Chapter 30
The Festive Innkeeper
Birut, Kingdom of Hannibal
It was near sunset on the third day since they left Shakab when their ship arrived in Birut. Because it was getting late, they needed to find lodgings for the night. They also needed to find someone who would take them to this temple beyond the sea Tellus was supposed to be going to. There was, of course, something else that was on Tobias' mind as well.
"You are wanting to look for your woman," Shoshanna said.
Flustered, Tobias stammered, "She, she's not my woman."
"Come now, Tobiyah ben Yishak, after that display in Kartbyrsa..."
Tobias could feel his ears burning. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tellus was looking away, but he did not think anything of it.
"Very well, Tobiyah ben Yishak," Shoshanna said, "I'll attempt to seek her out. Perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone. Take off your gloves. This will work better skin-to-skin."
As he was taking off his gloves, Tobias asked her, "What will work better?"
Without answering him, Shoshanna took hold of his hand, closed her eyes and then stretched out her free hand. Her arm wavered as she took her first uncertain step. She then began to lead Tobias along with Tellus and Tym'r following after them. Her free hand moved about as if she were searching the empty air. Thoughts of Delilah flowed unbidden in Tobias mind. The more he thought of her, the more certain Shoshanna's steps became.
They came to a stop outside a tavern with a sign depicting a twin-tailed mermaid that read 'Melusina'. Shoshanna released Tobias' hand and opened her eyes.
"Here we are," she said. "She's in here. Perhaps we can find someone who can take us where we're going while we're at it."
"I shall wait outside," Tym'r said. "Surely your welcome will be warmer without me."
"I'll stay with Tym'r," Tellus said.
"Are you sure?" Tobias asked.
"Yes," Tellus replied curtly.
"Alright then," Tobias said. "Shoshanna and I will go in and see what's to be seen and then we'll be back for you."
"Come along, Tobiyah ben Yishak," Shoshanna said, pulling him though the door.
Stepping inside, Tobias saw that the tavern was larger than most, with a varied assortment of sailors, fishermen, dock workers, merchants, and quite a few foreigners.
Tobias was looking around for any sign of Delilah when a booming voice shouted, "Hello and welcome, Sir Knight! Welcome to the Melusina! How might I be of service to you, sir?"
A big man, big enough to match his voice, approached them. Although he seemed friendly enough, Shoshanna defensively took a step back as he came closer.
He extended his hand to Tobias and said, "If you'd do me the honor, sir. Gaius Porcius Felix, at your service."
Tobias accepted his hand and said, "I'm looking for someone."
Porcius motioned to his patrons and said, "We've many someones here, sir. Someone in particular?"
"Yes, a girl who goes by the name of Delilah. If she's here, she probably hasn't been for long."
Porcius stroked his fleshy jowls and said, "I don't know of any Delilah, but I've got a new girl goes by Tamar. Just hired her today. Yehudi name, but I didn't think she looked Yehudi. Shall I call her, sir?"
"Yes, please," Tobias said.
Tobias was not expecting her to go by his grandfather's name for her, but if she was running from her former employer, it would not be surprising for her to go by another name here.
"Tamar! Tamar!" Porcius shouted over the noise of the patrons. "Tamar! Come here, girl!"
A serving wench with an amphora in each hand made her way through the packed tables and it was indeed Delilah. She was wearing her hair differently and her new clothes covered more than the dancer's costume she had before, but there was no mistaking her. Tobias' heart leapt at the sight of her and when she saw him, Delilah let the amphorae slip from her hands in a moment of surprise. Neither of them noticed the fact that the amphorae did not smash on the floor or the subtle movements of Shoshanna's hand as she guided them down for a gentle landing.
Delilah hiked up her skirts and ran to Tobias, throwing herself at him. Tobias was barely able to stay on his feet as he caught her.
"Tobiyah! Oh, Tobiyah!"
She kissed him. It was not the affectionate girl's kisses she greeted him with when they were first reunited in Nakum, but rather a deep kiss, a lover's kiss, like the one they shared at the Festival of Love, only now there was no enchanted rose crown to drive them.
Tobias' mind went blank. There was no saying how long the kiss went on or how long it could have continued, but the sound of someone clearing their throat made the two of them aware of their surroundings. Delilah broke off her kiss and they were left standing there awkwardly for a moment before Porcius spoke up.
"The gents here'll get the wrong idea about the kind of service I offer."
A hint of a blush appeared on Delilah's cheeks as she said, "Forgive me, Master Porcius. Tobiyah... Tobiyah is a friend."
"Would that I could have such a friend!" Porcius said with a laugh, elbowing Tobias.
With his mind coming back into focus, Tobias took hold of Delilah and asked her, "You're alright, Delilah? You weren't hurt or anything?"
"I'm fine, Tobiyah," she said, "thanks to Yoel. Oh, Yoel..."
"What happened?"
"Yoel got me out of the city, but we didn't get far when pursuers caught up to us. He sent me on ahead with his horse while he stayed behind to stall them. Oh, Tobiyah, you don't think..."
Without his mount, Yoel would not have much chance of besting his fellow Dragoons and knowing him, he would not fight them with the intent to kill. It was likely he would be taken alive. Ruthless as she was, surely Captain Yael would not shed the blood of her own kin, and unless the Queen had descended to the depths of her father, she would not be quick to execute a son of House Eliyahu. Perhaps he could be saved if Tobias could bring a swift end to this madness.
"I'm sure he's fine," Tobias said. "His family name should offer him some protection."
"If anything were to happen to him on account of me..."
"You can't blame yourself, Delilah," Tobias told her. "If anything, it's my fault."
Delilah did not look like she believed him, but what else could he say to convince her otherwise?
Changing the subject, Tobias asked her, "What were you doing in Kartbyrsa anyway? What happened?"
Delilah averted her eyes and said, "Not here..."
Before Tobias could say anything else, there was the noise of earthenware breaking and a loud voice shouting, "Damn you, stupid wench!"
It would seem that one of the serving wenches, a young girl maybe around Tellus' age, dropped her amphora and splashed wine on some portly merchant. Delilah hurried to the girl, picking up the amphorae she had left behind as she went.
While she was putting herself between the merchant and the girl and working her charms to soothe his anger, Porcius said to Tobias, "That's Saraia, another new addition. As pretty a face as you could hope for but clumsy as a blind ox on ice. That's the third amphora she's broken today alone."
In spite of Delilah's efforts, the merchant refused to be calmed. He raised his hand to strike Delilah, but before Tobias could step in to intervene, Porcius bounded forward with remarkable agility for a man his size and caught the merchant's wrist.
"Surely you aren't thinking of damaging another man's goods, are you, sir?" Porcius asked, his tone soft but unyielding. "Now, I believe my girl offered you a free drink to calm those nerves. I'll do you one better. I'll clear your tab for the evening if you'll show some kindness and forgive this poor clumsy girl."
The merchant struggled to free his hand, likely with the intent of acting out his plans of violence, but his arm appeared to be firmly in Porcius' grip.
"Or," Porcius continued, "if you're not feeling so gracious, perhaps it would be best to take your business elsewhere."
The way the merchant was struggling, it seemed that Porcius was tightening his grip to emphasize his point.
"Un-unhand me!" the merchant demanded.
Porcius released him and there was a moment where the merchant looked like he was weighing his choices, whether it would be worth acting on his anger or not. Ultimately, he chose to sweep his cloak about him and storm out with his companions following after. Porcius said something to Delilah and the girl Saraia before returning to Tobias.
"It would appear that a table has opened up, sir," he said. "Might you and your companion have a seat and enjoy our hospitality?"
"Do you have any rooms for the night?" Tobias asked.
"There may be a room or two left, sir," Porcius replied. "I can't promise much luxury, but the straw isn't so old and the linens get washed once a week."
"There are four of us," Tobias said. "One is a beastman, my... servant. It won't be a problem, will it?"
Porcius stroked his chin and said, "Oh, I suppose so long as it doesn't wander about on its own and doesn't try to sharpen its claws on the furniture. It's well-trained, is it?"
"Ye-yes... Quite well trained."
"I hope you don't mean to bring it here in the tavern. Not all my patrons are so broad of mind as I am."
"No, that's fine, but I will want food for him, a lamb shank or something like that."
"Raw, I take it?"
"That would be his preference."
"What a kind master you are," Porcius said appreciatively. "It sounds more like a pet than a servant."
Tobias wondered what Tym'r would say to being called a pet. Now was not the time to be thinking about that, though.
"There's something else I was hoping you would help us with," Tobias said. "We are looking for a place and a way to get there. There's a temple beyond the sea. Have you heard of it?"
"A temple beyond the sea..." Porcius mused. "Do you mean the Temple of the Elements?"
"The Temple of the Elements?"
"Yes, queer place, that. Worshipped the five elements like they was emanations from the Godhead or somesuch. Never had many worshippers as I recall."
"'Had'?"
"Oh, they say one of their priests ravished the Princess when she went to make an offering, so the Mad King had the lot of them put to the sword and then he put the temple to the torch for good measure. Put a ban on the island after that. No one's to set foot on it."
"I've never heard of that," Tobias said.
"It was more'n twenty years past, sir. You was but a babe then, I expect. Not too many remember."
If the temple had been destroyed and its priests killed, it did not seem that there would be anything to gain by going there, but they needed to be sure. Tellus would not be able to rest otherwise.
"Would you happen to know anyone who could sail to this island?" Tobias asked.
"But, sir, I just told you the Mad King banned any man from setting foot on that island."
"The Mad King is dead," Tobias replied, "and at any rate, I wouldn't be asking them to set foot on the island."
"You wouldn't be laying a trap for your servant, would you, sir?" Porcius asked cautiously.
"No," Tobias assured him. "You have my word."
Porcius took a moment to study Tobias before saying, "And I trust you're bound to it. Very well, sir. I might know a man. Please, have a seat. Let my girls get you some food and drink while I ask around."
"Thank you," Tobias said.
Before sitting down, Tobias went back outside to get Tellus. She was standing there, idly leaning against the wall, while Tym'r was doing what he could, not very effectively, to appear non-threatening. It was not easy, after all, for a man-tiger that stood nearly seven feet tall to appear non-threatening.
"Tellus, we're about to order our meal," he said. "Will you come inside?"
"Did you find that woman?" Tellus asked.
"Yes, Delilah's here."
"Then I'll stay out here."
Tobias did not know why Tellus acted like this whenever Delilah was mentioned. Jealousy? Surely not.
"Alright then," he said. "I'll see that something gets sent out to you when they bring out food for Tym'r."
"Am I to be chained in the stables again, Tobias?" Tym'r asked.
"Thankfully, no," Tobias replied. "The tavernkeeper said you can be in the room with the rest of us so long as you don't claw the furniture."
"Does this man take me for a housecat?"
"Apparently. He said I treat you like a pet."
Tym'r gave a snarling sort of laugh and said, "If our positions were reversed, perhaps my people would say the same of you."
Realizing he was making a joke, Tobias responded in the same spirit, telling him, "At least your people wouldn't fret about me clawing the furniture."
Tym'r laughed again, and Tobias returned inside. Shoshanna had not followed him out but was instead sitting at the table waiting for him.
As Tobias took his seat, Shoshanna told him, "Your wits can be sharp at times, Tobiyah ben Yishak, but never when it comes to women."
"What do you mean?"
"You would not know it if we put a ring through your nose and led you to it like a bull on a halter, so don't trouble yourself over it."
Taking her suggestion, Tobias changed the subject and asked her, "Do you think the tavernkeeper will find someone who can take us to this temple?"
"Perhaps," Shoshanna replied. "There's something I need to tell you, Tobiyah ben Yishak. This man, this Porcius, he is like the healer in Baal-Gebal, the woman who called herself the Queen of Love in Kartbyrsa, the medium in Zareh, and that crippled woman in Shakab. I can't read him. I can't read any of them. The same light that blinds my mind's eye."
"What does it mean?"
"I don't know," she said. "I haven't seen anything like this before and for it to happen time and time again on our journey..." She paused. "Do you believe in Fate?"
"I believe in Providence," Tobias replied.
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say the hand of God is in all this, but certainly there is something more than coincidence at work here."
"Is it good for us or bad?"
"I don't know," she said with mounting frustration. "I can't see. Is this how normal people live?"
"I think so."
"I used to think all the voices and visions were unbearable, but I daresay not having them is worse."
"We have to keep going," Tobias said. "This... this being that Tellus calls her mother, if she meant us harm, she could have killed us back at the Pit of Athirat. I don't think she means ill."
"Unless she spared us to suffer greater harm later," Shoshanna suggested, "or be the cause of it."
"You think the Queen's seers could be right about Tellus?"
"I haven't seen what they've seen. I don't sense evil in Tellus, but just because a thing isn't evil of itself doesn't mean it can't be used for evil."
"And these people you can't read?"
"I couldn't possibly say. At least with the man from Kartzet, I knew to fear him from the void about him, but these people... I just don't know."
They were then interrupted by Delilah delivering plates of food for both of them.
"Here you are, Tobiyah, and... what was your name again?"
"HaBasselet HaSharon Shoshannat Ha'Amakim."
"Shoshanna," Tobias said.
He looked at Shoshanna. She did that on purpose.
His attention turned to the plate in front of him and said, "Delilah, you know I—"
"Don't worry, Tobiyah," Delilah said. "The cooks are Yehudi and prepare all the food according to the Law. We get Yehudi merchants and Yishmaeli traders and they know this is the only tavern in the city where they can eat without any worries."
"Aren't the Yishmaeli laws different?"
"I guess, but apparently if they can't find someone to prepare food according to their laws, food prepared according to the Yehudi Law will do. Porcius realized it was easiest to just hire Yehudi, though he doesn't make much noise about it around the Gentiles, things being what they are. Or don't you trust me?"
"I do," Tobias said. "You know I do."
He found himself looking into her eyes as she looked into his. It took Shoshanna clearing her throat to snap them out of it.
Remembering what else needed to be done, Tobias said, "We need another plate for Tellus—the girl who's with us. She's outside with Tym'r. Oh, yes, we'll be needing something for him, some big piece of meat, and raw."
"Tym'r?"
"He's a Catman. Maybe you remember seeing him from before."
"Another slave you freed?"
"Something like that."
"I'll get something for them."
In a moment of awareness, Tobias said, "Maybe... maybe I should take their food out to them myself."
"Oh, come on. It's my job. You can go with me if you want."
For some reason, it struck Tobias as a bad idea, but her going alone seemed like an even worse idea, so he followed her to the kitchen. Shoshanna gave him a feline grin and waved as he went.
As they were walking, Delilah asked him, "And what's the story with that woman? Shoshanna or whatever. She doesn't carry herself like a slave or bondservant, so I guess she can't be another freed slave."
"Shoshanna is a seeress," Tobias told her. "We found her in Utica. They were going to burn her as a witch."
"Any other damsels you've rescued in your travels?"
"Not as many as you might think," Tobias said with a bit of a wry grin.
Delilah playfully pushed him before going into the kitchen. She returned with a plate like the one she had delivered to Tobias and Shoshanna—with a roasted squab, some greens, a little cheese and some bread—and a dressed leg of lamb. She was also carrying an amphora of wine and a couple goblets, a rather precarious-looking arrangement.
"Let me help you with that," Tobias said.
Tobias was intending to take the heavier items, but instead Delilah gave him the plate and goblets.
"I'm sure the girl will like it better if you're the one to feed her," she said. "And I want to feed the Catman."
"He's not some menagerie beast, Delilah," Tobias told her.
"I know that. It's just that I've never gotten up close to one before."
"Don't insult him, Delilah. He's very proud."
"I won't. It'll be fine."
Albeit with some misgivings, he went with her outside. When Tellus saw the two of them, she frowned and turned away. Tym'r's nostrils flared when he smelled the leg of lamb.
Tobias offered Tellus the plate, saying, "Here's your dinner."
The way Tellus looked at him, he nearly expected her to bat the plate away, but seeing his reaction, her expression softened and she glumly accepted the plate, sinking down to the ground.
"Are you alright, Tellus?" he asked her.
"I'm fine," she said as she stuffed some of the greens in her mouth.
Tobias' attention turned to Delilah, who was approaching Tym'r uncertainly.
"I... I have something for you... Tym'r, right?"
"You are frightened, woman," Tym'r observed.
"Yes... I, I mean, I've never gotten this close to one of you... one of your kind."
"Yet you approach all the same."
"The only way to overcome your fears is to face them."
"Indeed so."
Delilah lifted up the leg of lamb.
"Here."
Tym'r accepted the leg and sniffed it, asking, "What has become of the blood?"
"The meat was dressed by Tobiyah's people. They're not allowed to eat blood by their Law. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' or something like that."
"Of course it is," Tym'r replied. "That is how you gain strength by eating flesh. You take the life of the prey into your own."
"That's not how their people see it."
"Curious... Then you are not of Tobias' people?"
"No, I'm Punic."
"At times I forget you humans have your own clans and tribes," Tym'r said. He then held up the leg and said, "Blood or no, I will take strength from this meat and for that I thank you."
Tym'r bit into the leg and stripped off a large chunk of meat. Delilah watched him eat in fascination, much like you would a menagerie beast, whether she intended so or not. Tym'r did not seem to mind, though.
Delilah then went over to Tellus carrying the amphora. She motioned for Tobias to hold up the goblets so she could fill them. She then took one and crouched down to offer it to Tellus, who was eating her squab in nearly as bestial a fashion as Tym'r.
"You'll want something to wash that down," Delilah said. "Don't drink it too fast. It isn't watered down that much and you're still pretty little."
Tellus scowled, apparently taking offense at being called little, then downed the entire goblet out of what seemed to be sheer spite.
"Hey, Tellus, she just said not to do that," Tobias told her.
The wine worked quickly on Tellus and she was starting to wobble around like someone who had drunk half an amphora, prompting Tobias to ask Delilah, "Are you sure that's watered down?"
She poured some wine into the other goblet and took a swig, putting her hand to her mouth as soon as she did.
"It isn't watered down at all," she said. "It's old stuff too, and strong."
Tobias too a drink himself and indeed he had only rarely drunk wine that was so potent. No wonder it hit Tellus so hard.
Delilah crouched down again and said to Tellus, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I should've checked it first."
Tellus made the unexpected move of leaning forward and kissing Delilah full on the lips. She held the kiss for a moment before breaking it off. Delilah, for her part, neither accepted nor rejected the move. Instead she only said, "And here I thought you didn't like me."
Tobias recalled that a kiss was not just a kiss with Tellus and demanded of her, "Tellus, what did you just do?"
"She kissed me, Tobiyah," Delilah said, "A little forward of her, but who knows what the customs are in her land?"
Tellus gave a little sly smile before her eyelids grew heavy and she slumped back against the wall.
Delilah held up the amphora and said, "Tobiyah, you should drink more of this."
"Now's not the time for japes, Delilah," Tobias said as he crouched down to check on Tellus.
As near as he could tell, she was just sleeping peacefully, though he had never seen anyone pass out so quickly even with the strongest of drinks. He feared something else was at work and Shoshanna would probably be the best person among them to tell.
"Stay with her, Delilah," Tobias said. "I'll be right back."
Tobias went inside to go fetch Shoshanna, but when he did, Porcius was there waiting by their table.
"Ah, Sir Knight, I have good news. There is a man who will take you to the Temple of the Elements provided you meet his price."
Before Tobias could ask what the man's price was, Shoshanna said, "That won't be a problem."
Tobias gave her a look, expecting her to use her trickery on the man, but he had more pressing concerns. He did not get the chance to tell Shoshanna what he meant to say when she replied, "She'll be fine, Tobiyah ben Yishak."
He wanted to object, but he decided it would be better to deal with Porcius first.
"Thank you," he said. "Where do we meet this man?"
"On of my boys will take you," Porcius said. "You'll have to set out before dawn, seeing as how the Mad King's ban is still in effect."
"We'll do what we must," Tobias said. "Again, thank you."
"Glad to be of service, sir. You enjoy your time here at the Melusina."
Once Porcius was gone, Tobias then got closer to Shoshanna and asked her, "As you sure she's alright?"
"I told you she's fine, Tobiyah ben Yishak."
"Shouldn't you go check?"
"If it will put your mind at ease. Now sit down and eat. Your bird has already gone cold."
"I would rather go with you."
"You worry too much, Tobiyah ben Yishak, but if you must, bring your plate along with you before it gets thrown out."
Tobias did so and followed her out. Shoshanna went over to Tellus, stooped down and held her hand.
"She's fine, Tobiyah ben Yishak, as I said."
"She kissed Delilah before passing out," Tobias said. "It has something to do with her powers, doesn't it? What was she trying to do?"
"I couldn't say," Shoshanna replied. "Her mind is still now and I don't want to disturb it. However, when she kisses a person, she takes away a part of them, body and spirit. It was how she learned our language, how she has been awakening and expanding her powers."
"But what can she hope to gain from Delilah? She doesn't have any mystic powers, does she?"
"I'm pretty sure I'd know if I did," Delilah said.
Shoshanna looked at Delilah and said, "She has certain... assets. Perhaps Tellus just wanted a taste of what she has. There is a fine line between envy and admiration for girls her age."
"Well, we shouldn't leave her like this," Tobias said. "Delilah, do you know where our room is?"
"I think so," she replied. She then looked at the plate he was holding and said, "Tobiyah, you haven't eaten yet?"
"I'll eat after I've gotten her to the room," he said.
"I can stay with her," Delilah said. "Perhaps when she comes back around, we can come to a better understanding of each other."
This struck Tobias as a bad idea, but Shoshanna said, "I'll go as well, just in case there is need for a mediator."
"You make her sound like a terror," Delilah said.
"Oh, she can be," Shoshanna replied, "though at her core, she's a good girl."
"Aren't you some sort of witch?"
"I am," Shoshanna said. She nodded to Tellus. "So is she. And, after a fashion, so are you. Witches Three, oh, what mischief there will be."
The situation was looking worse yet, prompting Shoshanna to chuckle.
"You worry too much, Tobiyah ben Yishak. Come let's be going. Tomorrow will be an early day."
Tobias feared it was going to be a long night. He would be thankful for when they would be going on their way.