We must now, once more, look at events that have happened before those we have just witnessed. Upon reaching the shore—for as the reader will hopefully remember, we last saw Livosha and Kefaan arriving on the shore—Livosha at once made good on her promise to pay the Orca, parting with two good imperials out of gratitude for his rescue. Lest there be any confusion, we must observe that when we say “hopefully remember” we mean that, if we have succeeded in our intentions, the reader will not only remember our friends’ arrival on shore, but will be feeling hopeful on their behalf. We apologize for the confusion that may be caused by this locution which we took, of course, for purposes of brevity.
Having hopefully arrived—which is to say, they, too, were hopeful—they stood on the shore and watched as boats, which had only begun returning with the day’s catch, at once began to set out for the island with the intention of rescuing prisoners.
“What is your thinking, sister?” said Kefaan.
“Concerning what, brother?”
“As they rescue prisoners, they may also, in the course of things, rescue jailers.”
“Well, if they do?”
“Are we interested in remaining here and meeting them?”
Livosha frowned and considered the matter. “I am not anxious to meet them again. But even more—”
“Well?”
“I am anxious to attempt to find Eremit. You perceive, that is why we came here.”
“Oh, I have not forgotten this circumstance. But—”
“Well?”
“How do you propose to find him?”
“I shall begin by asking questions.”
“Ah, that is where I do myself the honor to think you’re wrong.”
“In what way am I wrong?”
“In two ways.”
“Let us see, then. What is the first?”
“You cannot ask questions now, as there is no one to ask. Or at least, very few, as most of them are on their way to the island.”
“Well, that is true. And next?”
“You will not ask questions, our good Jerin will ask questions. If you remember her argument about things people will say to and around Teckla, I think you will come to agree with my position.”
“In this, you are not wrong. I so much agree with you, that I am ready this very instant to send Jerin to ask questions.”
“But not this instant. Rather, I suggest we find a place to sleep for a few hours until everyone is back.”
“But then, you perceive, we stand to meet the jailers.”
“Not if we remain somewhere out of town, and only send Jerin in to ask questions.”
“You propose, then, to camp?”
“There are still merchants here who can sell us what we need to camp out of doors for a night, somewhere we will not be observed.”
“Very well, Kefaan, I agree with this plan.”
“And you, Jerin?” said Kefaan. “Are you ready to see what you can learn of where Eremit could have gone?”
“I give you my word, I will do my best.”
“Then let us quickly find a place to rest, for I give you my word, I am near to falling asleep where I stand.”
They managed to purchase a few blankets and some sail canvas that could be used as a tent from the very merchant whose home had been robbed the night before, and, folding all of this into a neat bundle (along with some dried beef and bread) to make it easier for Jerin to carry, they made their way a few miles out of town until they found a place sufficiently hidden by tall grass and brush of various sorts, at which time they set up the tent, climbed into the blankets, and slept for several hours. In fact, they slept through the night, and upon waking the next morning, discovered that Jerin had already left. They waited there, taking their ease, until nearly noon, when the Teckla returned.
“You have returned,” observed Livosha.
“I thought it best to leave before the morning, so that I would have a chance to speak with the fishermen.”
“That was well thought!” exclaimed Kefaan.
“I am pleased to learn this,” said Jerin.
“But, did you discover anything?” asked Livosha.
“Nearly.”
“Well, and?”
“You wish me to tell you what I have discovered?”
“You have understood exactly.”
“Then I will.”
“I am listening.”
“He went inland.”
“Ah, inland.”
“Moreover, I know which direction he set out in.”
“How were you able to determine this?”
“First, because he did not go along the coast by water, as is proven because no boats are missing.”
“That seems to be a just conclusion.”
“I am gratified you think so.”
“And, as to the direction?”
“First, there is the road.”
“Very well, the road. What next?”
“Next, he was seen on the road by a Teckla family whose cottage he passed.”
“Very well. Is there more?”
“I followed the road for a certain distance, and saw footprints leading away from the road, and I followed them, and found this.”
At this point, she held out a thin bit of canvas that had a tear along the side. Livosha took it and frowned. “Is this from a sail?”
“On the contrary, my lady. It is the sort of canvas that made up the shoes that were on the feet of the prisoners on the island.”
“How,” said Kefaan. “You noticed that?”
“I always notice shoes,” said Jerin. “You perceive, I often have none, and indeed, I have none now. This has resulted in a curiosity about them in others.”
Livosha was silent for a moment, then she said, “Very well. We must do two things.”
“And what are they, sister?” said Kefaan.
“We must follow where our clever Jerin believes Eremit has gone.”
“Very well. And after?”
“At the first opportunity, we must get Jerin some shoes.”
It was a six-mile walk back to the posting station, where they acquired not only mounts, but certain supplies of food, fodder, and other gear to make their journey easier, as they feared they would not be near civilization. With this excellent planning, they set out and made good time, although they stopped whenever they saw another piece of canvas, and as it became dark. On the second day, they found the remains of both shoes, and later that day they began to see blood.
“He has cut his feet,” said Livosha.
“He isn’t used to walking without shoes,” explained Jerin.
They continued during daylight hours, the occasional spots of blood making it easy to see the trail, until at length they arrived in a long valley, at the end of which they found several persons taking their ease around a fire.
“May we approach your fire?” said Livosha.
The woman who seemed to be the leader stood up, glanced at their weapons, then at her own band, and signaled that they might.
“I greet you. I am Livosha, and this is Kefaan. We are seeking a friend.”
“A friend?”
“Exactly.”
“And the name of this friend?”
“Eremit.”
“I fear I know no one of that name.”
As they spoke, the bandits—for so Livosha was convinced they were as soon as she saw them—made room in front of the fire.
“Perhaps,” said Livosha, “if I were to describe him?”
“If you do, I will listen.”
“This is it, then. He is still young, perhaps seven hundred years in age. He has high cheekbones, a cleft chin, and little noble’s point. He would be wearing dirty white, as is sometimes the case with prison uniforms.”
The woman nodded thoughtfully, and said, “I am Alishka, and you have made me curious.”
“Explain what you are curious about, and perhaps I will be able to satisfy your curiosity.”
“That is my hope.”
“Then I am listening.”
“It is this: When I see two individuals of the House of the Iorich who are searching for someone in prison garb, well, I wonder if ‘friend’ is the most precise description of the relationship between them.”
“I assure you it is. In fact—”
“Well?”
“Many years ago, we were engaged to be married.”
The one calling herself Alishka shrugged like a Lyorn. “I was once engaged to be married. And so far from considering the man a friend, well, if I saw him again, I should spit him like a wild norska.”
“We will pay for information,” said Livosha.
“Oh, that is nothing. If we wish for your money, well, there are nine of us, and two of you, so, you perceive, we will simply take it.”
“Perhaps not,” said Livosha looking Alishka in the eye. The bandit chief held her gaze for a moment, then shrugged. “Well, in any case, we have not seen your ‘friend’ and we have no interest in taking your money, so you may as well be on your way.”
Livosha looked at Kefaan, as if to silently gather his opinion on this subject. Kefaan shrugged. Livosha said, “Well, we have a certain quantity of wine. I have made trial of it upon myself and found it excellent. Perhaps you would care to share some of it, as a gesture in celebration of our acquaintance.”
Alishka narrowed her eyes, convincing Livosha that she was no fool, but then she nodded. “Very well,” she said.
“Jerin, fetch the wine.”
“Yes, my lady,” said the Teckla.
As Jerin handed her the wine, Livosha caught her eye for a moment, and had the sense that Jerin understood.
They sat and drank wine together, though there was little talk, and the silences were awkward. At length, Jerin came up behind Livosha and touched her shoulder, nodding.
“Well, we thank you for your hospitality.”
“And you for the wine. I wish you luck in your search.”
They mounted and slowly rode back out of the valley, Livosha alert to the sound of swords being drawn, but there were none. Once they were some distance away, Livosha turned to Jerin and said, “What did you learn?”
“He was there, my lady. They were whispering about it freely, and paid no attention to me.”
“When?”
“My lady? Just now, when you were—”
“When was Eremit there!”
“Oh. I beg your pardon. Earlier to-day.”
“Ah, to have come so close! Where did he go?”
“He vanished, my lady. Into the cave.”
She drew rein and said, “Into the cave? Then he must be either in it, or through it!”
“Neither, my lady. He is gone.”
“What do you tell me?”
“They were very clear about it. He and their captain went into the cave, and there, it seems, Lord Eremit summoned a demon, and the demon took him away.”
“Impossible!”
“I only know what I was told.”
Livosha considered. “And yet, I know he was there.”
“I am curious how you know that, my sister,” said Kefaan.
“One of the items stolen from the merchant was a fireplace poker, such as was lying next to the fire. It is an unusual piece of equipment for those camping out of doors. Moreover, as we approached, there was a considerable amount of blood in one spot just outside of their camp, as if someone had stood there, bleeding.”
“So, he was there.”
“But how could he summon a demon? You perceive, the Orb—”
“I know,” said Kefaan.
“Well, there was something,” said Jerin.
“How, something?”
“The cave ended after a short distance, and there was a glowing stick, as if someone had used it for light.”
“Well, so they were in the cave.”
“And a strange design on the ground.”
“A strange design?”
“A pattern of some sort, scratched into the ground, some of it in gold lettering, some of it merely scratched on stone, and it had been cleared recently.”
“And yet,” said Livosha. “The Orb.”
“Well,” said Kefaan. “Jerin?”
“My lord?”
“Did anyone say anything about something Eremit was wearing?”
“Well, he had a sort of pendant or necklace with a gem on it.”
“A purple gem?”
“My lord, how did you know?”
“My sister, it is all true,” said Kefaan.
“How are you familiar with this?”
“There is a small but lucrative trade in purple stones among certain sorcerers.”
“Jhereg.”
“Yes.”
“And I have been told the stones can be carved.”
Livosha was silent for a moment, then said, “He could be anywhere.”
“That is true,” said Kefaan.
“So, we must decide where to go now.”
“I learned one other thing,” said Jerin. “He is no longer known as Eremit, he now goes by the name Dust.”
“Dust,” repeated Livosha. “Dust.”
“I,” said Kefaan, “do not care for dust. You perceive, it is too dry.”
“So then,” said Livosha, “we will go somewhere wet.”
The reader will have no doubt noticed a peculiar confluence of events. That is to say, we have seen Eremit in Alishka’s camp, and we have heard Alishka tell of Livosha’s visit, and now we have seen that very visit as it appeared to Livosha herself. We have presented the information that we found ourselves required to convey to the reader in this fashion for the simple reason that it permits the reader to witness the events as they appear to those various persons with whom we have interested ourselves, and, as the action of each individual is predicated upon what that persons knows, believes, and understands, it cannot but help the reader’s understanding of the development of our history to know the perceptions of these individuals.
The result of these perceptions and decisions, in the case of Livosha, is that she, Kefaan, and Jerin found themselves, a year and a half later, in the town of Rockwell in the County of Yisten on the south shore of Lake Guin. Yisten, we should say, had been seriously damaged by the fall of the Empire, as it had counted on the constant traffic along the Guinchen Canal that ran from Cargo Point to the Elbow River and thence south to the Ocean-sea. The loss of trade in this part of what had been the Empire was nothing short of catastrophic, and, while the region later recovered far better than many others, owing to not only fishing the lakes, but to the lush agriculture of the area, the immediate result was an exodus of river-men, lake-men, stevedores, and navigators.
Livosha had chosen the precise location of Rockwell when, as they had been moving south in the general direction of Guinchen, she had heard a rumor that all of the advocates had deserted the town. The rumor proved false, but only because there had been no advocate there in the first place, and hence there were none to leave. Livosha and Kefaan found a small house on the narrow main street not far from the road leading to the lake, and there they put out their sign, and settled disputes among the locals or represented them before Yisten. That they often did this in exchange for fresh fish, or vegetables, or such services as the locals could offer presented no difficulty while the pair waited to come up with another plan. Jerin, for her part, was hired as a groom at the town stable, and was happy enough with her horses.
Livosha settled in to wait, a wait that was made easier by frequent journeys made by Kefaan: to Cargo Point, to Yisten, even as far as Hartre. There was no need for Livosha to ask the reason for these expeditions, any more than there was a need for her to ask, when he returned, if he had met with success; he would tell her when he learned something.
To be sure, from time to time he would let fall a remark about having “met someone interesting,” which Livosha considered a good sign. Still, as time went by with no results, she began to feel an impatience build, an impatience she endeavored to hide as well as she could. If Kefaan noticed this, he concealed it, which is to say, he did not bring up the subject. And yet, they were both aware of the passing of years and of the fact that they appeared to be getting no closer to their goal.
One day, some twenty years after their arrival, Livosha finished a conversation with two Teckla over who had the rights to a certain amount of seed produced by an area in which they both had interests. The discussion had been long, loud, and singularly unrewarding, although she had succeeded insofar as she had managed to send both of them away equally unhappy. She poured some tea into which she put a measure of the local equivalent of oishka, distilled from corn, and sat down in her favorite chair, reminding herself that this was far better than when she had been serving the countess.
At this point, she noticed that Kefaan, who had been away on a journey to Hartre, had returned, and was lying on the couch, his eyes closed. As she set her teacup down, he opened his eyes and said, “Good evening, sister.”
“Good evening, and welcome back. I confess myself astonished.”
“That I have returned?”
“No, not that.”
“Well?”
“That you were able to sleep through the shouting in the other room.”
“Ah, well, but I was not sleeping, I was merely resting my eyes.”
“That explains it then.”
“However, as you are here…”
“Yes?”
“I have learned something.”
“And that is?”
“The Duke of Traanzo, now Iroich Heir and High Justicer.”
“What of him?”
“It was his father who created the jail.”
“Ah, ah! And it is he who is now responsible for it?”
“Exactly.”
“Did you learn why it was created?”
“It was created during the last Orca reign, as a place to keep certain Teckla who had begun to agitate for a republic, but could not legally be detained.”
“It seems not to have worked. Why was it continued?”
“The Teckla, it appeared, never learned of it, and so never shut it down. It was used after that for problems of a more personal nature.”
“Well, we seem to have closed it.”
“We, or the disaster that befell the Empire.”
“Yes, or that. Where is the duchy of, what was the name?”
“Traanzo. It is east of the Pushta, but that is unimportant, for Traanzo himself is never there. He had a second home in Adrilankha, in the hills, where he was accustomed to escape the heat of the summer, and it has now become his permanent home.”
“This is good to know, although it will not help us find Eremit, nor will it help us to exact our vengeance against those others who have wronged us.”
“Ah, but it is there we differ.”
“In what way do we differ, my brother?”
“In that I believe it will, indeed, help us to find Eremit, or to exact our vengeance, or, perhaps, both at once.”
“If that is the case, then it must be that either my perception is faulty, or there is information you have not yet done me the honor to impart.”
“It is the latter, my dear sister.”
“Oh, so there is more?”
“Not only is there more, but it is significant.”
“Ah, significant! Well then, will you tell me what it is?”
“I am prepared to do so.”
“Then I am listening.”
“So, shall I tell you now?”
“I have been waiting for you to do so for an hour.”
The expression on Kefaan’s countenance can best be described as grim pleasure as he said, “Do you recall the individual on the island who commanded an attack on us, that is, the director?”
“Nearly!”
“He has just been released from Traanzo’s dungeons, where he has resided for the last five years.”
“Shards!”
“There is more: he has been released in order to assist another in searching for Eremit.”
“For Eremit!”
“And there is more.”
“What, more?”
“Indeed.”
“Then I am listening.”
“The individual who has caused his release, and who is leading the search for Eremit, was sent by none other than Count Dorin!”
“The gods! But, how have you learned all of this?”
“In the simplest manner, my dear sister. You may recall my friend Tigra.”
“I do.”
“I have discovered friends of his in Hartre.”
“By friends, you mean Jhereg.”
“You have understood exactly.”
“Well, and?”
“And these friends have friends in Adrilankha, some of whom work closely with Traanzo.”
“But, how do they communicate? It is a long way from Hartre to Adrilankha.”
“By messages on fishing boats, my sister. In fact, I am given to understand they are attempting to set up criminal enterprises that include both cities.”
“And yet, are the waters safe?”
“For that, they collaborate with Orca who effectively control the sea-lanes along the shore, although not in the deeper waters. Also, it seems, Adrilankha has not been so fully ravaged by the fall the Empire, and many others have arrived, and are arriving. And some of these, my dear sister, are of no small importance to us.”
“Such as?”
“My friend Tigra, for one, who has discovered much of this information for me. And for another—”
“Well?”
“The forger, Sajen!”
“Ah!”
“Also certain Jhereg with whom I have, here and there, had contact.”
“To be sure, this is no small amount of news, and I commend you on your skill and patience in acquiring it.”
“I do not deny that it has taken a considerable amount of time to make these connections, but fortunately I was able to be of service to these Jhereg in the same way as I was to Tigra. But come, sister, now that we know of these things—”
“Well? Now that we know?”
“What is it we must do?”
Livosha considered carefully for some moments. Then she said, “You say they are searching for Eremit. But, where and how are they searching?”
“As to that, I do not know.”
“And how recent is your intelligence?”
“The director was released from the dungeon eleven days ago.”
“In that case, the trail is still warm.”
“And then?”
“Come, let us prepare.”
“For?”
“A departure. We will take only what we need.”
“Then, you propose to go after them?”
“I nearly think I do!”
“Very well.”
“And do you disagree with this plan?”
“Not in the least.”
“And then?”
“As you say, let us prepare our departure, for I, for one, am anxious to be in action. You perceive, six hundred years is long enough to wait.”
“I could not agree more. Apropos, we must put a sign to say that we are no longer accepting clients.”
“Hardly a loss.”
“As to that, I agree.”
“How much money do we have?”
“Let us see.”
They emptied their purses on the table and counted. “Four imperials and three silver,” said Livosha.
“That will get us to Adrilankha,” said Kefaan, “and even supply a day or two’s food and lodging. After that, I do not know.”
“But I do,” said Livosha.
“Ah, you have a plan?”
“I do. But it will require five silver coins to put into action.”
“Then it will be hard to reach Adrilankha, but we can still do it. But come, tell me your plan.”
“As to that, you will soon know what it is. For now, you must come with me.”
“But, where are we going?”
“To a dressmaker.”
“You require different dress, my sister?”
“No, dear brother. You do.”
“How, I?”
“Exactly.”
“Very well, I am in your hands.”
“Then hurry. The outfit will cost three silver, and it will be another to have good Tsika finish it by to-morrow morning.”
They left their house, and an hour later they had returned.
“My sister,” said Kefaan. “I fail to understand the need for the clothing with which I was just fitted, and for which we paid.”
“I will explain in good season. For now, there is no time to lose.”
“Very well, then, you pack, and I will consult such maps as I can find and determine the best route to Adrilankha.”
“I will be ready to depart by to-morrow’s morning.”
“And by then I will know whither we are bound.”
As promised, they set out the next day, stopping to collect the clothing they had ordered the night before, and leaving behind such property as would weigh them down and a sign upon their door wishing the best of fortune to all of those who came by and urging them to calm and patient conversation in all disputes.
This done, they pooled what money they had and purchased a pair of horses for the three-hundred-mile journey to Floodwater, where they were able to find a barge headed downriver to Windy Bay, which, if it was no longer a bay, was at least still windy. From here, in exchange for agreeing to work, they found passage on a large fishing vessel of the type known as a coastal brig that brought them, after the long voyage up the bay, to the mouth of the Adrilankha River, and thus to the future Imperial capital itself.
To Livosha, it seemed as if setting her foot onto the solid land of the greatest city then remaining in what had been the Empire was as if she had stepped into another world, as in one of the stories of a Serioli who takes a child on an enchanted journey through lands of wonders and marvels. But here, instead of flying trees and singing mountains and rivers of jewels and castles of fire, the wonders were less obvious, and yet struck deeper into the heart. The sweeping wings of the cliffs above them seemed like a bird that brought her, and the entire city, under its protection. The white stone stairways climbing up from the port to the market level seemed like veritable gates to a land of dreams. The Tower of Corn and the Prince’s Citadel looked down as if they were benevolent gods. The mouth of the river emptying into the bay spoke of constant renewal, as if the city were saying, “Take what you need, I will never run out.” For a time, even her mission was driven from Livosha’s mind, and the thought grew in her, In other circumstances, I could live in peace here.
They stood for some moments staring around them, then Kefaan said, “Come, my sister. Our path lies ahead.”
Livosha nodded and they began the long climb up the white stairway to the city.