“What do you mean they weren’t there?” Anatoli demanded. He paced back across the small room. Ingirid lounged on the sofa behind him and giggled.

“We went to the Whole Hog and asked the innkeeper about an elf staying there. He said they left early that morning. We waited until dusk, then came back. We didn’t see any elf,” Joseph explained.

Anatoli stopped and turned to Ingirid, who smiled wantonly at him.

“What do you suggest?” he asked her.

“I think we would need more information about what they are doing in town. They seem to leave very early in the morning and if they are coming back to the same inn every day, then they are doing so well after dusk each day. I think we need to watch them for a few days.”

“Reg is better at tailing than either of us,” suggested Davin.

“Very well. Have Reg watch for them and work out what they are doing,” sighed Anatoli.

“Sure thing, boss,” Davin and Joseph said together.

“Leave us,” commanded Anatoli.

Davin and Joseph saluted and then stepped outside, closing the door behind them.

Anatoli sunk into the sofa Ingirid was lying on.

“Why are you chasing down an elf?” she asked. She began to massage his shoulders. “Am I not good enough for you?”

“It’s not the elf I am concerned with. She is with my brother; I told them about the elf because she sticks out pretty easily with that green-painted skin.”

“You have a brother? Mayu always said she only had one kid.”

“He is my half-brother,” Anatoli explained. “My father didn’t want my mother, so he cast her aside for another woman.”

Ingirid wrapped her arms around Anatoli and hugged him. “I am so sorry for you.”

“My brother has my father’s sword; my mother spoke about that sword saying it was beautiful. I want that, sword so I can have something of my father other than an empty void. I need to feel some connection with my father.”

“My poor baby,” Ingirid soothed and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Anatoli turned and kissed her back. She squealed with delight before wrapping her firm body around his.

After they had finished their lovemaking, Ingirid propped herself up beside him and placed a kiss on his head.

“I don’t want to alarm you, but there are a couple of girls that want to take over your position, so you might want to wrap up your other activities and show some leadership or you may become a prostitute yourself.” Ingirid said.

Anatoli’s brow furrowed. “I had thought a hands-off approach was best, provide some security and let the money flow.”

“That will work for the casual girls, but for the career-minded they will either take over the business, which means taking you out or just leave to set up a place of business on their own.”

“What do you suggest?”

“Either of two things: plenty of customers or a bit more of an iron fist.”

***

27th day of the 7th month 610thyear of the 8th era

Darkness still clung to the sky as Reg slipped into the Whole Hog. The desk clerk looked up at him, a simple oil lamp illuminating the desk beside him and a large book sitting on the top of the desk.

“Do you want a room?”

“No thanks, just came in for breakfast.”

“Breakfast won’t be served for another couple of hours.”

“I will just wait in the tavern.”

The clerk nodded and looked back down at the book.

Reg took a seat in the tavern so that could see the door that led to the stairwell. He kicked off his leather shoes and put his feet on the opposite chair and leant back, half closing his eyes.

***

Doris awoke. She smiled to herself and gently detangled herself from Tunio and pulled on her yellow dress. She lifted his sword and inspected it. The ornate, gilded hilt reflected in the low light. The dull leather scabbard was attached to a leather strap that Tunio used to hold the sword to his back. She drew the weapon slightly out of the scabbard. The words carved into the blade caught her eye.

Honour and glory,

reveal the soul

remain true to your word

and see glory.

She furrowed her brow and turned the sword over in her hands.

A man’s heart is fickle,

true must a man’s heart be

to wield the spirit.

After reading the words carved into the blade on the opposite side, she slid the blade back into the scabbard and twirled around to look at Tunio.

Tunio heard the blade scrape into the scabbard and awoke with a start.

“What is the meaning of this?” Doris demanded, shaking his sword at him.

“It’s my father’s sword.” Tunio sat up.

“It has the first verse of the Veritas clue carved into it.”

“I have been trying to work it out myself.”

“Where did your father get this sword?”

“I don’t know,” Tunio said, spreading his hands before him. “I received the sword myself only after his death. He always had it.”

“Crap, crap.” She began to pace the length of the room.

“The seal that fell… could it be …? But the Shield denied that it happened, but if an item has been found, did the sword bind to him?”

Tunio watched her pace across the floor of the room, her yellow dress twirling about as she paced.

“You having this sword changes everything,” Doris waved the sword at Tunio.

“What are you talking about?”

“I need to talk to the master.” She opened the door. “Find the Belt of Veritas.”

“I plan to,” Tunio admitted. “The king has offered a fortune for it.”

“I need to talk to the master. I will contact you again when I have some answers.”

She tossed the sword at Tunio. “Guard that well. If the Shield finds out what it is, you will lose it.” She turned on her heels and threw open the door and collided with Aquillia standing outside.

“What is the Shield?”

Aquillia stepped back and Doris continued to run out of the room, not looking back.

“Who was that?”

“That was Doris,” Tunio said, moving off the bed.

“What was her problem?”

“I am not sure,” Tunio said. “Come in and close the door.”

Aquillia stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

“She seems to think that my sword is important.”

“She is right.”

“You knew?”

“Yes,” admitted Aquillia.

“Who else knows?”

Aquillia shrugged. “I am certain your mother knew, but I am not certain anyone else knew.”

“How did my father get this sword?”

“He got it as a reward when he was a soldier for outstanding valour in the field.”

“My father was a hero?”

“Your father was a great man.”

Tunio sat back down on the edge of the bed. “I never knew.”

“We all thought that you knew.”

“He never mentioned it.”

“He was always prouder of his farm than his martial achievements.”

“What else don’t I know?”

Aquillia sat on the bed next to Tunio. “How about you get dressed while I outline your father’s life and you tell me what you want to know more about.”

“That would be great.”

***

Anatoli woke and stood. He stretched and looked back at the bed behind him at the two sleeping women and smiled to himself. He walked over to the chair, pulled on his blue pants, and padded out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He walked down the corridor to the other end of the floor and descended the stairs. In the kitchen at the back of the brothel, several women mingled around, fixing breakfast for themselves. A few wore robes left open at the front, while others wore simple knee-length skirts. When he came into the room, one poured him a mug of freshly squeezed juice and handed it to him.

He smiled in thanks and sat at the table. The room was dominated by a large ten-seater table down the centre. At one end of the room was a large bench where two women in knee-length skirts made breakfast, cooking over a naked flame and chopping on the wide bench.

One woman in an open robe placed a plate of food in front of him—a plate of eggs and assorted fruit. He placed his mug on the table and began to eat, first with his fingers then when a woman placed a knife and fork beside his plate, he began to use them.

Joseph stepped into the kitchen. He glanced around and when he saw Anatoli, he sat next to him.

“Reg started to observe the tavern you mentioned and is watching for an elf and her male friend.”

“Good. How long until we have an idea of what they are doing?”

“I am not certain. I told him to report to us when they go to bed tonight.”

Anatoli smiled and tucked into his food, and waving Joseph away.

***

Tunio and Aquillia left his room and walked downstairs to have breakfast. After a quick breakfast of eggs and sliced meat they walked outside. They headed out of the market district with the sun halfway towards its zenith in the sky. They walked quickly through the teeming masses of people and came to the gardens district. They followed the path at the edge of the walled-off district and finally entered the government district.

“According to the information I got yesterday, the government district and the palace district are where most of the statues are located.”

“That would explain why I never encountered many,” replied Aquillia.

“If King Cordifolia does have a statue, that is where it would be.”

They strolled down the wide paths of the government district and arrived back at the library. The road split off in two directions: one to their left and the other to their right. On their right, the road ended in a small plaza and they walked towards it In the centre of the plaza stood a tall statue of a gnome in shining plate armour with his sword raised high. The inscription read:

King Everbright, Subduer of the humans.

A quick thrust and a good stab in the heart.

“It could take months to find the right statue,” muttered Aquillia. “Maybe we should ask someone.

A gnome wearing a green tunic fluttered by.

“Excuse me, we are interested in the history of Peace Landing and wanted to find a particular statue.”

“What statue are you looking for?”

“We are looking for King Cordifolia’s statue,” said Tunio.

“King Cordifolia,” repeated the gnome. “Hmm, I think it would be in the palace district. I will show you where it is.”

He led them back down the way they had come, then past the library and along the path in the other direction.

“My name is Nitidia, what are yours?”

“I am Aquillia and this is Tunio. We are spending a little time in the city and thought we would get to know the city’s history a bit more.”

“Always a good idea,” agreed Nitidia.

Around a small bend, the road curled round to the south and was bustling with people. Gnomes floated back and forth from building to building, slaves dressed in their identifying grey skirts ran messages back and forth between buildings. The road opened into a four-way intersection and in the centre was a large statue of a man sitting on a horse, holding a large sword aloft.

“This statue was dedicated to the human general who fought for us in the punitive wars against the horse lords.”

“Mayu would have appreciated that one,” mumbled Aquillia.

“Who?” asked Tunio.

“A woman I knew when I served with your father.”

Tunio nodded and walked across the road and looked at the plaque at the base of the statue.

General Wakata Sotatsu

Charge into the fray, you cowardly dogs.

Battle of Westree. Year 215, 7th era

Charge of the heavy cavalry

“I hope King Cordifolia’s plaque is more insightful than what we have seen so far,” Tunio said.

“What did you expect?” asked Nitidia.

“I am not sure,” Tunio shrugged. “I read somewhere that he didn’t want a statue, so I had hoped that his plaque would be more insightful than a terse quote.”

Nitidia nodded and then led them down the south road.

The government buildings gave way to a tall hedge wall. A pair of large, ornate brass gates stood open and two gnomes stood on platforms on either side of the entrance. They were dressed in a blue and red tunic with black slacks. They had crossbows hanging on their belts and they held long pikes. As Nitidia, Aquillia and Tunio walked through the gnomes gave a stern look at them.

“Are we not allowed to enter this area?” Aquillia looked.

“You are, but generally not with a weapon,” commented Nitidia.

“They didn’t ask for my sword,” Tunio said.

“That is because I am with you. They think that you are my bodyguard.”

“I see. If we come back tomorrow without you, I will ensure to leave my sword at home.”

“It’s a lovely sword. Where did you get it?” Nitidia asked.

“It is all I have of my father.”

“I see. What happened to your father?”

“He was attacked by dark elves and his farm burnt to the ground.”

Nitidia stopped and looked at Tunio. “I am very sorry. Can I see your sword?”

Tunio looked at Aquillia. He lifted the sword over his shoulder and handed it to Nitidia.

Nitidia took the sword and admired it.

“This hilt design is exquisite. I have never seen anything like it.”

“Thank you.” Tunio watched Nitidia closely, biting his lower lip and shifting from one foot to another.

“It is a beautiful sword.” Nitidia gave back the sword to Tunio, who slipped the leather strap over his head and breathed a deep sigh.

Nitidia took off down the path. Aquillia leant into Tunio.

“Do you think he knows about the sword?”

“I am not sure. The only people that know about it have seen the blade. Us and Doris, who looked at it this morning.”

“Do you think she told him about it?”

“I doubt it. I don’t think there has been time. He also didn’t see the blade.”

Nitidia turned and looked back at them. He had flown down the terraced path and stopped where the manicured lawns gave way to a small stand of trees.

“You humans are so slow,” Nitidia called out.

“Sorry,” Tunio called back as they hurried up to Nitidia.

When they entered a large hedge maze, Nitidia flew above the maze and guided them through. When they emerged from the maze they were standing at the front entrance of the palace, a large ten-storeyed house cut from coloured crystal that reflected the sun into many rainbows which coloured the terrace. In the centre of the terrace was a large fountain that was flanked by two large statues of the deities of Lust: Ambrose and Venus. Ambrose, a gentle man, looked longingly at the blushing figure of Venus with her hair arrayed down her front.

Behind them stood a gnome with wide wings outstretched and arm held outstretched to the sky.

“That is King Cordifolia.” Nitidia pointed at the gnomish statue.

“Thank you,” Tunio said.

Tunio and Aquillia headed over to the statue and read the inscription.

King Cordifolia II

History and truth bring many to fight

To bring many to light

History is weakened

By how we remember

Aquillia looked at the inscription and turned to Tunio.

“I don’t think this is the statue we want,” Aquillia whispered.

“Why?”

“Did the journal say anything about a son?”

“No, but then it was set in his youth when he was not famous.”

“Hmm, something is fishy. I think we should ditch this gnome and look at the diaries again.”

“This inscription makes no sense.”

“Did the diaries say anything about history or about truth?”

“We only went after the statue because my book had a margin note about a statue.”

“Let’s discuss this more at the inn.”