The Jewel of Turmish - Mel Odom [113]
"Compared only to Faerыn," Druz said softly, "Turmish is small. There are a number of nations around the Sea of Fallen Stars that are much larger and more densely populated. When you get out to the west, to the Sword Coast, the cities are even bigger. The world goes there to study and trade."
Haarn tried to take it all in, but it was nearly too much. He gazed at the ships, knowing that what the woman said-as unbelievable as it sounded-had to be the truth.
Townspeople passed by them, giving Broadfoot plenty of room. The bear growled occasionally, letting Haarn know he was uncomfortable with the city as well. The bear wanted to get back to the forest and the life he knew best. Haarn felt that way too, but there was something inside him, perhaps something left to him by his mother's blood, that called him out toward the sea.
The druid stared out into the deepening night creeping in from the east. The ocean seemed to lift and flow outward from Alaghфn, bending over the horizon. He was intensely curious about what lay out there.
"The idea of seeing more of the world excites you, doesn't it?" Druz asked, interrupting his thoughts.
Haarn didn't say anything.
"That's why your father never brought you to the city, and why he spoke so harshly against them. He knew you, with your curious mind, would be tempted to go."
Shaking bis head, Haarn said, "I can't."
It would be a dishonor to his father and there was all his work to consider-work Silvanus had given him to do.
"Perhaps one day youll change your mind," Druz suggested. "Come on. Ettrian is waiting for us again, and I don't want him to get the idea that standing here gawking was my idea."
She started off at once, but Haarn hesitated, trying to work through everything he was seeing and everything that had been said. He wanted to tell her he wouldn't be tempted, but he couldn't.
Broadfoot growled impatiently then nuzzled his wide head into Haarn's side, butting him in a bored fashion that suggested they start moving or start eating. With nothing more than a handful of scraps in his pouch, Haarn wisely considered that stopping to eat would be a mistake. He followed, staying a safe distance back from Druz so she wouldn't be asking any more questions and he could look at the city in relative peace.
Bells pealed, a rancorous clanging that set Haarn's teeth on edge.
"A ship!" someone shouted. T see a ship!"
Glancing out toward the harbor, Haarn saw the tips of the sails come into view over the harbor. The ship sailed strongly, making good time.
"It's Borran Kiosk!" another man yelled. "He's brung a ship full of dead men with him! Hurry! Someone get the watch!"
"The watch already knows, you damned fool!" someone else growled. "Who do you think is standing guard duty out there in them towers in the harbor?"
Further down the street, Ettrian broke into a run, making for the docks. Dozens of other citizens did the same. Wagons thundered across the cobblestone streets as drivers cracked whips above the heads of the pulling teams.
Haarn ran, urging Broadfoot to follow. The druid's scimitar was already in hand.
"There are two ships!" someone shouted. "Borran Kiosk has done brought two ships back with him!"
Borran Kiosk stood on the flying deck of Mistress Talia as storm winds blew them into Alaghфn's harbor. His rapacious tongue flicked out, tasting fear in the air.
Hundreds of lanterns and torches lined the dockyards. Men armed with bows occupied positions on top of the buildings. The men ringing the bells kept up their awful racket.
"It would have been better," Allis said, "if you had not let them see you coming."
"Sneaking back to Alaghфn like some thief in the night is not how I wanted to return in my moment of glory and triumph," Borran Kiosk said, gazing at the sight of the frightened people taking a stance against him to save their city. He drank in their intoxicating fear. "All those years ago, they thought they had beaten me. They needed to know before I got back that they had failed."
The bells continued to ring, and the cacophony