City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [72]
“Do you still have any silver?” he growled to Jode.
Jode threw him a sovereign. Daine slapped the coin down on the bar. “I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s strong,” he said.
The bartender grunted, and Daine turned and made his way to a filthy table. The others followed him. Jode and Lei sat down. Pierce continued to stand; being made of steel, stone, and wood he was immune to the effects of fatigue, and he generally preferred to remain ready for action. Having studied their surroundings, Pierce held his flail in one hand. The chain was still wrapped around the haft, but clearly he felt that it was best to be prepared.
“You’re in a charming mood today,” Jode said to Daine. “I expected you to be interested in the aerial archery discussion. It sounds like we could have used a squad of gargoyle archers a year ago.”
“But we didn’t have any, did we? And now all those soldiers are dead.”
The bartender brought over a few mugs filled with some foul Marcher brew. Daine took a deep swallow. Lei sniffed her mug and pushed it away.
“And this is news?” Jode said. “I would hope that there’s something more recent bringing you down.”
“Fine.” Daine drained his mug in one long draught then slammed it down on the table. He took Lei’s rejected flagon. “Why are we doing this? Why are we here?”
“On Eberron?”
Daine glared at him. “In Sharn. Working for Alina. Talking about weather and wind with thrice-damned goblin thieves!”
“Oh, Rhazala’s a good girl. Reminds me of myself at that age.” Jode took a sip and winced. “Except for the orange skin, of course. But really, Daine, where else should we be? Cyre isn’t coming back, and there are probably as many Cyrans in Sharn as there are anywhere else in Khorvaire. Working for Alina … where else can we make that kind of money? If you don’t like it, then do something to help the refugees. Give them the money we get from Alina. I’m sure that Greykell could put it to good use. Or here’s an idea—figure out who’s turning Cyran refugees into monsters and do something about it. Crazy, hmm?”
Daine looked down into the drink and scowled. “And what’s Alina got to do with this?”
Jode nodded. “This is about your family, isn’t it?”
Lei had been studying the grimy patrons of the tavern, but at this she looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Quiet, Jode,” Daine growled.
“You heard what the sphinx said about your past. I think she had a point.”
“What are you talking about?” Lei said.
“I don’t think Daine’s ready to talk about it,” Jode said. “Let’s just say that we crossed paths some time before we joined the army, and there are some issues I think our captain needs to deal with.”
Lei looked over at Daine, but he just scowled. “Look,” she said, “I don’t care what this is about, but we don’t have anywhere else to go. You know what? I’d like to live in a place that isn’t filled with lice. And do you think I like that gruel just because I can make it? This isn’t how I expected to live my life. The future I should have had has been stolen from me, as well, so get over it. Let’s do what we need to do to get this gold. If you want to give your share to the refugees, then do so. Cyre wasn’t my home, and I don’t have a family any more. And I’m sick of suffering for both of them.”
Behind them, Pierce remained silent and still.
“I see it’s good moods all around,” Jode said. “The joy at this table is overwhelming. But you’re right. We won’t get anything accomplished by drinking except to pour away what little money we have. So what more do we have to work with?”
Daine closed his