The Elder's Curse by Andrew Walbrown (superbooks4u .txt) 📗

“That is the smell of ebonbrier pipes,” Tomo replied. “They are quite popular in the milkhouses of Yawan. Ah, here we are.”

They stepped out of the alleyway and into a courtyard where over a dozen Kalikkis sat in the shade of pomegranate trees sucking on strange-looking pipes. Presiding over the courtyard was a building that Ulam thought looked like a tavern, a small bee painted on the sign hanging above the doorway. The face of the building had four windows, from which Ulam could see groups of Kalikkis sitting on pillows inside sharing bowls of milk. He could not help but groan at the sight of the beverage. It was not that Ulam hated milk, but after drinking so much with Bati and Buri in recent days, he would have been happy to live a dozen lifetimes before tasting it again.

“The Sweet Bee Milkhouse,” Tomo said as he maneuvered around the bands of Kalikkis watching intently. “And the things you see these kids holding are ebonbrier pipes. I loved them as a youth, but I am too old and my lungs are too weak to enjoy such things now. Here, try some, perhaps you will enjoy it too.”

Using his influence Tomo was able to acquire a pipe from a nearby Kalikki, who was more than willing to accommodate them. Amantius put the pipe to his lips and inhaled first, shrugging after he released the white smoke from his lungs. He then passed the pipe to Nilawen, who made a sour face as she exhaled, much to Tomo’s amusement. Lastly, Ulam received the pipe, put it to his lips, and took a deep breath.

This is not so bad, he thought as his muscles began to relax, I actually rather like it. It tastes like blackberries. Maybe I should buy one.

“May I have my pipe back?” The Kalikki on the ground asked. “Ebonbrier is expensive for a poor farmer like me.”

“My apologies,” Ulam said as he handed the pipe back to its owner. He pulled a few copper coins out of his pocket and gave them to the Kalikki. “Will this cover the amount I consumed?”

“That’s more than plenty,” Tomo replied for the Kalikki. “Come now, the day is more than half over.”

The Sweet Bee was a boisterous place, filled with Kalikkis relaxing on silk pillows sharing gossip over bowls of milk. When they first entered, Ulam heard many conversations in his native language, but as more and more Kalikkis noticed them the words slowly changed to that of the Yawani tongue. People politely parted for them as they headed for the back of the milkhouse, some of the older patrons greeting Tomo along the way. Some of the more courteous Kalikkis offered the outsiders bowls of camel’s milk out of good faith, which the group accepted graciously. Even Ulam, who despite his initial reluctance, drank every last drop from fear of offending the generous milkhouse patrons. Gods. Please. Stop. No. More.

“Greetings Mezi,” Tomo said as he approached the countertop. “How is the family? Healthy I hope.”

“They are,” Mezi replied. He was an older Kalikki, though not as old as Tomo. “My six kids are driving me insane, but thank Eemoneem for my wife; I have no idea what I would do without her. I assume Bati and Buri are still well?” He looked over Tomo’s nodding head at Ulam, Amantius, and Nilawen, a quizzical look showing on his face. “You keep strange company these days, old friend. What business do a Kalikki, a Nogoon, an Elf, and an Emberi have in the Sweet Bee?”

“I am looking for Kona,” Tomo said, “is she here today?”

“Where else would I be?”

Ulam turned to see a Kalikki approaching from the entrance. She was the same height as the rest of her people, with gray fur and long, wavy chestnut brown hair that poured onto her shoulders. She did not wear the same relaxed robes other Kalikkis wore, but a well-fitting white linen tunic and baggy trousers. Though she had a smile as pleasant as a sunset and the kindest of eyes, Ulam recognized a hardened quality about her, like someone whose childhood had been cut short by adversity.

“At home with your husband, perhaps?” Tomo offered. “After all, you are newlyweds.”

Kona shrugged. “Seto is at work; being Head of the Council Guard does not give him much time at home. What would I do while he is gone? Besides, you came here to see me, so you knew I wasn’t there.” She walked to the counter, passing Ulam and Amantius without giving them a second look, and dropped a package in front of Mezi. “Here’s the shipment of ebonbrier you wanted. There’s some fairymoss in there too; I got a good price on it.”

Kona turned and looked at Tomo, then Ulam and Nilawen, before finishing with Amantius. She flashed a frown for a quick second before recovering, and then returned her attention to Tomo. “Do I want to know why you have brought them here to meet me? You remember Seto hates Emberis, right?”

“I’m not an Emberi,” Amantius muttered, frustrated.

Tomo raised a hand. “He is not an Emberi, Kona. He is an Accarian, as is the Nogoon. They are from an island in the ocean, far away from here. And yes, I remember your husband’s particular…stance…regarding Emberis.”

“It makes no matter where they are from, Seto hates them all.” Kona replied. “Which has always seemed silly to me, but that’s a different topic for another time. So, what business do you have with me?”

Tomo explained his proposition to Kona over a bowl of camel’s milk, Amantius and Nilawen drinking some as well. Ulam listened from a nearby pillow, hoping to avoid consuming any more milk. While Tomo was speaking, Ulam asked a nearby Kalikki where he could buy ebonbrier supplies, and even considered leaving the Sweet Bee to go find one. Ultimately he decided against such an excursion, realizing Yawan was a huge city and wandering it alone