Nelina was confused when she saw Elian only bringing two horses instead of three. “Elian, how come we only have two horses?”
Elian handed the reigns of one horse to Nelina. “I suppose I forgot to mention that Adar doesn’t ride.”
Adar nodded with a slight smile.
“Why not?” Nelina looked between them.
Elian chuckled. “Because our friend here thinks the horses are not trustworthy,”
“Oh, alright,” Nelina mounted her horse and smiled at Adar. “I’ll stay slow for you Adar.”
The sun was beating down on the Northern Barracks while they made their way into the streets of Danthamore. The slave square was in its midday bustle as they passed beneath the massive gates of the city, they steered clear of the cliff side path, and instead followed the King’s road to the docks below. Everyone, including the apostates gave the trio a wide berth in passing as they continued on the King’s road. Nelina held her breath going by robber’s row and Adar kept a light jog by her horse until they arrived at the dock Sargent to leave their horses with him. By taking a shorter and more direct route the three made better time to the warehouse. One of the burly men out in front recognized Elian and Nelina from their last visit and quickly escorted them inside to Ned. Instead of going below, they walked to the back of the warehouse where Ned sat conversing with two other people.
Elian assessed the large burly man with the young small female companion who was maybe a year or two younger than Nelina with him.
Ned immediately stood up with a sweeping motion to the two seated with him. “Our friends and I have come up with a solution to get the Magus’s weapons off the docks. The apostates unlike the rest of us, are left alone to move about we could use them.”
Elian with a grunt looked to the bearded man, His height topped Elian’s with his arms at least the size of his upper thigh. “It must be your ship we’re talking about, what assurances are there that you can actually get it to where it needs to go?”
“No point in talking to old Garrett here, he’s just here for my protection.” quipped the young woman, standing a good hand and a half taller than Nelina. Her white blouse was hanging loose on her frame, with a long dagger sticking out from the top her boot. “I’m the one in charge with the ship Esmerelda.”
“You?” Scoffed Elian, and with that he turned his attention back to Ned while shaking his head. “She is a child.”
“My name is Oonie, and I’m a solid eighteen springs old and also a direct representative of King Vannis who wants to do a favor for this Magus of yours,” she hopped off the barrel she had been sitting on.
Elian was about to object until Nelina held up her hand.
Nelina looked thoughtfully at Oonie. “A favor for the Magus? It’s obvious she wants to prove herself to her King, I don’t think she’ll fail us.”
Elian quelled his objections, it was not as if there was anyone else to go to. “What’s your plan, then, Oonie?”
Oonie guzzled a drink from her wineskin. “My ship will need to set sail before the first days of summer. Sailing around the Horn of souls or through the salt marsh straights is not favorable with the harvest winds.”
“Good enough for me,” Elian’s eyes cut over to Ned. “What about these apostates?”
“A quack bunch, they worship the Magus, and are led by a man who goes by the name of Esau.” Ned shrugged, “He preaches to them to revel in pain and pleasure with a lot of humping.”
Oonie leaned against the barrel. “I still don’t know what the fuss is all about, seems like you can just walk em right outta here.”
“Well, you can’t,” admonished Elian. “Otherwise, we would have just walked them out.”
Oonie put her hands up, “Okay, okay, well, there’s a cave a good day’s ride outside of the city along the sea. I have men there, if these apostates can get these precious swords to that cave, I’ll take them from there and they’ll get to the Ruby Isles.”
Elian gave Oonie a stiff nod. “I pray you can woman or it won’t be a favor King Vannis gets, will it?” He glanced over to Nelina and Adar. “We need to get working on these apostates.”
Nelina and Adar nodded their agreement.
Elian cocked his head to Oonie and Garrett. “Good luck, and safe travels to you both.” He gave a curt nod to Ned. “We’ll talk later I’m sure.”
Nelina and Adar followed behind Elian after leaving the warehouse and making their way to the stables.
Elian turned around leading the three back out onto the docks. He hated sending a woman, especially Nelina to this Esau person. It was not because he feared for her safety, but because she would have to talk to Esau and negotiate without him there to help her or stop him from treating her with any disrespect. After going through the wharf, they came back to the guard post where they had left the horses.
Elian was well aware of his own position. “Nelina, I can’t go with you I’m the Captain of the City Guard I can’t be seen there. I also despise you talking with this rabid animal.”
Nelina pled with her hands folded to him. “Elian, C’mon, you can’t take this away from me, and besides, someone has to speak with him.”
“Yes, but it doesn’t have to be you, does it? I’ll get someone else.” He tried to take a couple steps forward, but Nelina clung to his arm.
“Wait, if you don’t send me it’ll waste too much time that we don’t have.” She hoped her logic would sway him and just in case it did not she went back to pleading with him. “Please Elian, I can do this, I swear I can.”
He sighed, “Fine-”
Before he could say anything else in her regular female fashion, she jumped to hug him beaming ear to ear, “Thank you, Elian!”
“Don’t thank me yet, I’m still not fond of this idea.” He turned to Adar. “I am without a doubt that she is safe with you.” He put his arm around Nelina. “You need to make sure that this guy feels like you’re the one in charge, barking the orders on behalf of the Magus.”
Nelina paid attention to everything Elian was telling her, “I will.”
“Good,” he gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “If you can pull that off, our Magus will be prouder than you can imagine at having this task completed.”
“I’m capable, and I’ll make sure Esau does what he’s supposed to, I’ll be okay.” Having the promise that Ru’ark would be pleased was all the motivation she required.