"Now, Lendle," Maq admonished, "don't forget why we're here and what we have left to do on this voyage. You can't have many steel pieces left; Vartan said you contributed to the sail fund. And I'd like you to hang on to your money in case we need to buy anything else."
"Maquesta Kar-Thon. You don't have to worry about me," Lendle said sternly, drawing himself up to his full three-and-one-half feet in height.
Maq knew Lendle never meant to get in trouble. It just sometimes happened despite his best intentions. On the other hand, even as frugal as he was, she didn't think the gnome had enough coins left for a decent stake in a card game. After walking a few steps toward the shipyard, she turned to wave good-bye, but Lendle didn't see her. He had already pulled out his automatic wallet and was practically skipping down the street toward the inn.
"You let a gnome fix your longboat?" The elderly human shipbuilder laughed and laughed until it seemed he would never stop. Finally, he wiped the tears from his eyes, and with an obvious attempt to keep a straight face, said, "I'll see what I can do to fix the craft, though it won't be ready for a few hours. It will take at least that long to undo the gnome's work and repair it properly. I'll deliver it to the dock when it's finished." Stifling another laugh, he turned and walked away, shaking his head and talking to himself.
Maq and Fritz had rowed the longboat to the shipyard, getting their boots wet again in the process. Tired and hungry, Maq was in no mood to appreciate the shipbuilder's humor at their predicament, and she glared at the man's retreating back, biting her tongue to keep from saying something she'd undoubtedly regret.
"Relax, Maquesta," Fritz said, smiling broadly. "He means no harm. The boat will soon be fixed, and the new sails will be delivered to the ship this afternoon. I called in a few favors, promised to pay my friends a little interest, and-combined with the coins Vartan and Hvel collected-I was able to get enough money together to replace all your sails. We can use the best of your old sails for future repairs."
Maquesta jumped up and hugged him. "That's wonderful!" she cried. Then she instantly gained her composure and fell in step beside him, once more trying to assume a businesslike demeanor. "I meant what I said about paying back your friends as soon as I come into some coins."
"I'll take you up on it," he replied, "but only if you let me buy you something to eat." He jangled a small pouch at his side that had a few coins left in it.
"Let's go to the Sea Reach Inn," Maq suggested, all too conscious of Fritz's arm brushing against hers as they walked. "That's where Lendle's eating, and I have a feeling we should be checking up on him."
They walked slowly to the inn, enjoying the time together and feeling that perhaps things would work out after all. When they arrived, the inn's dining room was beginning to fill up with lunch customers, but Lendle was nowhere in sight. Once Maq and Fritzen made their way to the back room, however, he was immediately noticeable.
Lendle sat at a large round table, dealing cards to a group of players that consisted of two sailors, a merchant, a few locals, and a dwarf. By the large pile of chips in front of him, it was evident the gnome was winning-big. The game was Bounty Hunter, a fortycoin buy-in. As a child, Maq had often played the game with the Lendle, wagering fishhooks and seashells, and he had often folded so she could win. It looked as though, with his current run of luck, Lendle would have no need to fold this time.
"Maybe we can pay off your friends sooner than expected," Maquesta whispered to Fritz.
Maq signaled to the gnome, finally getting his attention. She circled her fingers in a wrapping up motion and mouthed the words, 'Time to quit. Meet you in the dining room."
Lendle poked out his bottom lip, eyed his chips, then looked back at Maquesta and nodded happily. "Last hand for me!" he chirped to his companions, adding only after Fritz and Maq were out of hearing, "Well, maybe one or two after this one."
Once seated in the dining room, Maquesta inspected the slate menu, her eyes drifting down over delectables she hadn't tasted in months. "Beef. Chicken. Kipper." She sighed softly. "No eel stew. No bean soup. No hardtack. This is wonderful."
"Allow me," Fritz said, signaling a barmaid. "The lady would like a thick steak with potatoes and a glass of your best wine. The same for me, but bring me a mug of spiced ale."
The barmaid held up her palm for payment. "Hand over your coin first" she demanded. "At the Sea Reach, you pay before you eat."
Fritz pulled out his purse and counted out the coins, handing them over to the barmaid with a flourish.
"You're rich," Maq jested.
"Not after this meal," he replied, jiggling his coin purse that now only jangled softly. "But we've earned this." He looked into the coin pouch. "I think Lendle will have to buy his own lunch, though."
She giggled. 'That's all right. From the looks of those chips, I'd say he can afford it."
The gnome had not yet joined Fritz and Maq by the time their steaming hot meal was brought to them. Maquesta didn't mind being alone with the half-ogre, but she was beginning to worry about Lendle. One bite of the steak, however, melted her curiosity, and she dug in as if she were starving.
Lendle had still not arrived by the time they were finished. Nor had he shown up by the time they had downed their second drinks. Maquesta shook her curls. "No more for me. I've got to keep my head clear. And it seems I may have to fetch our engineer."
Maq had just decided to go and retrieve Lendle, to rib him about what a fine steak he'd missed, but suddenly a loud ruckus broke out in the back room, dashing her plans. In the midst of all the yelling, Maq made out the gnome's nasal, fast-talking voice.
"Youcantquit. Youhavetogivemeachancetowinitbackandthenlcanpayyou."
"I have to do no such thing," a gruff voice replied. "You have to pay me right now."
"Yes! Pay him now, little man," another voice intruded.
"What's the matter, big-time gambler? Not good for your debts?" It was the gruff voice again.
"Imgoodformydebts. Letsplayonemorehandmaybetwo. Thenlcanpayyouback. Honest."
When Maq reached the back room, with Fritz close on her heels, she saw that Lendle's pile of chips was completely depleted. The gnome had squared off with the prosperous-looking merchant, and had his small fists in front of him, as if he were going to duke it out with the much-bigger man. But when the other players sided with the merchant and the dwarf put his hand on a sharp-looking dagger, the gnome put down his fists and started babbling again.
At that, one of the gamblers dashed from the room, brushing past Maquesta and the half-ogre, who held up his three remaining steel pieces.
"I don't suppose this would even the score," he said.
Maq pursed her lips as she took in the scene, feeling dismay wash over her like a tidal wave. "I doubt it would even make a dent," she answered bleakly.
It seemed only moments had passed before the harbor guards arrived, led by the gambler who had run out of the inn. Fritz and Maq watched helplessly as the guards carted Lendle away, telling him he would have to work off his debt to make amends to the merchant.
It was either that or go to jail. For a long time.
Chapter 11
Maquesta grabbed a barmaid by the sleeve as she pushed by with an empty tray.
"Where do they take people arrested for not paying gambling debts?" Maq asked.
"Depends," the barmaid said, looking past Maq to the kitchen, as if anxious to pick up her order. "Best place to start is the chief constable's office, on the square." She tossed her hair over her left shoulder as she pulled away, vaguely giving Maq an idea of which direction to travel.