Chapter VIII
"Sightseeing Gone Horribly Amiss"
"My goodness! You're finally awake!" Leena exclaimed incredulously as Glenn began to stir. She slipped her hand under his head and gently lifted him into a sitting position. "You've been out of it for a good six hours, you know. I was beginning to think that you had died and left me here all by myself."
Glenn slowly opened his eyes and at first glance was greeted by his companion, a great big smile of relief plastered across her face. He grinned at her weakly and pulled himself onto his feet, but his knees buckled and sent him sprawling onto the sand. Leena clicked her tongue in disapproval and knelt beside him, her hands wrapped around his bicep.
"Still a bit weak, I see," she remarked candidly. "That was some performance you put on back there in the boat, Mr. Dragoon. Going toe to toe with that shark was quite a feat, let me tell you. Oh, and don't worry about your sword. I have it here with me." She patted the blade that hung at her side.
He nodded wordlessly and smiled at her again.
"I thought we were as good as dead, to be honest," Leena continued. She paused and stared at him. "What's wrong? Lion Shark got your tongue?"
"No, no. Just a bit confused—and disoriented, that's all. I'll be fine," Glenn replied softly. He rose with Leena's help and brushed off the sand that stuck to his tunic and breeches. He lightly ran his fingers through his hair to get at the fine grains that clung to the roots and gingerly swept the stray particles from his shoulders. He took a breath of air and observed his surroundings.
The sun was at its apex in the afternoon sky, but the temperature was mild and a soothing ocean breeze wafted in from the deep blue beyond the shore. Great cliffs of red granite loomed at the top edge of the beach like imposing sentinels that kept watch over the aquamarine waters. Small clumps of trees lay nestled along the base, closely bound to the rough surface, forming a green belt of vibrant plant life that was juxtaposed along side the bleak outcroppings of the cliff. The shoreline stretched for quite a distance until it reached a point where the white ribbon of sand wrapped around and disappeared behind a vast projection of stone.
"Where are we?" Glenn asked.
Leena walked up and stood next to him, her eyes fixed on the shimmering surface of the ocean. "We're on Phobos Island. Choras is about three miles west from here. We can walk, but I think getting transportation shouldn't be too difficult."
He looked at her in bewilderment. "How do you know all of this?"
"I did a bit of exploring on my own while you were out cold," Leena answered triumphantly, "I'm not a silly damsel in distress in constant need of a brave, strong knight, you know." She gave a sly wink and jostled him playfully. "There's a small village not too far from here and the people seem nice enough. But we do have a slight problem."
"What sort of problem?"
"The island's crawling with Porre soldiers," she said gravely. "Apparently there's some sort of archaeological dig going on north of here at a place called the Hero's Grave. There's a makeshift military dock at the West Cape that's keeping the site well stocked with supplies from the mainland. From what the villagers tell me, there are a series of regularly scheduled runs between Phobos and Porre."
"We need to find a way to get on board one of those ships," Glenn declared decisively.
"My thoughts exactly," Leena remarked, "but we'll have to enter Choras first. There's a checkpoint that only certain wagons from the city can pass. And then there's the matter of how we're going to go about doing this." She eyed Glenn's garments and looked down at her own. "It's not like we're heading to a 'come-as-you-are' leisure boat cruise. Any ideas on how we're going to get a disguise? I haven't played dress-up in years so this should be a scream."
Glenn shrugged his broad shoulders. "I haven't a clue. I'm making it all up as I go along." He began to stroll down the shore, but stopped after a few feet and turned to Leena. "Not to worry, however. I'm in full control of the situation," he declared exultantly. "Shall we be on our way?"
"Absolutely. But Choras is in the other direction," she replied with a grin.
He cleared his throat in embarrassment and frowned. "Right then, I knew that." Glenn waved his hand dismissively. "It's the disorientation—you know, from the boat and the—shark."
"Of course." Leena lowered her head and subdued a giggle as she hurried to her escort's side.
The bazaar was alive with activity as swarms of people littered the cobblestone streets of the Choras commercial district. Hoarse cries from food vendors and merchants filled the air around the cramped stalls and through the narrow alleys while a multitude of carts bee-lined and joggled uneasily along the rough surface of the promenade to reach their respective establishments. The sharp odor of foreign spices seemingly condensed into a pungent cloud that hovered above the teeming masses, lending the bazaar an atmosphere that almost matched the exotic tree-lined venues of the Medina Souk.
Handsome whitewashed buildings of varying height smartly stood along both sides of the agora and brightly dyed canopies of silk hung from windows and balconies. The flat topped townhouses that rose above the bazaar afforded a breath taking spectacle of Choras in its entirety with its ostentatious palaces and temples, its striking parks and plazas, and the unusual white motifs that graced every public and private building. When viewed from a distance the metropolis fantastically reflected the midday sun, giving visitors an awe-inspiring glimpse of the city that was dubbed the "Jewel of the East" of what was once the Duchy of Choras.
Glenn and Leena slowly kept pace behind a fruit wagon as it meandered down the busy esplanade. They were draped from head to toe in light cotton shawls that concealed them from the prying eyes of the city militia and a light blue sash adorned their waists, designating them as apprentice traders. The villagers at Hurino had graciously allowed them to accompany the weekly produce caravan that ran between the farming community and the capital after Leena concocted a wildly sensationalistic cover story. Glenn had initially disapproved of her liberal use of falsities, but later relented when the villager elder offered his generous proposition.
As the wagon trundled past an alley, Glenn lightly grasped Leena's wrist and the both of them slipped into the shaded recesses of the passage. He looked around cautiously and after having ascertained that they were not drawing unwanted attention, he stripped off the shawl and quietly motioned for Leena to do the same. With their bundled costumes discarded, they nonchalantly stepped back onto the busy avenue.
"Well? What now?" Leena asked discreetly as they strolled along the agora. She glanced around inconspicuously, pretended to swat at imaginary flies and diverted her attention back to Glenn. "There are two soldiers walking behind us."
"Keep going straight," he replied calmly, "and walk a bit faster. Do you see that bend that's coming up? Turn when we get there."
Leena nodded and hastened her pace.
As they approached the corner, a chicken farmer next to the crook in the road started a row with one of the spice merchants adjacent to his stall. Feathers and insults soon began to take to the air and fists were eventually introduced to settle the matter. While the two combatants indulged in their brawl, Glenn and Leena flittered off to the side lane, leaving the hectic bazaar behind.
"Wow, that was close," Leena huffed as the both of them drew to the corner.
Two elongated shadows suddenly loomed grotesquely on the stucco walls, accompanied by the blue clothed forms of its owners. The Porre soldiers, a lieutenant and a private, with rifles slung over their shoulders, slowly advanced. They halted in front of Glenn and the lieutenant stepped forward. Deceptively warm hazel eyes scanned the dragoon and immediately froze on the pommel of the Einlanzer, causing the officer to frown in annoyance.
"Civilians are not allowed to carry weapons," the Porre lieutenant declared. "You are in breach of the law. Show me your papers, so as to allow me to report you to the proper authorities." He stuck out a gloved hand in anticipation.
Leena shot her travel mate a worried stare and chewed her lower lip in apprehension.
The officer grumbled impatiently, a cold gravity in his tone. "Papers, please!"
Glenn vacillated and swallowed hard. "Yes…err…papers. Well, you see—"
"Papers! Give me your papers!" the Porre officer cried, his voice rising to a perfect, high pitched scream.
"Right, of course," Glenn replied hesitantly as he reached into his tunic. "I have mine and my—wife's here in my pocket."
He momentarily rummaged around under the watchful glare of the officer and pulled out a clenched fist. "Here are our papers," he said jovially as he delivered a quick blow to the lieutenant's nose. There was a sharp crack followed by a spurt of blood as the fellow staggered back in shock and pain. Glenn quickly kicked the other soldier in the groin, sending him down on all fours and seized Leena by the hand. "Time to go!"
They dashed back into the crowded marketplace and ran straight into the dueling chicken farmer and spice merchant. The two antagonists were sent sprawling as Glenn and Leena roughly pushed their way through the fighters and the crowd that had drawn close to watch the proceedings. The shrill, sporadic cries of a whistle pierced the air from the alleyway, no doubt from the incapacitated lieutenant, and other whistles soon echoed from various parts of the bazaar.
"Don't get separated!" Glenn yelled to Leena as they ran down the promenade. "If you do, I'll have a devil of a time looking for you!"
Two soldiers suddenly appeared up front and one of them raised his rifle. His companion, however, reached out and pushed the barrel up as the fellow squeezed the trigger, discharging it harmlessly in the air. The entire bazaar broke into a panic and screams reverberated in the close quarters of the district. The soldier that had deflected the rifle shot muttered something to the man who had used the weapon and the two of them fixed bayonets and charged.
Glenn quickly backtracked through the frightened crowd, Leena in tow, and made his way in the other direction. Off in the distance he could see a gathering of blue figures and shouldered rifles, the barrels waving around in the air. He spun around and saw two more soldiers rapidly approaching, one of them madly blowing on a whistle. He turned back to the front and watched in horror as the group of Porre troops pointed, shouted and started running in his direction. Spying an open door to the side of the street, he grabbed Leena and darted to the opening.
The shocked inhabitants, a mother and her three children, watched in puzzlement as two complete strangers raced up her flight of stairs, and became even more perplexed when a small group of the city's occupying forces ran in pursuit, knocking over tables and chairs that stood in the way.
Glenn burst through the door that led out onto the rooftop with a grunt. He quickly shut the entrance and propped a few small crates in front of the threshold to impede the movement of their trackers. He ran to the edge and peered down at the three story drop that confronted them. From behind the barricaded portico, shouts were heard followed by dull pounding.
"What do we do? What do we do?" Leena asked hurriedly as she wrung her hands and hopped from one foot to the other.
There was a muffled shot from behind the barrier and a musket ball ricocheted off the ground a few inches from her heels, eliciting a startled shriek.
"Jump!" Glenn cried resolutely.
"Are you mad?" she screamed. "What are you on? Crazy pills? In case the notion has escaped you, we can't fly! You've picked a fine time to go nutty on me, Glenn!"
The top part of the wooden door splintered under the incessant assault of the soldiers and arms flailed through the hole, desperately reaching for the obstruction that held the chase in check. Glenn glanced back in dismay and frantically pointed to the opposite rooftop.
"No! Not down! Across! We'll have to jump across to the other building!"
Another crack marked the collapse of the door and the formation of an opening large enough for the besieging troops to crawl through. Bayonets poked through the cavity and a rifle suddenly set off, drawing out a badly concealed curse from its owner and the reprimand of a superior officer.
"Okay! No time to talk!" Leena blurted, "Let's go!" She drew back and sprinted forward, her feet beating on the pavement until she reached the edge where a mighty leap sent her sailing over the gap and onto the other roof. She landed with a thud and rolled on the ground several times. She quickly picked herself up and hastily motioned to Glenn, who followed close behind.
The pursuers at last broke out of the barricade and gathered near the perimeter of the tenement. Several shots rang out and the musical buzz of bullets in mid-flight whirred past Glenn and Leena. One by one the soldiers jumped across the miniature chasm, their rifles waving wildly in the air. The portly officer that led them continued to blow on the whistle relentlessly, each trill bellow gradually descending into a tired wheeze. With a pistol and sword in his plump hands, he took a running start and leapt with all his might. He missed the edge by a foot and plunged, with a strident cry, downward onto a canopy. His generously proportioned figure tore the fragile silk, sending him bottom-first into a heap of garbage.
Leena looked back when she heard the screech and grinned madly when she saw that the stout officer was missing.
"Jump coming up, Leena!" Glenn shouted as they approached the yawning gap ahead.
They hurdled over the breach and continued their frantic dash above the marketplace. Rifles open fired and they dove down to avoid the hail of bullets. Several lead balls struck a wooden post ahead with a hollow thud, sending splinters of wood flying. Once the danger had passed, Glenn speedily helped Leena up and resumed their escape. He reached the boundary of the roof and stopped dead in his tracks. The distance that spanned between the two structures was too wide to accommodate their acrobatics. He shot a quick look at the soldiers and furrowed his brow.
"Oh, f—" Glenn immediately halted mid-word and glanced over at Leena. "—figs," he corrected himself. "We're in trouble now."
"I don't think so! Look!" Leena pointed to several clothes lines suspended several feet below their position.
Glenn stared at the pieces of rope and scowled. "And you call me crazy? We'd have to jump to reach those! This time it's down and not across, you know!"
"We're stuck either way!" she cried dismally and peeped behind her. "And they're gaining on us!"
"Fine!" he said after spending a brief moment in thought. He stepped onto the ledge and beckoned for Leena to join him. "Hang on tight!"
With Leena's arms around his waist and neck, Glenn took a deep breath and stepped off the ridge. For a few moments, the sensation of the freefall was oddly exhilarating, but the reality of a painful conclusion to the heady exercise quickly snapped him back to his senses and he reached out in desperation for a line. His fingers wrapped around one of the hemp ropes and a searing pain shot through his hand as the rough texture rubbed against raw skin. He grimaced, but the pain in his eyes quickly turned to horror when one of pegs that held the cord to the opposite wall snapped loose and hurtled them, screaming, toward a window.
The surface beneath Glenn's boot gave way and the glass shattered. He released his hold on the lead and rolled forward into the room while Leena tumbled brusquely onto her rear. A man seated in the corner observed in silence and wide-eyed terror as they rose and brushed the bits of glass and wood off their clothing.
"Just wanted to drop in to say 'hello.'" Glenn muttered sheepishly as he took Leena by the hand. "I'm sorry, but which way do I go to—"
The bewildered spectator, mouth agape, pointed to the stairwell in an adjacent room.
"Thank you, kindly."
Glenn threw the door open to the bazaar and wandered out with Leena. He wiped his brow with his sleeve and looked around vigilantly for their pursuers. Before he could turn back with news that they were safe, several bursts from a whistle sounded followed by two loud reports. The stucco beside him erupted into a cloud of dust as a bullet sheared the white covering off the wall.
"No rest for the weary!" Leena exclaimed as they set off down the street in haste, soldiers snapping at their heels.
As they approached an alleyway, a pair of hands quickly shot out from the dark niche and roughly pulled them in. Glenn and Leena felt someone shove them against the wall and a voice hissed at them to remain quiet. The Porre hunting party sped past the passage, oblivious to their quarry's whereabouts, and once a few minutes had lapsed, fingers wrapped around Glenn's wrist and tugged slightly. He turned to face their savior and found himself looking at a girl that was shorter than he was, her lips curled into a satisfied smile. She was clad in a red outfit that caused him to turn a deep shade of crimson and a spiraling twist of red ribbon held a tight ponytail in place. White dashes of war paint streaked across both of her cheeks and a purple beaded necklace coiled around her thin neck.
"Take yer friend by the hand and come with me," she instructed.
They soon found themselves in a windowless and sparsely furnished room whose only source of light came from a small hole in the vaulted ceiling. The blond girl dropped two cushions to the floor and sat down cross-legged on a worn out rug. Glenn and Leena cautiously took a spot on the ground and thanked her for her help.
"Not a problem, mate!" she replied genially. "But you two really know how to look for trouble, eh?"
"We weren't exactly looking for trouble," Glenn said.
"Yes, it just happened to find us," Leena added. "The soldiers wanted to see our papers and, of course, we didn't have any, so Captain Courageous here decided there and then that it would be great fun to break the guy's nose and ruin the other one's chances of ever conceiving."
The blond girl burst out laughing and slapped her knee in mirth.
"So we ended up being chased," Glenn remarked.
"Why didn't you two have yer papers?"
"It's a pretty long and convoluted story," Glenn answered uneasily.
"Tell me another time, mate," the girl replied as she got up. "You two rest fer now. It's dangerous to be out there at this time. I have to leave for a bit, but I'll be back later on. In the meantime, stay here. I mean it! I pulled you two out of yer scrap and I don't want to be repaid by havin' me hideout discovered!"
Leena nodded as their rescuer disappeared behind a makeshift partition, leaving her and Glenn in the empty room with idle time on their hands and nowhere to go.