“Good morning,” said the wizard. “How are you feeling, Counselor?"
“Hello, Pellorin,” Adriana answered. She smiled. “Except for standing here for the past hour, I'm quite well."
“Ah, have you fallen out of Harri Domerrit's good graces?"
“I'm not sure I was ever in them."
The wizard laughed then turned to Alexander. “I'm afraid we were never introduced, Huntsman. Please call me Pellorin. Since you're wondering, I've seen thirty-four summers."
Alexander's eyebrows shot up. “You can read minds?"
Pellorin laughed again. “Not at all. I'm simply a student of the human expression, and yours appears to be wondering something about me. I've been eager to meet you. I wager your work makes for practical use of my hobby."
“I'd wager you're correct,” said Alexander, grinning.
“If I might ask, where did you come by that disrupting powder you employed last night? I haven't seen any that powerful here in Hurst, and I'm quite familiar with the local apothecaries."
Alexander's hand went to the empty pouch at his belt. He'd lain awake the previous night and fixed the flap while revisiting the attack in his mind. “I bought it in Addamantia, from a tigri trader. I was never really certain it would work, to tell you the truth."
“Oh, it worked quite well. That's part of why I'm here—I thought you may like to know the nature of the attack against you."
“Please,” said Adriana.
“Definitely,” said Alexander at the same time.
“Your mysterious attacker has the Arcanum Imperium in a complete uproar. The Prime Wizard himself has taken an interest. You see, the mage who attacked you must be immensely powerful. He cast three separate spells, all undetected by myself and my associates. It's utterly amazing—and fortunate—that your powder was strong enough to interrupt him."
“Three spells?” said Alexander.
“Yes. The first created a shield of sorts to prevent those of us who are attuned to magic from detecting the act. The second dampened the sound in your box. Obviously, the third spell was the actual attack on Counselor Thornwell. Taken separately, these conjurations range from somewhat tough to exceedingly difficult. To cast all three at once requires a magician close to Nikkolynda's ability, if not better."
“How many magicians of that caliber are in Hurst?” asked Alexander.
“Counting Nikkolynda? One."
“Evidently there's one more than that,” said Adriana wryly.
“Well, yes, it would seem so."
“But not one who's known,” said Alexander. “The attacker must be a foreigner."
“Well, it's possible that such a powerful mage could hide in the Magician's Guild, but not likely. The only way to constantly hide that kind of power is to not use it. In all honesty, I don't know if we'll unearth him. If the mage is still in Hurst, he's obscuring himself well."
“Our deviant?” Adriana asked Alexander.
“It must be.” A sick feeling was growing in his stomach. He thought of his conversation with Count Hafflston and wondered how long it would take for this new information to point toward Addamantia. Adriana's eyes met his, and he knew she'd already had the same thought.
“Nikkolynda sent this for you,” said Pellorin. “He's the Emperor's Prime Wizard,” he added for Alexander's benefit. The wizard reached into his sleeve and withdrew a long, golden chain. He extended his arms to place the chain around Alexander's neck and the Huntsman reached up to take it.
“Please, allow me,” said the wizard. “I need to activate the charm or this will be no more than a cheap necklace."
Alexander waited while Pellorin worked the clasp on the chain and mumbled a short, indecipherable phrase. Adriana watched with open curiosity.
“There,” said Pellorin. “It's a gift from Nikkolynda, intended to replace your disrupting powder. If you find yourself in dire straits, snap the chain. It won't break without your conscious will."
“Um, what does it do?” asked Alexander.
“Oh, of course!” said Pellorin. “It summons Nikkolynda. Either he holds you in high regard, Huntsman, or he strongly desires to find this mage."
“Don't you think Adriana should wear it instead?”
The wizard shook his head. “Nikkolynda was quite specific. He doubts the counselor will be targeted again.” He looked at Adriana. “All the same, I'd stay close to the Huntsman, Adriana."
The door to the audience chamber opened to admit Harri Domerrit once more. This time, the majordomo cast his gaze toward Alexander and headed in their direction. Pellorin saw Domerrit approaching and gave a small bow.
“I wish you the best, Huntsman. If you wish to discuss the matter further, Counselor Thornwell knows how to find me. Good fortune to you.” With a quick nod to Adriana, the wizard retreated from the waiting room.
“Huntsman Finnell, Counselor Thornwell,” said Harri Domerrit. “His Righteousness awaits your presence."
* * * * *
Emperor Theodoric the First reminded Alexander of Baron Alfrid. Both rulers were in their early fifties. Like the Baron, Emperor Theodoric possessed the toughened physique of an avid huntsman, or possibly a former soldier. He leaned forward eagerly as they approached, smoothing long, gray hair down the back of his neck with one hand. A gold-rimmed monocle was clipped to his collar and connected to his ear by a long, gold chain. He seemed to have little need of the lens, however. His dark eyes were clear and focused as he watched the Huntsman bow at the bottom of the dais on which the thrones stood.
The long audience chamber, capable of holding two or three hundred, was empty save for the Emperor, his guests and his guards. The great room was broken up by two rows of large pillars spaced evenly between the entrance and the thrones. Curtains obscured other exits, both atop the dais and in the long side walls. Tapestries depicting the history of the Western Realm lined these walls. Those closest to the thrones showed men and dwarves driving the elves into the desert. Between these stood a series of sculptures. The finely detailed works were of men and women with various styles of weapons and armor, all poised for battle. Two living soldiers stood within a sword's reach of Theodoric with their blades drawn. Another pair flanked the empty throne to the Emperor's right.
“My wife left this world nearly a decade ago,” Theodoric said, seeing Alexander's eyes flicker toward the empty seat. “She succumbed to woodsman's syndrome, before the apothecaries developed the first cure."
“I'm sorry, Your Ex—ah, Your Righteousness."
The Emperor laughed. “Odd title, eh, Huntsman? Try listening to it day in and day out. Of course, they may as well call me ‘Mayor.’ With one city to my name, I believe I rule the smallest empire in the history of the Western Realm.
“I wouldn't want any more, though. Alfrid is an excellent man for Addamantia, Johanasen keeps Forthaven producing the best steel in the realm and Ehrling Vanmaarck will be ruling the Stronghold long after I'm dead and gone. Perhaps if Counselor Thornwell's peers and Count Hafflston can work out their troubles each of us can go back to enjoying our own little cities."
“I hope so, sir,” said Alexander.
The Emperor glanced at Adriana's bruised neck. “I understand you're to thank for the preservation of one of my favorite junior counselors?” Adriana blushed at the compliment.
“I was lucky, Your Righteousness,” said Alexander.
“There are worse things for a man to be. A little good fortune might be what's needed to help find our—what do you call him, our ‘deviant?’”
Theodoric had either been talking to Hafflston or receiving detailed reports from Adriana, Alexander realized. “Yes, Righteousness. That's the term we use in Addamantia."
“As good as any. Counselor Thornwell, do you feel any progress has been made? With all the uproar over trade negotiations, I confess I haven't given these murders nearly as much attention as I should."
Alexander doubted that the monarch was as out of touch as he claimed to be, but it made little
difference. This audience was simply a formal acknowledgement of Addamantia's aid; they could've just as well discussed the color of grass in Tigras or the ingredients of the Emperor's favorite pies. Of course, Theodoric was probably using the opportunity to size him up as well. Alexander straightened his back a bit, conscious of the older man's gaze. Beside him, Adriana was explaining their current plan.
“The guild master identified the ratter who worked the district where Rominfeld was killed,” Adriana said. “We couldn't find the man yesterday, but we'll track him down today. If we're lucky, the ratter may have seen something that'll help us."
“As we've noted, luck seems to be this young man's forte,” said Theodoric. He raised a hand and the curtains behind the throne parted. A page came forward to place a leather-wrapped parcel on the small table next to Theodoric. The young man glanced at Adriana and Alexander quickly before backing away and disappearing between the curtains once again. Theodoric unrolled the leather, revealing a brightly polished dagger. The hilt, though decorative, was fully functional—its inlaid silver and small green gems were flush with the surface of the handle. The emperor's lion's-head emblem was done in white gold at the intersection of the cross guard and blade. The Emperor's guards tensed noticeably as he turned the dagger in his hand, holding it by the blade as he offered it to Alexander.
“Luck or not,” Theodoric said, “saving the life of my counselor is an act that deserves thanks. You have my gratitude, Huntsman, and I hope you'll find this an acceptable gift."
Alexander accepted the weapon and stepped backward quickly, well aware of the guards’ watchful eyes. “I'm really, well, I don't know what to say, Your Righteousness. I guess—"
“I can tell you what to say,” said Theodoric. He gave a theatrical glance around the empty chamber then leaned forward. “When you return home, tell Alfrid that I still can't believe Helissa chose him over me."
Alexander laughed, finding it easy to picture the Baron and the Emperor together, competing in the young men's sports and vying for the attention of the same woman. “I'll tell him,” the Huntsman promised.
* * * * *
“He's much more aware than he lets on, isn't he?” asked Alexander. He and Adriana paused as they emerged from the keep, blinking in the bright, late-morning sun. A soldier stationed at the door ushered them along, irritated in the disruption of traffic. The reflection from his nose ring made Alexander wince.
“There isn't much that escapes his notice,” Adriana said. She led him down the main avenue, pausing momentarily as a troop of spearman marched by. Tall hedges lined the road all the way to the wall surrounding the yards. At the inner gate they could find a rickshaw to take them into the city itself. Alexander recognized the crossroad they'd turned onto two days earlier, when they'd visited the stable for the excursion to Selmer Ridge.
“Prince Fenric is just like him,” the counselor continued. “At least, in regard to perception. The prince is a hawk where his father's a dove, and the city's well off for it. When we deal with the other baronies His Righteousness guides a peaceful path, and when scrymgers or elves show up in our forests Fenric is the fearless leader that anyone will ride behind."
Alexander hesitated for a moment, then said, “You don't think—"
“No chance,” said Adriana. “Fenric has nothing to gain by inciting us to war against Addamantia. He knows that our military strength is too closely matched to yours. At best, he could hope to win a long-drawn-out war with one other city. More likely, he'd find himself overwhelmed by the combined armies of the western cities and the Stronghold. Besides, His Righteousness would never allow it."
“Still,” said Alexander, “it's a plausible explanation for the killings. What better way to drive a city to war than to murder a member of the court, a popular general and a team who's just discovered Hurst's first source of silver?"
“Virmual was hardly known to the populace, and you left out the bard,” said Adriana. “He might have been a minor celebrity, but Rominfeld had no particular affiliation with Hurst. Besides, if the killer wants war with Addamantia, he must be getting frustrated. The populace knows that some strange deaths have occurred, but the silver at Selmer Ridge is still a secret. Thus, no one has reason to think Addamantia's involved. There's hardly any momentum for a retributive war."
“The Emperor's aversion to war doesn't seem all that strong, either,” said Alexander, not yet willing to abandon this line of reasoning. “The number of soldiers at the border has increased pretty dramatically."
“His Righteousness allows the garrison increase as a show of commitment to the trade negotiations. He must feel the troop movements are strategically advantageous to our diplomats. It's a mistake to question his control of our military.” The last part was said with a noticeably sharp edge, and Adriana hastened to change the subject. “You've had a pretty extraordinary morning, you know. I can't think of anyone else who's received gifts from the Emperor and the Prime Wizard in one day."
“It makes up for missing the end of the show."
Adriana's face paled, then flushed. She turned to Alexander and found the Huntsman grinning merrily. Abruptly, the tension drained from the counselor's face and she began to laugh.
“All right,” she said, “I apologize. I'm very loyal to the crown, and I've been known to overreact on occasion when I feel the Emperor's being slighted."
“Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure you're exactly the kind of advisor His Righteousness appreciates."
They'd reached the inner gate and passed through with no more than a glance from the attendant soldiers. The guards were far more interested in those coming in than those going out. The lawns of the first wealthy estates rolled right up to the inner wall here. Paths had been worn in the grass adjacent to the wall, the result of constant circuits by the guards. Tall willows with canopy-like leaves lined road for some way. West of the gate, Governor's Way was choked with rickshaws, horses and pedestrians. Adriana and Alexander made their way to a two-person carriage bearing the lion's-head emblem. He offered the counselor his hand and she was stepping into the seat when someone called her name. Adriana's brow wrinkled and she peered into the throng then froze.
“Come on,” she said. Grasping the Huntsman's arm, she dragged him away from the rickshaw. The driver merely shrugged and resumed his catnap. Alexander stumbled along behind her with one hand on his new dagger, fearing that it would slip from his belt without a proper scabbard.
The woman who'd beckoned to Adriana stood next to the trunk of a tree in need of pruning. The long strands of leaves fell nearly to the ground on one side, partially obscuring the view of the gate. As Alexander slipped through the curtain of foliage, he found himself face-to-face with the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
She was slightly shorter than Adriana and even more slender. Though her trousers and shirt were rather plain, they clung to well-muscled arms and legs. She stepped backward as Adriana and Alexander approached. That one motion betrayed gliding grace, reminding Alexander of the ropedancers they'd seen the night before. Her hair fell in brown ringlets; she pushed it away from her eyes unconsciously as she stared at the Huntsman. Her other hand held a long, unsheathed knife. She kept the blade pressed against the side of her leg, but Alexander guessed she could bring it to bear in a heartbeat.
“What in all the hells are you doing here?” Adriana demanded.
“I'm sorry,” the woman said. She looked Alexander up and down once, gaze pausing briefly on his dagger before she turned to Adriana. “I didn't know what else to do, and—"
“And you decided to get me imprisoned by showing up at the keep? You've been warned to stay away from me."
“They're looking for me all over the city,” said the woman. “Even at the gates. I tried to slip out to Forthaven—"
“I can't help you there, Kandys. I'm an advisor to the Emperor, not a smuggler. Whatever you've done you're on your own."
Kandys's eyes darted to Alexander and back to Adriana. “I heard
you were with the Addamantian,” she said. “I think we need to talk."
The cold fury in Adriana's voice surprised Alexander enough that he actually took a step away from the counselor.
“There's nothing for us to talk about,” she said. “Your problems are your own. You've got a lot nerve, coming here to jeopardize—"
“But, Adriana—"
“Get out of here before I call the guards myself!” Adriana stepped forward and jabbed one finger at the other woman's chest. The smaller woman shrank back.
“I just want—” Kandys began.
“Go!” said Adriana. Her voice was beginning to rise. “I'm calling the guards right now!"
Kandys took one more look at Alexander then darted away from their impromptu meeting place. One second she was in full sight, the next she had vanished into the crowds on Governor's Way. Adriana stared after her, breathing hard, until Alexander cleared his throat. The counselor whirled and glared at him, then stalked back toward the empty rickshaws.
“Any chance you'll tell me what that was about?” Alexander asked as he caught up to Adriana.
“Just tell me if you see her skulking around again.”
“Okay. I take it that wasn't a friend?"
Adriana ignored his attempt at levity. “Not hardly,” she said. “That was my sister."
CHAPTER NINE
Alexander wasn't sure who would prove the most recalcitrant for the day, Adriana or the ratter. During the rickshaw ride he managed to learn that two distinct sources of shame fueled Adriana's hatred for her sister. The first was Kandys's chosen profession. She was a considerably accomplished thief, according to Adriana. On the second issue the counselor refused to utter a solitary word.
“It's just fortunate that my parents passed before they could die of embarrassment” was her final say on the matter.
Alexander was left bemused by the relationship. He'd interacted with plenty of thieves and their acquaintances over the course of his work, and he didn't find their existence to be quite worthy of such vehemence. Still, he thought, maybe his opinion would differ if the thief in question were his own brother or sister. It didn't matter, anyhow. Adriana's family was her own concern, regardless of how her antagonism toward her sister piqued his curiosity.
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