by Pam Uphoff
Eww!
His hands were unbuckling her belt and she was rubbing his crotch through his clothes.
Double eww! Time to leave.
After all, even Opinion would have sense enough to not talk about the diamonds.
Rustle slipped away between trees, like stalking a deer. It was fun in the moonlight. Could she be so silent she didn't even have to use a spell? She pulled in all her magic, and pretended to be a mountain lion stalking her prey. Uncle Lefty and Aunt Question had showed her how and she tried to emulate their movements. It was still cold, snow lingered on the north side of every tree. But the deer weren't yarded any more. She slipped from shadow to shadow, and counted twelve deer before she found more worthy prey.
The Auld Wulf, Harry, Nil and Daddy.
She heard their voices first, and pulled her magic in tighter, as she slipped into the vineyard and eased silently downhill.
They were sitting on the front porch, talking.
Talking about the merchant, in fact.
"Sooner or later word of the diamonds will get out." The Auld Wulf said. "Then it'll just be a matter of keeping the mob out. Legally there aren't any problems."
"Yeah," Harry drawled, "but the longer before we have to worry about a diamond rush, the better. And this Discol fellow. I don't like the stink of him."
The Sheep Man shrugged. "Who's going to talk to him? No one here, so these little fishing expeditions of his are pointless. And we can take care of him if some mage talks."
Rustle bit her lip to hear an adult blaming the mages too.
Harry and the Auld Wulf gave him a sharp look.
"Let's not fall too low, eh?" Harry suggested.
Nil shrugged and Dad didn't move at all.
The silence was so comfortable, Rustle nearly fell asleep. Eventually they started discussing politics and the price of wool, and why the Sheep Man's sheep were infertile. That perked her up. They chatted about 'early experiments' and hybrids and such. Then they veered off into the weather and comets.
::Rustle, bed time. ::
::Yes Mom. I'm at the vineyard, I'll be home in a hour or so. ::
::Rustle! Your Father doesn't seem to know you're there. ::
She sent back a smug grin. ::I snuck in. Even the Auld Wulf didn't notice me. :: "Oops."
"Little Rustle." The Auld Wulf's sword disappeared. "You are nearly as good at sneaking consciously as you used to be subconsciously."
"Thank you." She stood up, hesitated. "Umm, Opinion took that merchant fellow up to the hot springs. He was sort of wiggling around trying to get her to talk about diamonds without flat-out asking any questions."
"What did she say?" Nil was right behind the Auld Wulf.
"I don't know, I left when it started getting disgusting."
"I think I'm glad my daughter has some scruples." Dydit rubbed his forehead. "And no interest in sex. I'm definitely glad about that. Come along, before we both get into trouble with your mother."
As she followed him out, she noticed that only Harry was coming after them. Were the Auld Wulf and the Sheep Man going to go spy on Opinion? Wow. If the witches ever found out men were watching, there'd be trouble.
And where had He put that sword? Was that one of the ways he used those bubbles? She eyed the nearest, and reached out carefully. It bobbed away from her touch. "Well, at least it didn't ignore me, like they used to."
Her dad looked away and didn't say anything.
Chapter Fifty-six
1365 Early Spring
Ash, Kingdom of the West
The two old men were experienced hunters and had no trouble sneaking up on the witches hot springs. The flat, empty, rock-floored clearing was the only challenge that required magic, and Opinion wasn't paying attention to anything but her new swain.
A moderately clever man, they were chatting about his work. Specifically, the gem merchant was talking about the methods of mining diamonds in the Dry Hills and Ferris provinces. He had enough physical contact with her that the Auld Wulf was certain he was picking up her reactions. Of course, how a witch hunted gemstones was quite a bit different than how a normal miner went about the same process. The diamonds here were alluvial, dug out of sand and gravel bars as they washed out of the old volcanic valley. With magical detection, there was no need for screens and large scale dredging.
Opinion was trying to turn the man's conversation to gem cutting and jewelry making. Was she consciously trying to stay away from areas where she might slip and say something? Or like her sister Tromp, was she simply fixed on what she was interested in and kicking aside everything else?
:: Discol sounds a bit irritated. :: Nil, warping light, circled around and crouched down to study the man.
:: I wonder if he's acting alone. :: The Auld Wulf sighed. He wasn't much of a spy. An area of warfare I have neglected lately. :: Maybe Rufi has information on him. ::
:: He knows we mine diamonds. He's just looking for particulars. Better get your lawyers lined up, Land Grant Holder. ::
:: The first sign of civilization. Lawyers. ::
He felt the old wizard's amusement as he eased away from the pool. They made themselves comfortable out of sight, and listened to hours of Discol's increasingly frustrated chatting, interspersed with occasional sex. It was well past midnight when Discol finally gave up, and he and Opinion dressed and walked back to the village.
Chapter Fifty-seven
20 April 3482 / Early Spring 1365
Karista, Kingdom of the West, Comet Fall
Damien eyed the nearest docks. There weren't many barges; the river was low already. The first surge of snow melt was past, and it was looking like a dry year. Max had ridden out to the farm with the bays, and brought back the pintos. That had kept them working through the spring breakup. Now the early rush had slacked off a bit. Just as well Solstice was gone. He really needed to not breed any more mares, so he could sell the bay team next spring. Or Blue and Sombrero, since those were the horses the Oners had seen.
He suddenly recognized the unremarkable boat that was tacking up wind and coming around to dock.
"Guys, take a look. I do believe you are about to get that news from home you were hoping for."
And even better news for Mike and Allie, with the news that Michael Alder jr.'s license had been issued. They started packing immediately. Tony and Carl were ready to go inside of hours.
It was a sober group that split on the docks. Just three of us now.
Andrai sold the corner house and moved into the first house with Damien, to take over monitoring the electronics. Code came back with the bay mares, his sister and nephew. Jeinah and Jeff moved in with Max, to Aunt Andrai's horror. All things considered, their pretend extended family had a successful business, with three wagons, four teams and as many workers as they needed. Vani drove regularly with Max loading and unloading, while Code and Damien handled the other open wagon, or when it rained, the mostly stripped tiger wagon. Some times all three, and hiring loaders. By any measure, they were respected members of the community. Aunt Andrai's sharp, and frequently public, lectures about Damien staying away from the Sooty Duck and those whores and behaving around 'that nice little girl' were absolutely perfect. And perfectly sincere.
"Relax, Andrai, Vani has her own little apartment. And Code too, while he's back in town."
In private, she glowered. "All these natives! What are we to do with them?"
"Treat them like some combination of friends, family and employees. Which is pretty much what they are. I seem to be the perennial bachelor nephew; you'll have to try matchmaking."
"I don't think so." She shook her head and stomped off to check the recorders.
Chapter Fifty-eight
1 Jumada 1367 / Spring 1365
Karista, Kingdom of the West, Target Forty-two
Ajha watched expressionlessly as Discol raved. "Do you know they just sent eight hundred carats of diamonds to their agent! And some one else sold some already cut blue diamonds. Absolutely
spectacular and the jeweler won't tell me where they came from. 'Bought them from a Veronian Trader' he says. I can't believe this! I want you to do something!"
Ajha was familiar enough with Usse to be able to read his impatience with the man. "Perhaps I should send some agents up to spend some time in Ash. Maybe some young men who know how to charm women. I wonder, though, if perhaps the location is kept secret from the young women, notorious talkers, you know. Perhaps what we need is a middle aged woman to make friends with the older women, maybe charm a widower."
Discol snorted. "You don't understand how abnormal those women are. Those old women will eat your nice little old lady. No, I've got to think of some other way to find those diamonds."
Ajha actually caught a wisp of thought :: . . . tedious diamond fixation . . . :: before Usse answered. "Perhaps we are still being fooled. Perhaps there's a better trail through the mountains south of Ash, and we're being taken in by their misdirection. I shall inquire further."
"And what about these blue diamonds?"
"I'll make enquiries. Veronian, you say? What is the jeweler's name?"
Usse escorted the man out and returned to glare at the three of them. "The Action Teams are reorganizing, down in Discordia. Just as well—they can't send them up here again for anything but a clearly identified target. So go back and check Ash again, and then the country to the south for signs of mining or a trail across the mountains to the desert. By Pure Chance! It's irritating enough to have me swearing. The magicians have to live somewhere."
Ajha frowned. "The magicians must be earning money somehow. I've traced these new 'health potions' to a factory in Wallenton. Plus those diamonds might be a source of their income. I'm beginning to think it's worth tracing anything odd that comes from that region."
Usse sat back and stared at him. "By Pure Chance. I can see why you're on an Information Team, Puppy. I suppose I thought the magicians spent all their spare time herding sheep or milking cows like the rest of the people in those mountain villages, since I haven't found them among the nobles. But that wouldn't leave a lot of time for the learning and practice of magic. Indeed. I think perhaps we should get a bit nastier about our inquiries. Push a little on this jeweler, and I'll see if I can get anywhere with the diamond broker. Then you can check the potion factory, and then the village, again. Go prepared to move about, and buy and sell things. The Action Team left a bunch of horses, get a wagon or something. But first the diamonds."
For the jeweler, Ajha put on his best clothes and took two letters of credit from the post funds. He knew from a quick look at the books that Usse didn't spend much of the money he made locally, and his original setup funds were still in the bank.
He gawped at all the displays in the windows, and finally, getting into the role, nerved himself to go in. "I was looking for a present for a Lady." He knew he was blushing. I was probably born for the role. "Maybe something like those sapphires? Err, smaller . . . "
The young salesman huffed indignantly. "Those, sir, are blue diamonds!"
"Diamonds? I thought diamonds were, umm, clear. Like glass."
Doubly stung, the young man proceeded to tell Ajha all about diamonds. With examples of color and clarity.
"Are they like pearls? Do the different colors come from different areas? Where do you get yours? I mean, I know about, like, the big diamond brokers and stuff. Do you know where they come from originally?"
"Certainly. Now, some of the miners don't let out exactly where their mines are, but we know the mining companies. All the diamonds come with proof of providence and tax certificates. You have to be careful buying, otherwise." He sighed. "Father bought those big blue ones from a Traveler. He couldn't resist. They're on display until we've checked that they weren't stolen in Verona. And we paid the taxes. I know Dad's known the man for years, but I can't believe he bought something like those from a Traveler . . . "
A voice rumbled from the rear of the store. "I heard that, boy! My ears aren't that bad, yet." A much grayed and wrinkled version of the young man stumped out and glared. "Now, you've shown off your knowledge, and half of our wares. Have you asked the young man what he's looking for and how he's going to pay for it?"
Ajha suspected he was blushing about as deeply as the son. He fumbled out the letters of credit. "I don't know a thing about, well, actually I do now. And umm, that pendant, I like the teardrop shape and setting and, umm. Well. Is there perhaps a similar ring, in case I actually manage to impress . . . "
Which brought out matched sets. "So you can impress your young lady, a piece at a time."
Ajha sighed. "It's her father who most needs impressing. Right then. I should start with a pendant for her birthday. Possibly ear rings for the Solstice." They talked about what companies the stones were from, and he admired the set with the faintest blue touch to them. They glittered in their gold settings. Not to mention being from the Valley of the Gods Mining Company.
He opened enough to get a brief reading of the old jewelers mind, when he mentioned the deep blue diamonds. And recognized who they'd been bought from. The Earther with the wagon. Passing as a Traveler? One of this world's lower class people, nomadic traders. Perhaps frequently leaving the city? That might explain why the Earther was so infrequently sighted.
He managed to bring home change, but not much. Usse considered his identification of the Earther. "Now that's something I hadn't considered. With DONA having a house here, the others may simply stay mobile. I'll have to think on this."
Ajha nodded, and brought out his purchases. "Pity I don't have a girlfriend. I'd smuggle these home for her. I was wondering if there are any affinity spells that work on diamonds? The jeweler said they were from the Valley of the Gods Mining Company."
Usse looked over at him and grinned. "As a secondary check? What an excellent idea. Your team is still missing its forth, but I will fill in, and show you how combining power and training in delicate work, not brute force like the Action Teams, can accomplish astonishing things."
Indeed. With Usse in the circuit there was an odd feeling of power in the foundations, untapped but there at need. And the diamonds pulled strongly just a few degree north of due west. Plotted on a map, the line ran just north of Wallenton and a bit south of Ash.
"I wonder if we're looking at the native magicians, or an Earther base?"
"Or both." Usse's grin wasn't nice. "Time for another visit to that pretty little village. But first I'll drill you lot in ways to fend off hallucinations, so you don't see black goats. And shields against paralysis spells, and a few other common battle spells. Bad enough a single magician defeats a small army. We can't have the same happening to a team of Oner spies."
Chapter Fifty-nine
1365 Spring
Ash, Kingdom of the West
Rustle felt Havi's fury and frustration, and started mentally and physically tracking him down. That direction, about a mile, which means he was on that trail, and she was going to have to go the long way around to rescue him, most likely from Tromp and her pack of fiends.
She ran north quickly, wishing she'd ridden, a horse would be really handy . . . "Hey Dun? How'd you like to give me a ride?" The old horse was always willing, and he had a huge long stride. He picked up her anxiety and trotted, picking up the cues of her weight shifts to turn at the last rocky outcrop of the Sawtooth Ridge and take the path uphill. He broke into a canter, picking up her nerves, as Havi's temper started to boil over.
Tromp with Septimus and Deuce. The three girls were buck naked and wrestling with Havi, who was fighting to keep his clothes on.
"C'mon Eunuch! We just want to see what it looks like, we know you can't do anything."
Rustle growled under her breath, then yelled. "Hey Havi! What did you do? Magic their clothes off? Pretty funny, making them walk home bare assed naked."
Tromp lost her grip on the squirming boy, and rolled over to glare at Rustle. "Oh, look it's Little Miss Perfect. We still outnumber you, you know." She stood up and shov
ed her chest out. Ick.
Septi and Deuce stood up beside her presenting a united front.
Behind them, Havi scooped up all the clothes within reach, and bolted for the forest. Rustle steered Dun around the trio and, grabbing a fist full of mane and bracing her offside leg to grip, gave Havi a hand to pull him aboard. He even managed to keep most of the clothing, and they galloped off giggling.
At home, Dun got a scoop of oats and a thorough brushing before being sent off. The various items of clothing were found decorating a number of roofs the next morning.
Chapter Sixty
Spring 1365
Karista, Kingdom of the West
"I hate to interrupt the mapping, but I need you to get closer to the Amma and the Oners than anyone else would dare."
Oscar and Bran both perked up.
"Always happy to diddle those Oners, sir."
Bran nodded. "They're really nasty sorts."
"Quite apart from them being the enemy." Oscar put in. "They are arrogant, put our nobles here to shame."
Rufi nodded. "And now they've got a bloody big army all trained up and ready to go somewhere. They worry me."
Chapter Sixty-one
Spring 1365
The New Lands, Kingdom of the West
They were calling him. Praying.
Arriving on a huge rearing horse was useful.
He spotted Jin Genero in the confusion, a few western soldiers and a lot of Auralians. Jet leaped forward, taking down a charging Auralian, knocking the horse off his feet with his sheer mass. The Auld Wulf swept his sword out to take out another. He threw up a shield to deflect a flight of arrows while the stallion cleared a space around him. I really am going to have to take Nil up on his magical battle training!