.

Not a very complex lock, she said quietly.

Im really getting bored here, Satahsusar said.

Give me a break, Xerxes thought.

Xerk, Ninsunu said, Im going to open the door. You go in first, sword out, but be ready for spellcasting. Ill be right behind you.

He edged forward and to the left.

A moment later, he heard a click and a thump from inside the door. Mages didnt just have mage sight, they also had mage touch. The range on it was even shorter than mage sight, and though its combat applications were so limited as to make it useless, even Seers could use it to do things like open doors or levitate small objects.

The door swung open slowly and Ninsunu stepped back.

Representatives of King and Parliament! she called out loudly. Stand down and prepare to be inspected! Lowering her voice, she said, Go ahead, Xerk.

Holding his sword in the skyward guard position, with the tip pointing up and slightly behind him, he took a tentative step into the door.

Repeating Ninsunus call, he said, Representatives of King and Parliament! Anybody there?

There was no response. However, as Xerxes took another step, an acrid odor brushed across his face that caused his nose to wrinkle and his heart to leap into his throat.

Looking half over his shoulder at Ninsunu, he said, Thats the smell of Abhorrent.

Are you sure? she asked.

The scuttling sounds coming from the corridor within answered for him.