“I have,” Delmin said, eyes to the floor. “I wanted to wait until you got back to tell them all.”
“You’re all right?” Veranix asked.
“He’s not,” Kaiana said.
“I just . . . I never. . . .” Delmin shook his head.
“Start at the top, chap,” Phadre said.
“Right.” Delmin sat back down. “So, I was with the other prefects at the end of the Endurance. Constabulary were keeping the peace when someone throws smoke powder. They obviously wanted people to think it was magic, but I knew otherwise. It had to be some kind of smoke powder.”
“Easy enough to make,” Jiarna said. “Any corner apothecary or chemist could do that.”
Delmin nodded. “Then he came riding through the smoke, dressed like you. A few arrows, and a few swings of his staff, and he had knocked down two of them and . . . killed a third.”
Kaiana put a hand on his shoulder, and Delmin looked like he was doing his best to hold back sobs.
“Sorry you had to see that,” Veranix said. “Did you get a good look at him?”
Delmin shrugged pathetically. “Sort of your height, sort of your build, face covered. I mean, I knew it wasn’t you because he wasn’t a mage, but if I couldn’t tell that . . .”
Veranix nodded. “And how about how he moved? Was it like me? How he handled the staff? How he shot?”
“Vee!” Kaiana snapped. “Ease off.”
“Sorry.” She was right. It was clear that Delmin was not equipped to handle what he went through.
“I don’t even know how to answer that, Vee,” Delmin said. “I’m sorry, I . . . I saw him but I’m not much help.”
“No, it helps. So what happened then?”
“He was going for the last constable—the lieutenant—but I did my best to protect him.”
“You did? That was real good, Del.”
“And the guy threw down some more smoke and slipped off. Next thing I know, I’m brought to the stationhouse as a witness, and I wait for a while. Then these two inspectors question me . . . one of them was a mage. Does that make sense?”
“Not at all,” Phadre said. “I mean, Red Wolf works with Druth Intelligence, but there’s no Circle that would allow their members to be a constable or marshal or something. Not even hired out, as far as I’ve heard.”
Veranix shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“So what did you find out?” Kaiana asked him.
“Nothing much we didn’t already know. Colin confirmed there’s someone impersonating me. And whoever it was, they were hunting the Red Rabbits as well. I got a vivid depiction from one of the survivors.” Veranix looked back at Delmin, still shuddering on the crate. “Damn it, I should have been there.”
“Where were you, anyway?” Kaiana asked.
“Being distracted,” he said. Now it made sense. Blackbird kept his attention all night, kept him in cups, while her partner went after the lieutenant. “Won’t happen again.”
“Good,” Kaiana said. “Because I’ve got something.”
“Bless you, Kai,” Veranix said. “What is it?”
She quickly detailed her morning, where the three boys were caught, and her intention to have one of them lead the Thorn to their seller.
“Excellent, Kai,” Veranix said. “That could close the box all around, at least as far as campus is concerned.”
Jiarna spoke up. “So you’re not going to latch on to the boys on the tetch squad tonight?”
“No need,” Veranix said. “They don’t have a match today, anyway.”
“Who’s playing today?” Phadre asked.
“Pirrell against Erien—” Veranix said.
Jiarna made a face. “Ugh, the Pirrell boys.”
“All the prefects have been put out with them,” Delmin offered.
“And Astonic against High Academy of Korifina. Tomorrow we play whoever wins that one.”
Jiarna nodded. “We’ll watch both matches, though, just in case.”
“We will?” Phadre said.
“Yes, of course,” Jiarna said. “It’s the least we can do. And keep an eye on the social house parties. There are three tonight, and we should see what’s happening in each of them.”
“You’re all so very diligent,” Delmin said. “I just would prefer not to spend any more time in the stationhouse.”
“It’s fine,” Veranix said. “If we’ve got the bait leading us to the seller, that might be all we need.”
“Might not be the only seller,” Kaiana said.
“Of course not,” Veranix said. “That’s why tonight won’t be about getting just her.”
“What are you going to do, exactly?” Phadre asked.
“I’ll find the seller and convince her to tell me her sources.”
“Convince her?” Phadre asked nervously. “How?”
“These are things I prefer not knowing about,” Delmin said.
“I’ll ask very nicely,” Veranix said. He didn’t need to inflict the things he had to do on the streets on Delmin or Phadre.
“All right, enough.” Kaiana closed the trapdoor to the Spinner Run. “Lovely secret meeting. I have work to do, and you all should go to lunch or watch matches or do something other than be here.” She opened the door to the carriage house and shooed them all out.
“So, lunch?” Veranix said to the other three.
Phadre looked like he was about to answer affirmatively when Jiarna pulled on his arm. “We’ll get you another time,” she said, dragging him toward the tetch field.
“You and I, then,” Delmin said. “Campus or off?”
“Both are going to be a pain,” Veranix said. “Though there are quite a bit more cookstand carts in Aventil than usual.”
“Which means?”
“We’ll find a culinary adventure at one of them.”
The cookstand carts were taking advantage of the wide variety of clientele, offering cuisines from all over Druthal. Veranix spotted one selling Scallic-style slow-pork wraps. He had vaguely fond recollections of the food in Scaloi, though the circus hardly ever went that far south.
“What does it even mean?” Delmin asked as they approached. “What makes it ‘Scallic style’?”
“The meat—specifically the belly of the pig—is marinated in lime, salt, coriander, and garlic,” someone next to them by the cart said. “It’s wrapped in plant leaves and cooked slowly, then served in thinly rolled flatbreads.” Veranix noticed the speaker was wearing a Constabulary uniform.
Specifically, an inspector’s vest.
“Mister Sarren,” the inspector said coolly. “Are you feeling better?”
Colin brought Sotch back to Orchid, sent her up with Ment and Kiggy to the flop. That was as good a place for her as any. Three more Rabbits had turned up looking for her, and Ment had wasted no time slapping them about and dragging them up to the flop. He assured Colin that they had it under control up there, no need to worry.
Colin was glad of that. He needed to get a bite and come up with a proper plan for the day. No need to waste the opportunity for coin. Enough time had been spent on Red Rabbits for his taste.
He spotted a young Prince standing outside the Old Canal, not one he had ever seen before. Real new kid, the ink on his arm still raw and red. The kid looked around nervously, like he wasn’t sure he was even in the right place.
“What’s the word, Prince?” Colin asked, coming over.
“You Tyson?” the kid asked.
“That’s me. You get sent over here to find me?”
“Yeah, yeah,” the kid said.
“All right,” Colin said. “So what’s the word?”
“Like I said, Tyson. They sent me over to find you.”
“I got that, kid—what’s your name?”
“Cober.”
&
nbsp; “So, Cober. Why did they send you? You delivering a message, or are you supposed to flop out here with my crew?”
“Yeah. That. Both of those.”
“You’ve got a message and you’re flopping out here.”
“Yeah. That’s it.”
“So?”
“I told you, that’s it.”
This kid was either utterly stupid, or he was on phat or doph or something. Possibly both.
Colin grabbed him by the shoulders. “Cober. What’s the message?”
“Oh, yeah,” Cober said. “They said to put me on your crew, show me the tricks.”
“Great,” Colin said. “That’s it?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Cober said, looking around. “So where are your boys and stuff?”
“The sew-up’s place,” Colin said, pointing it out. “Head up the back stairs to the that blue door, they’re in there.”
The kid nodded. “Good. Good. They said you taught your boys well. Right? Except when they get pinched.”
Colin cuffed the kid across the head. “Get up there, say your hellos. Tell them you’re our new pigeon. We’ll figure out what you can do later.”
The kid made off for the back stairs, and then came back over.
“What?” Colin asked.
“I remembered, there was something else. They said you needed to come out to the Turnabout right away, cuz somebody wanted to talk to you. Old Kelly or something.”
“Old Casey?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Rutting blazes, Cober,” Colin said. This kid was going to be the death of him. “Next time something involves Old Casey, that comes first, hear?”
“Oh, I guess.”
Colin gave him another smack. “When I say ‘hear,’ you say you heard it, hear?”
“Heard,” Cober grumbled.
“Get up there. I’ll sort you later.” Colin strode off to the Turnabout, not bothering to see if the kid got inside or not. He had already wasted enough time, he wasn’t going to make Casey wait any longer.
Veranix knew Delmin was still deeply troubled by what had happened last night, and the appearance of this inspector seemed to send him into a state of panic. “No, I mean . . . yes . . . that is . . .” Delmin stammered, sweat beading on his brow. “Are you following me, Inspector?”
“No such thing, Mister Sarren,” the inspector said. “I just happen to be intrigued by these particular food items. ‘Skizzies,’ I think they are called in Scaloi.”
“Skellies,” Veranix corrected.
“Whatever they are, they smell disgusting.” This came from the redheaded woman on the other side of the inspector, also wearing an inspector’s vest.
“Who is your companion, Mister Sarren?” the inspector asked.
Delmin was frozen.
“Veranix Calbert,” Veranix offered, looking to both of the inspectors for their name badges. “Inspectors Welling and Rainey, I presume.”
“They’re the ones,” Delmin said nervously. “They’re investigating that attack I saw.”
“Ah,” Veranix said, understanding immediately. “Good luck in that, Inspectors. Hope you get your man.”
Inspector Welling stared at Veranix, his head cocked slightly to one side, his oddly large eyes looking up and down. “Uncommon name. Racquin, if I’m not mistaken.”
“As is ‘Minox,’” Veranix said, pulling it off the man’s nameplate.
“Is this boy your classmate, Mister Sarren?”
“Yes!” Delmin almost barked. “He and I are both magic students at the University. Studying magic.”
“You were very helpful, Mister Sarren,” Inspector Rainey said. “We may have further questions for you. You’re on campus for the summer?”
“Yes. Yes.”
“Almers House,” Veranix offered. Delmin was acting so strange, the inspectors were probably getting suspicious. “We’re both in Almers House, though with the Tournament on, it’s all rather chaotic up there.”
“Indeed,” Inspector Welling said. He took two of the skellies from the vendor and passed them to Veranix and Delmin, and then another one for himself. He passed a coin over to the vendor. “My compliments, gentlemen.”
“Really?” Veranix asked. The fact that the inspector was buying them lunch was more disturbing than anything else.
“You’re not . . . not trying it, Inspector Rainey?” Delmin asked.
“Saints, no,” she said. “You boys are welcome to it. I know you need it.”
Veranix wasn’t sure what that meant, but it probably had something to do with magic.
One of them was a mage, Delmin had said. That was Welling. Now Veranix could feel it off the inspector, in ways he never could with other mages. Numina wafting and roiling around the Inspector Welling like a tidal pool. Especially from his hand—was this how it was for Delmin?
“You’re missing out, Inspector,” Veranix said, taking a bite. It really was everything he remembered.
“I’ll learn to live with that,” Inspector Rainey said, glancing around. “Mister Sarren, are we far from the place where the incident occurred?”
“No,” Delmin said, his own skellie hovering a few inches from his mouth. “Not far at all.”
“Good,” she said. “We want to get a feel with our own eyes. You think you’d be able to walk us through it?”
“Walk you through it?” Delmin repeated.
Inspector Welling had polished off his skellie in moments, and signaled the cart cook for two more. “As best you can, Mister Sarren, show us where you were, where the attacker came from, and so forth.”
Delmin stammered, looking unsure how to answer. Veranix stepped in front, putting himself between Del and the inspectors.
“He’s been through quite a bit today, as I’m sure you’re aware,” Veranix said. “This isn’t the best time.”
“When would be?” Inspector Welling asked.
“Give him a few days,” Veranix said. “So his nerves settle.”
“Settled nerves lead to missed details,” Inspector Welling said. “Fresh thoughts—”
“What is going on here?” The patrician tones of Professor Alimen intruded as he came striding across the street to them. Veranix hadn’t seen the professor much during the summer, and he seemed to not be doing well. His face was a little more drawn, his beard a bit more unkempt. Despite that, he still exuded power and authority, putting himself in between Veranix and Inspector Welling. “I ask you, Inspector, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Buying the boys a skellie,” he said. “These young men are hungry, and—”
“Do not insult my intelligence, Inspector, you—” He paused, eyes narrowing. “How are you—”
“I’m afraid we have not been properly introduced,” Inspector Rainey said, stepping up to the professor. “Inspectors Rainey and Welling. You may have heard there was an assault on some Constabulary officers last night.”
“I have,” Alimen said cautiously, eyes still focused on Welling.
“Mister Sarren was a key witness, Professor—” She let it hang there.
“Alimen. Gollic Alimen, Chair and Professor of Magic.”
“These boys are your students?” Welling asked.
“They are indeed,” Alimen said. “And as they are students under my charge, I would insist that any questions you have for them are done in my presence.”
“That’s not necessary, sir—” Delmin started.
“I’m quite certain it is, Mister Sarren.” He gave another look at Inspector Welling. “Who are you with?”
“With the Maradaine Constabulary, Professor,” Welling said. “The Grand Inspectors’ Unit.”
“Do not trifle with me, son. What Circle?”
“Maybe you and your students should return to campus,” Inspector Rainey said
.
“Not until he tells me—” Alimen started.
“Do not presume to—” Welling shot back.
“Professor!” Inspector Rainey shouted, putting her palm on his chest. “We will be in contact with you if we have further questions for Mister Sarren.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but Inspector Rainey was standing firm, staring him down. Veranix had seen that kind of stare before, and he fully believed that Rainey had the goods to back it up. Despite being old enough to be his mother, she held herself like a ring fighter. Inspector Welling, on the other hand, seemed to almost shrink back at Alimen’s gaze.
That was it. Inspector Rainey was being protective of her partner. Protecting him from Alimen.
“Boys,” Professor Alimen said, grabbing both Veranix and Delmin by their arms. “Let us be away from here.”
“Right,” Delmin said.
“Thank you for lunch, Inspectors,” Veranix said.
“Mister Calbert,” Inspector Welling said with a slight nod, though his eyes were on the ground.
Professor Alimen all but dragged the two of them back toward the south gate.
“Is this really necessary, Professor?” Veranix asked once they were around the street corner.
Alimen stopped, and let go of both of their arms. “My apologies, boys,” he said quietly. “I saw those inspectors talking to you, and I immediately—”
“It’s all right,” Delmin said. “I appreciated your intersession.”
“Is it true, Mister Sarren?” Alimen asked. “Were you a witness to those horrors?”
“I was, yes,” Delmin said, his voice quavering a little. “I don’t know what else I could tell them.”
“Well, if they have need, we’ll both sit down with Inspector Rainey,” Alimen said. He glanced back down the street where they came from. “How dare he?”
“Is ‘he’ Inspector Welling, sir?” Veranix asked.
“‘Inspector,’ indeed,” Alimen scoffed. More gently, he led them through the gate.
“He’s a mage, isn’t he?” Veranix said. “I mean, I could feel it, so you two must have.”
“He is, but that makes no sense,” Delmin said. “I mean, do any of the Circles cooperate with Constabulary?”
“None,” Alimen said acidly. “Red Wolf Circle works with Druth Intelligence, and that’s a . . . but, no. No Circle would allow their members to be a constable, and I cannot imagine that the Constabulary would allow their officers to also have loyalty to a Circle.”
The Imposters of Aventil Page 11