I blew my candle out and headed down the stairs.
The meeting room was a new addition to the house. Gathering in the kitchen for private meetings worked well, but we couldn’t exactly bring strangers there. Meeting them outside by the wine tree was fine during the day, but not in the evening or during bad weather. I didn’t want random people in my office either, so we had cleared out one of the larger rooms, put a simple table in there with some chairs, and designated it as the meeting room.
Digi waited for me in one of the chairs. The large woman who had almost stabbed me with a spear stood behind her chair watching Gort, who leaned against the wall. Apparently, he was my designated protector for this meeting.
I nodded to everyone. “Calm winds and tranquil sky.”
“Warm sun and safe harbor,” Digi responded.
I sat in a chair.
Digi wore a hooded robe that hid her from top to bottom. Her hood was down now, revealing her hair, which was pulled back into a simple ponytail. Her clothes under that tattered robe were probably plain. She hadn’t wanted to be recognized. Her bodyguard was wearing one of those generic Rellasian cloaks, the kind you could buy for a couple of dens at any market.
How did they find me? I’d expected Digi would make contact eventually, but not that soon. Did they track the mordok somehow? Or was it Darotha again? No, they wouldn’t know to look for her. It must’ve been the mordok.
“Have you come to retrieve your creature?”
“Tzeri was a gift,” Digi said. “She is yours.”
“I’m relieved. Lute is trying to tame her. He says he is doing well, and she has only bitten him once today. He would be so disappointed if you came to take her back.”
Digi smiled. “A mordok chooses its tamer, not the other way around.”
Clover came in, carrying a platter with a teapot and two cups. She nodded to me. “My lady.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Clover set the tray down, poured the tea, and departed.
I sipped my tea. Mmmm, the client special occasion tea. So delicious.
Everard walked through the door, dressed in all black, his eyes green and cold.
I almost choked on my tea.
Digi and her bodyguard froze.
Gort bowed his head and left the room. Everard pulled out a chair and sat on my left.
Nobody said anything. Damn it, Kaiden. Little traitor.
Digi stared straight at me, as if willing Everard to disappear from her peripheral vision. Behind her, her bodyguard clenched her spear. Digi was practiced at hiding her emotions, but the woman behind her was teetering on the edge of panic. It wasn’t for her own sake. She realized that if Everard attacked Digi, she was powerless to stop him.
I cleared my throat. “What can I do for the honorableorsi?”
“I have three questions,” Digi said.
“What have you brought in trade?”
Digi flicked her fingers. The bodyguard set a small wooden box on the table. Digi opened the box. A small amulet lay inside, a clawed silver paw with long talons holding a black pearl.
“A stone of remembrance,” Digi said. “If you squeeze it, the talons will crush the stone, and the person in front of you will see and hear the one they love most in your place. They will tell you their darkest secrets. You are someone who deals in knowledge. It will be of great value to you.”
Nice. “How long will the magic last?”
“Forty breaths. Enough for a clever woman to save a life or ruin it.”
About two minutes or so. That was a really valuable trade. “Ask your questions.”
