Chapter 267- Planning ahead

Planning ahead

While Amanda and Daisy bonded by chatting in the kitchen, Doug led Mr. Thomas into the open hall. The scratching of quills onto parchments drifted from the circles of desks. The one-armed man witnessed the progression of the once illiterate children to ones who could write barely legible letters.  More importantly, they could also read their own writing.

Han sat on a wide desk in the middle of the hall near a small podium. Presently, a small sprightly boy occupied the raised stand.

"Linny said there were only two of them. Today when the one-handed man and the hooded woman left with Old Jack from Baker Roy, they followed them. She had passed on the information to the Behemoth Boss in the area before giving it to me. When you sent me back with the order to nab them, the gang already had them secretly surrounded. In half a breath, they got jumped. The Boss has them entertained at the shack on Grease Lane."

"You did well, running around today, Fleets. Pass the word to the Boss at Grease Lane to squeeze them for information but not injure their faces. Any more updates for this matter?"

Han complemented the sweaty boy stepping down the stand. His question initiated a few hands to raise from the children trickling in and out from the hall.

"Linny sent for Welk since she saw the men come from his direction. He said they are not regulars from his block. They probably came from the Noble Quarters or the Merchant District."

"Enid and I came down from the noble district when Brother Han called. We never saw anyone looking like them entering or leaving the Wang Clan. Enid has gone back to join Dikes to beg at their kitchen. I just came to report this before heading out to join them."

Han nodded before waving off the reporters. They scampered out on the hopes to hop a wagon ride or the other so they could avoid the long walk to their destinations. Scratching his chin, he turned to one of the desks. Since knowing Mr. Thomas was arriving soon to Frost City, the information network weaved around the house he mentioned. Doug had also extended his network to people who frequented the Wang household.

"Little Rails, who is watching the Gofart House in the merchant district?"

"Big Brother, Sal is out there with Lue and Gin. They're from the orphanage in Grain Street."

"Good, send a team to replace them so they can have a look at the captives in Grease Lane. I have a feeling they came from the merchant district and waited for Elder to exit the gates of the Forgotten Palace. There are lots of beggars lurking around there keen to earn coins for information on who passes through the gates. Have our teams listen in on them."

Han ordered as he paused before continuing. Frost City encompassed a large area with an equally massive population. At the moment, their information network, though spread out, seemed woefully inadequate. The only option lay in reassigning the teams of children to more pressing matters.

"I also want a team to concentrate on tracking Elder and our companions when they leave the Forgotten Palace. If anyone decides to shadow them while looking for an opportunity to kidnap or kill, we have to be prepared..."

He wiped his brow as he scribbled a few notes. They progressed slowly in learning how to harness the powerful intelligence network developing before them.

Mr. Thomas waited near the kitchen door until Han completed issuing his orders. He then walked up to the twenty-year-old lad.

"Not bad indeed. I see you have grown from simply running wild in the forest with those troublemakers. You have the making of a leader. Haha... continue to work hard, all of you."

He encouraged while looking at this group of young men. Leaving a comfortable home to live in squalor because a boy younger than them said so, required no small amount of loyalty and grit. Somehow his eyes glazed over while beaming at them. Deep down, he knew part of the reason they worked hard was on account to aid in his return to the city.

"Do your best but remember, don't place yourselves in unnecessary danger. I won't leak the details, but when the Boss arrives in the city, we all are in for a big surprise."

Seeing their blinking or frozen open eyes in anticipation, he chuckled while rubbing his beard.

"Now, how about you let me tag along to visit your captive guests..."

***

The merchant wagon dropped the father-daughter pair near the closed gates at the center of the city. Only when the two disappeared inside with the palace guards did the horse clop along the cobbles.

"Who are they?"

Merchant Quin whispered to the little cloaked figure sitting behind him in the tray. The soft voice of a child answered from the unnoticeable yet alert bundle.

"My big brother says they are people nobody should ever dream of doublecrossing."

With a passing shudder, Merchant Quin guided his horse on the main street towards his home. A little after dark, this child delivered a message for him. Without a moment's hesitation, he had the stableboy floundering to hitch his wagon. Half a breath later, this girl guided him across winding streets and lanes in the slums.

Not knowing when, where, and how, he picked up two passengers and somehow made it out of the slums without as much as a beggar jumping in front of his horse to seek alms. Merchant Quin was an old hand in Frost City. After the grain upheaval a few days ago, he understood the ones who literally owned his business were not ordinary. Every single merchant who participated in hoarding and raising the price of grains belonged to the same unknown masters of this little girl.

To remain hidden without an ounce of rumour being whispered in the shadows or corners of a tavern filled him with dread. Those born in this city under past generations knew some things were better left alone. Merchant Quin glanced at the girl scanning the street.

"Will you be sleeping at my house tonight?"

"Yes, but I will leave early in the morning. Does the Lady require my services in the kitchen? I can help when I wake from the servant quarters."

"No, no need. The servants can manage their chores. I will contact you in the usual manner should my wife require extra help."

Merchant Quin replied. If he was foolish to hire this girl to slave around his house, then he may as well run naked into the North Pass. He had heard the soft laughter and the chatter floating from the wagon tray during this outing. Orphan, slave, or beggar, he never met any who hugged and chimed with a lady who walked into the gates of the Forgotten Palace. Presently, his accounts hanged by a thread as he squirmed while waiting for instructions. Like hell, he would have this child scrub his floor.

Little Kat, meanwhile, sat while clutching a pouch full of copper coins hidden inside her patched sleeves. Her new big sister gifted it over before exiting the wagon. The whispers had already spread across the child network saying that this lady and her one-armed father ranked even higher than Big Brother Doug. When little Kat received the summons, she expected these important individuals to act in the high manner of haughty nobles.

Who knew they appeared so genuinely down to earth. This Boss lady, as Fole introduced her, huddled and chatted with her all the way to the gates. She not only touched her coal-stained hands but tugged and pinched her grimy cheeks while they joked. Kat had glimpsed the face hidden under the dark hood when the young woman shoved the pouch into her little palms.

'A fairy... my Boss is a fairy living inside the palace.'

***

"Arrgh! I'm tired. If Fole didn't have a wagon fetch us, I might have crumpled on the streets before we reached the outer gates. Luckily, the palace guards loaned us a pair of horses to ride from the gates. All I want is a bath and then a good night's sleep."

"Hold on there, Big Sis lazybones. What about that there pile of scrolls and parchments you dumped on the table? Who is going to sort that out?"

Sakura asked while pointing to the mountain heap beside the now empty sack Mr. Thomas brought. Seeing the fleeting frame of her Big Sister disappearing into the bathing room, she pointed and yelled,

"Since we moved to Limerock, all you've done is sit and meditate most of the day. When last did you head out on a hunt? Wait until Dyna arrives, she will melt all that fat you've racked on!"

"I'm not fat! And it's all gone to the right locations, you little bookworm!"

"You'd better come back here and help me through these ledgers and requests from Singh. Fatty!"

***

In the nearby guest room, Mrs. Thomas chuckled while hearing the faint shouts. Sitting at the table, she waited for her husband to complete his bath. Princess Sahara requested them to stay in the unused guest rooms located at the front of the palace. There they had access to the servants of the palace and could also venture out into the city when needed. As for the princess herself, she spent her time deep inside the palace while accompanying her mother the Empress. She had nearly over a year of adventures to share since leaving the Capital.

"So did Doug say why he didn't want you to visit the prisoners?"

She asked on hearing the familiar rhythm of the approaching footsteps. Using the comb, she brushed her golden locks.

"He said I shouldn't worry about minor incidents like this. By tonight, they should easily find out where and who sent those guys."

Mr. Thomas sat at the other end of the table to drink a cup of water. Mrs. Thomas had indicated they did not require servants to wait constantly on them. She watched her husband down his drink.

"Are you hungry? I can head down to the kitchen, you know."

"No, I'm full. I drank a bowl of gruel with them before we returned."

Mrs. Thomas nodded.

"That's good to hear. How are they coping?"

Mr. Thomas paused while frowning. He then looked at his wife over the dancing flame of the oil lamp.

"Far better than I had hoped. Given the problem they found themselves in, they have not only restrained their anger but have increased their workload."

"No doubt, they are waiting on the boy. The steward of Governor Hails paid a visit today to speak to Sakura about a matter. I used the opportunity to send a letter to the farm. Hopefully, between the birds and merchant caravans, it might arrive within three weeks."

Mr. Thomas shook his head in agreement. Since he was now in Frost City, any replies from the farm would be forwarded to Doug. Looking at the encouraging face, he stood up and walked over. He then bent down and embraced his wife with one hand.

"Only I know what you left behind. I watched your eyes linger that day while your feet hesitated to move. Whenever you are ready, I will also be ready."

Mrs. Thomas squeezed the arm of her husband.

"As we are not, I don't want to depend on the Princess. So many years have gone by, waiting a few months longer until Chu arrives is not a problem. I have never told him about this, so it's better for me to wait and talk to him before acting."

"If that is your wish, then I will follow it. We have Doug and the others to rely on but they also have their own problems."

Mrs. Thomas nodded. They both remained silent until Mrs. Thomas tapped her lips as an idea surfaced. Smiling she turned her fair neck towards her husband.

"We don't have to make a move yet. But what about extending a little helping hand? Amanda is too visible, but Sakura and Sue are perfect. I'm sure those two can help in some manner or the other..."

****