by Howell, Rob
“Yes, I do. I could not stop them.”
“I’m starting to think Kapric might be right about you.”
Piri started laughing.
“Cousin, you’re just being silly.”
I thought for a moment we would have more blood spilled on these cobblestones, but Piri just continued to laugh. Zvono stomped off to take notes in her wax tablet.
“You got cut.”
“Twice.”
“Tell me everything that’s happened.”
“Tomorrow. It will take time. I’d rather tell the story seated at my table in the Faerie.”
“Fair enough. Now what?”
The thug muttered coldly, “Now we get Radovan back to his house.”
“You’re Sebastijan’s?”
He nodded. “The name’s Veselko.”
“You’re right. We get Radovan home, and I go back to the Faerie so Zoe can cluck at me.”
Piri chuckled. “Karah’s surely saved up some special insults.”
“I’ve no doubt.” I was frustrated enough Karah might get a response she did not expect.
Piri turned to her Pathfinders and ordered them to make a sling to carry Radovan.
I looked at Gabrijela. “Are you coming back to Radovan’s?”
“No, I have to report to Gibroz.”
“We need to check up with Sava and Markov.”
She nodded. “You’re going back to the Faerie?”
I nodded. In fact, I was incredibly eager to return there. No woman or meadhall or treasure had ever in my life beckoned so invitingly, in fact.
“I shall send a message. Or maybe just come visit.”
“We’re on the right path.”
Gabrijela nodded, this time angrily. “We will not let this happen again.”
“No, we won’t.”
She reached out and caressed my arm and took my hand. “Zoe will care for you?”
“She’s done it before.”
“Good. I hate seeing you hurt like this.”
She leaned in and kissed me. “Be well, Sevener, I shall think of you.”
I suspected I would think of her too, but my tongue did not allow me to say anything.
Chapter 35
Evening, 1 Simmermoanne, 1712 MG
Piri’s Pathfinders carried Radovan back to his house. I guess Sebastijan’s man gave them directions, because I do not remember doing so.
I know I walked with them because we started at Isidora’s at the same time and we ended up at Radovan’s at the same time, but I could not tell you anything about our walk.
“Sevener, I assume you want to knock.”
I shook my head turned my concentration back to Piri. “No. I have a keystone.” I led the way into the house.
“Jovanka… Jovanka are you here? It’s Edward.”
She leaned her head out of the kitchen, and her smile evaporated when she saw the Pathfinders carrying Radovan. “What happened?”
“Somebody trapped us.”
“What?”
“Let’s get him to bed and then I’ll explain.”
She nodded and led the Pathfinders up the stairs. Veselko followed them.
I looked at Piri. “After we talk to Jovanka, I want you to come back to the Faerie.”
“I was already planning to.”
“Something is very wrong.”
“Besides the people trying to kill you?”
I shook my head as Jovanka and the Pathfinders returned.
“He’s sleeping now. Veselko’s staying with him,” she said grimly.
“Good. I can tell you a Life magician has already worked to prevent infection.”
She took a deep breath at that news. “That’s something.”
“And I’ll pay for whatever the healing costs.”
“What happened?”
I explained the ambush, both the initial attack and the secondary attack aimed at those who aided us.
“You’re saying someone wanted especially to kill anyone who was with you?”
“Yes. They had already seen Radovan save me last night. I think they wanted to eliminate him, or at least whoever joined in the fray.”
“Were they after him all along?”
“I don’t think so. I mean, if that were the case then they would have trapped him yesterday. No, I think it’s a reaction to last night’s attack. I’m going to get what I left here and return to the Faerie. Whatever value my disguise might have had once is gone.”
She nodded, and I noticed she was playing with the hilt of a dagger.
I stood there awkwardly. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “He was doing his work. It’s always been risky and violent.”
She paused.
“But whoever planned this better hope I don’t find them.”
Never was there a deadly vow so chilling in its calm serenity.
I went upstairs and changed into the leather armor I had worn as a caravan guard. I exchanged Jovanka’s long dagger for Ylli’s spatha on my belt, grabbed the rest of my equipment, and returned to the first-floor hallway.
Except for Piri, the Pathfinders had left the house. She and Jovanka were talking quietly. They turned to me as I came downstairs.
“Here you go.” I handed Jovanka her blades. She nodded her thanks. “Keep me informed about his status.”
“Yes.”
“I assume Sebastijan will check with you first. Please tell him I’m at the Faerie.”
“Of course.”
“You’ll be safe?”
She laughed sharply. “Yes. I’ll be safe, and I will care for Radovan. Fear not on that score.”
“I’ll find out who is behind this.”
“Don’t kill them cleanly.”
I did not know what to say to that, so I simply nodded and left. Piri followed me.
“To the Faerie?”
“Yes.”
“I like her.”
“I’m glad she’s not mad at me.”
Piri just laughed.
I was well aware of my surroundings as we went back. The Pathfinders recognized my anger and eagerness and escorted us brusquely through the crowds on the Trade Road.
The saucy faerie lass on the Frank Faerie’s sign leered beckoningly as we approached.
Piri started to direct her squad to return to the barracks, but I put my hand on her arm to stop her.
“I’ll pay their fare. Also, I don’t think I want you returning alone.”
She looked at me sharply, but instructed her troop to join us.
I strode inside, and the brief silence as everyone looked up at the new arrival disappeared into welcoming calls. Ragnar’s booming voice faded into the general response. Melia hopped off a table and wound through my legs, meowing insistently and butting my shins.
I smiled as best I could, bent down, and stroked Melia’s back a few times until she decided she had welcomed me sufficiently.
While Piri arranged seats for her Pathfinders, I went up to Sebastijan’s other men. They sat at a table near the door, alertly watching us.
“What are your names?” I asked.
“Spiridon,” grunted one. “He’s Anzhelko.”
“Veselko stayed at Radovan’s,” I said.
“How is he?”
“Not great, but we have hopes and I have armrings to pay healers.”
They nodded in some relief and Spiridon added, “By Mithra’s mace, we was worried.”
“I still am, but he’ll not lack. In any case, I want you two to go to Jovanka’s and guard him.”
“You think he’s in danger?” asked Spiridon.
“I don’t know, but I don’t want to risk it. I’ll make sure the Faerie’s guarded well enough.”
“He’s not for the fires yet, I’m bettin’.”
“No he’s not. Make sure nobody changes that.”
They nodded and went up to their rooms to pack. I moved to my table, which fortunately was empty. I arrived at the same time as both Karah and Piri.
Karah set a pitcher and two mugs on the table and growled, “It’s about time.”
I just glared at her.
Startled, she apologized with a sharp nod and went to serve the Pathfinders. Piri and I sat down.
Zoe came out and hugged us, sighing as she felt my wince at the wounds on my ribs.
“I’ll look at that after you’re all fed.”
“Thank you.” I knew not to argue.
Honker came over from his table. “Is this meaning we can be goin’ home?”
“I’m sorry, Honker, but not yet.”
“It’s not that we’re not appreciatin’ what you and Ragnar have been doin’ for us, but…”
“But you want your lives back.”
He nodded.
“We’re making progress.”
“Thankee.” He nervously scratched his chin, wanting to say more. I smiled and waited.
“Ludmilja will be wantin’ to see you, but she’s already been put to bed.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing her in the morning.” After all that had happened that day, I meant that simple statement more fervently than either of us expected.
He smiled back and shuffled away.
Ragnar took pitchers to the Pathfinders, stopping at my table. “Why it’s to be welcomin’ you, me lad. I’m not to be doubtin’ you’ve stories to tell and I’m to be wishin’ to be hearin’ them all. Why I’m to be wagerin’ they’re to be worthy to be being written into a saga for the tellin’ on cold winter nights…”
“Cold winter nights you came south to be done with, you mean?”
Ragnar laughed. “Why that’s to be the Allfather’s way of teachin’ our folk to be bein’ strong, and we’re still to be provin’ that strength on all who’s to be listenin’, but I’ll be grantin’ that I’ve long since felt I’d been earnin’ enough o’that particular strength.”
“No doubt. I’ll tell you all I know, but let Piri and me be for a bit, please. Also, I shall be paying for the Pathfinders.”
He started to object but saw the glint in my eye.
“They’re to be havin’ earned that, I’m not to be doubtin’. Not to be fearin’, I’ll be fillin’ them’s mugs as needed.”
I sighed and drank deeply from the mug Piri had filled for me while I chatted with Ragnar.
“I’ve missed his ale,” I said after he left.
“He’s got a touch, no doubt.”
Eirik came out of the stables with a worried look. “Where’s Deor? Is he alright?”
“He’s fine. It just seemed wise to have him come back with Sebastijan. They’ll be here in a couple of days.”
At that news, Eirik’s teenage shyness tried to hide his joy. I smiled at him.
“I’ve missed you, lad. And I’ve no doubt Deor will be looking forward to you spoiling him.”
“I don’t spoil him.”
“Really?”
He looked down. “Well, not much.”
“Begone, Eirik. Your mother’s here, and I’m hungry.” My grin took the sting out of my brusque words, and he nodded happily before returning to his work in the stables.
Zoe put steaming clay bowls before Piri and me. The dish had some of the red spice she put in gulyas, but not as much, so it merely tasted spicy instead of attacking my mouth with the ferocity of Hrodwaldr leading his men at the River Hafron. Of course it was delicious, with a layer of soft cheese melted over bits of meat, onions, and mushrooms mixed in a sauce that tasted of wine. A loaf of bread heated in her kitchen hearth and a crock of butter provided the perfect complement. The bread also served as dessert when she added a crock of honey.
I could tell that Piri was impatient to hear why I wanted the Pathfinders to remain, but I had missed Zoe’s cooking. Besides, I needed time to collect my thoughts.
I sat back after eating too much. Piri glared at me as I licked honey off of my fingers.
“Three pieces of bread and honey after the selsko meso?”
“Is that what it’s called?”
“Yes.”
“I’m thinking of a fourth.”
She sighed. “I’m going to have to drag the story out of you.”
I shook my head and started to tell the story, but Zoe arrived with her kit of medicines.
Piri ground her teeth, but waited as Zoe examined my cuts, applied a stinging salve, and wrapped a bandage around my body a few times.
“You’ll take a bath in the morning.”
“Yes, Zoe.”
“I’ll bandage you again afterwards.”
“Yes, Zoe.”
“Now tell Piri what she wants to know, before she gets angry.”
I chuckled. “Yes, Zoe.”
“Excellent.” She patted our cheeks and left us. I settled back. Melia jumped into my lap and curled up for a nap. Her quiet purrs were an odd counterpoint to the crazy, bloody, and strange tales I had to tell.
“We don’t have time for the whole story right now. What you really need to know is that someone is trying to pit Ylli of Lezh and Gibroz against each other by taking some of Gibroz’s cut. I’m working with both to figure out who it is. Gabrijela and I were working up the chain of people who passed money from Ylli to Gibroz. We made the plan last night, after which we were attacked. We went to Ylli’s connection with Gibroz and his cousin Isidora today. That’s when we were attacked again.”
Piri leaned back. “How do you do it, Sevener?”
“I know. I’m not even supposed to still be in Achrida.”
She nodded. “So you need protection.”
“I suppose, but right now I need advice.”
She waited.
“Something’s wrong.”
She snorted. “That’s what I meant.”
“No, I knew what you meant. Something else is wrong.”
“Explain. You said something about the second ambush targeting Radovan.”
I nodded. “Last night I met Gabrijela at the amphitheater. Ylli gave me a keyed letter that Sebastijan delivered to Gibroz requesting that meeting.”
I drank some ale. Leaning forward disturbed Melia, and she jumped off my lap and onto the table, then brazenly rolled onto her back and demanded attention from Piri.
“She led me to a house I think Gibroz owns, east of the Trade Road near the South Gate, and we made plans to meet with Ognyan, Ylli’s factor here, and then to the people he passed money to and so on.”
“Makes sense,” Piri confirmed as she rubbed Melia’s belly.
“Yes. Apparently we were followed. I was attacked by four men in the street. I don’t know that I would have survived, but Radovan had also followed me and pushed me out of the way of the first strike.”
“But?”
“But eight others attacked Gabrijela at the house she’d led me to. Her two guards and her magic whittled them down, I killed one, and drove the last into Radovan’s cudgel.” The memory triggered momentary laughter. “I suggested reporting the deaths to Kapric and Zvono, but clearly they thought that was a stupid idea.”
Piri chuckled. “They were probably right. You still don’t think enough.”
“You’re right.” I finished the ale in my mug and refilled it. “Anyway. Today we were attacked initially by six, with two more waiting to strike at Radovan when he came to help. I don’t know for sure that they cared about Radovan in particular, only that they were aiming for anyone who might help Gabrijela and me.”
Piri sighed. “I see what you meant now. Tricky.”
“Yes. And it’s why I didn’t want you to go back to your barracks alone.”
“You’re worried they’re targeting not just you but also your allies.”
“Exactly. Sebastijan should be arriving in two or three days, and he might be able to help, but it might be they’ll target him and his men separately. And if there’s anything you’ve taught me it’s to plan for the unexpected here.” After a long drink, I grumbled, “This is just confusing.”
“What’s confusing?”
�
�All of it.”
“Explain.”
“First, how did they know I would meet Gabrijela at the amphitheater? They had several better opportunities to attack me, either as I snuck into Achrida or during the afternoon. I was much more vulnerable then.”
“You’re saying they found you because they followed Gabrijela?”
“Or that someone in Gibroz’s circle of thugs also read Ylli’s letter and planned an ambush.”
“Is that likely?”
“Actually, I think it is.”
“Why?”
“The thugs that attacked us last night worked for Dragan.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“Neither do I, but Radovan told me that Dragan was one of Gibroz’s minor thugs.”
“So one of Gibroz’s people was convinced somehow to attack Gabrijela and you?”
“Exactly. And the only people besides Ylli who knew what was in his letter to Gibroz were Sebastijan, Ylli, and Era.”
“Era?”
“Ylli’s Lore mage.”
Piri nodded. “And they’re all still in Lezh?”
“Sebastijan is on his way here but is still probably two days away or more.”
“So as far as you know, the only person who knew that you would speak with Gabrijela was Gibroz and anyone he told.”
“Or anyone who found out by sneaking a look at the letter.”
“Which could only be someone in Gibroz’s organization.”
“Yes. The only other possibility is that they simply follow Gabrijela around routinely. Is that feasible?”
Piri shrugged. “Feasible, yes, but constantly following someone depends more upon having enough people than anything else.”
“So you’re saying if that’s true we’re facing not a single person or a small group but a large organization.”
“Yes.”
“Someone got to Andreas.”
“Yes, so it’s a real possibility.”
“I wonder if I’m not facing what I thought was happening with the Gropas.”
“That one of Gibroz’s closest people is trying to get rid of him?”
I nodded. “Let’s assume that they found Gabrijela or me at some point today and followed us from wherever that was to Isidora’s.”
Piri nodded.
“How did they find us?”
“You say you met with Ognyan first?”
