Chapter 10
Something Unexpected
Durindahl can best be described as very old, and very traditional. While it isn't a big city by any means, it is a sizable town that offers, pretty much, whatever a person might want or need. The best shops are located around the public square in the center of town. Other shops, open markets, taverns and inns are on the main road, at the east and west end. Most shop owners live above their businesses. The wealthy, however, live on large estates outside of town.
It was about one in the afternoon when Joseph slowed the horses, as they entered town from the east. All their plans had been discussed and decided upon while they were on the road. Having received directions on what to look for, Joseph watched both sides of the busy street for any sign of an inn with stables. He wasn't having much luck so he stopped the carriage in front of a street vendor.
“Excuse me, sir,” Joseph called out to a man selling vegetables. “Can you tell me where I might find an inn with a stable?”
“Ah, yes,” the man said, handing a bag of turnips to a customer. “Down the street a little farther, turn right. You can't miss it. Big building near the end of the street.”
“Thank you, kindly,” Joseph smiled. “Are those cucumbers?”
“Why, yes. Just picked them this morning,” the man beamed.
“I'll take four,” Joseph said. He watched the man hand the cucumbers to a customer, who turned and handed the cucumbers to him. Before the man told him the price, Joseph tossed him a silver coin and drove off, his right hand waving in the air.
Francois and Magnus had already removed their overalls, and all three had combed their hair, when the carriage came to a stop in front of the inn. While on the road into town, Klaus had cleaned his bloody sword and knives, and stuffed the knives in his travel bag, along with an unopened bottle of wine. Francois had restocked his utility belt with more bullets, cleaned his pistols, then put them in his travel bag. Magnus cleaned his rapier, smoked a little weed, then put the weed pouch and pipe in his travel bag. Klaus and Magnus strapped on their sword belts, and Francois slung his musket case over his shoulder. They grabbed up their travel bags and stepped out of the carriage.
As much as Francois hated Klaus's hat, right now he was glad Klaus was wearing it. That eye-patch drew too much attention, making them easy to recognize.Francois nudged Klaus's arm. “Pull your hat down and cover your eye-patch with the brim.”
Klaus nodded and pulled the hat sideways. The brim hid his eye-patch, but now the ridiculous feather was sticking straight out to the side. Magnus took a step back to keep the feather from tickling his nose.
Francois really wanted to yank the damn feather out, but instead just shook his head. “Let's go.”
Klaus and Magnus hung back a ways as Francois stepped up to the front desk. He was met by a tall man with spindly arms and legs, and a pointed nose like a beak.
“My name is Morey. How can I help you, sir?” He asked politely.
“I would like a suite with an extra-large bed, and an adjoining room,” Francois said, smiling. “Do you have such accommodations?”
“Of course, sir. That suite is one gold per night, plus 10 silvers for the extra room,” Morey said, looking past Francois to Klaus and Magnus. “How many nights would you like?”
“Just one night. Also, we need feed for our two horses. Our driver, Joseph will be occupying the adjoining room. Please give him his key when he comes in,” Francois continued.
Morey sniffed and tried not to show any reaction when he realized all three men were occupying the same room. “Yes, sir. That will be an additional five silvers for your horses.”
Francois paid the clerk and took the room key, then said, “One more thing. We need a good tailor who can work fast. Do you know of one?”
“I might, sir,” Morey replied.
Francois set a gold coin in front of the clerk. “Then, please send this tailor to our room as soon as possible.”
“I'll take care of that right away, sir,” Morey nodded and smiled, slipping the gold coin into his pocket. He decided to ignore why three rich men would want to sleep in the same bed.
Once in their room they all started to relax. That was one hurdle cleared. Joseph arrived a short time later and brought Klaus the strong box. Klaus gave him instructions for ordering room service, then Joseph retreated to his room.
“Room service? What the fuck, guys. Why don't we go into town?” Magnus threw up his hands, looking from Francois to Klaus.
“We need to lay low,” Francois began. “Just until we get out of Saxony.”
“Yeah, and probably skip the hot spring,” Klaus added.
“What hot spring? And I thought you said we had a good alibi.” Magnus sounded worried. He didn't understand and it twisted his stomach in a knot.
“We were going to surprise you with a stop at Danby. There's a hot spring there,” Francois went on to explain. “But it's best we get the hell out of Saxony as soon as we can. Once we're on the road to Frankfort we won't have to worry about what happened at Matty's tavern. Since Frankfort is in a different state, I doubt that the news of some local killings will be of interest there.” Francois slumped into a chair. “I'm sorry, Magnus. This trip hasn't been much fun so far.”
“What are you saying? You think we might still be wanted?” Magnus put his arms around his chest and hugged himself.
“Come here, Magnus,” Klaus said gently, seeing Magnus's distress. “Sit down.”
Magnus sat down on the sofa and let Klaus wrap him in his arms. He always felt secure in Klaus's arms. Here is the warm, safe place that made him feel like he didn't need anything else. Klaus is...is...
“Room service!” came a cheerful voice, along with a loud knock.
Magnus sat up immediately. Klaus unwrapped his arms from Magnus, and leaned on arm of the sofa, looking casual.
Francois stood and went to the door. The cheery maid pushed a cart into the room, saying, “enjoy,” then left abruptly. Right behind her stood a short, older man with shoulder length, dark hair, and a thick, dark mustache.
“You requested a tailor?” the man asked.
“Yes, we did,” Francois said, and waved the man in.
“I am Mikel Ferndell, at your service, sir.”
Mikel measured each one and wrote down their orders. He took a particularly long time with Klaus, while Klaus explained the precise size and placement of each pocket for the inside of his coat. Klaus paid Mikel, giving him an extra gold coin for a rushed order. The tailor then left, promising to be back in a few hours.
Francois noticed that the tailor was eyeing them closely while he was measuring them. He seemed to pay special attention to Klaus. This concerned Francois, but he didn't say anything to the others.
When they finished eating, they pushed the cart out into the hallway, locked the door, then laid down together. They only removed their boots, deciding to leave their clothes on since the tailor was coming back. As always, Magnus was in the middle, with Francois and Klaus snuggling him on either side.
It didn't take long before Magnus heard Francois' slow, even breathing, and Klaus's soft snores. The guys had fallen asleep but Magnus wasn't sleepy. He laid there thinking about how he enjoyed the attention of two handsome men. He never expected that he would like men this much. But he found himself not even attracted to women anymore.
He thought about the hot spring, and how disappointed he was that they weren't going. Lusty thoughts painted pictures in his mind of all the wild and sexy things they could do at a hot spring. Maybe even a repeat of the first night the three of them were together...minus a couple of rounds. That took Magnus's thoughts to Klaus, and all the wild fucking they had done in the past. Without even realizing it, Magnus had dozed off, leaning his head on Klaus's chest.
Around eight that evening there was a knock on the door. Klaus got up to see who it was. Francois sat up, still on the bed, while Magnus mumbled and went back to sleep.
Mikel was back with the three new coats. After seeing it was only the tailor, Francois went back to sleep.
Klaus inspected the coats, and being satisfied, shook the tailor's hand and bid him good night. He then went right to work, filling all the inside pockets of his coat with daggers and knives. Feeling relieved, Klaus went back and laid down, cuddling up to Magnus's back, and glad they would be leaving at first light in the morning. Then Klaus drifted off to sleep.
At daybreak, Joseph knocked on the adjoining door to wake the guys up. The carriage was already waiting out front. With no time to linger, they put on their boots, and gathered their weapons and travel bags. Just as they were prepared to leave, someone knocked on the door.
Francois opened the door to see a broad-shouldered man about his own age. The man looked official, wearing a dark blue coat with an insignia patch on the upper arm of one sleeve, and three stripes on the other sleeve. Even though Francois had a feeling of dread, he kept his face expressionless and said nothing, waiting for the man to speak.
The man cleared his throat then spoke. “Ah, I see I've caught you just in time. I'm from the Magistrate's office.”
Magnus tensed immediately and started fidgeting with his fingers. Klaus kept his back straight, and his face calm, as he stepped forward and put his hand on Magnus's back to reassure him. Francois just looked at the man, saying nothing, and waited for the inevitable.
“Our Magistrate, Mr. Markham, wants to speak with you...” he looked behind Francois, “All of you, regarding an important matter. I have a carriage waiting, so if you follow me, I'll take you to his office.”
“What important matter are you referring to?” Francois asked, but figured he already knew.
“I'll let Mr. Markham explain it to you. Please, he's waiting...and, you can bring your things,” the man said, taking a step away, and urging them to follow.
Francois hesitated for a moment. The man acted a little nervous and was definitely in a hurry. He wasn't threatening at all, he didn't even carry a nightstick. He said they could bring their things, and they were carrying weapons. So, rather than try to make a run for it, Francois turned to Klaus and said, “Let's get this over with,”
The carriage they rode in was dark blue, with the Magistrate insignia painted on both doors. Magnus stared out the window, feeling very uncomfortable in the awkward silence, while Francois and Klaus tried to look relaxed. Once they entered the Magistrate building, the man in the blue coat led them straight to the office in the back. Francois was grateful that Klaus had the decency to take off his stupid, fucking hat before they went in.
“They're here, sir,” the man said. He held the door open until all three guys were in the room, then he walked out shutting the door.
A gray-haired man, with a pleasant smile, greeted them from his seat behind a huge desk.
“Please, gentlemen, have a seat. I am Maximillian Markham, the Magistrate. And what are your names?”
“I am Francois.”
“I am Klaus.”
“Um...Magnus.”
“I'm sure you're wondering why I had you brought here, so I'll not waste your time.” Mr. Markham came around to stand in front of his desk, holding three papers. He held the papers up, one by one, for the guys to see. They were sketches of each one, and remarkably well done sketches at that.
Magnus squirmed in his seat, Klaus closed his one eye and looked down, and Francois smirked.
“Yes, that's us,” Francois said. “Who did you get the descriptions from?”
“Wonderful,” Mr. Markham beamed, and went right to Francois, grabbed his hand, and started shaking it vigorously. He then went to Magnus and shook his hand, and lastly to Klaus. Stunned, the guys just looked at each other, then back to Mr. Markham. “On behalf of this Province, I want to thank you all for ridding us of the most notorious Garth Blackburn gang.” He turned and picked up a box from his desk and handed it to Klaus.
“They all had bounties on their heads, so you are entitled to all eight rewards,” he concluded with a big smile.
“A reward?” Klaus asked, still trying to process the fact that he was holding a heavy box of money. “A gang?
“Yes, of course a reward,” Mr. Markham replied. “This gang of bandits has plagued us for years. We thought we'd be chasing them for years to come, and then you three come along and take them all out at once. Most fortunate for us. Oh, and to answer your question,” Mr. Markham turned to Francois, “It was Matthias Stenghal who gave us your descriptions. You probably know him better as Matty, the tavern owner. It was your tailor that recognized you from these sketches. We showed them to all the storekeepers. Again, thank you, gentlemen, and have a pleasant journey.”
The Magistrate's carriage took the guys back to their hotel, where Joseph waited, sitting on the driver's seat of their own carriage. Klaus climbed in first and set the strong box on the floor. When all three were seated, they looked down at the box of money and started laughing at their unbelievable good fortune.
“Where to now, sir?” Joseph called out.
“Shit, I think we should go find a nice place for breakfast,” Klaus said.
“Sounds fucking good to me,” Francois grinned. “I think we can afford it, and Magnus is always hungry.”
“No,” Magnus piped up, with a very sly and flirty grin. “No breakfast here. I want to eat at the hot spring.”
“Joseph,” Francois said, sticking his head out the window. “Take us to Danby!”
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