Chapter revised – thank you for pointing out to me that Mirtai and Kring are already married – don't know why I forgot that!
05.09.2005: Answers to reviews removed. See chapter 3 for details.
DISCLAIMER: Worlds and characters are property of David Eddings and his publishers, and I do not intend to make money with this fic.
CHAPTER 23
Two days later, in the early afternoon, the group finally made it to Paler. Ulath, Tynian and Belgarath had already left the group to find a suitable inn for the night, and Polgara and Dorgatan had made for the market to restock their supplies. The remainder of the companions were left to their own devices.
Bevier had ridden through the city, not quite sure what he was supposed to do until supper. His warhorse, as white as his overcoat, whinnied impatiently when it had to stop time and again because the roads were so crowded. The Cyrinic Knight silently reprimanded himself for not leaving him somewhere before he set out to take a look around Paler. He pulled his cloak tighter around him – it was significantly colder here than down south in his native Arcium, which he rarely left anymore, now that he had been elected preceptor of the Cyrinics.
Then, he realized into what district his aimless wandering had taken him, and he forced his horse to push through the crowd faster – the buildings framing the narrow street were brothels, whorehouses! A district of sin and moral decay!
Of course, he had no choice but to deal with people the likes of which lived here time and again – after all, he was a Church Knight, not some monk who could afford to lock himself up in his monastery, never chancing to meet sin incarnate out here, where the real world was. Bevier himself had once yearned for a simple life in a monastery, where his soul would not be tempted – until he had realized how much he would have lost by choosing such a life, as well. And now, he was responsible for 25,000 Arcian Knights.
Life could certainly be worse.
And deep within himself, he could not help but admit that the things described by the Holy Mother Church as sinful were... somewhat interesting. And so many people engaged in them – how could they be bad?
Engaged in these thoughts, feeling slightly guilty, he did not realize that he had left the dangerous district and was headed towards the market place in the middle of town now. His thoughts were interrupted violently, though, when he thought he heard the following words right next to him, spoken by a high-pitched, nasal female voice:
"And you are sure this will be enough to take care of Mirtai?"
Bevier brought his horse to a stop, looking around as though he was searching for somebody while he was listening intently on what would follow this comment about the Atana. He did not like the tone the question had been uttered in.
And, sure enough, the answer proved his gut instinct right.
"She may be an Atan, but that dose would take care of an elephant! I promise you, she will die from it."
Ugly laughter from the other woman.
"The sisters of Domi Kring will like that. They want to get rid of this monstrosity their brother married. Here is your money."
And that was all he could overhear, because an angry male voice sounded behind him:
"Friend Church Knight, you are in the way of the merchants. Would you please keep moving? Some of our wagons are still waiting in front of the city, that's how long the line behind you and your horse is!"
Bevier did not bother to answer, but rode on down the street. Suddenly, he could not wait to talk to somebody about what he had overheard.
Meanwhile, Sephrenia, Vanion and Aphrael had been wandering over the market place, idly looking at the various items for sale. They did not have to worry about resupplying – Polgara had promised she would see to it, and Aphrael knew she could trust the sorceress to buy some mutton and enough vegetables to feed the Styric fraction of their group while the Elenes ate ham.
Overall, Polgara was a very good cook – unlike the two longer expeditions she and Sephrenia had been on with the knights, this time they did not just get almost burned mutton and bland stew, but all kinds of culinary creations they had not even known one could prepare over a campfire. Aphrael considered herself lucky that she was a Goddess and could shrug off any weight gain without a problem; especially Sephrenia seemed to start filling out her robes more and more, although Vanion, as well, had gained weight.
Thus were her thoughts when she saw Bevier fighting his way through the crowd to get to their side of the marketplace. Seeing that it would take him quite some time to make it through without hurting anyone, she decided to take action, herself.
"Sister, I will be with Bevier for a while. We'll meet at the inn for supper."
Not even waiting for an answer, she winked out of existence, leaving only air on the shoulders of Sephrenia's palfrey, where she had sat in front of her sister's saddle.
Bevier flinched visibly when the Child Goddess suddenly appeared on the back of his horse, causing Aphrael to grin up at him.
"Oh, Bevier, do stop that. You will blow my cover! Nobody has seen me appear – in fact, everybody believes that I was with you the whole time. You flinching, though, does not seem altogether normal, and people might start talking about you... Now, what is so important that you almost ride through the crowd, no matter what? Tell me, maybe I can be of help."
Bevier's facial expression seemed to be caught somewhere between anger and immense amusement at her little speech. He now forced it back into a serious expression and told her what he had learned from the two women he had passed. Aphrael frowned when he had finished.
"Usually, it is considered bad form among the Peloi to kill a woman who has to take care of a small child – their time to plot and poison comes directly after the wedding, when there are no attachments and the damage can be repaid to the grieving husband with horses. Kring should be notified of this. I will take care of it, Bevier, don't worry about it anymore. Now let us try to get to the inn in time for supper."
Bevier looked down at her in amazement. "But suppertime is still two hours off!"
"And that is most likely how long it will take us to get through this crowd, Bevier."
After a good supper, most members of the group took a bath and turned in for the night. Not so Ulath, Tynian, and, surprisingly, Dorgatan – the three of them decided to check out the local taverns. That left Bevier alone in his room. He undressed until he was clad in nothing more than a short pair of underpants, then he knelt down at the side of his bed for his evening prayer.
"Dear Lord Our God, I thank Thee for Thy holy ear..."
"But Bevier, no need to be so formal!"
Bevier's head snapped up out of his praying pose, and his eyes fell upon Aphrael sitting on his bed, a radiant smile on her face. Then he realized that he was almost naked, and his tanned face flushed brilliantly red.
That got Aphrael to laugh at him.
"Oh my poor Bevier – don't worry, you're decent enough. Besides: You don't have anything I haven't seen before. If you wish, I can appear to you naked, as well, to make us even... no? Very well. I wanted to tell you that I had a long talk with Domi Kring. He had promised to take care of his sisters plotting against Mirtai."
Bevier managed to sound business-like when he replied with a question.
"Will he have them murdered?"
The Child Goddess shook her head.
"No. He has sent out messengers to ask his mother to marry off all remaining sisters, who have the most interest in seeing Mirtai dead. All their servants will be let go, as well, and new ones from trusted families will be hired. And Mirtai's food will be tested again before she eats it – of course without her knowing it. Kring thinks it's best if she doesn't know anything about all this – she might decide to rid herself of all of the Domi's sisters by more direct means, and that would make her an outcast in Peloi society."
Bevier nodded in appreciation.
"So nobody will die, and everything will work out fine anyway, or have I misunderstood you?"
Aphrael nodded, as well.
"You're right – everything will be fine, thanks to you. Good job, Sir Knight!"
And with a small laugh, she vanished again, but not without taking the opportunity to make Bevier blush once more. Had he just seen a beautiful naked woman on his bed in Flute's stead, just before she vanished...?
There we go, a new chapter! I like it much better than the last, and I hope you will, too! Seven more to go...
Comments appreciated!