Blood of the Righteous

Who Are You Really, David?

It had cost him a silver, but David was once again playing with what he hoped would someday be his very own orang, playing keep away with a half an apple.

Lady Malceour walked into the room, amused at seeing her usually most challenging negotiating adversary playing like the kid she thought he was on their first meeting. "Having fun, Tanner?" she said with a grin.

David turned. "Oh, hi Kal!" The orang took the opportunity and snatched the apple out of David's hand.

"David, I have a question for you. Who are you really?"

David froze, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over him. He chuckled nervously. "Not sure what you mean, Kal."

Lady Malceour folded her arms and began pacing back and forth. David remembered that she only did this when she knew she had the upper hand.

"I'm glad you came back. I didn't want to do this in front of Karinga, or even Johan. Last week, I was negotiating with an emissary from Gylinia's queen, a Master Cohen."

David's anxiety grew to horror at the mention of his former teacher. He did his best to calm himself. "Never heard of him." He turned back to the orang, tickling it on the side of its neck.

"I'm not convinced. You see, up until him, I thought your style of negotiating was unique. And it was thanks to my experience with you that I made any profit at all in my negotiations with him! After we were done, I asked him if he knew you. He said no, that at his rates, he could only be afforded by nobility and royalty for teaching, and a son of a mere leather worker wasn't worthy of his attention. That and all of your obscure knowledge, the way you can do sums in your head, even the fact that you can read and write! I'm going to ask you again, Tanner. Who are you?"

David's hands began to shake. He withdrew them to his side to steady them, disappointing the orang. "I told you. My father is Michael Tanner from Northpoint. He owns a large tannery in the western section."

"Why would it be in the west of Northpoint?" Kal asked. "One would think his shop would be located near the port in the northeast of town so he could buy the cattle coming off the ship."

"My grandfather bought the land before I was born, so he doesn't have to pay rent. He has an arrangement with two pig farmers and he sells the carcasses to butchers. I've told you all of this before, Kal. He makes enough money to have me educated." David turned his attention back to the orang.

"David, I sent Johan to guard a shipment of weapons to Northpoint after my thumping at the hands of Master Cohen. There is no tannery west of Northpoint. Now, last time, who are you?"

Thoughts of undead and necromancers filled David's soul with terror. Would Kal sell him out if she found out who he was? He couldn't take the chance. It was time to leave. Now. He gave the orang one last scratch and stood up. "Well, then perhaps he moved or made enough to retire. I don't know. I haven't been home in many years. Well, if you will excuse me, Captain Karinga needs me back at the ship."

Kal gave him a doubtful look. She gave an exasperated sigh as David beat a hasty retreat out of her warehouse. She'd find out someday.