“All right, in with you.”
Vi stepped inside, spinning in place to hold out an eager hand. “Do you have today’s matters?”
“I grabbed it from Ophain before coming here.” Deneya slid a slip of paper from the stack she held and handed it to Vi.
“So you saw Ophain, then. Did you see Luke, too?”
“Luke? Why would I?” Deneya asked, but then immediately followed up with, “Oh…”
“Oh? Oh, what?”
Deneya sighed, cursing under her breath in a tongue Vi didn’t recognize. She went behind her desk, setting down the satchel. “That explains it, then,” she mumbled, rummaging through the bag.
“Explains what? You seem to be having a very good conversation with yourself. Care to share?”
“Yes, sorry.” Deneya handed Vi another letter. On the outside was a broken wax seal. The wax was black, imprinted with two swords fesswise—the Twintle family crest.
Vi scanned the papers, reading aloud. She didn’t know if Deneya had the chance to read them yet, and the woman seemed to appreciate it when Vi offered another set of eyes.
“Lord Twintle has cast off his fleet for Oparium… seeks to establish a trade route with the South…” Her attention drifted to the docket for the day’s council meeting. “Councilor Luke, maritime.” Vi returned the papers to Deneya. “So Twintle is gone, and Luke is here in his stead.”
Deneya nodded. “Everything happened quickly last night. Though I can’t say why.”
“What did you find out?” Vi asked. Deneya had continued to case the city at night for information, searching in areas Vi didn’t have time for.
“Twintle had business on the seas, so he left.” Business by itself wasn’t particularly alarming. But when it came to the Knights of Jadar, Vi was suspicious of every movement. “It makes sense Luke is operating in his stead.”
Vi sighed. “I suppose it does. But I still don’t like it.”
“He’s likely just trying to move some of those rubies you found.”
“I’m worried it’s more than that.” Vi tapped her knuckles on Deneya’s desk in thought.
“How so?”
“In his last meeting with the Knights, he said he was trying to work with Adela to get the sword.”
“What? You didn’t think to mention the pirate queen’s involvement before now?” Deneya rounded the desk. “That seems rather important.”
“Things were quiet, the sword is gone and should be on its way to the East by now.” Vi shook her head. “I continued to hope that the mention of working with Adela was merely the ravings of a madman seeking to make himself look stronger and more influential than he actually is.”
“You’re right about Twintle being a madman.” Deneya folded her arms. “Mad enough to actually go through with it.”
“And if he’s gone out to sea, there’s a possibility you’re right.” Vi cursed under her breath. “Keep a close ear on the ground for any indication of Adela’s actions.”
Deneya nodded. “Though I suspect she won’t step foot on this continent herself… She has middle men for that.”
“Good.” Because if Vi saw her again, she just might kill her this time.
“There’s one other thing,” Deneya cautioned.
“Tell me it’s good news. I could use some.”
Deneya shook her head solemnly. “Your name is being whispered among the Knights.”
“My name?” Vi wished she could be more surprised. But she’d toed the line too boldly with Twintle following the warehouse incident.
“Not much else. But they’re cautious and suspicious about you. Be careful, and trust no new friends.”
