Doctor Abbott

Untitled Part 39

Mâvis finished up his meeting with the village smith and headed to Beatrice's to get measured for a new suit for the upcoming festival. He was exhausted by the night he spent in the courtyard training to relieve stress. Genevieve had tried to coax him to bed but he only stopped long enough to kiss her and waive her off, telling her he couldn't sleep.

On his way home he passed by a few merchants who were in heavy discussion on whether or not visit Abbott. Out of curiosity he started perusing their carts in an effort to listen in. One of the merchants stopped talking to offer the king his attention, "Is there anything of interest, sir?"

Mâvis picked up a bag of dried berries and handed the merchant a couple well crafted arrow tips as payment. "Your friend needs to see Abbott?"

"Yes, he wanted to get a visit in before the doctor leaves for his new home."

"Well then, what is his hesitation?" Mâvis opened up the satchel of berries and poured a handful into his palm before popping a few in his mouth.

"We were not sure if he was leaving before the festival or after, would you know?

Mâvis rolled a couple more berries between his fingers eyeing the merchant as he spoke. All his mannerisms indicated he believed what he was saying to be true. "I may not be very accurate on his plans myself. Perhaps you can tell me who told you of these plans?"

"The human was discussing the plans himself at the tavern the other day. Then he ordered some extra suppiles from myself and Bernard. I assumed it was for the trip."

The king offered the merchant another arrow tip, "If you hear anything else of his plans I wish to be informed immediately. I will cover your grain for the year on anything that you can prove to be correct."

The merchant lit up at the offer, "Of course, sir, thank you."

"What is your name merchant?" The king asked making exceptional mental note of what he looked like.

"I am Ian." He reached out to shake the king's hand and Mâvis ignored the gesture, instead pouring the rest of the berries in his mouth and leaving.

Not even an hour later Lúta appeared at the same vender cart looking for a snack to satisfy her cravings. She picked up a couple of sweet buns and some eggs to bake with. She paid with a few bear steaks and turned to leave when the merchant stopped her. "Lúta, when are you and Abbott leaving for King William's island?"

"I am sorry?" She paused looking around to see if any guards were near by.

The merchant continued as he pointed to the cart next to his, "It is just that Bernard was planning on a visit and wanted to know when would be a good time to stop in."

"We have no plans to leave that I know of. I do know my husband will be gone after the festival to collect some supplies he requested. He will be gone for the entire day so it might be wise to see him before then if it is something urgent." With that she left.

Ian had long since packed up and left when Kevin stopped by Bernard's cart looking for any new tools the tradesman specialized in. Seeing nothing of interest he turned to leave when Bernard stopped him. "Hey have you heard any news of when the doctor plans on leaving for King William's?"

The question stopped Kevin dead in his tracks, his rumor was panning out well. Venders have nothing better to do all day than gossip with each other. If one wanted to start trouble this was the best place to do it. "I thought he was leaving with the next merchant caravan after the festival. But it could just be tavern talk."

Bernard shook his head, "His wife says he is just making a supply run out to the beach."

"Oh yeah, a supply run. Because if you are one of the king's most valued employees you wouldn't disguise your attempt to leave as something like a supply run." Kevin's comment got Bernard thinking. Now it makes sense as to why the king would pay so well for this information. He must not have given the human permission to leave.

The vendor thanked Kevin before packing up his own cart for the night and heading to the palace. He waited patiently in the king's office, smiling as he stood when Mâvis entered, offering his hand to the king.

Mâvis ignored the offer, looking far less than amused by the vendor's presence. "You are here with news of the doctor's plans I take it?" Mâvis sat at his desk watching the vendor's mannerisms carefully. He took note that Bernards movements were already shaky and indecisive. "So then, you must have heard of the generous reward I am offering for information on this?"

The vendor rubbed the back of his neck as if to calm himself down, "Yes, I overheard your conversation with Ian. He had gone home already when this news came to me. I am only assuming the reward would stand. It is not my only motive in bringing you this information, sir. It just seems to me that you may not be fully aware of the doctor's plans, I feel duty bound to share what I have heard." The king's stare grew more intense as he sat watching the vendor fidget and squirm in his chair.

At least some of what the man was saying was completely made up, he was far too restless to be telling the complete truth. Yet his manners did indicate he had some solid information. Mâvis's patience was growing thin on trying to decide which part of the information mattered. He pulled out a voucher for grain and filled in the weight to be given and signed it. Then he let the document sit on his desk as he leaned back in his chair again watching the vendor with a vicious intensity. "So what is it you would like to tell me?"

Benard swallowed hard on his words before speaking, "The doctor is planning on escape after the festival. He intends to take leave with King William's caravan."

Mâvis took immediate note that the man believed his story to be true, "Tell me, vendor, what is your source for this information?"

"I thought it to be rumor sir, until Lúta confirmed it herself just this afternoon."

Bernard almost looked ready to jump from his skin as Mâvis snatched up the document from his desk and held it up to offer the vendor, "This should be more than enough to last you the rest of the year." Bernard reached for the paper and Mâvis pulled back on it just before he could take it, "Let this come with a warning, however. Should what you have told me prove in anyway to be a lie, I will kill you. Are we clear on that?"

"Sir, I swear I have told you everything as I have heard it." Bernard didn't hesitate as he accepted the grain voucher and left. Mâvis sat back in his chair stewing on the fact that the vendor's last words were solid in his belief.

Now he contemplated why. Why would Abbott do this when he had been given everything he needed and then some? Why would he betray his king, or his friend? But Mâvis knew the answer. Ben always said he served no one willingly, no one except for Lúta. Despite all he had done for the woman she despised her king and would do anything to get out from under his rule.

Still he could not break the nagging feeling that this was just not like Abbott. Sure he had secrets in the past, but nothing that would jeapordize their bond, or his own life. If nothing else there was one thing Ben had mastered since he arrived in this world and that was the art of self-preservation. The fool could talk his way out of practically anything at least until now, should this information prove to be true. Mâvis shoved himself off his chair and left to find his wife.