Lei started to snap, then took a deep breath and began again. “Yes … it’s possible. They’d never see me at the enclave, but there are a few people I might look to. But you have to understand, my family was from Metrol. I don’t know many of the Brelish Cannith, and if Hadran won’t see me … I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Try to be patient. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
The door flew open, and Jode came in from the street. He was smiling and flushed, and half-dragging Lei’s pack. “Drinks all around!” he called, tossing Dassi a gold galifar. “First round’s on me.”
“At tenth bell?” Daine remarked. But none of the other patrons were turning down a free round, and it had been some time since Daine had had anything other than water. Unfortunately, the Manticore’s ale was of the same fine quality as its porridge.
Jode climbed up on the table and slid the pack across to Lei. She watched him with narrowed eyes. He smiled disarmingly and took a long pull of ale, followed by a terrible face.
“How is it we’re suddenly buying for the house?” Daine asked. Lei was already looking through the pack.
“Well, I thought it would be good if I got the lay of the land, got to know my way around town, and while I was at it I found a pawner who seemed like a decent woman, and I thought it would be good if we had a few coins to rub together.”
“Where’s my crossbow?” Lei said.
“Oh, come now. We’re in the greatest city in the world! Do you really think you need a crossbow on the streets of Sharn?”
Daine put a gentle hand on the halfling’s shoulder. “Pierce said that you took my grandfather’s sword with you when you left this morning. May I have it back now?”
“I’m sure it will be safe, Daine.” He tightened his grip. “You know I’ve got a good sense for people! Besides which, you’ve still got your dagger, right?”
“Jode …”
“I know, this may seem unwise, but I assure you, I’ve already put the coin to good use!”
“By buying watered-down ale for a group of strangers?”
“I tracked down an old friend of yours. Someone I’m sure can help us find our feet.”
“I’m listening.” He hadn’t released his grip.
“Alina Lyrris.”
Daine swore and knocked his tankard to the floor. He pulled Jode across the table. “Is this a joke?”
“No! She’s been in Sharn for over a year. I thought that with your history … you know, perhaps she could offer us work.”
Lei was lost in her thoughts again, but Pierce took an interest. “What history is this? Who is this Alina?”
Daine took a deep breath and let go of Jode. He forced a smile and sat down. “Alina Lorridan Lyrris is an old friend I … had dealings with before I joined the Queen’s Guard.”
“How might she help us?”
Jode answered. “Alina is a wealthy woman, and I’m sure she has a lot of connections in Sharn. I’m certain that she’d be happy to help an old friend like Daine. I’ve already talked to one of her associates and set up a meeting in one hour.”
Daine bit his lip, but stayed silent.
“Then let us ready ourselves,” said Lei.
Daine shook his head. “I don’t know …”
“… If we should concentrate all of our resources in one place?” said Jode. “Brilliant as always, General. Pierce, why don’t you and Lei see what you can find out about House Cannith? There must be someone in Sharn who’s willing to talk to you, Lei. Daine and I can speak with Alina.”
Pierce glanced over at Lei, and after a moment she nodded.
“Very well!” Jode say brightly. “We’ll meet back here at, shall we say, two bells?”
“I’m going to get my armor,” Daine said, scowling.
“Alina Lyrris? What have you gotten us into?”
High Walls was just as dismal by the light of day as it was in the dark. The ghetto was an exterior district, built along the outer wall of the great tower of Tavick’s Landing. The alleys and streets were filled with refugees of all nations, but the majority of the beggars and miserable laborers were Cyrans. With the destruction of their homeland these unfortunate souls had nowhere else to go. They passed a one-armed veteran of the Queen’s Guard, who stretched out his good hand in an imploring gesture. In a nearby alley, a pair of feral children were chasing a dog, stones in their hands.
“You know she’s our best hope,” said Jode. “You know she’ll have money.”
“And what will we have to do to get it?”
“Give her a chance. We don’t have to agree to anything.”
“I’m going to see Alina Lyrris. And you know what the best part of it is? You pawned my thrice-forsaken sword!”
“All the more reason to see Alina, yes? The sooner we get some money, the sooner you can get it back.”
“You-”
A new voice intruded. “Pardon me … General?”
The voice belonged to an old man, who had come up behind the pair. Like all of the inhabitants of High Walls, it was clear he had seen better days. A horrible scar could be seen at the base of his neck, puckered flesh disappearing beneath his robe. But despite the dirt on his skin and his torn clothing, the stranger carried himself with a sense of dignity and pride, and his voice had an air of quiet authority. He studied Daine with an appraising eye.
“I thought I knew most of our generals, yet …”
“Ah, a simple mistake,” Jode said brightly. “I know that there have been a lot of wild stories about the region, but my companion is Captain Daine of the Queen’s Guard. He served with valor and distinction until the very end, and I’m sure you’ve simply heard how he saved the life of General ir’Dalas in the Battle of the Three Moons.”
The old man brought an end to the tale with a raised hand. “Captain, then. I am-”
“Teral ir’Soras,” Daine said.
The man nodded.
“I remember seeing you at court in Metrol when I was younger.”
“You have a good memory, Captain. It has been many years since I advised the queen. And now it is too late to save her. Sovereigns guard her soul and save us all.”
Daine inclined his head respectfully, then returned to his careful study of the old noble. “Lucky you were away from Metrol on the big day. How’d you end up here?”
“A long story, and not one for the street. Perhaps you’ll join me for dinner this evening? There are many of us in Sharn, and I’m trying to bring the refugees together.”
“Of course,” Daine said. “I’m sure it can’t be worse than what they’ll be serving at the Manticore.”
“Wonderful,” Teral said with a slight bow. “It’s the black tent in the central square. I’ll see you at sunset.”
Daine inclined his head respectfully, while Jode made a dramatic bow. The elderly man smiled slightly before turning away and disappearing into the crowd. Daine watched him go.
“What do you make of that?”
Jode shrugged and continued walking. “He’s a generous man trying to create a bastion of Cyran values. Or he’s an opportunist hoping to capitalize on the anger of the refugees to form a power block. I know which seems more likely to me, but does it matter?”
“I suppose not.” They walked a ways in silence, eventually passing through the gates of High Walls and into the tower of Tavick’s Landing. “So where are we meeting Alina?”
“It’s called Den’iyas. It’s in one of the other towers. It’s going to be a long walk, I’m afraid. Unless you’d like to take one of the skycoaches …”
“After that worked out so well yesterday? I don’t think so. I’m not about to let you throw away any more of the money you made from my family sword.”
“Speaking of family,” said Jode, “have you told Lei?”
“No. I’m not going to. And neither are you. Is that understood?”
“Whatever you say. But if there was ever a time-”
“No. And that’s final.” Daine stopped and knelt down, grabbing Jode and spinning him around. “Do you understand? No hints, no jokes. Leave it alone.”
“All right. But I still think-”