Free Reunion by Kara Dalkey Page B

growing darker. At least the prince-mind could no longer keep asking, What is that? What is that ? because nothing could be seen. Corwin hoped they would not be attacked by robbers. Robbers got really upset when their victims had nothing to give. Corwin didn’t know if Nia had enough strength to perform more magic, or even how the baby leviathan gave her power. But they were passed by just one lone rider, who gave them only a sidelong glance.
    As twilight faded into total night, Corwin and Nia at last came upon a dilapidated building lit by torchlight. The sign hanging above the door showed a badly painted toad and ferret wearing Roman togas. They were either dancing and singing, or walking on hot coals and screaming.
    â€œAre there land-dwellers who look like that?” Nia asked, wide-eyed.
    â€œYou’d certainly think so after drinking enough of Anwir’s ale,” Corwin said.
    They went inside, and Corwin was struck by the reek of unwashed men and sour beer. Pulling his hood closer around his face, he guided Nia toward the bar.
    â€œDija hear that almighty screamin’ down by t’beach tonight?” one man was saying behind them.
    â€œSounded like a horse bein’ butchered,” said his table partner.
    â€œProbly them bludy Saxons,” said the first. “They’ll et anythin’.”
    So others heard the kraken, too , Corwin thought. Maybe Vortigern will send his wizards to banish it. Although knowing Vortigern, he might just ask his mages to make another kraken for his own uses. So let’s hope he doesn’t. At the bar, Corwin noted a stout man bent over, searching for something on low shelves.
    â€œGrown hunchbacked in your old age, Anwir?” Corwin asked.
    The man stood up suddenly, banging his head on a shelf above. “Ow! What rascal there be callin’ me a hunchback?” He turned around, rubbing his head.
    Corwin put a finger to his lips to silence any comment of recognition from Anwir. “Just a friend of a friend.”
    â€œWell now, well now,” said Anwir, leaning on his side of the bar. “Isn’t it nice to have friends?” He smiled at Nia, giving her full view of his stubbly cheeks, nose like a bruised strawberry, and few remaining dark-as-walnut-wood teeth.
    Corwin felt Nia’s mind beg a question of him, but he couldn’t sense about what. “We need a room for the night.”
    â€œOf course you do,” Anwir said, his gaze not leaving Nia’s face.
    Unfortunately, Corwin felt it would not be wise to punch Anwir’s lights out just now. “Is one available?”
    â€œFor a friend of a friend? Always. Assumin’ you can pay for it, that is.”
    Corwin sighed with disgust. So much for friendship . And so much for their chances, since he didn’t have a penny on him.
    Nia tugged at his arm. She was holding a small leather bag. Undoing the drawstrings, Nia spilled out the contents on the bar. There were three pieces of polished coral and five small gleaming pearls. “Will this . . . pay for it?” Nia asked.
    Corwin had never seen Anwir’s eyes so wide, and he had a feeling his own had grown rather large. If only he’d known Nia had those pearls before! “Why, yes, missy,” Anwir said, quickly scooping the gems into his broad, thick palm. “That should just cover it, and a bit left over for breakfast, too.” He reached down and got a long iron key from under the counter. “Up the stairs and last door on your right. Have a pleasant evening.”
    Corwin grabbed the key and guided Nia up the rickety stairs before he could lay a punch on Anwir’s smirking face. He also wanted to be out of the common room before anyone took much note of him or Nia. “You shouldn’t have given him all the pearls,” Corwin grumbled, annoyed.
    Nia frowned back at him. “I didn’t know how much to pay. I thought he would just take what the room cost