The God Catcher

FIVE

Night fell and grew deep before Aundra Blacklock's reply came. Seated on the floor, Nestrix was once again reading a book-this one a history of Aglarond-and periodically making noises of derision at what she found. Tennora, no longer required to finish her studies at night, found herself at loose ends. She eventually settled on a chair behind Nestrix and occupied her hands with teasing out the knots that years had matted into the dark tresses.

The bath and fresh clothes had certainly done Nestrix a favor-as had tearing her old shift into rags. The faint smell of lightning overlaid by roses wafted through the room, and her dusky skin was even and smooth. She was not pretty in a conventional sense, but Tennora knew if Nestrix were to walk into a crowded hall some brightstarfeast, dressed in something that fit, a great number of eyes would be on her.

Provided this hair comes unsnarled, she thought, tugging at a particularly stubborn knot. Nestrix grunted, but didn't seem to mind the pain overmuch.

Tennora could remember being a little girl, her maid brushing out her blonde curls to many tears and much wailing. She remembered her mother coming into the nursery, her dark eyes stern. She sent the maid out, wiped Tennora's tears, and gently brushed the rest out herself.

"Better not to show them what hurts you," she said softly, and young as she was, Tennora had detected a note of disappointment that she was certain was for her.

The beat of wings outside the window interrupted the memories and presaged the shutters' opening. Nestrix surged to her feet and stepped incautiously before the aperture.

Aundra Blacklock folded her wings close to her body and stepped in through the window. She was nearly as tall as Nestrix, with legs like stone columns and slim arms. Her olive skin faded in to bone white feathers at the edge of her scalp, mirroring the feathers of her enormous wings. The eyes that regarded first Nestrix then Tennora were cold and yellow, and the talons of her toes clicked against the floor as she approached.

Aundra stretched her neck out like a hawk spotting movement in a field, and bobbed twice before dropping her head in a strange mimicry of a bow.

Nestrix stood as if entranced, standing before the raptoran. Bathed in the moonlight, the pair looked like nothing so much as a supplicant standing before the messenger of the gods.

"You are Blacklock?" she said softly.

Aundra sucked her teeth for a moment, her piercing eyes locked on Tennora. This is how a vole feels, Tennora thought. Bits of her dream floated up before her mind's eye. Tell me what you dream.

"Indeed," Aundra said. "You want my assistance."

"I need your assistance," Nestrix said. "I am… plaguechanged. My body-"

"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.

"You'll never get it out," Rhinzen said. "There will be wards besides mine. Ahghairon's-"

"We aren't planning to get it out," Ferremo said. "She isn't going to give it up, that much is true. So we'll have to take something she'll trade for it."

Rhinzen started to say that was a fool's errand-he was talking about one of the most valuable items in Waterdeep and one of the shrewdest women. There wasn't a device, weapon, gem, or spell that would make such a trade happen.

Then he remembered. There was one thing that was more valuable to Nazra Mrays. More valuable by far. For the first time since the dragon's assassin had shown up asking for information on Sea Ward homes, Rhinzen's heart fell.

It is too late for this, he thought. You have the coin. You earned the coin. The boy is none of your concern.

It did not quell the guilt.

The lovac's copper teeth glinted in the warm light. "You'll keep your mouth shut, Master Halnian. Lest you want your shiny name dragged through the muck."

There was a knock at the door. Ferremo's whole being tensed. Rhinzen waved his concerns away. "One of my apprentices," he said. "Come in."

The door opened to admit a young man with brown hair and pleasant, regular features-Cassian Lafornan.

"Master Halnian? Your carriage is ready. And Master Kellan is waiting."

Rhinzen smiled politely and fought the urge to send Cassian back downstairs with the message that Master Kellan could wait until Mystra came back, he didn't care. But he'd agreed to share a carriage with the halfling wizard to the evenfeast.

"Very well, tell him I'll be down in a moment. While I'm gone, I want you and Jihar to catalog the alchemical salts-make certain we have enough of the copper, in particular. Have someone rework the enchantments on the lights in the entry; they're going dim. And please remind Tennora to clean up the library before she goes home."

Cassian cleared his throat. "Um, sir, you let Tennora go."

Had he? Godsdamnit, Rhinzen thought. He had to cut back on the haepthum-as invigorating as it could be, he couldn't be caught with it. "Well then, I suspect the library is already in fine shape. Run along."

As Cassian left, Rhinzen turned back to Ferremo, who Cassian hadn't even noticed standing in the shadows. This time he chalked it up to the assassin's skill rather than his apprentice's inobservance.

"Ferremo?" Rhinzen said. "Do be gentle with him."

The assassin tipped his head. "Until next time, Master Halnian."