The Boundary Coast (II)

[Before, 36]

(The road to success is textbook; everyone fails uniquely in their own way.)

(The end of my first year on the job sat at the forefront of my memory.)

(In my cubicle, my prison, I mumbled through the scripted sales pitch given to me. I found myself thinking at the time: I was made for more. I was made for better.)

(I wanted to be someone. To have my name in the history books.)

(This wasn't enough, it wasn't what I wanted. My performance continued to dip at work. My morale was shattered. The manager, his devious hawk-like stare always on me, hounded me week after week.)

(Still, running away just didn't sit right with me. Besides that, I wasn't even sure where to run anymore. The world seemed grey. Bleak. Stretched thin and bland.)

(There was nothing for me out there. I had tried and failed already so much. So I stayed. I stayed and wasted away, picking up the bottle in the process. It helped me cope until it didn't.)

(I regretted ever taking that first, mournful sip of gin alone in my musty apartment.)

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The sea shimmered blood-orange under the setting sun.

Through the algae-smeared wooden gates, we entered the Boundary Coast. A lingering scent of fish and sea hung in the air. Sweet pungence. Stalls lined the streets, ringing out with the heavy bustle of activity. Merchants hollered and bartered; passersby weaved through crowds.

Surrounding the town, a long line of palisades stretched out to the east and west. The weathered and swollen wood tilted slightly in disrepair.

Our carriage moved proud and centered through the packed streets. I leaned over and said to Ada: "What now?"

"We must find a home," she said, eyes narrow as we parted the crowds. "Boundary Coast's Trigg family own the land here. It'll be easiest if we talk with them, first."

I fumbled around in my pocket and withdrew the three golden talents. "How far will this take us?"

Ada stiffened, releasing the reigns. She threw her hands over mine and covered them, forcing the talents back into my pocket.

"Are you crazy?" She hissed. "Do you want to end up dead before the day's out? Devils, you are stupid sometimes."

"Sorry," I said through clenched teeth. "What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is this-" she drew from her own pocket a handful of silver talents "-This here is my life's savings. Eleven silver talents, with forty iron coins to spare. Listen: this is counted as a fair sum to be carrying. It's enough to lease a building for a few good years. That," she said pointing at my pocket. "Is enough to kill for. And believe me, they will.

I nodded meekly and swallowed.

Under her breath, Ada muttered: "Devils, I'm not even sure how we're supposed to use such a fortune."

In my pocket, I toyed with the gold. Somehow it seemed so much heavier beneath my fingertips.

Generous, father. I thought. Even the money you gave was designed to kill us.

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We arrived at the Trigg Manor as the sunset nestled into the horizon. A homely and humble villa, the building sat at the edge of coastline, overlooking the sea. A wrought-iron fence and gate enclosed the property. From the carriage seat, I could see a small pier with fishing boats fastened.

To the side of the gate, a few gruff men played cards over a wooden crate.

We dismounted and approached.

One of them, bald and scarred with one blind eye, stood and stared us down. His glare felt oppressing. Intense. He stood a full two feet above me with arms corded in thick muscle. I may have squeaked when he got close.

"We'd like to see Lord Trigg, if possible," Ada said, bowing her head slightly. "Our journey has been a long one."

The man bared his fangs in a wolfish grin.

Shit, I thought. This man's trouble. My eyes darted around to see more thugs appearing from the shadows of the street. Their rugged, leathery faces bore wicked smiles.

"Aye, is that right, lass?" he said, voice gruff. "And what are ye' after, then?"

Though she remained composed, Ada's voice trembled. "W-we wish to purchase a property here," she said.

The other men circled us. In that moment, the image of the channeling rod packed inside the carriage taunted me. So close, yet so far.

The man glared down at her for a moment before bursting out in laughter. The others joined in. "Why didn' you say so earlier, lass!? Hmm. Viktor Trigg yer looking for? Well, you're in luck! He's me! Ha-ha! Come, come inside!"

My jaw dropped and for a second Ada's face betrayed her shock.

"Come, come!" Viktor Trigg beckoned, his huge arms motioning towards us. "Boys, get some tea and grub ready!"

"Aye-aye, sir!" They chimed.

"Would you like to stay the night?" Viktor turned to ask. Before we could answer he turned away and said, "Aye, where're my manners! Mrs. Trigg would 'ave my head if you two were made to stay at one of our smelly inns! Ha-ha!"

"M'lord," Ada began, but Viktor's booming voice overtook her.

"Crock!" He shouted. "Crock! Where are you, you dunce! Crock!"

A man as wide as Viktor appeared by our side. I didn't have much time to think about it, but Crock was a marvellous deft man despite his size. The big man, frazzled hair tied in a Viking's bun, saluted Viktor.

"Aye, m'lord!" He said.

"Crock! Where 'ave you been, you dunce!"

"Was just sittin' o'er there, m'lord, playin' cards with you."

"Ha-ha!" Viktor roared. "Of course you were. Crock! Help our friends with their luggage!"

"Aye-aye!" Crock saluted once more before rounding up a group of the men. They made their way to our carriage and began to carefully unload our gear. One of them led our horses around the side of the villa.

"M'lord, you don't have to do that-" Ada started.

"Nonsense!" He said. "Yer honoured guests!"

Ada swallowed nervously. My brain seemed to have short-circuited, unable to process the situation.

"We're nobodies," Ada said with her head down.

Viktor slapped her on the back. "Aye, chin up, lass! Nobody's a nobody! Now! Tell me 'bout this house you lassies are interested in!"

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Inside, we joined Viktor and his entourage at a large wooden table. A small feast of fish, varied in their sizes, was stacked on platters before us. Smaller plates - of what I assumed were something like potatoes - accompanied the seafood. My mouth watered. A week of ration packs had left me wanting for more.

Before we ate, we told him our fabricated story, lining it with fragments of the truth. The farmers, burying my mother, and apparent exile was left in. He listened intently, nodding and grunting slightly at times. When we were done, he sat back in his chair and let out a loud breath.

"Whoo - now that's surprising," he sat forward - eyes intense - looking at me. "Yer telling me then, that yer not a wee lass?"

I blinked away my surprise, and stammered out: "W-what do you mean, sir?"

Viktor sighed. "Aye, yer voice ain't one of a lass'. What a shame... "

Ada spoke this time: "A shame, m'lord?"

"Aye!" He boomed, startling me and Ada. "I thought you two were one of those woman-lover type lovers. I always wanted to meet one. Aye, a shame, indeed! Regular lovers, then."

"Woman-lover type-" I murmured, then my cheeks flushed. "N-no, m'lord. We're cousins!"

Viktor raised a bushy eyebrow at me and laughed. "Aye, true? Ha-ha! That there's some royal behavior, don'tcha think!"

Before we could say anything, Viktor began stuffing food into his mouth. "Eat up!" He said through mouthfuls. "We'll talk housing once Mrs. Trigg is home!"

Ada and I looked at each other and shook our heads. But, I thought, It was better than being on the road. Better than being with Halmer. Better, I considered, than being at my desk, slaving away at a computer.

With mouth watering, I dug in.