"McCarty, Dennis - Thlassa Mey 01 - Flight to Thlassa Mey UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCarty Dennis)

She glanced up at the signboard. Her agitation showed
in the way she played with the end of the colored sash
about her waist. *Then I will speak with him." She turned
to her attendants. "Mease wait for me. This must not take
me long."

One of the attendants caught at her wrist. "Lady, it's
a bad section of the city, and we might be followed. Per-
haps one of us should go with you."

"This man will be with me." She gestured back toward
the slave. "And if the man I seek be found within, I doubt
there's any danger to be feared."

Quickly, she stepped through the tavern door and found
herself inside a large, low chamber. The place was full of
the sour smell of ale. That pungent odor was an improve-

8 FLIGHT TO THLASSA MET

ment, however, over the smell of sea water, rotting fish,
and garbage which filled the street outside.

There was an innkeeper, or at least a man who looked
like one, wiping the top of the long counter that lined the
far side of the room. This host looked up as they entered.
He was impressed by the wealthy fashion of her robes;

Aelia could tell that. She looked at the slave. "Is this the
man? He doesn't look the part."

The slave shook his head. "The one you seek is only
a worker here, a chucker-out. He keeps the peace on busy
nights, repairs the furniture, and helps keep the place in
order."

She nodded and stepped forward. "Good innkeeper, I
seek the one who labors here. Four decades old, or near,
should be his age; he should be tall, broad shouldered,
wearing several scars along his arms."

The host looked at her warily. "You're the second one
to come here and ask that question." He nodded at the
slave. "There's the other. Why should my hired help inter-
est you?"

"Because he does." Her voice had become soft and
persuasive but there was no softness in her eyes. "Now
do you know this seal?" She extended her right hand,