(Continued from The Case of the Three Torches- Part 1)
Once Lyra had left, Addie’s eyes turned toward the window; she safely tucked the signal tube and the key into her satchel, preparing to leave. “Perhaps we should go and look around while there is still some daylight left.”
Elsa raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t it be better to wait until dark so that we’re not seen? We could sit here for a little while longer, have a few drinks…”
Addie cut her off with a shake of her head. “If I am thinking correctly on the location of this office building, it is in the market square with the crafting hall and Miss Lalia's shop. People would still be about during this time, shopping and conducting business, and we wouldn’t get much notice if we were to sit by the fountain and observe. If anyone has been positioned to watch Phineon’s place, we might be able to determine that now and then find a way to sneak around them when night falls.”
Elsa nodded and pushed herself up from the chair. “They have drinks at the market, don’t they?”
Addie tilted her head quizzically and just stared at Elsa.
“What? I’m thinking about appearances. If we just sat by the fountain and looked around, people might think that we’re loitering; but if I were to have a drink in my hand, I doubt that they’d think twice about us sitting there.”
Addie continued to stare at the woman as she considered that point; and after a few seconds, she nodded. “Very well; I suppose that I should buy something to eat if the plan is to have an impromptu picnic at the fountain while we scout the area.”
Elsa grinned as she followed Addie toward the back of the building, satisfied that she had talked her way into a drink and not yet questioning why the blonde had chosen to walk that way; but when the two reached the hobbit door, her expression turned to one of confusion. “You know, Addie, there are two other perfectly normal-sized doors that we can exit through.”
“Aye, but then it might appear that we were following behind Miss Ly… uh… that Scout, and we wouldn’t want it to be noted that we are associated with her.”
Elsa stood with her arms crossed and watched as Addie stuffed her tall, thin body through the small opening. “I deserve two drinks now…“ she mumbled, and then curled her own, too large for this door, body through the hole to follow after the woman.
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The afternoon sun beat down on them as they sat at the Boar’s fountain to observe the area; no one looked to be suspicious nor did anyone appear to be watching Phineon’s office. Addie studied the faces of those that passed by her while she nibbled on the fresh roll that Elsa had obtained from the mess hall. She noted the look of exhaustion that each wore on their faces- evidence of the effects of a hot, stuffy summer day such as this one- but none seemed to be there for anything other than shopping.
Elsa wiped the sweat from her brow and frowned; she couldn’t even enjoy her second tankard of beer in this sweltering heat. “Are you not hot?” She questioned as her eyes turned toward Addie. The other woman didn’t have the first bead of sweat on her and she even looked to be comfortable in these conditions. Elsa pointed to a nearby tree and suggested, “It might be best if we moved to somewhere that’s shaded. I don’t know how observant I’m going to be if we stay here.”
Addie furrowed her brow in concern. “Do you need to step inside for a little while, Miss Elsa? I do not mind continuing the watch alone if you need to cool off.”
“I’m not going to leave your side, Addie; I’d just prefer if that side I’m staying by is in the shade.”
When the two stood to relocate, a voice spoke up from behind them. "Where is your plant?”
Addie immediately recognized the voice and froze while Elsa turned to see who it was. The curvy brunette smiled at the owner of the voice and cheerfully greeted him, “Evening, Mister Leon.”
Leon of Barli nodded back to Elsa, “Greetings, Miss Ellsabeth.”
Elsa suddenly turned back to the woman next to her. “Oh! I forgot to tell you, Addie, Barli wanted you to take that plant with you when you left.”
Addie's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “Thank you, Miss Elsa…”
Leon stroked his short, grey beard as his dark, red-flecked eyes focused on Addie’s back. “That plant will need to grow some seasons before it can hide your feet.”
Her eyes cringed shut at his advice and her ears turned the same shade of bright red to match her face. She took in a deep breath to compose herself; and when she slowly turned to face him, she was wearing a bright smile. "I shall make a note of that, Mister Leon; for if I ever have the need to hide behind a plant that is.” She quickly cleared her throat to change the topic. “How are you enjoying your time in Bree?"
"It is most interesting; I have learned much of the greenlands in these few short weeks.” His fused hand held out three neatly wrapped items and he looked down at them with some wonderment. “I purchased these pieces of fried dough from a very short person just a few moments ago… Here, take one; they are quite palatable.”
Elsa chuckled at him as she reached out to take one.
"You are most kind, sir,” Addie stated as she accepted his offering. “I do find it curious that you don't know much of this place. Have you never had the opportunity to travel this way?”
Leon looked around thoughtfully, “As a spark of the Unkindled, I would have very little to do in these hills; in truth, I had not left from Angmar until I was sent on this mission. The Unsealed are far more involved in these places…” His eyes stopped on one of the cart merchants. “I had not realized just how active they were in this part of the greenland.”
Addie's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
“I had not understood how numerous the Unsealed were in these domains…” He raised his hand and started pointing to people across the square. "That merchant is an acolyte or priest of the Unsealed... as are those two women discussing one another's husbands...”
Addie scrambled to reach for his hand and hoped that those people didn’t notice him pointing. "Discreetly, Mister Leon." She and Elsa both casually glanced at the merchant; he looked to be a kindly, jovial greengrocer. The scene appeared innocent enough at first- he was speaking with two young girls, they laughed at something he said, and he gave them each a free apple to take with them; however, when the girls turned to leave, the merchant watched them closely and took special note of which way they went.”
Elsa looked back toward Leon and Addie and raised an eyebrow. “Seems nice enough.”
Addie didn’t look to be convinced. “I wish to closer inspect those apples. I find it odd that he would be giving them away for free.”
Before the others could respond, she was already walking toward the stall. Leon tilted his head as he watched her go and, without moving his lips, seemed to whistle softly. A light breeze, dry and hot, swirled around Addie's feet; she instantly recognized that this ‘sensation’ wasn’t natural, but didn’t stop to question it- knowing that it was likely the work of the old spark.
"Welcome to my humble shop, my lady,” The greengrocer greeted with a pleasant smile. “Please feel free to browse...I have some excellent apples and pears that just arrived from Hobbiton this morning.” He then brought out a basket from underneath the counter, "I also have some fresh blackberries, the fruit Trestlebridge is famed for....Try one?”
Addie smiled back at him as she pretended to be considering which fruit to choose. "They all look lovely, sir; but I thought that apples were just beginning to grow during this time of year.” While speaking, her keen gaze looked over the fruit for any signs of something strange; and though she didn’t notice any traces of powder or hints of other substances, the apples did appear to be unusually red and large.
The man continued to smile at her. “The good folk of the Shire know all about their apples, my lady. These were picked early so that they would have a nice sourness to them, something that the hobbit folk quite like in their pies.”
Still wary that the apples could be tainted in some way, Addie reached into her satchel and pulled out a clean cloth, which she then used to pick one up. "I shall take this one and save it later, thank you. How much do I owe you, sir?"
He shook his head and tucked his hands behind his back. "Please take it as a gift, my lady.”
Addie raised her brow in question. “Surely you cannot maintain a profitable business by just giving your produce away.”
There was a subtle curl to his lips and a gleam in his eye as he said, “I am sure it will bring you back for more.”
“Fruit just so happens to be one of my favorite things.” Addie replied.
The merchant laughed as he nodded his head in agreement. "Mine as well... Ask anyone, Marron always has the best fruit. Come back and see me soon, my lady, I would be honored to have your business.”
Addie politely dipped her head toward him. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mister Marron. I shall definitely keep this place in mind." With that, she turned to walk back to the others, making sure to keep the apple covered so that it wouldn’t touch her hands.
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While Elsa and Leon curiously watched Addie’s interaction with the merchant, Ryn spotted the two from across the square and warily moved toward them- she wasn’t sure why Leon was there, but she wished to speak to Elsa. Once she approached them, she offered Elsa a sheepish wave with her gloved hand. "H-Hey... Didn't feel like being locked up anymore."
Leon looked to be very confused by Ryn’s words, but Elsa seemed to know exactly what she was talking about. She smiled at the red-headed woman and cheerfully greeted her. "Hello Ryn, I am happy to see you out and about. Don't worry...I will make sure no one attacks you this time."
Ryn smiled a little and then her eyes turned toward Leon, who was again focused on watching Addie. She leaned over to whisper to Elsa, “Does Addie know that he’s here?”
Elsa nodded, but before she could explain further, Addie had turned and was walking toward the group. Ryn offered her a warm smile and the two exchanged a quick greeting.
"Is everything alright Addie?" Elsa inquired.
Addie carefully uncovered the apple and held it out to show them while making sure to keep her body turned so that the merchant couldn’t see what she was doing. "I am not entirely sure, Miss Elsa, but I have a feeling that something is amiss. Tell me, Mister Leon, do you sense anything odd about this apple?"
Leon took the apple and turned it over in his hands."This is no fruit from that Hobbiton place he mentioned.” They all looked at him and waited for him to explain further. “This is a Dragoneye; the hillfolk grow them for their masters.”
"I see…” Addie took in a deep breath as she glanced back at the apple. “This seems to support your claim of him being affiliated with the Unsealed.
Leon nodded. “It is hard to know what his task is; he may simply be waiting for further instructions… but I will say that there is little use for the Unsealed here save for slaving.”
Ryn’s face turned ghostly pale and Addie's expression showed even more concern over his words. "If,” Addie reasoned, “these apples are a way for them to collect victims… we cannot let him continue to pass them out." Her eyes turned toward Elsa and Ryn. "How much coin do the two of you have on you?"
Elsa emptied her pockets and started to count. “I have twenty silver coins on me at the moment; I was not expecting to do much shopping on this trip into Bree.”
The mention of slavers had taken Ryn’s mind somewhere else and she didn't even register the question at first; but after being poked and asked again, she blinked a few times and finally responded, "Erm... Not too much... Why?"
“Because we're about to purchase a fruit stand.”
The red-headed woman blinked even more. "Huh?... Why?... Didn’t he just say that they might be using it for slaving purposes?"
Addie nodded. “Precisely… And that is why we need to take control in a way that won’t alert them to our knowledge on the matter.”
Elsa searched her pockets again. “I’m not sure any of us have not kind of coin, Addie”
“Perhaps we can strike a bargain with him?” Addie patted at her satchel. “I still have a few gold coins from the treasure that Rath and I found in the troll cave. How much could a fruit stand cost?”
Elsa shrugged and the two women made their way over to Marron’s stall, followed soon after by a hesitant Ryn. The merchant offered them all a charming smile. “Back so soon, my lady? And I see that you have brought your lovely friends to sample my fruit… I am honored.”
“Not exactly,” Addie replied as she gave him her own bright and charming smile. “These women are my business partners and we have all agreed that your shop is indeed top quality... We would like to purchase this cart and all of its produce."
Marron’s smile broadened. "Well, the little lady is looking to go into business? I’d be happy to do my part. What figure were you considering?”
“We would like to entertain your offer first, sir, so that you shall not feel cheated. We can barter from there, can we not?”
He rubbed at his chin while he considered a number. "Well, this has been very successful for me, and it is sure to earn you a tidy sum... Shall we say… five hundred gold?”
Ryn deadpanned and looked at Addie.
“You would be sure to make that back within the first two years,” the man continued, “assuming that supplies hold out. Of course we would need it all written up properly by the Notary, and you would need to pay their fee… I could be inclined to let you pay in installments, assuming you have collateral or a proper amount in Escrow.”
Before any of them could respond, the brightly colored awning began to smolder and then burst into flames. Startled, Marron quickly forgot about the negotiations and grabbed a water bucket to try to douse the flames, but they seemed to dance away from him- almost as though they had a mind of their own.
Ryn’s eyes widened at feeling the magical energy from the flames and she turned to look at Addie; Addie, however, was looking back at Leon. Unaware of any magical doings, Elsa attempted to help put out the flames by swatting at them with a rolled up blanket.
Despite other merchants coming to the aid of that stand, the flames raged and expanded until the apples were completely roasted to a crisp; only then did they finally respond to the firefighting attempts and die down. Once the fire was out, Marron stood there in complete shock. "My apples..."
"That's rough, buddy," Elsa said as she gave the man a quick pat on his shoulder. She then slowly placed the blanket down on the charred table and backed away to join the others.
"Really…?" Ryn softly grumbled to Addie as the three walked away from the stand and back toward Leon- she was still under the impression that the blonde was responsible for the burning of the cart.
Addie raised a brow in question, not seeming to understand why Ryn was objecting to what happened. “Those apples were likely being used as a means to garner slaves for Angmar, Ryn.” Her crystal blue eyes then turned toward Leon in a silent look of thanks.
He nodded back at her, but his words were not comforting. "Towns such as this, they are just fields for the Unsealed to reap... There will always be more.”
(Continued in Part 3)
