Thraxas at War

'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?'

'You exaggerate,' says Hanama, and slips past me into the office. She hands a piece of paper to Lisutaris. The Sorcerer glances at it.

'Excellent,' she mutters. 'Thraxas, this is a full retraction of the accusations of cowardice made against you by Vedinax. He admits he was lying and that you never threw your shield away.'

'How did you get that?'

'Though private means.'

'Threats and bribery?'

'That, and my friendship with Praetor Capatius, Vedinax's employer. You can have this paper if you agree to my request.'

I take the paper. The accusations of cowardice have been a burden. I want them lifted.

'Okay, I'll work your damned spell for you.'

'What's that under your cloak?' Lisutaris asks Hanama.

'Nothing,' replies the small Assassin.

'Yes it is,' says Lisutaris. 'It's a bunch of flowers.'

'So what if it is?' says Hanama.

'Since when did you pick flowers?' demands Lisutaris.

'I didn't pick them. They were just lying in the street.'

Are they for me?' asks Makri, her voice sounding slurred.

'No. I just found them outside. I don't even know why I picked them up. They're not for anyone. Unless you want them. Do you want them, Makri? You can have them if you want.'

'Did Rittius hire your foul guild to assassinate Bevarius?' I demand.

'The Assassins Guild does not discuss its affairs in public,' replies Hanama.

By now Lisutaris is starting to construct a thazis stick of massive proportions. Not wishing my office to again be full of intoxicated members of the Association of Gentlewomen, I throw them out, banishing them to Makri's room, where they can do what the hell they like. I drag a bottle of klee from its new hiding place, as yet undiscovered by Makri, and drink deeply.

No more accusations of cowardice. That's good. Solved the case of Prefect Galwinius, and got paid, also good. Ores outside the walls, not so good. City about to fall. Very bad.

Makri is half-sister of Prince Amrag. That's too puzzling to think about right now.

Since the Ores attacked I haven't been sleeping well. It takes half the bottle of klee and several thazis sticks before I manage to nod off, and I'm far from refreshed when I wake the next day. I take a cold breakfast downstairs in the early light. Makri intercepts me before I leave the tavern. She stands awkwardly for a moment, then hands me a cloak.

'I brought you this. Lisutaris put a warming spell on it. It will last much longer than your own.'

'Thanks, Makri.'

Maybe I should make an apology for the abuse I've heaped on Makri's head recently. She turns and leaves before I get the chance, so I drape the cloak round my shoulders and head for the walls.