The Defender: Elderwood

  ***

  Once Allan had time to mull over the possibility of the Crew breaking into a warehouse and stealing goods, he understood that he had a problem. Because he didn’t know what warehouse the Crew had picked, or even on what day the crime might happen, he had nothing to tell Captain William. The guards might watch over the wrong warehouse. They might watch for a few nights then be away when the raid occurred. Until the crime happened, there was no reason for the Captain to have anyone arrested.

  Allan needed to know more, either for the Captain to act, or for him to get involved. He had used up his disguise as a well-to-do young man. Indeed, once Davy went missing, the Crew might try to find the young man he escorted from the Inn. More importantly, he couldn’t try to capture any more members of the Crew. One disappearance wouldn’t be important; a second, and the attack on the warehouse might not happen.

  That suggested only one other possibility: go to the trading companies in the city and ask questions. Allan couldn’t do that dressed as he had when he captured Davy. For one thing, the Crew might spot him and force him to tell where Davy was. For another, men at the companies were unlikely to answer questions from a prying young man, no matter how new his clothes were.

  They might answer the questions of a merchant looking to hire them, he mused.

  That meant he’d not only have to dress well, but he’d have to use magic to change his appearance. It took him a few tries, and the better part of a day, to get make sure he wouldn’t look like himself, yet still look right. The next morning he returned to the city, wearing his new and older face.

  His first visit was to the Elderwood River and Overland Company. A clerk pushed him to a man whose title was “Manager.” The manager told Allan that the company mainly moved food to and from the domain. “We have shipped other goods on occasion,” the man added, “but food is our specialty.”

  “I see,” Allan replied. “I might need something to go out in a week or so. Would your boats be occupied?”

  “We expect to receive a shipment of barley in a few days. Nothing will be set until then.”

  “And you expect nothing to go out?”

  “I expect a boat will head out a few days after that, unless your need is more urgent.”

  Allan shook his head. “It’s not that urgent. I’ll return when I’m ready.”

  He left that company and headed for the second such business in the city, Samuel’s Trading and Shipping. This time Allan spoke to the owner, a fat man named Nathan who explained that Samuel was his grandfather. At first Nathan was as forthcoming at the other man had been. Then Allan told him that he might want to send out a shipment in a week or so.

  Nathan shook his head. “I can’t help you there, friend.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’d rather not say.”

  “Am I to guess if I might be able to hire you? Don’t you want my business?”

  “I am always looking for business, friend. But the next week or so we shall be otherwise employed. I can help you sooner, or later, just not that week.”

  Allan thanked the man for his time and left. The only other company in the city was Fair John and Son’s Riverboat Trading. Since it was connected to the Crew, it seemed unlikely to him that their warehouse would be the target of the Crew.

  Considering what that Nathan fellow said, Allan mused on his walk through the city, or didn’t say, Samuel’s warehouse must be the one the Crew is planning to rob. I still don’t know what they plan to steal, or when they intend to carry out the robbery.

  Well, if I know their target, then I know where to keep watch.

  When, though? Day or night?

  It would have to be at night. Guards, workers, and ordinary people would be about during the day. There aren’t as many guards awake at night, and the city streets will be quiet otherwise. That means I’ll need to start resting during the day, so I can keep watch at night.

  This is much harder than I thought it would be.