Chapter 52: Man On A Mission

Chapter 52: Man On A Mission

We spent the rest of the week exploring Fengarad. There were various interesting places in the lanes and side streets, including a red light district any red-blooded male would have investigated fully. Needless to say, the three of us got horribly embarrassed at the first sight of a scantily clad woman giving us the come hither, and we swiftly came up with excuses to head off to some other part of the city.

Of course, we might not have acted quite so scared if she hadnt looked like Steve Buscemi in drag. Who am I kidding? Of course we would.

The girls, oblivious as ever, had no idea why the woman wanted to speak to us in private. The only thing of interest to them was where shed purchased her bikini top.

I eventually convinced the others we should split up, or at least, I should split up from them. We were familiar enough with the layout of the city that I didnt think theyd get lost, and as long as they were together they wouldnt get into too much trouble. Probably. I just needed a little time off from playing Dad.

They were a bit nervous going off on their own, mainly because of the problem with reading signs and street names. Out of the group, I was by far the best at reading. This was because on our journey to Fengarad, while they had been chatting and getting to know each other, I had spent my time studying the book Grayson had given us.

I could now recognise most words without having to spell them out phonetically. They, on the other hand, knew each others favourite colours.

Having to rely on themselves would be good for them, and it wasnt like they would face any danger in the middle of the city. Our main goal was just to learn where everything was and to dig up any cool places that might be worth further investigation. We were basically tourists. Even they couldnt get themselves killed sightseeing.

My routine was to wake up early and go to the public baths which I had discovered. No, it wasnt a pickup joint for gays. Or maybe it was, but no one propositioned mewhich was both a relief and very depressing. I looked forward to encountering elves and dwarves so they could reject me, too.

After my nice long soak (alone), Id go to the Emporium and spend an hour or so shooting arrows.

After a couple of days, I had to make a booking for these sessions, as others had started to want to use the alleyway. The bow salesman, whose name was Temel, had started a side business in archery training, bringing in a cousin who was a soldier to offer guidance, and business was booming. I got a lesson for free, seeing as how I was the one that made this lucrative new venture possible, and was informed that pretty much everything I was doing was wrong.New novel chapters are published on

Cant say I was surprised. He corrected my poor posture and grip and my aim improved. Slightly.

I would spend the rest of the day poking about in the city, returning to the inn in the evening. Over dinner, wed exchange information. A lot of Flossies and Claires reports revolved around where to find the best bargains, and I could see the will to live slowly being drained from Maurice and Dudleyrather them than me.

If you think my portrayal of Claire and Flossie as obsessed with shopping seems a little unfair, you could be right. After the intense pressure of trying to survive in a crazy fantasy world where death was around every corner, perhaps it was just their way of relaxing. Or, maybe they were a couple of shopping-mad bimbos. Hard to say.

Before going to bed, I did my exercises. Sit ups, push ups, squats and lunges. I was determined to be at least fit enough to run away properly. Then I practiced with the sword, but I didnt feel very confident with what I was doing. At some point I would need to hire someone to train me.

A blacksmith on the outskirts of the city made me a spike like the one Id given up. He was a bit baffled by my request and I had to talk him through how to make it for me, but in the end I got something pretty close to the original. It felt good to have my trusty spike back.

I also bought a large piece of lead from him. The sap Id tried to make using bits of old metal had never felt right. This time I got a professional seamstress to sew the lead into some leather and the whole construction was a lot more solid.

I returned to the Municipal Directory to try and figure out what the place was for, and how I could use it to my advantage. Master Nevin had shown us the window where we could get our money and other items, but I still had no idea what all the other windows were for.

My plan was to hang around and see if I could pick up any information, but trying to inconspicuously stand next to people in an attempt to overhear their conversations did not go down well. I got some threatening looks and had to quickly make myself scarce.

In the end, I just joined the longest queue and waited until I got to the front. It took about two hours.

I know we dont have any real proof, she said, but perhaps Ducane will look into it. At least, if more girls go missing, theyll think to question those boys.

I nodded. Sure. But you cant send this. I put the letter back in the envelope.

Why not? she demanded, her voice ramping up as she laid into me. If they hurt more girls, itll be on us. This is the least we can do, and its not like hell know who sent it. I know its a longshot, but we cant just do nothing. We cant!

I waited for her to finish her tirade before speaking. I agree. We should do something. But you cant send this because you wrote it in English. I handed the letter back to her.

Oh, she said.

We waited the half hour it took for her to translate the letter, and then headed out.

How exactly are you going to get the letter to Ducane without him seeing you? I asked. The others looked at me like I must be joking.

We were headed to the Municipal Directory, for some reason. They seemed to know what they were doing so I just followed.

It was quite early and the place was a lot less busy than usual. Claire immediately got in line and reached the window in about five minutes. The woman serving was the same one Id spoken to the other day.

Claire handed over the letter. Id like this delivered today, please.

The woman took the letter. Two chobs.

Claire paid and that was that.

So, this is where you send mail? I was stunned they knew this. What about the other windows?

Thats for handing in bounties, thats for paying taxes, thats for reporting problems with public roads and buildings, that ones for requesting help with rogue monsters Maurice went round the room pointing to each window.

When? How did you figure this all out?

Maurice pointed at the one window that had no line. We asked at the information desk.

Why didnt anyone tell me this? Thats what the evening meets were supposed to be for, not the latest prices of blusher and lipstick.

Claire shrugged. We thought you knew.

That was the problem with acting like you were smarter than everyonesometimes they actually believed you.