Master Bahuli followed his lumbering white guide onto Rook’s Row and then onto the sidewalk of Kestrel Boulevard.
Just as they set their feet upon the raised walkway, Og stopped suddenly and jerked backward on the trunk they carried. “Stop!” he cautioned.
“What in the world—?” Master Bahuli spluttered, looking indignant.
“There.” Og pointed at the ground just in front of the man's right foot.
“What?” He looked down and found a curious rune scribbled in yellow chalk on the cement. “Yeah, so?”
“Those things have been appearing all over town this week,” Og explained. “I don’t really know what they are, but I know it’ll be best for us both if you don’t step on it.”
“I see. One more damned thing to worry about, eh?”
“Yes, you could say that.”
“So what would happen if I stepped on it?”
“I’m not really sure, but you’d probably be… disrupted.”
“Disrupted?”
“What was it you said earlier—‘you’re liable to step into another dimension’ or something like that?”
Master Bahuli wrinkled his nose as he stared down at the rune. “Good heavens!” he exclaimed. “This city is one bother after another.”
“Yes, well, watch your step.”
“Thank you.”
The two unlikely companions lifted the trunk over the rune then continued on their way.
Og led the man past a bookshop, a spice shop, and Mrs. Higgins’ Tea Cozy, a quaint corner nook with walls made of spick-spack. They passed by multiple gatherings of people. Some folks, even here, were making their way to the town square, but just as many were standing still, content to vent and discuss the city’s ills with their neighbors.
Master Bahuli puffed and chugged away beside Og as he did his best to tote the enormous trunk between them. “Is it much farther?” he asked. “I’m not sure how much longer I can carry this damned thing.”
Og looked up. The Docking Tree was only a half dozen blocks away, but so many of the streets were impassable that those six blocks might have been twelve miles. “I’m not sure,” said Og.
“I thought you slodhi knew your way around things?”
“Well, ordinarily,” said Og. “But the streets are rarely this crowded. I can navigate changing streets, just not crowded ones.”
“I understand.”
Og wondered. If only he could use the city’s changes to his advantage. When Oard shifted, he could feel it. He knew where things would wind up and how to use the alterations to take short cuts. But he had sensed nothing of the kind for some time. Despite the chaos in the streets, Oard had remained constant for several hours.
Og looked at Master Bahuli. “Are you tired?”
“A bit. I’ve been toting this thing all day.”
“Here—” Og took the other end of the trunk from Master Bahuli and hoisted the thing up alone.
Master Bahuli marveled at his strength. “Good lord! How are you—?”
“It’s alright,” said Og. “I’ve got it.”
“But, I didn’t mean for you to carry it all by yourself. That’s not—”
“Never mind that,” said Og. He pointed his muzzle to the east and sniffed. There was the faintest tingle in that direction. “Come on. I feel like if we get down to the canals, we might have a chance.”
“The canals?” said Master Bahuli. “Alright. If you say so.”
Master Bahuli followed Og down a street lined with ancient oak trees. The trees cast dark shadows even as the merry lights of the manor houses beyond them twinkled warmly. As they proceeded, the road widened enough to allow multiple horse-and-carriages to go clopping by. The road was busy with wagons and fancy black hansoms. Many of the wagons were full and stacked tall with suitcases and trunks. Drivers cracked whips and put on speed—all toward the Docking Tree.
“Looks like I’m not the only one trying to get out of town tonight,” said Bahuli.
Og looked past the carriages as a small contingent of soldiers turned and marched toward them. He squinted as he saw a woman leading them. A man carrying a green flag with a blue dolphin crest strode just behind her.
“Lady Dovina,” Og whispered.
“Eh?”
Before Og could explain, the Lady spied him and approached. “Slodhi!” she called. “Wait there!”
“Friends of yours?” asked Bahuli.
Og glanced down. “Not exactly.”
Lady Dovina reached Og and stopped. Fifty armed men drew up behind her.
“Slodhi,” she said. “Can you take me to the citadel?”
“The Chaos Lord’s citadel?” Og asked.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Og studied the woman. Her eyes were fierce. Her visage was stately and aloof. Lady Dovina carried herself with an air of importance that brooked few refusals. Still, what did she want with the Chaos Lord? Why did she travel with so many armed men? Was she a friend or an enemy? He did not know.
“Well,” he said. “I’m already engaged actually.”
“With this man?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Master Bahuli gave a quick bow. “Madam,” he said.
Lady Dovina frowned. “I see. And he is of some importance?”
Og tilted his head. “No more or less than any person.”
“This is a grave matter, slodhi,” she said. “Forces are moving. Oard is in danger.”
“I see.”
“The chaos you are witnessing is only the beginning,” she said.
“I understand. I just—”
The lady held up her hand. “Enough,” she said. “I see that you cannot be swayed. Still, would you at least point me in the right direction?”
“Of course.”
“Excellent.”
“Follow this street in the direction you’re heading. Turn left three blocks down then advance. Keep the Docking Tree to your left. You will see the citadel on a hill surrounded by fruit trees and manor houses.”
“Thank you.” The lady motioned to her men. With heavy footsteps and clanking armor, they hurried past.
Og and Master Bahuli watched until the group was some distance away.
“What was that all about?” asked Bahuli.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think it’s true? Is Oard about to be attacked?”
“I have no idea,” said Og.
“It does seem to fit with the theme of this week, though, doesn’t it?”
Og glanced down at the man, but ignored the question. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, sir. Lead the way.”
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