The Eternal City, Part 12

Miri and Gerrold relaxed in the back of the little tent. Menold manned the front, where their merchandise was sold. It was evening, and traffic had slowed. It never stopped, as the bazaar went on at all hours, but there were lulls.

“So where is this little human?” Gerrold asked. “We are here, and we are trading, but it does not seem to me that this trip was worth it. If she does not show, then what?”

Miri smiled. Gerrold had been grumpy the whole journey, and he showed no signs of cheering up, even when he saw gold flow in. They sold diamonds, small, beautifully cut and near-perfect. They commanded a high price. The gold, of course, they exchanged for other goods which would be of use to them in their tunnels, back home. But, it wasn’t the great haul Gerrold had been hoping for. It seemed, more than ever, a wasted trip.

“The Elders said she would show,” Miri said with confidence, propping her feet up on a small chest. “That is good enough for me.”

“What if they are wrong?” Gerrold persisted.
Miri considered for a moment, then said, “I should not tell you. But, you are annoying, and if it will help to stop your incessant complaining, I will tell you something. But, you must keep it to yourself. Menold may be told, I suppose, but do not spread it to any stranger.”

Gerrold just stared at her. When had he ever spoken to an outsider, other than to complete some transaction?

Miri sighed and went on, “One of the elders told me they had been given this information by the Lady of the Well.”

Gerrold’s jaw dropped. “Wha-,” he said.

In a few moments he recovered enough to ask, “Why weren’t the rest of us told. That would have changed everything. I would have come willingly.”

“I wasn’t even supposed to know,” Miri said. She looked a little sheepish, “I sort of overheard…”

Gerrold snorted, “Miri, you have always been nosy. Too much interested in things that weren’t your business.” He sighed. “I suppose it is good that you ‘overheard’, though. Otherwise, none of us would understand what was going on, and we might not have stayed long enough to accomplish the task.

“So,” Gerrold said, taking renewed interest in his purpose. “We are to see this girl, give her the stone, and tell her it is from our elders, to aid her on her way. Then what?”

“I suppose we pack up and go,” Miri answered.

“Good.”