Marri's Approach (Brackish Bay) by Cerise Noble Read Free Book Online Page A

at the gate halted us, and Dawn took point.
    “What's your business?” a guard said.
    “We're on Mistress Rari's business. She sent us to the market.”
    “Market? Why don't you go to the market closer?”
    “She heard that this outpost had a trading ship come in. Told us to check it out and report back.”
    The guard eyed us doubtfully. “All of you?”
    “If the fabrics meet her needs, they're to carry it back.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at us, and we tried to look strong and dumb.”
    “Fabrics? Didn't that ship come in earlier this week?” He turned to the man beside him. “Did you hear that the ship from Cinitar was still here? I though it unloaded most of its cargo at the first outpost?”
    The other man shrugged. “I don't go to the market, man. That's what I have a wife for. She handles all that.”
    The first guard turned back. “I think you've got it wrong.”
    Dawn shrugged. “We'll check anyway.”
    They let us in. We sauntered along the streets, giving Dawn time to look around and identify the way to the market. It wasn't hard; it was smack dab in the middle of the outpost. There she asked around for the fabric merchant, and sure enough, he had plenty of inferior goods from Tornaku, but almost nothing from Cinitar left. I fingered the woven fabric while Dawn argued with the merchant briefly. After a bit, she turned off in a huff. We followed, and made our way to the bridge that led to the island.
    It was a great, long, tall bridge, a testament to the skill of the craftsmen Roy had been able to entice to his House. I marveled at the structure as we approached. Thick square pylons sunk deep into the river were spaced widely enough for several boats to pass between them at the same time. The arching top edges were high enough that they wouldn't impede even the tall sailed boat we had come on from Cinitar. The bridge itself had a sturdy railing, giving safety to the pedestrians as well as the horses and carts. There were only a few of these occupying the bridge at the time we approached and were halted by another guard.
    “I haven't seen you before.”
    Dawn cocked a hip and immediately adopted a pissed off attitude. “You haven't? What the fuck is wrong with your eyes? I was with Rari on the island just last week! You don't remember me?”
    “Er—”
    The other guard whistled from his side of the bridge. “I wasn't on duty last week, little mama. You want to leave your mark so that you know I won't forget you?”
    Dawn spit in his direction and proceeded to step onto the bridge. The first guard blocked her way with his spear.
    “No, sorry. Rules are rules. I have to either recognize you or you have to be with someone I recognize.”
    “I'm Rari's best rabbit hunter, fool! Let me pass!”
    He squinted at her face. “I don't remember you.”
    She sighed, and gestured impatiently at us. “How about any of them? You going to tell me you've never seen any of them before, either?”
    It was a highly risky move. If he'd been one of the ones who'd seen me— I held my breath. Fortuna, let the scarf be enough, please?
    “No. I'm sorry. I don't recognize any of you.”
    Dawn proceeded to have a full-fledged screaming riot of a meltdown. If I hadn't known better, Fortuna, I would have thought the woman had gone mad.
    I edged away from her, waiting. A cart came up, and the second guard gave them a nod before continuing to attempt to console Dawn. Unobtrusively, I began to follow the cart. The rest of my patrol began talking over each other, trying to quiet Dawn and reassure the guards. After a while, Petunia slapped her across the face, picked her up and slung her over her shoulder.
    “We'll take her back to Rari. I'm sure she'll have something to say about the lack of discipline she's displaying. We're so very, very sorry for her behavior.”
    They walked away, while Dawn continued to hurl invective until I was too far over the bridge to hear them anymore. I bet she enjoyed that, Fortuna. I