City of Towers_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [73]
“I doubt that means anything,” Lei said. “There’s no huge changeling conspiracy. It’s easy to mistrust them, but changelings are individuals just like us. They aren’t some faceless mob.”
“Except for the part about being faceless,” Jode pointed out. “And how can you be so certain there’s no conspiracy? Unless you’re a changeling …”
Lei glared at him. “As I recall, you were the one who said changelings weren’t inherently evil.”
Jode shrugged. “Just taking the side of the Traveler. Are you sure it was me you were talking to this morning?”
Daine opened his eyes. “Shut up, Jode. We know three things about the freaks we fought last night. One was a changeling, another had received her … “gift” within the last few weeks, and there’s a good chance they had some sort of dealing with our friend Rasial.”
“All true,” Jode said.
“What we don’t know is what Rasial would be doing with a group of monster makers.” He drained the last of his drink and stood up. “Drink up. We’re going to talk to Alina.”
Jode eyed the mug. “I think I’ll pass on the drink. I’d just as soon be on my toes when talking with her.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Do you suppose we need to make an appointment?” Daine said, as the lift pulled up to Den’iyas.
“I’m sure she already knows we’re coming,” Jode said.
“If she knows so much, what does she need us for, anyway?”
“An excellent question.”
“Is there anything more I should know before meeting this Alina?” Lei’s curiosity had overcome her general malaise, and it was hard to stay gloomy amidst the pleasant surroundings of the gnome enclave.
“She likes to play games,” Jode said. “If she talks to you, bear that in mind. She’ll try to provoke you, and she’ll pretend to know more than she does.”
“Why?”
Jode shrugged. “It’s part of Zil culture. The gnomes have always fought with words instead of swords. The more she knows about you—how you react, how she can manipulate you—the stronger her position.”
“Better not to speak at all,” said Daine.
Lei nodded. “Is she dangerous?”
Who isn’t? Daine thought, remembering her description of Rasial. “Without question,” he said. “She’s extremely wealthy, and you can be certain she has wards and other magical defenses spread around her lair.”
“And bodyguards, I imagine,” Jode put in. “Alina likes bodyguards.”
Lei shot Daine an inquiring glance, and he took a deep breath before continuing. “She’s a wizard of some talent, though I couldn’t tell you exactly how powerful she is. Just be careful. Don’t push her.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Good.”
The gnome gardener smiled and bowed courteously at their approach, and a moment later the secret passage beneath the garden stood revealed. “Lady Lyrris is expecting you,” he said.
“See?” said Jode.
Daine shook his head.
They descended through the passage and soon found themselves in the mirrored room. Daine noticed that the long “window” now displayed an entirely different view than it had before. Unless his eyes deceived him, they were looking down over Malleon’s Gate. Alina stood by the window, a golden spyglass in her hand. Today she wore a gown of green and gold, the patterns of which bore an uncanny resemblance to Lei’s heirloom armor. She turned toward them with a brilliant smile.
“Welcome back, Daine, Jode.” She made a sweeping gesture. “Please, sit.” She walked over to Lei, and looked up at her; Daine always forgot just how small Alina actually was. “I am Alina Lorridan Lyrris. And you must be Lei d’Cannith?”
“Just Lei.”
“Of course. My apologies. A cup of blackroot tal, perhaps?”
“Leave her alone, Alina,” Daine said. “We came here for a reason.”
“You’ve run out of money?”
“That, too,” said Jode.
“I’m listening.”
“I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing,” said Daine. “You obviously know more than we do. It’s hard to imagine that you couldn’t find Rasial without us.”
Alina looked back out the