PANIX: Magician Spy

by Guy Antibes

  ~

  The remains of the king’s phaeton had been dumped under the roof of the hay shed. On the way, Moshin showed Panix and Harlan how the King died and the trajectory of the wagon and its occupant.

  “Should he have been killed?” Panix said.

  “Not if the wheels didn’t fail. We have an eyewitness, the only one to come forward, who said the king drove the coach very fast and, during a sharp right turn, the wheels on the left side both failed, sending the phaeton directly into a wall, killing the king instantly.”

  “So why do they think Pent did it?”

  “Boidan Tisano bought the thing from a Pent coach maker and the guards noticed a man leaving the castle, the afternoon before the accident, humming a Pentish tune. Any idiot can see the spokes were cut from the back, but anybody walking around the thing wouldn’t notice it. ”

  Panix bent down and looked at the wheels. He brought a broken spoke section out into the sunlight. A tiny glint caught his eye as he turned it and looked closer. He shut his eyes and began to analyze the sawn wood.

  “Glass. I see tiny pieces of glass in the cut. They have some kind of binding agent or glue and a touch of magic?” Panix opened his eyes and looked at the spoke. An idea popped in his head. “I’ll bet a glass-encrusted garrote cut these spokes and it left a trail of particles as it cut into the spoke.”

  Harlan picked up another partially broken spoke. “You can see how the cut was made with a line the shape of the cut.”

  “I suspect Sovad Mustak did this. It is a novel use, innovative, and something I’d expect out of him,” Moshin said. “By Abbur, it seems that novelty is bursting out all over.”

  ~

  Sovad observed the back garden from the top of the stone fence surrounding the embassy. Clouds covered the moon, making the night even darker, playing in Sovad’s favor. He sat on a thick pad of layered boiled leather that Hera gave him for protection from the broken glass on the top of the stone wall. The branches of a tree on the embassy side of the wall hid his perch.

  There were no dogs and the guard had just passed him below. He lowered himself on the rope he tied to the tree and ran to a back door to the servants’ quarters. Sovad, dressed in an approximation of the livery worn by the Korvannan servants, worked the latch open and slipped inside, locking the door behind him.

  Most of the embassy staff had already gone to bed. Sovad wore soft boots and didn’t make a sound as he made his way up the servants’ stairs to the second level. The ambassador and his wife slept in the same chamber, although each had their own suite of rooms. It only cost Sovad two mugs of ale for that information, but he faced the problem of the pair switching between the two locations at random.

  He approached Corilla’s chambers and put his head to the door. No sound came through. He bent down and looked under the door and could see no light. Telling himself he could always return, he crept to the ambassador’s rooms. He stood at the door, hearing nothing, and then bent down again to see if they were awake. He thought he saw the light turn dark, but he had no way to be sure.

  Sovad slipped into an alcove and thought about what to do. The hidden passages led from one room to another. He had memorized the path. A locked door represented no real obstacle and he quickly entered an empty room. The couple must be sleeping together in his chambers. How convenient they were together, but that also meant if he wasn’t quick, he’d be fighting two agents at the same time. It didn’t take long for Sovad to find the catch to the hidden door. Darkness urged him on. He slipped in and made a little light out of air. He noted the location of the catch to make sure he get out should he have to exit this way in a hurry.

  The path went down a narrow stairway, under the hallway and back up to the other level. Sovad knew the path to Corilla’s secret entrance. He didn’t hear anything but they must have been sleeping if they weren’t in the other room.

  He eased the door open. The tiniest of lights cupped in the palm of his hand gave enough illumination to keep him from tripping over furniture. He could see two forms underneath the covers.

  Did he really want to kill the Westters? He knew he didn’t. He’d tried to justify their deaths in his mind and had a hard time doing it. It certainly wasn’t that he was squeamish or even that they were Korvannan. He had no trouble with Panix’s father five years ago but then the father was a councilor committed to foment a revolution in Helvanna, Murgontia’s client state. No. These Westter deaths meant nothing. The mission was bereft of honor and unnecessary, yet Sovad fought with his need to follow Nirov’s orders.

  Two airlights appeared by the fireplace. Tobet and Corilla Westter stood with swords at their sides, surprising Sovad. They weren’t in the room when he first came in. In the light, he saw the humps on the bed weren’t people.

  “Why did you pause? You could have run through the piles of our clothes and left.”

  Sovad laughed. “I was wondering if I wanted to.” As he talked he sauntered over to the secret passage. “Do I want to kill two people who aren’t really involved in all of this? Upon reflection, I don’t think I have the taste for it tonight.”

  He bolted towards the door as Tobet slashed at this arm. Sovad ignored the cut as he bolted the door behind him. Sovad heard them struggling with the secret door. At the bottom of the stairs, Sovad stood for a second collecting his wits. He could go up to Tobet’s chamber, but one or both of them would be waiting for him there. He decided to head for the servant’s pantry.

  He pulled out one of the long silk handkerchiefs he always kept handy on a job and quickly bound his arm, and then he ran to another set of stairs and down to the pantry. He exited into an empty room, and then he threw himself down the garbage chute into the root cellar and landed in a cart filled with rotting vegetables and other garbage. He reeled a little from the smell and jumped off the cart.

  Straightening his bandage, he cast a light to find the utility door leading out of the embassy, secured from the inside. Sovad smiled as he quickly pulled out another handkerchief and tied the end of the latch, keeping it up while he slipped through. He let the bar down and pulled the handkerchief through the door’s gap. Let them try and find how he got out. Lights came on inside the embassy as Sovad found his rope and climbed up and over the fence. He had to tug to get his boiled leather pad from over the cut glass at the top of the wall and took it with him.

  Shortly after he returned to his hiding place, Hera knocked at his door soon after he returned. “Any luck?”

  “The worse kind. I froze, thinking I didn’t want to kill these people. I couldn’t come up with a good reason after all,” Sovad snorted. “I walked into their bedroom. No one was about. I stood at the foot of their bed debating with myself. Then two airlights appeared and I could see they pushed clothes under the covers to look like their bodies. I fell for the oldest trick in the manual. I didn’t even try to kill them. I bantered, ran and got this for my trouble.” He showed Hera the gash in his arm.

  “You want me to sew it up for you? I don’t think you’re wanting to go to a healer,” she said, pinching the wound.

  “I think it’s bled well enough and yes, you can be my body’s seamstress.” Sovad gave her a half smile. “Let me have some liquor first. Sew it nice and tight. Tomorrow, I’ll have a talk with Nirov.”

  ~~~

  Chapter 26

  Moshin came in from outside, “Nothing. He’s gone. Do we know how he got out?”

  Tobet shook his head. “He didn’t go through any doors we could see and all the windows are locked from the inside, though I’m sure he’s not here. Corilla and I went through all the passages from different entries. I agree with you that he is gone.”

  “I don’t understand why he just stood there. If he were quick, he would have poked the blankets once and ran off. He was so silent, we wouldn’t have caught up to him.” Corilla said.

  “You know, dear, all of that babbling about honor and not wanting to kill us might not have been just a stall tactic. He might be conflic
ted,” Corilla said, taking the arm of her husband.

  “Anybody should be if they are taking orders from Nirov Kyrod,” her husband said. Moshin couldn’t help but agree.

  ~

  At dawn the next morning, Moshin took Panix and Harlan outside and walked the grounds together.

  “A field lesson for you both. We are going to walk around the grounds and examine them for signs of Sovad. Look for anything that seems out of place.”

  The three men started at the front gate and made their way around the grounds.

  “He’d have to come over the wall,” Harlan said. A tree shielding the top of the wall came into view as the pair rounded a corner. “How many trees touch the top of the fence?” Good for Harlan. Panix didn’t know what to do in this situation.

  “I think that’s the only one. Do you need a ladder?” Moshin asked.

  “Not yet. Let’s see if there are any footprints.” Harlan looked down at the gravel.

  They carefully looked at the gravel around the tree. “I think he came this way. See how this particular spot is more disturbed. He probably jumped from up there and landed here, or came down on a rope. Where would he have come from?” Harlan said.

  He bent down and looked at the gravel from ground level. “See the line of footsteps leading here? So we follow the footsteps back.”

  “I see how we’re supposed to approach this.” Panix pointed down to a single print. “Only the top of the foot. He was running in the direction of the tree.” They sighted the line along the house until they came to a short ramp leading to a wooden door below grade.

  “That must be where he came out.” Moshin ran to the door to open it, but the door was barred from the inside.

  Panix looked closely at the door. He sensed the wood and barely sensed the silk fibers embedded on the door. “Let’s go inside and see where this door is.”

  They entered a kitchen door and walked through the kitchens. A servant showed them where the garbage door was. They picked up Lorna and Corilla along the way.

  “This stinks,” Lorna said waving her hand in front of her face.

  “It’s the garbage cellar, what do you expect? Garbage comes down that chute into the cart over there and out this door,” Corilla said, smiling with her arms folded.

  Panix examined the door and the hinged latch that secured the door. He sensed silk fibers on the end of the bar right where the door was. “He went through this door, holding up the bar with silk cloth and the intruder released it after he went through. At night, you’d never know and continue to look inside, giving him enough time to get far away.”

  Harlan walked over to the garbage cart. “Now that we know he came through here, you can see the garbage splattered all over. I’d say he jumped down the chute and got out the door. No lock on the chute door.”

  “Clever man,” Corilla said, looking at the garbage cart and the chute. “At least he took a bath in all of that refuse.”

  “I think we need to find him before he strikes again.” Moshin looked at Panix and Lorna. “Why don’t you two team up again and find him. You are the only people who know what he looks like. I need to spend more training time with Harlan.”

  Panix looked at Lorna. “Do you want another mission? This one could be just as dangerous.”

  Lorna’s eyes flashed. “Someone needs to uphold Pentish honor with Blox fleeing and Pent accused of killing the King. I’m sure the Marquessa wants action and since I’ve already retrieved the paperwork from the Embassy and the Westters have their people going over them and I’ve certainly go the time.”

  “Moshin, I want to see what we can find on top of the fence.” Panix felt the need for more clues. Anyone could have a silk neckerchief or scarf. He detected the tiniest fibers.

  They all walked outside and gathered underneath the fence. A servant leaned a ladder against the wall, by the overhanging tree branches. Panix walked up to the top and pushed away the branches, examining the ugly shards of glass embedded in the mortar of the wall. He noticed scrapings of leather on the tops of the glass and pulled the largest one off of a shard. On the other side of the wall was a cobbled lane. There would be no traces there.

  As he walked down he asked Moshin, “Where would you find a large piece of leather? Maybe boiled leather. Look at this.”

  Moshin looked at the tiny fragment. “A tanner would make boiled leather.” He looked at Panix and asked, “Do you think you can identify this by looking at another piece?”

  “Yes, I do. Sovad draped a large piece of thick leather on top of the glass to get over. Perhaps this fragment will help us find him. Lorna and I will start making inquiries today.” He looked at Lorna. “If that works for you.”

  She made a funny face at Panix. He guessed that she answered yes.

  ~

  Jorlan Roccoa sat alone at the end of a table long enough to seat twenty, eating his midday meal when Nirov barged into his dining room.

  “When are you going to be crowned?” Nirov hardly contained his anger.

  “It hasn’t been decided yet. Moshin Twent and Boidan Tisano said they have proof that Murgontia did it. Something about glass in the wood? I didn’t understand it exactly, but my coronation is definitely on hold. Where is your friend?”

  “When I heard about the delay, I left him in my rooms. Why would they detect glass in the wood?” Jorlan continued eating, glancing up at the thinking Murgontian between bites.

  “I was told some great magician from Pent found the glass. Did you assasin use something made out of glass to cut the wheels?” Jorlan said. “Sit down. Let us eat and discuss our plans.” He gave Nirov a companionable smile.

  Nirov couldn’t help but sneer at the man. His anger rose and merely replied, “No.” and turned around and left.

  When Nirov returned to his rooms, Divvid was talking to the messenger from General Crissor. “What is this?” Nirov’s mood had not improved from his meeting with Jorlan Roccoa.

  “Bad news, I’m afraid. The General turned the army back.” Divvid walked to the sideboard and poured wine for himself and Nirov.

  “I didn’t give him any such instructions. He defied me!” Nirov took the proffered wine and drained it at a gulp. He read the message. “You go back and tell him to turn around this instant!” Nirov yelled at the soldier. “I don’t care about any Pentish magician sabotaging the road. I don’t care if it’s only the General, who makes it to the border. I want a Murgontian in Pent!”

  The messenger turned to Nirov, “Sir, the general gave me explicit instructions to tell you verbally, if you expressed disapproval, that his decision is unalterable. His responsibility is ultimately to his men and to Murgontia.”

  Nirov struck the messenger in the face. “Leave. Tell your general that I will take care of him in Murgon.” He glared as the general’s man walked out. Nirov needed another drink, walking to the sideboard and pouring liquor instead of wine into a small glass.

  “Your meeting with Jorlan didn’t turn out too well?”

  “An understatement. A wizard found glass in the spokes. With that information it won’t take a magician to realize that someone used a Murgontian garrote to cut through the wood. They’ve put off any decision on the coronation until the investigation is complete.” The room seemed smaller. Why is this happening to me? I don’t deserve this.

  “No army, no friendly leader in Gerellia. I think it’s time to withdraw, Nirov. Your plans have crumbled around you.” Divvid rose from his seat.

  The door opened and Sovad strolled in. “I thought I’d report. I failed to kill the Korvannan Ambassador and his wife. They were on to me and I barely escaped with my life. I told you not to underestimate them.”

  Nirov threw his glass against the wall. “I will not accept defeat. You will go back and kill them. Murgontia needs revenge.”

  “Revenge for what?” Sovad said. “Korvanna isn’t directly involved in this.”

  How could the insufferable man act so calm? Nirov let his temper approach an uncontr
ollable state. It felt right to feel the anger.

  “General Crissor is headed back to Murgontia and the Gerellians know you cut through the axles with your garrote.” Divvid looked pleased to give his father the bad news.

  “How could they possibly find out?” Sovad said as Nirov continued to pace back and forth.

  “Pentish magicians. One sabotaged the road leading to Pent and another found out about glass in the spokes.” Nirov pounded on the sofa with both fists. “And much of it is your fault, Sovad.” Nirov now let himself lose his self-control and it felt good. “I’m going to make you pay for your repeated failures. I told you: kill the Korvannans or you will have to answer to me.” Nirov drew his sword. He focused on his desire to hurt Sovad as much as he could.

  Sovad backed away from Nirov. “I’m not killing the ambassador for revenge. I’ll just leave you, since you have Divvid here to console you.”

  Nirov lunged, but missed Sovad. He focused all of his rage, all of his frustration, from failure to failure on the assasin. Sovad didn’t carry a sword, but he pulled a long knife out of his boot and wrapped a silk handkerchief around his other hand. Divvid made a half-hearted attempt to stop his father. It only took one swipe with the knife and a vicious look to force Divvid to a corner to stand and watch the fight.

  Sovad backed away as Nirov took a wild swipe at Sovad, cutting a slice into his coat. Sovad moved around and threw a metal goblet at Nirov’s head. The missile struck true. Nirov stood and put his hand to his head and went nearly senseless as he gazed at his hand filled with blood.

  Sovad lunged with his knife as Nirov paused. Nirov’s sword barely turned aside the blade. Sovad grabbed the sword with his wrapped hand and, with a practiced backhanded slash, sliced through Nirov’s neck.