The Grey Pearl (Of Caladuin: Volume Two)

8

Caladuin rose as the elleth strode across the room. A Falathel with dishevelled brown hair and green eyes followed her. He wore a knee-length light brown tunic with green hose tucked into deer hide boots. Caladuin noticed a small cut on his left cheekbone.

Condir stood and held his arms out in welcome. "Come Tathariel. Sit." Caladuin eyed her as she accepted the invitation.

"Well met, Sire," she said, taking a beaker of water from Condir. "Thank you. I came across Noenion at the harbour."

"Ah yes. I was wondering where he had got to. Hanging around the tavern again, I warrant."

Noenion stepped forward. "Sire, I –" He moved around the table and stood at Condir's shoulder.

But Caladuin was more interested in the elleth. Her black eyes darted around the room, glistening like polished jet. She wore her silver hair in a bob, which she held back with a black tie. Her long tunic, hose and cloak were of the same shade of grey-blue and her boots and jerkin were cut from the same dark blue leather. Her disingenuous demeanour showed that she did not wish the others to know that she had already met him. For whatever reason, which he hoped would be explained later, he decided to play along.

"This is Caladuin," Condir said. "An emissary from Eglarest."

Caladuin leaned over and held out his hand. "Well met, elleth."

She had a firm handshake. "An Elf of Ossiriand in the service of Lord Círdan?" She was pretending to be impressed. "You are here to help us with our investigations, I hear."

"I am looking into the disappearance of an envoy of Menegroth. Lethril Cennaniel."

Condir sat forward. "I had no inkling that she was in the service of the King."

Caladuin glanced at the Governor, ignoring the lie. "Lord Círdan has not heard from her of late."

Presently, there was movement at the top of the stairs and the servant brought a silver platter of oysters and a basket of bread to the table. He was followed by another, carrying a decanter of wine and goblets.

"Aah!" Condir sat forward but then stiffened as he stared at the platter. "You expect us to shuck our own oysters."

Caladuin watched Tathariel and Noenion as they exchanged embarrassed glances. The servant hesitated but then bowed apologetically and took the platter to one side. The second servant replaced the ewer of water with the wine.

"No matter," Condir exclaimed, picking up a slice of bread. He sat back in his chair. "Tell me, Tathariel. Where have you been these last six erielin?"

"I was called away to my homeland, Sire."

"Oh? And what news from Arvernien?" He chewed on a crust.

She bowed her head, brushing something unseen off her knee. Condir picked up on the gesture and changed the subject. "Let us speak of other things. Noenion, tell our Laegrim cousin what we know of Amlug."

Noenion cleared his throat. "Yes, Sire." He turned to Caladuin. "This Amlug is of interest to us. A Dolenel from the Deep Forest. He is in exile on a small island to the south of Balar. Or at least, we think he is. The island is heavily guarded by Dolendrim mercenaries."

"In exile, you say," Caladuin said.

Tathariel answered: "We believe that Amlug was a member of a bandit clan; he stole money from his chieftain. He escaped to the Falas and bought this island. What his affairs are there we do not know."

Caladuin turned to the Governor. "Lord Condir, I would very much like to see all the records you have of Amlug's activities."

Condir looked up at Noenion. "Are you going to stand there until star-set?"

"Sire?"

"Bring the papers."

Noenion gave a stiff little bow then shuffled towards the stairs.

"I will share all that we have," Condir said, bowing his head.

"We have learned that smugglers are operating within the town," Tathariel said.

"Smugglers operate all along the Falas," Caladuin interjected. "From here to Nevrast."

The Governor accepted the tray of shucked oysters from the servant and waved him away. "But it is what is being smuggled that is interesting." He made room for the tray in the middle of the table and took an oyster. After slurping it down he took a long draft from his goblet.

His obvious reticence to continue was broken by Tathariel. "There are certain parties, green-leaf, who are smuggling pearls out to Pîn Balar."

"To Amlug's island? From where?"

"That we do not know," Condir said. "But there are frequent, if not regular shipments."

He addressed Condir. "An island surrounded by oyster beds is in need of pearls." The Governor shrugged then leaned forward for another oyster.

The doubts grew louder in Caladuin's mind. "No matter," he sighed, turning to Tathariel. "Perhaps you might tell me where I can find the house where Lethril was living."

"Of course. I will take you there now."

At this point, Noenion walked into the room and round to Condir's side.

"Well?" the Governor snapped.

"They are missing, Sire."

"What do you mean, missing?"

"I placed them in the strongbox. But they are gone."

"Another thing you should know about the Dolendrim," Tathariel said, reaching for her wine. "They are excellent thieves."