Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) (15 page)

Ticca was in shock. “Um, yes, Great Lady. He trained me from a babe in the ways of tracking. When I was ten years old my father died, and I stopped pretending I wanted any other life than that of a Dagger. Uncle taught me everything he could. When it was obvious I had talent and was going to do this he called on an old friend to train me as he could not.”

“Who did he call on?”

Looking around Ticca noted who was listening. “I cannot say, Great Lady. I called him only Trainer.”

The Great Lady looked at her thoughtfully for a second then drew a line from her left ear down to the base of her neck and said softly, “With wiry silver hair?”

Ticca tried to hide her surprise but the Great Lady nodded knowingly. “Indeed, you will do well here.” Looking at the wizard she nodded again, “Yes, I believe this is right. Ticca, when you come to the end — and you will know when that is — should you still live, please come back and see me. I wish to know the results, and I do dearly wish to hear of your Uncle.”

Ticca nodded agreement.
That sounds ominous. But this is already a surprising couple of days. What more can happen?

“When Journeyman Lebuin wakes he will be weak. Also he will be unable to use magic for a time. Please tell him to not push it too fast. Mages are a stubborn lot and often injure themselves again by too soon trying to control their magics. We have done all we can. He will live, be healthy, and in time be able to do all he was able to this morning and likely more.”

The Great Lady put her hand on Ticca’s shoulder again. “Ticca of Rhini Wood, although you already have been touched by Lady Dalpha, I give you my own blessing. Be well and come back when you can.” With that she walked away through the inner door to the Temple.

Looking at Journeyman Lebuin, she saw the old man had stopped praying and was looking at her.

“You said something about payment?”

Laughing a little, he said, “You did get him here pretty fast. Yes, but I have little of my own. You may have it all if you desire.”

Shaking her head, she pointed at the sleeping mage. “He can pay when he wakes up. If he cannot use magic for a time I think he would like my services, especially if there are more Knives out to cut him up. I doubt he’ll get so lucky a second time. So for now I’ll assume I remain in his service through you. What is your name, by the by?”

The old man stood up and formally held out his arm. “I am Ditani of Agash, servant to Magus Vestul and currently in service to Journeyman Lebuin while we hunt for Magus Vestul.”

Ticca looked at him as if he had two heads for a moment, making him look nervously back.
Magus Vestul, like the one in my dream?
Taking his arm, she said, “I am Ticca of Rhini Wood, Dagger in your service.” Letting go, she squatted by him as he kneeled at Lebuin’s head. “So tell me, what is going on?”

Ditani told an amazing tale. Ticca memorized the whole story and probed for more details. In the end she was still not sure if Magus Vestul was the one from her dream. She wasn’t even sure if her dream was real, but it felt real. “Well, I think you have found the right Dagger for your needs. Why don’t you stay here and tend to our employer and let me do what I do best, meaning track down your missing Magus Vestul.”

“That sounds like a good plan to me.”

“I need some coin to grease the wheels.”

Looking a little nervous Ditani shook his head and pulled out a neat little coin purse. “I have not much.”

Ticca eyed the pouch.
Lady, I cannot take this poor man’s last coin.
Then looking at the belt pouch still on Lebuin, she smiled. “Lebuin has already dropped coin to help, yes?”

Ditani nodded. “Yes he paid Genne three chera to learn who was asking after Magus Vestul.”

Trying not to laugh, Ticca looked at Ditani and then at the sleeping Lebuin. “Three chera! Are you serious! Lady help me, that is ridiculous. I’ll have to have a word with Genne and get some back. That was far too much.” Reaching out, she flipped Lebuin’s pouch open and pulled out the coin purse.

“Ticca! You cannot do that!” Ditani protested.

“I’m not taking it all. Just …” Looking inside she practically choked on the amount of silver it held.
Oh my, he must be really rich. I’ll have to think about what to charge him.
Of the many coins she spied a number of silver crosses, “… two crosses.” She plucked out the two silver coins and put the purse back in Lebuin’s pouch. Ditani was practically stuttering with outrage.

“Look, you can have an accounting of it. Plus I should have an upfront fee. We’ll get this all sorted out later. First I need to change these to smaller coins. Stay here. I don’t want him traveling outside unprotected. When I get back we’ll go to my room at the Blue Dolphin and talk the rest of this through.” Standing, she moved to grab her pack.

“Wait, did you say your room at the Blue Dolphin? You live there?”

“Yes, I have a room and table. Anything more, or can I get to work?” Ditani looked thoughtful for a minute and then he smiled the first smile she had seen on him.
He actually looks a lot better with a smile. Funny how so small a thing can change a character so much.
Looking at the sleeping wizard, she thought,
Actually when he isn’t burning people to char he’s kinda pretty.
I think I’m going to enjoy this commission.
Pointing at Lebuin, she sternly added, “I’m serious, don’t let him leave here. I’ll be back in a few marks.” Grabbing her pack she strode out without looking back.
This should be easy. A great mage cannot just disappear.

Looking down the street she saw a detachment of guards walking straight for the hospice.
And now I earn my coin.
Swinging her pack over her shoulder, she took up a position at the top stair, right in their path. Standing authoritatively, she rested her hand lightly on her sword hilt and put on the carefully practiced ‘military commander’ face she had been taught. Speaking first, as the guards climbed the steps, she took the initiative away from the captain. “Captain, glad you made it here. Have you taken care of the trouble in the market?”

The captain scowled at her commanding tone and stopped, looking her over, his eyes landing on her dagger. Looking up directly at her face from his position two steps down, his scowl remained as he took another step up, but did not step up on level.
Good boy, stay in the junior position. That will make this easier.

“Ma’am, were you the one who took the wounded mage away?”

Nodding, she took in the other five guards.
Bringing a lot of backup with you. Must be a little worried. I would be too if I had to follow someone who made that pile of char in the market.
All of the guards looked a little stern and tense.
They are expecting a fight. A proper explanation should put us all at ease.
“Yes, I witnessed the whole thing. A Knife attempted to kill the Journeyman with a hard attack to his back. When confronted, the Knife actually stood and tried a second time. The Journeyman defended himself and was wounded badly enough to need assistance. He hired me to get him here and to deal with the situation.”
A bit of a stretch, but I don’t want anyone to know how bad he really is.

The captain considered the explanation, and then looked at her dagger again. “Can I find you again?”

She gave him a long cold stare as if he were stepping over the line and really should know better.
I need the Knives to come after me first; so here is a good opportunity to let them know I’m in the way now.
“I’m Ticca. You can find me anytime you like at the Blue Dolphin, just leave a message with Genne.”

He weathered her look well and wasn’t fazed. “Show me your key.”

Smart and brave lad this one. Need to get to know him a bit better. He’ll be promoted soon.
She covertly set the clasp to the right point while toying with her sword with the other hand. All of the guards were following the sword’s motion. Opening her pouch, she produced the key. All of the guards’ eyes went a little wider seeing the special key, including the captain. “Anything more, Captain?”

He considered it for a moment.
Now he isn’t so sure which way to jump.
“May I know the Journeyman’s name?”

Ticca considered the question.
A fair question, and whoever hired the Knife already knows who he is. Plus they’ll know he hired me by now, there is really no need to conceal it.
“Journeyman Lebuin of the Guild of Argos. He is of this Guildhouse. As long as we are exchanging names, I didn’t catch yours, Captain…?”

He smiled, “Forio. I’ll report this as reasonable defense. Thank you, Ticca. Mayhap I’ll see you again.” The guards visibly relaxed. Forio turned and motioned for them to follow.
And that takes care of any further interruptions for the afternoon, I hope.
She watched the guards turn back towards the market and walk out of sight before she moved. Slowly, and with authoritative steps, she strode down the stair and turned toward the market.
First, need to turn this coin into something spendable. Next, I need to talk to the people this Magus Vestul went to see.

At the edge of the market she saw it had already gotten back to full swing. Looking around she saw a well-dressed sweetmeat vendor in a clean painted cart.
Just what I needed.
Walking up to him she saw some noble ladies moving away with sweetmeats in hand. He saw her coming and had a fresh strip out on the small counter. “Sweetmeat, M’lady?” he smiled.

Pouting slightly, she eyed the candy. “I’d love one, but I only have a cross left after all my purchases.”

He smiled. “Oh, that is no problem M’lady, the price is only a pence but I have sold enough to make change.”

A full pence, oh my you are used to higher-class customers, aren’t you.
Still, not arguing would make this faster. “Oh wonderful.” She batted her eyes at him. Producing the cross for him to see, she added, “Can you give me all pence?”

His eyes looked surprised but his smile never wavered. “More shopping in order, I presume? In fact I can.” He counted out the change with experienced hands, didn’t cheat, handed her the sweetmeat, and gave her a cheerful farewell in the space of a few moments.

Choosing a route that would not take her past where the attack had happened, she moved through the market efficiently. A few simple inquiries provided the leads she needed and in only a couple of marks she had reconstructed the old wizard’s day before he vanished. Standing where she was sure he had been, she scanned the area for what could possibly attract him next.
OK, old man, you have spent the day pulling together essentially nothing important. It is still early evening, the sun would be slipping down, putting the street in shadows. You’re probably a little tired from carrying a sack over your shoulder — where do you go next? You have a room at the Dolphin. Dinner is soon and you haven’t eaten since morning… and you have little to worry about, being a powerful wizard.

Turning in the direction of the Blue Dolphin, she walked slowly, trying to imagine herself as the old wizard. In a short distance a possible stop came up. There was a corner arit and tobac shop with some tables in a little fenced off area adjacent to the street. She walked over and sat down, and a very short woman shaped like a hyly barrel came over.

“Ullo, ullo! Bid thee welcome. Arit? Tobac? Offer thee excellent cigar.”

Ticca smiled warmly at the lady. “Arit and a very excellent, but smooth cigar.” Showing a handful of pence, she added, “An excellent cigar.”

The lady smiled deeply and rushed off. Moments later she was back with a tray on which sat three cigars, a thick walled cup that smelled wonderful, a cigar knife and a miniature brazier. Ticca picked up the cigars each in turn, examining them and smelling the fine tobac. Selecting one with a scent that reminded her of her Uncle, she cut the tip and the lady assisted her in lighting the cigar with the brazier. The lady left the cup on the table and took care of another customer, and came around refilling and warming her cup of arit as needed. When her cigar was down to the final third, she came back and stood politely to one side, not blocking the view of the street.

“Lady, offer thee another?”

Smiling, she said, “Please wrap three of them up for me. I really like them.”

The lady left and came back with a small parcel wrapped in thick paper. “Lady, three pence each, if you please.”

Ticca counted out the twelve pence and then added three more. “For your fine service; this was marvelous.”

The lady bowed. “Pray thee return anytime. Offer thee something else?”

“Actually, I am curious, day before last, did an older man in dark violet shirt, brown leggings, and worn shoes stop by here? He may have been wearing a straw hat and carrying a sack.”

The lady smiled wide. “Indeed yes, he was such a gentle soul. Enjoyed sweet, sweet arit and like our pipe tobac much. He bought fine grey pipe and some tobac. You know him? Please bring him ‘round again. He told me funny stories for almost two full marks past closing.”

Got your trail, wizard.
She smiled. “I am glad to have found where he got that tobac. I thought maybe so, as you have such a good reputation. Might I have some of that as well? I have a friend that would enjoy it.”

She nodded and went inside for a short span, returning with another paper-wrapped package. “It is our finest. For you, I ask only another pence.”

Ticca paid her and stood up, smelling the packet of tobac.
Oh, it does smell wonderful.
“Which way did he go from here? I am a little turned around.”