by Steven Brust
The last individual was also a Dragonlord; she was called Palaniss. She had come to Khaavren’s attention as a concealed operative during the coal-tax rebellion, when she had acquired significant information by disguising herself as a Lyorn and insinuating herself into the confidence of Lady Vilnai. Later, she directed a covert operation against the Duke of Loghram. While, strictly speaking, the operation failed, it succeeded in that it led to the discovery of Loghram’s spy network within the Palace; and, in any case, Khaavren was sufficiently impressed by Palaniss’s thoroughness and professionalism, that he offered her a position in Special Tasks. We should add that Palaniss was not wealthy, and so the stipend was not unwelcome. But even more than this was her passion for all matters relating to military intelligence, and as this position promised her opportunities to practice her art, as she called it, she did not hesitate before agreeing.
These were the five people, then—three Dragonlords, a Dzurlord, and a Yendi—who turned their eyes to their chief, Khaavren, to await his words.
He said, “There is an Easterner named Vladimir Taltos, Count of Szurke. He holds an Imperial title. Before that, he was a Jhereg, and is now being hunted by that House for criminal activity that ran counter to their preferred criminal activity. Last month he was set upon and attacked, but not by Jhereg. He survived the attack, and, for reasons of his own, will not cooperate with the investigation into it.”
Khaavren looked at the five faces assembled there. “Three months ago, I had an ensign send out teams to learn what could be learned in the general area where the attack took place. The results of the investigation were sent to you yesterday. I will now read you an interview in which I noticed something interesting.” He then gave the date and location at which the interview took place and at once proceeded to read them text—not a sound was heard save for Khaavren’s voice as he did so; everyone in the room giving him the complete attention he was due.
When he had finished, he put down the papers and said, as he usually did at this point in an investigation, “Has anyone an observation to make?”
For a moment, no one spoke; then the Dragonlord who had entered last cleared her throat. “Brigadier—”
“Yes, Palaniss?”
“I, for one, do not see what observation one might make.”
“You see nothing unusual there?”
“Nothing, Captain.”
Khaavren picked up the papers again, and reread a certain passage: “Question: Have you seen any Easterners in the last few days or weeks? Answer: Easterners, Your Lordship? No Easterners. Just Chreotha brewers, a few Orca, Dragonlords like yourselves, some Issola, a couple of traveling merchants—Jhegaala—and a Lyorn who was visiting his cousin. No Easterners, Your Lordship.”
Having finished reading, Khaavren said, “Well?”
Palaniss said, “I am afraid, Brigadier, that I fail to see what is of interest there.”
“Do you? We were lucky enough to get a catalog of strangers passing through—you’ll note that this is from a Teckla who works at a public market, and so sees everyone passing through. Apropos, I must make a note to commend the guardsmen for thinking to interview him. So then, let us look at these strangers one by one.”
“Very well, Brigadier, I agree with this.”
“The last thing he mentions is a Lyorn, visiting his cousin.”
“Yes, my lord? But the Baron of that region is a Lyorn, as is mentioned on page thirty-nine, and why should he not have a cousin?”
“You are correct, Palaniss. Let us pass on. What of the Chreotha brewers?”
“There are two public houses there, my lord; it would seem reasonable that brewers should come by from time to time.”
“Once again, I see no flaws in your reasoning.”
“I am gratified that you do not.”
“So then, what of the traveling Jhegaala merchants?”
“The brigadier must be aware that there is no small number of such merchants, each with his wagon or cart, drawn by horse or mule, traveling and trading among the small villages.”
“I am very much aware of this. So then, that is not out of the ordinary?”
“Not the least in the world.”
“I agree. What of the Dragonlords, dressed like guardsmen, as he says?”
“But, my lord, you know that different pairs of guards are assigned to pass through the towns from time to time, and see that all is well, and listen to complaints.”
“I know that very well.”
“So then, there is nothing odd in that.”
“With this, I agree. What, then of the Issola?”
“The Issola?”
“Some Issola. I say again, some Issola. Some unknown number of nobles of the House of the Issola. Are there any Issola holdings in the region?”
“None, Lord Khaavren.”
“Well, and then?” He looked around the room.
No one spoke except Timmer, who said, “Well, I agree. It is unusual.”
“Does anyone disagree?”
There was the shaking of heads all around the table. The older Dragonlord said, “I admit, it is unusual; but is it significant?”
“Ah, as to that.”
“Well?”
“What is your opinion, Cialdi?”
“I am uncertain, Brigadier.”
“Anyone else?”
The young Dragonlord said, “I, too, fail to see anything in the report you have done us the honor to read to us that may have bearing on the attack on the Easterner.”
“Perhaps there is no bearing, Palaniss. But it is something unusual that has happened in the area we are investigating. Therefore, I wish to know more about it. Also, another matter has been brought to my attention.” Khaavren summarized what Pel had observed about the wine, and the discovery the Yendi had made. As the reader already knows of this, nothing can be gained by merely repeating it, and so the historian has therefore chosen to omit it save by reference. When this summary was finished, and his listeners were considering the significance of what they had heard, Khaavren said, “Also, I have been reliably informed that another matter has a direct bearing on this case, and may prove important to unlocking it.”
“And what matter is that?” said the others.
“It concerns,” said Khaavren, “the theft of a small sculpture of a tiassa, all in silver, from the collection of Lord Feorae. The theft was carried out as part of a Jhereg scheme aimed against the same Lord Szurke whose attack we have been discussing. That is the connection between them, and so we will be investigating both matters.”
There were general nods from around the table, and the Dzurlord said, “Brigadier?”
Khaavren nodded to him, saying, “Yes, Dinaand?”
“How is it you wish us to proceed, in order to learn more about it?”
“I have directed some of my forces to finding Lady Saruchka. Our main effort will be an attempt to find the silver tiassa. As to how we will go about that, has anyone any suggestions?”
Dinaand said, “I know of no way to locate it using sorcery unless it were to be in our possession long enough to plant a trace spell on it; and if it were in our possession, well, we would not need to locate it.”
“That is true, Dinaand,” said Khaavren, struck by the extreme justice of this observation. “So, then?”
“Perhaps,” said Timmer, “we could send our own teams back to that area and see if there is more to learn. While this will not net us the artifact, it may provide useful information.”
Khaavren nodded. “That is a good plan. See to it.”
“As for finding the tiassa,” said Palaniss.
“Yes?”
“It seems to me that the Jhereg who was behind the false invasion was executed.”
“Your memory does you credit,” said Khaavren, “for that is exactly what happened. And then?”
“I wonder,” said Palaniss, “if a thorough search was ever made of his residence.”
“Ah, that is an excellent thought,” said
Khaavren. “Look into it.”
“I will not fail to do so, Brigadier,” said the Dragonlord.
“Are there other suggestions?” said Khaavren, looking around the room.
There were none.
“Very well,” said Khaavren. “You will all, of course, stay in touch with me. Let us be about Her Majesty’s work.”
With that, Khaavren rose, as did all of the others except Timmer, who said, “Your pardon, Brigadier.”
Khaavren stopped. “Yes, Timmer?”
“May I speak with you privately?”
Khaavren sat down and nodded.
One by one, the others filed out of the door through which they had arrived. Pel hesitated, as if he wanted to stay, but in the end he just shrugged and followed the others.
“Well then,” said Khaavren. “What is it?”
“I know this Easterner, my lord. Count Szurke, as he is called.”
“How, you know him?”
She nodded. “Does the brigadier recall the Fyres matter?”
“When Loftis was killed. I cannot forget it. He was involved?”
“He was.”
“How deeply involved?”
“Very deeply.”
Khaavren’s face hardened. “Loftis’s killer was never found.”
“No, my lord. He was not the killer. In fact, he avenged Loftis.”
“His name appears in none of the reports, Ensign.”
She met his eyes. “I am aware of that, my lord.”
Khaavren grunted. He knew very well that, with the sort of inquiries the Special Tasks group was assigned, a certain amount of discretion was necessary. “Was he helpful?”
“Extremely, though it must be added, for his own reasons.”
Khaavren nodded. “What can you tell me about him?”
“He is, or at least was, an assassin.”
Khaavren’s nostrils flared, but he gave no other sign of emotion. “What else?”
“He had the charge of a boy, human, Teckla, under a hundred.”
“Charge?”
“He took responsibility for him. From what I learned, heard, and deduced, Szurke felt responsible for something that happened to the boy.”
“I see. What else?”
“He keeps his bargains.”
“You claim he is honorable?”
“For an Easterner, yes.”
Khaavren nodded. “Very well. What else?”
“He is a known associate of Kiera the Thief.”
“Ah, is he! That brings to mind the stolen silver tiassa.”
Timmer shook her head. “That wasn’t her work.”
“How, you are certain?”
Timmer nodded. “I looked into it. It was sloppy, and signs were left.”
“False signs, were they not?”
“Nevertheless, Kiera would have left none. She especially would not have left signs pointing to Szurke, as they are friends.”
Khaavren nodded, accepting her judgment, and said, “What else?”
“I saw from your report that you speculate he might have had arcane or mundane assistance in the fight.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“I can tell you the nature of that assistance.”
“Ah, can you? I hope, then, that you will do so.”
“He practices the Eastern magical arts, by which means he has two jhereg—that is, if the brigadier will forgive me, two of the animals—who watch over him, and assist him in various ways.”
“What ways?”
“When I saw him, they were often perched on his shoulders, or else flying about watching, and, I have no doubt, magically reporting to him what they saw.”
“This is most remarkable, Ensign. Are you certain?”
“I am.”
Khaavren nodded. “This Easterner is formidable, for one of his race.”
“With this, I agree, my lord Brigadier.”
“Is there more?”
“That is all, my lord.”
“If you think of anything else pertaining to this Easterner, or this mission, tell me at once.”
“I will not fail to do so.”
Timmer rose, bowed, and took her leave; Khaavren returned to his office. He sat behind his desk. Borteliff, who was engaged in placing folders in a file cabinet, looked at him. “Well,” said Khaavren. “We seem to have landed ourselves a thorny problem.”
Borteliff, who would not even permit himself a grunt of agreement, bobbed his head slightly. Khaavren nodded back and returned to other matters.
A few hours later he was still at his desk, the remains of a bowl of soup and a few crusts of bread in front of him when he was informed that Palaniss wished to see him. He directed the Dragonlord be admitted at once.
“Brigadier,” he said.
“Palaniss, you have something to tell me.”
“I have indeed.”
“Well, if you have found the silver tiassa, do not delay, for I wish to know at once.”
“Alas, we did not find the artifact.”
“So much the worse!”
“However—”
“Ah! Ah! You found something, then?”
“It would be strange if I did not, for it was a small place, and I made certain to miss nothing.”
“Was it, then, unoccupied?”
“Oh, no; a Chreotha family had moved in. I had them wait in the street until I was finished.”
“Ah, very good. So then, what did you find?”
“In the floor of the master bedroom was a concealed hole, as one might use to hide valuables.”
“I see. And what was in it?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing, except—”
“Well?”
“Except a piece of velvet, as if to provide a resting place for something delicate.”
“That is very significant. And did you inspect the velvet?”
“With the greatest care.”
“And what did you learn?”
“That something had, indeed, been laid on it, and it looked very much as if it could be a small, sculpted tiassa.”
“So then, it was there!”
“That is my conclusion, Brigadier.”
“That was well done, Palaniss.”
“You are kind to say so, Brigadier.”
“Now the question is, what became of it?”
“He could have removed it.”
“Unlikely. He was arrested, you recall, before the operation was completed.”
“That is true.”
“Could the Chreotha family have taken it?”
“No, Brigadier. They had installed a safe, and their valuables were in there. If they knew of the concealed hole, they would have used it, as it was better protection than the safe.”
“You looked in the safe?”
“Of course.”
Khaavren nodded. “So, then, it was taken after the Jhereg, Dathaani, was arrested.”
“By whom?”
“That is the question.”
“And can you answer it?”
“Perhaps I can, by asking another question.”
“If you have a question, well, I am listening.”
“This is it, then: Who else, besides Dathaani, knew Dathaani had the silver tiassa?”
“The thief he hired to steal it for him?”
“Yes, that is true. Who else?”
“No one.”
“No one?”
“Oh, yes—was there some talk of the Countess being aided by a pair of Jhereg, was there not?”
“There was.”
“We must find out who these Jhereg are.”
“That is useless, for I already know.”
“How, you know?”
“Yes, I was given this information.”
“And does the brigadier wish to share this information?”
“One of them, I will not say. There are certain matters of high politics involved.”
“Very well, I accept that.
And the other?”
“A certain Easterner who, it happens, is or was married to the Count of Szurke.”
“Ah, ah.”
“You perceive, Palaniss, that it all fits together.”
“Indeed it does, Brigadier. So either this Easterner woman—”
“Cawti.”
“—has it, or she has disposed of it, very likely to her husband.”
“Who is, from your report, on the run from the Jhereg.”
“Exactly.”
Palaniss frowned. “I do not yet see how the Jhereg fits in.”
“Nor do I. We will discover this.”
“Yes, Brigadier. What are my orders?”
“Are you able to gain the confidence of an Easterner?”
The Dragonlord hesitated. “I do not know. It is not something I have ever attempted.”
“Attempt it now. See if you can confirm that she took the artifact, and learn what she did with it. Remember that she is an Easterner. Flatter her by treating her with courtesy as if she were human—they cannot resist that.”
“As you say, Brigadier.”
With this, Khaavren dismissed her and silently considered what he had learned. After a brief period of thought—Khaavren, as we know, wasted thoughts no more than he wasted words—he concluded that he could come to no conclusions until he received more information than he at present possessed, and he accordingly put the matter out of his mind.
Some time later, he received a report from Timmer, but it was only that they had begun their investigation. This news, while welcome, did nothing to give Khaavren additional material with which to construct theories or test conjectures.
He worked well into the night, supervising the investigators (which he could do, thanks to the remarkable powers of the Orb, without actually being present), and when he was finally overcome by sleep, lay down on a cot in his office.
Borteliff woke him early the next morning with klava, a warm, moist towel, and the summary, prepared by his staff during the night, of any incidents of which the captain ought to be aware. He sipped the one, used the other, than quickly perused the third. As there was nothing in this latter that required immediate attention (some hints of trouble among longshoreman, the particularly gruesome murder of a wealthy Orca), he turned his attention once more to the strange matter of Count Szurke and the silver tiassa.