Waking Olympus (The Singers of the Dark Book 1) by Peter Yard Page A

enclosed carriage to the castle. It was strange to ride without the wind in her face, or able to see everything around her at a glance. She couldn't anticipate the bumps and lurches. It was horrendous.
    "The things I do for duty." She murmured to no one. She had decided to go alone. A party of one woman looks forlorn and harmless, at least with the odd perceptions that Bethor was noted for.
    The castle was everything she expected from the old fairytales. A great black gate reminding her of a story about a castle surrounded by a cursed forest of thorns. She gritted her teeth, and pulled her mouth into something superficially resembling an insipid smile greeting the guards.
    Inside she was introduced formally to the room and started mingling.
    On the far right of the room were three merchants that Tei recognized. They all seemed to wear well tailored coats of some reddish brown material. She should ask what it was, it might be worth sourcing a supply if the fashion spread eastward.
    First among the little gathering was Terrance Alistero, he was a balding portly middle aged merchant who had once ventured out to all the Cities, but had been getting rich and fat staying in Bethor the last few years. He, like most merchants, was friendly with the Traders but unlike most he actually meant it. Tei knew him but thought she should get to know him more, he could be a useful ally in easing some of Bethor's dangerous tendencies. The other two were Gilda Wosheska, a woman in her forties, and Adrian Finn, both of them Tei barely knew.
    "Hello Tei. I'm surprised to see you here," Terry said, smiling.
    "Good evening, friends. I'm just here wearing my ambassador hat for tonight. Keeping up good relations."
    The other two merchants chuckled at the 'good relations'.
    Gilda was a dark-haired, dark skinned woman who was no longer young, with streaks of gray in her hair and the start of wrinkles on the sides of her face; the intensity in her eyes overrode the trappings of age. She spoke up, getting back on topic, which meant goods .
    "Have you seen the new clocks from Lind? Mechanical, with gears. By the stars it makes you wonder if those old stories of the Ancients are true. Pricey but there are so many willing takers. I have a contact in Lind if you wish to purchase from me, I can be extremely reasonable."
    Adrian sneered and spoke. "Just how many clocks do you expect to sell. I too have contacts in Lind and I have the rights to sell a new water purification system."
    That got Tei's attention.
    "How complex is it? Are you selling parts or the plans? And how much?" She said.
    He smiled. "It does require kilns to produce charcoal. But once you have the basic components I am told it is very easy to use and very effective. Cost, open to negotiation, of course." He said.
    "Charcoal? How is black soot going to make clean water?" Gilda said.
    "We would have to see a working demonstration first. I cannot stay much longer in Bethor but I will pass on the details to my relief." Tei said. He passed her a small note with his name and contact details.
    Terry leaned in, whispering. "Good that you are going Tei. I honestly don't feel comfortable here anymore." He looked up startled, he gave her a quick wave. They all backed away, frightened like wild animals.
    Before she could turn, a woman sidled up to her left, a drink in a beautiful green glass cup in her right hand. She wore a stark gray uniform. It stood out in this refined atmosphere like a bloody sword at a wedding.
    "Excuse me, Ambassador. My name is Liz Markham." They shook hands awkwardly, while Liz transferred the drink to her other hand.
    "Markham? Now there's a name that invites some questions. My name is Tei Lin Valis. Call me Tei."
    "Pleased to meet you, Tei. Hah, yes. Many people have the name Markham, doesn't mean much these days. So what interesting insights can you give us for the latest fashions in goods, Tei?"
    "I just look for what people want now and try to give them that. Too hard for me