The man in the cowl who appeared to be an Athyra was, as the reader has no doubt realized, none other than Khaavren’s friend Pel, a Yendi. As prime minister, he was not actually a member of the group, but attended as a representative of Her Majesty, and, of course, to keep himself informed.
The older Dragonlord was called Cialdi, and, though he looked old, he was, in fact, older. He had achieved the post of Superintendent of Investigations for the Adrilankha Police as far back as the Interregnum. After the Interregnum, he had come so near to identifying and gathering sufficient evidence to convict the mysterious Blue Fox, that Piro, the Viscount of Adrilankha, had recommended Cialdi to Piro’s father, who was, as the reader is no doubt aware, Khaavren. Cialdi was an expert on Jhereg operations, having taken the lead in bringing down Lord Hiyechin’s palm-steel operation, as well as having discovered the means whereby stolen jewelry was being smuggled out of the city. Cialdi, then, worked for both Khaavren and Piro (as well as reporting to the Lord Mayor of Adrilankha, and the Chief City Constable). It should be added that, as no conclusive evidence had been found, the matter of the Blue Fox was never mentioned by any of them (except, occasionally, the Chief City Constable, who remained utterly oblivious to what the others, and, of course the reader, all knew). Cialdi was perfectly aware of the general contempt in which police were held, and cared not at all unless it was mentioned to him in an offensive manner; he was also renowned as a duelist.
The last individual was also a Dragonlord; she was called Palaniss. She had come to Khaavren’s attention as a concealed operative during the coal-tax rebellion, when she had acquired significant information by disguising herself as a Lyorn and insinuating herself into the confidence of Lady Vilnai. Later, she directed a covert operation against the Duke of Loghram. While, strictly speaking, the operation failed, it succeeded in that it led to the discovery of Loghram’s spy network within the Palace; and, in any case, Khaavren was sufficiently impressed by Palaniss’s thoroughness and professionalism, that he offered her a position in Special Tasks. We should add that Palaniss was not wealthy, and so the stipend was not unwelcome. But even more than this was her passion for all matters relating to military intelligence, and as this position promised her opportunities to practice her art, as she called it, she did not hesitate before agreeing.
These were the five people, then—three Dragonlords, a Dzurlord, and a Yendi—who turned their eyes to their chief, Khaavren, to await his words.
He said, “There is an Easterner named Vladimir Taltos, Count of Szurke. He holds an Imperial title. Before that, he was a Jhereg, and is now being hunted by that House for criminal activity that ran counter to their preferred criminal activity. Last month he was set upon and attacked, but not by Jhereg. He survived the attack, and, for reasons of his own, will not cooperate with the investigation into it.”
Khaavren looked at the five faces assembled there. “Three months ago, I had an ensign send out teams to learn what could be learned in the general area where the attack took place. The results of the investigation were sent to you yesterday. I will now read you an interview in which I noticed something interesting.” He then gave the date and location at which the interview took place and at once proceeded to read them text—not a sound was heard save for Khaavren’s voice as he did so; everyone in the room giving him the complete attention he was due.
When he had finished, he put down the papers and said, as he usually did at this point in an investigation, “Has anyone an observation to make?”
For a moment, no one spoke; then the Dragonlord who had entered last cleared her throat. “Brigadier—”
“Yes, Palaniss?”
“I, for one, do not see what observation one might make.”
“You see nothing unusual there?”
“Nothing, Captain.”
Khaavren picked up the papers again, and reread a certain passage: “Question: Have you seen any Easterners in the last few days or weeks? Answer: Easterners, Your Lordship? No Easterners. Just Chreotha brewers, a few Orca, Dragonlords like yourselves, some Issola, a couple of traveling merchants—Jhegaala—and a Lyorn who was visiting his cousin. No Easterners, Your Lordship.”
Having finished reading, Khaavren said, “Well?”
Palaniss said, “I am afraid, Brigadier, that I fail to see what is of interest there.”
“Do you? We were lucky enough to get a catalog of strangers passing through—you’ll note that this is from a Teckla who works at a public market, and so sees everyone passing through. Apropos, I must make a note to commend the guardsmen for thinking to interview him. So then, let us look at these strangers one by one.”
“Very well, Brigadier, I agree with this.”
“The last thing he mentions is a Lyorn, visiting his cousin.”
“Yes, my lord? But the Baron of that region is a Lyorn, as is mentioned on page thirty-nine, and why should he not have a cousin?”
“You are correct, Palaniss. Let us pass on. What of the Chreotha brewers?”
“There are two public houses there, my lord; it would seem reasonable that brewers should come by from time to time.”
“Once again, I see no flaws in your reasoning.”
“I am gratified that you do not.”
“So then, what of the traveling Jhegaala merchants?”
“The brigadier must be aware that there is no small number of such merchants, each with his wagon or cart, drawn by horse or mule, traveling and trading among the small villages.”
“I am very much aware of this. So then, that is not out of the ordinary?”
“Not the least in the world.”
“I agree. What of the Dragonlords, dressed like guardsmen, as he says?”
“But, my lord, you know that different pairs of guards are assigned to pass through the towns from time to time, and see that all is well, and listen to complaints.”
“I know that very well.”
“So then, there is nothing odd in that.”
“With this, I agree. What, then of the Issola?”
“The Issola?”
“Some Issola. I say again, some Issola. Some unknown number of nobles of the House of the Issola. Are there any Issola holdings in the region?”
“None, Lord Khaavren.”
“Well, and then?” He looked around the room.
No one spoke except Timmer, who said, “Well, I agree. It is unusual.”
“Does anyone disagree?”
There was the shaking of heads all around the table. The older Dragonlord said, “I admit, it is unusual; but is it significant?”
“Ah, as to that.”
“Well?”
“What is your opinion, Cialdi?”
“I am uncertain, Brigadier.”
“Anyone else?”
The young Dragonlord said, “I, too, fail to see anything in the report you have done us the honor to read to us that may have bearing on the attack on the Easterner.”
“Perhaps there is no bearing, Palaniss. But it is something unusual that has happened in the area we are investigating. Therefore, I wish to know more about it. Also, another matter has been brought to my attention.” Khaavren summarized what Pel had observed about the wine, and the discovery the Yendi had made. As the reader already knows of this, nothing can be gained by merely repeating it, and so the historian has therefore chosen to omit it save by reference. When this summary was finished, and his listeners were considering the significance of what they had heard, Khaavren said, “Also, I have been reliably informed that another matter has a direct bearing on this case, and may prove important to unlocking it.”