Dynasty of Rogues

by Jane Fletcher

  The Guards from the barge had been left in the main hall and their place taken by four members of the Southwater Company. These now stood at the rear of the room, two on either side of the doorway. Steph had also remained outside, so only Riki, Tanya, and the three Sisters were present when a short, round woman in white robes entered.

  She bustled forward to greet them. “In the name of the Goddess, welcome to Southwater. I am Consultant Sharif. I understand you have someone for me to care for.”

  The eldest of the three Landfall Sisters nodded respectfully in acknowledgement. “Celaeno’s blessing on you too, Consultant. Yes. Allow me to present Tanya, whose family would prefer if her last name was not mentioned. She has, regretfully, become ensnared in the wickedness of the heretics’ lies.”

  Tanya broke in. “Look. How many fucking times do I have to tell you? I ain’t this Tanya. And I ain’t no frigging heretic. But you—”

  The Sister ignored the outburst. “She is, I’m afraid, somewhat confused and argumentative.”

  Riki however, stared at Tanya, screwing her face in a deep frown and eventually taking a step forward to look more closely. “Um...”

  “What is it, my child?”

  “Are you sure this is my cousin?”

  “Pardon?”

  Riki turned to the Sisters from Landfall. “I admit I’ve never met her before, but she was described to me.”

  One of the other Sisters spoke up. “I did a few turns in her room, keeping watch. I must admit, she isn’t acting the same. But it certainly looks like her...I think,” she ended weakly.

  “My grandmother said she had a faint scar on her cheek. Here.” Riki brushed the side of her own face indecisively and then looked at the Sister expectantly, as if hoping to have her words confirmed.

  “Oh, I um...don’t remember.”

  “That’s what I’ve been sayi—” Tanya was interrupted this time by Consultant Sharif.

  “Do I understand there’s some doubt as to this woman’s identity?”

  Riki gave a polite half bow. “Yes, revered Consultant. She’s supposed to be a cousin of mine. But although she mostly matches the description, there’s the matter of the scar. And she’s possibly a centimeter or so too tall.”

  “This is easy to check.” Sharif looked at one of the Guards by the door. “Go and find Sister McKay and ask her to escort the Imprinter in here as soon as possible. Or, if she is currently engaged in her duties, to let us know when she’ll be free.” Sharif turned back to the others. “We have limited requirements for an Imprinter in Southwater, so hopefully she’ll be available. But if not, I’ll arrange suitable facilities while we wait.”

  Fortunately, the Southwater Imprinter was not otherwise occupied, and soon a woman in blue entered the audience room in the company of two more Sisters. The Imprinter was a very old woman who hobbled forward unsteadily, leaning on a supportive arm. Riki guessed she had been sent to Southwater as a semi-retirement from another, busier temple. After all, how many women in the small town would want to get pregnant in any given year? However, as long as age had not damaged the Imprinter’s mind, she would still be capable of reading DNA.

  “You have need of me, Consultant?” the Imprinter asked once she had reached the group in the middle of the room.

  “Yes. Do you see these two young women? I wonder if you could tell us how closely they’re related.”

  “Of course, Consultant.”

  Riki held out her hand for the Imprinter. The ancient fingers felt loose and light, wrapping around hers. No strength remained in the grip. The mottled skin had a rough, dry texture. For three minutes, the Imprinter shut her eyes and held Riki’s hand, then moved to Tanya. Her forehead furrowed, enhancing the lacework of wrinkles. After more consideration she returned to Riki and then back to Tanya again.

  While this went on, the Sisters waited patiently. However, when the Imprinter returned to Riki for a third time, Consultant Sharif spoke up. “Can you tell us anything, Imprinter?”

  The old woman opened her eyes. “It’s very hard to be sure. I think they may have had a common ancestor, nine or ten generations ago. But I’d need more time.”

  “They couldn’t share grandmothers?”

  The Imprinter’s expression eased. “Oh no. Not anywhere near that close. The two lines have been completely separate for at least eight generations.”

  Consultant Sharif bowed her head in gratitude. “Thank you, Imprinter. That’s all we need to know. You may go.”

  Once the Imprinter and her two helpers had left, Sharif turned to Tanya. “So. Who are you?”

  “Hoo-fucking-ray. At last. This is wh—”

  “And I’d advise you to keep your tone respectful.”

  The implied threat stopped Tanya short. Her eyes darted around shiftily, and then she began again in calmer tones. “Sorry, Sister.”

  “Consultant.”

  “Oh yeah. Sorry, Consultant. My name’s Pat Oduro.”

  “And why were you on the barge?”

  “It was all the Corps’ doing, weren’t it?”

  Riki looked on, impressed. She had wondered at Tanya’s ability to act out the part, but so far the upright corporal was doing a good job of playing a lowlife thug. The dirt smeared across her face and the spikes of unkempt hair gave her the right appearance. When added to the surly leer, she looked surprisingly unlike herself. No wonder that the Sister who had sat watch in Landfall had been unwilling to confirm her identity.

  Consultant Sharif frowned. “What did the Corps do?”

  “They got me out of the lockup.”

  “Which lockup?”

  “In Landfall. Me and my mates had been in the tavern. We weren’t causing no trouble, but this other gang came on all mouthy. They started it...honest. The landlady called the Militia. And yeah, I was kicking the bitch, but she—”

  “I don’t think we’re interested in details of how you came to be in the lockup. You can save those for the magistrate. What did the Intelligence Corps do?”

  “Uh, right, Sis...Consultant.” Tanya licked her lips. “I thought I’d be up in court in the morning. But I’d only been in the lockup a short while when some women turned up. They didn’t say who they were, but the Militia were shit-scared of them. You could see it in their eyes, and there ain’t no one who scares the frigging Militia apart from the Corps. They checked out everyone, and when they saw me, they laughed and said I’d do fine.”

  “Nothing else?”

  “No. Just that. The Militia looked the other way when they took me out of the lockup. They dumped me in the wagon for an hour, then took me down to the docks. The agents said if I knew what was good for me I’d not say a word. So I didn’t. I’m not fucking stupid. I’m not crossing the Corps. But I never thought I was going to be brought down here. My mom’ll kill me when I get home. I was supposed to be—”

  “I think that’s enough.” Consultant Sharif terminated the tale.

  “I did try to say, once we were—”

  “I said, that’s enough.”

  “Oh, yeah. Right, Consultant.” Tanya ducked her head sheepishly.

  Consultant Sharif faced Riki. “There’s clearly been some confusion. As to how to proceed, if you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes to pray for guidance. Would you be so kind as to wait for me here?”

  Riki bowed. “Of course, Consultant.”

  Sharif’s gaze shifted back to Tanya, the wrinkling around her eyes making her distaste clear. “Guards. Can you take this woman to a quiet place and make sure she stays put and doesn’t cause any disturbance?”

  “Hey. Ain’t you going to send me back to Landfall?”

  Tanya’s protests were ignored, and she was bundled away. Consultant Sharif and the Landfall Sisters followed more sedately.

  Alone in the room, Riki drew a deep breath. One more step complete. Soon, very soon, she and Tanya would be on the way home to Westernfort.

  *

  “I’ve reread Chief Consultant Bakara’s letter an
d spoken to the Sisters who accompanied you from Landfall, and I now think I understand what has happened.” Consultant Sharif spoke deliberately, clearly choosing her words with care. “I’m afraid the Intelligence Corps, for some reason, have declined to hand over your cousin as agreed. We must draw the conclusion that she is still in their hands.”

  “Some might say it was the best place for her.” Riki and Consultant Sharif were the only ones in the audience room.

  “Yes, Sister Rochel said you had little sympathy with your cousin.”

  “I’m a faithful daughter of the Goddess and a devout supporter of the holy Sisters. This heretic and I may share genes, but she’s no kin of mine. Unfortunately, my grandmother doesn’t see things in quite the same way.”

  “But you agreed to do this task for her.”

  “She’s both my grandmother and my employer. If I wish to continue working in the family business, I had no choice.”

  “What were you intending to tell your grandmother when you returned to Landfall?”

  Riki pursed her lips. “What can I tell her? The Intelligence Corps still have my cousin.”

  Consultant Sharif lifted her clasped hands to where her mouth would be, behind the mask, and bowed her head, either praying or thinking. With a decision clearly reached, her eyes returned to Riki. “I won’t ask you to default in your duty to your grandmother, but as a faithful daughter of Celaeno, I’d ask you not tell anyone about this, including your grandmother or your servant, until you’ve first spoken to the Chief Consultant. If you’re agreeable, I’ll give you a letter to take to her, explaining the matter.”

  Riki hesitated, but then nodded sharply. “All right.”

  “Thank you. I believe the river barge is due to return to Landfall this evening.”

  “I’ll not be on it. The upriver journey against the current is slow, and I’ve business matters to attend to. I’ve already sent my servant ahead to reserve rooms in the Pig and Whistle for tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll take the ferry to Salsport and hire a fast carriage there.”

  “Very good. I’ll have my letter delivered to the Pig and Whistle before sunset.”

  Riki gave a polite bow of acknowledgment. “What are you going to do with the look-alike the Corps gave us?”

  “To be honest. I haven’t given the matter much thought. She doesn’t seem a suitable candidate for our facilities. The quarters were intended for a rather better class of person.” The Consultant’s tone made it plain that she did not relish the idea of looking after the ill-mannered lout for the rest of her life. “But if we release her, I’m worried she might talk.”

  “Who’d pay attention to a lowlife like her? And what could she say? Someone mistook her for someone else. I’m sure she comes out with far wilder stories when she’s drunk. And if she has any sense, she’ll keep quiet, what with the Intelligence Corps’ involvement.”

  “There is that.”

  “If you want, I’ll take her back to Landfall with me. I think the holy Sisters put up with her quite enough on the way here. I imagine they were looking forward to a calm return journey, without the foul-mouthed obscenities.”

  “It’s considerate of you to offer.”

  Riki smiled. “But if you want my best advice, I think she’s already had far more attention than she warrants. Dump her with the town Militia. I’m sure there’s room in the lockup. It’s where she belongs. If the local magistrate can’t sort the case out, she’ll have her sent back to Landfall.”

  “Yes.” Sharif drew out the word, thoughtfully. “Yes, I think you’re right. An easy solution. The town lockup.”

  *

  The Pig and Whistle was the most expensive inn at Southwater, but seeing that it was owned by the Coppellis, room rates were even less of an issue than normal, and members of the wealthy family were rarely bothered by cost. The entrance hall of the inn was lined with dark wood paneling and smelled of spice, but Riki did not have long to admire it. Noting the good cut and material of her clothes, a member of the staff descended on her almost before she was inside the door.

  “May I help you, madam?” A sickly sweet smile split the porter’s face.

  “If you could. I sent my woman along earlier to reserve rooms. My name is Devishi Tang.”

  “Ah, yes. Please follow me.”

  “You could just give directions.”

  “No, no. Let me show you the way.” The woman bobbed and nodded all the while she was speaking, with the inane smile plastered across her lips.

  Riki followed after, thinking about the recent display of sycophantic groveling that she had put on for the Sisters and Consultant. Maybe it had not been as exaggerated as she had thought. The porter was taking the act into a completely new realm. Riki wondered how rich, stupid, and arrogant the inn customers had to be before they took it all at face value.

  The porter soon stopped outside a door on the second floor. “Here you are, madam. And if there is anything at all I may do, please, there’s a bell inside that you can ring.”

  “Thank you.”

  The porter opened the door and then ducked back out of the way for Riki to enter. “There you go, madam.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It will be my privilege to help in any way I can.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And if—”

  “Yes. Thank you.” Riki shut the door firmly.

  Soft laughter came from the other side of the room. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like having your ass kissed?”

  Riki turned around, grinning. “No. At least, not by strangers.”

  “I’ll make a note of that.”

  Devishi Tang was sitting in an overstuffed chair. Her clothes were of everyday appearance and mud stained from travel, making her somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the room, which was luxurious to the point of opulence. Clear glass windows offered views over the port. Thick rugs covered the floor. The furniture was well crafted and clearly made to last for generations. The Coppelli employee, Steph, was also present, hovering in the background.

  Riki dropped into an empty chair.

  “How did it go at the temple?” Devishi asked.

  “Completely to script. Tanya should be dumped in the Militia lockup any time now. You’re going to get a letter tonight, to hand-deliver to the Chief Consultant before you tell your grandmother that the Sisters lost Tanya.”

  “Great.”

  “Yup. And do you know what’s even greater?”

  “No.”

  “I can take all this off.” Riki stood up again and stripped off first her wig, then the embroidered burgundy jacket and blue silk shirt, before starting to untie laces on the padding. Steph hurried over to assist.

  “I’ve brought some unexciting clothes for you and Tanya to wear. They’re in the bag over there.” Devishi pointed to a worn holdall in the corner.

  “Thanks. When did you get here?”

  “Just before midday. I left the carriage at Salsport.” Devishi stretched out her legs, yawning. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “I think we’ve got a Corps agent as a tail.”

  “They’re nosy little buggers, aren’t they?”

  “She might follow you back. Is she likely to hear that you drove down if she starts asking questions in Salsport?”

  “No. The carriage and horses are in a family stable. No one will spill anything.”

  Riki glanced at Steph, who was currently loosening ties in a businesslike fashion. She was typical of the Coppelli employees Riki had met in Landfall, competent, loyal, and silent, unless she had something important to say. But of course, Isabel Coppelli would not surround herself with unreliable, loose-mouthed fools.

  In a few more seconds, Riki was down to her underwear. She grinned her thanks to Steph and then knelt to rummage through the bag Devishi had brought. Suitably sized plain cotton shirt, trousers, and lightweight boots, all in neutral colors, were folded at the top. Meanwhile, Devishi had also started undressing and replacing her clothes with the
far more costly outfit that Riki had just removed.

  “I’ve booked you a room at the Old Tin Dog, down at the east end of the harbor. Give them the name of Babs Dunning,” Devishi said once both women were seated again.

  “Okay.”

  “But I think you might want to stay here and eat in this room with me and Steph. I can guarantee the food will be better. And there’ll be less chance of you being spotted if you wait until after dark to slip out.”

  “You’ve talked me into it.”

  “And while I remember.” Devishi went to another bag. “Here’s a Militia release warrant for a Patricia Oduro.”

  Riki took the offered sheet. The last time she had seen it, the paper had been blank, except for Tanya’s two fingerprints in faint boxes at the bottom. Now an official signed and stamped release warrant had been filled in around them, asserting full payment of all fines owning. Yet another example of penmanship from Isabel’s skilled forger.

  “Now for dinner.” Devishi looked down at herself and sighed. “I guess since I’m the one wearing the clothes, it’s my turn to be groveled over.”

  *

  Tanya kept up her litany of complaints as the four Guards hauled her through the doorway of the Militia station. “I can’t stay here. My mom’ll frigging—”

  “Shut up.” One of the Guards slapped the side of her head.

  Tanya flinched away, ducking her ears below shoulder level. The repeated blows would have been annoying, except they proved she was not dreaming. Grandma Izzy’s plans had worked. In just a few more minutes she would be out of the Guards’ custody. Not by escaping, but by duping them into relinquishing her. Not yet free, but one huge step closer.

  The militiawoman on duty at the station sat up straight. Judging by her bleary eyes, she had been sleeping. “What’s up?”

  “We’ve got a customer for your lockup.”

  “What’s she done?”

  “Drunk, abusive, and fighting.”

  “In the temple?” The militiawoman sounded astonished.

  “Nah. Back in Landfall.”