The Orphans' Promise by Pierre Grimbert Page A

shelf unit, while Raji tied the donkey’s reins to a ring on the wall designed for the purpose.
    “It’s the first time I’ve entered an inn through the cellar,” joked Rey.
    “Ha, ha, very funny,” Bellec said with a sneer. “Mind you, it’s also the
last
time. I run goods, not fugitives.”
    “Whoever said we were fugitives?” Grigán asked.
    “Why didn’t you go through the city gates?” the Lorelien countered.
    “Point taken. Just know that we have nothing to be ashamed of.”
    “Of course. I couldn’t care less what you’ve done. I don’t want to see you in my cellar anymore, that’s all.”
    “Well, we’ll have to come back through this way.”
    “That’s not my problem. If you want, I can open the tunnel again right now, and you could disappear. The tunnel is not a toll road.”
    Raji watched Grigán in anguish. It was all going to end in a fight, he was sure. But it was Rey who launched the attack.
    “We could also leave here and go talk to the collectors,” he threatened. “The Crown has no problem with us.”
    Bellec stared the young man down in disdain. This was a low blow.
    “Come on, now,” the actor continued cautiously. “We’re only passing through.”
    Bellec didn’t answer, instead shooting Raji a reproachful stare. He was left with no choice.
    “Where are your men?” Grigán inquired, as they made their way up the stairwell.
    “Who?”
    “Werb and Micaeir,” Raji specified, just as curious.
    “The Guild offered them a job in a little hamlet on the coast,” Bellec answered, directing his speech to his accomplice. “Rumor has it they’re dead. I hope it’s true. They picked up and left me without blinking an eye.”
    Rey and Grigán exchanged a knowing look, and then followed the smugglers up the stairs toward Lorelia.

     
    Bowbaq had finally fallen asleep. He and Léti had covered many topics, and the young woman had felt, yet again, her beliefs shaken.
    She leaned over the giant, listened to his breathing, and found it peaceful, measured. Right then she decided that she could use a walk outside. Corenn and Yan had been gone for a while, and after what she had just heard, she had no desire to be left alone.
    Outside she was still ill at ease. Even a few paces in the sunshine wasn’t enough to make her forget her fears, or even push them away temporarily into the future or the past.
    She met up with Yan and Corenn as they were returning to the stable. Her friend had an odd look on his face, the one he always had when he was passionate about a new discipline. He couldn’t hide these kinds of things from her, she knew him too well.
    The Kaulien gave her a smile as soon as he saw her. She felt a pang in her gut. Again, she mourned that Yan hadn’t asked for her Promise.
    She tried to drown this thought. Yan didn’t love her, and that was that. It was only another worry among many.
    As soon as they were within earshot, Corenn asked, “How is Bowbaq?”
    “Good. He had trouble falling asleep, but he’s snoring now.”
    “Is he in pain?”
    “He grimaces when he moves, that’s all. He isn’t complaining, though.”
    The three Kauliens faced each other, looking for a new topic of conversation.
    “You took a long walk,” Léti commented.
    Yan looked down and was suddenly very interested in giving his shoes an extended examination.
    “Yes,” Corenn answered. “The forest is very beautiful, over there. Well! I am going to go look and see if we can’t find something to make dinner from master Raji’s stores. After all, at five terces per day, he can at least offer us some meals!”
    They returned to the warehouse. Léti had the unpleasant feeling that they were hiding something from her. Her aunt only acted this way when she wanted to shelter her from bad news.
    Léti had meant to speak with her about Bowbaq’s valley of demons. Now, she no longer had the heart.

     
    Rey spent his first half deciday back in Lorelia watching the entryway of Bellec’s inn, the