Unspoken

Chapter 39 The eye of the storm

The sea city was used to seeing strangers, so one or two extra travelers didn't stand out.

Cezar and Marius made careful inquiries in the taverns and the harbor. They didn't dare ask direct questions. No matter how many foreigners frequented the city, people usually minded their own business.

So far, the investigation had given them nothing. The citizens were used to seeing traveler girls. Some of them danced for coin on a regular base, always guarded by their men. One more would hardly stand out.

"Perhaps Oszkar's kumpania was wrong," Marius said. They had been looking all day while the rest of the kumpania was camped a few miles fro the city.

"Perhaps they were already gone," Cezar commented, "it has been weeks." He sighed. "Perhaps we should go back."

"And what should we tell the others?" Marius asked.

"The truth," Cezar answered, "that we heard nothing." Though it didn't sit right with him. He felt responsible for Milena's disappearance. If he had allowed his son to marry her, would she still be with them? Now his son was gone too and his daughter kept crying. "Come," he said, "let us find somewhere to eat before we go." Since they were here now, they might as well gather supplies for the others too.

Marius nodded in agreement and the two turned onto a side street that would lead them to a tavern.

***

Katherine Goodwin, now Caldwell, wore a content smile on her face as she exited the dress shop. Another order had been placed and within a week three new dresses would be ready. She had tracked down the shop that Amelia Blackwood frequented and where Daniel had purchased the dress his gypsy infatuation had worn to Arabella's wedding. She would make sure her own dress would be far more expensive and exquisite. She would become the one they'd all look to for the latest fashion. And she would make sure they'd all envy her.

Her smile turned into a scowl when she noticed the man approaching here. He seemed equally displeased by her presence, but he still offered her his arm. "Another dress, Kat?"

"A woman can never have too may dresses," Katherine said haughtily, "and this shop is highly recommended."

"Really?" Jackson raised an eyebrow and smiled amused. "so it has nothing to do with the fact that this is the shop where Amelia Blackwood and her little gypsy friend bought their dresses?"

"Oh please," Katherine scoffed, "don't compare me to that gypsy wench. I am better than her. I am surprised you would even know where she shops."

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Ara shops there, Kat," he said as if speaking to a child, "we visited the city many times when she still looked up to me." He ended his sentence on a bitter tone.

"Aww," Katherine pouted, "is big brother out of favor?"

Jackson glared at her. "Watch it, Katherine, or we will see who will be out of favor."

Katherine gritted her teeth and turned away from him with an annoyed expression on her face. Why did he have to be such a bastard all the time? He knew very well their marriage contract practically had her at his mercy. Her eyes watched the passersby on the street. Married couples that looked at each other I adoration, business men on their way to work or pleasure, harbor rats trying to find their next target, courtesans flaunting their assets and beckoning sailors on leave, friends scouting the market in search of niceties to buy.

"Gypsies," Jackson said through his teeth.

Katherine looked up confused. He was looking past her and his eyes spelled murder. She followed his gaze and scowled. He was right. The two men across the street couldn't be anything but gypsies. Would she never get rid of them?