Crypt of the shadowking - Mark Anthony [122]
"Bron didn't want them filling up the dungeon indefinitely," Tyveris explained. "They're a rather dangerous bunch to have hanging around, and, what's more, they eat a lot. Besides, Caledan, I think you know how the Zhentarim treat those of their number who fail them." He drew a finger meaningfully across his neck.
"I'd forgotten about that," Caledan admitted.
Jolle came into the common room after a time and joined them, and not long after Estah returned from the market. Pog and Nog squealed in delight at the sight of the big Tabaxi Chultan and immediately scrambled to their favorite perches atop his massive shoulders. Kellen sat quietly at the table, though he did flash a brief smile at Caledan and Mari. Caledan reached out and tousled the boy's dark hair.
My son, he thought, as he did numerous times each day. Kellen was still a very serious child. Caledan supposed he always would be. Yet somehow being raised by Ravendas had not left as great a scar on Kellen as Caledan would have imagined. The boy had about him an air of gentleness that made folk forget the odd things he sometimes said.
He looks like Kera, Caledan suddenly realized. The resemblance was clear, in the line of his jaw and the fine shape of his nose. Indeed, he looked far more like Kera than he did his mother, Ravendas.
Tyveris stayed for supper, and for a time the common room was filled with laughter. Their mood saddened only once, when they drank a toast to Ferret, but even then they couldn't help but smile at the recollection of the thief. "Would that there were as many men in the world as full of greed as Ferret," Caledan said as he lifted his mug. Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
Finally the shadows began to lengthen outside the inn, and Tyveris bid them all farewell, promising to return soon. He stepped outside into the gathering twilight.
"There's something I need to do," Caledan said then. "Something I've been meaning to do for a while." He stood and threw his multi-patched cloak over his shoulders against the cool onset of night. Estah, her eyes sparkling, nodded in approval.
"Come back soon, Father," Kellen said, holding Caledan's hand tightly for a moment before running off to entertain Pog and Nog.
"Yes, come back soon," Mari said softly. She stood on her toes and kissed him fleetingly.
"I will, Harper," he said gruffly. "I promise."
Caledan retrieved Mista from the inn's stable. The pale gray mare tried to nip his shoulder as he saddled her. Apparently she felt she had been neglected of late.
"Well, I'm sorry," Caledan said in mild annoyance. "I've been rather busy, you know."
Mista snorted. Apparently she cared little for excuses. However, despite her surly mood, she allowed Caledan to mount, and soon the two were making their way through the streets of the Old City.
Iriaebor was a much different place than it had been when Caledan had first ridden across the bridge that gray, rainy day in late winter. Free of the oppression of Ravendas and the Zhentarim, the cityfolk had set to the task of restoring their city. Streets had been swept clean, buildings repaired and painted, wells dredged so the water ran clear, and stains scoured from the city's stone walls.
Of course there were some wounds that would take longer to heal. Willowy saplings now grew in gardens where ancient oaks and ash trees had once stood, before they were hacked down and burned by the Zhentarim. But scars such as these only served to remind cityfolk how much their homes meant to them and how valuable their freedom really was.
The evening air was sweet and clear, and the stars began to come out one by one in the slate-colored sky, winking above the tops of the towers like jewels. Torches lined the streets, filling the city with light, and despite the coming night the avenues of the Old City were alive with people bustling about their business.
As Mista walked on, Caledan drew out a'baliset and began to play a soft melody.