Chapter 19 – A Trap
The next morning I wandered around the southern parts of town staying near the popular roads, casually visiting a few shops. Near midday I entered the market commons on Cotton Walk. There are always so many interesting things to see, smell and taste at a market. There were smoked fish and lobster, salted gull, crab and shrimp, fruits, roasted seal and venison, candies, honey pots and breads galore. Baskets, bottles, candles, blankets, traveling bags, wood carvings and squirrels trained to forage for you. I purchased a traveling bag, a new blanket, some smoked fish, a skin of tulli-juice and a few scallions. I found the shade of a tree and sat to have a quiet and peaceful meal.
Just as I settled in, Ellendia approached me. She sat a little too close to me and said in a low tone “You are Agnaar’s son Pegwynn, aren’t you?”
Most people in my situation would have choked on the food in their mouth. Instead I gave her a quizzical look and finished chewing. My reply was quietly blunt “Be careful what you declare into the face of a stranger.”
Her response was subdued but clear, she stiffened and raised her chin as if she were nobility and said “Oh pardon me sir, but I am sure that you are no stranger and I have been very careful. You see there are four armed defenders, close by, that will not be slow to act should you move to deliver harm. Also know that they are not all that is prepared to act on my behalf.”
Without visible evidence I tensed, ready to fight, I replied “It seems I am captured. What is in store for me then?”
As she moved away, her next words were calm and less venomous “First, I want to assure you that we wish to do no harm to you. We have news for you, don’t we?”
Dolmund’s voice answered but I scooped up my staff and sprang away from the two of them without waiting to decipher the sound of his voice. As I planted my feet on the ground, I spun my staff to strike just below where I had heard his voice come from. Expecting that I might miss on the first pass, I continued the spin to strike again down through the same spot. Both attempts sliced air only. I paused to survey the arena of my trap. The market crowd was rapidly backing away in all directions. Ellendia continued to back away but was still nearby and I could clearly see the four armored and armed defenders in an arc about me, but I did not see Dolmund.
I heard Dolmund’s voice saying “Ah, you were expecting to have struck something that was not there. I am nearby but not where you expect.”
The sound of him unnerved me until I realized he was throwing his voice. To him I repeated “Again I say, it seems I am captured. What is in store for me?”
Dolmund said “If you will agree to a peace bond until day break on the morrow, I believe we can answer a lot of old questions for each other.”
Still wary, I said “I have been traveling a long time and met many people, some trustworthy and some not. Why should I trust you?”
“Because, Pegwynn, over the years I believe, I have come to know your far and mor as my own. I love them and they trust me.”
This seemed unlikely but I became curious so I replied “A northlands peace bond?”
“Yes, of course.” he replied.
Relaxing somewhat, “Then I agree.”
Dolmund dropped out of the tree above me and right next to Ellendia. With a grim, but relieved, look on his face he extended his hand in greeting and said “Agreed then.”