“What can you tell us?”
“There’s a hint of personality. Cold, distant, nothing to rely on. A professional. Male, I think. And—odd.”
“Odd?”
“I mean, there’s something odd here. I can’t—I think this may have been an Easterner.”
“Ah,” said Daro.
Feorae frowned. “Could it be—”
“Feorae.”
“My lady?”
“I’ll handle this.”
“My lady, the tiassa—”
“I’m sorry about your loss, Feorae, but this is bigger than you. If possible, I’ll see to it you’re compensated, but whatever happens, I do not expect you to see the object again.”
“Will there be anything else?” said Lyndra.
“No, that is all. And unless you hear from the Empire, do not speak of this.”
“Yes, my lady.”
When she had gone, Feorae said, “I don’t understand, my lady.”
“Nor do I,” said Daro. “But I will.”
“And what am I to do?”
“The same as Lyndra; nothing. Speak of this to no one, unless there is an official inquiry from the Empire. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Now, wait here while I use your chambers. I must change my dress a little for the next part of my errand.”
Daro picked up her valise and, without waiting for a reply, entered Feorae’s private chambers. She quickly changed her dress, and, with a few quick strokes of the appropriate color to her eyebrows and lips, and a slight darkening of her complexion, became, to all appearances, a Lyorn of some minor family. Daro generally favored the Lyorn red for her dress; she had learned that with only a little work it could become an effective disguise. She returned to Feorae, reminded him again to say nothing, and called for her horse.
An hour later, Daro was in Malak Circle, where a contingent of tired-looking Phoenix Guards was gathered. Other than the guards, the streets were nearly deserted, and those who did have business seemed furtive, keeping their eyes too straight ahead, walking too fast. Daro dismounted and approached the guards. They turned with friendly expressions—according her the respect a Lyorn is given, no matter the Lyorn’s station in life.
The one with the corporal’s badge said, “I beg your pardon, m’lady, but the streets are to be kept clear.”
Daro nodded. “I will be off the street soon, I just need…”
“Do you require assistance, m’lady?”
Daro gave him a friendly smile. “I don’t require it, exactly. I was simply wondering if you could recommend a good place to eat.”
“I’m sorry, my lady, but everything is closed. The crisis, you know. That’s why no one is permitted on the streets, save on urgent business.”
“Crisis? Oh, yes. The Jenoine silliness. I don’t believe they’re really going to come. Do you?”
“Well, my lady—”
“I’ve been meaning to visit this district for so long, and today I can because county archives are closed, and everything is closed here, too. I guess I should have known.”
The other guards were carefully looking off into space. The corporal smiled indulgently.
“Think nothing of it, m’lady. Come back again after this is all over, there are many fine places to eat in this neighborhood.”
“I should think so! All sorts of different kinds of people live here.”
“That is true, m’lady. Teckla, nobles, Jhereg, craftsmen.”
“There must be lots of stories.”
He laughed. “Oh, yes. After my term, I should write my memoirs.”
“Everything but Serioli and Easterners.”
“Oh, we have an Easterner.”
“Here? I thought they were all in South Adrilankha.”
“Most of them are, but a few live other places in the city.”
“My goodness! I’ve never met an Easterner socially. What are they like?”
“This one—that is, these two—are pretty rough characters. Jhereg. One of them ran all the illegal operations in this area until the Jhereg got tired of an Easterner putting on airs, you know, and drove him out.”
“It sounds terrible.”
The corporal shrugged. “No more than he deserved.”
“And what of the other?”
“His wife. She still lives here, I believe. At least, I saw her not more than a year ago, walking around like she owned the place.”
“Really! I would like to meet her. What is her name?”
The corporal frowned. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I’d advise meeting her, my lady. She’s a desperate character, from what I hear.”
“Well, but surely you could protect me.”
“Yes, my lady. But our orders are to remain here, to keep an eye out for any disturbances.”
“You couldn’t spare a couple of men for a few minutes?”
“Well … I suppose. I’ll send for a couple more while they’re with you.”
One of the guardsmen, a dark Dragonlord with curly hair and a hooked nose, turned to the corporal and said, “I know the Easterner, m’lord.” He then bowed to Daro. “Her name is Cawti.”
The right one, at least, she thought. And married, are they?
The corporal nodded. “All right. Take Wyder with you.”
Another Dragonlord stepped out, and the two of them set off down Copper Lane. Daro led her horse instead of re-mounting so as not to out-pace them. The horse, named Breeze, seemed to resent the restraint. Daro patted her neck and apologized.
She fell in next to the curly-haired Dragonlord and said, very softly, “Thank you.”
“My lady?”
Daro smiled at him. He let a slight smile pass his lips and said, just as softly, “You’re welcome, Countess. I assume you don’t wish your husband the captain to hear of this excursion?”
“He would want to protect me, and that would be inconvenient.”
“I understand, my lady. I trust you’ll protect me from him if he hears?”
“I’ll do my best.”
In her normal voice, she said, “Where are we going?”
“They live just ahead there, upper flat. That is, she lives there; he used to.”
“All right.”
“If you don’t mind, my lady, I’d prefer to go up first.”
“You think she’s a threat?”
“I’ve been told she’s an assassin. And it is all but certain that her husband is.”
Daro felt her mouth curl up in distaste. “What a family,” she said. “Very well.”
“She can’t be that bad,” said the other. “She used to run around with Princess Norathar.”
“Not anymore; not since the Princess’s matters were put right.”
“Doesn’t matter; let’s do this.”
She and the one called Wyder waited for five minutes, then ten, then twenty. She noticed Wyder becoming more and more disturbed, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his sword. She said, “What did this Cawti and Norathar do together?”
“It’s said they killed people. For money.”
Daro nodded. “I did hear something about that; gossip during her coronation.”
“I’ve heard the same, don’t know if it’s true. Dammit, where is he?”
“If you wish,” she said, “I’m sure I’ll be fine here.”
“No, my lady. We must—there he is.”
“Sorry for the delay. It seems she’s moved, and it took some work to find out where.”
“But you found out?” said Daro.