Erin Evans - The God Catcher

"I know who you are, Clytemorrenestrix," Aundra said, looking around the apartment. She stretched her left wing, the primaries brushing the spines of Tennora's books. "Now ask. Beg."

Nestrix balled her fists, and Tennora felt the dragonfear rushing up like a glutted spring. Her heart started to race.

Aundra stood perfectly still, wing outstretched, and tilted her head curiously.

"Is that how you ask me?" she said, though there was no malice in the question. And no fear. Nestrix closed her eyes and turned away.

"I wish to have my true form restored," she said. "Please. I've heard you can repair what the Blue Fire wrought." She looked back at Aundra. "Repair me. I've looked for so long to find a way."

"I know what you've done to get here," Aundra said. "I know what you've done to those whose help you've asked for. Why should I join them?"

Was it the moonlight, or did Nestrix turn paler at that? Tennora wondered. She thought of the pamphlet folded into her apron, of the man in the hood who tried to warn her. Of Nestrix, her chin high, saying, I am allowed to defend myself.

"We have all sinned," Nestrix said.

"Then why you?"

"Because…" Nestrix's voice broke, and she took a moment to regain her composure. "You are not a cruel woman. I am lost. I am nothing in this form. Every morning I wake and I wish I were dead. What holds me together… what keeps me from dying is the knowledge that someone- you, Blacklock-can save me."

Aundra abruptly folded her wings together again and crossed her arms over her chest, the thick clawlike nails draped over her arm. "A pretty answer, dragon." She turned to Tennora. "And what is your role in this, girl?"

Tennora folded her hands around her knees. "She asked for my help."

"And that's all?"

Tennora shrugged. What else could she say? My world's corning apart… I don't know who I am… I don't know who she is.

"She needed me," she said. "But she agreed to help me in return."

"A ritual," Nestrix interjected. "One she can't find in her books."

Aundra bobbed her head and sucked her teeth again, considering a spot on the wall.

Is the child the plaguechanged one?

It is. And it is not.

Tennora shook her head, as if it could clear her thoughts. Aundra turned back to Nestrix. "You must prove you're serious. This is no cantrip you're asking me for."

"I am," Nestrix said. "Anything you ask, I'll do it." "You will go to a shop for me then," the raptoran said. "The antiquary's shop on Jembril Street. In the back room you will find a case that contains a mask made of golden feathers. Bring that to me."

"You want us to purchase it?" Tennora asked.

"The shopkeeper will not part with it willingly, but it isn't his to sell. You will have to find a way to get it to me." She smiled, an expression that was out of place on Aundra Blacklock's face. "Do that, and I'll gladly aid you."

Tennora stood. "I don't think-"

"It's as good as done," Nestrix said.

"Perfect," Aundra said. "Bring it to me two days hence." And with that, the sorceress vanished.

Both women fell back a step-it had been so sudden, so noiseless. Tennora felt a shiver run down her spine. What she wouldn't give for magic like that.

Including stealing from someone? Tennora thought. She pursed her lips.

"We have to go," Nestrix said softly. Her eyes were damp with sudden tears. "Come on. While it's dark." She turned to the door.

Tennora caught her arm. "No. We can't-"

Nestrix twisted away from her. "Gods damn you, dokaal, we go now!"

"Listen! We aren't just plucking an apple off a tree. You need tools-lockpicks and things-to break into a shop. You need a plan."

The look in Nestrix's eyes said clearly that if Tennora didn't do something she'd tear through the city, break down the door to the shop, and-likely-be taken down by a quiverful of the Watch's arrows for her troubles.

"We need a plan," Tennora said, and Nestrix's dire expression softened. "And some tools."

Rhinzen Halnian looked at himself in the looking glass, at his high cheekbones, straight nose, and turquoise eyes. Hale, hearty, and still handsome as Corellon. He dripped a line of juniper-scented oil on his comb and ran it through his long blond hair, securing it in a queue at the base of his neck.

He hummed a little tune to himself. Normally, he hated attending brightstarfeasts like the one he was preparing for-plenty of nobles showing off their copious wealth and lacking intellect. He only ever bothered in the hopes of making a good impression on the sort of people who sent their children to the House of Wonder or who wanted to purchase his services. Maintaining the appearance in polite company of one who deserved the finer things meant his services could attain the prices they deserved.

Erin M. Evans

The God Catcher

He smoothed a little of the juniper oil over his eyebrows as well. A pair of perfectly round sapphire earrings and a solid platinum chain with a matching charm shaped like an acorn hanging from it-perfect. The very picture of a wise and wealthy scholar.

He straightened his belt and turned To find Ferremo Magli in all his gaudy glory watching him from beside the fire.

Rhinzen nearly jumped out of his skin. "Gods and devils! Why are you always doing that?"

Ferremo shrugged and gave the wizard an insolent smile. "Not my fault you're not listening, Master Halnian. I'm here for the instructions."

Rhinzen scowled coldly at the assassin and spent a few more minutes adjusting his attire. Gutter-bred, bright-coin thief, he thought, watching Ferremo's reflection in the looking glass start to fidget.

Once he was satisfied that Ferremo was annoyed, Rhinzen turned and sat down at his desk. He pulled out a drawer and pressed the panel hidden there. A latch popped. From beneath the desktop, he withdrew a sheaf of papers.

"Here," he said. "You'll need components."

"I'm well aware of how-"

"No, you aren't," Rhinzen said, crossing back to his looking glass. "You didn't buy my time to gather some student's work. It's a complex and detailed spell. That ritual is specifically designed to break the wards you want and only the wards you want. Anything else would be too risky." He opened a small box and plucked a trio of rings from its seemingly empty interior. He admired them as he slid them over his tapered fingers. "You need components: quite a lot of residuum, salts of copper and lead, an astral diamond, and a flask containing the blood of a gold dragon."

Ferremo nodded, even at the last one. Rhinzen's displeasure must have shown, for the assassin chuckled.

"You underestimate my master's means. Worry not; this is exactly what we required." From his vest, Ferremo withdrew a small pouch and handed it to the wizard.

Rhinzen opened it and poured fourteen platinum suns, feather-light and gleaming, into his palm. "And this is what I required," he said, sliding the coins into the secret compartment.

"Don't spend it all in one place, dreamkisser," Ferremo said as he headed toward the window. "A pleasure doing business with you."

"A pleasure indeed," answered Rhinzen. In an offhanded way, he added, "How is your master handling the city? I understand it's most uncomfortable for his kind."

Ferremo froze. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Dear boy, are you slow as well as tacky?" Rhinzen said mildly. "It means I know who your patron is."

"I haven't kept it from you."

"The important bits, lovac." Ferremo scowled. Rhinzen added, "And, more importantly, I believe I've worked out what it is you're planning on doing. This isn't about coin."

"Who ever said it was?"

"You certainly implied it," Rhinzen said, slipping his overcloak on. "But what you want is priceless, isn't it?"

Ferremo didn't answer, his head down, still studying the directions.