Golden Threads - Thread Slivers Part 11

So she expects they'll get intercepted and read en route. "Maybe I should write two such notes to my father in case the one to him is held back when it is intercepted."

"You learn fast M'lord. And yes, that is a good idea, please do. If you two are done with eating, why don't you go to the baths and get ready? Don't forget to bring your clothes back here for Ditani and Lebuin."

"Ticca, do we have to give them everything?"

Lebuin looked over his shoulder to see what Risy was worried about. Then it became obvious, it was their dagger. Ticca thought about it a moment, then smiled. "Can you give them your older daggers? They were only slightly different and I doubt it will be all that obvious from a distance which is which."

Risy nodded at that. "That is much better; of course we'd like them back if at all possible. We did start with them, after all."

Ticca looked at them very seriously. "I swear to you, if we make it back, I'll do what I can to insure their safe return."

Turning back to the task of writing the notes, he finished the first and started the second as Risy and Nigan left to get ready. I am not sure I like all this talk about possibly not returning. I would very much like to get back safely.

Once the other Daggers were gone, Ticca moved the two packs to the beds and grabbed some fruit, which she munched while pulling everything out. There were some cosmetics, a straight razor, and other toilet items. She looked critically at Ditani. "Do you object to shaving your entire head to save your life?"

Ditani grabbed his shoulder length hair. "Um, well, I never fancied being bald. If you think it will help, I suppose it will grow back in time."

She nodded. "The wig can be glued in place if you do, which will help should things require prompt actions." Handing him some of the supplies, she told him, "Here, I'll take you to my room, where there is a private sink and toilet. I'll help you to apply this paste for a bit and then wash it off; we must be even and not miss anyplace visible. It should lighten your skin tone closer to Risy's. M'lord, when you have finished those letters you should eat more; once we leave it might be a long time before we get another good meal. We should check on what Magus Vestul brought and maybe take it with us."

"Ticca, Magus Vestul traveled very light, he only had his pack and that pouch you wear."

Ticca thought about it for a minute. "Really. Well then, once we are finished with the main work we'll get Magus Vestul's pack from his chamber and take it with us. I'll be back, and don't open this door for anyone but the four of us."

With that she left, towing Ditani along. Lebuin dutifully finished the notes, then pulled out some extra papers and for the first time in his life he voluntarily recorded a journal of everything that happened so far. Eating as much as he could while writing, he spent a considerable time trying to record all he had observed and felt when almost dead. When he was done he added some sketches of the daggers he had seen so far, then he added a drawing of his mother as he remembered her in the astral plain: pregnant, happy, and weaving her cloth.

Ladro sat patiently in the corner of the room. He had risen early, being unable to sleep well because of nightmares of Duke ripping people apart, and other thoughts brought on by what he had understood of Duke's litany of tortures. He sipped quietly from the now-cooling cup of arit as he watched his master sleep. Duke whimpered from time to time and a soft yowl came from him as he too obviously dreamed. His tail and paws twitched and his jaws ripped into another pillow. Duke had been chewing on a few pillows all night; there were feathers and lint all over his piled pillow bed. I wonder if he is having nightmares too. Probably not, he has lived far too long to have those. Most likely he is dreaming of what he is going to do to the responsible people. A shudder ran through his body at that. I have never feared him before - sure, there were stories he told at his card house, and my parents, long in his service, had told some too. He is a good creature with his own sense of justice. Never have I heard of him harming innocent people. He lives by his military code of honor, courage, and commitment as if it were the only thing that can be counted on in the whole world. His code of conduct has always been to do right by everyone. Still, I never expected to be involved with one of his stories. I hope we get past this fast. I love him and he is good to me and my family, but he truly scared me last night.

The sun had just dawned, with its first rays coming through the window, when Duke rolled off the pile of pillows that served as his bed. He laid there, his back to Ladro, on the floor chewing and licking the air. He tried to clean his eyes with his front paws and kept loudly chewing the air, spitting on the floor as best as he could. Looking at the mess around him he sat up. "d.a.m.n it. I hate it when I get so mad I chew in my sleep." He stood and shook violently, sending a shower of feathers and lint into the air.

His ears perked up and rotated to the window. "Excellent, glad to see they haven't gotten lazy down here since I left." Chewing the air some more, he added, "I need something wet, and bacon. I want bacon." Ladro smiled at that. Duke sounded more like himself. "Guards! I'm up - get my grooms, three bowls of water, breakfast with bacon, and Ladro. And tell the Daggers I'll see them one team at a time, in the order they arrived."

Heavy boots ran from the door as it was opened by the remaining guard. Duke smiled. "Good boys."

Ladro stood. "Yes, M'lord."

Duke growled and spun around, bringing his head low defensively, ears flat back and baring his teeth. His eyes widened, taking in Ladro. Shaking his head, he straightened up, sat down heavily, and huffed. His ears straightened up and swiveled to target Ladro. "How long have you been there?"

"I am not really sure, M'lord. At least a full mark."

Duke sniffed at the air and shook his head. Probably upset because he didn't smell my presence.

Duke looked at the floor, continuing to chewing the air for a bit. Then he looked at Ladro almost guiltily. "Ladro, about last night, you saw some things that only your ancestors have seen. Sorry I lost control for a bit."

"M'lord, it is OK. I have been thinking about it all morning."

Duke's ears perked up sharply and he c.o.c.ked his head a little. I hate when he does that look. It is so comical on him and he knows it. "So what conclusions have you come to, Ladro?"

"M'lord, you did lose control and were madder than anyone I have ever witnessed. Yet where many I have heard of, or witnessed, would lash out and break something, or hurt a loved one, or rampage down the street, you planned what you would do to the responsible parties. I admit, your rant and the tortures you may have selected as appropriate terrify me to the core, and I beg you allow me to not be present should you act on those plans. Nonetheless, you did not touch any of your men or even damage something that was not within your own right to do so. I look forward to returning to your Tun Tavern, but now and forever, sir," Ladro stood straight-backed and squared his shoulders towards Duke, "Semper Fi."

Duke straightened to his equivalent of attention, held it for a moment then nodded curtly at Ladro. "Well-reasoned and well said. Semper Fi, indeed. Vestul was one of us, and we will extract our justice for his murder. But right now I am more interested in the water I ordered. My mouth feels awful. Come on and let's get the day started, we have much to do."

Duke stepped out into the hall and indicated his bath to the guard, who moved fast enough to open it so Duke did not have to break stride. In a few moments a small group arrived with water bowls, and four women set to cleaning Duke's fur of the feathers with animal combs. Duke stuck his whole head into one bowl with his mouth open and just shook it back and forth, splas.h.i.+ng water everywhere in the tiled room. With the second bowl he did nearly the same. The third he stuck his snout in and chewed the water for a time. In the meantime, the grooms had efficiently cleaned his fur and were applying some special oils he enjoyed. It took only a quarter of a mark and Duke looked ready to greet the Princes.

"Ladro, I'll have breakfast in the formal dining room, and I seriously want bacon, so send someone out to get more - I think I'm going to empty the kitchens of it. I'll meet the Daggers as I eat. Have the staff offer them anything they please to drink. If any take up the offer for anything with alcohol in it have the staff give them a cross and dismiss them. Set yourself up in the study next to the dining room and see each team one at a time, with the outer door closed. Check their daggers carefully; I will want a full recording. Also, refresh your knowledge from my book of Nhia-Samri weapons, but do not let any Dagger see that book. Check all of their weapons, if you see anything listed in that book, bow to me when you present them. If a majority of their equipment looks new, motion them in with your right hand. Otherwise just open the adjoining door and announce them to me. Then I want you to leave the adjoining door open and as we talk, take notes. When done you will proceed as I say. Make sure the guards keep them in proper order. Clear?"

Ladro filed all the instructions instantly, as he had done his whole life. "Of course, M'lord." He opened the door and pa.s.sed some instructions to one of the pages that stood there. Closing the door, he turned back to Duke. "Do you expect a Nhia-Samri to attempt to hire on with you?"

Standing and shaking, he ruffled some of his combed fur, which caused frowns on the grooms' faces. Duke smiled at them. "I have a reputation to maintain. Thank you, I truly love you all." Looking at Ladro, he replied, "Someone was smoking carmine-laced tobac in the Dolphin. There was no foreign merchant there that dealt with the Rhonian Empire, where that tasty herb comes from. Carmine is only used to flavor fish or poultry in cooking... There is no reason in the world to stuff it into a pipe except to burn out someone's ability to smell. Which by the way, I f.u.c.king discovered one night by getting so drunk we pa.s.sed out, burning our dinners. I regret telling anyone about that, so unless someone was trying to slip some pungent-smelling poison into some else's food, in the main room of the Dolphin, filled with Daggers, I was expected. It was a deliberate trap designed to impede my tracking."

Ladro considered it, and, remembering the smell and smoke flavor of burned herbs, had to agree. No one would want to taste that herb smoke on purpose. Opening the door, two guards stepping smartly out of the way, two pages stayed against the far wall. Everyone is on edge, no surprise, considering the tales of last night were probably already told to all the staff. Thank the G.o.ds Duke long ago decided to only employ loyal families for life, or as long as they want. Otherwise this would have been a very bad day indeed, and we wouldn't be able to talk in our own home. As they moved down the hall, a question occurred to him. "When did you realize you had been trapped, M'lord?"

"Right after I sneezed, trying to clear my nose after walking into the b.l.o.o.d.y trap."

Ladro looked at Duke, surprised. "You didn't even hesitate, you just walked in, and it seemed you did as you planned."

Duke smiled as he approached the dining room and the guard, antic.i.p.ating his path, opened the door. "Never let the enemy know his plan is working."

"Because of this you believe Nhia-Samri might be here?"

Duke stopped, and gave him a look that said he should really keep up. "Ladro, you have lost three good agents completely. Vestul is dead and Night's Fire was used to hide this, and my tracking ability was taken away in a trap that could have only been for me specifically. Yes, the Nhia-Samri are here. Now the only questions are: What are they after? How can I kill more of them? And can I do anything at all to embarra.s.s them in front of that little runt b.a.s.t.a.r.d, their Grand Lord Commander?"

With that he turned and entered the extravagantly decorated room with its ma.s.sive oval table, large enough to seat forty guests. At the head of the table was a huge, eighteen-foot-tall throne that had no legs or arm rests; the beautiful gold and amber cus.h.i.+oned seat sat directly on the floor. The table was actually six hands higher than normal dining tables and all the elegant chairs arrayed around the table had longer legs, locking coaster wheels on each leg, adjustable height foot rests, and serving steps between each chair to compensate. The table held a huge serving platter on which were two dozen lightly roasted birds, arranged artfully around the edges of a pile of lightly crisped bacon that stood at least four feet high. The smell of it made Ladro's mouth water.

Duke looked at the pile and smiled. He breathed deeply and then growled. "d.a.m.n it, I want to smell it too. These three days are going to be painful." Duke arranged himself comfortably on the floor-throne. Looking at Ladro, he asked, "Would you care to join me?"

Ladro looked at the pile and his stomach was already begging for some. "M'lord, thank you, I'll have a bacon and egg sandwich in the study as I review the book you mentioned."

Duke smiled at his announcement of meal choice. "Very well. Give me a half mark to make a dent in this, then send in the first Dagger team as you complete your duty with them. There is no rush today. What is done is done, now it is time to find out what really is going on, and to insure real justice is served, with minimal losses. Our enemies here will be made to pay dearly, hiding in shadows or not."

Ladro closed the door, ordering the breakfast he was now ready for. He made a quick trip to the vault storage room to get the book on Nhia-Samri weapons. Taking the book, he went back to the study and slowly flipped through it, examining the engineering-quality diagrams and detailed technical description of each weapon, herb, and tool employed by the Nhia-Samri. After a half-mark, he locked the book into the desk drawer and motioned for the page to let in the first Dagger team.

A pair of Daggers came in, dressed and ready for work. They looked fresh and crisp, but according to their introduction, they had arrived here a full three marks before any other Daggers. One, called Elades of Stegea, had the silver hair and sun-darkened skin of a true veteran. The other, called Idanas of Stegea, had brown hair that was starting to go to grey, with a crisp tan that also spoke of years out in the sun. Both, however, had tight skin, strong muscles, and they walked with the fluid grace of highly trained warriors.

Ladro requested they place all their weapons and gear on the large desk for inspection. They didn't question the request, and promptly filled the desk with more weapons than Ladro thought possible, considering what little they were wearing. He inspected everything closely; their gear was heavily used but well-maintained. He drew quick sketches of their daggers, key weapons, and more unusual items. Ladro also took note of their names, homes, and Dagger training pedigree. These were long-experienced and highly capable Daggers with a prime table at the Dolphin, indicating that Genne, too, judged them very worthy of high ranking.

He then opened the door to the dining room and announced them to Duke. Duke was mid-bite and looked up, chewing a mouthful of bacon. Most of the birds had been eaten and the platter was down to about half of its original bacon load.

The Daggers walked into the dining room and stood just inside the doorway, waiting respectfully for orders. Duke finished chewing slowly. When he was done, he wiped his mouth on the mounted table napkin. Then he looked at the Daggers hard for a long moment. "I am impressed with your zeal. Arriving here a full three marks before the next team demonstrates commitment. What is the reason for the rush to wait?"

Both Daggers laughed politely at Duke's very old military joke. Elades took the lead and answered, "M'lord, the Dolphin is under observation by unknowns, Knives attacked another Dagger yesterday, and two seasoned Dagger teams have vanished over the last few cycles. We know enough of your true history to trust your goals and commands; we desire to serve with you."

Duke considered this answer. "You do me honor with your courage and commitment. You are Squad Alpha Team One. Which of you is lead?"

Without hesitation Elades stepped forward; Idanas simply remained in place.

"Elades, you are named Alpha Commander and need to select seven or more Daggers for team one, please do not break up a team. Of course you will also need to select two more fire teams for Alpha Squad and their leads."

The new officer nodded.

"Tell me, are you familiar with carmine?"

Idanas spoke up. "Sir, it is a spice out of Rhonia, which doesn't usually get this far south. I have some, if you need it."

Duke shook his head. "No, I don't need it, but you will. The initial objectives for your squad are: first, discretely find out if any s.h.i.+pment of carmine has come through here recently; second, familiarize yourself with its scent, look, taste and any indicators you can find from smoking it shredded mixed with tobac; third, discretely identify the Nhia-Samri agent, or agents, who are smoking it at the Blue Dolphin."

At the mention of Nhia-Samri, the Daggers' faces became as hardened steel.

Duke motioned to the far end of the room, where the two Daggers took up position. "While we wait for the next group I will tell you the command signals I prefer to use. It would be well if Alpha Squad consists of only seasoned Daggers. I will not allow the Nhia-Samri agents posing as Daggers to join Squads Alpha or Bravo." Turning to look at Ladro, Duke said, "Time to do this again with the next Daggers."

As Ladro closed the door he heard Duke say, "You may be free from restraint until Ladro brings in the next team. We'll have about fifteen minutes - tell me more about how you became Daggers."

Duke made the next lone Dagger Squad Bravo Commander, and the following team of three, Charlie Squad Team One, naming their Lead as Squad Commander. Ladro wondered where these odd names were coming from, but if the Daggers wondered the same they never showed it. Bravo Squad was ordered to find a way to locate and observe the observers of the Dolphin. Charlie Squad was ordered to begin investigations into the Night Market, Thieves Market, and any other illegal goods markets, to catalog everything that had been bought, sold or traded in the last five days. The next few teams ranged in experience, and the squad commanders debated which squad and team they would best serve. Every Dagger already knew that the squads were to be three teams of about nine Daggers, and each team had requirements of specialized skills based on the a.s.signed objectives. Ladro found their total lack of egotism amazing, and even the new Daggers added into the conversation, not to promote themselves, but to clarify skill sets and experiences.

Then a team of two Daggers came in, calling themselves Apa.n.a.l and Egal of Azaria. They had arrived about the middle of all the Daggers and teams of Daggers. They were dressed as expected; some of their equipment looked used, but most of it was new; then Ladro saw the small stack of chakram they each carried. These were weapons normal for the region they said they were from, but they were also a weapon favored by the Nhia-Samri. In no other way did they look out of order.

Opening the door, he bowed to Duke and introduced the Daggers. Oddly enough, no one in the room seemed to take notice or indicate anything was different.

Duke was working on his second platter of bacon and some of the other Daggers had food stuffs from the kitchens or fruits brought in for snacks. Duke smiled. "Azaria is a long way from here. I haven't been there in a very long time." Apa.n.a.l and Egal just nodded politely and waited, and Duke continued, "How long have you been here in Llino working as a Dagger team?"

Egal answered for them. "Great Lord, we have only been here about three weeks. We hired on to a merchant vessel as sailors and guardsmen because we wanted to explore a bit beyond what we knew."

Duke nodded. "I understand the need to explore well. How long have you been working as Daggers?"

"Since we were children, five and ten years of age, Great Lord. We have been fortunate in our work and received good training. I am now nine and twenty years of age as is my life-friend."

"Interesting, Daggers tend to grow more roots as they age; you two did the opposite. So that means fourteen years of labor and experience?" Duke looked at Ladro, and Ladro, realizing it was a question for him, minutely shook his head. None of the equipment could possibly be old enough, and too much of it was too new.

As Ladro was standing directly behind Egal and Apa.n.a.l he felt sure they didn't see him. Instead they both nodded and Egal said, "Very correct, Great Lord."

Duke looked at them and thought a moment. As he opened his mouth, Ladro prepared to run for cover, but Duke shocked him by saying, "Very good. It will take a clever eye and someone who is a little foreign to this city to lead Delta Squad. You shall be Delta Team One. Which of you is to be Lead?"

Egal stepped forward in a precise military step and stood tall. "I am Lead."

Duke nodded. "You will be a.s.signed seven more Daggers or more, so as to not break up a team, for Delta one fire team, and you will a.s.sist in selecting the rest of Delta Squad." Duke then bluntly looked at Ladro. "And Ladro, I have told you before, stop with the infernal bowing. It is embarra.s.sing; if you really must you can just wave them in."

By just after noon all of the remaining Daggers had been sorted into the five squads. Duke had rea.s.signed one of the more veteran Daggers to be Commander of the final Echo Squad when the numbers showed there would be the need if the team and squad numbers were to be kept to the stated sizes. Each of the squads was positioned at different locations around the room. The soft chatter of military people introducing themselves and establis.h.i.+ng relations.h.i.+ps made the room more alive than any feast of n.o.bles could.

After the last Daggers had been a.s.signed, Duke looked at the room and barked once. The room fell silent and everyone looked at Duke. "In a minute I'll dismiss you to the courtyard where some lunch is prepared for you to eat while I brief your commanders and team leads to provide orders and objectives. Commanders and leads are to remain close to the door and report in, one squad at a time. I will then meet privately with each team's lead for an initial one-on-one in designation order. Your leads will brief you as needed. Everything from this moment on is on a need-to-know basis only. Understood?"

The room resounded with a loud, "Yes, sir!" in unison.

This is amazing. Yesterday I would have sworn Daggers where more a rabble than a trained militia. I thought Daggers were just mercenaries and loners with slightly more skill. In one morning random Daggers have come together without a hitch or argument. I would swear these Daggers had fought whole wars together and were a standing army. They actually look happy to be a.s.sembled so. He couldn't help it; he glanced at Egal and Apa.n.a.l. They were looking at Duke but also glancing around the room as well. Ladro quickly continued to scan the other Daggers as if he was taking notes, in case they spotted him looking.

Duke continued, "Each squad must report all findings back here daily. I expect each team to have positive confirmation of their squad's teams' locations and status every two marks. If any team misses a check-in it is to be considered an emergency 'man down' situation and reported back to me immediately, with appropriate actions taken per your squad's rules of engagement. You may communicate your reports with any member of my personal staff as if it were me, most especially Ladro here. Ladro is the only other besides myself that can give you new orders. Understood?"

The room resounded with another loud, "Yes, sir!" in unison. Egal momentarily frowned but quickly composed himself.

Duke stood up, putting his front paws on the table so he towered over the room like a giant and bellowed, "Where is the safest place to be?"

All the Daggers drew their daggers and held them high, yelling as one, "Behind the Daggers!" Ladro noted that Egal and Apa.n.a.l were the last to draw, before his attention was drawn to Duke.

Duke yelled, "Do you want to live forever?"

"NO SIR!"

Duke yelled louder, "Semper Fidelis!"

The Daggers, almost in frenzy, yelled loudly, rattling the chandelier and gla.s.sware, "SEMPER FIDELIS!"

"Dismissed!"

My Lords and Ladies, what has he released here?

Chapter 10.

Walls work both ways ORAHDA KNOCKED HIS BLADE SLIGHTLY to the side as he stepped inside Dohma's guard, landing a rib strike which was very painful even through the padded sparing armor. Orahda said, "Action is better than reaction," as he stepped lightly out of Dohma's striking range.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Dohma signaled an end to the practice drill and rubbed his chest where it hurt. "Orahda, will you ever grow old?"

The weapons master nodded and lowered his weapon. "My captain, you wound me! I am nearly as tired as you, and you are getting on in in years."

Laughing, Dohma cleaned his sword and unbuckled the light leather armor, handing it to a page. "Don't bring my age into this or I'll go read your record."

Orahda had been weapons master for the Palace Guard since Dohma was a child. He was of average height, thin but with rolling muscles. He kept his wiry black hair tightly braided with beads tied to fall down the left side of his head and over his shoulder in the Karkaian style, although his skin was much lighter than any Karkaian, even with its deep tan. He was dressed in the same semi-loose leather pants and leather fighting vest with its high neck and no sleeves, which he always wore. Orahda thought armor was a waste of his time and energy and never bothered to wear it.

Orahda rarely taught any student directly unless they were exceptional in some way, but oversaw all the training through a small staff of trainers. Many n.o.bles had their children join the Palace Guard instead of the Navy or Princes' Guard just for weapons training. This caused some problems from time to time as Orahda's training also instilled strong morals and honorable values, which some n.o.bles thought were an impediment to political necessities. Of course many n.o.ble children grew to be fine guardsmen who Dohma trusted with his life, even when they left to inherit their parents' t.i.tles and responsibilities. Any who were found wanting were denied training by Orahda and eventually dismissed from the guard; this brought about many a heated political fight. Dohma had looked on Orahda like a loved uncle from early in his training and sometimes he fancied Orahda had similar feelings for him. Orahda oversaw Dohma's training personally. It was because of his attentions that Dohma was able to rise to the rank of Captain of the Guard.

Orahda grabbed a water pitcher and drank deeply of it. He looked as fresh as when they had started practicing nearly a full two marks before. Watching the weapons master drink, Dohma shook his head. He should at least have the decency to sweat. Orahda's hair was pitch-black, without a single strand of gray anywhere. I wonder how old he really is. He hasn't aged my whole life and I would swear he looks only forty years. I am thirty-five and he was weapons master before I was born. He watched Orahda's muscular arms flexing as the weapon's master moved, showing the banded steel of his muscles. His tanned arms were crisscrossed with scars. His skin is probably tougher than the leather gear I wear.

A messenger stepped up politely. "Captain, the Princes summon you to audience in the throne room."

"Better you than me, Captain. I'd tell them to get off their lazy b.u.t.ts and get in some practice. They are all starting to look pudgy."

Dohma laughed. "Only you can get away with remarks like that, which is probably why they don't summon you." And I know they still resent that you never agreed to train any of them personally. Grabbing his s.h.i.+rt and belt, he started walking to the throne room. On the way he got his s.h.i.+rt on over the light padded undercoat, slipped on his belt and ran his fingers through his hair. By the time he got to the throne room the sweat had dried and he was at least presentable.

He entered the throne room through the side door; guarded, as always, by the Princes' Personal Guard in their blue and silver livery. All three Princes sat their thrones on the shared semi-circle dais which took up a quarter of the circular room. Eight white marble pillars reached almost all the way to the domed ceiling, giving the room the look of a cathedral. Eight arched windows soaring two stories upward were placed between each pillar and completed the dramatic gallery. Between each of the arched windows were balconies with low banisters, used for musicians and by the ladies to observe the royal activities.

Dohma knew they saw him, and waited while they dealt with a Cabinet Lord's complaints of animal noises in the night near the docks. They told him it was being taken care of and waved him out. Once the lord had left, only the Princes, their personal guard, and Dohma remained in the room. Emman, the eldest prince, motioned for him to approach. He stepped to the front of the dais and knelt, bowing his head. "My Princes, how may I serve?"

"Duke has ignored our orders and went out on the streets last night. Further, we have had reports this morning that he has hired not less than thirty Daggers and caused considerable damage to the Blue Dolphin. You are to invite him here, immediately. You are authorized to take whatever measures you deem necessary to achieve this. We expect him here within two marks. You may go."

"My Princes, Duke is a Lord of Aelargo and ent.i.tled to the actions you speak of by the covenant of this land."