The Lost Library of Cormanthy - Mel Odom [93]
"I did not expect miracles," Baylee said. They sat in the back of a pipeweed shop near the dock area. A few silver pieces had purchased the room for an hour. A number of shops fronting the wharf area had the same business practices. A number of "trade" agreements had to be reviewed, as well as any bribes paid that needed paying. The room was small, having only a circular table and three spindly chairs. Candles in wall sconces lit the room and filled the air with the odor of burning wax.
Madonld passed over the money belt from a bag of holding he carried. "I think you'll find you're well provided for there, Baylee, but Fannt left you much more. It's just at the moment, all those belongings and moneys are being scrutinized. I've already had an officer of the watch banging on my door less than an hour ago."
"Cordyan Tsald?" Baylee asked, buckling the money belt around his waist.
"That's her." Madonld gazed at him carefully, glancing back at Civva Cthulad, who stood by the door. "Are you in some kind of trouble? Maybe it's something I could help with."
No trouble that you could help with, Xuxa put in.
"Maybe I should be the judge of that," Madonld said.
Law-reader Madonld, if there was anything you could do besides what you're doing here and now, don't you think I'd be the first to know?
"Xuxa's right," Baylee said. "She would tell me to talk to you. And she wouldn't take 'no' for an answer." He checked through the pockets of the money belt, surprised at the amount of gold coins he found.
"You'll find that you've been quite well provided for," Madonld said to Baylee. "Fannt wanted you provisioned for whatever expedition he's set up for you, and he wanted you looked after so that you may 'charge with the winds, wherever your curiosity and sense of adventure,' as he put it, takes you."
"I never expected this," Baylee said in a strained voice. "He was someone-" His voice finally broke. "You just thought he would live forever."
Madonld put his hand on the back of Baylee's neck. "I know." The law?reader's voice was husky. "I'm going to miss him too. So you be sure you get this matter cleared up and get back to me. I don't want to see you lost as well."
After a moment, Baylee stood. "I haven't been to Golsway's crypt to say my good-byes. I can't go now because the watch will probably have it surrounded."
"There will be time later. A more proper time."
"Would you do me a favor?"
"Yes."
"Would you send someone to take a flower blanket to put over his crypt? Wild red roses, with the thorns left on, and some dark purple orchids if you
can. He never said so, but I knew they were his favorites."
"Of course."
Baylee shook the man's hand and left the room, Cthulad at his heels. He had money enough, now. All he had to do was find a ship.
19
"It's not much, is it?" Baylee looked around at the ship's cabin he'd been assigned with Civva Cthulad.
"I've bivouacked in worse," the justifier said. He struck flint to a lantern on a wall sconce, then blew gently on the wick to get it going. When he was satisfied, he lowered the glass again and adjusted the flame.
The yellow glow splashed against walls that needed a good scrubbing to get rid of the black-green mildew. Scars decorated the wood, as well as names, curse words, and pieces of prayer that had been carved into the surfaces. The ceiling wasn't tall enough for Baylee to comfortably stand in. He dropped his duffel on the floor beside one of the two cots suspended above the floor. All the bedding looked worn and moth-eaten.
"With the accommodations looking like this," Baylee said, "you have to wonder what the food is going to be like."
"Pray that you're hungry enough to eat it anyway," Cthulad said good?naturedly.
Xuxa hung from the struts coming from the center of