"There's been a rivalry growin' between the followers of Luccas and the Mage's school."There's been a rivalry growin' between the followers of Luccas and the Mage's school. Seems a priest o' Luccas had said there'd be great beasts soon and that these beasts would fight to destroy all th' Mages." "What other... 'Temples' are there?" she asked. "Well, lass... there be the house o' Senn, but that be more a home for unladylike ladies, if you see my drift, than a temple. But th' Sennites, they can do a spell or two." Alfar developed a far-away smile. "There's the Alias, but i's very quiet, as a temple. But th' Luccas, they be the worst." "How so?" "They be looking for something. Call it the Sazknife. They say they need be needin' it, but for what, they say not. But they kill to get it." "Alfar, how big is Backwater?" "Backwater be seventy terrs on a side." "And how big's a terr?" "A terr be about forty-six hundred leagues on a side. Don't go messing your pretty head with numbers, lass. A square terr on a side is the surface area of Terra." "And Backwater's seventy terrs on a side?" Kitty asked, eyes unbelieving. "Aye, lass." He smiled. "Lots o' room for growth, Lass. There be only about a thousand people in Kendre, and four hundred times that in all o' Backwater. Lots o' room." "I need a room for a night," she said. "Can you recommend a place? "Aye lass... Right here. Not as comfortable as Castle Shardik, mind ye, but it'll do." He seemed pleased with himself. "Just for one night?" Kitty nodded. "That'll be, oh... a copper. And for that I'll throw in the meal, and breakfast tomorrow. Will ye be wantin' hot water for a bath tonight?" Kitty nodded again. "Then that'll be another two brass, lassie... sorry, but I gots to charge." Kitty rummaged in her bag and pulled out a gold coin. "Can you change this?" Alfar put his hands over hers and drove them down to the table. "What are ye' doing with tha' much money, girl?" he said in a powerful whisper. "Be careful who ye show tha' to. Aye, I can change it, but only because I be going to th' bank today. Myrna!" he shouted. Another Felinzi slid out from inside the kitchen and said "Yeah, Alfar?" "Watch the bar for a second. |