DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [41]
Bardon turned back to the stove and reached for the container of sugar.
Mischief? As in humor? I thought it was a very practical suggestion that she let people think she is a mouse. He remembered the mouse he thought he had seen sitting on the windowsill of the inn. Perhaps she does on occasion lurk in the shadows as a mouse. Ah well, it might be one of her little secrets. But why would she pretend to be a mouse when she has the moonbeam cape?
People, even minnekens, are too complicated to be understood. Sir Dar thinks I have acquired social skills. Jue Seeno thinks I have a sense of humor. And I think there are too many people in the world. Way too many people.
He finished the tea and handed it to Granny Kye.
“Is there anything else I can do for you ladies tonight?”
N’Rae gave him a wan smile and shook her head. The minneken squeaked. Even though he did not actually catch what she said, she didn’t look like she was at all interested in him anymore. She had a long strip in her hands, and he realized she was weaving yet another elaborate belt. Granny Kye shooed him out of the room with a wave.
He moved to the door. “Try to get some sleep. Drink the tea,” he said in parting.
In his small cabin, he lit the lantern, folded up the bunk and latched it to the wall, then sat on the floor to write his missive to Paladin.
The first mate came to Bardon’s cabin and returned the polished sword.
“What has the captain done about the incident?” Bardon asked.
“He took the bodies ashore and informed the dock manager, who informed the constable, who informed the mayor. Quite a to-do, and for good reason. That thing could have gone ashore instead of boarding the Lady. The word’ll spread quite readily.” He squinted at Bardon. “Do you know if the beasts attack during the day as well as at night?”
“According to the books, they do. But our intruder did not do things according to the books.”
The first mate scratched at his stubble-coated chin. “That it didn’t. Hope this was just a fluke, and there are no more of them quiss lurking about. We’ll keep a close watch.” He touched the bill of his cap. “Sorry to disturb you, but I figured you’d rest easier with the weapon at your side, considering…” He shrugged and headed down the narrow hallway.
By the time Bardon finally crawled into bed, he could hear the sailors in the predawn preparing to lift anchor and take the river vessel down the Gilpen.
Later in the morning, the squire sat on one of the crates lashed to the deck and leaned up against another. He held a book in his hands and read from it sporadically. As time progressed, everyone began to relax. Nothing unusual occurred to mar the beautiful, cloudless day.
Granny Kye and N’Rae strolled the deck to get some air in the afternoon, avoiding the stern area where the two sailors and the quiss had died.
That evening, Jue Seeno announced she would not be patrolling outside the cabin.
“There’s an abundance of crewmen out there searching the water as if an invasion of quiss is imminent. I’ll be on watch here, though. I do not intend to neglect my charge.”
The uneventful night and the next day eased the tension even more. The journey downriver to the seaport took two days. The crew went about their business, but with many anxious glances at the railings around the deck. As they traveled, they passed houses on the shore and boats on the water. The people in this area seemingly went about their business in a normal way. No threat of quiss appeared. An hour away from Ianna’s dock, Bardon let go of the wariness that kept him on guard.
As they drew near the sea, a salty tang sharpened the dank smell of the river. Traffic on the waterway became congested. Small boats used for transporting people short distances joined the bigger vessels used in commerce. Barges, ferries, and packets chugged along. Voices cried out from ship to ship and from ship to shore. No one mentioned quiss or mysterious disappearances or gruesome deaths. Apparently all was well in Ianna.
Bardon carried their