The Captain's Apprentice

CHAPTER FIVE

Tarren and Luc dined at the Devinernest Tavern. Tarren was old friends with the Tavern Master. He was always welcome here, and his identity was always kept a secret. To the Ringlanders, Tarren Cott was no one more than a wealthy lord of the land. But to anyone else, Tarren Cott was a dangerous name—Something to be feared.

Tarren cut his roast pheasant with ease. The skin was crispy, but the meat was moist. The salty juices filled his mouth and he savored every bite, not wanting to return to his conversation with Luc. They spoke of the assassination. It had been all anyone in the Kingdom could talk about for the past several days. However, anything that the Ringlanders spoke of was false or misinformed. Ringlanders loved to talk, even if they did not know what they spoke of. There had been a rumor that Casalt was behind the attack. Several people swore to the gods they saw shattered glass just beyond the castle walls. But anyone with sense knew the glass of Casalt could never break. Another rumor flying about was that Cringus, the late pirate King, returned from dead and tried to bring the Queen with him back to Ether. It was also false; another lie crafted by a housewife whose attention was kept only by her ability to create tales in her mind so she may feel the wiser when she speaks with the other wives of Ringland. Although, Tarren had to admit, it was a good lie. It combined drama from the past, Cringus's disappearance, with the tragedy of the present, the queen's assassination.

When his bird was cleaned from his plate, he took a swig of water to wash it down, and said, "Are you sure?" He kept his voice low as to not disturb the other diners that ate quietly at their tables.

"I spoke with Mariel Swan of the Queen's Council a number of times now, and I am sure she wouldn't lie to me." Luc's voice implied they did more than talk, "But from what she tells me, the Council knows less than us."

"And we know nothing." Tarren's temper flared. He wanted to stab his knife into the table and carve out his frustration, but he was in the company of the wealthiest Ringlanders, the ones who lived in the inner circle of Ringland, just outside the castle walls.

"Everyday we learn a bit more." Luc said, trying to be optimistic.

"And a bit less at the same time." Tarren snapped.

Luc took a bite of his bird. It was cold now, but the act provided a nice escape from his need to fill the silence.

"Excuse me, sir." The Tavern Master looked at Tarren with low eyes. His hand was out stretched and shaking, whether it was from the cool of the rainy night or out of fear, Tarren could not tell. In its clasp was a sealed letter. Tarren took it from him and thanked him for old times sake. They had grown apart over the years, but stayed close because of the Master's ties to the Order, and now stayed in contact because of Tarren's business in Ringland and recent elevation in status amongst the Order.

The letter was addressed to the Order, its envelope dampened from the steady down pour of rain that had plagued the city for the past several days. "It's from Cornelius." Tarren said with a smile as he broke the seal, expecting nothing less than a tale of success from his subordinate. He began to read silently to himself.

"Finally." Luc said with a bit of disgust, spitting out the bite of pheasant he had been chewing on. "That's another island for the Order. Which puts us... near one hundred. And that's the second one across the Tauskan Ocean—"

"Shut up." Tarren's voice cut hard through the quiet Tavern. His eyes ran through the quickly scribbled down words. "Damn it." Tarren did stab his knife into the table.

"What happened?" Luc said. Everyone in the tavern was looking at them now.

Tarren saw them staring at him—judging him. There was nothing he would rather do than slit their throats and burn their bodies. Why did they think they were better than him? Was it because they would never burst out in a fit of rage at a tavern and disturb the peace? No one in Ringland would ever do such a thing. Or was it because they knew who Tarren really was? It's not possible. Relax, Tarren. If they had grown up where Tarren had, on a pirate ship when every day could have been his last, they wouldn't be so judgmental.