Masquerades - Kate Novak [46]
"-and I cannot understandwhat motivated you to support that woman," the croamarkh was saying. For a moment, Alias was concerned that she was the subject of Lord Luer's tirade, but the croamarkh's next words disabused her of that notion. "Not only is she as common as
dirt, but she is a rabble-rouser, and her little shows do nothing but breed discontent. I sat here and had to watch you cross an officer of the law, your father'slaw, in front of all these commoners."
Victor responded briefly, but too softly to be understood. Then the croamarkh continued, "It is notyour place to act as judge. That's what Durgar is here for. Did you think that maybe Jamal's street people would start treating nobles better if they had a noble patron? Did you think they would stop spreading lies about us, about the Night Masks, because you threw some money around? And how does it look to the commoners, that you could buy justice in public? Will they believe that justice is not bought in private as well?"
Victor started to speak, but his father interrupted, "You did notthink. That is the problem. Now if the watch shuts her down for some future violation, it will appear that the croamarkh's house is weak. If she continues, the other nobles will think we have her in our employ-which means they will think that what she says comes from our mouths. You've made a muddle of this. Have you done any other damage this morning that I should know about?"
There was a long pause as Victor answered too quietly to be overheard. Lord Dhostar was still huffy, but not as irritated as he replied, "Well, that's something. We need someone to clean out the stables, see justice served against those scoundrels."
Victor said something else that undoubtedly angered the croamarkh, for he answered loudly, "You will not.We have a dinner and talks with Lord Urlyvl and his people over at Castle Athagdal. I hired that young woman for her sword, not for you to practice your courtly graces. You may return to your duties."
The carriage rocked slightly. Alias handed the horses' halters to Dragonbait and retreated five paces. As the carriage door opened, she walked up toward it, creating the illusion that she had just arrived on the scene.
Victor stepped down the carriage steps, grim-faced and angry, but brightened immediately upon spotting Alias. "Hullo," he greeted her. "I've just told Father about your decision to join us."
Another man exited the carriage behind Victor, a broad-shouldered stranger with close-cropped white hair and a heavy silver mustache covering his mouth. He wore blue-and-purple robes tied loosely with a white sash, a white glove on his left hand, and a black glove on his right-the ceremonial outfit of a priest of Tyr, the blinded, one-handed god of justice. Beneath the robes the man wore a chest plate elaborately engraved with a scale of justice balanced on a war hammer-the god Tyr's symbol.
Once the stranger had closed the carriage door, someone within thumped once on the ceiling. The carriage driver urged his horses forward, and the carriage pulled away from the crowded plaza.
"Your Reverence," Victor addressed the priest who stood at his side, "please allow me to present Alias the Swordswoman and her companion, Dragonbait. Alias will be helping us with our Night Mask problem. Alias, this is Durgar the Just of Tyr, who heads our watch and serves us as judge.
Alias and Dragonbait nodded politely to the elderly priest. Durgar fixed his steely gray eyes on Alias for several moments without speaking, and Alias realized she was being assessed with skillful judgment.
When Durgar finally spoke, his voice was chill and void of emotion. "The croamarkh has informed me of his plans for you. I can't say I'm particularly pleased. While Westgate has a rich history of employed mercenaries, they never seem to last for long. Justice requires constant, unending, organized vigilance. That's why I founded the watch here. For fourteen years my men and I have done all that can be done to blunt the ravages