As the spy rounded the harbor, he tried to spot Guntar on his own because Menkar has said that his shop was at the very end of the line of shops. When he reached over there, the shop was closed. He went to sit by the harbor to watch the ships floating on the water, sailors washing the decks, some tying sails while others taking women in and out and talking bawdy.
"You are new here," a delicate voice made him snap his head towards the other side. A girl in a red gown with plunging neckline came to stand behind him. She caught the strap of her front laces in her fingers and swayed a little as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.
The spy, a young lad, and a monk of so many years, was... charmed. "Yes," he breathed.
"Would you like to lose a few coins for this girl?" she asked, still swaying and smiling.
"I am in a hurry," he replied even though he really wanted to wedge himself between her and relieve his tension.
"I will finish it quickly for you," she replied with the most charming smile he had ever come across.
The spy... smiled. A quick one wouldn't harm his plans. He tilted his head and said, "I have some coins to spare for you."
The girl giggled. She extended her hand to him. He caught it and got up.
Guntar laughed. He adjusted his glasses and said, "You are new, lad. The sea is very valuable to us. While we can take our ships and boats on the surface, we cannot dive deeper. The king of the Jade Sea has put a stop on all trade with the lands of Araniea. We don't know when that is going to be lifted. Till then you have to wait."
The spy stabbed his fingers in his hair. Blood drained from his face and he was sure that Menkar would punish him severely. And it all happened because of that stupid whore! He walked out of the shop only to find her looking at him with her wide hazel eyes... expectantly.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked as she held his hand.
"No," he replied gruffly to the cause of his delay.
"Will you come back with me?" she asked.
He took his money bag out and gave her a few coins. "I am done!" he replied and strode away feeling like a fool.
---
Menkar was in a lot of pain. This time it was his lungs and neck. He had screamed in pain and the healer was becoming extremely nervous. In the end the healer had to give him a sleeping draft.
Menkar woke up in the morning and asked about any message he received. It had been two days since the spy had left. The guards shook their heads. If he remained without the potion for the next three days, his original features would show. He cursed the spy and walked to his closet where there were empty bottles. He added water to them, shook them and had that water greedily, hoping that some of the dried potion was still in them. He waited for the effect, however minor that would be, but nothing happened. He threw the bottles on the ground with a roar. They shattered into tiny pieces.
A fresh bout of pain came. His breath labored, he went to the bathroom and filled the tub with hot water. He stepped inside it and submerged himself below it. Taking a deep breath in, he opened his eyes. He had to visit his brother in the Jade Sea.