Daro let it pass. “All right, here’s what I know: There is an artifact called the silver tiassa that is reputed to be able to stop the Jenoine from manifesting. At one time, it was supposedly in the hands of your husband, then it was given to a certain Lord Feorae, and then passed again to your husband. That, at any rate, is the story. Hence the desire to find him.”
“So, who is attempting to locate him?”
“I don’t know. Presumably Kosadr.”
“Who?”
“The Court Wizard.”
“Oh. He cannot be found with sorcery.”
“He cannot?”
“He has protection. Phoenix Stone.”
“What is Phoenix Stone?”
Cawti laughed a little. “I was hoping you could tell me. But I know sorcery can’t find him, nor witchcraft, nor—”
“Witchcraft?”
“The Eastern magical arts.”
“Are those real?”
“Some think so. But for finding Vladimir, they may as well not be. Those with psychic skills won’t find him either.”
“I see. What of the Orb?”
“The Orb?”
“Yes. What if Her Majesty should use the Orb to locate him?”
“Can she do that? I know little of the Orb, of what it can do.”
“I am no expert. But it should be possible. It must be, because there are laws regarding under what circumstances she may or may not do so.”
Cawti nodded. “It makes sense, then.” The Easterner appeared to be speaking to herself.
“What does?” said Daro.
“I believe I know what is going on, Countess. And you were right to be suspicious.”
“What is it?”
Cawti closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and said, “I beg a boon, Countess.”
“A boon? That can’t have been easy for you to say.”
“It wasn’t.”
“What is this boon?”
“You can reach the Empress at any time, can you not?”
“Anyone can.”
“You’re the Countess of Whitecrest. You can do so without running the danger of having your mind burned out if the Empress is in a bad mood.”
“All right. What do you wish?”
“Ask her to delay finding Vladimir.”
“To delay? She may be doing it now.”
“Then Your Ladyship must hurry.”
“And in exchange for this delay?”
“I called it a boon, my lady. Not a trade.”
“Then you’d best explain why you want it.”
“Because I know who is doing what, and why.”
“My l—that is, Cawti, I think you ought to explain that to me.”
“You asked if I trusted you. Will you trust me?”
Daro took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Is this a test?”
The Easterner seemed to consider for a moment. “No.”
“You are a friend of the Princess Norathar, are you not?”
“You’ve checked on me.”
“Only a little.”
“Yes, we’re friends. Why does it matter?”
“I’m looking for a reason to trust you.”
The Easterner pressed her lips together. “I see.”
“I understand,” said Daro, “that it isn’t flattering. But you’re asking me to ask the Empress to delay finding an artifact that might prevent the Jenoine from invading the city. I am to do that merely on your word?”
“And on your own instincts, which have told you that all is not as it seems.”
“That is still not much on which to risk the safety of the city.”
“It isn’t much of a risk. I just want a little time to find out if my guess is right.”
“And you won’t tell me what this guess is?”
“It would be wrong for me to say anything until I’m sure.”
“And when you’re sure?”
“It won’t matter to you or the Empire.”
“You just want it delayed? Not stopped? I am to simply ask Her Majesty to wait before locating your husband?”
“Estranged husband. Yes.”
“And if she asks for how long?”
“Be vague.”
“And if she asks why?”
“Be evasive.”
“And if she doesn’t agree?”
“Be convincing.”
“You aren’t giving me much.”
“My word is good. Ask Norathar, if you must.”
Daro spoke slowly. “Your hus—that is, Lord Taltos once did a significant service for my son. I have felt that I should repay that service, if I ever had the chance. Can you speak for him? And is this the service?”
Cawti laughed, but didn’t explain what she found amusing. “Yes, to the first, and most definitely yes to the second.”
“All right. I agree.”
“Let me know when you’ve spoken with her.”
“And not what she says?”
“If you have any sense, you’ll tell me she agrees whether she does or not. I won’t even be able to tell if you really spoke with her, will I?”
“You said you don’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust you. But I have no choice. Let me know when you’ve spoken with her.”
Daro nodded, focused, and reached the Empress, who was, fortunately, not especially busy.
“Majesty, it is Whitecrest.”
“Yes, Daro?”
“You have been asked to find this Easterner?”
“Count Szurke, yes.”
“Majesty, might I beg you to wait before doing so?”
“Why?”
“I have reason to believe that—”
“What is it?”
“Majesty, I have suspicions I do not even wish to hint at until I have verified them.”
“This sounds serious, Countess.”
“Majesty, it is.”
“You know we only have a day or two?”
“This will only take a few hours.”
“Perhaps you should come and see me in person, Daro.”
“I will do so at once, Majesty. Until then?”
“I won’t locate Szurke before then.”
“Thank you, Majesty.”
She opened her eyes and said, “Her Majesty agrees.”
“I am grateful. I will do my best to see to it you don’t regret trusting me.”
Daro stood. “I appreciate the sentiment. And now, I am off to the Palace.”
“The Palace, my lady?”
“Her Majesty wants to see me.”
“I see. May I accompany you?”
Daro frowned. “Why?” Then she felt herself blushing. “If you don’t mind my asking.”
“There is someone there I want to see, and I’d enjoy the company.”
You’re lying, Jhereg, thought Daro. “All right,” she said. “Let’s go.”
“Countess,” said Cawti, rising to her feet. “If you would be good enough to wait outside, I will join you shortly. I must arrange for the care of my son.”
“Of course. Take as much time as you need.”
The Easterner was gone for some few minutes. She returned and said, “A moment more, please, and I’ll be ready.” Cawti vanished into the cottage’s other room, pulling a drape across the door. It seemed to Daro that the drape wasn’t used very often. There was the sound of rustling, and of heavy objects moving; when Cawti emerged, she wore a cloak of Jhereg gray, and a wide leather belt with a sheathed dagger at each hip.