Dreamcatcher - Nimra Series - BOOK ONE

Port Yale

Arriving at Port Yale I was exhausted, I could already feel the blisters on my feet as I took more steps into the city square. Port Yale was a disgusting and filthy place, mainly run by the masters of the coin at the docks and then the taverns and inns were run by the women, everyone knew everyone here so when a stranger entered it wasn’t before long everyone heard about it. News traveled fast and this was the best place I could be if I were to find out about Giselle and her companion.

Rats ran across my boots as I stepped in human excrements, the smell would have been enough for any normal being to pass out, if I were a Lord still, I would easily have stuck my nose up at the presents as they walked past but I wasn’t like that anymore and I of course had a job to do. I knew the best place for information would be The Fisherman and the Fox tavern, Lady Adela was its owner and she played her part as a good hostess, kicking those out by her bare hands should anyone cause a riot or even complain about the way the ale or wine tasted.

When I entered, the tavern fell silent, I of course was the stranger they had already been told about and due to my size and the weapons I carried I quickly became the eye of many men who would love to try and fight me and the women looked at me while they imagined bedding me. None of this concerned me as I removed my hood and I walked purposefully to the bar ordering up a large jug of ale to quench my thirst. I sat there for a few moments and soon enough I heard Lady Adela come shouting out my name at the top of her lungs.

            “Well well well, if it isn’t my beauty Shadowbane. Come to pay me a visit have you?”

Adela was a tall and slender women, she looked a lot younger than her age and truth be told no one even knew how old she was. Her long brown hair framed her heart shaped face and gave her hazel eyes a nice contrast. She wore little to the imagination but I made no mistake by staring at her for too long. It was known by many that if she caught you looking at her, she would often throw your drink over your head and kick you out the door. It was of course very difficult to stop looking as she had this siren way about her, the way she walked her hourglass shape was something to be desired to any man, or woman.

“Adela.” I spoke her name as I turned towards her.

“My darling, it’s been far too long.” She leaned in and gave me a peek on the cheek.

“What brings you to this corner of the world?” She asked.

“I require information about someone, a girl.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about me.” She leaned back showing a cheeky smile and giving me a wink. “After all that night was pretty good if I do say so myself.”

“If I’m correct we were the talk of the city, we did break a few things.”

Although I was betrothed to Giselle, I was a lot older then her, much older and I had indulged in a few adventures before she came along. Of course, nothing was ever permanent and I was gone before the ladies ever woke up, apart from Adela. We often shared a bed when we required companionship that and a tumble in the bed sheets.

            “Shall we go to my private chambers to discuss this girl?” She broke my train of thought as she took hold of my hand.

            “As long as you don’t get the wrong idea as to why I’m here.”

            “Of course not my love, we wouldn’t want to spread gossip now would we.”

Pulling me off my stool I followed her to the right of the bar and up a flight of stairs to the third door on the left. The room was a small living quarter’s room, this is where Adela would do a lot of her dealings among other things before retiring to her bedroom. The room was painted in greens, golds and blacks, there was very little light coming from the window so she lit a few candles dotted around the room before taking the seat opposite me.

            “Now, about this girl of yours, may I ask her name?”

            “Her name is Ayla, she’s a bit of a mystery.”

            “Hmmm…” She thought for a second or two. “The name does ring a bell but I’m sorry darling, I haven’t heard much about her.” She paused again before clapping her hands. “I tell you who may know!”

Getting up quickly from her seat, I watched as she rushed out the room, slamming the door behind her. I waited for a few minutes before she come rushing in with a tall man behind her. He was a little shorter than me, skinner and looked like he needed a good meal. Adela pushed him down into the seat opposite and demanded he talk about what he knew.

            “My lord…” He gave me a slight nod of the head. “Lady tells me you are asking about Ayla. She’s a rouge my lord, a thief and a liar. She dares come to Port Yale after all the trouble she caused.”

            “Ah that was it!” Adela piped in. “She caused a fight with Lord Terrell. I believe it was over something to do with one of his men who tried to force himself on her. If I remember correctly she cut his manhood off.” Adela tried to cover her laughter.

            “How long ago was that?” I asked leaning forward growing impatient.

            “About a year ago, she has not been seen since. After she stole from Terrell she did a runner as any normal thief would, there is a bounty on her head and Terrell would love to get his hands on her, my lord.”

Satisfied I finally had some information about Ayla, I asked Adela if there was a room I could sleep in for the night as I had no desire to leave the port just yet. I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach there was more to this Ayla then anyone knew and I was a little scared for my Giselle if Ayla turned out to be something else.