Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [57]
Chairs and tables had been pushed against the back wall to make room on the floor. Everyone appeared to be in various stages of intoxication. She laughed aloud. The atmosphere of the pub enveloped her and she loosened her cloak, smiling. ‘I guess if I could find Clay anywhere in the many-worlds, it would be in a place like this,’ she said, though her words were muted and didn’t bring a response from those nearby.
On the stage, Maudi. The one in the middle playing the black guitar. It’s him. It’s Clay!
She shifted until she could spot him; when she did, her breath caught in her throat.
Sit, Maudi. Over here. Breathe.
She stumbled into a chair and dropped her head between her knees. How can it be him, Drayco? I mean, it looks just like him, but Clay died.
I thought so too.
The next thing she knew the music had stopped and she was soaking wet, gasping and coughing. An empty bucket lay next to her head and Drayco stood over her, licking her eyes. Faces peered down and she realised she was flat on her back.
An’ Lawrence held her hand. ‘You’re going to have to stop passing out, Rosette.’ He turned to the people surrounding them. ‘She drinks too much, is all. Sorry for the commotion.’
She pinched his fingers. ‘I drink too much?’
‘What would you like me to say?’ he whispered.
She groaned as she struggled to her feet. Several men helped her, though they shied away from Drayco. She eyed the Sword Master, her hands going to her belly. ‘You could just tell them I’m pregnant.’
‘I didn’t know if you were announcing.’
She looked at her abdomen: it was swollen to the size of a ripe pumpkin. ‘You’re kidding.’
He shrugged. ‘You hadn’t announced it to me.’
‘Things have been moving a little quickly, if you recall, what with the prison break, Makee and city-wide fires.’
‘Not so quickly that you couldn’t drop into the pub. What are you doing here? We have to escape, remember?’
She pointed at the stage. ‘Take a look and tell me you don’t feel it was worth the stop.’
An’ Lawrence followed her line of sight and whatever retort he had ready for his daughter fell from his lips.
‘Remind you of someone too, does he?’ Rosette said. ‘Close your mouth. It’s unbecoming.’
An’ Lawrence snapped his mouth shut. ‘It can’t be.’
‘Can or can’t, I’m going to go talk to him. Meanwhile, will you order me some food? The supper smells divine. What is that spice?’
‘Cardamom,’ a serving lad said, leaning towards her ear as he passed. ‘You’ll be staying for dinner?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘No, thanks anyway.’ An’ Lawrence shook his head, dismissing the boy.
‘Why did you do that? I’m famished.’
‘The fire? The guards? We need to get out? And these people should too. The flames will be on us.’
A crack of thunder boomed overhead and an instant later rain pummelled the roof—an audible drone in spite of the music and cheer.
‘Not any more. This is uncanny, don’t you think? Those fires will be out before they set our table.’
‘Do you require assistance?’ The barkeeper came over. He stared at An’ Lawrence’s leg.
I forgot about the arrow, Rosette said, sending him a mental communication. How’re you feeling?
Terrible. Thank you for asking.
That settles it. We stay, get that shaft out of your leg and eat. Then we can tackle your quarry steps.
And if we’re tracked?
I think the warriors have a lot more on their hands right now. Besides, if you feed me I can conjure another glamour.
‘Yes, thank you,’ he said to the barkeeper. ‘Two meals for us and raw meat for our friends.’ He motioned towards Drayco and Scylla who were sitting side by side. ‘And if you have a healer, I wouldn’t mind