"Why is that?" Tarrin asked curiously, trying to shunt aside his fears for Sulasia.
"The Sulasian Tower doesn't work with the kingdom," Jander told him. "The Sharadite Tower is the kingdom. Sharadar is ruled by a Sorceress, Alexis Firehair. Stygia got their usual butt-stomping by the Sharadite Tower when they landed their marines on Sharadar's northern coast."
"How could they do that?" he asked.
"Tarrin, the Sulasian Tower has a thousand Sorcerers at the most," Miranda told him. "The Tower in Sharadar has tens of thousands of Sorcerers among its number, and that doesn't even count the priests and arcane mages also living in the kingdom, attracted there by the receptive nature of Sharadar to magic and learning. They have a literal army of magicians. Few armies can stand up to that for long."
"I guess not," he agreed after a moment.
"So, the world has become a keg of gunpowder with a lit fuse," Miranda summed up.
"More or less. As to local matters, I suggest you keep a low profile, and I heavily suggest you don't go out alone, Tarrin."
"Why is that, Jander?"
"There's been a rash of pet murders, Miranda," Jander said seriously. "Someone's been going around and killing cats with silver-tipped arrows."
The importance of that wasn't lost on Tarrin. Someone thought he was here, and they were trying to kill him. It wasn't much of a surprise, but it seemed a little bit of a surprise in that it was the first time in a long while he was certain that people were out to get him, people who knew exactly who and what he was, and how to best eliminate him.
"You can't find a cat anywhere in Tor, and the rat population has absolutely exploded as a result," Jander said sourly. "I even found one in my bed a few days ago. The people who own the cats that are still alive won't let them out. There's been no absolute proof, but it looks like the kii'zadun is behind it. A group of men arrived here last month and hired every cutthroat and thief they could find, with orders to kill any cat-like Wikuni they found. Needless to say, tensions among our own people are very high right now, because they're still out there. The idea of killing cats seems like a logical next step, and is probably being done by the same group."
"Maybe. Whoever ordered it certainly knows Tarrin," Miranda said thoughtfully. "Or knows about him."
"Half the world knows about you now, kid," Jander told him seriously. "Your description has been floated around for nearly four months."
"What do they say about him?"
"Only that he's the Tower's horse," Jander replied. "Since they know so much about the Firestaff, half the world wants to kill you to keep you from finding it, and the other half wants to either capture you or follow you so you can lead them to it."
Tarrin was quiet and very sober. It was nothing really new, just confirmation of what he and Dolanna had quietly feared would happen.
"The kii'zadun has gotten maniacal about killing him, though," Jander added, looking at Tarrin. "I think they hold you personally responsible for what happened in Suld. There's a ten thousand crown price on your head." He leaned back in his chair. "They've hired most of the thugs and murderers in Tor, and they're all looking for you, the Selani, and the Princess. I suggest all of you stay out of sight."
"I'll see to that, Jander," Miranda said professionally. "Is Damon Eram still chasing us?"
He nodded. "That hasn't changed. He's even ordered the private ships of the nobles to hunt for her, but they don't know where she is now. They caught the Star of Jerod and searched it, but she wasn't there. The captain told them he'd put you all off in Dayise, so they're back at the beginning. With all the ships that leave Dayise, you could be anywhere." He chuckled. "And now she's in my backyard. I'm sure you realize how much trouble I can get into if they find out I know she's here, but didn't tell anyone."
"You enjoy the danger," Miranda said with a cheeky grin. "Besides, you'll be in even more danger if you blab. I still have those scissors."
Jander chuckled and winked at the mink Wikuni.
"They didn't hurt Kern, did they?" Tarrin asked in concern.
"The captain? Of course not," he replied. "They have orders to find the Princess, not sink every ship they cross. I'm sure the King isn't too happy that this Kern transported her, but then again, he probably had no idea who he had on board until it was too late. I certainly wouldn't take on such a dangerous passenger willingly."
"That's a relief," Tarrin sighed. Kern wasn't exactly a friend, but he had been a solid man, and Tarrin respected him. He didn't want to see anything bad befall him because of the fact that he had taken them to Dayise.
"I think that's about it," Miranda said. "How is life behind a desk suiting you, Jander?" she asked curiously.
"It's not as exciting as the Service, but it has its moments," he replied. "Instead of skulking around with a dagger, now I play wordgames and diplomatic chess with Torian lackeys."
"Sounds safer."
"It is, but it's still not quite as fun as the Service. Before, we kept score by staying alive. Here, it's more a contest of reputation, rumor, and hearsay."
"You can keep it," Miranda said calmly.
"Why don't you come join me?" he asked. "I still have a place open in my staff for you."
"I'm sure it also includes a place in your bed," Miranda winked.
"Well, I'm sure you wouldn't find the idea to be repulsive," he said calmly.
"I was never meant to settle down, Jander," she told him with a gentle smile. "In a way, I'm already married. It's just to my job."
"Ah well, one can always try," he sighed, then he stood up. "I think the two of you had best get back to where you belong. If I stay in closed doors with strangers too long, certain people may get curious, and I'm sure that's something you'd prefer to avoid."
"No doubt there," Miranda said as she stood. Jander escorted them to the door, where he took Miranda's hands and gave her a lick on the cheek. "You keep yourself well, Miranda."
"I always do, Jander," she replied, patting him on the cheek.
"What was that all about?" Tarrin finally asked after they had left the building.
"Jander has a crush on me," she replied matter-of-factly, almost as if she were discussing the weather. "I used to use that against him, back when he worked for Damon Eram."
"That's mean, Miranda, playing with his affection like that."
"I told you once before, Tarrin, I'm not a nice girl," she told him with a wink. "In my line of work, love is a weakness to be exploited. I'm not about to ignore such an available opportunity."
"Sounds lonely."
"It can be, but the rewards do occasionally make up for it," she told him.
"How far did you have to go to do your job?" he asked in a hesitant curiosity.
"Are you working around to asking me if I had to flip my skirt?" she asked, then she laughed. "Sometimes I forget how naive you are, Tarrin. I'm not a virgin, if that's what you're asking. Sometimes luring a mark into bed was part of what had to be done to get information. And it's not an entirely unpleasant thing to do, you know. The right mark can make it very entertaining."
Tarrin blushed, and looked away from her. That made her laugh harder.
"Come on, admit it. I know you're not as pure as you're trying to make me believe. That Were-cat blood of yours runs even hotter than ours. I've heard yours and Allia's little discussions about that."
"You're impossible."