Chapter 18 – Back at the ‘Rare Cup’
I asked if anyone would like another round? Now I should hear some of the deeper truths. Carden and Piltain were again impressed. They chimed in unison “Yes, yes of course!”
We visited several other topics and came back to Agnaar. Piltain remembered a long conversation several years ago with Dolmund at the ‘Warriors Flagon’ in which Dolmund wanted to know if Piltain had ever seen the missing son of Agnaar. The death of Dolmund’s sister was very painful and he sought to have a ‘lengthy discussion’ with him. Carden chimed in to say that he too had spoken, only a month ago, but with a very different Dolmund. He was now seeking the son of Agnaar to ask him to come home and care for Agnaar and Palin. Carden seemed to feel that he was sincere. It seemed that Dolmund’s parents had gotten over the whole incident and forgiven all. They too were worried about Agnaar and Palin. Discussions of other news followed. Everyone thrived on hearing the stories of each town they drifted through. The evening wrapped up with Piltain carrying a giggling Carden toward the front door while I walked slowly upstairs. Carden wasn’t drunk he’d just remembered some silly childhood joke that he now understood and couldn’t get over how long it had taken him to get it.
In the morning I rinsed my face off and went for a walk to see the flight conductor for schedules and prices. The tower keeper, Geldhun, seemed a nice fellow, the prices were a bit high but I should be able to afford it if need-be. Then I wandered over to the Quiet Landing and on up to the boat piers, careful to stay clear of the town hall and my old house. I spoke to a deck-hand by the name of Iker from the ‘Blackbone’ and then to Captain Dynin from the ‘Sailors Jest.’ Those were much more in my price range, especially as I demonstrated that I could hold my own as an additional deck hand. I was surprised and pleased to hear that Mattin had become Captain of the ‘Blackbone’ last year. That could be an interesting reunion. As I came out onto the deck of the ‘Sailors Jest’ I recognized a voice nearby. It was Gelund and Mattin discussing some shipping arrangements. I continued to engage Captain Dynin in conversation so I could hear more of what Gelund and Mattin were talking about. Gelund was unhappy with the per crate price that Mattin was asking and that he could carry more than the small number he’d quoted. Mattin proceeded to inform him that due to the roughness of the seas at this time of year the load had to be lighter, more tightly secured and that the risk to ship and crew was greater.
Then Captain Dynin startled me when he spoke “If you would like to hear more of their conversation, we could meet at the ‘Warriors Flagon’ and hear much more of the local color.”
I clumsily put up a front to cover myself but agreed to meet him there tomorrow at even-start.