WOT Adv 153

--- The Wheel Turns ---
Maer leaned against a wall and watched the inhabitants of Falme. It was closing time in the busy marketplace and several vendors were packing up carts and stands. Others remained for a few more moments gesticulating wildly, haggling with their prey over prices for some odd or end trinket or foodstuff before returning to their tile-roofed homes.

The sun dipped gold and bronze into the Aryth ocean. The color around the white washed walls and homes seemed to diffuse the light, giving the city a burnished golden look. So much water, Maer simply stared at it. It was an impressive sight. How the wetlanders could even go on such a boat, he wasn't sure. From his vantage point on an incline overlooking the bay, Maer looked down the maze of narrow streets and into the masts of ships in the harbor. Gulls wheeled overhead and breakers crashed against the nearby cliffs.

When he saw the approaching figure, he detatched himself from the wall and approached her. Keb grimaced at him.

"Not much information." She shook her head and sighed. "There are so many rumors flying around the city that everyone seems to know someone know knows something, but in reality no one knows anything. Nearly everyone saw him in the clouds above the battlefield."

Maer had asked Keb to help him find out anything about the young man who appeared over the battlfield in the skies two days ago. Was he a living being, or simply an apparition? Did he appear, and then simply vanish, or did someone see him come or go? Or was he walking in disguise in the city, watching for those who would follow him...or challenge him? But if Keb had been unable to find out anything, it was unlikely Maer would do any better, being an outsider to these wetlanders.

Maer cursed inwardly. This young man could be a key to his entire quest. Yet he was nowhere to be found. If only he had been able to get a look at the man, to meet him. But perhaps he had reasons for remaining hidden. Perhaps to gather his strength; he was wounded after all, that much had been clear.

"No information from the herb shops?" Maer asked. He had thought that perhaps with his wounds, the young man would have needed some herbs and perhaps could have been located that way.

Keb shook her head in frustration. "No, I went to several shops to replenish Maeslyn's collection of herbs. Nothing. There were simply too many leads to follow. Too many women buying herbs right after a battle."

Maer nodded and scowled inwardly. Keb had charged him fifteen silver marks for the task and she brightened immediately when he pulled the coins from his belt pouch and handed them over.

She tucked the money away into her pouch. "I'm sorry, Maer. I wanted to find him too. But maybe it was just a strange apparition we saw." She shrugged and gave him another smile. "But, on a brighter note, I did manage to get us all a spot on the ship, The Pelican's Wing, for our journey to Tanchico."

Maer's face paled somewhat. "A ship?"

"You really should try it. Think what the stories would say of Maer then? Not only did he fly the the Seanchan beasts, but he also sailed the Aryth ocean."

Maer studiously ignored that. "How much was the passage?"

"The asking price, fifty marks per person."

Her grumped something nocommital in his throat.

"What about you?" Keb continued. "Any luck?"

Maer had been in charge of selling the horses, and purchasing some of the extra items needed for the journey. He nodded. "I sold your wetlander walking sticks for several of the silver coins and have the other items required." He passed the pouch over to her and she examined its contents, nodded and passed it back.

Keb sighed. "It's still not enough for the journey to Tanchico, but it's at least a good start. The captain of The Pelican's Wing will be leaving the day after tomorrow and will need the coin when we board. Let's let Maeslyn know."