City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [117]
“You’re sure Pierce will be all right?” Daine said. “We’ve done this before, Daine. He knows what to do.” Lei sighed. “Do you suppose we should talk to Greykell about this?”
“Let’s just get Olalia. Greykell and Teral …? We take that as it comes.”
“Very well.”
The tenth bell or morning had rung, and Togran Square was unusually quiet. Those refugees with jobs had made their way to the workhouses and foundries, and most of those who remained were sleeping or gathered around communal cooking points, preparing the morning meal. Daine had lost his cloak in the sewers, but his chainmail shirt and the sword at his belt still drew attention. Back at the Manticore, Daine had borrowed some bootblack from Dassi the innkeeper and used it to cover the Deneith symbol on his sword. He was tired of the unwanted attention he received for bearing the sigil of the dragonmarked house.
Daine and Lei made their way through the maze of tents to the large black canopy in the center. The dwarf doorman stood at the opening flap. “What do you want?” he asked.
“We’re looking for Olalia,” Daine said.
“Councilor Teral is not accustomed to receiving guests at this hour,” the dwarf said. “He’ll be making his rounds later. See him then.”
“We’re not looking for Councilor Teral. We want to see the girl Olalia, his servant.”
“You want to see the Councilor’s servant, you see the Councilor first.”
“Can’t you just ask—?” Lei began.
“I know my duties, lady,” the dwarf said.
“So do I,” Daine said.
All the anger and frustration that had been building since Jode’s death burst. Daine slammed his right elbow into the dwarf’s nose, forcing him back into the tent. Daine darted in after him. The dwarf flailed wildly, but a sweeping kick from Daine knocked the guard off his feet. A moment later Daine had a knee on the guard’s chest and punched him again and again until he stopped moving.
Lei slipped in behind him. “How are you going to explain that to Teral?” she said, looking at the battered guard.
Daine looked away, embarrassed by the moment of frenzy. “If we expose a conspiracy of monsters in the community, I’d hope he’d overlook a few bruises.”
They were standing in the entry chamber where they’d eaten dinner with Teral. Only now, bedrolls were scattered across the floor. Six people had been sleeping in the chamber, but all had since departed. Daine dragged the dwarf on top of a blanket.
There was a rustle of fabric and the inner door of the tent opened. Daine tensed and prepared for action, but it was Olalia. Her eyes widened as she saw Daine and the fallen guard.
Daine stood and held out his hands in a gesture of peace, then gave a quick nod to Lei.
“Olalia, it’s all right,” he said. “We’re not here to hurt you.”
Behind him, Lei began to make mystical gestures over a crystal shard, weaving a minor enchantment into the gem. Daine slowly approached Olalia.
“We just want to talk. Everything will be all right now.”
The girl watched Daine fearfully, her stone teeth shining out between half-parted lips. She didn’t run, but there was no sign of understanding in her eyes.
“Calm down,” Daine said gently. “Nothing will hurt you. Just wait. Lei is going to help you talk to us.”
“I’m ready, Daine,” Lei said. The crystal in her hand glowed faintly.
“Olalia,” Daine said. “Have you seen our friend Jode, the halfling”—he gestured with his hand to indicate Jode’s small size—“recently?” He watched Olalia’s emotionless face, then glanced over at Lei. “Anything?”
“I don’t think she can understand you,” Lei said. “She’s afraid. Wait! She remembers you and Jode from the dinner. I think she’s afraid that what happened to Jode will happen to you.”
Daine turned back to the girl. “What happened, Olalia? Who harmed our friend?”
“Daine?” Counselor Teral entered the room, leaning on a cane and holding a mug of tal in his hand. “What are you doing here? And Lei, yes? Is something wrong?”
Daine caught Lei’s eyes and flicked a glance at Olalia. Lei blinked once.
Daine walked over to Teral. “Councilor,