Martin Scott - Thraxas at War

'So why the lift home?'

'The Orcish spell you found on Bevarius. It was for transporting dragons. Do you know why he had it?'

I admit I don't.

'It was a target. The dragons couldn't have flown so far in such cold weather. Teleporting them was a brilliant piece of sorcery but it wouldn't have worked if they hadn't had agents already in Turai. The Orcish Sorcerer set things up and the spell itself acted as a beacon. Bevarius actually brought the dragons to Turai.'

Lisutaris wants to know who Bevarius was working with.

'Just Rittius, I think,' I tell her.

Are you certain?'

'No. But I haven't found anything that points to any other accomplices.'

'Such foul treachery,' says Lisutaris.

'I'd guess our head of Palace Security was in the pay of the Ores for years. If the authorities dig around enough I reckon they'll come up with a lot of money stashed away somewhere.'

'I'm glad you killed him,' says Lisutaris.

'Makri killed him,' I correct her.

'I believe she was upset over the death of Toraggax.'

'Probably. It's lucky her hero Samanatius survived or she'd probably have slaughtered the whole government.'

'You do not approve?'

'No. Everyone deserves a trial, even Rittius.'

Lisutaris makes no reply. At least we don't have to worry about any Sorcerer at the Abode of Justice looking back in time and finding out how Rittius was killed. With so many dragons in the vicinity, there's no chance of a Sorcerer seeing any pictures of past events. Dragons are very disruptive to sorcerous investigations.

'Who killed Bevarius?' asks Lisutaris.

A member of the Assassins Guild, I presume, hired by Rittius. Only a skilled artist could have thrown a dart so lethally through that gap in the window. And when you hire them, they don't ask questions and they don't tell tales.'

'Why did Rittius want Bevarius dead?'

'To cover his tracks. Rittius knew that Bevarius couldn't stand up to a prolonged interrogation from a man like myself. You see, Galwinius had got wind of Rittius's treachery and brought a scroll containing evidence to the meeting to give to the Consul. Unfortunately for Galwinius, his assistant Bevarius was in league with Rittius and warned him. So Rittius poisoned the Prefect. Fortunately for him, suspicion fell on Senator Lodius. Later that day Rittius and Bevarius had Galwinius's informer murdered, and when I started asking questions they tried to have me killed too.'

'Have you reported all this to the Consul?'

'I can't get near him.'

'No one can get near the Consul,' says Lisutaris.

'So he was badly wounded in the battle?'

The Sorcerer shakes her head.

A slight injury only. Unfortunately he has now suffered a mental collapse and is incapable of action. As is Prince Frisen-Akan, who's been in a state of advanced intoxication since the Ores appeared.'

'How about the King?'

'Practically bedridden. Cicerius has taken over the reins of government. I have some regard for Cicerius, but he's not a war leader. It's fortunate that General Pomius survived.'

Lisutaris muses for a moment or two.

'Rittius's treachery has cost us dearly. I now understand who was spreading rumours to discredit me in the eyes of the War Council. Worse than this, the Orcish Sorcerer managed to block almost all of our seeing spells. No one apart from me saw the Ores gathering in Yal. And no one could have foreseen that they'd manage to bring dragons here in winter.'

I ask what the War Council know of the Ores' intentions.

'Nothing. Possibly Prince Amrag is waiting for more dragons. With his own Sorcerers in the Stadium Superbius it seems possible he can bring them here. Our Sorcerers are working to prevent it. He's brought a lot of northern Ores with him. They can stand the cold. They're dug in outside every gate.'

She pauses to light a thazis stick.

'You solved another crime. Congratulations.'

I'm not sure if there's something ironic in her voice.

It would have helped if I'd solved it earlier. The carriage turns into Quintessence Street.

'One other thing,' says Lisutaris. 'Herminis. It's unlikely, at a time like this, that the authorities will expend much energy in looking for her, but we have to be careful. It would not do for the story of her escape to be made public'

'Why wouldn't it do?'

'Because I am vital to the War Council,' replies Lisutaris. 'I can't be distracted by accusations of helping a convicted woman to escape.'

'No matter how true those allegations might be.'

'No matter how true those allegations might be. I want your help. It will require some sorcerous power to, keep her safely concealed—'

'One moment,' I interrupt. 'Is this going to end by you telling me Herminis is in my office?'

'Of course not. Do you think I am entirely lacking in sense?'

'Just checking. What do you want me to do?'

The carriage pulls up outside the Avenging Axe. Lisutaris alights with me and accompanies me up the stairs to my office. I'm surprised when my door swings freely open. Someone has interfered with my locking spell. A great gust of thazis smoke hits me in the face as I enter. Makri and Herminis are sprawled around the room.

'Goddammit, Lisutaris, you said she wasn't in my office!'

'I was intending to break it to you gently,' says Lisutaris.

Makri rises unsteadily to her feet. From the size of her pupils and the uncertainty of her step I'd say she'd been indulging in dwa. A killer drug, which she's sworn off, in theory.

'It's Thraxas. Number one chariot at investigating. Solved a crime just by eating pastry!'

Makri sits down heavily. I inform Lisutaris roughly that I'm on guard duty every day and will not be able to help in any sorcerous matter concerning Herminis.

'Of course you can,' says Lisutaris. 'One simple incantation every morning to boost my hiding spell.'

'Get someone else to do it.'

'There is no one else. Every other Sorcerer in the Guild is fully engaged in war work.'

It's true. Every Sorcerer has been thrown into action. Astrath Triple Moon is back, and Kemlath Ore Slayer has been recalled from exile. Even Glixius Dragon Killer, a criminal Sorcerer of very dubious loyalty, has been brought into the fold.

'What about Tirini Snake Smiter? You're not telling me she turns up for war duty before midday.'

'She doesn't. But Tirini couldn't be relied on to speak the incantation every morning. Mornings are a busy time for her, with her hairdresser and her beautician, and her masseuse. And one or two others. You know -shoes, jewellery, that sort of thing.'

'Well, I'm .glad she's looking her best. Let's hope she doesn't break a nail when the Ores storm the walls.'

'Tirini will do her part,' states Lisutaris. And it really would make my life easier if you would do me this favour.'

'I refuse to aid you in any way.'

There's a brisk knock on the outside door. I open it to find Senator Lodius standing there with a scowl on his face. He makes no attempt to enter my office, preferring to remain on the outside step, in the snow.

'You seem to have cleared my name.'

'I seem to have.'

Not officially, yet. But my findings will soon be known to the Senate. Lodius will not be tried for the murder of Prefect Galwinius. The Senator hands me a purse.

'Thirty gurans for every day you were engaged on the case. If you have additional expenses, send me a bill.'

He turns and leaves. He didn't thank me. But he did pay. The moment I close my outside door there's a light tap on the inside door. Not liking the way my office is again becoming a late-night rendezvous for Turai's' outcasts, I open it with a frown. The frown deepens at the sight of Hanama.

'How did you get in?'

'I picked the lock.

'Did it occur to you that Gurd might not like you breaking into his tavern every night?'