by Howell, Rob
“Yes, we asked him if he was cheating Gibroz. Gabrijela read his emotions and said he wasn’t lying when he said no.”
“Perhaps they were watching Ognyan, knowing you had to go to him at some point?”
I finished another mug of ale as I let that idea roll around in my head. “Possible. That suggests that whoever is behind this knows all about Gibroz’s structure and his deal with Ylli.”
“Yes. And provides more evidence that he or she is running a large organization.”
I sighed. “I just wanted to go to Basilopolis and join the Imperial Guard.”
Piri laughed. “You’re from the Seven Kingdoms and a follower of the World Tree. Do you really think you’re entirely in control of your life?”
I sighed again. “I suppose not. I guess I just have to accept that whether one of Gibroz’s people is involved or not, I’m up against a large organization.”
“A large organization in Achrida that nobody’s heard of before?”
“Yes. They got to Andreas. They could have had the resources to follow Gabrijela or Ognyan constantly. And they’ve attacked me twice with a total of a twenty men.”
Piri sat back. “I can’t imagine Vukasin would not be aware of such an organization. Not here in his backyard.”
“I’d be surprised too, but...”
“It’s either that or a person close enough to Gibroz to know everything they need to.”
Piri mused, “It could be both.”
“Both?”
“What if someone close to Gibroz has found a way to manipulate and direct his organization? That would give him the manpower, but we would not be facing a new organization.”
“Of course!” I rapped the table, disturbing Melia. “That would answer most of the questions.”
“Most?”
“Yes. I still have questions. Something’s wrong with the attacks the past two days.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were too alike.”
“I don’t understand.”
“One attack had a dozen men, one had eight. They both happened in the street. None of the attackers were particularly skilled armsmen. If they knew enough to attack me, wouldn’t they also know about my training?”
“Maybe.”
“They planned for the possibility of Radovan coming to my aid the second time. Whoever planned this knew he’d helped the night before, so the two attacks are definitely connected.”
“Agreed.”
“In that case, why not send the whole score of men to attack us in the house? That would be both quieter and more likely to succeed.”
“So you’re wondering at their tactics? Criminals are not always known for their tactical acumen.”
“Whoever is behind this is smart enough to go after Gibroz and Ylli obliquely, pitting them against each other. If it hadn’t been for the silly bad luck of Nadja and her doll, Aca would have disappeared and Gibroz would have thought the worst of Ylli.”
“Yes.”
“That’s the plan of someone very smart. You may be right, they may not know what they’re doing when it comes to tactics, but they are smart enough to have come up with a devious overall plan.”
She shrugged. “Even if you’re wrong, it’s stupid to assume the foe is less capable than he could be.”
“Exactly.”
“And he’s powerful as well as subtle.”
“Andreas.”
“Yes. How would he get Andreas to hold me without some way to influence him?”
“Money.”
“Probably, but it’s not the only possibility. I bet it would take a great deal of money to convince Andreas to deal with Vukasin’s wrath. Or Vesela’s.”
“True.”
We leaned back in thought.
“How did you avoid that trap?” she asked.
“What?”
“How did you avoid the trap that was set for you while Andreas held you?”
“You don’t want to know.”
She raised an eyebrow at me.
“We took the road past the Bardheküülle.”
“What?!”
I had never seen Piri shocked before. Her shout certainly annoyed Melia, as it brought her out of her comfortable slumber on the table. Disgustedly, she jumped off of the table and went around the room looking for scraps.
“We went past the Bardheküülle.”
“Sevener, tell me you’re joking.”
“No. We had help, though.”
“You did? What help?”
“Katarina warded us as we passed. Well, actually as we entered.”
“You went into the Bardheküülle?”
“I told you, it’s a long story.”
“With Katarina?”
I chuckled. “Yes, and she did not play us falsely.”
“I don’t know if I’m more amazed at that or the simple fact you went into the Bardheküülle.”
“I’m not sure either.”
Piri shook her head in amazement. She emptied her mug and emptied the pitcher into it. I caught Ragnar’s eye and he started filling another.
“In any case, you’re saying there’s something wrong with the attacks.”
“Yes. It’s almost like…” I drifted off in thought.
“Yes, Edward?”
“It’s almost as if whoever is behind them did not want them to fully succeed.”
“Did the attackers hesitate?”
“No. They were ready to kill me and did all they could.”
“Then why do you think this?”
“Again, why attack twice, poorly? Why not attack once and make sure?”
She shrugged. “We don’t know.”
“Right, but both fights were almost exactly the right amount to make us work, maybe eliminate Radovan, but allow both Gabrijela and me to survive.”
“You got slashed on the ribs. Twice. Either of those could have been close enough to kill you.”
“I know. And maybe I’m thinking too much.”
“That would be a first.”
“Perhaps, but aren’t you proud of what I’ve learned?”
Piri chuckled.
“But their first attack would have succeeded if Radovan had not been there. Since they couldn’t know he was there, then wouldn’t it be more likely that they actually intended to kill you at that point?”
“Perhaps…”
“Perhaps?”
“I don’t know that they didn’t anticipate Radovan the first time. They certainly seem to know everything about me.”
“How would they have found out about him?”
“I think Ylli told Gibroz how to find me if Gabrijela and I couldn’t connect at the amphitheater.”
“And that would have been to contact Radovan?”
“Undoubtedly. Sebastijan and his men have a reputation for doing the job, whatever the job happens to be.”
“True.”
“So you think they would have anticipated Radovan.”
“I think it possible.”
“There’s another possibility.”
“Yes, Piri?”
“Whoever is behind this might want you dead, or at least not concern themselves with your death, but…”
“But want to keep Gabrijela alive.”
“Exactly. Gabrijela is useful to Gibroz’s organization. He or she might not want to waste the resource.”
Piri paused for a moment. “Could Gabrijela be behind all of this?”
“Gabrijela?
“Think about this clearly, Sevener. I saw her kiss you. You’re clearly attracted to her.”
Awkwardly, I nodded. Piri surprised me by laughing.
“Oh, fear not on my account, lad. I am not the marrying type. We’ve had our fun, and you should be proud to know I wouldn’t mind a third time.”
I blushed, and she laughed harder. “I’m a veteran, boy. I’ve been on a dozen campaigns across the Empire and beyond. I’m not leaving the Pathfinders any time soon. I’m not retiring
until they pry my spear from my dead fingers. I’ll sleep with who I damn well please, and I’ll thank Mithra that I’ve lived a life worthy of the fire.”
I chuckled. I understood completely. After all, I thought I had failed in that quest until I came to Achrida.
“So spare me the blushes. But I damn well also need you to think about her with a clear head.”
I nodded and took a breath.
“Well, she’s certainly had the opportunity.”
“Go on.”
“She would have undoubtedly seen Ylli’s letter, as Gibroz would have glanced at it, seen the bones of the plan, and handed it over to her.”
“Does she see all of Gibroz’s accounts?”
“I’m sure. Meaning she could probably alter the records or prevent some of the money from getting to Gibroz.”
Piri waited for me to continue.
“And she’s an enchanter.”
“I thought I’d heard that Gibroz had one working for him.” She looked at me intently.
“And yes, she did try to influence me at the start. I told her to stop. I like her, but it’s because of her eyes, not her magic.”
Piri laughed at me. “Fair enough. Why did she try at first?”
“She said Gibroz wanted her to use her magic, he liked the extra control.”
“He would.”
“Yes.”
“She clearly knew enough. Do you think she wants to take over Gibroz’s operation?”
I sat back. “I don’t know, but that doesn’t feel likely to me.”
“Why not?”
“Why would she have to take control? Gibroz clearly listens to her. She’s an enchanter. I bet she could influence him. Even if she couldn’t, she’s smart enough to help Gibroz make money, and we both know that’s what he cares about. If she’s helping him make money, he’s probably willing to let her make all sorts of suggestions.”
“True.”
“And I don’t know if she could run Gibroz’s organization.”
“Because she’s a woman? Do I have to remind you of Katarina?”
“No, because of personality, both hers and the people in Gibroz’s organization. She’s smart enough to know that she could run his machine, just not as efficiently. She’d have to use her magic repeatedly or quickly gain a reputation for something like Gibroz’s violent ruthlessness.”
I took a drink and continued. “I think she’s smart enough to think like Davorin did. He wants to run the Gropas with someone else as a figurehead because he knows people don’t like him and don’t trust him. Gibroz’s people would look at her and think she’s innocent and soft. She could force them to accept her, but she’d know it would be far better to just control Gibroz.”
“Do you think that’s what she’s doing?”
“I don’t know, but either way, she’s more likely to prefer things to remain as they have been.”
Piri thought for a moment. “I can’t see that you’re wrong. Who else could it be?”
“Well, if I’ve learned anything from Pal Gropa it’s that it could be Gibroz.”
“Why would he do this?”
“The most obvious thing would be to claim the caravan traffic for himself instead of merely taking a cut.”
“Is there enough money in that?”
“I don’t think so, but it’s the only way I know of that Gibroz would look at a war with Ylli as good business. There could be another business reason, but I don’t know what that might be. Gibroz won’t go to war with anyone without a good business reason.”
“Agreed. It’s probably not Gibroz. Who else does he work with?”
“I don’t know all of them. There have always been four thugs with him when I’ve visited him. Their leader is Andreyev. I don’t know anything about him other than he likes kicking people.”
“What do you know about the others?”
“I know that Markov has a head for figures and keeps at least some of Gibroz’s accounts. He also enjoyed kicking me, and he and I have the same foot size.”
“The same foot size?”
“Yes. When they mugged me when I first got to Achrida, I had just purchased some new shoes. He wears them now.”
“Ah.”
“I would love to find out he’s the one who is betraying Gibroz.”
“Because you want your shoes back.”
“And because I don’t like him at all.”
Piri laughed. “The other two?”
“One’s a woman, as ugly and cruel as the others. I don’t know her name or that of the last man. I know even less about them than I do Andreyev.”
“To sum up, what you’re thinking is that one of Gibroz’s people is trying to overthrow him by using his organization to create a war between him and Ylli?”
“I guess. I’m still not sure. It doesn’t feel right. I mean, I knew it was one of the Gropa Council who had arranged to kidnap Marija almost from the first. I didn’t expect it to be Pal, but it had to be one of them. This time…”
“This time you think it could be someone else?”
“I just don’t know. Nothing feels right.”
“Maybe a good night’s sleep will help.”
“Maybe.”
“I want to think about what you’ve told me, too.”
“So?”
“So I think I’ll lead my lads and lasses back to our home, and I’ll come back tomorrow so we can plan.”
“Not tonight?”
Piri shook her head.
“No, it’s been too long of a day and there’s too much to think about. We’ll do better tomorrow. I’ll be here midday.”
I yawned at her mention of the day’s length, proving her point. “You’re right. But don’t come alone tomorrow.”
She nodded. “I’m not convinced yet that I’m a target, but I’d be stupid not to plan for the possibility.”
With that, she rounded up her squad and they left. I went up to my room, happy to find it exactly as I expected it.
I fell across the bed, asleep with my boots on.
Chapter 36
Late Morning, 2 Simmermoanne, 1712 MG
I did not need Zoe’s raised eyebrow to remind me to take a bath. After a caravan ride from Lezh and two days of fighting, the thought of soaking seemed like paradise.
The water and harsh lye soap stung my wounds bitterly, but that pain soon passed, and I wallowed in the hot water until it cooled. I borrowed Ragnar’s sharpest blade and shaved. My bare chin and cheeks felt wonderfully cool.
Then, in braes and bare feet, I sought out Zoe. She reapplied the salve to my wounds, clucking at the increasing number of scars appearing on my body.
She wound a fresh bandage around me and then firmly instructed me to dress and return for breakfast. That had been my plan anyway, and soon I sat at my table, eating what was essentially honey laced with some gruel. I washed it down with mugs of cool lakewater.
Eirik came through the stable door and eagerly sat with me. “By Zeus’s cock, I bet you have amazing stories to tell.”
“By what?”
He blushed. “Don’t tell Mother, but I like saying it.”
I laughed. “I do have stories to tell, and I promise I’ll tell you all of them when I can, but it may have to wait a while. I want to tell the whole story at once, and I want Piri to hear it as well. She should be here soon.”
“But—”
“But nothing. You know I’ll keep my promise, right?”
He nodded.
“And I promised to tell you everything, right?”
He nodded again.
“Then, by Zeus’s cock, get back to work.”
He blushed as I laughed, but returned to the stables as Karah started sweeping the taproom.
“Is he still saying that stupid curse?”
“By Zeus’s cock?” I laughed. “Why yes, he is.”
“Fool.”
I laughed at Karah. “So are you, lass.”
“At least I know we’re all fools.”
/>
I laughed loud enough for Zoe to lean in to the taproom. She came for my bowl.
“What’s so funny, Edward?”
“Your children amuse me.” I grinned.
She chuckled. “They amuse me, too.”
Karah sniffed and went back to work.
Except for Karah sweeping around me, everyone left me alone. Given that I had not seen Ragnar at all that morning, I suspected he was brewing. In any case, I appreciated the calm that allowed me to think.
Soon, people started trickling in for their midday meal. Emilija nodded to me and took her normal seat.
A high shriek announced that Ludmilja had seen me. I managed to catch her before she jumped into my lap. Bath or not, salve or not, I did not want her landing on my wounds. Nevertheless, I happily settled her on my lap, Nadja clutched in her arms.
“Why, Ludmilja, I thought you had forgotten me.”
She giggled at my smile. “I’d never never do that.”
“Good.” I hugged her. Soraya finally arrived in Ludmilja’s wake.
“Gospadar, I can take her. She’ll just bother you.”
“It’s fine, Soraya, she and I have to catch up, do we not?”
Soraya nervously nodded. With wringing hands, she said, “You’ll send her over when she’s a bother?”
I nodded with a smile and she retreated to a table across the taproom.
“How have you been?”
Ludmilja shrugged. “It’s boring here. Nobody to play with.”
“What about Nadja?”
“She still plays with me some, but she feels like she has to play with a bunch of the people here.”
“She’s very generous.”
“I know! But now you’re here and we can play!”
I hugged her. “I will when I can, but I am trying to make sure you can go back home.”
“Oh.”
“Do you want to go home?”
“Yes.” She took a lock of her hair, wrapped it around a finger, and started chewing on it.
“Because you’ll have friends to play with?”
“Well, yes. And it’s home. This place is loud.” She bounced on my lap. I winced as pain shot through my ribs. “But I can play with you now.”
“Don’t adults always have things they have to do?”
“Yes,” she said sadly.
“I’m an adult.”
“I knooowww.”
“So you’re a smart girl and know I have to do adult things.”
