Pledged in Blood - Chapter Forty-Three: Market (Patreon)

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Chapter Forty-Three

Market

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Long before we set eyes upon the market, the great din emanating from it made its presence clear. The cacophony of voices and sounds rolled down the surrounding streets like a noisy tide, bouncing between walls and buildings. The closer we drew to our destination, the more intense it became. The wall of sound was like a physical thing, oppressive, thick miasma we pushed our way through.

I flattened my ears back, and stole a look at my companions. Both gryphons carried on as usual. Their eyes darted and their ears swiveled as they remained attuned for anything suspicious. Ayrah waved to people and occasionally shared a word with those she knew. Nesh spoke with Nemos, laughing about something. Even Lir did not seem bothered by the ocean of voices, despite the size of urd’thin ears. Such loud, chaotic gatherings must have been normal for their society. How they could adjust to such a thing, I did not know.

At least the worst of my anxiety had fled. Between food, drink, and simply growing accustomed to all the people, I was a little more at ease. However temporary the reprieve, it allowed me to better appreciate all the strange sights on display. I tried to take as much in as I could, even if I did not always know what I was looking at.

Gas lamps on elegant iron poles lined the largest streets. Most of them were unlit during the day, unlike those at the plaza. Nesh explained pipes laid beneath the cobbled streets kept them fed with gas. He pointed out stone buildings housing great storage tanks, placed at evenly spaced intervals. Nesh also claimed the world’s greatest cities were making even more impressive advances in lighting.

Motorized carriages Nesh called street locomotives sat down another street. We had seen a few flying into the city, but now I had a much clearer look at them. They had large wheels, and padded seats. One had a boiler affixed to the back of it, while other’s rumbling internals were hidden. Smoke and steam poured from copper pipes. Drivers sat behind steering mechanisms and assortments of levers. According to Ayrah, the city had quite a few such mechanical marvels, but they’d ordered them to stay clear from any area where I was to be. Nesh explained there were many varieties. Some models were larger and heavier, designed for pulling cartloads or wagons filled with livestock. Others were smaller and quicker, meant to traverse city streets. The largest among them were intended to convey large groups of people around.

We soon reached the large, arched gateway in an old limestone wall served as the marketplace’s formal entryway. Faded lettering inscribed in the stone commemorated the town’s founding. Layers of pale green moss slathered the wall in patchy blotches, unbothered by winter’s chill. The wall encircled a vast plaza that probably once marked the city’s center. Adjoining streets emptied into the courtyard through the wall’s many gaps. Several nearby buildings incorporated parts of the historical barrier into the own construction.

Massive, ancient trees towered over everything. Some surrounded the plaza, while others stood between buildings. Many more dotted the market expanse, their gnarled roots crawling over cracked cobblestone. The oak’s barren canopies stretched like wooden skeletons across the many stalls of the market. The pines and junipers retained their vibrant emerald and blue-green hues, studded with cones and tiny blue berries.

The scene beyond the gates was chaotic, and swarming with people. Long, snaking lines of stands, stalls, carts, and wagons ran everywhere. Other vendors simply displayed their goods on rugs and blankets spread upon the ground. Pathways slithered back and forth. Some intersected one another, while others dead-ended into walls of merchant shakes and haphazard storefronts. One entire section was dedicated to cages filled with birds, and other small animals. A separate area held fenced off pens for larger livestock. Humans and other bipeds crowded every path. I was thankful I’d had time to adjust to crowds. I was also grateful for alcohol’s calming effects.

“This looks insane.” I glanced at Nesh. “You know that, right?”

Nesh merely shrugged. “It’s a bit crowded. Most markets are.”

Ayrah patted my neck, smiling. “Melakar loved this place. It was one of his favorite locations to visit.”

“Yes, I imagine it was.” I gazed across the area, imaging him sitting in some isolated corner, studying everyone. “All the people would have fascinated him.”

For a little while, I simply observed, as Melakar would have done. I was pleased to see a higher proportion of non-humans here, mingling with the packed crowds. A group of urd’thin ran an impressive, multi-level booth selling an immense variety of clocks, and clockwork toys. They scrabbled up and down ladders, fetching items for a sizable crowd. Other urd’thin had stalls selling cloth and beadwork, or offering exotic spices. In another area, they sold food from wagons or buildings built around trees.

A trio of va’chaak merchants had set up shop near the gate. They wore vibrantly colored winter-robes to protect themselves from the chill. Winter-robes were essentially blankets designed to be worn; the va’chaak version of a coat. Their long, finely scaled tails protruded from the back. The three of them stood around a wagon painted in cheery shades of blue and gold, like sunlight encroaching on the sky. They sold mats woven from large feathers and other materials. Beautiful murals were delicately painted across the interwoven feathers.

Near them, a half dozen gnolls had a booth. Their broad, canine-like head and muzzles stood out all the more given their height advantage over humans. The stout, thickly furred bodies of mountain gnolls reminded me of bears who learned to walk upright. They’d all adorned their fur with amulets and other decorations made from the bones and teeth of prey. Items both decorative and dangerous were displayed on their both. They sold intricately carved animal skulls and antlers, along with etched leatherworks, as well as knives, spears, bows and arrows.

Some of the non-humans had adopted the clothing styles of Nesh’s people. There were urd’thin in long gray coats with vests of gold and silver, elegantly tailored to their small forms. One wore a tall hat perched between his oversized ears, along with a tiny watch on a golden chain. A female gnoll wore a gorgeous purple and silver dress, not bothered in the least by the cold. Emerald-scaled va’chaak in thick coats and trousers browsed the stalls, tails adorned in glittering beads.

I was pleased to see so many other species accepted here. I wondered how many of them lived here, and how many came from the surrounding lands? Did they have their own sections of the city? Were they this welcome throughout Tivos, or only in the trading district? I wished to learn more, but for now it contented myself with the peaceful coexistence before me.

As my silent observation lingered on, I realized the others were likely waiting on me to proceed. I turned my attention to Ayrah and Nesh. “Where to first?”

“Tea.” Nesh crossed his arms. “Anywhere there’s tea.”

“Oh, I know the best place for tea.” Lir leaned over my side to speak to Nesh. “You ever had urd’thin black tea?”

Nesh shook his head. “I have not! But I’d be happy to try it.”

“Ayrah!” Lir called out to our host. “The Tea Tree!”

I tilted my head. “The Tea Tree?”

“It’s an urd’thin cafe.” Lir straightened up on my back. “That’s it across the way, in the big oak.”

I looked across the plaza, to where a large, semi-open kitchen was built across the sturdy boughs of an ancient tree. Slanted sections of tin roofing kept the rain and weather off the cookstoves, and the worst of the fire’s heat way from the canopies. Long, ramshackle piping directed smoke away from the tree. Several urd’thin in aprons scrambled around the kitchen, preparing tea, cooking food, and baking treats. Another operated a rope and pulley system, lowering orders down in baskets in exchange for payment.

“Well, come on then!” Nesh took the lead as soon as Nemos’s men cleared a path for us. “I’m dying for a cup.”

I padded after him, with the gryphons returning to their usual positions. “Are you that thirsty?”

“More like I’m that tiredall of a sudden.” Nesh glanced back with a smile. “That whiskey was delicious, but it certainly added to my fatigue.”

Ayrah led us around the outskirts of the market towards the café. It was slow going as people often stopped us to greet Ayrah. Others warily approached the gryphons and me. The bravest among them drew near enough to offer me condolences about Melakar. Word had spread quickly through town while we ate. I thanked everyone who spoke to me. Their genuinely concern was deeply touching. However, by then I lacked the emotional stamina for a lengthy conversation with strange humans about Melakar. I was secretly pleased most did not wish to hold protracted conversations. Blue Jay and Sparrow delicately shooed away the few who lingered too long.

Our military escort cleared a space for us near the tree housing the urd’thin kitchen. To make enough room, they had to move some of the tables and chairs set up for the Tea Tree’s customers. I did not like the idea of disrupting their business, but Ayrah promised to tip well enough to make up for it. Excited, chittering laughter from above told me the urd’thin didn’t mind my arrival, anyway. When the soldiers secured the perimeter, I settled onto the cobblestone, beneath the tree’s outstretched limbs.

Lir scrambled down and stood amid our group. “Alright, I assume everyone’s still too full to want food, but who else wants tea? Everyone?”

“Yes, please.” Nesh held up a hand. “Whatever you recommend, Lir, and thank you.”

Lir nodded once. “Got it. Who else?”

I glanced at Nesh. “I shall try whatever you get Nesh.”

“Sure.” Lir pivoted to the gryphons. “And for my beauties?”

Sparrow settled onto her haunches near me. “Whatever they’re best known for, and slightly sweet, if possible.” She flicked her wing at Blue Jay. “He doesn’t like tea, though, he’s a heathen.”

Blue Jay chirped at her. “Now, now, this is urd’thin tea. If Lir likes it…” He offered her a playful bow. “Then it must be good. Can’t be any worse than what humans make.”

“They also have coffee, sweet drinks, cider…” Lir ticked off a few fingers. “Nurek, that’s a sort of urd’thin beet sugar drink, they’ve got pastries-”

“Cider, actually.” Blue Jay puffed up his indigo feathers. “And a coffee, I think. Black as Ella’s heart.”

I flashed my teeth at the gryphon. “Impossible.”

“Coffee andcider?” Sparrow scrunched her face behind her beak. “I’ll never understand you. Besides, since when do you not despise either such beverage?”

Blue Jay waved a paw. “When humans make them? Yes. Urd’thin equivalents are better.”

Lir pivoted to Ayrah and Nemos, tail swishing behind her. “I know what you want, Boss. Nemos? You and the boys want anything?”

Nemos circled a finger in the air. “Tea for half, coffee for half. They can pick what they want.”

When all the orders were placed, Lir went to place the order. She stood beneath the tree, and the urd’thin workers lowered her a basket with some paper and a writing utensil. She scribbled down the order, and sent it back up. There was a flurry of activity, and before long they were lowering down baskets full of drinks. Nesh and Ayrah helped Lir distribute everything. Everything came in wooden vessels to help prevent breakage whenever things were inevitably dropped. The biped drinks were served in little cups and mugs, while the gryphons and I got bowls once more. Steam rose from everything in curling wisps.

When I had my tea bowl, I peered inside. The liquid was dark, with a slightly reddish tint. It smelled reminiscent of the tea Nesh made, but much stronger, with hints of spices and smoke. I touched it with a finger pad first to ensure it was not too hot, then carefully tasted it. The tea’s flavor was even stronger than the aroma, but with an underlying sweetness. I drank a little more, and found I quite enjoyed it.

“So?” Lir sipped her own, watching Nesh closely. “Whatcha think, Sharpshooter?”

Nesh ignored her new pet name, smiling at the tea’s taste. “It’s quite good. And quite strong, too. I don’t normally take it sweet, but it suits the flavor.”

“Yeah, you took that whiskey like a champ, so…” Lir shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d want milk or nothin’. We usually just like it with a sprinkle of sugar.” She took another drink, licking her muzzle. “We use beet sugar, usually, not quite as cloying.”

“Oh, yes,” Sparrow said, her beak half-hidden in her bowl. “This is quite good.”

“So is the coffee, actually.” Blue Jay gave a happy warble. “Stronger than humans make it, too.”

I cocked my head. “That is the bitter black drink, yes? Merchants through the valley occasionally brew it.”

“It’s certainly an acquired taste,” Nesh said, swirling his mug. “But so is tea, for some. I like both, myself, but tea will always have my heart.”

I glanced at Ayrah. Her beverage came in a taller vessel than the rest of us. “What did you get?”

“Nurek, with a splash of whiskey.” The way she smiled told me there was more than a splash in it. She offered me the tall cup to sniff. “You’d probably enjoy it.”

The liquid smelled sweet enough to muffle the scent of alcohol. “It smells like those treats you used to purchase from the urd’thin traders, when you lived with Melakar. Perhaps I will try it next time.”

“Ooooh.” Ayrah cooed, glancing at Lir. “Do they have any of those vanilla molasses cookies?”

Lir shook her head, muzzle twisting up. “Nah, already asked. Sold out.”

“Damn.” Ayrah grimaced, turning towards me. “They make a version of those at the Tea Tree, but they’re always sold out by late morning.”

“How often do you have urd’thin through the valley, Ella?” Nesh blew into his mug, cooling his tea. “It seems like a more regular occurrence than I’d realized.”

I took another drink before answering. “Used to get trading caravans passing through every few months. Lately, it’s only yearly, at best. Urd’thin, and otherwise. There are fewer dragons for anyone to trade with, and more…” I glanced towards the soldiers coming to select their drinks. I chose my words carefully, not wanting to be misconstrued. “More disruptions to all the old trade routes.”

“Ah.” Nesh stared at his tea, sullen. “That’s unfortunate.” After a moment, he brightened. “Still, at least they still make it through now and then.”

“That is true.” I turned my attention towards the urd’thin among us. “Lir, on a related subject, have your people lived in this city a long time? I am pleased that there are so many of you.”

For some reason, that made Lir laugh. “Me too!” she said, shaking her head. “And we’ve been here since the city was founded. At least a few of us, anyway. A lot more have emigrated here over the last generation or two. Frontier cities like this can be a little more…” She pinned her ears back. “Well, let’s just say we ain’t exactly popular in a lotta Diandrios’s interior cities. I hear it’s different in Shevar, but…” She shrugged. “It is what it is. Still better than when my grandparents were pups. Especially here in Tivos.”

I glanced at Ayrah. “I imagine reaching a position of power helps.”

Lir set her cup on a table to adjust her coat. “It doesn’t hurt. Ayrah’s helped pass some city laws to make sure we get treated fair. We’d better off here than where your boy-toy’s from.”

Nesh coughed, covering his face. “Not you, too.”

I looked between them. “What does boy-toy mean?” When I said it aloud, it clicked in my head. “Oh. Like a concubine, yes?”

Nesh reddened, rolling his eyes. “Something like that. Which, I should like to remind Lir, is not what I am.”

“Well, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” I smiled at my favorite human. “You’ve plenty of time to earn your keep.” Then I flattened my spines back. “So, do your other cities not treat Lir’s people as well as Tivos does?”

“That’s a complicated question.” Nesh scowled, sipping his tea. “Some cities do, some don’t. Others treat them outright poorly. To be fair, we treat humans the same way. The wealthy get anything they like, while the poor live…” He waved his hand. “Well, you saw all those shacks outside the walls. I, for one, wish to see everyone treated with respect and kindness, but-”

“Other than we demons, right?” I snorted, flicking my tail tip.

Nesh glared at me. “Ella, do you want a serious answer? Or do you just want an excuse to make sarcastic remarks about my society?”

I shrugged my wings. “Can’t I have both?”

Nesh sighed, shoulders sagging. He turned towards Lir. “You knew Melakar, right?” Nesh waggled his cup at me. “Was he as bad as she is?”

“Not usually.” Lir retrieved her cup and took a drink. “He just liked to ramble endlessly, whether or not you were actually listening.” She licked her alabaster and ash colored muzzle. “What I think your sex doctor is trying to say-”

“I am not a sex doctor!” Nesh glared at her, narrowing his eyes. “Not that I don’t have all the necessary experience.”

Lir perked her ears, grinning? “Oh yeah? Good to know.” She put her cup down, folding her arms. “Jokes aside, Nesh’s people haven’t treated urd’thin well, historically. Or anyone else, other humans included. But what else is new in the world? Urd’thin clans used to fight all the time. Gnolls war with each other, you dragons battled with gryphons. Everyone’s done cruel shit to everyone. So the way I look at it?”

Lir glanced between Nesh and me a few times. “We’re all better off trying to respect one another in the present than we are worrying about how we’ve been treated in the past. And I mean everyone, not just urd’thin and humans.” She held her hands up. “I know it’s probably too easy for me to save that, given where I live now.” She flicked her bushy, gray-tipped tail. “But I grew up in poverty, just like most human-city urd’thin. Turned to thievery just to eat.” She slapped the back of a hand against her palm. “I know what that’s like. Now, here in Tivos, things have improved for urd’thin. But in the capital?” Lir turned to Nesh. “I bet most of them still live in the slums, right?”

Nesh scowled over his tea. “Unfortunately. I rarely saw them while I was schooling, there.”

I canted my head, gazing down at Lir. “You said earlier it was different in Shevar. Did you mean they treat your people better?”

Nesh huffed, rolling his eyes. “Knowing Shevar, they probably conscript them.”

Lir finished off her tea, gesturing with her empty mug. “You’re half right. They do get treated better. Shevar allows urd’thin into their academies, their mechanical training schools, their employment programs, and so on. But as a result?” She shrugged and swished her tail, setting her cup down. “They’re often willing to join their military in return.” She retrieved her pistol and made a show of twirling it around her fingers. “Or so I hear.”

Nesh raised his brows. “Is that where that Shevarian revolver came from?”

Blue Jay set aside an empty bowl, staring at Lir. “You’re a very valuable little agent, aren’t you?”

Lir scrambled up my leg, returning to her spot upon my back. “I have my moments.”

“More of them than she’ll ever admit,” Ayrah said, collecting empty drinking vessels. She returned them to the basket beneath the Tea Tree. “Everyone just about ready?”

Nesh shared a concerned look with me, and I wondered if Ayrah was purposefully cutting off the discussion at that moment. If Lir served her as a spy, I doubted she wanted that discussed publicly. Nesh must have come to the same conclusion, because he questioned Lir about her pistol no further. Instead, he helped Ayrah return all the drinkware to the café.

He called up to the tea shop staff. “Excellent tea!”

The urd’thin hauling up the basket offered a bow. “Thank you!”

If that was custom, I did not wish to be rude. I raised my voice to the kitchen in the tree. “It was very good! Thank you.”

A round of happy, chittering laughter reverberated inside the shop. Four different urd’thin all their heads out to smile and wave at me, thanking me for my visit.

When Nesh returned, he gazed up at Lir. “Does Shevar really allow urd’thin into their academies?”

“Sure do.” Lir rested her pistol across her arm. “Gnolls, too. Anyone, really.”

“Fascinating.” Nesh tucked his hands into his coat pockets. “I must admit, I’ve yet to see that happen in Diandrios, though I certainly hope to.”

“That’s not all.” Lir tapped her head just beneath a horn. “I also hear that Shevar’s secretly hired some brilliant urd’thin and kobold engineers from the Black Star Empire, and that’swho’s really behind their big advances.”

Nesh scrunched his face, rubbing his chin. “There are rumors they’ve sought help from overseas.” A smile cracked his face, and soon turned into laugh. “Oh, wouldn’t it be funny if a whole army of urd’thin and kobolds in tiny little airships flew all the way across the ocean!”

Lir glared at him. “Why would that be funny?”

“Oh…” Nesh swallowed. “That came out more offensively than I intended.” Nesh scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry, I meant funny in the adorable way.”

“Yeah, that’s way better.” Lir growled, shifting her weight. “Your boy-toy ain’t spent a lotta time talkin’ to urd’thin, has he?”

“You’re probably the first.” I chuckled, glancing down at Nesh, who reddened once more under Lir’s scrutiny.

“My apologies, Lir.” He pressed his hands together. “I did not mean it that way.”

Lir waved him off. “Yeah, I know, you’re fine, Sharpshooter. Thanks, though.”

Ayrah walked over to me, dusting off her hands. “Ready to head into the market, Ella?”

I nodded once. “So long as you are willing to take responsibility for anything I accidentally break.”

Ayrah cringed. “Then try not to break anything expensive.” She turned towards the gryphons. “While we’re in the lanes, why don’t I put you two on head and tail duty? Sparrow, you stay in front of her and keep the lane clear.” She pointed to Blue Jay. “You stay behind her, and make sure she doesn’t knock anything over with her tail.”

Blue Jay perked his ears, beak parted in a gryphon smile. “Oh, happily.”

“Too happily, I suspect.” Sparrow snapped her beak at him. “I shall keep watch on her tail. Kraas, go and keep the lane clear ahead of her.”

The indigo gryphon ruffled himself, glaring at Sparrow. “I’d have been perfectly professional.”

Sparrow squawked once, a derisive noise. She padded around behind me. “You’d have enjoyed the view far too much.”

“I can be professional andenjoy a lovely view.” Blue Jay walked around to stand in front of me. “Besides, Sparrow’s going to eyeball your haunches when you’re not looking, anyway.”

I tossed my head. “Sparrow is allowed to ogle my hind quarters. You’re not.”

Blue Jay flared his crown feathers. “Just try not to mishandle anything valuable, alright?”

“Careful how you speak to me when I’m behind you, Bird.” I lifted my spines, making a fist. “Or I’ll mishandle your valuables.”

“Ah, there’s the Ella I remember.” Ayrah laughed, indicating where she wanted Nemos to send a few soldiers into ahead of time. “There’s some lanes it wouldn’t be wise to squeeze you three into, but we’ll take you past one of Melakar’s favorites.”

When everyone was in place, Ayrah and Nemos led our procession into the heart of the market. Soldiers ran ahead, warning vendors and merchants that we were coming, pushing crows back into alcoves, empty spaces, and into side paths. Blue Jay followed Ayrah, making sure no one drew too near any of us without permission. Sparrow stuck just behind me, keeping my tail from straying too far to either side.

Now that I was in the market proper, I was reminded of the traders who used to crisscross the valley. They used to visit the little villages dotting the valley, to set up shop and offer all their goods and services. In the summers, the wandering merchant caravans gathered to socialize and sell to one another. They set up on shop on rugs and from makeshift booths, stands, tents, and out of wagon windows. Tivos’s market reminded me of that, but on a much grander scale.

Almost anything I could imagine was on sale, somewhere in this marketplace. One area sold metal and woodworks, while nearby were bolts of cloth and fabric alongside spools of thread and silk. An entire line of tents held aloft by elevated poles sold clothes of every possible style. A cluster of wooden stands sold pistols, rifles, and other less recognizable firearms. Several heavily armed guards kept watch. One lane I glimpsed dead-ended into a circular plaza, centered around a forge where a blacksmith was hard at work.

Eventually we reached a point where we had to turn onto another pathway. Ayrah made me stop and wait for Blue Jay and Sparrow to guide me safely around the narrow bend. At first I did not like the idea of having my movements steered like some wobbly hatchling. Frustrated, I lashed my tail. Sparrow squawked and snatched it with both forelegs, wrenching it backwards. I glanced back and realized she’d saved me from upending a table landed with fragile vases and other decorative. A human woman beyond it clutched her chest, staring at my tail with wide eyes.

I flattened my ears, bowing my head to the horrified human. “My apologies.” Then I slipped my tail free from Sparrow’s grasp. “Sorry about that.”

“Not as sorry as you would have been if you spent your whole supply budget paying for shattered vases.” She nipped my tail for emphasis. “Now you know why Ayrah put me here. Do mind you tail, dragon.”

“I shall do my best.” I licked my nose. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She waved a wing. “Now, follow Kraas’s directions. I shall guard your tail.”

Blue Jay turned towards me, his own tail carefully repositioned. “Alright. Come around slowly, Dragon. One step at a time. Keep your tail low, and let Sparrow guide it.”

The way Blue Jay moved amidst all the fragile merchandise was irritatingly smooth and practiced. Every little motion, every flick of his tail and shift of his wings ensured not a single feather drew too near any of the booths and stalls. I, meanwhile, found myself constantly glancing back at my surroundings with every step. Walking down the lane was easy, but turning onto another was surprisingly challenging. Lir stood up on my back to survey our environs and offer advice. In the end, Sparrow clutched my tail in a foreleg, literally carrying it behind me as I completed the turn.

“There.” Sparrow released my tail, calling up to Ayrah. “Let’s try not to make too many of those turns, shall we?”

“This isn’t fair.” I shook myself while I was clear of dangers. “You’ve all practiced this, but me.”

Blue Jay tilted his head, his crown feathers up. “I assure you, I’ve never practiced guiding a dragon through a cramped market.”

“No, but you two live in human cities.” I padded after him when the procession started forward again. “That counts as practice, because you already know to move among them.”

Aryah glanced back. “If it makes you feel any better, Ella, you’re doing better than Melakar’s first visit. He managed to take out an entire tent with his tail, and when he tried to pull it free, he put a foot right through someone’s table across the lane. Almost got himself banned from the market before he’d even seen the place.”

I laughed at the mental image. Poor, diplomatic Melakar must have been horrified to have caused such damages among his new friends. “I’m sure he managed to smooth talk his way out of trouble.”

“No,” Ayrah said, shaking her head. “His coin did that for him.”

We moved on to a new section of the market. Here, there were stands selling all sorts of preserved meats, and produce. Cured sausages hung from lines stretched between tall poles decorated with bunches of dried herbs. Jars filled with pickled vegetables lined shelves. Ayrah explained that in the warmer months, there was more fresh produce on offer. Further along, a fishmonger had tanks and barrels filled with water, and an assortment of live fish and other aquatic prey. Butchers chopped up fresh meat, haggling with customers over the prices of their finest cuts. Prey animals waiting to be cut apart hung in the back of small, brick buildings.

The scents were nearly overwhelming. The aromas of fish and river water from the fishmonger battled against the copper tang of blood and the inviting smell of so much fresh meat. If I wasn’t still full of Jero’s food, I might have to stop and partake in whatever prey the butcher offered. The smells of humans lingered everywhere too, of their perfumes and sweat and incense. By now the ever-present acrid tang of smoke was but a background note.

We made another turn, and this time I did not complain about the gryphon’s strict guidance. I did as they asked and moved as they suggested, despite the fact it made me feel less like a visitor and more some great cargo wagon being directed down a crowded street. All the onlookers staring at me certainly did not help. At least the process went smoothly this time.

The next area offered all kinds of services for hire. There were humans offering to mend clothing and shoes. Others offered repairs for damaged windows and rooftops or proclaimed experience in working with gas lines and water pipes. Another offered services with carriages, or street locomotives for hire. One surprisingly grandiose looking stall was hiring people for a trash collecting service. A group of elegantly dressed urd’thin wielding elaborate brushes offered full-service chimney sweeping and hearth cleaning.

It was easy to see why Melakar was so drawn to this place. Despite my anxiety about being around so many humans, they were fascinating to watch. There were just so many of them, doing so many things, all the time. Melakar could have written tomes on human behavior, just by observing this crowded market. They haggled and bartered, laughed and argued, and went about their daily lives in ways we could have never observed from occasional vassals alone.

Most of the humans and other bipeds stayed clear of us. Given the tight quarters, I was thankful. It was troublesome enough to get around corners without having to worry about trampling any of them. Those who did seem eager to approach were shoed away by the gryphons, or kept at bay by Nemos’s soldiers. Many of them just stood in place, watching us pass with wide eyes, or gestured at us while murmuring to their companions.

After another slow, careful turn, one of the market’s more unusual structures loomed ahead of us. It resembled a three-tiered pyramid, encompassed by a gigantic tent. The lowest story was the largest, an expansive wooden platform elevated by stilt-like structures at each corner, with more in the middle. A smaller platform was raised above it the same way, with a third again above that. Spiraling staircases and curled ramps led from one platform to another, as well as the ground. Immense rows of bookshelves lined each level. The great tent that surrounded it was a cheery blue color, painted with images of piles of books. A large sign proclaimed it to be The Forbidden Library. The sign depicted a tiny, dark-furred female urd’thin with her arms outstretched, comically trying to hide an enormous bookshelf behind her.

“Let me guess,” I said, calling out to Ayrah. “This was Melakar’s favorite place here?”

Ayrah laughed as she came to a stop. “However did you know?”

“Lucky guess.” In my mind, I saw Melakar struggling to browse the shelves without bringing the whole place toppling down. There was no way the upper platforms could have held his weight, so he would have had to squeeze in under the tent, and stretch his neck as far as he could to try and read the names imprinted on all the books’ spines. “It’s a wonder he didn’t accidentally collapse this entire structure.”

Lir patted my neck, laughing. “Wasn’t far from it, the first time. Guess who got sent in there to read out all the titles to him?”

I glanced back at her, grinning. “You must have loved that.”

“Oh, I got back at him.” Lir gestured at the top level. “I figured out where they kept all the dirty books, and read out the names real loud.” She made a show of clearing her throat. “Hey, dragon, was this the one you’re looking for? The Gryphon’s Rutting Game? Or was it, Genitals of the World? Oh, here’s that one you really wanted! Paddling the Dragon!” Lir cackled, her ears perked. “You dragon’s don’t embarrass easily, but the way people were staring at him then sure reddened his frills.”

Blue Jay warbled laughter with her. “Are you sure that was embarrassment, and not something else?”

I tossed my head, smiling. “Oh, Melakar certainly had a dirty mind, but he wouldn’t want his new human friends to know that. I suspect that was the last time he sent you on that little errand.”

“Last time he tried to get me to read out every book on a shelf, anyway.” Lir scratched an ear. “I got the owners to come out and talk to him, eventually. Once they got over being terrified.”

Nesh folded his arms, watching customers browse amongst the shelves. A few urd’thin in matching uniforms scrabbled up and down each level, assisting customers, taking money, and fetching requests. “Dare I ask if that’s where the name comes from? An especially large collection of…” He scrunched his face, lowering his face. “Pornography?”

“Nah.” Lir tucked her weapon away, climbing down my foreleg. “That’s just part of it. Gimme a minute, I wanna go say hi. Melakar used to come here a lot, so I should…” She hopped to the floor, her ears drooping. “You know.”

“I understand.” I looked behind myself to make sure I had room, then settled down on my haunches. “Nesh, do you wish to visit the library while we’re here?”

He rubbed his chin stubble, chuckling.  “This isn’t the library, Ella. This is a bookseller. They’re different things. You see a library…” Nesh trailed off when I only stared blankly at him. “Nevermind. I’d love to peruse their collection, but I’ll spare you the boredom for now, and come back another time.” He rubbed his hands together, his gaze wandering all the tomes. “I’m going to be there a while, after all.”

Ayrah grinned and punched him on the shoulder. “Cause of all the dirty books, right?”

Nesh winced and rubbed his arm. “Hilarious.”

I watched Lir approach the shop. A female urd’thin with very dark gray fur greeted her. Though I could not be sure, I guessed it to be the same urd’thin from the sign. Given the owner’s drooping ears and slumped shoulders, she had already heard about Melakar. She spoke with Lir, they hugged one another, and then Lir gestured at me. The owner stared at me, and I offered her a bow of my head. She returned it, and then took Lir by the hand and led her away. They vanished into a back room clever concealed by the folds in the protective tarpaulin.

“Was Melakar close with the shop owner?” I started curled my tail, only to feel Sparrow’s paws upon it. “Yes, bird, I know, I know.”

Ayrah shrugged. “I’m honestly not sure. He usually came here with Lir, during the day, when I was working. I know he used to order some rare books through her, though.”

“I see.” I scratched my neck with a wing tip. “Lir mentioned the owner was terrified, at first, so I just wondered if she ever overcame that.” I waved a paw at the oddly designed structure. “Why is it built this way?”

“I’ve no idea.” Ayrah shrugged, folding her arms. “Urd’thin seem to like elevated structures, as evidenced by The Tea Tree.”

“The lower level is probably elevated to protect the books from water when it rains.” Nesh indicated the stilts holding it aloft. “The tent will keep the elements off it, and raising it up like that will let the water flow beneath it. That’s my best guess, anyway.”

Lir soon returned, carrying a bundle of books nearly as large as she was, and with the owner in tow. The owner held a parcel wrapped in paper and twine. She followed Lir towards me, with her ears flat and her dark eyes wide and enormous. I offered her what I hoped would be a friendly smile, showing as few of my teeth as possible.

“Here.” Lir shoved the large stack of books into Nesh’s arms. “Make yourself useful, Genius.”

Nesh grunted, struggling to corral the suddenly wobbly stack. “Why should I be expected to carry your purchases?”

“Because they ain’t mine.” Lir jerked a thumb at me. “They’re hers, now. Melakar’s last order came in, and…” She sniffed once, turning away.

“Oh…” My heart sank, just a little. If things had gone differently, he would have been here now, instead of me. Collecting his latest books. Perhaps curling up with Ayrah, to read them. “Yes, thank you Lir.” I swallowed, forcing myself to maintain composure. “I will accept them, and offer whatever payment was agreed upon.”

Lir shook her head, waving me off. “Already paid for.” She glanced over at Nesh, still struggling to keep the books from tumbling out of his arms. “Oh, buy a pack or something.”

“I have a pack!” Nesh glared at her, then pivoted, glancing at the nearest stalls. “It’s with the rest of our gear. Maybe someone around here sells something.”

Ayrah summoned Nemos. “Have someone find Nesh something to carry all those books in.”

“Thank you, Ayrah.” Nesh tilted his head, trying to read some of the titles. The pile of books wobbled again, and he swayed with it, trying to stabilize them. “Lir, how did you carry this so easily?”

“It’s called balance, Sharpshooter.” Lir snorted, flicking her tail. “You might wanna look into it. Say, maybe one of those books will teach you how to hold something without dropping it.”

The owner came forward, lifting the package towards me. “This, too.” She offered me a timid smile, her ears still low. “Very sorry for your loss.” She had an unfamiliar accent, even for an urd’thin. I’d never heard its like among the tribes I knew, before.

“Thank you.” I dipped my head to her, then delicately took the offering. She squeaked and backed away quickly, practically hiding behind Lir. “What is it?”

“Another book.” She peered up at me past Lir’s ears, then spoke a few words in her native tongue. She waggled a finger at me, switching back to common. “Forbidden. Veryforbidden.”

Nesh passed his pile of books to a soldier who arrived, bearing a sturdy pack. He thanked the man, then dusted his hands off, and turned towards us. “Dare I ask what sort of lascivious misadventures and dirty pictures the old boy ordered, this time?”

The owner gave him a sly glance, one ear half lifted. “Different kind of forbidden.”

I passed the package to Nesh. “You’d better open it. I don’t want to damage anything.”

Nesh deftly undid the twine, then pulled some of the brown paper aside. He sucked in a breath. “Oh. Oh, my. This is forbidden.”

I cocked my head. “I thought she said it wasn’t something dirty?”

“It isn’t.” Nesh turned it over in his hands. “It’s blasphemous.” He scrunched his face. “Or at least, it’s been banned for blasphemy. I shall withhold my opinions for reasons…” He trailed off, glancing up at me. “That you and I discussed a few days ago.”

Nesh eased the book out of its wrapping, and held it up to me. It was wrapped in black leather, inscribed with silver spheres and interconnecting lines. My heart skipped a beat. I knew those symbols. They were the same ones Melakar had carved into the wall of the fortress. The same ones I had pledged my very blood too. The title was imprinted along the top in fanciful, golden script. The Shattered Stars: Theories of Existence.

I turned my attention back to the urd’thin store owner. “Melakar ordered this book, specifically?”

“Yes.” She nodded several times. “He ordered many books, last few years. Most legal.” A little smile played across her muzzle. “Not all.”

Nesh scowled, wrapping the tome back up. “Black market book vendors, hmm?” Nesh glanced at the sign. “That explains the name.”

The owner slipped out from behind Lir, approaching Ayrah. She gestured at Nesh. “Can trust this one, yes?”

Ayrah laughed, putting her hands on her hips. “I don’t think Nesh here’s going to cause you any trouble, no.”

“Of course, he’s not,” I said, curling my foreleg around Nesh while he retied the twine. “Are you, Nesh?”

Nesh glared at me. “Certainly not.” He handed the package to Ayrah. “But you’d better carry this, just in case.”

Ayrah rolled her eyes, and took the package from him. “Oh, very well.”

Nemos, standing nearby, broke his silence to tease Ayrah. “You’re not above the law, you know.” A hint of a smile crossed his face. “I could have that confiscated and burned, you know.” He glanced back at me. “But, I wouldn’t want to interfere in your diplomacy with visiting royalty.”

“Mhm.” Ayrah turned away. “Just like you didn’t want to interfere with the other things Melakar ordered.”

Nemos held his hands up. “He’s a dragon, not a citizen of Diandrios. I can’t control what he’s in possession of. Besides, I make a point not to pay attention to these things.”

I snorted at him. “No wonder Ayrah likes you.”

“He has his moments.” Ayrah tucked the package under her arm, gazing around. “After we finish this lane, I think we’ll head out of the market. We’ve been through most of aisles large enough for a dragon. I’d take you to the livestock area but that never worked out well with Melakar, so unless you’d really like to go…”

When she trailed off, I lifted my head, gazing around. While I would have enjoyed observing more, many of the remaining pathways looked too small to safety fit me, even with the gryphon’s guidance. The distant pens and cages filled with animals both familiar and exotic were also tempting, but if Melakar had trouble there, I could not imagine I would fare any better. The sight of a dragon might cause the animals to panic and injure themselves or damage their enclosures.

“No, that is fine Ayrah.” I idly swished my tail against Sparrow’s foreleg. “I suspect the birds are ready to stop babying my tail, anyway.”

Sparrow patted it. “I’ve been assigned worse duties, but you’re not wrong.”

Ayrah shaded her eyes, staring at the sky. “Probably a good time to start heading home, anyway. We’ve got a few hours before sunset, but we still have to cross the city again. I’ve got a few other things to show you on the way, too.” She turned towards her assistant. “Lir, whenever you’re ready.”

Lir spoke with the owner in urd’thin, and they hugged again. I bowed my head to the book vendor as Lir scrambled back up my foreleg. “Thank you again for your kind words, and for the books.”

The merchant offered a bow, her ears splayed. “You are welcome! Please return, any time.” Then she turned and scurried back to her strangely-designed shop.

I wasn’t sure if she really wanted me to return, or if she was just being polite. Nervous as she seemed around dragons, she might hope to never see me again. At the same time, she seemed genuinely upset about Melakar. Perhaps he had helped her overcome some of her fear. If she truly did not mind my presence, I would be happy to visit her and continue that process.

For now, I followed Ayrah and the others out of the market. As we walked, I considered the strange book given to me. Later, I would ask Lir for more details on Melakar’s visits to the book vender. How long ago had he placed the orders? How did he know such books existed? Had they discussed the existence of gods and other worlds together? Nesh told me before that while many of their scholars agreed other worlds likely existed, many of the more specific theories were considered heretical, their research and discussion banned. That almost had to be what the book was about.

But why was Melakar researching that? I supposed for the same reason he had carved star charts into the wall of the fortress. And for the same reason he sang to me in star-song, and brought with him a god. But I didn’t know why he did those things, either. It seemed the closer I drew to his final years, the stranger his last acts became. Thus far, I had been assuming the simplest answers, that he was looking for friends and alliances among our old enemies. But between the carvings in the stone, the song from my dreams, and the books from the urd’thin, the puzzle he left behind grew ever more complex.

There was a part of me, some angry, deeply buried thing, that wanted all this to be simple. It wanted me to find out who killed him, and burn them away to blackened ash. It wanted that to be the end of it. But I knew in my heart I might never find out who was responsible for his death. And even if there truly were traitors, even if I discovered and slew them, that would not be the end of it. Even when I returned home to my valley, things would not be the same. I was a Queen now, with an empire to build, and stars to sing to.

I wondered then, if the stars sang to Melakar first. He had always believed in them, even when I had not. If he had truly heard their song, then perhaps it was Melakarwho was meant for great things. Perhaps I had just stumbled into whatever cosmic game the gods had wreathed around Melakar. Maybe it even his idea to bring to them to me, in his place. Or maybe I was just starting to think like him.

With any luck, Ayrah would make a good resource as well. Earlier, she made it clear she did not want to talk about Melakar in public. I glanced back at the urd’thin’s book shop, wondering if Ayrah knew that banned book was on its way. I doubted she’d have wanted to talk about that in front of her soldiers, either. Once we were alone, I would ask her for all she knew. And in return, I share a secret of my own with her.

I would tell her about the dream, about the god, and about Melakar’s song.