“Do I know why they are after you?” Mellitha made a note on a clean, square-cut leaf of reed paper. “These people aren’t exactly making themselves popular but the Watch aren’t too inclined to arbitrate in private quarrels.”
“I’d rather you didn’t mention us at all,” objected Shiv.
I certainly agreed with that. “Don’t involve us. Just say they were out for robbery, rape, stirring up trouble to discredit the current authorities, whatever you think will be most unpopular and get them stamped on as soon as they show their faces again.”
Mellitha smiled. “We’ve got elections due at greater full moon. I think I can hint they might be in the pay of a couple of people with a vested interest in unnerving the populace.”
“That should hobble them for a while.” Viltred’s expression lightened with malevolent satisfaction.
“A round of chimes should be all we need.” Livak’s impatience drove her to her feet; she crossed to stare out of the window into the courtyard. “Mellitha, do you think you could send a maid out get me a herbal rinse? Black or brown, I don’t mind.”
“I want everyone to stay here and do nothing until I’ve contacted Planir,” said Shiv with some heat.
“So go and bespeak him.” Livak stared at him, challenge in her cold green eyes.
“Viltred, Kerrit, come with me.”
The older mages followed Shiv with unexpected docility; Livak ignored them as she bent over a letter, paper and ink taken from Mellitha’s desk without apology or request. She finished her writing and double-folded it, looking around a little blankly until Mellitha passed her a wax wafer to seal it.
“Thank you.” Livak scribbled a quick direction on the outside. “Can you send another servant out with this?”
Mellitha raised one exquisitely plucked eyebrow as she read the address. “I think one of my less reliable grooms will probably know this tavern.”
Livak grinned despite herself. “That sounds about right.”
Mellitha rose. “I’ll see to it directly.”
I folded my arms and looked sternly at Livak, who met my gaze with untroubled assurance.
“Who were you writing to?”
“Someone I can trust to put around the word that it’ll be worth more to keep quiet about Halice and me being in the city than it will to try turning a coin from these Elietimm,” she smiled grimly. “Shiv had better be ready to spend some of Planir’s coin closing a few mouths with decent wine.”
I half shook my head doubtfully. “We’ve only been here a day.”
“And at least a handful of people we know will have seen us by now,” Halice spoke up from her chair on the far side of the room. “If they don’t hear otherwise they’ll see no harm in trying to take the Ice Islanders’ coin.”
“I need to get out on my own and start doing things my way,” Livak warned me. “If they’re after us, the quicker we find their nest and lift Viltred’s trinkets, the better. The sooner I can let the local shutter-crackers know I’m interested in these bastards, the sooner someone will chalk their door-post for us.”
I sighed. “Can’t you wait until Shiv’s contacted Planir?”
“I’ll give him till morning and see what he has to say,” Livak conceded slowly, seeing the appeal in my eyes. “But if he wants me to go thieving for him, he has to let me set things up my way, using people I know. I’m not risking a swing on the gibbet because those three wizards come up with some daft plan.”
“If Shiv doesn’t want our help, we’ll see if we can’t get a scent of Arle Cordainer’s trail. I’d say that’s starting to look like being a cursed sight more profitable than staying with you lot.” Halice’s tone was uncompromising as she stared at me, defying me to mention or even glance at her leg.
Chapter Four
Taken from the Magistrate’s Court-Rolls,
Charlaril District, Relshaz,
Spring Assizes,
the 3rd year of Emperor Perinal the Bold in Toremal,
the 15th year of the reign of Queen Mirella of Solura
To Zindan Ar Willan, Medlar Lane
Sir,
Further to your protests as to the likely penalties your son will face, may I remind you that as theft is a crime against property, rather than person, he will not be subject to physical penalties or execution. however, since the value of the goods stolen is estimated as in excess of 5OO Crowns (Tormalin minting), the plaintiff is fully entitled to recover his losses against the body of your son if the charge is proved and the property is not recovered. In that eventuality, you cannot compel the plaintiff to sell your son in open market if he chooses to sell him to the city for service in the galleys or at the ferry-capstans. I appreciate this threat must be very distressing for your wife, but it is not directly relevant to this case; if you wish to lodge an accusation of harassment with this office, it will be treated as an entirely separate matter.
The theft case will be heard at the Hall of Justice on the day of the greater full moon. If your son denies the charge absolutely, you may either retain an advocate or argue the case yourself. If your son admits the offense but contests the amount stolen, you will be required to present the property in question to the Magistracy for valuation and submit to a search of your household for the disputed items. The plaintiff will of course have to agree to a similar search and prove ownership of said items to the satisfaction of the Magistracy. If your son admits the offense and the full value of the theft, you will have the chance to offer the plaintiff compensation in lieu of the price of your son, who will then be banished from the city. I should warn you that the plaintiff is entirely at liberty to refuse such an offer.
I return herewith the affidavits concerning your son’s presence at a private party on the night in question. You may call witnesses with any pertinent information when the case comes to the Hall of Justice. A jury will be empanelled from the voting lists on the morning of the sitting and I must remind you that any attempt to influence witnesses or jurors, by either defendant or plaintiff, will result in immediate forfeiture of the case.
May I remind you that you only have five days remaining in which to lodge your hundred Marks with the Magistracy as Surety of Conduct. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Trusting in Raeponin’s justice,
Magrin Colarene,
Clerk to the Magistrate
The House of Mellitha Esterlin,
Relshaz, 29th of Aft-Spring
I woke from a fitful sleep, startled to realize it was much later than was usual for me, and I hurried to wash and shave. Livak’s mood hadn’t improved much during the previous evening. When we’d made our way upstairs after a rather strained dinner and I’d paused on my threshold with an enquiring smile, she’d simply pulled a sealed packet from one pocket and held it up to me.
“I’m dyeing my hair.” Her smile was an uneasy mixture of defiance and triumph and she whisked past me into her own room with a swiftness that left my desire as effectively snuffed as my candle. I didn’t bother to try the connecting door.
The house seemed unusually quiet as I made my way down-stairs. An elegant breakfast selection was laid out in the morning salon but, from the used plates and glasses stacked neatly on a side table, I looked to be the last to rise. I shrugged and made a good meal before going in search of the others. Most sound was coming from the kitchen, so I peered around the door, courteous apology ready on my lips from long experience of Messire’s fiercely territorial cooks.
“Sir?” A maid bobbed a nervous curtsey and looked around anxiously for reassurance.