Page 18 - Mad Shadows II

“I’d rather not discuss that in public, if you don’t mind.”
She reached inside her blouse and came away with a folded
piece of parchment, which she handed to me. “This is a map to
my house. Be there an hour before sunfall. We’ll be able to talk
there without long noses, big ears and unwanted visitors
interrupting us.”

Valuta rose from her chair, clicked her heels and bowed,
then turned and left.

I laughed and ordered another drink. I liked her. I liked her
a lot.

I wandered the streets of Widow’s Fell for the next few
hours or so. The Hallowmas decorations, the shops and vendor
stalls, and the children chasing each other up and down the
streets all held a great attraction for me. The only thing I found
unattractive was the ugly little man with a pockmarked face
standing outside a chandler’s shop. He stared at me, and I could
feel the heat from his eyes burning the back of my neck as I
walked past him and headed toward the livery where I had
stabled my horse.

One of the stable’s tall doors stood open, and I went inside.
The elderly stable master was brushing the mane of my
beautiful chestnut mare and hand-feeding a carrot to her. He
smiled when I reached her stall.

“She’s a grand horse, Mister Mikawber,” he told me.
“Rora’s a good girl, all right.” I scratched her nose. She
neighed, happy to see me.
A moment later, the man with the pockmarked face entered.
I noticed that his boots were scruffy, his britches, shirt and vest
shabby and faded. The short sword dangling at his left hip was
in much better condition, however.
“Take a walk,” he told the ostler. “I’ve some personal
business to conduct here.”

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