“Hi you two,” Katrina said.
Obran had dozed off as his brother spoke all about human cults. The rhythmic noise of the rain as it bounced off the villa ceiling had relaxed and calmed him a bit. I can’t let my guard down like that, Obran thought.
“Hey Katrina,” Obran said.
“It’s nice to see you again,” Erkin said.
“Sorry to wake you both but I wanted to know if you still wanted to go to the gremlin quarter,” Katrina said. “They close the gates early here so if you both still want to go we should head out soon.”
“Sure,” Obran said, getting up slowly and putting on his backpack.
“Are your sheep okay?” Erkin said.
“Yes, they were just spooked by the thunder,” Katrina said. “I also wanted to tell you both that I have some wool coats for sale; if you are both heading north you might need one,” Katrina said.
Obran hadn’t thought about how cold it might get up north. Cold didn’t bother gremlins much but coming from the southern continent Tori might have never even experienced such weather.
“You make clothes and cheese too?” Erkin said.
“Yes, the monks let me keep some of the wool for my service to the abbey,” Katrina said.
“But would your clothes even fit us,” Obran said.
“I sometimes make clothes for the children of our wealthy patrons but I can show that later, let’s get going. We can talk on the way.”
“Alright, but do you mind if we make a quick detour?” Obran said.
“Sure,” Katrina said.
The three of them left just as the monks started to prepare dinner. It was dusk and luckily the rain had slowed to a soft drizzle; Still, Obran and Erkin both wore their hoods up, both to stay dry and to cover their faces.
“When did things quiet down?” Obran asked Katrina.
The streets were unexpectedly quiet; there were still people milling around but they didn’t look very festive.
“You haven’t heard?” Katrina said. “That’s right the monks don’t talk much—word is the King is ill.”
“Really? What have you heard?” Obran said as Erkin glanced at him; his brother looked worried.
“Just that, that he is ill but also the typical gossip and rumors too. I wouldn’t worry until there has been an official proclamation in the forum. I’ve heard so many silly rumors before and they all turn out to be false. I’m sure in no time the King will be relaxing in Capri or hiking at Vesuvius,” Katrina said.
“Let’s hope so,” Obran said.
Word had gotten out quickly, but Obran knew fast riders and couriers were used by the Roman postal system and pigeons were also used for more urgent messages.
“How long did you both stay in the capital? You didn’t hear anything?” Katrina said.
“No, we didn’t stay long, just to see the celebrations for the King’s birthday,” Obran said; he didn’t like lying but didn’t want to risk telling the whole truth.
“So what did you guys think of Roma?” Katrina said.
“It’s not for us,” Obran said.
Well, that isn’t a complete lie, Obran thought.
“Speak for yourself bro. I like city life; I’d get bored just living on a farm or in a small town,” Erkin said.
“I'm with you Gizzy, I don’t care much for city life either. I can’t wait to have my own farm in the country. And I really don’t want to be a shepherd much longer since it is kind of a lonely life,” Katrina said.
“You don’t want to get married?” Erkin said.
“Moe, that’s kind of a personal question,” Obran said but luckily Katrina did not look offended.
“It’s okay. You can ask me all the personal questions you like as long as I can too,” Katrina said and smiled. “I almost married a young farm boy once, back up north. We grew up in a village near Verona but he was conscripted and died in the war. That was a couple of years ago. My parents wouldn’t let me marry him before he left since we were so young but he did give me an engagement ring.”
Katrina showed them an iron ring which she wore on her fourth finger. Obran hadn't noticed it before since wedding rings were not a gremlin custom.
“I still feel like his widow and most Celtic widows never remarry,” Katrina said.
“Sorry for your loss,” Obran said.
“Yeah, I’m sorry too,” Erkin said.
"Don’t feel too bad for me,” Katrina said. “Who knows, maybe I’ll catch the eye of a rich Roman patrician with a big villa.”
By the tone of her voice Obran could tell her loss still pained her.
“I'm sure that could easily happen,” Erkin said.
“I’m not in any rush. Some soldiers and local patricians, even some so-called monks have asked me to marry them but for now I don’t mind being alone. Besides I have Corvus and he’s pretty jealous,” Katrina said; she'd left her dog back in the abbey to guard the sheep.
A few people gave them glances as they walked the cobbled street; perhaps it was unusual seeing a young pretty girl walking with two gremlins but most people seemed friendly, some humans, gnomes, and even dwarves said hello as they walked by.
“Can we pass by the east plaza?” Obran said,
“Sure, it’s a bit out of the way but we can cut through the forum,” Katrina said.
In the forum many were still celebrating but it was subdued and he saw many Romans inside the temples they passed and it looked as if they were praying and offering up sacrifices for the King.
Once in the eastern quarter they passed an inn called, “A Bunch of Grapes”. Collatinus told them he had sent word by pigeon and reserved a room on the third floor, facing the road. He said it was his safehouse in Remus. Obran had told Tori to hang a red handkerchief in the window if she sensed danger. He quickly scanned all the windows but saw nothing and no one was nearby.
“Are you looking for someone?” Katrina said.
“No, I just wanted to see this part of the city again, for old times sake. Let’s go to the gremlin quarter now,” Obran said; he’d come back alone later.
“Great,” Katrina said.
***
The gremlin quarter was more of an alley at the of a street than a whole quarter, and Katrina said it was located in the poorest district of Remus. Really, it was just a few inns and restaurants along with stands for bakers, barbers, tailors, and craftsmen. But Obran was glad to see so many gremlins all living and active in a city and not just in the sewers; there must be dozens and dozens, he thought. The alley looked vibrant and well maintained and Obran instantly picked up the scent of gremlin stew along with weed tarts and cakes; it all smelled so good. Maybe a gremlin can make a life in a city, Obran thought.
“We can try a few different places, sample some things, but let me say hello to a close friend that I’d like you two to meet too,” Katrina said.
“Uhm, okay,” Obran said.
“Lead the way,” Erkin said.
They entered an inn called, “The Gremlin’s Kiss”. Inside were about a dozen tables in front of a large fireplace and bar. The customers were mostly gremlins with a few humans and gnomes too. There was music and gambling but like the rest of Remus it was a subdued celebration.
“Just grab a table and I’ll be back,” Katrina said.
Obran and Erkin sat down near a window; soon a voluptuous waitress, wearing a low cut tunic, came over.
“So what do you two cuties want to drink?” she said.
“Two ales please,” Obran said.
“Okay, for dinner we got stew of course, also the pork sausage or the chicken platter, tarts or bread on the side,” the waitress said.
‘We will just have two ales for now. We are waiting for a friend,” Obran said.
“Suit yourselves,” she said.
“Two ales,” she called out over the chatter in the inn.
The inn was cozy. The fireplace warmed the place and everyone there seemed content and happy. Obran saw some gremlins playing dice and cards but didn’t recognize any of them and there were even a few human men talking to some pretty female gremlins. The waitress quickly returned with two big cups of ale.
“Just holler when you want something else or if you want to get in on a game too; there’s also fifis and human girls available too if that's what interests you so don't be shy,” she said and winked.
“Uh...thanks,” Obran said.
“...Thank you,” Erkin said.
“I’ve haven’t seen you two before; are you new in town or just passing through for the celebrations?” she said.
“Passing through,” Obran said.
“Ok, stay out of trouble boys,” she said.
They sipped their beer and glanced at everyone nearby and whoever passed in front of the windows.
“Best we keep to ourselves tonight,” Obran said.
“As you command, sir,” Erkin said.
“Erkin, you will have plenty of time to get into trouble with Tomas and the others once me and Tori leave.”
“But it won’t be as much fun without the two of you,” Erkin said.
“I’ll miss you too,” Obran said.
Katrina returned and she was accompanied by an older gremlin who only had a small tuft of white hair on his head, and lots of boils and warts all over his green skin.
“Gizzy, Moe, this is Mr. Stripe. He owns this place and a few others here in the quarter,” Katrina said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Obran said.
“Hello, sir,” Erkin said.
They all shook hands.
What the hell is this about? Obran thought.
“Hello boys, nice to see some new faces,” Stripe said.
Stripe made Obran a bit nervous, though he was old Obran sensed he was far from harmless.
“Katrina tells me you’re both coming from Roma. How are your travels going,” Stripe said.
“Fine, just fine…yeah, just traveling through...going back north...me and my brother,” Obran said. Settle down, he thought.
“That must have been some trip, you both already have a bit of a capital accent,” Stripe said.
This Stripe is perceptive, Obran thought. We have to be careful.
“Katrina tells me you are both headed north,” Stripe said.
“Yeah...uhm maybe, not sure when though,” Obran said.
“But I’ve been so rude. Let me get you some more ale, some of the premium stuff my wife brews special,” Stripe said.
“Thank you, that’s much appreciated,” Obran said.
“Thank you sir,” Erkin echoed.
He wants something.
“I told Mr. Stripe you both are headed north after the celebrations and he was hoping to meet you after I told him I remembered you…Gizzy,” Katrina said.
Mister Stripe? Why does she call him that? Who is this gremlin?
“You both wouldn’t by chance be heading to Milano?” Stripe said.
Milano was the name of a settlement near the northern mountains. It was a stronghold that was often raided by goblins and orcs from the Northern Mountains. But the dwarves, gnomes, and humans refused to abandon it, both because of pride and the rich mines and fishing nearby. Now it was sure to be the staging area to retake the dwarven halls under the Alps.
“No, we are going back to the gremlin lands, with maybe just a few stops in between,” Obran said.
The main gremlin territories were leagues south and east of the Northern Mountains.
“We’ll if you like a job. I have an offer,” Stripe said.
“Uhm...we aren’t really looking for work right now,” Obran said.
“Just hear me out young gremlin,” Stripe said. “I am merely looking for someone to ferry some cargo north, something of a delicate nature.”
“But like I said, Mr. Stripe, it is not in our plans to go so far north,” Obran said.
"But it is an opportunity,” Stripe said. “Two young gremlins like yourselves might be open for just such an opportunity. Especially a veteran like yourself.”
“I didn’t say I was a veteran,” Obran said.
“C’mon my boy, you have it written all over your face,” Stripe said. “Katrina told me about you; she has a great memory and recognized you...Gizzy...is it? Anyway, she and that mut of hers like you both and she’s headed north herself too. But traveling alone is not safe for a girl, even one as tough as her.”
“I think you’d cower at the animals and monsters I’ve taken on Mr. Stripe, and only some of them walked on four legs,” Katrina said.
“So you want us to escort her to Milano along with your cargo? But why would you want to go there now Katrina, when fighting could break out anytime?” Obran said to Katrina.
“I’d stay in Placentia, which is leagues south. I’ll wait for my brother there after they take back the mountains,” Katrina said.
Why do these humans think it will be so easy; they thought the war with the Carthaginians would be easy too, Obran thought?
“But why would you trust us?” Obran said.
“I wouldn’t,” Stripe said. “But if Katrina is right about you and your…uhm service, then you’re the perfect gremlin for the job. At least better than any of the lot here and I wouldn’t trust any Roman or human for this job.”
He knows who I am, Obran thought.
“Besides, I do trust Katrina and so can you, and she’ll knock your head off with that staff of hers if you try anything.”
“You’re gonna leave your abbey?” Erkin asked.
“I didn’t plan to stay here this long, Moe and I’ve quite had it with some of the people there. Many are not as pious as you may think,” Katrina said.
“Of course both would be handsomely rewarded as well,” Stripe said.
Obran thought about his options. He could do this job after he dropped off Tori. He’d already be in the north and some extra money would not hurt. Still he didn’t think it was worth the extra risk.
“Mr. Stripe. It is a good offer but I don’t think it is possible for us right now,” Obran said.
“Sad to hear that young gremlin but at least think about it,” Stripe said.
Obran hardly heard his last few words. All his attention turned to the new group coming into the inn. It was the whole crew: Tori, Tomas, Zico, and Mara.244Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IpHQgppMU
