City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [16]
“Jode …”
“I know, this may seem unwise, but I assure you, I’ve already put the coin to good use!”
“By buying watered-down ale for a group of strangers?”
“I tracked down an old friend of yours. Someone I’m sure can help us find our feet.”
“I’m listening.” He hadn’t released his grip.
“Alina Lyrris.”
Daine swore and knocked his tankard to the floor. He pulled Jode across the table. “Is this a joke?”
“No! She’s been in Sharn for over a year. I thought that with your history … you know, perhaps she could offer us work.”
Lei was lost in her thoughts again, but Pierce took an interest. “What history is this? Who is this Alina?”
Daine took a deep breath and let go of Jode. He forced a smile and sat down. “Alina Lorridan Lyrris is an old friend I … had dealings with before I joined the Queen’s Guard.”
“How might she help us?”
Jode answered. “Alina is a wealthy woman, and I’m sure she has a lot of connections in Sharn. I’m certain that she’d be happy to help an old friend like Daine. I’ve already talked to one of her associates and set up a meeting in one hour.”
Daine bit his lip, but stayed silent.
“Then let us ready ourselves,” said Lei.
Daine shook his head. “I don’t know …”
“… If we should concentrate all of our resources in one place?” said Jode. “Brilliant as always, General. Pierce, why don’t you and Lei see what you can find out about House Cannith? There must be someone in Sharn who’s willing to talk to you, Lei. Daine and I can speak with Alina.”
Pierce glanced over at Lei, and after a moment she nodded.
“Very well!” Jode say brightly. “We’ll meet back here at, shall we say, two bells?”
“I’m going to get my armor,” Daine said, scowling.
“Alina Lyrris? What have you gotten us into?”
High Walls was just as dismal by the light of day as it was in the dark. The ghetto was an exterior district, built along the outer wall of the great tower of Tavick’s Landing. The alleys and streets were filled with refugees of all nations, but the majority of the beggars and miserable laborers were Cyrans. With the destruction of their homeland these unfortunate souls had nowhere else to go. They passed a one-armed veteran of the Queen’s Guard, who stretched out his good hand in an imploring gesture. In a nearby alley, a pair of feral children were chasing a dog, stones in their hands.
“You know she’s our best hope,” said Jode. “You know she’ll have money.”
“And what will we have to do to get it?”
“Give her a chance. We don’t have to agree to anything.”
“I’m going to see Alina Lyrris. And you know what the best part of it is? You pawned my thrice-forsaken sword!”
“All the more reason to see Alina, yes? The sooner we get some money, the sooner you can get it back.”
“You—”
A new voice intruded. “Pardon me … General?”
The voice belonged to an old man, who had come up behind the pair. Like all of the inhabitants of High Walls, it was clear he had seen better days. A horrible scar could be seen at the base of his neck, puckered flesh disappearing beneath his robe. But despite the dirt on his skin and his torn clothing, the stranger carried himself with a sense of dignity and pride, and his voice had an air of quiet authority. He studied Daine with an appraising eye.
“I thought I knew most of our generals, yet …”
“Ah, a simple mistake,” Jode said brightly. “I know that there have been a lot of wild stories about the region, but my companion is Captain Daine of the Queen’s Guard. He served with valor and distinction until the very end, and I’m sure you’ve simply heard how he saved the life of General ir’Dalas in the Battle of the Three Moons.”
The old man brought an end to the tale with a raised hand. “Captain, then. I am—”
“Teral ir’Soras,” Daine said.
The man nodded.
“I remember seeing you at court in Metrol when I was younger.”
“You have a good memory, Captain. It has been many years since I advised the queen. And now it is too late to save her. Sovereigns guard her soul and save us all.”
Daine inclined his head respectfully,