Under Fallen Stars - Mel Odom [110]
Jherek met the man's level gaze, knowing he and his companions were in danger.
The Bent Mermaid had the reputation of being one of the worst taverns in Westgate-both in provender and clientele. It stood three stories tall and looked out over the neck of the Lake of Dragons. Docks stabbed long fingers out into the sea and ships from a dozen and more countries occupied the slips and stood at anchor out in the harbor.
"What business do you have with Vurgrom?" the bartender asked.
"Personal," Jherek said.
The bartender looked over the young sailor's shoulder. "Him too?"
Without glancing back, Jherek knew the man was talking about Glawinn. The knight stood out in the dark den of the tavern. When he'd first entered, sailors standing close to the paladin had drawn back and found other tables and places to stand.
"Aye," Jherek answered.
The bartender shook his head. "Don't know no Vurgrom."
Jherek looked the man in the face, hard, knowing it was a lie. "We were told he'd be here."
"By who?"
Jherek ignored the question. The old sailor who'd given them the information had no love for the pirate leader. "We were told Vurgrom arrived here three days ago."
According to the old sailor, the pirate captain had taken a ship in from the River Tun, sailing in from the Storm Horn Mountains while Jherek and his companions had been forced to cross the distance overland.
"Somebody told you wrong," the bartender said.
Anger flared through Jherek. The journey had been hard and made even harder by the tension that seemed to exist between Sabyna and him. Glawinn had noticed it, the young sailor had been sure, but had refrained from making comment.
The only times he'd really felt relaxed during the journey had been when he and the knight had practiced swordcraft. The young sailor had gotten sore from the daily exertion at first, but had quickly come up to speed, surprising the knight with his skill. Still, there were skills and tricks that Glawinn had taught him and continued to teach him.
"Malorrie."
Jherek heard Sabyna's voice at his side, then felt her touch upon his arm. "Aye, lady," he said, turning to her because he didn't want to be disrespectful.
"Leave it."
The young sailor thought briefly of arguing. Returning the pearl disk was his task to accomplish, and no matter how she felt about helping him because of what he'd done for her, she obviously didn't feel as strongly about it as he did. He knew the pirate was inside the tavern.
"Please," the ship's mage said in a soft voice. Her copper-colored eyes held his.
Jherek let out a deep breath. "Aye. I'm done here, anyway."
"You going to be drinking anything?" the bartender asked.
"Not if I wiped those glasses myself," Jherek told him, venting a little of the hostility he felt.
"Then you need to clear out of my tavern," the man told him. "I got a rule about people coming in to take up tables and not spending any coin."
"Do you have any rules about the clientele you serve?" Jherek asked. "I definitely see no scruples." He was aware that his words drew the attention of a dozen men around the front of the bar.
The sailors shifted in their chairs, taking offense. Jherek didn't feel badly because he knew no honest sailor would patronize the Bent Mermaid, but he was afraid for a moment he'd overstepped his bounds and endangered Sabyna recklessly.
Glawinn strode forward and glared harshly at the men. The paladin carried his shiny helm in the crook of his arm, but his hand rested casually on the hilt of bis broadsword. "I'd not," he said in a low, steady voice.
For a moment, the group of sailors held his gaze, then they turned away and hunkered back over their drinks.
"I only got one rule," the bartender said, deliberately looking Jherek from head to toe, making the young sailor aware of his shoddy appearance. "I don't serve vagrants."
The men who'd backed down from Glawinn laughed contemptuously, slapping the table. Jherek's face flamed in embarrassment.