StarWind nodded and the group split up. HawkShadow entered the doors at the carriage platform while Lyra and StarWind walked around to the front of the inn, leaving SunChaser, Goral, and Temiker to fend for themselves. They would filter in after a few moments had passed.
Lyra marveled at the grandeur of the city as they rounded the corner of the building. She hesitated at the front steps and gazed over the grand plaza that separated the inn from the palace. She smiled at the chirping birds and frisky squirrels that frolicked in the park, but her smile faded quickly. Okata was not going to be a peaceful city much longer, she knew. Her eyes passed over a group of children playing near a clump of trees in the park and she wanted to run over and tell them to go home. Shaking her head, she turned and followed StarWind up the front steps of the Palace Arms and into the plush lobby.
The lobby was huge and carpeted with couches and comfortable chairs spread throughout it. The walls to her left and right both sported huge fireplaces with clumps of chairs before them. There were about a dozen people in the lobby scattered about in small groups or sitting alone. Light music emanated from a doorway across from the main entrance and Lyra could smell meat cooking somewhere distant. She absently licked her lips as she thought about having a prepared Omungan meal for a change.
StarWind led Lyra towards the center of the room and they stood, seemingly in light conversation with one another, watching HawkShadow register for a room. Lyra caught sight of StormSong and MistyTrail entering the lobby cautiously and signaled StarWind with her eyes. StarWind nodded and Lyra caught the spymaster’s fingers moving rapidly at her side. StormSong gave the barest of nods and led MistyTrail away from the other groups.
Within a few moments, HawkShadow turned away from the counter and nodded absently. He moved swiftly off towards the stairs while StarWind led Lyra towards the counter. Lyra watched Temiker and SunChaser disappear up the stairs while StarWind waited for the clerk to finish some paperwork and look up at her.
“Can I help you?” the clerk said, finally finished with his papers.
“Yes,” smiled StarWind, “I want a room on the second floor overlooking the plaza.”
“Two actually,” Lyra chirped. “Together if that is possible.”
The clerk nodded and turned to see if the rooms were available.
“I hope you will pay a visit to my room later tonight young lady,” a male voice suddenly said from behind StarWind and Lyra.
Lyra whirled to face a tall thin man with a smile upon his face and saw StormSong over his shoulder, approaching with her hand on a belt knife and fury on her face. Evidently the man’s comment was not uttered as softly as he had thought and Lyra’s mind raced to prevent the coming confrontation. Suddenly Goral rose from one of the chairs and stepped in front of the approaching StormSong and placed his huge hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
Lyra was vaguely aware of StarWind standing next to her with her mouth hanging open and the Star scowled at the thin man, “If I wanted such a vulgar display, I would be staying down by the wharf.”
The man looked genuinely confused as his eyes darted from Lyra to StarWind. His face reddened deeply and bowed slightly to Lyra. “I am sorry, young lady,” he apologized. “I was not talking to you, but the woman in front of you.”
“And that makes it any better?” Lyra growled. “Take your filth out into the streets and leave us alone.”
Lyra felt StarWind’s hand on her shoulder and saw Goral coming up behind the man.
“Do I know you?” StarWind asked the man, although she recognized him immediately.
“I never forget a voice,” the thin man smiled, his face still beet red. “I did not mean the invitation as vulgar. I merely would like the opportunity to speak with you again as we did in Campanil not long ago.”
StarWind nodded and smiled. “I would be pleased to speak with you again, Mayor Ferde,” StarWind declared. “I did not expect to see you in Okata.”
“Nor did I expect to find you here either,” grinned the Mayor. “My room is on the third floor at the top of the stairs or if you are more comfortable in public, we could have dinner together.”
“Let me dwell on it,” StarWind smiled. “I will let you know.”
The Mayor smiled and bowed slightly before leaving for the stairs. The significance of the man’s statements finally struck Lyra and she felt a chill between her shoulder blades. Discovery so soon after entering Okata could be disastrous. She knew that they had to find Malafar and do it quickly before anything else went wrong.
She turned to find the clerk trying to suppress a smirk. She swiftly finished registering for the room, and promptly went up the stairs. Temiker stood in the hallway outside his open door and Lyra entered the room and sat down. Within moments, all of the Sakovans were in the room and Temiker closed the door.
“What needs to be done with Ferde?” Lyra asked.
“I am not sure what he wants,” admitted StarWind. “I never expected to be recognized by my voice, but the fact that he didn’t shout for the Imperial Guard when he heard me is promising. I think I should meet with him as he asked.”
“Then do so,” commanded Lyra, “but do it in his room. Let’s not take the chance of someone else hearing us. I want the rest of you out looking for signs of Malafar. Search all the inns and anywhere else he might find a room to sleep in. See if you can learn anything about Alazar’s movements or schedule without being too obvious.”
“Perhaps we are here first,” pondered MistyTrail. “Should we watch the gates for his passage?”
“He is here already,” Temiker frowned. “I heard some of the Imperial Guard talking about a weird fog that developed this morning at one of the gates. I am sure that it was Malafar.”
“I have a few friends in the city who can be trusted,” stated SunChaser. “I will get them to help search for the mage. Should I warn Kapla? Maybe we can get the Katana to stay indoors.”
“No,” stated StarWind. “If they search the city for Malafar, none of us will escape this time. The result of finding a bunch of Sakovans in the city would be as disastrous as killing Alazar. We have to find Malafar ourselves.”
Someone must stay behind with Lyra, commanded StarWind. She should get some rest and must be protected while she does.
Can I keep watch for you? chirped MistyTrail. I will not let anyone disturb our Star.
Lyra smiled at the diminutive Sakovan. You can keep watch for me anytime, she answered.
Let's go to work then, ordered StarWind. Goral take the waterfront, StormSong the Merchant District, SunChaser the Diplomatic District, HawkShadow the trades area. Temiker, you know your brother the best. Search out those areas where he might have friends or acquaintances that we would not know about.
Where will you be? asked HawkShadow.
I have some people to talk to, starting with Mayor Ferde, frowned StarWind. Let's meet back here in four hours.
StarWind watched her small band nod and split up before ascending a flight of stairs and tapping lightly on Mayor Ferde's door. The door opened promptly and a smiling Mayor Ferde waved StarWind into his room.
Thank you for coming, he smiled. I apologize for my unfortunate display in the common room. Come sit down. We have much to discuss.
StarWind's eyes swept the room as she hesitantly crossed it and sat in a chair by the window, allowing her a view of the street below.
I am not trying to trick you, laughed Ferde. I am travelling alone and I have not alerted anyone to your presence here.
Why not? she quizzed.
Frankly, he admitted, I think I believe you. I am puzzled by some things though, like why you are travelling with Malafar's daughter?
A shiver of fear streaked down StarWind's back and her eyes narrowed to slits as her lips pressed tightly together. Her body tensed, a tight coil ready to spring at a moment's notice. Malafar's daughter? she questioned.