“Hey, big spender,” Rachel hissed. “You still with me?”
“I was just tipping. Twenty percent is pretty standard where we’re from.”
“For the record you tipped twenty-five,” Rachel said. “It doesn’t matter. We should probably get going.”
Jason turned to face the door. “Did we just send Tark to his death?” he murmured.
“Later,” Rachel whispered.
“We probably did,” Jason said. “He seemed like he was in the mood to do something stupid. I guess it beats getting that huge knife through our backs some dark night.”
Rachel stood up.
Kerny hurried over, as if worried they would leave without talking to him. “How were they?”
“Delicious,” Rachel said. “You know your seafood.”
Kerny gave Jason an awkward glance, as if surprised Rachel had spoken first.
“She gets excited about her food,” Jason quipped, earning a grin from Kerny. Rachel’s lips compressed into a thin line. “And she was right. Puckerlies were a great suggestion—I have a new favorite meal. By the way, do you know where Trensicourt is located?”
Kerny steepled his eyebrows, forehead wrinkling. “Away inland a good ways.”
“Do you know specifically?” Jason asked.
“Can’t say I do. I’ve heard of the place, naturally. Never made it out that way.”
“Do you know anyone who could tell us how to get there?”
Kerny scratched his head. “I doubt anyone in town could tell you. You know how travel has dwindled. Not too wise these days, what with folks disappearing and such. No offense. I’m sure you know your business. Say, do you need a place for the night?”
“Maybe,” Jason said, glancing at Rachel, who gave an infinitesimal shrug.
“My mother runs a small inn,” Kerny said. “Only rooms for hire in town. Good price, nine drooma, and lodging comes with breakfast.”
Rachel offered Jason no clues to her opinion. He supposed it would be nice to have a bed. The last few nights had been chilly, waking up in fog. “I’ll take you up on that. But we’ll need two rooms.”
Kerny raised his eyebrows.
“She’s my sister,” Jason explained.
Understanding dawned on the bartender’s face. “Two rooms, you say? Might elevate the price to twelve.”
“That should work,” Jason agreed.
“Gerta,” Kerny called, removing his apron. The young woman who had served them hustled over. “Watch the bar. I want to escort these good people personally.”
CHAPTER 10
NED
The square-faced man helped them out the door. They landed rolling on a long mattress stuffed with straw. Kerny used his momentum to somersault expertly to his feet, then gave Jason and Rachel a hand up.
They walked together down the dusty road into town.
Kerny waved at a couple of people they passed. A tall man with curly orange hair and more freckles than skin came up to them, wearing what looked like a long sack with holes cut for his head and arms, the rough material dangling almost to his knees. His elbows were the widest part of his thin, speckled arms. He wore a black leather glove on one hand and no shoes. Even without shoes he stood a few inches taller than Jason. The stranger walked uncomfortably close to them.
Kerny steered Jason and Rachel away from the man. “That one’s not well,” he muttered.
“Who are your friends?” the stranger asked, following them, sniffing.
“They’re none of your business, Ned.”
“Sure of that, barkeep?” Licking his chapped lips, the tall man came up right beside Jason, matching him stride for stride.
Kerny wormed between Ned and Jason. “Shove off, Ned.”
Ned puckered his lips. “Not yet. Share the secret first. Who are the outsiders?”
“My guests,” Kerny growled. “Dignified visitors.”
“Don’t look dignified,” Ned remarked. “They look barely grown. They been sleeping outside.”
“Enough!” Kerny exclaimed, making Rachel flinch. “Shove off!”
Ned stopped trailing them, and Kerny led Jason and Rachel to one of the largest houses in town, right on the water. The residence stood up in the air on tall pilings. They climbed a coarse rope ladder up to the porch. A short woman with her gray hair knotted in a bun came to the door.
“I brought you customers,” Kerny said hurriedly. “This is Jason and his sister, Rachel. They’re staying the night. Twelve drooma for two rooms.”
The old woman’s eyes widened briefly. She regained her composure quickly, smiling kindly, but not before Jason recognized they were paying more than usual for the rooms. Jason considered haggling, then reconsidered, since he had already informally agreed to the price. Kerny left, and the old woman escorted them to a pair of small, neighboring rooms. In Jason’s room a wide canvas hammock stretched from wall to wall. A trunk with a big lock sat in one corner. Nets hung over the window instead of curtains, partially impeding the view of the harbor.
The old woman gave Jason the key to the trunk and told him he could stow his belongings there. Then she took Rachel next door. After the old woman finished, Jason entered Rachel’s room. She sat on her hammock, legs dangling, rocking gently.
“Do you think our hostess left us with the only keys to our trunks?” Rachel asked.
Jason frowned. “Good point.”
“Let’s never leave our belongings unattended.”
“Really? I was thinking we might hit the local cineplex, see what’s playing.”
Rachel folded her arms. “I know it isn’t your fault, but I didn’t like how I was treated in the tavern. People acted like I didn’t exist.”
“You did a good job rolling with it,” Jason said. “We have to blend in.”
“I know,” Rachel said. “But it makes it hard for me to help. I knew Kerny wanted to overcharge us. Didn’t you notice how the waitress went straight to him after you tipped her, and how extra friendly he became?”
“Sort of,” Jason said vaguely, embarrassed at having missed the signals. “I just thought it might be nice to have a roof over our heads. Who knows when we’ll get another chance to sleep indoors?”
Rachel scowled thoughtfully. “We were probably safer alone in the woods. Everyone seems too interested in us. Have you noticed the eyes on us since we walked into town?”
“Yes.”
“That weirdo Ned was the only person with the guts to say what everyone else was thinking. People don’t travel around here. We’ve drawn a lot of attention.”