“That’s a serious charge. Do you have any proof?” His tone was skeptical.
“Not much. The local taudischef came out and told us that the men weren’t his. They weren’t Horazt’s, either. Beyond that, it’s unlikely that I’ll ever have any proof. That doesn’t make it any less true.”
“As far as the Collegium goes, Rhennthyl, only that which can be proved is true.”
“Would you rather I not report what I can’t prove?”
“No. If you feel you have to tell me, just say that it’s a possibility without proof. Never put anything in writing without proof behind it.”
“Yes, sir. I’d like to report, verbally, that five taudis-toughs fired pistol shots at us, then assaulted us with pointed iron bars and that it is a possibility that they acted under orders from taudischef Youdh. The word among the other taudischefs, which is only rumor, is that Youdh and Captain Harraf have an arrangement of some sort, and that Captain Harraf and Youdh also have a similar arrangement with the Equalifier priests of Puryon.”
“You know, Rhennthyl, it might be better if you were somewhat more circumspect in your speech.”
“That might be, sir, but it’s rather difficult to be circumspect when so many people are trying to kill one, and when one has been informed that such problems are strictly one’s own.”
“The Collegium, as you well know, cannot take a position that will endanger all imagers, now and in the future, for the sake of one.”
“I understand that. Perfectly. I would ask, sir, that you not expect me to show great pleasure about that policy. While I understand its need, it does present certain rather significant difficulties for me.” Not to mention for my family, but there wasn’t any point in declaring that.
“All imagers face difficulties. That is the nature of the world in which we find ourselves. You might remember that you are far from the first to be placed in such a situation.”
I barely managed to refrain from asking that if there had been so many in that position, why the Collegium had not done something about it.
“Rhennthyl . . . although you should have asked, it is proper to take a duty coach in the morning. You are undertaking duty.”
“Thank you for the clarification, sir.”
“Do you have anything else to report?”
“Elveweed use is continuing to rise, but mainly in the taudis area controlled by Youdh.”
“That’s not surprising. He has connections to more smugglers. Anything else?”
“No, sir.”
“I may not be around for a time. If I’m gone for more than a week, get in touch with Master Schorzat.” With that, he nodded a dismissal at me.
I left, and I didn’t close the door behind me.
Then I made my way back to my quarters, where I tried on the formal wear that I’d have to wear to the Council’s Autumn Ball. It fit. I hung the coat and trousers up in the wardrobe in my sleeping chamber, which held little enough, and settled into the chair behind my writing desk. While I had some ideas for dealing with Ryel, I knew I could not implement them until something else happened that could be linked to Ryel, and I had no ideas-except the most unpalatable-for handling Harraf and Mardoyt.
I frowned. I couldn’t be certain just how guilty Harraf was, not for sure. I paused, knowing that there was something . . . something I wasn’t quite seeing.
Finally, I shook my head. I knew Mardoyt was definitely fixing charges and pocketing golds. I could start there . . . and Horazt might be able to help.
26
On Vendrei, Alsoran and I finished the last round at half a quint before fourth glass, and I was on my way out of the station even before the glass struck, heading up toward South Middle to see if I could find Horazt or one of his toughs who could locate him. Of course, because I was finally working out something, where time might be a factor, I didn’t see anyone except elvers on stoops and bent women with baskets and laundry, and a handful of boys who scurried away when they caught sight of the blue patroller’s cloak.
So I opted for the fallback plan, and that was to go to Chelya’s place. After two wrong turns, I came to what I thought was her door. I rapped several times. Finally, it eased open, just a crack.
I opened my cloak to let the imager’s gray show. “Shault’s doing well. That’s not why I came.”
Someone widened the crack, if just slightly, and enough light fell on her face for me to confirm that Chelya stood there.
“I need to talk to Horazt, but I don’t know how to reach him. If you see him, I’d like to meet him on South Middle on Solayi at the first glass of the afternoon.”
She just looked at me.
“I’m asking a favor, one I’ll pay for. I need some information from Horazt, and nothing that would hurt him or you. Would a silver help?”
I thought she nodded, and I extended a silver. She took it, almost reluctantly, as if she disliked being beholden to me, even for a service.
“I will see what I can do, Master Rhennthyl.”
“You will come to see Shault a week from Solayi, won’t you?”
“If it does not rain or snow I will come.”
“He may not say so, but he would be glad to see you.”
There might have been a hint of a smile behind the sadness in her face, but then, I might have imagined it.
“Thank you.” I inclined my head to her.
She inclined her head in return and slowly closed the door.
As I headed back toward South Middle, I hoped that Horazt would be there on Solayi. One way or another, I’d find him, but Solayi would be better, far better, than later.
On the way out of the taudis, I still saw no one who looked like one of Horazt’s men. Once I was back on South Middle, headed west, as I passed Dugalle, I could see a pair of patrollers ahead. As they neared, I recognized Huerl and Koshal, heading eastward.
“Good evening,” I offered.
The two stopped, although Koshal glanced past me, as if to indicate that they had rounds to make. I ignored the glance and smiled politely.
“Evening, Master Rhennthyl,” offered Huerl.
“I was wondering if anything ever came of those two who killed themselves that night I patrolled with you.”
“No, sir. Never heard anything.” Koshal looked past me again.
“Have you noticed any spread of elvers into your patrol round? Or any more break-ins?”
“No, sir.”
“Thank you. I wondered because some of the taudis-toughs have been attacking folks outside their usual territories.”
“Alsoran said something about that,” replied Huerl.
“He thought that Youdh might be trying to expand his territory, and the word seems to be that he’s not happy about something.”
The two exchanged glances.
“Hadn’t heard that, sir,” said Koshal. “Wouldn’t be good, that wouldn’t.”
“I won’t keep you. I’d just wondered if you’d seen anything like that.”
“No, sir.”
I kept a pleasant smile on my face and nodded, then continued back up South Middle.
It took longer than usual to hail a hack, possibly because the wind had picked up, and a light rain had begun to fall. That meant that I was more than a little late for dinner, close to half a glass, but when I entered the dining hall, Maitre Dyana beckoned for me to join her.
“Thank you,” I said as I took the seat to her left.
“I’m glad to see that you’re actually working late. You were working, I trust?”
“Searching out information, at least.” I decided on hot tea because the wind and rain had picked up and I had gotten chilled on the walk across the Bridge of Hopes and the quadrangle.
“That’s always a start, but only a start.” She smiled, passing the platter of curried ribs. “Most people don’t respond to information by itself. They tend to dismiss it if it doesn’t fit their opinions, or ignore it in favor of those facts presented by someone who is more powerful.”
“You’re suggesting information is useful only in determining what action to take, then?”