Page 3 of Quest of Fools

Marian preened slightly."One down, two to go."

"One and a half," Warf said with a grin."Come through on the perfume and dresses and you've got two in the bag."

That got him another one of Marian's bright, pretty laughs, a laugh good enough to banish the shadows in his eyes."If only adults were so easy to please."

Warf laughed to hear his own thought spoken aloud and offered a tentative smile."Not every adult is difficult to please.Show me a good bed and tell me I don't have to wake up before dawn to head to the docks, and I'm yours."

"Your bed is waiting for you, and you definitely do not have to head to the docks ever again, unless you want to for some reason.This way."Clear of the tournament grounds, Marian led them to where carriages were lined up along the road, a long, long train of them, each waiting patiently for their masters to return.

Marian walked up to a simple gray and green one, nothing at all like the flashy, heavily decorated ones around it, with a handsome matched set of four gray horses to pull it.There were also two people waiting: the carriage driver and a footman in gray and green livery, as simple but elegant as the carriage itself.

"Not sure I'll fit in there," Warf said.

Marian's face fell."You'll be fine.I promise it's bigger than it seems."

"Not sure I can fit through that tiny door, so hardly matters how big it is inside.I'll ride on top."

"As you wish," Marian said, mouth set, eyes drawn."I'll fix this problem tomorrow."

Warf snorted."I hardly need a carriage when I've been walking everywhere my whole life."

"All the same, it should be available should you ever change your mind.You're to be my husband; I'll not have you unable to use our carriage.Up with you, then, for now."

They got the children in place, and then Warf climbed up to sit next to the driver."Warf, pleasure."

"Jiro, Master Warf, pleasure is mine.Congratulations on your win."

"Thank you."

With some careful maneuvering, Jiro got them out of the tightly packed line of carriages and turned around on the road before setting the horses into motion and heading back into the city proper.Thankfully there wasn't much of a wait to get through the enormous gates, as everyone was at the banquet or had to be at work.

Warf hadn't expected to feel anything by simply riding through the city, but leaving aside the strangeness of riding in a fancy carriage, they carried on through Low City like simple passersby.Which he was, now.He'd have to return to clear out their belongings, at least mementos and the like, but that was it.

They crossed to High City by way of the holy bridge, reserved for all the fancies, never used by the likes of Low City, save on rare occasions.His chest lurched, and his eyes stung anew.Stupid to be affected by abridge, but this was his life now, or would be soon.Carriages, the fancy bridge, the fancy house… His mind reeled and then shut down, unable to comprehend all the changes coming his way.

Instead he focused on watching people, taking in sights he'd seen before but only in an absent way as he hauled goods to the various manors and finer shops, his mind always on his children or the next job or how he'd spend the money he just made.Never went as far as he hoped, the money.Another thing he wouldn't have to worry about.

All he wanted to do was lie down and rest, see if all this was still here when he woke up.He'd entered the tournament on the faint hope he'd win, but never actually believing he would.

They rode down an elegant street with green everywhere: shrubs, trees, even flowers hanging in baskets and filling window boxes.He'd never seen so much green in his life, save on the rare occasion he left the city, and he'd only ever done that a couple of times.

Halfway down the beautiful street, they turned right into a private court, passing a street sign that Warf couldn't read.The carriage pulled through ornate, wrought iron gates that were opened and closed by stable hands who then hastened to take over the carriage once everybody was out.

Marian thanked all of them, Rosi still fast asleep in his arms, and led the way to a side door that was opened just as they reached it.That was… five servants so far, and while the house was smaller than the family manor Warf had delivered barrels to a few times, it wasn't small.

Inside, two more footmen came up to take the children, who grumbled in their sleep at all the movement but did not stir, thankfully.If they woke now, there'd be no getting them back to sleep.

"Thank you," Marian said as the footmen headed off.He then beckoned forward a pretty young woman in a smart but simple dress and apron."Warf, this is Zoen, I hired her as nurse and tutor in general lessons.Once the children know the basics they need for their ages—minus Rosi, of course—" he added with a laugh."Don't think she's ready for her letters quite yet.Anyway, once they're set, we'll hire additional tutors."

His children would know how to read.They might someday be ashamed of their father, but they would never have to be ashamed of themselves."You've thought of everything.Thank you."

Marian smiled, preening slightly."Zoen, if you'll take him upstairs, show him around the nursery and everything, I'm sure he'd like to see the children for himself.Then you can find me in my office, Warf, and we'll work out what's next."

"Thank you," Warf said again, not really certain what else to say as he followed Zoen out of the room and up the stairs.

A Generous Offer

Warf jerked upright in alarm.Sunshine.He was late.He'd never get work at this hour, how was—

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