The place had been a cheap hotel before the Interregnum, then it was improved superficially: scrollwork added high on the walls, expensive sconces, gold trim, high-quality furnishings in the lobby where one of H’noc’s enforcers, a guy named Abror, was standing where he could watch the door. H’noc was also there, sitting and waiting for me. He rose as I entered.
“M’lord, to what do I—”
“Bring me every tag who’s not engaged.”
He hesitated as, no doubt, a lot of questions came into his mind, but he was smart enough not to ask them. He nodded and went off to follow orders. There were no nums waiting, which was reasonable at this hour on a Farmday. There was a wide fountain, about waist high and of an odd yellowish marble; I leaned against it and waited.
Five minutes later, three boys and five girls were lined up in front of me, in all shapes, colors, attitudes—at least as far as Dragaerans go. “Don’t pose,” I said. “Just stand there.” They relaxed, and they still displayed all shapes, colors, and attitudes. The guy on the left caught my eye, because he was giving me a look of unabashed curiosity. He had an oval face, wide-set eyes, and his general appearance was neutraclass="underline" I couldn’t guess if he’d appeal to a man or a woman, to someone after corrupting innocence, or someone who wanted to be taken along for a new experience. I nodded to him. “What’s your name?”
“Omlo, m’lord,” he said.
I turned to H’noc. “I need to talk to him. The rest of you can go.”
They did. H’noc followed them out. I found a chair and gestured the boy to another.
“You know who I am, Omlo?”
“Yes, m’lord.”
“Want to make some extra money? All yours, no juice.”
He hesitated. “Why me?” turned out to be his first question.
“You look like you could handle it. It isn’t dangerous. I don’t think.”
At that last, he looked at me quickly, then looked away. “How much money?”
“Fifteen imperials.”
“And you don’t think it’ll be dangerous, m’lord?”
“Shouldn’t be.”
He nodded. “All right.” I could see him spending the money already. “What do I have to do?”
“Do you know where my office is?”
“No, m’lord.”
“Number Six Copper Lane sells psychedelic herbs. Tell the proprietor you want something rare and Eastern that will last until morning. He’ll guide you in to see me.”
“I’ll be there, m’lord.”
“Good. That’s all. Now go make me some money.”
“Yes, m’lord.”
I left him there and returned to the office.
Loiosh, who by now had figured out what I was doing, said, “Boss, even if this works, I don’t think the Empire will appreciate the joke.”
“Everyone thinks that, Loiosh. But consider how long the Empire has been around. Do you know anyone who could survive that long without a sense of humor?”
“I still have no idea why you’re bothering.”
“Because I recognized him.”
“Blue-fellow?”
“That isn’t his real name, you know.”
“I’m shocked, Boss. Where do you know him from?”
“Family resemblance. To someone I’d like to have owe me a favor. If I’m wrong, Kragar will let me know.”
“Whatever you say, Boss.”
“Melestav!”
He poked his head in. “Yeah?”
“Find me a map of the city.”
He appeared with the map and stood next to me while I studied it. “Looking for something particular?”
“Just trying to remind myself of some of my favorite places.”
“To eat?”
“To not get killed.”
“Odd,” he said, “that I’ve never gone to the trouble to make a list of those.”
I found what I was looking for and gave him the map back, then put the whole thing out of my head. I took care of business until close to noon, when I sent Melestav out to Honlo’s to bring back a difowl roasted in wine and stuffed with tartapples, thyme, and garlic. It arrived about the time Omlo did, and I invited everyone in the office to dig in. Kragar almost snatched the gizzard before I could stop him, but I’d been watching for it. My operation, my gizzard; what else would I have gone to the trouble of acquiring the business for?
When we were done and Loiosh was picking over the bones, I went into the office with Omlo and said, “It’s time to practice.”
He took a chair. “I’m ready, m’lord. What first?”
“Sit,” I told him.
“My lord? I’m sitting.”
“Sit like someone who’s, you know, cocky. Sure of himself. Knows he can get what he wants. More arrogant. Yeah, like that.”
He smiled. “Part of the trade, m’lord.”
“Good. Now stand up and walk to the door. No, not sexy. Confident. Try again. Better. More like you’re going somewhere. Not in a hurry, but—good.”
“That wasn’t too much?”
“No, perfect. Meanwhile, start walking, talking, and looking as aristocratic as you can.”
“I shall, m’lord.”
“Got a minute, Vlad?” Kragar’s head looked weirdly disembodied around the edge of the door. “I have something for you to look at.”
I excused myself and followed him into his office, where he presented me with a three-page report on the Blue Fox: history, origin, family, and activity. I took a few minutes to read it.
“Good work. How did you find all this?”
“I’m just that good.”
“You are, you are.”
“I asked a guy who asked a guy and I got his family. And it turns out the Blue Fox is real. Or was, anyway. It’s all there.”
“You got a bonus coming.”
“I am bathed in a warm glow.”
“I’ll see you when you’ve dried off.”
I went back to work with Omlo; we put in another couple of hours and then called it a day. I told him to return the following day and we’d start work on the hard part—the Load—and then stay with it until we were ready to start the action. He understood; he seemed excited about the whole thing. I liked his attitude; I hoped he wouldn’t end up with holes in him.
That night Cawti and I ate at the Blue Flame and talked about the wedding.
“I don’t have anyone to make a headdress,” said Cawti.
“Noish-pa will find someone,” I said, referring to my grandfather.
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
She smiled. “All right. Who will stand for you?”
“I’ll ask Morrolan. He probably knows some of the customs.”
“How is he with rhymes?”
“I don’t know. I’ll write them for him, if I have to.”
She smiled. “Will I get to hear them?”
“Of course not. It’s bad luck.”
“After the wedding?”
“All right. What rhymes with Aliera?”
“Now, you know I can’t help.”
“Yeah, yeah. Shall we find a priest of Verra?”
“I’d like that. But then we need a procession. If we do the civil service at the House, and then go to a temple in South Adrilankha, that would be a long walk for everyone.”