Chapter 7
The City
It was in this time that Sebastien came to Illyria and took up temporary lodgings at an inn called The Elephant. He was about to look about the city when he saw a familiar face.
"Antonio! What are you doing here? It is a danger to you—though you never did tell me why. Why are you here?"
"Sebastien, I would not so soon lose the friend and brother I have found in you. The love I bear you is worth more to me than safety. And I knew also that you know nothing of these lands and their dangers, and I would not have you go without a guide."
Sebastien sighed but looked more cheerful than he had before. "I would not have had you come, but I confess I am glad of it. My thanks, Antonio, for your good friendship. Well, what shall we do now? Will you tour the city with me?"
"No, I would rather remain at The Elephant, for I am very well known here. I came against the duke of these lands in a sea fight, and his people have not forgotten it. But here, take my purse. I know you have little enough money to spend. As brothers, we shall share all we have. If you wish to appear before Duke Orsino, you will need clothes other than those you were in when I took you from the sea."
Sebastien accepted the purse reluctantly and found it astonishingly heavy. "I'll bear your purse and purchase clothes, Antonio, but I will not spend more of your money. Farewell for a time. Take care that you are not seen."
So Sebastien went out into the city, and Antonio turned back to The Elephant and took a room. Some hours passed in boredom for him, and eventually he began to be worried about Sebastien. What had become of him, alone in a strange city? Pausing only to buckle on his sword, he took to the streets to find him.
Antonio had been wandering for perhaps an hour when he saw some guards of the city and ducked into an alleyway. He did not know if they had seen him or if they would recognize him if they did see him, but he hurried down the alley and into a busy street and around a corner. There were more, so he moved on again and soon realized that he had come to the edge of the city and mislaid his objective, which was to find Sebastien. But the whole complement of the city's guard seemed to be out simply because he was, and there were a couple more at the far end of the street. There was a wall on one side of the street, and ahead he saw an archway; he ducked into it, trying to look as if it were his business to do so.
He was in some noble's private grounds, undoubtedly, and to his astonishment, he saw Sebastien there, sword held limply in his hand, backing away from another man's sword. Without hesitation, Antonio drew his own and sprang forward.
