Chapter 247 – Old Friends

Chapter 247 – Old Friends

 

Five men howled a sea shanty as Kai walked by. “Why are we here if we’re not meeting Valela?” He had just managed to set his bags down at the house when Flynn had dragged him back outside. The alleyway smelled of fish guts and unwashed sailors. In its furious rush to expand, Higharbor’s sanitation hadn’t kept pace in the poorer districts.

Will she even help me?

Doubts were creeping in. Amongst everyone he knew, Kai struggled to predict how the princess might have changed. They had parted ways on cordial terms—more than two years ago; now he was going to ask her to break the law. That was no small favor, it could jeopardize everything she had worked for if she got—

“Ease up a little.” Flynn threw an arm over his shoulders with a brazenly cheery attitude. “I’ve arranged a meeting with her tomorrow. Try to have some fun in the meantime. If we’d stayed home, you’d just end up torturing yourself with your stupid thoughts.”

Well, he’s not totally wrong…

“I don’t feel like drinking,” Kai grumbled. With his Constitution, he needed to down three pints just to feel slightly tipsy, and the sour taste of ale still hadn’t grown on him. Was it worth it to waste time and money for a far-off good time?

Perhaps it’s better if I never get used to it.

“Stop overthinking.” Flynn squinted at him and shook his head. “It’s written all over your face. You don’t have to drink anything. We just need to pick something up. Remember you need an ID to enter the upper city.”

“Oh…” Kai had forgotten about that pointless bureaucratic nitpick.

“We just need something that can pass a cursory glance. Most guards barely look at it, but it’ll be good to have it at hand if a patrol stops us. You never know when an officer feels like lording their power over you.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we just met Valela below the hills then?”

“Your girl has only gotten more famous while you were gone. People tend to notice her, especially if she leaves her usual circles to meet with a suspicious stranger.” Flynn gave him a once over as if that explained everything. “It’s also easier to find a discreet place in the upper city. Rich people like their privacy.”

When did he have time to organize any of this?

“Okay…” This was so far outside of Kai’s area of expertise that he could only trust Flynn knew what he was doing.

Maybe Reishi was right to worry.

The pile of gold and chromium in his ring was useless if he didn’t know how and where to spend it. Kai wasn’t entirely confident he would have found a solution before attracting the wrong type of attention.

“We’re here!” Flynn pointed to an uneven wooden building as if it were some impressive monument. The Merry Gal hung in bold letters above the open door.

Kai scratched his neck, trying to hide his lack of enthusiasm. The tavern was indistinguishable from the myriad of pubs they had passed. After a second take, he realized it was supposed to be Gale, but the e had peeled off the sign.

Why does this look familiar?

“It looks better inside.” Flynn chuckled. “C’mon, stop with the death stare. I’m not bringing you to a cemetery.”

Kai commanded his lips upward. “I’m smiling.”

“Yeah… I can see. Why don’t you just avoid meeting anyone’s gaze? I don’t want to get kicked out.” Flynn didn’t give him a chance to reply before dragging him inside.

A hodgepodge of smells and sounds assaulted his senses. Kai breathed through his mouth to avoid being overwhelmed. The place was… not terrible. Enchanted glass balls hung from the ceiling, filling the hall with a warm light; the floor looked relatively clean, and a pretty girl holding a fourteen-string lute intoned a ballad.

“It’s better than I expected.”

Flynn widened his eyes in shock. “You should be careful with your words. Someone might think you meant that as a compliment.”

“Fine.” Kai let a reluctant grin slip through. “This place is pretty good.”

It still wouldn’t be his first or second choice for a good time, but the lively atmosphere was pleasant. Barmaids wove through the tables to carry orders of food and ale, and by the amount of laughter and singing, customers were enjoying themselves.

“You’re back!” A barmaid with stunning red hair threw her arms around Flynn, attracting more than a few envious looks. “We were beginning to worry that something had happened.”

“Hey, Marly, sorry for disappearing.” Flynn blushed, looking unusually awkward on his feet. “A few things came up and my trip to Sylspring lasted longer than expected. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

“Things?” Her gaze landed on Kai with a slight frown. “Have I seen you before?”

Wait! Kai finally understood why he recognized her. Isn’t she that rude barmaid I met when I was wandering the city?

Flynn clapped his back. “You must be mistaking him for someone else. You know, he just has that kind of face. Ohh, I forgot about presentations! Marleen, this is my dear friend Calvin. He’s new to Higharbor, so I’m showing him around. And Calvin, this is Marleen.”

Calvin, really? I told you I hated that name.

“So, I’m just Marleen?” Her cheeks puffed up in mock offense that broke into an amused smile. “Don’t make that face. I’m just joking. It’s good to see you’ve been meeting new people.” She studied Kai with a raised eyebrow. “Though I didn’t know you dated younger guys.”

“I don’t!” Flynn spluttered with a repulsed look. “He’s not that kind of friend. And I would never date a man incapable of smiling and having fun!”

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“Hey!” Kai glared, his fists clenched at his sides.

There is no need to be insulting!

“I’m sorry, Calvin, but someone needed to tell you the truth.” Flynn leaned in to whisper to Marleen. “He’s been in love with me ever since we met. Try not to encourage him.”

I’m going to strangle him.

Unfortunately, there were too many witnesses to hide the body. Kai settled for stomping on his foot and casting ice cubes down his shirt. “Stop with your nonsense.”

While the fool squeaked and tried to grab onto the multiplying ice flakes, Kai looked at the barmaid with a tired sigh. “Could we please get a table? He enjoys embarrassing me.”

“Of course. It’s pretty crowded tonight, but we still have a few spots.” Marleen shared a sympathetic nod and led them to a table close to the singer. “Call me when you’re ready to order.” She hesitated before doubling back, watching him with gentle eyes. “Don’t let that moron bully you. You can do much better than him, and I’m not just saying that to make you feel better. Girls will swoon over that face of yours.”

“Uhm, thank you,” Kai mumbled. “I appreciate it.”

“I only speak the truth.” She winked and left to serve another customer.

Flynn stumbled to the table, dragged the chair back and slumped in his seat with a surly look. “The ice was a low blow.”

“Don’t look at me like that, you started this.” Kai sat to appreciate the song. “Now, who are we here to meet?”

 

~ ~ ~

 

“Calvin Smalls?” The guard read the paper ID, his tone laced with amusement rather than suspicion.