Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) (13 page)

Beginning to get the feel for this, he left the coin where it was but added another one. Smiling, he leaned a little closer. “Anyone I might know?”

“No m’lord, ‘least, not likely. One was a friend o’ Duke, a’nudder was a recent regular, Sula by name, and da last was a Knife, stake me rep on dat, I would.”

I know about the Duke, and what a Knife is I don’t think I want to know. Maybe I can meet this Sula and we can help each other.
Nodding as he added a third coin, “Sula is a new regular? Where might I find him?”

The innkeeper’s hand came down, covering his hand and all three coins. It was heavy, muscled and coarse on the back of his hand. “M’lord, be careful o’dat one. Ya can fin’ ‘er at da Temple o’ Dalpha. Dats al’I can do for ya.” He turned, lifting his hand, and moved to some customers who were trying to dress well but failing miserably. Looking down, he saw all three of the coins were gone.
Now that is an interesting trick.

Standing up, he motioned for Ditani to follow and he walked out, trying to look confident. On the way he took note of some Daggers he might come back and talk to later, after he had a chance to get some advice on hiring them. Both of the Daggers he was most interested in nodded politely to him as Ditani opened the door for him.
Damn, how did they know I was thinking of them?

Once outside he started walking towards the docks and the main market. “This Sula sounds like she might be able to help. We can get to the Temple of Dalpha through the market.” Ditani simply nodded and followed.

The market was as busy as always, buskers screaming their wares, merchants in booths vying for the attention of anyone who even glanced at their stalls. Temple Street was on the far side of the market, so they simply began maneuvering through the stalls on a general course for the temple district. As they moved through the market he paid closer attention to the mundane things he had never considered buying, like the leather backpacks and the more sturdy boots.
I need some boots that will not wear out, but I can keep looking respectable.

As he rounded a stall he caught sight of a serviceably but beautifully dressed woman wearing a dusky brick-red cloak with a rust-colored hood and fur-trimmed collar. The woman was just turning away from him, heading down another row. Her tanned skin and curly dark brown hear were perfectly suited to the dusky colors she wore.
My Lord, it can’t be. That is the girl from the alley!
She had already stepped out of sight with a sweetmeat in one hand and a pack swung over the opposite shoulder.

“Come on, I think I know her.” Stepping faster, he dodged around some other shoppers, not sure what he would do when he met her. But still, he knew he wanted to at least talk to her. He moved so fast Ditani was left behind. She was a few feet down the aisle when he rounded the corner. Smiling, he moved hurriedly to get close enough to say hello.

An explosion of light and sound hit him from behind, pushing him forward violently. His shield buckling under the force, he stumbled and tried to stay up.
What the hell was that?
Rebounding off the girl, knocking her forward as well, he managed to regain his footing. At the same time he pushed what energy he could through his channels to recover the protective shield. The sudden rush of energies was slightly more than needed, and the excess burnt as the channels allowed what they could to flow through. Turning around, he looked for the source of the force that had hit him.

Everywhere people were running and screaming, except for one man only a few paces away. The man was rough looking, wearing all black from neck to foot. He held a rod that was pointed straight at Lebuin. The man looked mad, and his eyes burned with a hatred Lebuin found hard to stand against.
Gods, an assassin!
Panic welled up inside Lebuin as lightning leaped from the rod, striking him again. His shield was not enough, and he felt like a fire had exploded inside him as the energy channel was forcibly disrupted. Worse, the energies he was trying to send through the now-destroyed channel began pooling and burning. The shield was gone, and he was burning inside from energies that no longer had a place to go, as well as from the tag end of the attack that had charred his arms and chest.

The man in black looked momentarily amazed and then moved rapidly towards Lebuin. His voice was husky but chilling. “Damn it!” was all Lebuin heard as he saw him pull a knife with the other hand and threw it into his chest.

The pain from the knife snapped something in Lebuin. Looking at the approaching assassin he released all the energies that were burning in him and connected a ley line in the air to the attack formula he had prepared before leaving the Guild, targeting the assassin.
You can join me.
As he started to collapse, golden energies leaped from his hands, arcing to the assassin. Some energy jumped to the rod in the assassin’s hand; as the darkness came, Lebuin smiled that his last sight was of his killer exploding in flames. Screams echoed down into the dark as he fell. Faintly he heard Ditani screaming his name, then nothing at all.

Chapter 5

Knives are out

E
NJOYING THE SWEET AND SALTY flavor of the sweetmeat, Ticca strolled through the marketplace. Comparing the morning’s purchases against her list of needed items, she smiled. Her new pouch had two separate compartments with identical sets of items. The exception was one had practically nothing of value, while the other held the real items. She was particularly pleased with the set of journals she’d found. It would take a little work to transfer her notes but it would be worth it. The sun was warm, and all her main objectives for the day were dealt with. She considered the future.
I should go back to the Blue Dolphin and put my dagger out. But I think I can afford to take a short break. After all, I have been working for years to get here. I think I deserve a break.
Ignoring most of the barkers vying for her attention, she thought maybe she should get a few extra supplies now that she had a safe place to store them.
Always a good idea to be prepared for having to leave on short notice.

Her eyes were slightly dazzled by a flash of bright light and her ears started ringing from a sound not unlike a near thunderclap. Something hit her hard from behind, and her skin prickled at the contact even through her leathers.
That feels like the magic Sula made me use.
She was pushed forward with considerable force and her feet automatically shuffled, keeping her balanced. Her heart started racing as the memory of the previous evening’s sneak attack made a pit in her stomach. She dropped her pack as she executed an about face into a battle-ready crouch, with knives in a defensive position.

Dagger in one hand and a knife in the other, she took in what had hit her. Instead of the expected opponent she was looking at the back of skinny, medium-height man. He was himself just finishing turning around, looking away from her. His cloak was smoking slightly from whatever had happened to his back.
Must have been blown into me, but by who or what?

Lowering herself slightly and stepping an inch to the right, remaining ready for a fight, she was able to see past the man who had run into her. Fifteen feet away and closing was a Knife, or at least someone who really wanted to make that impression. Except this Knife was using an ebony rod, which he pointed threateningly at the other man. Looking at the singed cloak in front of her again, she thought,
This
guy must be a wizard, to have withstood a surprise magical attack. That feeling when he touched me must have been his shielding. My Lady! This is an assassination attempt against a wizard in the middle of the market. Who would dare try this?

Nearby people began to react to the events, most bolting away screaming. The few remaining that were watching the events like a busker act changed their minds and ran too when lightning leaped from the rod, striking the wizard. The wizard was pushed further back and Ticca deftly stepped backwards with the motion to keep a workable distance between them. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and her heart started racing from being in the line of fire.
This is not a good place to be.
Looking around, she saw there was no cover other than tents.
Those tents aren’t going to stop a missed shot. Maybe staying behind this wizard isn’t such a bad spot; he’s holding up to the abuse pretty well.
The Knife was also impressed, and actually looked mad.
More than you bargained for, I bet. Now for the execution everyone always says happens when wizards are crossed.

The wizard slowly, almost arrogantly, lifted his hands. The Knife’s eyes showed a touch of fear. The Knife tried to move, shouting, “Damn it!” In a last desperate effort he threw his knife at the wizard. But he wasn’t fast enough.
Nice try, but I doubt
anyone
can move fast enough. Throwing stuff at wizards just makes them madder.

As expected, an over-the-top reaction came, in the form of a blaze of orange and red lights from the wizard’s hands. The wizard’s right hand had targeted the center of the Knife’s chest, and his left the rod. In an amazing burst of blue fire the rod exploded as the Knife was engulfed, screaming, in red flames. The exploding rod blew the right hand and forearm away, leaving a stump of an arm. Small bits of meat and blood rained on the stall fronts. Ticca’s stomach threatened to eject the recent meal and she had to swallow hard to stifle the sick feeling the slapping meat sounds gave her. She wanted to stop watching but the scene was too amazing. She held her mouth tightly closed, resisting the gagging sensations as the Knife fell to his knees screaming before melting into a charred pile roughly resembling a man.

My Lady, I hope I never have to fight a wizard! This is unbelievable, and it happened before my very eyes.
She was totally unprepared, staring at the charred pile, when the wizard fell backwards, the thrown knife protruding from his chest with blood running out of the wound over his clothing to the ground. The wizard’s arms and chest were also badly blackened and smoking.
Is he dead too?

“Lebuin! Lord, no! Lebuin!” An older man ran to the wizard, kneeling and picking up the wizard’s head. Shouting, “Guards! Anyone, help! Please Lord, we cannot let him die!” the man looked around pleadingly at the empty area, his eyes falling on her. Eyes filled with tears, he looked at the dagger in her hand then at her. She hadn’t moved, and was still in a fighting posture. “Dagger? Are you a Dagger?!”

Straightening up, she sheathed her knives automatically. Stepping up to the fallen wizard, she answered, “Yes.”

“Are you under coin? Name your price, he can pay, please help!”

Looking around, she saw there was no one else even remotely close. People milled at the edge of the scene, many others were beginning to gather to find the source of the commotion.
Temple Street is not far.
She looked at the wizard again.
Lady, is he thin; I bet my saddle gear weighs more than him.
Looking at the older man again, she realized he was about to grab the knife sticking out of the wizards chest. Ticca snapped her hand around his wrist, pulling it away from the knife. “Don’t be a fool. If you pull that now there is no chance he’ll live. I accept the terms.” Pointing at her pack, she added, “You bring that and don’t fall too far behind.”

Squatting down, she carefully lifted the wizard into her arms. She stood and measured his weight; he was almost as light as he looked.
I can do this. For his life I have to do this. Lady, lend me some strength.
She ran full speed for Temple Street, screaming oaths at anyone in her way, effectively clearing a path and giving her precious oxygen.

Exiting the market directly onto Temple Street, she continued screaming, drawing as much attention as she could. Most people turned and watched, and anyone in her way quickly stepped aside. The wizard felt like he was getting heavier.
OK, he weighs more than my gear, but not by much.
Sweat was running freely down her face and back and her breathing became harder. Her muscles complained making her very glad the Temple of Dalpha was the second temple on the street and that the hospice entrance was on the market side. Taking the wide steps two at a time she screamed for help as she barreled into the main room. Two acolytes jumped at the sound and pointed at an empty cot and rushed to meet her there.

Laying the wizard on the cot, she stepped aside and leaned against the wall, breathing hard. One of the acolytes ran out, while the other began examining the wizard, careful of the protruding knife. Ticca watched and decided it might be good to let them know what he was. Trying to keep her breath under control, she managed to get out, “He’s a wizard; he was attacked, in the market.”

The acolyte nodded and looked at the doorway the other acolyte had gone through. A tall man in rich robes hurriedly entered with the other acolyte. The acolyte went back to caring for others while the tall man came directly to the wizard’s bed. Ticca listened as the two men spoke in the unfathomable medical jargon these types favored.
Good Lady, how many possible treatments can there be, the man is bleeding to death.
Looking at him, she noted that the blood didn’t smear or soak into his clothes but instead pooled or ran off it, staining the bed. The older man who’d hired her finally came running into the room with her pack. She waved and he came over, trying to breathe himself.