Summer was over and autumn had arrived in the sparsely populated northern coastal regions of Temoney.
At the sight of the bare treetops, which were still speckled brown and orange in places, it sometimes seemed to Peyete as if the branches had only been green and full yesterday, filled with the same euphoria as the people who spend the summer and the year after year longed for the associated harvest time. Summer was a good time for Peyete too, albeit for completely different reasons. He remembered with joy the short nights that had seemed so much longer, due to the festivals and celebrations. It had not rained often, but it had rained enough for the fields, and the warmth of the sun had lingered in the air long after dusk.
Warmth, fun, easy girls and alcohol ... All of that was over now and wouldn't return to Havenar until next summer.
Peyete's hazel eyes wandered along the quay, over the wooden docks and on to the ships behind, which were firmly tied up in the harbor.He saw everything through the door of the shed where he'd found a place to sleep late last night. He had slept all day, had only just woken up and was still amazed to see so many people on the quay who went about their daily activities and never seemed to stand still. A fisherman stood legs apart on the deck of his two-master, untangling the nets he had used during the day, while a sailor packed the caught fish into boxes and struggled with the seagulls that buzzed like vultures over the haul. A woman collected mussels on the bank and a couple of boys stood on a jetty with self-made fishing rods and tried in vain to make a worthwhile catch in the shallow water. The wind had picked up in the course of the last hour, and the weak moonlight of the evening that had just begun was reflected, twitching, on an infinite number of small waves that swayed up and down and formed a beautiful backdrop to the harbor.Peyete sat up halfway in his sleeping place and supported his head with his arm. In the storage shed, which had space for four streamlined canoes with paddles on one wall, there was also a wide bench that had served as a bed. His coat, which usually hung up to his knees in heavy black material, was still rolled up into a rough mat on the wood and Peyete quickly stroked the fabric to remove a few splinters and fibers that had come loose from the rotten base had. He carefully unfolded his coat and wrapped it around his lanky figure. He felt his wallet in one pocket, his lucky charm in another: a walnut-sized quartz stone, cut like the finely carved face of an elf. A long time ago he had received the stone from one of the fairy tale creatures on the other side of the Everen Mountains and he has carried it with him to this day.
But today the stone had brought him no luck.He grimaced when he found that the backpack he'd put down next to the bench had disappeared. Some scoundrel must have stolen it. The port city of Havenar was the only halfway large place within a radius of 100 miles, accordingly the crime rate was higher here than in the surrounding area and Peyete should actually be happy that no one had tried to steal his money, because most of the bandits here were not satisfied with a bottle of water, a packet of dried apple rings and a loaf of bread, especially since he had slept. It could have been a lot worse, but he didn't want to think about that now. He got up and strolled in a bad mood towards the shed door, then he slipped like a ghost out into the night and with his black robe could hardly be distinguished from the dark wall and the shadows. His eyes shone like the flames of two candles for a moment, then their glow faded, for Peyete had seen enough.He had noticed every late worker, every stray dog ​​and every other life on the quay during that brief moment, and he knew that somewhere at the back of a jetty a man had seen him too, but with a single movement of the hand he steered the darkness of the night about his shape. The darkness surrounded him like a windpipe and now at the latest he was no longer visible to anyone.
He took a deep breath, took a few steps until he could slip through a hole in the wall, then let the darkness slip away and walked on without protection. His ability to practically soak up all the light around him was something his grandfather had taught him through years of intellectual work. He was the only one in all of Temoney to his knowledge who still possessed this ancient skill of the old elven druids. And he truly mastered it to perfection.
For the most part, Havenar consisted of one to three-story buildings that were gray and dreary and only connected by narrow, winding streets.Few of the streets were paved and horse droppings lay everywhere, flattened by the countless wagon wheels and horse hooves that passed the paths every day. Lanterns shimmered here and there, dangling in the wind on iron hooks under the porches of certain houses, creating more shadow than they created light.
A man came staggered out of a pub and for a moment before the door to the tavern closed again, Peyete saw several bawling guys at a long table. Beer mugs stood in front of them or lay on the floor next to many a guest, and Peyete wondered what kind of area the lady had sent him to. Rabbits lurked everywhere in the corners, and drunks lay on the side of the road, where skilful fingers fumbled over the little money that had not yet been drunk. The brothels were full and a few times Peyete was approached by whores, whom he sent on, shaking his head. He hadn't hiked across Temoney to Havenar for fun, and the night barely gave him enough time to complete the first part of his mission.The wind blew through his coat and he shivered, so he ran faster until he came to a place that he liked at least a little better than the one he had passed so far. "Merlin's Inn" read a weathered wooden sign and under the name was a picture of a pointed hat and a beer mug.
Inside it was gloomy but warm, and few guests were sitting at a long bar. - Four to be exact. They looked like men from western Diva grade, maybe hunters or rangers, and they all glanced at Peyete as he entered and the door gave a loud squeak as he entered.
"N'Abend.", He muttered and at least one of them nodded back. The others gave him brief, appraising looks, then they turned back to their drinks and Peyete realized that all four were absorbed in a game of cards. Several copper coins lay on the counter surface and the landlord kept a list of winners on a slate.Peyete hadn't noticed the host at first, because there were only a few candles on the table of the players, but then he stepped away from his list and took a tablecloth from a hook on the wall.
"Welcome," he said in a deep, smoky voice. "What can I do for you?"
Peyete stripped off his coat and laid it over the back of a chair. "I would like something to eat," he replied.
The landlord nodded slowly but did not move. Only when Peyete took out his wallet and tinkled with the contents did a smile appear on the man's bearded features.
"You don't have to worry about your earnings," Peyete assured. "I have enough money with me. Do I actually look like some street scammer?"
"Sorry, sir. Of course not. It's just that ... Havenar is full of scoundrels and you always have to be on your guard here. You are probably not from here ..."
"No."
The innkeeper seemed to wait a moment for a more detailed answer, but Peyete didn't want to start a long conversation with him.He simply left the innkeeper and sat at a table in the darkest corner of the inn, where his figure was hidden from the eyes of the others.
"I ... I'll bring you a cold platter, some bread and a tankard of beer, plus a candle so you don't have to eat in the dark.", The landlord finally said hesitantly, and was about to turn around, but Peyete held him with a quick one Gesture back.
"No.", he contradicted quietly. "Bring me water instead of beer, and leave your candle where it is. I don't need any light."
The landlord's expression didn't move a bit, but Peyete knew it was working behind his forehead. How many people could there be who liked to eat in the dark? Slowly, with careful, deliberate steps, the man followed Peyete into the dark part of the restaurant.
He stopped a meter from the table. He had tucked his right hand together with the drying cloth under a white, slightly stained apron, which he wore tied around his stocky waist.He ran his left hand over his beard and thoughtfully watched the strange guest in front of him.
Peyete returned his gaze calmly and the landlord leaned forward a little.
"You're one of them, aren't you?" He whispered and Peyete knew he'd made a mistake, but he still felt the man's insecurity.
"Do I look like that?" He replied and the other person hesitantly shook his head.
"No. You don't have the eye fire, but still ... kind of ..."
"What?"
"Nothing. Sorry. I just don't want any trouble. The patrols have become more frequent. They're looking for them everywhere.", He said and his suspicion was clearly evident in his voice.
"You won't get in trouble with me.", Peyete answered simply. "I'll eat, I'll pay you, and I'll go again. Nothing more will happen. I'm not one of them."
The landlord was obviously still not completely satisfied, because he stood in front of Peyete for a while and just looked at him skeptically, but finally he shrugged his shoulders and trudged off.One of the card players had turned around in the meantime and he hadn't missed the host's nervous manner.
Peyete got up again after all. He suddenly thought it wise to introduce himself to the rest of the crowd. His elven senses clearly felt the mistrust that hung thick in the air to cut and Peyete couldn't use such feelings right now. If his true identity emerged, it would be difficult for him to fulfill his calling in Havenar.
Peyete had the fine, bright white face of a night elf, but - at least at first glance - not the eyes.