Guardians of Evil Read online

  “Are you evil…Tali?” Liada asked. Whether evil or not the answer would be the same—no. But she had to ask.

  “In the long pass, we did evil things, which all of the First Ones regret, except the Quag.”

  “But aren’t the Quag First Ones?” Liada had always been told the Quag were the pure and true First Ones. The others were evil monsters that hated the true First Ones.

  “The Quag were created at the same time as the First Ones, but the Quag were deformed and jealous of those who were not. They hated us. But they were few in number and couldn’t challenge us. When the wars started, the Sprites aligned with the Ostono Empire, the Firebirds with Gorlack, and the Seadragons with the Sporish Empire. Many of us were killed. After the wars, we still fought each other. Now the Quag out-number us. And they have the support of the priests and people of the three empires.”

  Liada sat down, feeling sick to her stomach. “Hunted by everyone?”

  “Perhaps you want to take your wish back?”

  “Can I?” The little sprite was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It seemed too honest about its past to be evil. But how could she endanger her family?

  “You can’t take a granted wish back, but—” The creature hovered in the air and looked into her face. “I can’t repay you by causing your death. If you want me to leave—then I will.”

  A life of adventure with a magical creature! Her dreams come to life. How could she send Tali away? Liada chewed her lip thoughtfully. “I’d love to have you stay with me. It’s something I’ve always imagined. But I couldn’t keep you in bondage for a day, much less for always.”

  “I will not be in bondage since I linger of my own free will. My circle stays because I do. I said you could have one wish, and I will gladly grant it.”

  “But so many years. A few hours or a few days would be enough,” Liada said.

  “Those years you speak of are, to us, but seconds.”

  Liada frowned at the idea. “How old are you?”

  “I was created when the continent of Nilord was formed and will be here until it is no more. Unless I am destroyed by the Quag.”

  Liada sat stunned. They lived forever. They were more magical then even she could think up in her imaginary adventures. “Do you have magical powers?”

  “All the First Born are invisible unless we choose to be seen. We can fly and are pure energy although you see us as having shapes. Sprites have the power to heal and to bring lightning to the ground.”

  Liada pressed her hand to her mouth to contain a gasp. These were the powers of the gods.

  * * * *

  Liada loved the days her mother gave her free time to attend the markets just outside of the city. It was a collection of hundreds of stalls, mostly small wooden buildings with colorful awnings, where vendors displayed their goods for the benefit of those walking by. In town, shops lined some streets, but those carried merchandise made for the wealthy citizens of Stonecross. Booths in the market sold all kinds of goods and services from cheap to expensive, from used to new. It attracted people from everywhere, and Liada loved to wander through, looking at the merchandise and watching people. Some were from Stonecross and others from faraway places.

  Carrying her biggest basket over her arm, with the morning sun just peeking over the tops of the houses, Liada started for the market. Her father wanted five tankards, and her mother wanted more eating bowls and spoons. Business had been good, and they found themselves short.

  The street was empty, but hammering came from the smithy only a few houses down from the inn. Master Docury was the blacksmith, and Zeph, his son and apprentice. She and Zeph had been friends ever since she could remember. They used to run and play in the woods near town, Zeph swinging his wooden sword and her pretending to work magic with a wand he whittled for her. But lately, Zeph spent more time helping his father and she more time helping her mother cook. They were nearly grown and their days of running wild ended.

  “Hello, Master Docury. I’m on my way to the market. Is there anything I can pick up for you?”

  The dark-haired Master Docury smiled at her and put down his huge hammer. “Let me ask my wife. While you’re waiting, I’m sure Zeph would like to see you. He’s around back fixing some tack.”

  As Docury walked towards the house, Liada went around the building to a smaller shed where Zeph sat on a small wooden stool using a large needle to sew two pieces of leather together. His dark hair fell over his forehead into his eyes. He was still skinny but as tall as a grown man.

  “Sitting around like usual,” Liada said with a grin.

  Zeph’s head jerked up and he yelped. He stuck his bleeding finger in his mouth. “Darn, Liada, that wasn’t funny.”

  “It’s funny to watch a grown boy suck on his finger.” Liada chuckled.

  Zeph’s face turned red and then he laughed. “Haven’t seen you since the party. Where you been?”

  “Ma’s been keeping me busy cooking, teaching Tybes and Kesti, and other stuff.” She wrinkled her nose.

  “Been the same for me. Father’s showing me how to do more things and then having me practice. Hardly had time to eat.”

  “Liada,” Docury said as he came around the corner, “Dori says she doesn’t need anything right now, but I do. Zeph, go with Liada and buy a good piece of leather we can make into a dozen two-foot straps.”

  “Sure, Pa.” Zeph’s face lit up in a smile.

  “Here are three silvers. That should be enough. See merchant Licek. He sells good leather and he’s fair.”

  Zeph put the silvers in his pouch, and they took off down the road towards the markets.

  “You look in a particularly good mood,” Zeph said as they walked. “Does all that work agree with you?”

  Liada had been in more than a good mood for days since Tali had recovered and chose to stay with her. Tali was sitting on her shoulder, humming a tune so softly only Liada could hear it. Liada wished she could tell everyone about her new friend, but no one could know—not even Zeph.

  “No. But we have time off from our chores, and I love the markets.”

  “I know what you mean. Father is great, but he never rests. I might be that way when I’m old, and it scares me.”

  Liada didn’t answer. Until a few days ago, she had felt exactly that way. But now a new world had opened, and she bounced with excitement as she walked. She bit her lip. She couldn’t tell Zeph. With that, they lapsed into silence until they reached the markets.

  “Where do you need to go?” Zeph looked around at the lines of stalls under canvas awnings of every possible color.

  “Let’s go to merchant Mudir and get your leather.” Liada weaved her way through the hundreds of stalls.

  “Pa said merchant Licek.”

  “Merchant Licek has a good reputation, but his prices are high. Merchant Mudir sells for less. Besides, most merchants consider their first customer a sign of their day to come. If they can sell to the first customer, they believe the day prosperous. If not, their sales will be poor. So we need to be first at Mudir’s place.” Liada grasped Zeph’s arm and half-dragged him to a small stall where a stocky merchant was stacking a pile of leather.

  “But Father said…”

  Stacks of harnesses, leather ropes, halters, and belts crowded a table and hung from a rope stretched across the tent. Mudir frowned at Liada and Zeph, not excited at having two teenagers for his first customer.

  “We want to buy some unfinished leather,” she said.

  “Do you now?” Mudir said cautiously. He picked up a small piece of leather.

  Zeph shook his head and pointed his chin towards a brown piece with cream patches.

  “No, that’s too small. What about that piece?” Liada pointed to the leather Zeph had motioned towards. He nodded slightly.

  “That costs two silvers, young lady. Do you have two silvers?” Mudir smiled. “The other piece costs only four coppers.”

  Liada stepped in front of Zeph and, behind her back, sl
apped his hand as he reached in his pocket to get his money.

  “No, Father told me it had to be so big.” Liada stretched her hands out to roughly the size of the piece she had pointed to. “He’ll be mad if I don’t get it. He beats me when I don’t listen.”

  “Well, I can’t give it to you for nothing,” Mudir said, his voice frustrated.

  “Oh, I have money.” She took a silver out of her pocket.

  “That’s not enough.”

  “But the leather is spotted. The white will make him look like he can’t afford good leather. Maybe you could dye it for me?”

  “You want to pay only one silver and want me to dye it besides?” The merchant’s voice went up sharply.

  “That would be nice.” A small tear trickled down her cheek. “Everyone says you’re a kind man.”

  “Okay, one silver but you will have to find some other kind man to dye it.” Mudir’s gaze darted to the other people strolling by. He rolled it up and handed it to Liada with a sigh as he waved them to go.

  “One silver,” Zeph said when they were out of hearing range. “Licek would have charged three.”

  “But is the leather all right?”

  “Yes, it’s good leather. It just needs dyeing.”

  “See. Licek dyes this leather to make it look better and has a good reputation. People trust him, so he can charge more. Besides, I don’t think Licek is superstitious about his first customer.” Liada laughed. “Shopping is fun. Everyone knows you don’t wear good clothes. If you do, the merchants start higher. No merchant expects anyone to pay full price, except for rich people. And you make it sound like they’re taking your last copper.”

  “Where did you learn all that?”

  “Walking around the market, watching. It’s the best part. I listen to them haggle and guess the price. Merchants try to buy low and have to sell at least a little higher than they paid.”

  “But Mudir?” Zeph stuttered.

  “I think I got it at cost. He wanted to get rid of us, and we were his first customers. Maybe he’ll have a good day because of me.” Liada grinned. They stopped next at a stall with hundreds of bowls, plates, spoons, and tankards piled on tables.

  “Good morn, Merchant Kefan. Mother sent me to buy some bowls and spoons, and father wants five tankards.” Liada walked around with Kefan, pointing at bowls and tankards. Then they sat down and began haggling. Liada imagined Zeph heard the two saddest stories of his life.

  Merchant Kefan claimed his business has been bad.

  Liada sniffled, and small tears appeared in both eyes as she talked. “The customers keep breaking serving bowls and some take the tankards with them without paying. Father will have to cut back on the help if things don’t improve. Ma said to see you because your wife is so lucky to have a prince like you for a husband.”

  “All right, Liada, two silvers. Your performance was worth the other silver. I’m glad you don’t need my merchandise more often. My wife’s prince would turn into a beggar. Done, four silvers.” Kefan pocketed Liada’s two silvers. He wrapped her purchases and gave them to her with a smile. “Go terrorize some other prince.”

  “Why did he say four silvers when you only paid him two?” Zeph asked as they started home.

  “So that his other customers wouldn’t think he could be bargained down that much.”

  Liada hummed and watched the myriad of people who wandered by as they walked towards home. Usually people’s dress and mannerisms identified them as being from Stonecross, other cities in the Ostono Empire, or from one of the other empires. After much practice, she could now frequently guess which city and empire.

  Chapter 2

  Ostono: Stonecross

  Liada enjoyed her cooking lessons more now that her mother let her help to make the meals. Before, she’d helped by chopping up vegetables, watching things cook, or filling customer’s orders from meals already prepared. Today’s menu included a rabbit stew. Liada had thought you made a rabbit stew by throwing a rabbit in a pot with water and cooking it. She learned it was a bit more complicated. First, the rabbit didn’t come ready for the pot. She had to skin it, remove the offal, and chop the rabbit into pieces. Next, she mixed it with wine, chopped onions, garlic, and prunes—an old recipe of her mother’s grandmother.

  “Very good, Liada. With practice you’ll soon be able to replace me as the inn’s cook.” Her mother smiled.

  Liada rolled her eyes behind her mother’s back at the thought. Just what I don’t want to do for the rest of my life.

  “Your mother’s pleased with you,” Tali said while hovering next to her ear. Neither she nor anyone else could see Tali, but she could feel the gentle movement of air around her ear.

  “You’re finished here for today. Go give your brother and sister their lessons. Afterward you can go to the market. Pick out some cloth for you and your sister, and I’ll make you new smocks. Yours look worn.” Her mother closed her eyes as she tasted the stew and then reached to sprinkle in another pinch of thyme.

  “Ma...” Liada scowled. “I’m too old for a smock. Everyone else my age wears a dress, not a smock.”

  “Everyone else isn’t my daughter. You’ll wear a smock until you’re married, just like I did.” She put two silvers into Liada’s hand. “Now do as you’re told.”

  Did she really have to get married to get out from under her mother’s thumb,” Liada wondered. She collected Kesti from the living room then opened the door to Tybes’ room with Kesti trailing along. She sighed. He had sand spread on the floor and was poking a green and yellow frog with a stick to get it to jump. He then used a knotted string to measure the distance.

  “Eck, that’s slimy,” Kesti squeaked when she saw the frog, “and it’s an ugly frog.”

  “What are you doing, Tybes?” Tybes would make progress on sums today or she would… She didn’t know what but she would find something bad he wouldn’t like.

  “Me and my friends have a contest to see who can find the frog that can jump the furthest. Josha’s frog is winning so far,” Tybes said, holding up the knotted string. Liada sat on the floor with her little bag next to her. Kesti hung back near the door.

  “How far did your frog jump?” Liada said.

  “Ten knots.” Tybes gave his frog a poke and it jumped.

  Liada reached in the bag and came out with two green frogs, and placed them on the floor. “If this big one jumps ten more knots, how many did it jump?”

  Tybes’s eyes lit up as he examined them and prodded one that made only a small jump.

  “Twenty.”

  “If the skinny frog jumps three less?”

  Tybes stared at the knotted string, his forehead creased, but then he smiled. “Seventeen.”

  “And if your frog jumps two less than that?” Liada reached down and poked his frog. She felt like washing her hands but if this taught him his sums, it would be worth touching the nasty things.

  “Fifteen. I’m not stupid, Liada.”

  He wasn’t at most things, but math just seemed to escape him. “Why was that so easy but ten plus ten minus three minus two isn’t?”

  “I can see the knots. I can’t see two or three.”

  “Think about frogs and knots then.”

  For the rest of the lesson Tybes cooperated and the lesson went well. Now if only she could think of something for Kesti’s letters…

  * * * *

  Liada beamed as she strolled out the door heading for the market. She’d finished her chores and was free to spend her time at her favorite place. She took a shortcut down Cove Row. Old houses lined the narrow street. Trash was piled in the yards and broken shutters sagged from the windows. Women sat on the front porches while kids played in the bare dirt. Men and boys lounged on the street corner hugging leather bags of cheap wine. The small alleys between the attached houses weren’t fit to walk in, with piles of stinking waste from the houses’ chamber pots.

  It was safe in the daylight. At night, the streets became the domain of gangs of bo
ys and those beyond caring. Smart people stayed in and locked their doors. She hurried onto Dexter Street and then onto the main road to the market where people were busy going about their daily activities.

  She reached the market by late afternoon and headed for the part of the market where the stalls were piled with cloth and clothing. In each stall, she picked through the piles of cloth. Her mother had given her two silvers. That would buy maybe enough good-quality cloth for one smock each, or lower quality cloth for two. She decided on the cloth from one of two merchants. But where would she get the best deal? She started with the merchant where she liked the colors and designs of the cloth the best.

  “How much for the yellow print and the orange flower design over there? I need three yards of each.” Liada pointed to the two bolts.

  The merchant was a chubby man with shaggy hair, shabby pants, and a shirt with a torn sleeve. Liada bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at his attempt to look poor. The clothes added to his “I can’t afford to give you a better deal” pitch. He openly appraised Liada before answering.

  “Three silvers.”

  “I don’t have that much. Ma can’t afford it.” Liada looked at her feet and scuffed the dirt.

  “Maybe I could come down a silver if you can do with half, one and one-half yards each.”

  Liada almost laughed. No wonder her mother insisted on learning to read and do sums. At the three silvers for six yards he wanted, each yard would be one-half silver—ten bits. At two silvers for three yards, he wanted thirteen bits for each yard. Clever. On the surface, it sounded good.

  “Merchant Rhuth over there…” Liada pointed to the tent four stalls down the row, “said he would give me six yards of good material for two silvers.”

  “That’s less than I paid for it. I’m not a rich man.” He pointed at his clothes. Liada turned to leave.

  “Wait, I feel sorry for your poor ma. You can have it for two silvers.” That was a fair price. He could probably lower it, but it would take hours of haggling for just a few coppers less. She nodded and the merchant took the bolt to the back of the tent. He returned several minutes later with the material rolled and tied.