The Sedlmayrese clattered into the courtyard of their city’s commercial factor station as twilight assembled in Vorgreberg, whereupon the Blodgett girl vanished quicker than a puff of mist. One moment she was playing maiden games with Bight, the next she was not and no one had seen her fade into the gathering shadows.
Definitely one of Michael Trebilcock’s phantoms.
...
Babeltausque ambled into the Twisted Wrench. He visited frequently, evenings. His implied motive was concern over what had happened to Rhys Benedit. Benedit was not convinced. He believed that the wizard wanted an excuse to drink while fishing for the skinny on anything happening amongst the ticks infesting Vorgreberg’s underbel y.
Both men were right.
Benedit was doing better now that the garrison was back but he was not prospering. The soldiers had no money while some potential customers would not share space with the Queen’s men.
“I’l try the new dark tonight, Rhys. You were right. It is an acquired taste. And I’m acquiring it.”
Benedit produced a pint. Babeltausque kept the man in front of him briefly, considering his eye and damaged face.
“Any sight coming back?”
“A little, sir. More than I expected. Better than being al the way blind.”
“I’l help if I can find a way. This is much better than the last batch.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“So what’s on your mind, Rhys?”
“Sir?”
“You’re shuffling like you’re trying to make up your mind if you should tel me something.” Babeltausque strained to produce a smile.
“Uh… Yeah. I guess I am.”
“And?”
Benedit needed a few seconds more. Then he sucked in a deep breath, took the plunge. “That Haida Heltkler. I seen her maybe a hour ago, going past in a big hurry. I made like I never recognized her.”
It took Babeltausque a moment to recal why he ought to know the name. Then, “That’s interesting. Very interesting.
Thank you, Rhys.”
“Don’t tel nobody I told you.”
“Told me what? I hardly know you. Top me up.” He pushed an extra groat across the counter, then nursed his beer and eavesdropped. Bar talk focused on the Thingmeet, which would start doing whatever Thingmeets did soon after sunrise tomorrow. The sorcerer was amazed at the popular level of ignorance. The soldiers only cared because extra work would be expected of them.
While Babeltausque lent an ear to that he bent the other to Rhys Benedit.
The publican had gotten into the habit of muttering to himself after his injury. It made everyone uncomfortable.
The tick became markedly worse when Babeltausque was around. But folks failed to listen, failed to see that communication was going on.
...
Nathan Wolf joined Babeltausque as soon as he could escape from Inger and Thingmeet preparation. “You have news?”
“The Heltkler girl is back. She was seen outside the Twisted Wrench three hours ago. I want to see her.”
“Carrie won’t like that.” Wolf dreaded the wizard’s lover.
The child could deploy a sharper tongue than the Queen herself and was more skil ed at using it to get what she wanted.
“Carrie isn’t involved. Heltkler has information we want.
Round her up.”
“Any suggestions as to where?”
“Start with that butcher shop. Then try the apothecary. Do whatever you need to do.”
...
Toby eased away from where he had been eavesdropping, careful to make no noise. Then he raced to his grandfather.
...
A tired-looking Wesson soldier in drooping, frayed livery pounded on the door of the apothecary shop. He was amazed when a man actual y responded. He had been here several times lately, to purchase medicines for the doctor, and had never gotten an answer.
“What is it, Fletcher?”
The soldier handed over a letter, made it clear by his stance that he wanted an answer. The apothecary nodded, broke the seal, read.
The soldier thought the man seemed disheartened. After a moment, he said, “I’l get started right away. It wil take time.
Have him send you back tomorrow evening for what I can get ready. Blue asparagus seed wil be a problem. He should stil have some of that, though. It wil be cash on delivery from now on. No more credit for the castle.”
“I understand, sir.” The castle owed everybody, including him. “I wil relay your message exactly.”
...
Ragnarson raised an eyebrow when Michael Trebilcock returned. Trebilcock said, “They’re onto us already. Wel , onto Haida.” The girl lay with face on her arms on the table.
The three had been
sharing a rough meal.
“She passed out after you left. Must of was tireder than me.”
“Playing a role can be exhausting. The stuff she dug up wil be useful but I don’t see why she thought she had to get it.”
“She wanted to please you.”
Trebilcock stared at Ragnarson.
“It’s pretty obvious, Michael.”
“Yes. Wel . As may be.” He gripped the girl’s right shoulder, shook
gently. “Haida. Girl. Wake up. We have to go. Castle soldiers are on their way.”
She got up, groggy, eyes half open, crossed. “Uh?”
“Did you visit somebody on your way here? Or see somebody that you knew?”
“Huh? Nobody. I came straight. Why?”
“Somebody saw you. They knew the Queen’s sorcerer wants to get to know you better. Wolf is coming to get you.” She was wide awake now. “We need to get out of here!”
“Yes. We do. But don’t panic. Where should we go? After we watch the raid?”
Nobody had an answer. Ragnarson said, “I’ve been gone longer than either of you. I don’t have anywhere left.” The only place that came to mind, Fiana’s crypt, would work only til Inger looked there.
Thinking about Fiana was unproductive. If he started he would not be able to stop. Fiana had been an obsession in her time, as Sherilee had become more recently. He could not shake either woman out of his head. He saw no reason to try.
...
“Wel ?” Babeltausque asked. The key fact was obvious.
Nathan had no cute young cunny in hand.
“There was nobody at the butcher shop. Somebody was in the apothecary shop earlier but not when we got there.
Candle smoke was in the air. The doors were unlocked. I think we were expected and they left us no excuses to break stuff. They weren’t generous with clues this time.”
