Chapter 10 - The Kraken Gate
The little place we’d rented on Perdido Street was on the edge of the commercial district. The fastest route there was back across Poplar Square. I took it, determined not to allow the events of the previous day to intimidate me. Of course, nothing happened, which actually left me a little disgruntled. When you’re paranoid, you like to have your fears confirmed. It reinforces your own sense of endangered perfection.
Mahkran was at the top of a ladder that he had propped against the wall of our office. He was unscrewing the sign above the door that said “Lockhouse Security BV”. We’d agreed to close the office to save costs while we were in Lannerville. The Gulreimian waved a screwdriver at me.
‘Good morning, ma’am.’
‘Good morning to you, Rah Mahkran. Are you well?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘Ready for the journey to Lannerville?’
Mahkran nodded. He undid the remaining screw and the sign came away in his hands. Only once since I’d known him had he ever become garrulous. It was after the Prince of Gulreimia’s visit to Emberly, when he discovered that he had been released into my service. After the Prince departed for his homeland, Ty, Ellen, James, Na-Su and I held a small celebration to mark the end of our second successful job, and to welcome our two new recruits.
Mahkran and his brother, Ankush were trying to adjust to the sudden change in their lives. Alcohol was frowned on in Gulreimian culture, so the brothers raised their tankards of ginger beer to each of our toasts. Ankush was polite and inquisitive, but Mahkran was reserved and kept to himself for the most part. Perhaps it was the alcohol fumes in the air, or my insistence to bring him into the fold, but whatever it was, once he did start talking, it was as though flood gates had been opened. He spoke of how much he missed his family, his parents and his brothers and sisters. Eyes glistening in the half-light of the bar we were in; he spoke of his wife who was with child.
‘When will I see her again? When will I see my child? She will not know me!’ he had choked. Just when we thought his distress had peaked, he broke down in earnest, and for a few short moments, tears poured down his cheeks.
Ankush had put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘You will see your family before long.’
Mahkran had dashed the tears from his eyes. ‘Apologies brother, I disrespect our new friends and our employer,’ he had said. ‘Zhou-Anrah Drelahk, may the stars bless him and protect him forever, would be disappointed to see me so disdain his wishes.’
Now, Mahkran climbed down the ladder and took a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. ‘My wife has written to me.’ His eyes were shining. ‘Our girl is walking.’
‘So soon?’ I had said. ‘She cannot be more than nine cycles old.’
‘You have a good memory, ma’am. Nine and a half cycles, but childhood is short in Gulreimia.’
‘When this job is over, Mahkran, you must return to your family. I shall write to your prince and ask for him to release you from my service.’
‘You must not, ma’am!’ The Gulreimian looked shocked. ‘Zhou-Anrah Drelahk would be angry. He would think you were displeased with me.’
‘Surely he cannot mean for you to remain here forever?’
Mahkran looked uncertain. ‘I cannot divine my prince’s thoughts, but he may allow me to visit my family for a while.’
‘Well, whatever you need, perhaps a letter of approval from me, you have only to ask.’ I could see that the man was embarrassed to be the object of my attention, so I changed the subject. ‘Is everyone here?’
‘Ellen, no. Rah Ankush is also out, but he will be back soon. He is buying the wet-weather clothing.’
‘We’re going to need it.’
‘Is it that bad, Ms Derringer?’
‘The Forest of Yesper is a beautiful part of the country, Mahkran; green and lush with woods and forest, but the warm air comes off the Malaban Straights loaded with rain.’
‘Rain is always welcome in my country.’
‘A few Meniah-cycles in Lannerville may change your mind, Mahkran. Sadly, we are heading into wintersole. The rain will be replaced by snow before long.’
‘I should like to see that,’ replied Mahkran. He rubbed his neck absent-mindedly. He always did that when he was thinking. It was where the Corrosion pockmarks had affected him the worst. ‘We have snow all year round on several mountains in Gulrei, but it rarely snows where we live.’
‘The estate in Lannerville is usually snowed-in at least once each winter. That should cure you of any romantic notions regarding the stuff.’ I winked at him and opened the door. ‘I’ll see you inside.’
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