Owin #43 — Home for the night

Little conversation occurred as Brent led Owin and Gwen through the city streets of Solva on the way to The Morgan House. Owin made note of the major crossings, but quickly concluded Brent led them on a direct route. While at this time of night, they would draw little attention, Owin had hoped to learn some of the back streets.

Owin avoided looking at Gwen. He felt Brent’s continued appraisal of himself and dared not risk drawing more of his attention to her. The man would undoubtedly be looking for indications Owin suspected his precarious situation.  Hopefully, that will keep attention off Gwen.

“Well, just over that wall,” Brent said, inclining his head toward a tall wall further down the cobblestone street, “is The Morgan House.”

Owin could only see the outline of the four-story building in the darkness, but the crenellations along the roof made him think it was made of stone. “How many guards?” Owin asked softly.

“There are at least a dozen on the grounds that watch the walls. But Lord Nathaniel comes and goes as he pleases and normally has an active lifestyle. It means he has people coming and going.”

Owin knew that Brent hoped to bolster his hopes at an easy entry to the compound, but Owin knew that would mean Urel would also be able to use that to his advantage. If Urel is not already in the compound.

As they grew closer, Owin made a closer appraisal of the wall.  He noted the vines and flowering plants that had grown up the outside. Inside their confines, numerous trees grew near the edges of the wall. While not overly tall, their canopies touched the top of the ten-feet of stone and even hung slightly over the edge. Even with a dozen men inside the grounds, getting over that would be easy in the dark.

“Come, let’s turn down this side street,” Brent said before they actually reached the wall. “Wouldn’t do to draw attention to ourselves.”

Owin followed Denton’s man down a narrow alley between a series of shops. Several lamps lit the path, extending the area’s sense of security. Most of the shops had closed for the night, but they did pass a small few that had remained open. Unlike other sections of the city, these late night businesses were actually respectable. There must be some place in the world where people can live without all the evil we bring to it. I will find it and I will take Elsin and Gwen there.

Brent’s route through the city to where they would spend the night included several more twists and turns. As they moved from the higher traffic areas to parts of the city with less illumination and protection, even Brent became more guarded and cautious of movement and noise.

By the time they stopped in front of a worn two-story building, Owin guessed they were in the far western part of the city.  With The Morgan House situated in the northern center of the city, considering where they started, Owin and Gwen had walked through a good portion of the city.

Brent led them up the front steps and into a long hall with several doors on either side. He walked past the stairs leading to the second floor and took them to the last door on the left-hand side of the hall. “This will be your room while you are here. We’ve rented it for your use. No one should bother you.” Brent turned back toward the door and fumbled with a key.

Owin glanced at the door, but he could not make out any markings without a lamp. After a moment, Owin heard the sound of the lock opening and waited as Brent pushed open the door and went inside. The man came back out with a lamp in his hand.

“Wait here, I’ll get you some light.”

Owin watched the young man head back to the front of the building and out the front door.  The cocky tone of Brent’s voice grated on Owin’s nerves.

“What do you think?” Gwen asked softly.

“I think I am going to need you to take care of some things on your own. At least one person in this building is going to be watching our comings and goings.”

Gwen did not say anything; Brent had come back into the hall, the lamp lit. When the man approached, he handed the lamp to Gwen and ushered her into the room with a nod of his head. “I’ll be back in the morning to check on you. There is an icebox in the corner if you care to buy some ice, though with this heat, good luck with that.” Brent pointed to the bed against the left-hand wall. “It should be big enough for the two of you. I grew up with one half that size and there were three of us.”

Owin glanced at the bed. The size was reasonable, but he doubled Brent’s claim.

“There is a well down the street and some buckets under the table. I think there is some wood next to the stove, but you might be better just eating at the market down the street.”

Owin was impressed that the room contained a cast iron stove. The cabinet standing against the wall likely had pans and plates, but he could examine that later.

“Here’s the key. Try not to draw too much attention. Denton asked that we set you up reasonably well and we’d rather not have to give up this room if we don’t have to.”

Owin smiled. “We tend to be rather quiet.”

Brent smiled in return. “In that case, I’ll let you get settled in for the night.” Without another word, the man turned and left, closing the door behind himself.

When Owin felt it was safe to speak, he walked over to Gwen and kept his voice low. “Tomorrow morning, we will tear this place apart. If it was me, I’d have planted evidence here to incriminate us. If it was hidden well and we weren’t looking for it, it would save having to try and get it in here after we’re caught.”

“Great,” Gwen said. “A treasure hunt we can’t afford to lose.”

Continue to next episode.