Chapter 9

Kael pulled the girl along. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but he figured that getting a move on was preferable to standing idle.

The juvenile was rather proud to be trusted to go off on his own. Even more so that he'd also been entrusted with the care of one of his brother's most valued possessions.

He glanced down at the object in question; Kirik's ring gleamed brightly on his finger. His elder had had it for as long as he could remember. In fact, it was the only one of its kind in the entire Great Glacier.

Pausing to glance about, he idly wondered where his brother had acquired it. The elder had never offered to share that particular story. Made sense, though, that Kirik be the bearer of such a thing; he made excellent use of it while an interrogation was in progress. Quite a handy little item indeed.

"Brat," he began, still peering around doubtfully.

Andi said nothing.

Brat!" He said again, sounding angry.

Andi still didn't respond.

"Answer me when I address you, " he snapped, giving her another brisk shake.

"That isn't my name, " she muttered, staring at her feet.

Frustration stabbed at him; unable to understand why she was inclined to be so obstinate. He chose to ignore it, however. For the time being. "Have you ever been here?"

"No."

"Damn," he growled, rubbing a hand over his face. "And we've such a specific description to go on, as well," he continued sarcastically. "We're to look for a large black bird. A bird. You know, he does this to me on purpose. Deliberately makes things much more difficult than they have to be," he grumbled, disgusted.

Andi tilted her head, a bit taken aback at the obvious annoyance in his tone. For a moment, it almost made him sound human.

Surprised at this, she timidly ventured a suggestion. "Pogs said the captain was bathing. Maybe we should ask someone where the bath houses are."

He stared down at her, "what in the hell is a 'Pogs'?"

"Uhm ... he's the dwarf the wizard and your brother just got done talking to. He said his name was Pogs."

"What a terrible name. I almost feel badly for him," Kael replied, shaking his head in sympathy.

"Er ... I guess so." Andi continued to stare at him, still amazed that she was able to understand him so suddenly and completely.

"So ask someone, you say? Right then."

He glanced around briefly, a frown creasing his brow. There weren't many people milling about, being a bit late in the evening, but there were a few stragglers still wandering here and there.

"You there! Drunkard!" Kael shouted, waving his hand to catch the attention of a oldish gentleman stumbling along nearby.

The man didn't respond right away, only staggered slightly and let out a belch. Finally, he turned his head slowly and peered at the trio suspiciously, with one eye squinted shut.

" ... you ah -urp- talkin' to ... ah ... me?"

"Yes, you. Tell me where the bathing houses are," Kael responded in a haughty, commanding tone.

The man issued another hiccuping burp and tilted his head in concentration. "Bathing houses?" He finally managed to repeat. "Oh dear. Do I smell that bad?" He questioned, sniffing at his armpit.

Andi was vaguely amused but Kael grew impatient. "No! Not for you, idiot! We need to know the way."

"Ohhh," he drawled. "There's actually two of 'em here. Ones just down yonder, next to the bordello," he pointed to a side street. "It's hard to miss. The other is ... uhm. Erm..." He stumbled a bit and scratched at his temple in confusion.

Kael appeared irritated, "slovenly bovine! It's amazing you've lived as long as you have! Never mind! I shall ask another."

He started to turn away, then paused to consider something. "I very much doubt it, but have you by chance heard of some person called Sway?"

The drunken man chortled merrily and nodded happily, "of course I'm swaying! I'm soused! Hah!" After which, he fell over in a heap and began snoring loudly.

The juvenile stared down at him, mouth slightly open, "unbelievable."

Taters trotted over and sniffed at the slumbering man curiously. After a moment he sneezed and backed off; issuing a muttering bark before disregarding the drunk. This man was ill. The deep-inside kind of sick. Rotting. The puppy had no wish to smell such a thing for longer than he absolutely had to. Panting, he sat at his Girl's feet and stared up at her attentively, awaiting her next move.

Andi also watched the unconscious man, but a small, bemused smile danced across her lips; rather than a scowl.

Kael noticed and a frown creased his brow. "That is what you find appealing?" He sounded incredulous.

"No. I find it funny," she replied calmly.

"That is not funny. That is sad and pathetic only."

Andi shrugged and attempted to fold her arms across her chest. Kael still had hold of one and she shot him an annoyed glower. "Let me go. I'm not going to try and run off anywhere, and you're hurting me."

Kael immediately eased his grip but did not release her. The girl heaved a sigh and hung her head. As the juvenile began walking in the direction that the inebriated human had indicated, he frowned down at her again. "You behave very strangely for a female."

Andi tossed him a quick sidelong glance, a bit incensed. "I do not. You're the strange one."

Indignant, Kael issued a huffing sound. "You don't do as you're told at all. And you back-talk constantly. Most females would know better. Mine certainly do."

He slowed his stride to consider the buildings they were passing. The drunkard had said that the bath house would be hard to miss; whatever that meant.

Andi furrowed her brow but still kept her gaze firmly on the boarded walkways. "I don't have to do as I'm told."

The youngster appeared astonished, "is that so?"

A smile crept across his mouth, "If that is the case, I shall enjoy disciplining you immensely. You will make a nice little addition to my harem."

The girl's shock was evident, "I don't want to be in your harem! I don't want to be in anyone's harem!"

"I do not care about your wants."

Her eyes filled with tears again. She tried to hold them back but she felt them begin to slide hotly down her cheeks, regardless. The young Feylak didn't seem to notice as they strode past the various shacks and shops.

After she had gotten herself under control again, Andi morosely began to glance around at her surroundings. A hooting cat-call directed her attention over to a large, crimson building.

Four or five women with heavily painted faces were prancing about on the porch and wiggling their back-ends suggestively. Several more hung out of the lower windows, beckoning and making kissing sounds at the male passerbys. Next to that, a somewhat smaller structure was built, directly connected to the bordello. As she observed, a large cloud of steam billowed out from the open door.

"It's over there, " she said tonelessly, pointing with her free hand.

Kael glanced over and nodded after a brief examination. "So it is. Very good, Brat," he replied.

Several of the women who were milling around the whorehouse cooed and commented as they approached.

"Well, aren't you a big fella!"

"Isn't he, though? Do you think the rest of him is as big?"

"I'd wager my hard earned coin on it," the first answered, cheekily.

"Perhaps he wishes to show us?"

"Hee! Look! The little Miss with him looks soooo forlorn. Ohhhh, you poor, sweet, baby girl! Here, let me take your place!"

Kael grinned up at them, enjoying the compliments and obvious innuendos, unable to help himself. He was finding himself becoming more and more charmed with these little human females. Especially-

He shook his head sharply, then glanced down to regard the Brat.

"You see, there? They wish to be mine," he told her, smugly.

"They're whores! They'd sleep with anything if they're paid enough!"

He laughed, unperturbed, "you are a sass mouth, aren't you."

The girl shot him a forbidding glare and refused to comment.

One woman sashayed down the steps, smiling mischievously. "You two heading to bathe?"

Kael glanced over at her and winked, "we are. Want to join us?"

"No!" Andi cried.

The woman giggled at the girl's obvious distress, "I'd go in now, then. You can get a free soak since the owner is otherwise occupied at the moment. Damned miser charges far too much for a simple washing, besides. You want to be quick though, you don't have much time. He lacks the stamina, and won't be more than a few minutes." She glanced up at one of the windows and snickered again.

"Excellent," Kael replied, starting to drag Andi towards the entrance.

"Wait!" The woman shouted.

Kael glanced back, surprised.

"I thought I was invited?" She rearranged her pretty features into a pout.

Andi glared fiercely at her, "go away!"

The woman widened her eyes, "well, well! She's got some fight in her!"

"Another time, wench," Kael purred kindly. "I've business to tend to presently."

Still sulking, the whore inched her way back up the steps of the bordello and continued to observe them carefully.

Inside, the bath house was warm and moist. It consisted of an empty front counter and four rooms separated by partitions that were only built three-fourths of the way up to the ceiling. This design enabled the majority of the steam to escape out the front entrance and not overwhelm the patrons.

Only one of these rooms was shut; the other three doors hung wide open. Kael put his ear up to the closed one and listened for a moment. He heard nothing but the occasional splash on the other side. It seemed someone was making use of one of the tubs. He didn't much figure it would be this mysterious Sway person, but it wouldn't do to leave before making sure.

The juvenile was about to pound on the door, then hesitated. He and Kirik wanted this man to grant them a favor. Going by that logic, he figured it probably wasn't a good idea to rudely interrupt. Still though, whoever was on the other side of the door didn't seem to be in too much of a rush.

Kael let out an impatient sigh then glanced at the other three available rooms. He recalled the girl's hopeful look at the mention of a hot bath and had an idea.

"You wished to wash off, did you not? Well go on then, Brat. Have at it." He gestured towards one of the opened doors.

Andi was rather surprised at the offer, and a glimmer of eager anticipation flitted across her features. Almost instantly, however, her expression of sullen distrust resurfaced.

"You're teasing me," she accused. "You're not really going to let me."

He arched a brow, puzzled. "Why would I lie about something so simple as a bath? Go on," he said again, "we've until dawn. There is no rush."

She stooped down to scoop Taters up again, and appeared thoughtful. Andi absently stroked the puppy's head as she turned to consider the empty rooms. Kael watched her carefully, still not comprehending why she just didn't go ahead and go in. It was quite obvious that she wanted to.

"Well," she began slowly, "I guess so."

Kael issued a curt nod. "Good." He flapped a hand at her and hopped up onto the counter, taking a seat. "I'll even wait here," he said graciously, failing to mention it was to lookout for whoever was in the occupied room.

Surprised again, Andi nodded gratefully. She started to turn away then suddenly remembered a bit of what Horace had told her earlier that day. Something about being charming to make him do as she wanted.

"Thank you, Kael," she said softly, after a moment.

This time it was his turn to be taken aback. Gratitude was the last thing he'd been expecting from this odd, combative little woman.

"Of course," he replied loftily, affecting disinterest once more.

Anya chewed on her lower lip and watched as her sister was being dragged away. When she was finally out of sight, her shoulders drooped in defeat and despair threatened to overtake her. After a moment, she felt a hand clasp her shoulder comfortingly.

Horace clicked his tongue against his teeth in sympathy, "you two have never been separated, have you?"

She shook her head without comment.

The wizard hefted a sigh and nodded, removing his hand. "You needn't worry, I think. The juvenile will look after her well enough."

"How can you possibly know that? Just days ago he was threatening to run her through with those horrid swords he carries, " Anya snapped bitterly, her throat beginning to ache.

Horace hesitated before replying, "let's just say thaqt I know a thing or two about the Feylaks."

"How?"

The sorcerer merely shrugged mysteriously when Kirik cleared his throat and stepped in between the two. He didn't much like not being able to understand what was being said. Horace stared up at him candidly enough, a knowing smile stretching across his lips.

"Well then! We best be going, correct? Time is a wasting! Chop, chop!" He clapped his hands smartly and began to march off.

Anya stood rooted to the spot, still staring in the direction her sister had gone. With an irritated growl, Kirik grasped her arm and began pulling her along after Horace, much as Kael had Andi.

"I am not a dog that needs to led about, creature! Unhand me!" She shouted, wrenching free from his grip and giving him a shove.

He didn't budge, it was like trying to push a boulder. Frustration boiled over and she pushed him again, determined to at least make him falter.

Kirik arched a brow in surprised at her aggression, then cupped her jaw with a large hand and squeezed. Anya hissed in pain but glowered at him nonetheless. The elder waggled a finger at her warningly and shook his head.

"I am going to make you pay for all of this," she told him softly. Ice froze her tone, "just see if I don't."

Horace had paused to observe the exchange, eyes alight with curiosity. He'd been wondering when the older sister would show some sort of defiance. Curious as to how the elder Feylak would respond, he remained watchful; a small smile playing on his lips.

Kirik observed the angry little woman for several moments before easing the pressure. However, he didn't release her. Anya stood stock-still as the creature slid his hand down and curled his fingers around her throat. He didn't squeeze though, only seemed to be testing the texture of her flesh. The two gazed at one another, seemingly unaware of anything else.

This time, it was Horace's turn to clear his throat impatiently. Startled, they glanced over at him. He twirled his finger, borrowing Kael's gesture, and beckoned to them. Kirik seemed to consider something, then slowly took his hand away.

Anya felt the warmth of his skin linger for a moment or two, then slowly begin to fade. When it was completely gone, she clutched at her neck fretfully. The Feylak watched her closely, then grunted and gave her a slight push to get her moving. This time, she complied without incident.

There was silence for a brief period, then Horace began to prattle on to himself in an offhand sort of way. "You'd think someone would think to clean up this place. It'd very likely bring in more business. A bit sad, don't you think? That they've let this little harbor become so run-down?"

He gestured around to the assorted litter and ramshackle buildings, "really! A bit of paint and some thorough scrubbing and this place would come back to life? Don't you agree, Anya?"

When he received no answer, he glanced over at the woman expectantly. Anya glowered at him and only shrugged in reply. Kirik frowned at the two of them, but he didn't seem to be as suspicious as he'd been before at their chatter.

Horace pointed towards a small, ratty-looking shop that apparently sold bait, "just look. Would you buy something from a store that looked like that? I should think not. It's all about presentation. You know, Anya, I do believe that our large friend here has developed a soft-spot for you."

Anya shot him a startled glance but the wizard seemed to pay her no mind. Rather, the strange little man only pointed at another slumbering drunk who was lying out in front of another tavern. "Oh yes. Indeed he has. Why else would your sister still be alive?" His tone was still lighthearted and distracted.

The woman caught on and turned to look at where he was pretending to point. In response, she shook her head and affected an expression of disgust towards the unconscious drunk, "he needs the two of us, though."

Horace shook his head and paused, appearing to glance around in confusion. "I suppose we ought to actually stop and ask someone if they've seen a man with a black parrot hanging around here," he murmured to himself. "And no, he doesn't. He only needs you. Curious, isn't it, that not only is your sister still living, he has allowed her to bring the puppy along as well."