Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) (12 page)

“It just seemed the right thing to do. I followed the feelings of the ceremony to find the channel.”

“You are only the third Journeyman in the history of the Guild to do this. That channel was not meant to be shown to you until you were made a Magus. Activating it is part of the Magus ceremony.”

Sitting up himself, he said, “But that is the purpose of using my artifact, isn’t it? An artifact can identify its owner.”

“Yes, I see no reason to hide this from you now. You’d discover it shortly anyway. Any magical artifact can be used by a Magi to trace its maker if they are still alive. Most artifacts cease to work once the maker has died, unless a trick is employed to make the artifact independent. However, even independent artifacts can still be used to trace their maker. In some cases, with certain knowledge, the artifact can also be used to breach the maker’s defenses.”

Lebuin thought about that. “So if another Magi got any of my existing artifacts they could find me and affect me through any defenses I might have.”

Nodding, the councilor moved back to his seat. “Yes, it can be very complicated. I know you are not yet certain of what to do first. So I suggest you go out on the town, find a guide, and go explore something, anything you want. I am sure there were odd questions you had about things in your training — now is the time to go and answer those. You also have full access to the entire library now. So before you spend cycles trying to answer a question, it would be best if you asked if it has been researched yet. Good luck, Lebuin, you have given us all a lot of surprises. I suspect your results will likely be just as unique. Do you have any questions?”

“I am sure I will have more later, but since I can come back and ask I only have one. What was that one thread at the ceremony that went to the ceiling?”

The Councilor looked at him for a minute and took a swig of his own glass before answering. “You detected that one. You really are a wonder. It didn’t go to the ceiling, it went
through
the ceiling. In fact I have seen it go in many directions, which makes me happy. To answer your question, that thread went to Lord Argos.”

Lebuin blinked; even with the ancient sharre in his system the shock was immense.
I am truly bound to a real God, a God that can smell me out no matter where I may go. I wonder how much can be done with this connection.

“You’re white, finish your glass. It does take some time to get used to this knowledge. Now, you have earned this.” He pulled a flat leather case from his desk and handed it to Lebuin.

It was an ornate folded leather case slightly smaller than his palm, inscribed with the Guild’s seal. It opened easily on one side. With the front cover opened a silver and gold inlaid disk mounted to the stiff leather backing was revealed. The disk was artistically engraved with his name, the Guild seal, and the word “journeyman” in four languages around the edge.

Lebuin looked at the Councilor questioningly. “It’s your Journeyman badge,” he said.

Laughing, Lebuin said, “So last night when they congratulated me for earning the badge of Journeyman it was not just figurative.” Standing, he nodded at the Councilor. “I will find something to do soon. In fact, I already have a small quest in mind to perhaps get some ideas on what to really do.”

The Councilor didn’t stand, just made a shooing motion towards the door, which now opened quietly behind Lebuin. “Yes, go, go, and find your first task. Argos will guide you.”

Before I go out I need to get a few defenses ready. I can’t be caught stunned like I was last night.
Stopping in the library, he reviewed some defense tomes. He chose a couple rather crude but easy attack formulae from the ones taught to all mages.
Yes, these will do just fine.
Remembering the lessons, he pooled the energies needed and prepared the incantations, adding them to his memorized incantations.
Now I can at least defend myself rapidly.
Pleased with the preparations, he left the library and headed for his room.

Entering his room, he saw Ditani was napping in the chair where he had left him. As he came in Ditani snapped to standing, looking embarrassed. “Master Lebuin, my apologies. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He looked better for the food and the short nap.

“Ditani, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I have discharged my only duty for the day. Come, let us see if we can find Magus Vestul.” Holding the door open, he motioned to get Ditani moving.

Instead of heading out to the hall Ditani stood still and, quietly, so no one beyond the open door might hear, asked, “Um, if you’ll forgive my forwardness, Master Lebuin. Might it not be wise to bring some money?”

Oh my, he is good.
“Thank you. Yes, I should bring some money. I have some things I’ll need to buy, so I might as well do some shopping while we look. Also, I assume you mean some tokens might also help restore lost memories?”

Ditani nodded agreement.
I must remember everything will cost a coin or three. I might have to stop by my father’s office and withdraw some funds. I wonder how much a nice comfortable cart will cost. I need to be able to take my clothes with me.
Opening a locked drawer, he pulled out his coin purse and examined it.
Well, I assume eleven crosses and change will take care of the day.
He put the coin purse into his belt pouch.

He turned to the door. Ditani was standing there waiting, and seeing that Lebuin was now prepared he opened the door for the Journeyman.
Yes, indeed he would be a very welcome companion for the next few years. That is, of course, if I can hire him away from Magus Vestul.
As they left the Guild he strengthened his shields as much as he could while holding the other incantations at the ready.

Ditani took him first to the Blue Dolphin Inn. Lebuin had never been inside it but had walked past it dozens of times on his way to the docks and his family’s offices. Ditani again held the door for him as he entered. The smoke parted around him as he entered. Even through the filtering of his shields he could smell the various scents of tobac. Smiling, he decided he should also get some of the better leaf today as he was running low. He took a minute to let his eyes adjust better to the dimmer room. It was much larger than he expected, taking up slightly more than half of the central section of the building, and stretching all the way front to back. A large bar stood across the back wall. Halls led off out of the room from the back right and left sides. There were three large fireplaces, now burning low. Next to the bar on the back wall was a wide table with a cloth covering that had the box symbols for card games. Some tables had a metal scissor-like apparatuses mounted in them which, observing a few of those tables with occupants, was for holding a dagger upright. Some of the other tables also had a dagger stuck right into the wood of the table.

Looking at the people sitting at the tables with upright daggers he found they all were looking back at him with assessing eyes. Not one of them embarrassed and most met him eye to eye.
These are Daggers for hire. I forgot the Blue Dolphin is supposed to be where the best of the Daggers hire out.
Looking at the daggers in the tables he saw that they were all functional weapons, but each was very distinctive.
I need to ask Dad what the protocol is for hiring a Dagger. I might need one, and I probably can afford one of the best.

Ditani motioned for him to follow and led him to the bar, where a large muscled man was talking to a couple of well-dressed gentlemen. A lady dressed more like a city guard stood in the middle of the bar facing him, leaning back against the counter with a heavy mug in one hand the other resting on the hilt of a sword. The bartender was dressed well, but his clothes had dozens of stains from the food and drink he served. Trying to not look too out of place, Lebuin sat down on one of the many stools at the bar. He then looked back around the room. The Daggers had gone back to whatever they were doing when he came in. Some were writing in journals, others had an array of objects on their tables and were using them to work on one weapon or another. Still others were just talking. It was busier than he expected for midmorning. A few people, mostly reasonably well-dressed, vacated a table after looking him over. He noticed that a group of workmen who came in behind him walked past empty tables with the dagger holders and chose to sit at the communal tables.
Why not sit at the empty table? Can only Daggers sit at those tables?

Looking at the daggers,
not exactly good behavior sticking a dagger into a table especially when there are empty tables with dagger holders for just that purpose.
There were three empty tables with holders and they were all near one wall or another. As he watched, a well-dressed man handed a couple of bells to one of the Daggers sitting at a table with a holder near the center of the room. The Dagger and his companions stood up, taking his dagger from the holder, and they left with their employer. Immediately there was a silent exchange of looks between the Daggers at tables without holders and one stood up, pulled his dagger out of the wooden table, walked over and sat down, placing his dagger into the holder.
That was interesting. There must be a ranking order. Those other empty holder tables must signify something that these others don’t feel up to challenging or claiming.

“Master.” He remembered he was here for a purpose and while he had been staring at the unfamiliar room Ditani had been talking in soft tones with the bartender. “Magus Vestul has still not been seen.”

“Let’s go check the room.”

“I don’t have the key.”

“Well we can still knock; won’t the inn keeper open it for us?”

“No, that isn’t how it works here. Blue Dolphin rooms are for key-holders only. If you don’t have a room key or are a known invited guest they won’t let you go upstairs.”

Thinking of Magus Gezu, he asked, “What if Magus Vestul died in the room overnight of a heart problem like Magus Gezu?”

Ditani looked worried at the new thought. “I don’t know. It is not very likely.”

Lebuin turned around to the bar and signaled for the barkeeper to come over. After a minute he did.

“Yes, m’lord. Wha’ can I getcha?”

“I’d like to speak to the innkeeper please.”

The large man stood still staring at him for a minute as if he was an interesting new insect. A shiver ran down his back and he strengthened his shield a little more. The barkeeper’s voice remained calm, even friendly. “M’lord, I’m da inn keeper, owner an’ enforcer. How may I serve you?” The last had only a slight accent.

Oh great, I have insulted one of the most influential people in the city and I have only been a Journeyman here for a few marks.
Smiling as nicely as he could, he covertly pulled a chera out and placed it on the counter near his hand — and, he hoped, out of view of most of the room’s occupants. “My apologies. I am worried about a friend, Magus Vestul. He was not exactly young; is there any way to check his room to be sure he hasn’t had an accident?”

The large man considered the idea for a minute. “Wait here.” He then walked around the end of the bar, crossed the room, and went up a set of circular stone stairs which Lebuin had not noticed, as the entrance was hidden from the main door but visible from the bar. All of the Daggers watched the innkeeper as he left, then looked back at Lebuin. He felt like a specimen on display, so he casually as possible turned his back on the room and leaned on the bar. Ditani stood next to him, facing the room.

Smiling he reached for where his coin had been on the counter.
He didn’t take the coin. I thought bribes were common.
His hand came up empty, and he looked at the bar in shock.
Wait, where is the coin?
Lebuin looked at the other people near the bar; none of them were close enough to have taken it. Thinking back, he mused,
I’d swear on a stack of crowns he didn’t reach for the coin, and no one else could have either.

He looked at Ditani, confused. Ditani stood there looking at the room. “Do you think he’ll open the room?”

“Of course, but where did my chera go?” he asked softly.

Ditani glanced at him with almost the same look as the innkeeper before answering, “Genne took it, of course.”

Turning slightly, he was able to watch the room. As he waited, well-dressed folks came and went pretty often. Almost every merchant or noble actually walked around the room, boldly examining the daggers in the tables and the Daggers sitting at them too. “Is that normal?”

Ditani looked at what he was watching. “Of course. Merchants need specific services, so they have to find the right Dagger for their needs. No Dagger will ever take offense at being sized up by a client.”

The innkeeper returned. “M’lord, ya needn’t worry, yer friend ain’t dead in da room. Der ain’t no-un in da room. Can I getcha any ting else?”

Well, so much for an easy solution. Now what?
Disappointed at the lack of a simple solution, he shook his head no. “Thank you, no. Can you tell him Journeyman Lebuin would like to speak with him as soon as possible at the Guildhouse when he comes back?”

“O’course m’lord. Ri’after I tell im of all da udder request. Very popular, dat one. I’ave ta’ charge him more nex’time.”

Now that is interesting.
“Uh, popular? I take it there are a lot of people asking to see him.”

The innkeeper looked at him for a few moments before he realized that nothing more was going to come without some coin. Sighing, he fished out another chera. This time he left his finger on it. The innkeeper smiled a friendly smile and gave him a wink. “Ya might say dat. Been tree udders askin’ after him.”