The Goblets Immortal by Beth Overmyer (highly recommended books txt) 📗

“Your first visit here, I take?” said the girl, her skirts again brushing his leg.

Aidan tipped his hole-riddled hat. “Just so. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ladies, sir, I’m in search of lodgings for the night.”

“The Firestone Inn is run by me father,” said the girl with a giggle.

The look shared between the counter wench and the fat old man did not go unnoticed by Aidan. What were they up to? Something underhanded surely was going on.

The girl coughed delicately and moved toward the door. Before Aidan could get ahead and open it for her, the young woman turned to him and blurted out: “Would you mind very much escorting me on some errands, Mr. Powell? I’m afraid there’s been some disturbances lately, and it ain’t suitable for a lady to be out on her own.”

The fat old man hid a chuckle as another cough, and only then did it dawn on Aidan that the girl just might be setting her cap at him. Was there anything in the laws of social etiquette that would allow him to politely decline such a request?

Mercifully, a young man entered the bakery at that moment, pushed past Aidan, nodded to the girl with a smile, and made for the counter. “One of my beaux,” she whispered to Aidan, to his relief. “Best not let him see us walking together, Mr. Powell. He’s got a jealous streak; don’t want him throwing a fit.”

Aidan gave her a look that he hoped was good-natured, bid them farewell, and left the shop behind him.

When he emerged, he found Slaíne standing right where he had left her, scowling.

His eyebrows shot heavenward as she thrust the coins back into his hands. “And it’s good to see you, too.” Aidan sighed and tried giving the money back to her without causing a scene. “I don’t take back what I give. These coins are yours.”

“I didn’t earn those.”

Was that all? He laughed and led her away from the sweets salesman, who eyed them both with distaste. “Slaíne, look at me.”

She did, her nose wrinkled up. “What?”

“I didn’t earn these coins, either. They came from the sale of my family’s estate.” That didn’t seem to change her opinion about taking the money from him. “You should have something to spend. And besides, you have earned it.”

Her look challenged him. “Have I now?”

They’d come upon a dress shop with ready-made dresses on display in the window. There were pinks and greens and all sorts of frilly, lacy things that women were supposed to love. But Slaíne kept walking even when Aidan stopped, seemingly oblivious. “Here, take these coins and a few notes and buy three dresses.”

It was her eyebrows’ turn to shoot up to her hairline. “What? Blimey, no.”

Knowing it would only irk her and hinder his cause, he suppressed the smile he felt forming on his face. “Here.” He reached into his pocket and Summoned several larger notes from Nothingness, which he thrust at her. “Find yourself three or four ready-made dresses. Goodness knows I’m tired of people wondering why you’re in slacks.”

“If’n it bothers you,” she said warily. Without finishing the thought, her hand flashed out and she snatched the money. Only then did Aidan allow the smile to break. “Don’t know what the ruddy big deal is.”

“Thank you.”

“They probably won’t let me in, an’ you neither. We both smell wretched.”

Aidan hadn’t thought of that. “At the inn, I’ll call for a bath for you— While I wait downstairs, of course.”

She snorted. “Don’ need no washin’.”

“Quit dawdling,” he said, beckoning toward the shop. “I’ll be just here. Fetch me if you need more money.”

With a low growl and a few more muttered words, Slaíne left him and entered the shop.

Aidan waited the better part of half an hour, and still she did not emerge. He resisted the urge to peer through the window, quite aware that the girl was nervous and didn’t need him putting his nose in where it was unwanted. So instead, he explored the stands to the side of the building. He was certain not to roam too far. There was still the curse, which latched them together, wanted or not.

“Definitely not wanted,” he said, causing the fruit vendor to back away a little. It was just as well; fresh fruit wouldn’t last long for his money, anyway, and wouldn’t fill a belly like meat. Aidan moved on to the next stall, which sold roasted nuts.

“How much for these?” Aidan asked a bored man in ratty clothes that smelled of burnt wood and silt.

The salesman took his time answering, sucking on his teeth and curling his beard between his fingers. A near two minutes later, it would seem, he at last answered the question. “Which ones might you mean?”

Aidan gestured to the mixed nuts. “These.” He felt another human Pull coming his way, and paid it little mind. He was used to Pulls, so it was only natural to ignore it.

“How many for these…plums are they?” asked a woman. Her voice was familiar and almost made him turn to glance, but the nut salesman was speaking and won Aidan’s attention back.

“They’re not for sale.”

Aidan stared at him for a moment, weighing whether or not the man was serious. “Sir?”

“They’re not for sale.” He removed his cap and wiped the sweat from his brow. “Got anything worth trading, though? Don’t take money from strangers. Could be counterfeit.”

Aidan nodded. “I see. I have a saddle….” In Nothingness, you idiot. Are you going to Summon it in front of him?

The man raised a brow at Aidan and smirked. “No horse?”

“Dead.”

He scratched his scruffy beard. “What sorta feller lets his horse die?”

Aidan resisted the urge to argue and stated, “Goblin ambush.”

That drew a low whistle from the rough salesman, who replaced his cap and drew a filthy rag from his pocket. “Can I give you some friendly advice, m’lad?” He beckoned for Aidan to lean in before continuing. “Leave this town as soon as possible, a’right? There