A flicker of something like surprise in the Indebted’s lined face, then the man bowed. ‘I will remain circumspect, Master.’
‘One last thing,’ Rautos said as he moved past Venitt on his way up to the estate. ‘Do not embarrass me.’
The Indebted’s eyes tracked his master for a moment, his expression once more closed.
Unseen behind them on the river, a huge shape lifted beneath one vinik nest, and breaking the water as the nest overturned was the prow ridge of an enormous shell, and below that a sinewy neck and a vast, gaping beak. Swallowing the nest entire.
The currents then carried the disturbance away, until no sign of it remained.
‘You know, witnessing something is one thing. Understanding it another.’
Bugg turned away from his study of the distant river, where the setting sun’s light turned the water into a rippled sheet of beaten gold, and frowned at Tehol Beddict. ‘Very pondering of you, Master.’
‘It was, wasn’t it? I have decided that it is my normal eye that witnesses, while it is my blue eye that understands. Does that make sense to you?’
‘No.’
‘Good, I’m glad.’
‘The night promises to be both heavy and hot, Master. And I suggest the mosquito netting.’
Agreed. Can you get to it? I can’t reach.’
‘You could if you stretched an arm.’
‘What’s your point?’
‘Nothing. I admit to some… distraction.’
‘Just now?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you over it yet?’
Almost. Alas, certain individuals are stirring in the city this evening.’
‘Well, are you going to do something about it or do I have to do everything around here?’
Bugg walked across the roof to stand beside the bed. He studied the reposed form of Tehol Beddict for a moment, then he collected the netting and draped it over his master.
Eyes, one brown, the other blue, blinked up at him. ‘Shouldn’t there be a frame or something? I feel I am being readied for my own funeral here.’
‘We used the frame for this morning’s fire.’
‘Ah. Well, is this going to keep me from being bitten?’
‘Probably not, but it looks rather fetching.’
Tehol closed his blue eye. ‘I see…’
Bugg sighed. ‘Gallows humour, Master.’
‘My, you are in a state, aren’t you?’
‘I am undecided,’ Bugg said, nodding. ‘Yes I know, one of my eternal flaws.’
‘What you require, old friend, is a mortal’s perspective on things. So let’s hear it. Lay out the dilemma for me, Bugg, so that I might provide you with a properly pithy solution.’
‘The Errant follows the Warlock King, to see what he plans. The Warlock King meddles with nefarious rituals set in place by another ascendant, who in turn leaves off eating a freshly killed corpse and makes for an unexpected rendezvous with said Warlock King, where they will prpb-ably make each other’s acquaintance then bargain to mutual benefit over the crumbling chains binding another ascendant-one soon to be freed, which will perturb some-one far to the north, although that one is probably not yet ready to act. In the meantime, the long-departed Edur fleet skirts the Draconean Sea and shall soon enter the river mouth on its fated return to our fair city, and with it are two fell champions, neither of whom is likely to do what is expected of them. Now, to add spice to all of that, the secret that is the soul of one Scabandari Bloodeye will, in a depressingly short time, cease to be a secret, and consequently and in addition to and concomitant with, we are in for an interesting summer.’
‘Is that all?’
‘Not in the least, but one mouthful at a time, I always say.’
‘No you don’t. Shurq Elalle is the one always saying that.’
‘Your penchant for disgusting images, Master, is as ever poorly timed and thoroughly inappropriate. Now, about that pithy solution of yours…’
‘Well, I admit to disappointment. You didn’t even mention my grand scheme to bankrupt the empire.’
‘The Invigilator now hunts for you in earnest.’
‘Karos Invictad? No wonder you put me under a shroud. I shall endeavour to be close to the roof’s edge the day he clambers into view with his drooling henchmen, so that I can fling myself over the side, which, you’ll agree, is far preferable to even one bell’s worth of his infamous, ghastly inquisition. In the meantime, what’s for supper?’
‘Vinik eggs-I found a somewhat broken nest washed up under a dock.’
‘But vinik eggs are poisonous, hence the clouds of complaining gulls constantly circling over every nasty little floating island.’
‘It’s a matter of proper cooking, Master, and the addition of a few essential herbs that serve to negate most of the ill effects.’
‘Most?’
‘Yes.’
‘And do you have in your possession those life-sustaining herbs?’
‘Well, no, but I thought I’d improvise.’
‘There you have it.’
‘There I have what, Master?’
‘Why, my pithy reply, of course.’
Bugg squinted at Tehol Beddict, who winked, this time closing his brown eye. The Elder God scowled, then said, ‘Thank you, Master. What would I ever do without you?’
‘Scant little, I’d wager.’
Tanal Yathvanar set the package down on the Invigilator’s desk. ‘Delivered by a rat-faced urchin this morning. Sir, I expect it will prove no particular challenge. In any case,’ he continued as he began unwrapping the package, ‘I was instructed to treat it delicately, and to keep it upright. And you will, in moments, see why.’
Karos Invictad watched with heavy-lidded eyes as the grease-stained, poor quality ragweed wrapping was delicately pulled away, revealing a small, open-topped wooden box that seemed to possess layered sides. The Invigilator leaned forward to peer inside.
And saw a two-headed insect, such as were now appearing down by the river. Its legs were moving precisely, carrying it round… and round. The insides of the box were each of coloured, polished tiles, and it appeared that the tiles could be slid free, or rearranged, if one so chose.
‘What were the instructions, Tanal?’
‘The challenge is to halt the insect’s motion. It will, apparently, continue walking in a circle, in the same place, until it dies of starvation-which, incidentally, is the fail point for the puzzle… approximately four months. While the creature rotates in place, it will not eat. As for water, a small clump of soaked moss will suffice. As you can see, the tiles on the inside can be rearranged, and presumably, once the proper order or sequence is discovered, the insect will stop. And you will have defeated the puzzle. The restrictions are these: no object may be placed inside the container; nor can you physically touch or make contact with the insect.’
Karos Invictad grunted. ‘Seems direct enough. What is the record for the solution?’
‘There is none. You are the first and only player, apparently.’
‘Indeed. Curious. Tanal, three prisoners died in their cells last night-some contagion is loose down there. Have the corpses burned in the Receiving Ground west of the city. Thoroughly. And have the rest washed down with disinfectant.’
‘At once, Invigilator.’
The ruins were far more extensive than is commonly imagined. In fact, most historians of the early period of the colony have paid little or no attention to the reports of the Royal Engineer, specifically those of Keden Qan, who served from the founding until the sixth decade. During the formulation of the settlement building plan, a most thorough survey was conducted. The three extant Jhag towers behind the Old Palace were in fact part of a far larger complex, which of course runs contrary to what is known of]hag civilization. For this reason, it may be safe to assume that the Jhag complex on the bank of the Lether River represents a pre-dispersion site. That is, before the culture disintegrated in its sudden, violent diaspora. An alternative interpretation would be that the three main towers, four sub’ terranean vaults, and what Qan called the Lined Moat all belonged to a single, unusually loyal family.