Page 9 of A World Enough

Overenthusiastic greeters welcomed them at the entrance, trying to sell cheap tourist trinkets.

“Welcome to Boran. If it’s your first time on Boran, there’s fifteen percent off any purchase.” He lifted a wooden board with tatty jewellery. “I have luxury jewellery for rock bottom prices.”

Rock bottom was right. It probably gave everyone who wore it a rash.

Although they were underground, it didn’t feel dark and damp, like a normal cave dwelling. This below ground living had been built up because the Boran weather system changed to continual rain millennia ago.

There were some brave souls like the fisher people who lived above ground, a hardy breed who brought food from the oceans to the population down below.

Morrigan took the elevator down to the main promenade. She could have quickly reached her destination, but she felt like taking in the sights and sounds of the merchant world. It was such a long time since she had been there. The noise of chattering shopkeepers and the smells of exotic fruits and vegetables were delightful.

In this cave system, market stalls were placed on each side along the wide path. The more exclusive goods and tradespeople had shops built into the cave walls.

Morrigan heard and smelled the blacksmith’s shop before she saw it. Margot the blacksmith came from a long line of smiths. Her ancestors were said to have helped create the weapons forged and given to the werewolf packs, back on Earth.

Margot sang a song from her world as she hammered the weapon she was bringing into being. She was a gorgeous full-figured woman, and Morrigan’s gaze lingered on Margot’s long curly red hair, her more than ample bust, and—

Just as she was thinking how sexy Margot was, Morrigan was yanked up in the air by her collar.

“What do you want with my wife?”

“I can’t find anything, sir.”

Brogan held up her hand, signalling Camber to stay still until she heard the footsteps go away into the distance.

“It should be okay now,” Brogan said.

Camber moved quickly and threw her satchel over her shoulder and across her body.

Brogan got up. “Where do we go now?”

“I’m getting out of here. I don’t know about you.”

“I showed you that I’m trustworthy. Please help me get home.”

“You kept quiet for five minutes. That does not show me trust. Do you know how many people have played along and appeared as though they were on my side? Enough so that I or people close to me nearly got killed—some did get killed. It takes more than you’ve done to make me trust you.”

Brogan was frustrated. “At least tell me where I can go to get help. I come from Earth. Is there one of these windows…portals, whatever they are, to take me back there?”

“If you are telling the truth, and that’s a big if, I can’t help you. I’ve never heard of a place called Earth, and I’ve got my own worries.”

“But you knew where you were going when I followed you.”

“I’ll throw the handcuff key to you when I’m nearly out the door.”

Camber started to walk.

Brogan needed to show this woman how much she needed her help. She went on one knee and held up her cuffed hands in surrender. She hated to be in such a weak position. Her wolf wanted to growl and run home on her own speed, but Brogan had no alternative. “Map Keeper, please. I need your help. I just want to go home.”

Camber rested her hand on the barn door and let out a sigh. She had learned to be ruthless for her cause since she was a little girl, but this big wolf was pulling at her heartstrings. Camber didn’t realize she had any left to pull. Don’t look back, she kept telling herself. But she couldn’t help it as her head turned.

“You follow me, you don’t ask questions, and I’ll take you to people who can help you—if you’re sincere about who you are.”

Brogan stood up. “Who?”

“The GallowGlas wolves,” Camber said.

“Werewolves. You have werewolves here?” Brogan said with surprise.