Author's Note: Hey all. I'm going to be visiting the U.S. for the next week or so, staying with my friend Joe in NYC. So I might not be updating much in the next week. I just figured I'd give you a heads up. I might be able to update midweek sometime…but don't count on it. Hearts, Kittie
Bracken slipped past the gates quietly, avoiding the guards. The robed shadow stayed behind him, silent as a mouse.
No words were exchanged as he grabbed the figure's hand, dragging him quietly into the city.
He pressed the figure against the wall, one arm of either side. Rune shook off her hood and allowed him to press himself against her.
Pretend he's Eragon, she told herself. Or Sún.
Bracken let his lips graze her neck, before putting them to her ear.
"We're through safe," he whispered.
She steeled herself and licked his cheek. "Why did you bring me out here?"
"If anyone knows where your friend is, it's Tamara," he said, kissing her neck.
"Why are we doing this?"
"People whispering attract attention," he whispered back. "It's normal to see people making love against the walls. No one will notice us."
Rune stiffened. "What? We don't have to—"
"No," Bracken hissed urgently. "Don't be silly. We'll just stay here for a moment, then head to town. You don't have to touch me, if you don't want to. Just look like you are."
Rune gave a little fake moan of pleasure, and moved her hands against his chest. His arms were tight around her waist.
"This feels strange," she whispered in his ear.
"It would feel stranger if you were sold as a bed slave," he said. "At least you know me. And we aren't doing anything. Be grateful."
"I am," she muttered. "It's just a bit awkward."
A few people passed them by without a second glance. Bracken entwined his fingers with Rune's and pulled her away from the wall. "We can go now," he said.
Rune breathed a sigh of relief and Bracken laughed quietly. Hand in hand, he pulled her towards the nearest pub, marked Dingo's.
She frowned. "What are we going in here for?"
"Tamara's tough to find," Bracken said. "Snow will know where she is."
Snow turned out to be a large cat, who was stretched on the hearth. He looked up at Bracken with little interest, before liking one white paw. The black stripes along his body quivered with hidden power as he stretched his spine.
"Tamara's here," Bracken said.
"How do you know?"
"Snow's here. Where she goes, he goes."
Rune nodded and glanced around the bar. It was dingy and crowded, but the atmosphere was light and joking. Nonetheless, she stayed close to Bracken.
"She's probably upstairs," he said, taking her hand. Rune pulled her hood up again.
"I hope Freoh is okay with Alanna," she said worriedly.
"He'll be fine. Did I tell you I found a wet nurse for him?"
Rune shook her head, but didn't respond. They had reached the second floor.
The air here was thick with smoke. Mead sloshed freely and dice were thrown. Rune wished the Murtagh man was here. He had taken her to a bar once. She still didn't remember exactly who he was or how she knew him, but she remembered he had kept her safe.
Instead, she cowered tightly against Bracken.
"Calm down," he murmured in her ear.
She shot him a frightened glance, but stepped a miniscule amount away from his side.
He pointed out a table, where a lone figure sat, shrouded in a ragged cloak. They slid into the chairs next to it.
At first, the figure didn't look up at them, continuing to stare into the mug of mead it clasped in one hand. Then two eyes peered at them.
"Bracken."
"Tamara."
The figure removed its hood. Rune found herself staring into two dark eyes, amber flecked and dangerous looking, inset in a plain but somehow startling face. Brown hair was tied in a pony-tail on the top of her head and cascaded around her shoulders.
"You've made a new friend," Tamara said.
Rune decided she didn't like Tamara. She frightened her.
Bracken glanced at Rune. "I have."
Tamara kicked back in her chair and put two heavy black boots on the table. She flicked a finger, and a half-dressed bar girl darted out at her.
"Yes?"
"Two meads. On my tab."
"…but you don't have a—"
"Start one for me," Tamara snapped. She turned back to Bracken as if the girl wasn't there. "So."
"So."
Tamara sipped her mead, unconcerned. "Why are you here?" she asked lightly, as if only making conversation.
"I need information," Bracken replied.
Tamara kicked her feet off the table and leaned in. "Oh?"
Bracken could smell the mead on her breath. He looked her in the eye. "Yes."
"Well, you can't get something for nothing."
"Kel's regards."
Tamara snorted. "Last I checked, you can't buy anything with Mistress Keladry's regards."
"Since when did you buy anything?"
Tamara laughed, and the hostility in her gaze faded. "True enough, Bracken. What do you need to know?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"Oh? Any particular someone?"
He nodded. "A girl. Younger than me, but not my much. Probably nineteen, twenty. She was sold as a slave two days ago."
"Lots of people were sold as slaves two days ago."
"Lot's of people with blue eyes, black hair, and the surname Everwood?"
Recognition flashed in Tamara's eyes. "Everwood?"
"Yes."
She pursed her lips. "…nothing. I don't know her," she lied.
Bracken had caught the flicker of knowing. "Yes you do."
Tamara sighed. "Caught," she said. "Here's what I can tell you: Robin bought a girl who he called Cael's daughter two days ago. The only Cael I've heard of is Cael Everwood, but I could be wrong."
"You're never wrong."
She smiled. "Of course not, but you never know. Now be gone. Tell Kel she owes me a favor."
"Surely," Bracken said. "Come on, Rune."
Rune followed him. They left the room as the bar girl brought the mead.
She looked around in confusion.
Tamara waved her away. "What's that for?" she asked. "I'm not paying for that."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Taten landed lightly on all fours, glancing around the dark hallway. The curtains behind her billowed in the night breeze, the moonlight creeping in from around them.
She thought jealously of Everett, who got to sleep the night away while she was doing the dangerous stuff.
Keeping low, she darted down the hallway, her feet silent in her soft leather shoes. She headed towards the kitchens, when something unusual caught her eye.
The door to the slave chambers was open. From past visits and accounts of the others, the slave door was always locked tight. Only Tabor, and his slave master, Thom, had the keys.
She frowned and crept past the door. She peered into the gloom.
Out of nowhere, she was tossed against a wall. A strong body pressed her there, a hand over her mouth.
"What are you doing here?"
Taten kneed the person between the legs, hard. He gasped in pain and slackened his grip enough for her to slip away from him. In an instant, she had a dagger pointed at him.
He glanced up at her angrily, and Taten felt her grip loosen on the dagger. A boyish face, evergreen eyes, and pale skin met her gaze. He narrowed his gaze.
"Who are you?" Taten demanded in a whisper, trying to make up for the fact that she thought he was handsome.
"I could ask you the same thing," he snapped.
"Taten," she answered. "Name's Taten."
"Súndavar," he said hesitantly. "What are you doing here?"
Taten circled him, dagger in hand. "You ask too many questions."
"Answer them and maybe I won't."
She flicked her hair. "Go away," she said. "You didn't see me."
"You aren't in charge," he pointed out.
"I have the dagger."
"Throw it and I'll yell."
Taten clenched her hands into fists. Súndavar stared at her defiantly.
"Sún!"
Súndavar turned. Two figures stood in the moonlight. He darted to the smaller one and hugged her tightly. "Rune!"
Taten watched skeptically, ignoring the tiny feeling in her stomach as he threw his arms around the other girl and squeezed tightly.
Rune kissed Súndavar deeply, hands around his neck. He kissed back before she pulled away.
Bracken blinked at them, clearing his throat.
"Who's she?" asked Rune.
Before Taten could respond, Bracken spoke. "Her name is Taten," he said.
"Bracken. Hello," Taten said good-naturedly.
Bracken waved her away. "Tate, I told Robin not to send you here anymore. Tabor's becoming suspicious. It's only so long till he links the thefts to me. Then I'd be kicked out, and where would that leave Kel?"
"Oh, I'd hate to see Kel without a bedwarmer," Taten snapped. "And don't call me Tate."
She walked past them and back to the window. "I'll see you soon, Bracken."
"Just leave."
She shrugged and smiled. "Hey, I can take a hint. I know when I'm not wanted."
With that she was out the window, lost in the darkness.