Now, do not speak that name to anyone but Master Zusara or me; not even to another master. Do you understand?
Hatushaly said, Yes, master.
He glanced down at Hatu, then motioned for him to follow.
Seeing no one around, Bodai asked, What else did you see?
A sudden memory struck Hatu. Badges, I think. They wore small badges shaped differently from any Ive seen. I only remember them because of how they flashed in the lantern light.
Bodai nodded. Black lacquered badges, which is why they caught light. It keeps infiltrators from He stopped and, looking at Hatu, said, Never mind. You should know only what you need to know, and you know a bit more than that already.
The two moved with the purpose of people on their way to a destination, perhaps a bit late, hence their quickened pace. Hatu stayed one step behind Bodai as a beggar boy would, showing respect for a holy man.
Glancing continuously from side to side, Bodai quietly asked, Where are those men from?
Azhante, replied Hatu. Being questioned so soon about that name informed Hatu that Bodai considered it to be critical.
Reaching a corner, they turned, and Bodai stopped before the first door on the right, opposite a backwash inlet from the harbour, covered in drifting refuse, dead fish, and other flotsam. Bodai struck the door once, waited, then struck once more, waited again, then struck three times.
The door opened to reveal a pair of armed men, weapons drawn. Bodai said, We need to travel to an island in the east. The men stepped aside and put away their blades, and Bodai and Hatu entered.
A lantern rested on a table in a sparsely furnished room. Two chairs had been positioned against one wall, and the cold fireplace on the back wall lay next to a door with a dark curtain. A ship leaves on the morning tide, said one of the two men.
Getting to the docks might prove a problem, said Bodai. Apparently both the king and the Church are looking for us. Someone must have realised who I was after we left the docks this morning.
The man who had spoken looked at his silent companion and said, Never easy, is it?
The second man shook his head.
The first man brought over the two chairs and said, Sit. We need to find some lads, then well move you. Well come up with a plan before morning. Hungry?
Hatu nodded and Bodai said, I was about to eat when we had to bolt. He sat and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Ill get you something from the back. Breads fresh and we have cold meat and cheese.
A feast, said Bodai lightly.
Hatu realised that he now held his entire body taut, as if he had clenched his fist and the feeling had spread from his head to his toes. He took a slow breath and tried to relax. He failed.
Hatu nodded and Bodai said, I was about to eat when we had to bolt. He sat and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Ill get you something from the back. Breads fresh and we have cold meat and cheese.
A feast, said Bodai lightly.
Hatu realised that he now held his entire body taut, as if he had clenched his fist and the feeling had spread from his head to his toes. He took a slow breath and tried to relax. He failed.
Bodai glanced at him and nodded once, as if he understood. Then he said, We wait.
AS A FREIGHTER MADE READY to depart the harbour, the sailors on deck saw a colourful procession making its way towards the boarding plank. A gaudy palanquin carried by six large slaves and followed by half a dozen retainers, all heavily armed, reached the gangplank and was lowered. Its gauze curtain was pulled aside to reveal an obese man with a massive black beard and flowing oiled locks to his shoulders; he descended the carriage as a young man in fine robes placed a step before him.
As Hatu extended his hand to help his master from the litter, Bodai spoke through the enormous false beard. When attempting to evade those who seek you, its often wise to look exactly like someone they do not have to seek.
Hatu was exhausted from the fear of being discovered, and from spending the night having his skin dyed to make him look like a southern islander, but the sight of Bodai wrapped in an entire roll of linen to double his weight, wearing the outlandish dress his agents had found for him, was still amusing.
He followed Bodai up the gangway as their retinue of hastily gathered agents departed, to scatter quickly throughout the city. Hatu found the theatre absurd but looked forward to describing the humorous event to Hava and Donte some day, assuming he lived long enough to see them again.
CHAPTER FOUR
New Considerations and an Old Friend
Declan sat quietly while enjoying a mug of ale. The forge had been busy since he accomplished his masterpiece as they caught up on some work put aside while the sword was completed. But finally, the tools, ploughshares, and horseshoes had been finished, and by three oclock, Declan had fulfilled the work. There were still a few small tasks, but nothing pressing, and Edvalt had pointedly told Declan to leave early and to begin to consider his choices.
He had removed his dirty tunic and trousers, soaked through with sweat, and had poured buckets of well water over his head to clean up as best he could. Edvalt had commandeered the wooden tub for a proper scrubbing and once he had rinsed away most of the soot and grime, Declan decided he could wait for a day to bathe properly. He settled for a quick swim in the ocean, washing the salt water away with a bucket of fresh, determined to get his proper bath soon.