Angry and desperate, he failed to take heed and confronted the two robbers, believing that surely some of the bar patrons would come to his aid. Instead the thieves accused him of trying to extort money from them. He launched himself at the one who’d taken his wallet, and grabbed it from him despite the second thief attacking with his knife. Clutching the wallet, he’d run from the bar, but the knife found its mark before he reached the door. Somehow he’d kept going, escaping out onto the street, with the two thieves following on his heels. If Lore had not come along when he had and whisked him away, he would have lost not only his money but his life. Now, thanks to Lore, he still had both.
“Now I just want to get away from this town,” he said. “I can’t go anywhere for fear I’ll be arrested on false charges. If that thief truly is the son of the Peace Officer captain, I don’t have much hope of proving my innocence. I’m afraid to book passage on the river steamer. They may have a watch on the ticket office. There’s a coach that travels the road from here to Mercanton, and I need to find a way to get on it.
“I’ll help you if you’ll take me with you,” Maya said, placing her hand on his arm. “I’ll pay for two passengers, saying we’re husband and wife. I wanna get farther from Pescatil than this place is.”
Rogar’s face lit up. “Yes! They won’t be looking for a married couple. And,” he added shyly, “I wouldn’t mind keeping you with me. Maybe we could even make that claim a reality?”
She grinned. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
Zauna smiled too. She knew what Maya’s eventual answer would be, having privately consulted her crystal ball. She’d travel with Rogar all the way to the country town of Amesley, where she’d wed Rogar and the two of them would settle down to become farmers.
Zauna also knew something else, a fact she would carefully keep to herself. Her long years of crystal seeing had taught her discretion. Maya had a secret that explained her ready acceptance of Rogar’s sudden proposal. She was pregnant and knew it, although only days had passed since conception. Zauna’s crystal revealed that the child would be a son, and Rogar would love the boy he’d believe his. Zauna knew otherwise, but would never reveal the child’s true parentage. Lore would never know he had fathered a son. Would the boy be gifted like his true father? That was not a thing her crystal ball could reveal.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
DOG’S EAR
Angry and restless, Renni could not bear to merely sit and wait. Her body and her mind demanded action. She decided on a reckless course. She mindsent to Jac Thornbridge to excoriate him for his betrayal. You miserable snake, she began, after Camsen spared your worthless life, how could you betray him like you have? He trusted you. He believed you’d changed. He—
His response came immediately, not letting her finish: Whoa, Renni. Hold on, he sent. I understand your anger, but I’m not the traitor you think I am. Yes, I went along with the plot to keep you here in Pescatil, and to do so, I’ve temporarily suppressed Camsen’s power. But I did it to save his life.
I don’t believe you, she returned in a sending sparking with anger. Why would his life be threatened? Don’t they know that without Camsen, they would not be receiving any more of the shipments they hope to keep coming?
No. They don’t understand about power, Renni. His calm response took no note of her anger. They think that Vito is bringing the gifts to them because of the presence of Kyla, whom they refer to as “the living corpse.” They believe that Vito restored them to life because of her presence in the field where they’d died and where their corpses lay until she was thrown there. Lore revealed that he’d found her there shortly after their return to life. He took her from the same field where they’d died eight years before and where they’d awakened to life. Some of the people recalled seeing her lying there after they awakened. They thought, I guess, that she was one of them and would awaken as they had, so they left her when they headed back to their homes. That’s where Lore found her, but then he lost her again when he hid her in an as yet unreclaimed home. When its former owners returned and found what they believed to be a recently dead corpse, they passed it on to other returnees, who eventually took it to Chon Iston. You know what happened after that. The vision that Camsen and I created of Vito has become a legend, convincing the townspeople that your Kyla is sacred to Vito and must be kept here in order to keep the gifts of Vito coming.
Renni groaned. So if you’re telling the truth, all the things we’ve provided to help them rebuild the town have strengthened their faith in their dog-god. Because we’ve called them “gifts from Vito,” we’ve made them believe that the gifts will keep coming so long as they keep Kyla here, and it doesn’t matter what happens to Camsen or me or Lore.
That’s right, Thornbridge affirmed. They were ready to kill Camsen to “rescue” Kyla. I convinced Uncle Race that we should spare Camsen’s life and just bring him back to town along with Vic, whom Chon had demanded that we spare, so he could continue to serve as Chon’s helper.
Well, if you’re telling the truth, and you’re still on our side, tell me what they’ve done with Kyla.
I don’t know. I swear it. They don’t fully trust me. In fact, they haven’t even told Uncle Race, and none of the women know. The men who rode back in the wagon took her coffin out and went somewhere with it. They said the fewer people who know where it is, the better.
It could be true, but she was skeptical. Why wouldn’t your uncle know? He’s on the town council.
They didn’t tell any of the council members. His earnest explanation almost convinced her. They’re mostly young men, many of them under the influence of Abner Rushland, who opposed the formation of the council because the people on it are all older. He and his friends want to run the town their way. Furthermore, they are all heavily influenced by Chon Iston, whom I suspect of being behind this coup.
That provided Renni with valuable information. Have you turned Vic over to Chon as yet?
Not yet. He doesn’t want to go back to being Chon’s servant. He wants to stay with Camsen.
Good for him! Renni sent. Jac had given her a way of testing his truthfulness. I hope you haven’t also suppressed Vic’s power, which so far as we know is limited to the ability to mindsend and receive. That wasn’t true. Vic could also set kindling alight without a match. Jac might not know about that, or if he did, might not think it of much consequence.
No. I didn’t see the need.
Good! Good indeed! She had a way of testing him. If you really haven’t switched sides, do this for me—and for Camsen. Mindsend to Vic, telling him I need him to go back to Chon Iston. Tell him not to worry. I don’t intend to leave him there.
Sounds like you’re planning something. He didn’t phrase it as a question, but the intention was clear.
Of course I am, she responded. I hope you’ll understand when I don’t tell you what it is.
She heard the mental equivalent of a chuckle in his voice as he sent back, I’d be just as cautious in your place. But I’ll do what you’ve asked. You want Vic back with Chon right away?
Just as soon as you can get him there. Tell him to find a way to get Iston to the statue. And if I find out this is a trap, you’ll regret it.
Jac might know of her ability to erase memories, but she hoped not. He knew she could control animals because of the way she’d turned Dark Star into a weapon against him. Camsen would not have mentioned her other ability. As a matter of etiquette among the gifted community, members did not speak of the abilities of another member unless that member spoke openly of his or her gifts. Renni used her gift rarely, and Camsen knew she preferred not to disclose it. She’d used it on Jeppy and Shiny when she’d tricked them into returning the goods they’d stolen to the wagon. Jac would have known from the confusion they’d displayed on seeing him, or from something Ril or Jeppy might have told him, that she’d done something, but she didn’t think he’d know what she’d done. That was a chance she’d have to take, because it was the only weapon she ha
d to use against him if he had betrayed them, as she’d believed. She hoped he’d told her the truth, but she was not inclined to be trusting.
Her restless nature would not let her wait any longer. Craving action, she left Dark Star where she’d tethered him and set off on foot to meet Iston.
Far from tiring her, the long walk to the town square invigorated her. It also gave her time to think and to plan. By the time she reached the square, she’d decided on her course of action, a course that depended on meeting Vic and Iston there. So when she spotted Iston standing by the statue, scowling at Vic, she could barely repress a smile. Now if all went as she hoped …
“Master Iston, good day sir,” she greeted him. “And I see you have your assistant back. That should please you.”
“It’s no thanks to you and your friend that I have him back,” he retorted. “I’d like to know how you persuaded him to join you on your fool’s errand, and why.”
“Well, sir, it did take a good bit of persuasion, but it’s no fool’s errand we’d set off on. We were following the will of our god as you have followed yours.” She nodded toward the statue of Vito.
“But you aren’t followers of our god,” he said. “And Vic is, so he should have known better. I’ve told him how disappointed with his behavior I feel.”
“I hope you aren’t being too hard on him. We all make mistakes, you know. I’m sure he understands the error he was making.”
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter now. You won’t be leaving again any time soon. And the more time you spend here with us, the more you’ll come to put your faith in Vito. After all, you witnessed his appearance and heard him speak, so how can you not believe?” Iston moved closer to the statue and placed his hand on it.
“I don’t doubt that Vito is real. But so is the one we revere. I’m willing to prove that to you, Master Iston. I have received from our Power-Giver something that I believe will be of value to you. I will give it to you in exchange for a bit of information.”
“Now what could you have that would possibly be of value to me?” His voice dripped with scorn. “Whatever I need, Vito will provide.”
“Perhaps Vito is providing,” she said, not reacting to his disdain but maintaining her cheerful, reasonable attitude. “I’m sure Vito is disappointed that the reconstruction of his statue is incomplete. After all, a god should be represented without any defect, isn’t that correct?”
His scowl deepened. “What are you getting at, girl? Everyone knows how hard I’ve worked to restore this statue. Look at it! You can barely tell that it was shattered into hundreds of pieces. It’s a perfect restoration.”
“Near perfect, you mean.”
His face took on an ominous shade of purple; his eyes glinted with rage. “No one, no other sculptor could have accomplished what I have.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he spat the words.
“I’m not questioning your skill, Master Iston,” she said in the same even tone. “I’m referring to the fact that the sculpture is not complete.” She brought forth from the pocket of her skirt a small package wrapped in white cloth. “It seems unfortunate that you have not succeeded in finishing the work.”
Vic shifted away from Iston and closer to her. The sculptor’s gaze focused on the package in her hand. “What do you have there?” he demanded.
“Something I’m willing to give you in exchange for information,” she replied.
“Let me see it.” He lunged toward her. Vic jumped in front of her, shielding her.
“I’ll show it to you when you’ve agreed to give me what I want, assuming this should be what you want,” she said. “But you will not have it without a fair trade.”
He certainly guessed now what it was she claimed to have, but his face reflected his skepticism. “Vic, get that package she’s holding. Take it from her,” he ordered.
Vic shook his head.
“Obey me, you dolt!” Iston screamed.
Vic stood his ground, continuing to shield Renni.
“Pah! You have nothing I want! This is some scheme you’ve cooked up and persuaded Vic to support you in. Get out of here!”
“So you don’t want to complete the statue. You spurn your god’s gift.” Standing behind Vic, she unwrapped the package. “Step away from the statue, and I’ll show you I speak the truth. Vic, give me your hand.”
Vic reached back, and she placed into his hand a shiny black stone. Vic stepped toward the statue and fitted the triangular stone into place to complete the ear that was missing its tip.
Iston’s jaw dropped. He leapt forward, reaching for the stone, but Vic palmed it.
“Give it to me!” Iston screamed. “You have no right to that! I’ve looked everywhere for it.”
“I’ve said you may have it,” Renni said, as Vic again guarded her. “I only want information in exchange for it.”
“It isn’t yours. It’s mine. Vic, hand it to me. Now!”
Vic smiled and shook his head. He handed the stone back to Renni. Again Iston lunged for it. Vic grabbed his shoulders. Roaring with rage, Iston lowered his head and charged Vic, ramming his head into Vic. The attack must have hurt, but Vic clamped his hands around Iston’s arms and tossed him to the ground.
“Traitor! Turncoat! You’ll suffer for this.”
“Wouldn’t it be simpler to ask what I want in exchange for this piece?” Renni had expected anger, but not this level of madness. Thinking of his erratic behavior when she’d first met him, she saw that he skated on the fine edge of sanity. Keeping her voice calm and her tone reasonable, she said, “I merely want to know where Kyla is—the woman you call a “living corpse.” I want to know where she’s hidden.”
“So you can steal her away from us?” He got to his feet, looking like he was preparing to charge Vic again.
“You people stole her from us. We do intend to reclaim her, but I’m only asking where she is.”
“All right. Give me the missing piece, and I’ll tell you,” he said, calming.
“No. You give me the information. And I warn you, I will know whether you are telling the truth.”
He scoffed. “You expect me to trust you?”
“Why shouldn’t you? I have no use for the stone. When I get what I want, you’ll be welcome to it.”
He thought awhile, plainly considering the offer but not willing to trust her. And with good reason, she thought. Oh, he could have the missing piece of Vito’s ear, but only after they’d recovered Kyla and reached Hillcross. But of course Iston would never accept that. She had to convince him that he could have the piece immediately on receiving the information she requested.
“Look, I’ll give the stone back to Vic. He’ll hand it to you as soon as you’ve told me what I want to know. He doesn’t want to stay in your bad graces. After all, you’re his employer, and he needs the wage you pay him. Isn’t that right, Vic?”
Vic nodded his head vigorously and gave Iston an apologetic look. She put the stone in his hand, and he showed it to Iston before enclosing it in his fist.” Then he pantomimed handing it to Iston, nodding his head toward Renni and then toward Iston to indicate his willingness to do what she had said.
Iston stroked his chin. “Do you swear that all you want is the information? And then you’ll give me that ear tip?”
“I swear that as soon as you’ve told me where Kyla is, all you have to do is ask for the stone, and Vic will hand it to you.” She hadn’t had a chance to mindsend to tell Vic what she intended, so it was no wonder that he looked puzzled, but when she said, “Right, Vic?” he nodded.
“All right. The town bank’s been closed since the massacre. No one to operate it. And no customers putting money in it or taking any out, since most all the stores were closed and the few people that were left had no need for money. But I did, and I got the key to the vault. Never mind how. Anyway, that’s where she is, safely locked in the bank vault. And that’s where she’ll stay. Now give me the stone that will complete Vito.” He reached out his hand.
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She put a hand on Vic’s arm as he started to step toward Iston. Wait, she sent. “Look me in the eyes and swear you’ve told me the truth,” she told Iston.
He met her gaze but did not speak. Instead a glazed look came into his eyes. “What are you doing here?” he asked Renni.
“I came to pay my respects to your god, Master Iston,” she said. “Now that he has brought us back to town, I have to bow to his will.”
“A wise decision, Mistress,” Iston said, giving her a stern look. “So you’re reconciled to wintering here?”
“Indeed, you’ve left us little choice,” she said. She bowed low before the statue of the black dog. “I yield to his power.”
He smiled then. “That’s the right attitude,” he said. “You won’t regret remaining here. Vito will provide all you need.”
“I’m sure he will,” she replied, bowing again. “May Vic walk me back to the Thornbridges’ home?”
“Well, he just came back to me, but I guess I can spare him for a short time. Vic, I’ll need you to come straight back, though. I have work for you.”
Vic nodded solemnly, and he and Renni left.
What did you do? Vic asked as they walked from the square. I still have the stone.
Yes. Keep it hidden for now. I erased his memory back to just after I came up to the two of you. He doesn’t remember anything about the conversation I had with him. It’s an ability I have.
So Vito won’t get his ear tip after all? He grinned at her.
Not yet he won’t. Renni considered and added, I might get it to him after we have Kyla back and are on our way to Hillcross. That may be a way of guaranteeing our safety. I’ll think about that later. Now show me where that bank building is.
Deniably Dead (Arucadi Series Book 4) Page 28
