She’d never met Master Maisel before that day. Typically, Ludwig did the information gathering. Small, gilded arrows gleamed on his lapel, denoting his role as head of the Fletcher’s Guild, and the over-large peacock feather tucked into the velvet band trembled as he sat across from her.
“I must say, your majesty, your visit was unexpected. Normally you send your guard. What was his name again?” Master Maisel said as he removed his hat and uncovered thin, greasy strands of hair that failed to disguise his red, balding head.
When they’d started investigating stardust, they’d agreed to keep her identity a secret from informants like Maisel. Of course, someone known for collecting secrets would’ve figured it out, but she wasn’t going to give him confirmation, not for free.
“I appreciate you seeing me on short notice,” Liane said, hands folded in her lap, delivering her best impression of a poised princess, ignoring his remark about Ludwig.
“How can I be of service toyour majesty?”
Liane set a jewelry box between them. She’d snuck back into the palace to retrieve it. As soon as she’d found the arrow, she wanted to meet with Maisel, but between the attack in the forest, and the opera last night, she couldn’t easily escape. Alternatively, if she summoned Maisel, a notorious dealer of secrets to the palace, people would talk, and word would reach Heinrich. She’d already tipped her hand, and she was racing against the clock as it was. Heinrich had likely hidden his mistress and bastard as it were, but if she could link him to her assassination attempt, then even Mother couldn’t look the other way.
Maisel leaned forward eagerly in his seat as she cracked open the lid and turned it to face him. The strange arrow sat atop a small fortune in jewels and trinkets. She hoped Maisel knew who had made it, and that the bribe would buy his silence.Liane had her own suspicions about the arrow, but she wouldn’t say them outright. Proper princesses didn’t know anything about corruption or forbidden magics.
“I’m looking to replicate this, and I’ve heard none are more skilled than you.”
Bushy brows furrowed, he picked up the arrow to examine it with a small eyeglass. Turning it over, he traced his forefinger along the shaft, and the faded runic etchings, which no longer glowed.
“Where did you find this?” he asked, looking at her through the lens which comically enlarged his right eye.
“I found it in the forest.”
“There’s a rumor that an elf attacked you in the forest. Is it true?”
“There was an incident with a man sick with the withering, if that’s what you’re referring to,” Liane said.
Let him chew on that for a while and hopefully distract from elf rumors. If the people knew what she’d seen in the ruins, it would incite panic. She still didn’t know where the elves fit in with Heinrich’s plan, but she wouldn’t be the harbinger of chaos. She’d stop Heinrich before it came to that.
“I see.” Master Maisel rolled the arrow between his thumb and forefinger.
“Would you be able to recreate it?” Liane prompted.
“I think we both know this cannot be made in the city.” Master Maisel set the arrow back in the box and shoved it toward her.
“I thought you were the best. Perhaps I should have gone to Master Auerbach instead.” Liane motioned to stand, and he threw out his arms to stop her.
“There’s no need to be hasty!”
Liane sat back in her chair and fixed him with her stare. A bead of sweat dotted his forehead, and he fidgeted with items on the desk. He knew something but was afraid to say it…
“Is there something you can do for me then?”
“As I said, nothing I can do.” He said, putting emphasis on the I, as his gaze shifted around the empty room.
Liane tossed a bag of geld onto the table to accompany the gems. “What do you know?”
“Have you shown this cursed object to the Midnight Guard? Such a rare and precious object must fetch a handsome price.”
Darkness blighted bastard. Through gritted teeth, Liane removed a gold chain with an emerald pendant from around her neck and laid it on the table as well.
Maisel licked his lips. “This much will buy my silence. As for the rest, I’d be honored if you commissioned a set of arrows and a bow.”
“Consider it done.” She would empty all her coffers if she must.
“The arrow is elven make, as I’m sure you know.”
She didn’t know, and her surprise must have shown on her face because Maisel’s slimy smile broadened.
“Yes, I realized that. But how did a man get a hold of it?” she said, tapping the top of the table.
