Chapter 8
Keys open paths
TICCA AND LEBUIN BOTH LOOKED at Ditani for a moment before asking simultaneously, “Should we go in?”
Lebuin asked, “Would Genne care if we looked in that room?”
“Genne has a hard policy about spying and thieving, M’lord.”
Lebuin looked uncomfortably at Ditani. “Weren’t you staying with Magus Vestul here?”
“Yes I was, in Magus Vestul’s room.”
“Ditani, that is perfect! It isn’t stealing, or spying because it was a shared room, and Magus Vestul is dead. You said he didn’t have any relations that would claim his legacy, right?”
Ditani looked pained. “Master, he was more to me than just an employer, I knew him well and we grew to be good friends... to speak so plainly of his murder.” Ditani’s eyes watered as he spoke.
Need to pull him along a little. Assuming a commander’s mannerisms, but with a gentler voice, “Ditani, wouldn’t your friend desire that we live to find the meaning to his death?” Waiting for him to mull it over, she kept her eyes firmly on him. Ditani nodded finally, looking her in the eye. For a moment she thought she caught a flash of light deep in his eyes, like a wolf’s reflecting the light, and they were slightly larger than normal now that she was looking into them.
Ditani’s voice trembled, but he answered, “Yes, Magus Vestul outlived all his relations and he had no children I am aware of.”
Oh, this will kick him. Self-interest is usually a good motivator. “Well then, it isn’t thieving to enter your room and take your stuff. It also isn’t thieving to claim any remaining personal belongings, as you were his servant and without an heir, a personal servant may claim everything. Congratulations, Ditani, you just inherited the entire legacy of a great wizard.”
Instead of looking excited by the news, as she expected, Ditani looked scared. “Ticca, Master, no. I couldn’t claim it all. I would be afraid to approach any of his research, and I wouldn’t know what to do with his library. I do not want for much and have no need of his wealth.”
What kind of servant would deny what is likely a small fortune? Looking at Lebuin to see if he was thinking the same, she saw he wasn’t. Lebuin’s eyes were lit like the noon-day sun.
Lebuin’s eyes gave away that his mind was racing with possibilities. “Well then, Ditani, perhaps you would grant me what you don’t desire. This could resolve many issues for me. I would be immeasurably helped by his library. I could even ensure his legacy of knowledge is not lost and complete what work he started but now will not be able to complete. I would of course give him full accolades with the Guild. His name would not be forgotten. Where is his research?”
If he follows through with the credit, it would be a good legacy. I hope we can trust this wizard.
“Master, everything save what was intended to give to the Duke is at his home in Algan. I know how to open it physically, and with his death, many of his magical protections should be gone as well. Perhaps with you to investigate it would work well. My wife will not believe our good fortune.”
Lebuin truly smiled deeply for the first time. Lady, he is a handsome man when he smiles. “Ticca, Algan is leagues away up river, too far for Magus Cune’s ally to continue attacking. If we can get there, all this mess could blow over, and I can find everything I need for years to come. There is even a Guildhouse there, so I have no need to return to Llino for some time.”
Algan is a large enough city to have a Dagger Home. I could probably get some kind of guard or messenger commission back to Llino. Lebuin would be safe with his own base of operations. So all I need to do is get him there in one piece and, job done. Her heart agreed it was a good plan. “True, it would solve that problem and some, if not all, of your questing requirements. What about who killed Magus Vestul? Do you want to investigate that?”
Lebuin’s neck went a little red. “Well, yes, but I think that is beyond my ability. With your information I can write a letter to the Guild and let the council take care of it. I need cycles to recover, in which time they could have solved it and brought the guilty to punishment. Also, there is the matter of the price on my head.”
He has coin, and it is a good point. “Very well M’lord. What would you have me do?”
Lebuin straightened, He feels the power of leadership and likes it, I think. “First help me collect what Magus Vestul had in his room, next I need some time to go over these notes before I write letters to the Guild. Can you get a note to my family’s business and one to the Guild?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll write one tonight asking for a passage for all three of us and our cargo on the next merchant ship heading towards Algan. It will likely be a few days or perhaps a week before passage can be secured. Will we be safe here for that long?”
A week sitting in the Dolphin, that doesn’t sound very entertaining. ‘Course I cannot leave them totally unguarded, even here. “I can keep you safe here that long. The trick will be to get you and Ditani out of here and to that ship unseen.”
“Well you’ll have some time to come up with a plan. Now let’s go see what Magus Vestul left behind.”
“Ditani, where is Magus Vestul’s room and did he leave the shutters open?”
Ditani looked at her. “It is the end room on this floor. Yes, I am pretty sure the shutters are open.”
Lady, we are being observed, and open windows at night does not sound like a good idea. Genne said Magus Vestul was paid through the cycle, so we have three whole weeks before the room is reclaimed. She held up her hand. “M’lord, the room is secure and paid for three more weeks. The shutters are open, we know we are being watched. Let’s wait until morning.”
Lebuin sat back down, frowning. “You’re right, and I’m tired. We can collect what we need in the morning without fear of observation. I think we all need to rest and consider the day.”
Ditani nodded and the two men stood up together. Lebuin asked, “Can we safely go to the main room for our meals? I mean, how confined do you recommend we remain?”
Daggers will be there at all times, and they have been warned. Why would anyone risk the trouble when all they needed to do was wait for us to leave and deal with us only? “M’lord, I don’t suggest you get too near the front door; beyond that I would say you can go where you will.” She remembered the platform. “I would also not go out on the landing platform. Technically it is still the Dolphin, but you’d be exposed to a bow shot or another one of those lightning sticks.”
“Wand.”
“What?”
“Lightning wand. It was an artifact that contained the essence of an attack incantation that looked like lightning. Any such device is called a wand.”
Laughing, Ticca stood up and escorted them to her door.
“Why are you laughing?”
“That explains why my Uncle called the switch he used to beat me with the ‘Wand of Retribution’. I didn’t get the reference until just now.”
Ditani and Lebuin both laughed and were smiling as they left. Both grabbed two more pastries each and full cups of arit as they left, making her chuckle once the door was closed. They might be more than they seem, but they are definitely men.
Turning back to the room, she popped a pastry in her mouth. It didn’t take long to dress and prepare her weapons. Placing her gear close at hand, she placed her dagger and one knife unsheathed where she could get them from the bed. Needlessly dusting off her boots, she pondered, I wonder if these are the reason for the strange dreams I am having. Let’s see if I have one without these on. She placed the boots on the floor where she could put them on quickly if needed and stretched out on the comfortable bed. Checking the dagger and knife distances and location of her pack a second time, she laid back and stared at the ceiling a minute. I have a commission, we have a plan, and there is a little travel included. All in all a good day. Setting the lamp to burn low, she checked that the wick spring was wound tight and fell asleep, feeling warm and happy.
The Temple was lit by the many braziers around the large space. Acolytes and worshipers were kneeling or sitting in the pews. At the front, a choir of priests and priestesses sang hymns to Lady Dalpha. On the center dais the relics of the Lady were arranged around the golden lattice egg that contained the glowing sphere known as Dalpha’s Light. The base of the dais was being cleaned by acolytes being overseen by a junior priestess.
Boadua paused in her progress, offering devotion to the Lady; she opened herself to the Dalpha’s Light, and allowed her soul to share with the relic. Boadua felt her Lady’s love and power and gave freely all that she could. Turning, she continued her measured gait to the door on the side of the dais. Opening it, she moved inside without hesitation. In the adjacent room was a large oval table surrounded by nearly two dozen comfortable, but business-like chairs. The chair at the head of the table had a much larger and ornate back and was occupied not by the High Priestess, known as The Great Lady, who normally sat there, but by Sula. Sula appeared to be a charming young woman, dressed in a simple cream-colored blouse, forest green skirts, with a wide belt and soft slippers. No matter where Sula chose to sit, to Boadua, that chair took on the aspect of a grand throne. Sitting next to Sula was the Great Lady Sayscia, who had removed her heavy robes of office and was dressed in a comfortable white and green frock with a soft leather belt. She still wore her tiara of office.
As Boadua entered the room, the two great ladies were bent over some papers on the table between them, debating some item that they were both pointing to on the pages. Sula’s wide emerald eyes came up, looking at Boadua, and the conversation stopped. “Is he well?”
Boadua stepped around the table and sat opposite the Great Lady on the other side of Sula. “Yes, Holy One, Lebuin and Ditani have made it safely to the Blue Dolphin.” Placing the sack she carried on the floor next to her she shifted to get comfortable in the chair.
Sula frowned slightly at Boadua. “I have told you to just call me Sula. It is my name after all.”
“Your will, Holy One.”
“Really, do we have to do this every time we start?”
“At least once or twice more.”
Sula frowned, but her eyes betrayed the mirth she felt. “I hope so. You have confirmed they are safe at the Blue Dolphin?”
Boadua nodded, then, looking at the papers she realized there were more than at yesterday’s meeting. “Have we really passed a new marker so soon?”
Sula nodded and pushed some of the papers closer to Boadua so she could read them. “My Mother indicated we have moved past many of the possibilities and allowed that we should know the contents of three markers. The attack on Lebuin was unprecedented even with the new packets. The last few days’ events indicate we have avoided several possible failures. The key event remains unknown and impenetrable as far as these go. Magus Vestul died almost two years sooner than all previous attempts and nine years before the initial attempt. In the final packet we just opened, he surmised there was no way to succeed without that sorry event. The latest indicates we are taking a great risk in the hope the accelerated events will mean keys will have to wait a period before other events cause their need and continued motion. Thus giving us time to actually trace them to find the needed principal and figure out how to interrupt it. I pray his sacrifice is not in vain. Have you found who tried to kill Lebuin? Have we been discovered?”
Boadua leaned back in her chair, a little defeated. “I am as confused as anyone on this. I cannot find any news or hint that we have been discovered. Ticca’s killing of the hired Knife before he reported back firmly and directly ended that possible diversion. I have consulted with numerous practitioners and none can fathom how he could have detected the hook, especially since he wasn’t the actual target this time.”
Sayscia leaned back in her chair, frowning at the news too. “Boadua, he appears to be a random element. We can find no indication he was key in any snap back, he just happened to be the Knife the Guild assigned. We therefore remain free of any closed loop. We are on a new path which is unique. All hints indicated the correct selections have been made. Actually we cannot agree if we are looping, which seems good to me.”
Boadua skimmed over the new information. “Sula, how many packets remain?”
“Only one remains.”
Sayscia and Boadua took a moment to take in the unexpected count. Sayscia spoke first. “Which means that the year or so we thought remaining is now gone?”
Sula shrugged. “Nothing indicates one way or the other. We must continue to act as we feel we should. We must also guard against directly acting or causing any specific action to occur based on this knowledge.”
Sula looked over the papers in front of them again and sighed. “Lebuin is not only ill prepared, without any warning of what he must try to prevent, but now is totally stripped of his powers. We knew he should be ill prepared but there is no mention of being stripped of his powers. This is what we are worrying about. We have to remain external except where we specifically acted before to prevent becoming trapped. If we were to actively protect him, it would nearly guarantee becoming trapped forever ourselves.”
Sayscia shook her head. “Sula, we don’t need to act. I think we are well. Ticca is not involved due to any action on our part. So she would become involved regardless. Damega’s progeny has much potential and is well-trained. If she remains under coin with Lebuin he will be safe.”
Sula nearly bounced out of her chair as she sat up rigidly straight. “What do you mean by Damega’s progeny?”
“Ticca is Damega’s eighteenth generation granddaughter, and trained by the Traitor himself. You didn’t know?”
Sula’s hands cupped her cheeks in shock and she looked like she might be having a heart attack. “Oh Mother! How could I have done this?” She closed her eyes and sat rigid in that position for some minutes.
Both Sayscia and Boadua waited respectfully. While they waited, Boadua finished reviewing the new papers. Using Dagger signals, she silently asked Sayscia if she meant the Traitor. Sayscia signaled affirmative, and then it was Boadua’s turn to lean back, thinking hard.
Opening her eyes Sula leaned back in the chair as if all the energy had been drained from her. “Sayscia, are you sure of this? How did you come to know this and I did not?”
“Sula, which part did you not know? That Ticca was Damega’s progeny, or that she was trained by the Traitor?”
“Both; and just to be clear you mean Amia-Dharo the Nhia-Samri, who helped stop the war when you say the Traitor?”
Sayscia looked worried. “Holy One, I promised never to utter that name. He said it would cause a response, also the hundred crown reward for him by the Nhia-Samri is still posted annually.”
“I am aware of the potential of the name. We are shielded here. However, I too will honor your promise. Now tell me how you know these things.”
Sayscia considered for a moment. “In my youth, I fancied becoming a great and renowned hero-healer. I made sure to be near centers of conflict and Daggers. I never actually put out a dagger, but I associated with them enough that eventually I ended up an often added team member. This gave me much travel, excitement and some very trying times. Then the war started. I was quickly associated with a Dagger unit lead by Faltla of Rhini Wood. He was amazing, strong, smart, handsome, and everything a woman could desire. I could tell you many a tale of daring that Faltla and his men achieved in support of the southern alliance to help stop the war. I am not ashamed to say I was more than a little smitten with him.”
Both Sula and Boadua leaned in closer with sparks in their eyes at the story.
“Faltla’s unit was guarding a large command meeting at an encampment of southern alliance forces, when a surprise attack by a squad of Nhia-Samri came. We outnumbered them twelve to one, but they slaughtered all who didn’t outright help with the evacuation. They cut through the ranks like a ship through water, and were heading directly for the general’s pavilion, which was being hastily evacuated. Faltla and his squad attacked them. I watched as friend after friend fell. Every fall caused by wounds I could not hope to mend. But still they fought with knife and sword with such speed and skill that the Nhia-Samri experienced nearly equal losses. I shadowed the fighting in case I was needed.
“When the fight had reached the general’s pavilion there remained only Daggers, Nhia-Samri, and myself alive on that bloody field. It was then that the Traitor was exposed. He had been meeting with the command staff and had made sure all the dignitaries were safely away. With the general who left last safely away, he came running back to the fight. He literally leapt over the general’s pavilion, landing in the middle of the remaining Nhia-Samri squad.
“I am not ashamed to say I was horrified, terrified and struck dumb by the speed, ferocity and deadliness of the Traitor’s blades. Faltla and the remaining Daggers rallied, seeing the Nhia-Samri beginning to fall faster than their own. It was a pitched battle. When the Nhia-Samri realized they were to lose, they turned as one on the Traitor. He could not withstand so many of his own kind; still, he was the second best Nhia-Samri in the world. He held most off, but one of the Nhia-Samri managed a blow with the side of his blade, cutting open the traitors head from the top of his skull and sliding down the bone and laying open the side of his neck, nearly cutting his shoulder in two. The cut only missed the main artery there by a hair, but still he was as good as dead.
“Faltla saw this and dove between the remaining Nhia-Samri to stand over the Traitor’s body, calling for me to be ready. I have no idea how he knew I was near. The few remaining Nhia-Samri tried to take as many with them as possible. Faltla would not be moved, and so took grievous wounds that would cost him his arm at the shoulder; later he almost lost his legs to infection. In the end, only five remained alive in a field of thousands: Faltla and the Traitor, both badly wounded; Faltla’s second, Sidur of Ashkash, Dagger in service to the general; myself; and a Nhia-Samri who lived to tell the tale.
“I ran from my hiding place to tend to Faltla, but he refused treatment until I had seen to the Traitor. I thought the Traitor was dead, but Faltla was right; I detected faint signs of life. So I managed, by the blessings of the Lady, to seal the Traitor’s wounds, and after, Faltla’s, which prevented them from bleeding to death. With Siddur’s help we found a cart and got Faltla and the Traitor into it. We rode for several days before we were picked up by the remains of the general’s forces. It was during that time that some of Faltla’s wounds became infected. With the help of a surgeon we amputated Faltla’s infected arm and saved his legs except for some toes. I refused to be relieved and tended personally to Faltla and the Traitor’s wounds for over a cycle without rest, expending every bit of knowledge and power I had.
“During that time we came to know one another very well. We shared stories of our lives, families and dreams. We became as close as family. It was just before the Traitor left that Faltla revealed that his great-grandfather had summoned him just before the war started. Faltla’s great-grandfather showed him proofs that they were of the Duianna line shared with Damega, and with a family history going long past something called ‘the Migration’ some fifteen thousand years ago. He charged Faltla to take up the care of these when he died. Faltla swore to do this, and I assume he has.
“The Traitor recovered completely in only six weeks and left to end the war. Faltla had to retire. I was assigned to the general’s personal guard unit which had been placed under the command of Siddur, who had also been recruiting new Daggers. When the war ended I’d had my fill of adventure and came here, dedicating myself to our Lady.
“When I noticed Ticca carried Faltla’s dagger I asked about it, and Ticca herself told me that she was the niece of Faltla, and said he had trained her in tracking since childhood; after Ticca’s father died she told Faltla she desired to follow in his footsteps instead of in her father’s. Faltla trained her as a Dagger from the age of ten, and when she surpassed his abilities, the traitor arrived and assisted in training her.”
Sula, for the first time in either woman’s experience, looked completely lost.
“I hired an unknown Hunter-Dagger who was blessed by my Mother, just to deal with placing the hooks. I had no intention of her getting involved any further. Now the progeny of Chaos itself, trained by Death Incarnate, is intimately involved. Oh Mother, can this be? How can this lead to deliverance?”
Boadua spoke up. “Well, that isn’t all of it.”
Sula and Sayscia looked at her in askance.
“I believe that Ticca is a Duianna, and trained by the Traitor. I recall hearing that the Duianna line breeds true. These things I now believe fully because I know this day she killed a Nhia-Samri one-on-one.”
Sula leaned back. “Are you sure he wasn’t just a very skilled Knife?”
“I cannot personally authenticate my proofs; however, I was required to use The Lady’s Sight to keep track of the one who followed us from the Temple. I caught him as he was forced to move through a crowded section; but I lost him again a moment later. Being alerted, I forced him to expose himself momentarily and then I used the Sight to track him to the hospice. Further, the stories I have of the fight all describe intense nonstop blurring speed with ringing of steel on steel. I am sure the fight lasted at least a quarter of a mark as it took me just over twenty minutes to see Lebuin safely off and return. My own eyes as well as the acolytes’ testimony proved I arrived only five minutes after the fight ended. Ticca managed to prevent Lebuin’s would-be attacker from maneuvering in any direction but backwards until the wall stopped him, and she gave him a chance to surrender. He might have tried to use the feint death throw on her, but she was faster and killed him instead.” Boadua slipped on her leather gloves and pulled two knives from the bag she’d brought. She carefully placed them on the table and pulled one out of its sheath, laying it on the table next to the first, with its maker’s mark in full view.
The knives were well-made: straight, single-edged with a diamond-shaped blade with white bone and black cotton cross-wrapped hilts. Boadua indicated the knives with her gloved hands for emphasis. “These were his knives. While I know there are many imitations available, some remarkably good, these are far lighter than they look and there is power in the maker’s mark.”
Sayscia looked at them with horror. “Those are Nhia-Samri odassi blades.”
Sula thought out loud, “Are they here to help or hinder?”
Sayscia looked at her in disbelief. “Help? Why would they help? What could possibly bring them here? Why are they trying to kill Lebuin? Could they know anything of these events?”
Sula’s eyes burned with rage, staring at the odassi on the table. “We can answer none of these questions yet, but we will start to look for answers. I can’t believe I am saying this, but hopefully Lebuin will keep Ticca’s services. With his powers crippled for a time we cannot track him from a distance and I don’t want to be close enough that Ticca will detect us. Given her nature, we cannot even trust an experienced Dagger to shadow her effectively. We must be extremely careful, especially with the Nhia-Samri involved.”
Boadua smiled. “Sula, I can help with that, too.” Producing a silver clasp tastefully decorated with blue and green gems, she placed it on the table. “This is an artifact made by Lebuin.”
Sula looked from the clasp to Boadua’s smiling face and back. Then she stood, offering her hands to Boadua. “Boadua, your service honors me, my Mother, and your name.”
Blushing, she stood and took Sula’s arms in hers. “Thank you, Holy One. It is my wish to serve.”
Sula picked up the clasp. “Sayscia, please ask Magus Cune to come here as soon as possible. We need his aid again.” Gesturing at the knives on the table, she added, “Boadua, please see that those are destroyed completely and as soon as possible. I am sure you know to not take them beyond the Temple walls again.”
Sayscia stood, giving Boadua a meaningful glance, which she understood immediately, and they spoke together, “Your will, Holy One.”
Sula sighed and rolled her eyes. She walked out of the inner door behind the head chair, mumbling just loud enough to be clearly heard, “I put up with much, Mother.” The priestesses chuckled together as they separated for their tasks.
Urio-Larne read the report carefully for the second time. This doesn’t make any sense. What would pull him from his gaming houses to travel half-way across the world? He hates hot climates. What was so important? We must complete the assignment. Shifting a little, he allowed himself to relax in the padded wing chair; there were perks to long service, after all. Looking up, he enjoyed the way the fire cast a glowing pattern on the richly-furnished library. Two large lamps on each corner provided ample light to see all the papers, charts, and tools spread in a neat pattern over the large oak desk. Putting the note down on a small stack of such papers, he considered the implications. Across from him his senior lieutenant sat straight-backed in the plain hardwood chair. “I don’t think I have ever seen such a mess, Ossa-Ulla. Keelun killed Vestul before his meeting with Duke, which was reasonable, but only if information was obtained. However, we cannot locate Keelun and therefore we don’t know if he learned what Vestul was going to meet with Duke about. Now Duke is alerted and stepping on our toes trying to locate Vestul. We had to eliminate three of his agents who discovered our involvement, three more than any such operation should require. Finally, you claim both Dalpha’s and Argos’s agents have become alerted to all this activity and in the same breath assert that they are totally inexperienced or inept to the point of being no real threat.” Extracting a paper from the middle of a stack, he continued, “Yet this detailed report shows Argos’s agent effectively stopping us, becoming angry at being attacked as though it were only an inconvenience, destroying a device I thought indestructible, and generally depicts a slaying of our agent with so much emphasis on destruction that it should be seen as nothing less than the warning and challenge it is.”
Ossa-Ulla remained motionlessly rigid in the chair, his eyes burning with anger, but his voice was calm and respectful. “Sir, Palkni was indeed a good warrior, and he did manage to mortally wound Lebuin. I stand by all the profiles. Our information on Lebuin is extremely accurate. Lebuin is a tremendous dandy, more interested in his own comforts than anything external to the walls of the Guild. Lebuin was allowed to completely ignore all practical training. Ticca has no combat or intelligence experience in any military and comes from a fur-trapper background with dreams of glory. She is just a show-off out for personal glory, spinning her dagger as if it is impressive, when really it impresses no one but the other children.”
Allowing a small frown of reproach to show, Urio-Larne responded, “Lebuin could not have been mortally wounded; he walked to the Blue Dolphin while avoiding your observers. If we were not already monitoring the Blue Dolphin internally we would never have known he arrived there.”
Ossa-Ulla was showing some color at his neck. Good, maybe you’ll pay closer attention if you finally have a bad mark on your record. I cannot see how you managed a career of such perfection, but you have grown overconfident. At least this isn’t a major operation; and little embarrassment will make you a better officer. A soft knock came from the open door and both of them looked at the corporal standing at attention. He waved at the corporal to enter. “Report, Corporal.”
The corporal stepped in and saluted crisply as he summed up his news. “Sirs, Dalpha’s agent has retired for the evening. It has been confirmed she was wounded, with impaired movements.” His voice took on a bitter and angry tone. “We have confirmed she killed Maru-Hue.”
Ossa-Ulla snapped, “She caught him in a trap? That is not very likely, sir…”
He held up a hand to stop the lieutenant and nodded for the corporal to continue.
The corporal shook his head. “No sir, not a trap, she bested him one-to-one with odassi.”
Ossa-Ulla stood up, shocked, his neck flushing a deep red. “She did what?!”
The commander picked two papers from one of the stacks. The tops read ‘Ticca of Rhini Wood’ and ‘Lebuin of House Caerni.’ Holding them out to Ossa-Ulla, he said, “I recommend you correct these profiles and put these fictions’ authors on report.”
Ossa-Ulla looked a little worried, taking the profiles. “Sir, I signed off on these, and I assure you she has only six cycles’ Dagger experience on minor work. She is completely inexperienced. Lebuin is even more useless.”
Looking calmly at his lieutenant, he pulled out another paper with a recent report. “She has taken a permanent table, she is under coin to Argos’s agent, survived the confrontation, took out trained observers, and her sigil coin is not new. The Blue Dolphin in its five-hundred-year history as a Dagger Home has never let junior Daggers take a permanent table. Now we learn she has killed our third best warrior in a face-to-face fight. She is not what she appeared to be. Lebuin is the same; you have been fooled. I suspect Duke had a hand in this. I suggest you deal with this personally. We cannot be exposed. With Duke in town it becomes more than just a standing order. I believe you understand.”
Ossa-Ulla snapped to attention and saluted. “Yes, sir! Personally, sir!”
“You are both dismissed.” As the men did an about-face and marched out of the library, he wrote an order to recover Maru-Hue’s odassi, placing it unsigned, like all his orders, in the tray for new orders; then he picked up his wine and drank. “What are you about, Duke?” he asked the empty room thoughtfully.
“Damn it, Ladro, find my friend!” He bit down hard on the leg of mutton in front of him, breaking the bone with an audible snap.
Having been Duke’s long-time personal secretary meant he was entirely used to and unruffled by abusive language or violent displays of power. Having served Duke since a boy, Ladro was in tune with his master’s moods, tactics, and most importantly, likely targets for his teeth. “M’Llord, we have been unable to locate Magus Vestul. By all accounts he simply disappeared between the tobacconist and the Blue Dolphin. What we need to discover is why so many competent agents have also disappeared.”
Duke chewed the meat, letting the blood drip down his face for effect. He could eat as delicately as any courtier, but he was in a foul mood and it wasn’t getting any better. At times like this Ladro had to admit it was motivating to Duke’s staff if Duke let his baser instincts show a little. Swallowing, Duke said, “You have identified the various routes between the two, correct?” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, M’lord. There are only two possibilities: the longer but safer street path, or the shorter, being a cut-through alley that went almost directly to the Dolphin.”
“Vestul was old, lazy, and probably as tired of this blasted heat as I am myself. He took the shorter route.”
“The tobacconist’s information agrees, and she was the last to see Magus Vestul that we know of.”
Standing up Duke, nuzzled his bag over his shoulder from the hook it hung on. “Take me there now.”
“M’lord, the Princes asked, most strongly, that you not involve yourself directly.”
“The Princes can go to hell. This is my friend, and I roamed this little ‘burg’s streets thousands of years before those brats were born. God damn it, I helped build this f*cking ‘burg! If it hadn’t been for the damned climate change, this would still be my primary residence! It’s time those brat Princes learned they are not as all-f*cking-powerful as they think they are! And full time this ‘burg was reminded it’s not as big as it thinks it is!” Turning, he kicked the door open so hard that it flew from its hinges and embedded itself in the far wall. “Now are you going to show me where your incompetent fools got lost, or do I have to roam the through the entire ‘burg pulling these pitiful people from their beds to get my answers?”
Realizing there was no way to stop him, Ladro stepped out into the hall, grabbing his own cloak and shooing off the staff who had come to inspect the loud noises. Duke followed him out, snarling mad, with blood still running down his chin. A few of the newer staff actually took to heel at the sight. Lords… this will take some smoothing over later.
Together they headed towards the main doors. As they approached, the guards needed no warning to open the doors or the gate; both stood open, with eight guards at parade rest, four on each side. As Duke and Ladro exited the mansion, the guards snapped to attention. Ladro pointed at the four outside and indicated the direction they were going to take. The guards jumped into action, moving to warn off any carriages or pedestrians.
“Now see, that is damned good training, I like that.” Then, looking at the guards remaining behind, Duke bellowed, “Are you waiting for an invitation from the Princes? Close the goddamned gates and GET BACK TO WORK!” The four remaining guards leapt to comply, especially motivated since it would cut them off from Duke and his foul mood.
At least the sun has set and it is cooling, hopefully that should ease some of Duke’s mood. Looking at his master Ladro saw anger in his eyes, and worry. Duke isn’t used to worrying, especially about his oldest friends. He quietly led his master through the city, with the four guards effectively getting carts and people out of their way; a few people screamed and ran, while others stood petrified at their passing. Many looked back and forth between him and Duke trying to ascertain exactly what was happening. He’s right, this city has forgotten him.
They reached the arit and tobac shop in just over a mark. Well, Duke at least makes the trip fast. The blood on Duke’s chin had either dried or he had licked some of it off. Either way he had shifted to quiet fuming instead of the loud, panic-inducing fuming, for which Ladro was very happy. He pointed at the shop as they approached. “That is where the tobacconist who last saw Vestul works.”
Duke walked up to the little shop with its fenced-off patio and tables. Duke sniffed the air. “No, it can’t be!” Duke jumped the little fence easily and yelled, “Dardalph! Get your lazy ass out here, and stop making me wait!”
A muffled cry came from inside the shop, followed by a crash like a stack of plates or mugs being dropped onto a hard stone floor. A short woman, who looked more like a barrel, came running out of the café. “Duke! Gadriel’s teeth!” She ran faster than Ladro thought possible straight into Duke, slamming with an audible thud into his side. The woman immediately commenced laughing, patting his sides and hugging his front legs. Duke, in turn, lost his emotional control and was actually wagging his tail. The first two swings tossed a table into the street and some chairs towards the store.
Dodging back a little to stay out of the path of the tail, Ladro waited and watched. Well, that is something I’ve never seen before. Wonder how long they have known each other.
She started speaking a language Ladro had never heard before. Not unsurprisingly, given his thousands of years of roaming, Duke knew the language. The two of them had an excited conversation and all the while she alternated between patting Duke’s sides and hugging his legs. All the patrons at the shop sat perfectly still, trying to not be noticed by the large intruder into their previously normal evening.
After the initial conversation started to slow, Duke’s demeanor shifted back to the fuming mood he had arrived in. The lady became serious too and give him a lot of details as she pointed at various chairs and then across the street at an alley not far down; she also mimed some things and made signs with her hands which Ladro could not comprehend.
Duke actually licked her face once before jumping back out onto the street; then he looked at all the patrons, the guards, and Ladro. “If anyone here mentions my actions I’ll use you for my next meal — especially you, Ladro.” Looking at two of his guards, he said, “You two, put that table back in her yard.”
Just ignore the threat. He really was surprised and the happiest I have ever seen him, including when I read him the letter from Vestul.
Duke moved with a purpose towards the alley and as he entered it he put his head close to the ground and sniffed back and forth. “There you are, you old bastard, now where did you go?” Duke continued to sniff as he moved down the alley, stopping from time to time to explore the wall or examine something. Raising his head, he looked at one of the rear guard. “Yilla, run back to Dardalph’s shop and ask to barrow a pair of lanterns.” The guard needed no further urging, and bolted to obey. “Good boy, that one.” Putting his head down, Duke trotted along the alley, snuffing like a bloodhound.
They had just moved through an elbow section when Duke stood straight up and sneezed. Then he put his nose down again and moved very slowly. “No! Surely not, no. How could that be? I thought a ransom or draining. No! No! Nooo!” The guard was just coming back with the lanterns as Duke sat down and jerked his head to the sky, letting out an awful howl that shook dust from the walls and caused Ladro’s ears intense pain. The guards and Ladro involuntarily pressed their hands over their ears, trying to block out some of the anguished howl.
At last, Duke looked down again at the spot he had been investigating and stood. He was angrier than Ladro had ever seen. He paced, and his mouth moved as if ranting with occasional obvious snaps of teeth like rending something apart. Ladro couldn’t hear what his master said because of the ringing in his ears, and he felt relieved by this. This was not Duke of Greyrhan, the laughing story teller and gambler; this was something fearful, something that came out of a nightmare. Duke’s teeth were bared while he paced. He snapped, he howled again, though not as loudly, and he raged. As the ringing in Ladro’s ears abated, some of what Duke was saying started coming through. Ladro wished it hadn’t, because Duke was talking in dozens of languages and Ladro was sure he was working through his complete vocabulary of profanity, curses and tortures.
By the time Ladro’s hearing was good enough to clearly make out what Duke was saying he wasn’t saying a word. Duke had sat down and was staring at Ladro and the guards with cold steel eyes. No one moved. After a while Duke snuffled the air and asked very softly, in a tone that sent shivers down Ladro’s spine, “Can you hear me now?”
Ladro nodded. Duke motioned to the guard. “Yilla, bring those lanterns over here. Ladro, take one. You stand here, next to me, and you, over there.” Yilla moved to comply, as did Ladro.
Duke then stood and went over every detail of the alley methodically. He found a grey clay pipe bowl and some brown paper, he found some violet cloth bits, he licked the wall and ground in places. He also found the scents of several people. He breathed especially deep of one scrap of violet cloth. After about a quarter-mark Duke turned and headed out of the alley, his head down, following some scent. He didn’t speak a word, and his eyes remained wide with a burning anger.
The guards and Ladro followed silently as Duke traced the scent straight to the Blue Dolphin. Duke didn’t pause, he simply walked through the doors, knocking one off its hinges and splintering the other. The sound naturally drew the attention of everyone present. No one moved. Duke stood in the doorway, smoke from the room pouring out around him to the heavens. Duke sniffed at the air, sneezed, and sniffed again.
A dozen warriors already had weapons out but held still. Duke stared at the occupants while they tensely awaited his next action. A number of Daggers who had weapons out put them away and waited for Duke. Well at least the Daggers remember who he is. It only took a moment before Genne reacted. Genne came out from behind the bar. “Here now, what do ya thin’ yer about?”
Duke’s eyes narrowed and he walked straight at Genne, who stood his ground. Genne was a large man, but Duke still towered over him easily by two hands. Ladro was amazed that Genne could so stoically stand, staring up into Duke’s eyes full-on. He also noticed a number of Daggers tensed, with hands on weapons, at the scene. Guess if you have your back covered by the very best it would be easier. Still it takes courage and self-confidence to stand against Duke. Of course the real questions are: do they prepare to back Duke or Genne; if Duke is still credited with creating the Daggers; and if they remember he can command the actions of the alliance?
“Magus Vestul was my friend, and I am going to personally shred anyone I find out was involved with his murder.”
“Duke please, we don’ traffic in dat sorta work. Ya should know dat.”
“A lot can change in a few hundred years.”
Genne actually stood stiffer and taller. “Not da rules.”
“Boy, don’t talk to me about your rules! I was here when we laid them out. Someone here knows what happened and possibly why. I am going to find this person.” Duke looked at the silent room. “Daggers out, you’re hired, all of you. Find out who killed Magus Vestul in Drillian Alley. Find out why. Find out who paid for it. Twenty crowns for each answer, ten crosses a week each. Get moving!”
Ladro watched as six Dagger teams stood, pulling their daggers from the holders, each calling out their acceptance.
Duke looked at the ones who didn’t accept coldly. “Very well, each of you are to report to me personally in the morning. Any other Dagger that wishes to accept has one more day to report in.” Duke looked at Genne. “You can take damages from my counting. I’ll be back, and I expect my table to be prepared.” Turning, Duke walked out of the Dolphin. “It’s time to remind this hellishly hot little ‘burg who helped f*cking build it.”
Once they were a good distance from the Dolphin, Ladro sensed Duke was in a slightly better mood. Very quietly he asked, “Sir, why didn’t you just identify the person you followed there?”
“Because someone there was smoking damned carmine-laced tobac. I won’t be able to identify any odors for at least three days; it will be at least two weeks before I can track by scent again, three or four before I am back to my full tracking ability.”
“Sir, shouldn’t we have told the Daggers where to come to report in?”
Duke actually laughed at that. “Ladro, if they can’t find me to report in, I don’t want to hire them.”