some money from a gaelet named Devi,” I said, hoping she’d be satisfied with that.
Mola continued to look at me. “And?”
I sighed. Ordinarily I would have avoided the subject, but Mola tended to be insistent about this sort of thing, and I desperately needed her help for tomorrow’s plan.
“Devi used to be a member of the Arcanum,” I explained. “I gave her some of my blood as collateral for a loan at the beginning of the term. When Ambrose started attacking me, I jumped to the wrong conclusion and accused her of malfeasance. Our relationship went sour after that.”
Mola and Fela exchanged a look. “You do go out of your way to make life exciting, don’t you?” Mola said.
“I already admitted it was a mistake,” I said, irritated. “What else do you want from me?”
“Are you going to be able to pay her back?” Fela interjected into the conversation before things became heated between Mola and me.
“I honestly don’t know,” I admitted. “With a few lucky breaks and some long nights in the Fishery, I might be able to scrape enough together by the end of the term.”
I didn’t mention the whole truth. While I might have a chance of earning enough to pay Devi back, I wouldn’t have a chance in hell of making my tuition at the same time. I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s evening with the fact that Ambrose had won. By forcing me to spend so much time hunting for a gram, he’d effectively driven me out of the University.
Fela tilted her head to one side. “What happens if you can’t pay her?”
“Nothing good,” Wilem said darkly. “They don’t call her Demon Devi for nothing.”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “She could sell my blood. She said she knew someone willing to buy it.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t do that,” Fela said.
“I wouldn’t blame her,” I said. “I knew what I was getting into when I made the deal.”
“But sh—”
“It’s just the way the world works,” I said firmly, not wanting to dwell on it any more than necessary. I wanted the evening to end on a positive note. “I, for one, am looking forward to a good night’s sleep in my own bed.” I looked around to see Wil and Sim nodding weary agreement. “I’ll see everyone tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
Later that night, I slept in the luxury of my narrow bed in my tiny room. At some point I stirred awake, dragged into consciousness by the sensation of chill metal against my skin. I smiled, rolled over, and slid back into blissful sleep.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Fire
I packed my travelsack carefully the next evening, anxious that I might forget some key piece of equipment. I was checking everything a third time when there was a knock on the door.
I opened it to see a young boy of ten or so standing there, breathing hard. His eyes darted to my hair and he looked relieved. “Are you Koath?”
“Kvothe,” I said. “And yes, I am.”
“Got a message for you.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a bedraggled piece of paper.
I held out my hand, and the boy took a step back, shaking his head. “The lady said you’d give me a jot for bringing it to you.”
“I doubt that,” I said, holding out my hand. “Let me see the note. I’ll give you ha’penny if it’s really for me.”
The boy scowled and grudgingly handed it over.
It wasn’t even sealed, just folded over twice. It was also vaguely damp. Looking at the sweat-soaked boy, I could guess why.
It read:
“Fifth bell?” I demanded. “God’s black hands! How long did you take to get here? It’s past sixth bell already.”
“That en’t my fault,” he said, scowling fiercely. “I been lookin’ all over for hours. Anchors she said. Take it to Koath at Anchors on the other side of the river. But this place en’t by the docks at all. And there en’t any anchors on the sign outside. How’s a one supposed to find this place?”
“You ask someone!” I shouted. “Black damn boy, how thick are you?” I fought down a very real urge to strangle him and took a deep breath.
I looked out the window at the fading light. In less than half an hour my friends would be gathering around the fire pit in the woods. I didn’t have time for a trip to Imre.
“Right,” I said as calmly as I could manage. I dug out a stub of pencil and scratched out a note on the other side of the piece of paper.
I folded it over again and pressed a blob of soft candle wax over the fold.
I felt my purse. Over the last month I’d slowly burned through the extra two talents I’d borrowed from Devi. I’d squandered the money on luxuries like bandages, coffee, and the materials for tonight’s plan.
As a result, all I had to my name was four pennies and a lonely shim. I shouldered my travelsack and motioned for the boy to follow me downstairs.
I nodded to Anker standing behind the bar, then turned to the boy. “Okay,” I said. “You bollixed things up getting here, but I’m going to give you a chance to make it right.” I pulled out three pennies and held them out for him to see. “You head back to the Barrel and Boar, find the woman who sent you, and you give her this.” I held up the note. “She’ll send back a reply. You bring it here and give it to him.” I pointed to Anker. “And he’ll give you the money.”
“I en’t an idiot,” the boy said. “I want ha’penny first.”
“I en’t an idiot either,” I said. “You’ll get three whole pennies when you bring her note back.”
He glared at me, then nodded sullenly. I handed him the note, and he ran out the door.
“Boy seemed a little addled when he came in here,” Anker said.
I shook my head. “He’s witless as a sheep,” I said. “I wouldn’t use him at all, but he knows what she looks like.” I sighed and put the three pennies on the bar. “You’d be doing me a favor if you read the note to make sure the boy isn’t faking.”
