As the spy rounded the harbor, he tried to spot Guntar on his own because Menkar has said that his shop was at the very end of the line of shops. When he reached over there, the shop was closed. He went to sit by the harbor to watch the ships floating on the water, sailors washing the decks, some tying sails while others taking women in and out and talking bawdy.
"You are new here," a delicate voice made him snap his head towards the other side. A girl in a red gown with plunging neckline came to stand behind him. She caught the strap of her front laces in her fingers and swayed a little as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.
The spy, a young lad, and a monk of so many years, was... charmed. "Yes," he breathed.
"Would you like to lose a few coins for this girl?" she asked, still swaying and smiling.
"I am in a hurry," he replied even though he really wanted to wedge himself between her and relieve his tension.
"I will finish it quickly for you," she replied with the most charming smile he had ever come across.
The spy... smiled. A quick one wouldn't harm his plans. He tilted his head and said, "I have some coins to spare for you."
The girl giggled. She extended her hand to him. He caught it and got up.
"Come," she said. "My place is right over there." She pointed to a small shop that was a few meters away.
The spy walked away with her with their hands intertwined. He had never really known a woman's touch before. He couldn't believe that these were the perquisites of being a spy. He could spill his seeds anywhere and there would be no one to look at him or accuse him. When he reached her place, he found that there was a pallet covered with a dirty sheet. The girl pushed him on the bed and lowered his pants.
His first encounter with a woman ended so fast that he was left with stars bursting in his eyes. He didn't know when the girl started with the second round, but he wanted it all the more. Soon, he lost track of time and by the time he could even think straight, he was so tired that he slept. He was tired from his journey and also from all the sex he had just had. So he curled his arms around the girls' waist and slept beside her. When he got up, it was evening and the girl was gone.
He got up with a jerk and checked his money bag. It was there. He was about to leave when the door of the shop opened and the girl walked in. "Are you leaving?" she asked with a sad expression. "I got food for you." She was holding a small trench with roasted fish and salad.
The spy was... hungry. "No I am not," he replied and placed a kiss on her forehead. He could always make an excuse that Guntar wasn't there in time. After having food, he asked her about Guntar. She took him to Guntar's shop. She stood out while he talked to the shopkeeper.
"Menkar has sent me," he said looking at all the exotic herbs around him. Most of them were seaweeds.
Guntar shook his head. "I had one last portion of the sea plankton left, but it was sold in the morning."
The spy's stomach knotted as his face paled. "When can you get the next one?" he asked. "I am in a hurry."
"Trade embargo?" the spy rasped in anxiety. "What do you mean? I have never heard that kind of a thing!"
Guntar laughed. He adjusted his glasses and said, "You are new, lad. The sea is very valuable to us. While we can take our ships and boats on the surface, we cannot dive deeper. The king of the Jade Sea has put a stop on all trade with the lands of Araniea. We don't know when that is going to be lifted. Till then you have to wait."
The spy stabbed his fingers in his hair. Blood drained from his face and he was sure that Menkar would punish him severely. And it all happened because of that stupid whore! He walked out of the shop only to find her looking at him with her wide hazel eyes... expectantly.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked as she held his hand.
"No," he replied gruffly to the cause of his delay.
"Will you come back with me?" she asked.
He took his money bag out and gave her a few coins. "I am done!" he replied and strode away feeling like a fool.
---
Menkar was in a lot of pain. This time it was his lungs and neck. He had screamed in pain and the healer was becoming extremely nervous. In the end the healer had to give him a sleeping draft.
Menkar woke up in the morning and asked about any message he received. It had been two days since the spy had left. The guards shook their heads. If he remained without the potion for the next three days, his original features would show. He cursed the spy and walked to his closet where there were empty bottles. He added water to them, shook them and had that water greedily, hoping that some of the dried potion was still in them. He waited for the effect, however minor that would be, but nothing happened. He threw the bottles on the ground with a roar. They shattered into tiny pieces.
A fresh bout of pain came. His breath labored, he went to the bathroom and filled the tub with hot water. He stepped inside it and submerged himself below it. Taking a deep breath in, he opened his eyes. He had to visit his brother in the Jade Sea.
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