The Unreached Duchy

Chapter 13

One day, Derketo caught Tanidela in his office looking through the scrolls as if he was trying to find a specific one. When Derketo confronted him, Tanidela fled empty handed, and Derketo put his office back into the order it was in.

Later that week, Derketo was summoned to the Court Room to speak about tax debts and it was then that Derketo realized what Tanidela was looking for. It was tax records of whom he could say owed more money and sell them into s*****y. When Derketo continuously denied the amounts that Tanidela claimed were owed, Tanidela then claimed that Derketo was in league with Makara to ruin the Dacian kingdom and he should be banished. The Royal Proclaimer oversaw these proceedings and quickly agreed with Tanidela about Derketo. Derketo was promptly put on the next ship heading to Makara labeled as a traitor.

Shaking himself out of the memory, Derketo petted Ade on the head and paid for his items he wanted before setting off to meet with Senara. Alaiceaus had ended the day before and they were leaving at dawn for Thargelion.

As they walked down the streets of Maimakterion, Derketo realized that he had no idea where he and Ade would be sleeping that night; he likewise was unsure if they’d be able to stay the night in the Temple that hosted the Transformation Ceremony a few short hours before.

Derketo decided that he would see if he could find an inn with a Kabouter size room to rent with what little coins he held in his purse. “Come Ade. We must find shelter for this evening, for tomorrow we head for our new home in Thargelion!”

Ade, seeming to understand that Derketo meant to ride on her back, kneeled down so Derketo could get on her back; while doing so, Derketo saw there was a stable nearby and decided to inquire if they made Kabouter sized saddles.

Walking inside the stable, Derketo was slightly overwhelmed with the smells of different animals and leather. Derketo was unsure of how Kabouter’s were treated but he decided that he was not going to let his first experience speak for the rest of Makaran Society.

Standing on Ade’s back to make himself a little taller than his new height of six inches, Derketo saw that there was a small platform with stairs attached that went up to a desk with a bell for the smaller customers. Derketo quickly dismounted Ade and went up the stairs to ring the bell with Ade following close behind him.

“I will be with you in a moment. Just let me finish tying this saddle.” Called a rather tall man that was bent over hard at work on a large looking saddle, Derketo could not fathom what kind of animal it was going to be used for.

“Take your time. You’re doing important work. I just came for a price.” Derketo replied as he rubbed Ade’s head between her ears as he looked around the shop.

“Apologies for taking so long.” the saddler said as he approached the platform that Derketo stood upon while he wiped his hands with his apron. “What can I do for you?” he said as he made eye contact with Derketo.

“I was wondering how much for a saddle to fit my girl Ade.” Derketo replied as he patted Ade on her head.

“A Kabouter sized saddle for a Leontophone? Unusual request. I don’t usually make a saddle for Leontophones. For a Kabouter size saddle, the price is not much. Always only two or three pieces of copper for a plain leather saddle.” The saddler stated as he was looking Ade over to see about the saddle size. “If you want it done in a hurry, it’ll be three copper pieces more. Anything fancy on it and I will have to charge you one piece of silver.”

Opening his purse, Derketo took out the only two pieces of copper he had and placed them on the table. “I’m leaving for Thargelion with my Royal Escort tomorrow morning. How long will it take to make a saddle with no rush? I will return to pick it up.”

“Three days. A Kabouter going to Thargelion with a Royal Escort?” the saddler remarked while stroking his beard. “Are you by any chance the new Royal Scribe?”

“Yes sir. I am.” Derketo answered timidly, “Why do you ask?”

Shaking his head, “No reason. I will have your saddle ready for you by first light tomorrow. No extra charge. It is my honor sir.” The saddler said with a minor bow of his head to Derketo.

“Oh. I’m not expecting any special treatment. I will gladly return to pick it up.” Derketo protested.

“I insist and it would be my pleasure to make something for the new Royal Scribe of Makara.” The saddler said as he started to take out his tape measure. “I just need to take a few measurements of you and your Leontophone for the saddle. Then I can get right to work.”

“A simple saddle is all I want to order from you. I don’t want to be too much trouble.” Derketo said nervously.