Chapter 16: Missing Children

I grinned as Ann walked into the room and Maria turned from the crib, “Ann how do you keep her from crying?”

She grinned as she stopped beside my wife and bent to rub my daughter’s back, “I have no idea my lady.”

Marie made a raspberry, “none of that.”

Ann laughed as my daughter stopped crying and I headed for the door, “I will leave this crisis in your hands.”

Maria laughed as I walked out and headed towards the city. Ann had been a godsend and my wife cherished her so when she asks me to look into something I had to agree. I stopped in the guard square and smiled at the half dozen guards standing around the prince. I started across, “sorry I am late.”

He turned and grinned, “the commander talked to someone and your maid was correct, children are going missing.”

He was growing taller and filling out. He was also carrying himself with more assurance. I clapped his shoulder, “and did you speak to earl Edmond?”

He grinned, “he and lady MacTav are betrothed.”

I nodded, “and countess Lariva?”

He laughed, “she was most eager to except Baron Mcpherson’s courting.”

I sighed and looked around, “that is good. I dislike seeing a woman hurt.”

He nodded and then touched my shoulder, “I have a young merchant who has seen your maid and wishes to pay her a visit.”

I looked at him, “she is still skittish but if he agrees to my wife or myself chaperoning them...”

He nodded and I turned, “now for the missing children.”

I left him and started for a tavern that was in the poor section of the city and in an alley. It was mid day so few men were here. The man I was looking for could always be found here during the day. I ignored the two toughs at the door and crossed to the table he was sitting at, “I need information David.”

He snorted as he sat back, “what makes you think I would tell you anything?”

I pulled my sticks and spun to lash out and strike one of the two men slipping up on me. He went down as the other paused and I jabbed a stick into his gut and then slamming the other stick along side his head. I turned as he fell but the man had not moved. I smiled and leaned on the table, “because if you do not I will take you as a child rapist.”

He licked his lips, “I have...”

I tapped a stick on the table, “the maid you are sneaking around with is young. Now you will tell me what I want to know and you will go to her father and offer her marriage.”

He nodded quickly and I smiled, “children are going missing.”

He blinked, “I do not...”

I tapped the stick again and he flinched, “okay, maybe I know something.”

I nodded and he looked around, “try the docks. There is a rumor someone is selling kids in Dynesty so they would have to be smuggled out.”

I put my sticks away and dropped a gold coin on the table, “go speak to the girl’s father and then go to Saloman in the merchant pens, he needs a clerk.”

I glanced at the two men on the floor before leaving and heading to the docks. I looked around before finding the old sailor in a grog shop. Of course he was drinking tea with an older woman who smiled at me. I sat and gestured to the serving girl before looking at him, “know anything about smuggling?”

He hesitated, “now thief taker...”

I held up my hand and handed the serving girl a silver, “for their tea.”

I looked at him, “there are children missing and a rumor of someone selling them in Dynesty.”

He blinked, “children...”

He looked at the frowning woman before looking at me, “go down almost to the wall and there is a large barge on a floating dock.”

I nodded and stood before heading towards the door. I looked back and saw him signaling to another man. The way down the dock was crowded and winding but I finally saw the barge and knew with one look it was what I was looking for. I started towards the floating dock and four large men stepped out to block the way.

One smiled with broken teeth, “private dock sport, beat it.”

I pulled my sticks, “not anymore sport.”

They pulled daggers as I continued to walk and jabbed towards one and slammed a stick into the head of another when he began to lunge. He fell and I moved back and to the right so the others would have to step on or over him, “when I find the children you will hang. The king is getting very tired of those who choose to harm them.”