* * *
Lord Grammayre and Marcus were waiting in the Hawklords Tower. Kaylin, torn between panic at the length of time theyd been made to wait and worry about the topic of discussion, went up the stairs at a brisk clip, as if rushing to her doom. Dragon knowledge of the effective chain of command in the Halls of Law was pretty simple: the Dragon Courts desires took precedence over everything. It was hard to get that wrong. Their knowledge of the finer details, on the other handand in particular Kaylins place in the food chain as a privateleft a lot to be desired, especially since their pay and their rank werent ever going to be at risk. She tried not to resent this as Sanabalis, curse him, practically crawled.
The Tower doors were open, which was a small mercy. Kaylin approached them, the sound of her steps on stone drawing two pairs of distinctive eyesLeontine and Aerian. Marcuss facial fur was standing on end, and his eyes were orange. The Hawklords wings were slightly extended, and his eyes were a gray-blue. Had she been a flower, shedve instantly wilted under that much dry heat. Angry Leontine Sergeant, angry Aerian Commander in Chief, slightly bored Dragon, and panicked humanyou could practically call it a racial congress, with humans in their usual position.
Marcus was in such a bad mood that he didnt even mention how late she was; he wasnt in a bad enough mood not to growl when she hesitated in the doorway. She crossed the threshold quickly and offered Lord Grammayre a salute. It was as perfect as she could make itand if two weeks under the Draconic Lord Diarmat had given her nothing else, it had certainly improved the quality of necessary gestures of respect, not that she was required to salute a member of the Dragon Court.
Lord Sanabalis, as a member of said court, wasnt required to offer a salute to anyone in the Halls of Law. Kaylin wasnt certain what formal gestures of respect he offered the Eternal Emperor, because thankfully shed never seen the Eternal Emperorat least not yet. Shed seen the rest of the Dragons interact with each other, and while they were polite and formal when nothing important was being discussed, they didnt spend all day bowing, saluting, or speaking full titles. She now even knew what their full titles were.
At ease, Private. If an order could be guaranteed to make her feel less at ease, she didnt want to hear it. The Hawklords tone of voice had enough edge to draw blood. She nodded stiffly and dropped her arms to her sides.
Lord Sanabalis, the Hawklord continued, we have news of some import to relay to the Imperial Court.
Good. Does it involve the current investigation into the Exchequer?
It does. We have an unexpected lead. Our subsequent investigations have given us reason to believe it is extremely relevant.
Sanabalis raised a brow. May I ask the source of that information?
You may; it is the only reason Private Neya is currently present.
I will assume that the lead did not come through the Private.
No. Not directly. She has been involved as your attaché in the fief of Tiamaris for much of the investigation; as she has not yet been released from those duties, she has had no direct involvement in the Exchequer affair.
Lord Sanabalis nodded.
Even if she is no longer required as frequently in the fief, she appears to be the unofficial minder for the newly arrived Lady Bellusdeo.
Kaylin cringed.
Private? Marcus growled.
Kaylin cleared her throat. She doesnt like to be referred to as Lady Bellusdeo.
And given her position at the moment, that is understandable. I will endeavor not to cause her the hardship of appropriate Elantran title in future, Lord Grammayre said. However.
Sanabaliss eyes had shaded to a pale copper. Kaylin wasnt certain what color her eyes would be if human eye color shifted at the whim of mood; given that she was standing near an angry Leontine, an annoyed Dragon, and an unhappy Aerian, it probably wouldnt be good.
What is Private Neyas involvement?
The Leontine glared at the Hawklord. The Hawklord pretended not to notice either the glare or the question. The usual method of paying in Imperial currency for information was rejected; the information, however, was deemed necessary.
And?
The information offered to us came via Lord Nightshade of the fief of Nightshade.
Copper shaded toward orange in the Dragon Lords eyes. He offered the information first?
Of course not. But he offered some of the information to indicate the importance of the offer.
And the information he did offer was not sufficient for our investigators?
No; if we attempted to investigate thoroughly, we would almost certainly be detected, and any proof of criminal activity would vanish.
What was the tidbit he dangled?
The Office of the Exchequer has been working in conjunction with two highly placed Arcanists. Both, he added, are Barrani, and both might be in possession of some of the embezzled funds.
* * *
Kaylin did not, through dint of will, whistle. She did sneak a glance at Sanabalis; his eyes hadnt gotten any redder, which was a positive sign. On the other hand, Marcuss hadnt gotten any less orange, which was not, given that Marcus now turned the full force of his glare on her. She felt this a tad unfair, given that shed already warned him what Nightshade would demand in return for the information; she was not, however, feeling suicidal enough to point this out.
Were you aware, Private, that the leave of absence requested in return for this information would be extensive?
How extensive?
The fieflord is asking for a minimum of six weeks if we provide the transport, and a minimum of eight weeks if we do not.
She blinked. After a moment, she said, Eight weeks? thinking, as she did, of her rent.
Eight weeks.
I cant take eight weeks off!
For some reason, this seemed to improve Marcuss mood. When you agreed to Teelas offer of aid during your leave of absence, did it ever occur to you to look up a map of the Empire?
No.
Sanabalis lifted a hand. Why is a leave of eight weeks required?
Shes to travel to the West March.
A map wouldnt have done you any good, Private, Sanabalis now told Kaylin. The West March is not technically part of the Empire. It is a remote stretch of forest of some significant size. It is not, however, the size of the forest that makes it worthy of note.
This was not exactly a comfort. What makes it noteworthy?
The trees contained in the heart of that forest are not consideredentirely safe.
What does that mean? They dont burn when you breathe on them?
Sanabaliss answering silence was glacial.
Given Teelas offer, she will also be missing for eight weeks. Its a good damn thing Nightshade specifically demanded that you go without any other Hawks, or wed probably have to do without Corporal Handred, as well.
Kaylin was still stuck on the eight weeks. Minimum? she finally managed to say.
Minimum. There is the possibility of poor weather and impassable roads, and Lord Nightshade wished to make clear that eight weeks might not suffice.
She shook herself. The information was useful?
The information, Lord Grammayre replied, before Marcus could, may finally crack the case for us. It is more than simply useful, but we wasted some time in negotiations for your release, and we are only now in dialogue with the Lord of Wolves.
She shook herself. The information was useful?
The information, Lord Grammayre replied, before Marcus could, may finally crack the case for us. It is more than simply useful, but we wasted some time in negotiations for your release, and we are only now in dialogue with the Lord of Wolves.
The Wolves.
How bad is this going to be?
No one answered, which was answer enough.
You agreed to the leave of absence?
The Hawklord nodded. Kaylin desperately wanted to ask if this absence involved pay, because shed have nowhere to live if it didnt. On the other hand, the right person to ask was Caitlin, not Marcus, and certainly not Marcus in this mood.
When does this leave start?
Teela will be able to better inform you of the actual dates of import; I suggest you speak with her, because shell also be able to inform you of expected dress, weather, and, apparently, colorful wildlife. Lord Nightshade, however, is likely to be in touch with you shortly; you are to leave in five days if we are not to provide the transport hes asking for.
And if you do?
Were not.
But
Yes?
The midwives. And the Foundling Hall. And thethe etiquette lessons
Lord Sanabalis will, of course, evaluate the information once youve left, and discuss it with the Imperial Court. In a strict currency evaluation, eight weeks of your time is far less than we might be expected to pay for information of this
nature; it will save money at a time when finances are
Sanabalis coughed loudly.
Now, Marcus growled, get lost.
* * *
Teela was loitering at the bottom of the stairs, her hands behind her back, her shoulders at a slant against the slight curve of the wall. She glanced up when she heard Kaylins steps. Given that Kaylin wasnt exactly attempting to move silently, this wasnt hard.
Youve heard the news? she said as Kaylin took the last step and drew level with her, in a manner of speaking. Teela, like all Barrani, was tall; she probably had seven inches on Kaylin when Kaylin was standing at her straightest. Teela wasnt even trying at the moment.
Yes.
Dont look so glum. Have you ever been outside the City?
No.
Teela whistled. Well, this will be an adventure for you, then. Its a useful experience; you cant stay cooped up behind the City walls for all your life.
Why exactly not?
In this case? Because Nightshade had a very important piece of information and you happened to mention his offer to Marcus.
I didnt think Id be gone for eight weeks!
Eight is, in my opinion, optimistic.
Kaylins jaw momentarily unhinged. Teela reached out and pushed it shut. Dont fret. Itll be fun.
Thats not making me feel a whole lot better, Teela. I know what your definition of fun is.
* * *
Severn was waiting for Kaylin in the office when she at last reached her desk; she knew this because he was sitting in her chair. He looked up when she tapped his shoulder.
Bad news? he asked as he moved to let her sit. He reached into the pack at his feet and pulled out the bracer that prevented her from using magic. Shed thrown it over her shoulder on the run, because she knew it would return to Severn. It always did. Midwives?
She took the bracer, slid it over her wrist, and closed it. Two in the morning.
And I heard that I should offer congratulations on the candle.
The triumph of a lit candle had evaporated. She sat and folded her arms across her desk in a type of lean that implied her spine was melting. They took Nightshade up on his offer, she said, speaking to the wood grain and the interior of her elbows.
Did you expect them to do anything else?
No.
Then?
Ill be absent for eight weeks. Teela thinks itll actually be longer. She lifted her head and turned to look at Severn. Youre not coming, either.
He shrugged; it was a fief shrug, and it was a tense one.
So youll be out patrolling with some other Hawk, not me, and gods know if they wont decide that youre more effective working with someone else. Marcus might give my beat away.
Marcus wont
And the midwives wont be able to call me. Theyve had four emergencies in the last two weeks. If those had been part of the eight, at least four people would have died.
At least?
I think they could have saved two of the babies.
But Nightshades information may well crack the Exchequer case.
May well? It had better tie it up in expensive cloth with bows on top. She lowered her chin to the desk again. But putting the Exchequer in prisonor under the groundwouldnt save the lives of those mothers. Im hard put to see which lives it would save. Besides the Hawks.
Severn tactfully steered the topic away from her visions of mortality. Teelas going with you?
Yeah. Shes a Lord of the Barrani Court, and apparently whatever this jaunt to the West March is about, its ceremonial. Shes got an invitation to go.
Well, keep an eye on her.
Kaylin almost laughed. Me and what army? You know Teela.
Severn didnt have a chance to answer. Bellusdeo appeared at his elbow. Theyve finally let me out, she said in accented but reasonable Elantran. She frowned. You dont look very happy. The magic lesson didnt go well?
No, the lesson went very well.
This is how you react to a good lesson?
Kaylin snorted but pushed herself off her desk and out of the chair. No. Its how I react to bad news.
When Bellusdeos brows rose, Kaylin could almost hear them snap. What bad news? she asked in almost entirely the wrong tone of voice.
The Barrani have some sort of ceremony out in the West March, and Im obliged to attend it.
Why? Youre not Barrani.
Kaylins mouth stopped flapping as her brain caught up with it. She glanced at Severn for help, but he had nothing to offer. I cant really talk about it, she finally said. Not without having my throat ripped out.
Bellusdeo, however, knew that this wasnt literal. It had taken her a couple of days to figure that out, because Marcus was still his usual suspicious and unfriendly self when dealing with Dragons. I almost think I will apply for a job in the Halls, she said, her voice cool. Ive heard that the Hawks are very multiracial, and theyve even had a Dragon as a member before.
Marcus would be your boss, Kaylin replied quickly.
Yes. Ill admit that is a deterrent. Are you ready to go home?
Kaylin had been ready to go home an hour ago, which would have been during the meeting with the Hawklord, Sanabalis, and Marcus. She nodded, looking out the window, which was silent for the moment. We have time to grab something to eatand get changedbefore we head to the palace and the charming Lord Diarmat for tonights personal torture session.
* * *
The streets wouldnt be empty for hours yet, but they werent quite as crowded as they had been on the way in, and Kaylin couldnt be late, in a career-detrimental way, to enter her own apartment. She could, however, miss the few remaining farmers in the market, so she hurried to that destination, Bellusdeo in tow. Bellusdeo had a few questions about food acquisition, but in the main, the worst of them had been answered on their first foray into the market, much to Kaylins frustration and the bemusement of the farmers.