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When I don’t see anyone else that seems to be following I push off the wall and move. But as I do something tugs at my attention. I saw it only for an instant but now I can’t ignore it. Someone also enters the crowd on the far side and I feel certain they are tailing me.
Gada. I must lose them.
Moving faster I push through the crowds of people. My efforts are met with curses and push back but I’m able to slip through holes in the throngs and make good headway. I’m close to the market place which wasn’t my destination but I change my mind and head for it.
The market is a large open area close to the city center. The tents and stalls are haphazard. The size of each one an indication of the wealth of the owner. I let the movement of the people pull me along, doing my best to seem like I am out for a stroll or idly shopping.
One of the stalls does catch my attention. The merchant has jewelry on display. I stop and examine his wares but I’m also looking for my pursuer. A necklace catches my eye. It has an rich blue stone that sparkles as if the stars so far above us were captured in the stone. The mountain is full of surprises.
“How much?” I ask.
“Twenty-two iron,” the merchant says, his eyes sparkling with greed.
I turn the necklace over. It is too long for her, but I am sure he can shorten the chain. It would be stunning on her but the price is too much. That is almost a month’s salary.
“Ten,” I counter.
He barks a laugh and shakes his head.
“No friend, put it back please. I will not be insulted by such an offer.”
I look at him through narrowed eyes and growl as I lean over the counter.
“Twelve,” I say.
“Eighteen,” he returns. “That is a rare piece. You won’t find its like in all the market.”
“They won’t find your remains if you continue trying to gouge me,” I say.
He looks me up and down and only now seems to realize that I am a City Guard. He frowns deeply, shakes his head, then waves a hand.
“Sixteen,” he says.
In the corner of my eye I see my tail. He is at the next stall pretending to look at a mug but there is no doubt most of his attention is on me. He’s not a Maulavi, or at least not dressed as one. Who is he?
“Fifteen,” I say. “Final offer.”
The merchant’s mouth works as if he’s chewing on a tough piece of meat. He frowns, snorts, then shakes his head and sticks his head out.
“I’ll go broke at this rate but deal.”
I take the offered hand.
“I will give you one more iron if you’ll shorten the chain for me.”
He glares and his lips part to protest but he seems to think better of it.
“Fine. How short?”
I take a guess as to what will be a viable length for her and indicate such to him. He asks twice if I’m sure because it is so much shorter than pretty much any Urr’ki would wear a necklace. He tells me it will take a few days and I pay him. Once that is settled I step out of the stall and meld back into the crowd.
My follower does the same. I move slowly. Now that I’ve spotted him I want to pull him in, get him closer. Close enough that I can confront him.
The food stalls congregate together at the center of the market. The smells fill the air as I get closer and my stomach rumbles. I haven’t had time to eat lunch and my belly is protesting. There is no time and besides, how can I eat when she is home and probably hungry too?
I pause to look at a stall, checking on my pursuer. He is good, blending in well enough that I don’t immediately spot him. Once I have him in sight I continue my leisurely stroll until I reach a corner. I jump around it and press myself against the wall.
He rushes around the corner but he takes it wider than I’d hoped. He is too far for me to grab him, but in a moment of pure luck he doesn’t see me. I duck back around the corner and hide on the other side waiting to see if he figures out my ruse.
