Masquerades - Kate Novak [63]
Instinctively, Gateside clawed at the mask covering his burning skin; still the glow persisted around his face. The Night Master continued screaming, and his frame writhed in agony. Enforcement and Thunnside could detect the scent of charred flesh.
"Jokash," the Faceless intoned, and the glow faded.
The Faceless's spell had burned the flesh around Gateside's eyes, leaving the image of a domino mask in bright scarlet.
"Consider that a warning," the Faceless said coldly. "I might have let the fire burn long enough to sear your skull, but, in deference to your usefulness, I've left you with only a temporary scar.
Gateside slumped back into his chair. His eyes were tearing profusely, and his sobs were broken only by his gasps for breath.
"Your hysteria endangers us all. Now that I've marked you, you have no choice but to remain hidden for the next few days. Night Masks are not very popular at the moment. If you do not reveal yourself, you will not be in danger, and neither will we. Once the scars have begun to scab, a priest will be able to heal the damage. Consider it a test."
Gateside summoned enough energy to nod weakly.
The Faceless turned to the others and asked, "Is there any other business? Does anyone else have doubts about my ability to deal with this sell-sword? No? Good. Enforcement, help Gateside out. This meeting is adjourned."
The Night Masters shuffled silently from the meeting hall. Gateside leaned heavily on Enforcement, but he found the strength to turn for one last look at Westgate's hidden master.
The magical blur about the Faceless's head continued to mask his features, but Gateside was sure the fiend was smiling.
Ten
Power Plays
If Alias had been more attuned to city politics, the puppet show might have served her as a warning. Unfortunately, she hadn't understood the show completely, so she headed unwittingly into the storm.
As usual she'd risen late in the morning, but this morning she did not feel rested. She'd slept badly, due, she knew, to the halfling's death. Upon waking she remembered Jamal's comment that the Night Masters had magic to kill or free any of their people imprisoned by the watch. Alias thought about the arrogant but ineffectual Night Mask swordsman. While she couldn't believe he would be worth the Night Masters bothering over, she became too uneasy and restless to return to sleep. She decided to visit the Tower and assure herself that Durgar was dealing adequately with the thief.
Dragonbait had left her a note that he'd be with Mintassan, so she snatched up some breakfast rolls and set out for the Tower, where the watch and Durgar were headquartered.
At the edge of the market, a Turmishwoman was hawking short wooden skewers laden with roasted, spiced meat. The smell was not only enticing, but brought back memories of her old friend Akabar, who had once prepared her meat the same way. The Turmishwoman caught her eye and thrust out a stick laden with meat, saying, "Lady, you look hungry."
Alias laughed. "I am," she admitted. She bought two sticks of meat, and while she was wolfing down the dripping lamb, she noticed Jamal's troupe. They were set up in the corner of an open-air cafe, apparently with the owner's blessings, for he was doing a booming business selling chowder in bread bowls to the audience.
There was no sign of the Faceless. Evidently Jamal was still in no condition to perform and her understudy did not feel up to the role. The actress who usually played Alias was present, as were the halfling juggler and the actor wearing the Dragonbait costume.
On the stage were six small kegs stacked in a pyramid, representing, Alias realized, the barrels of wine in the Thalavar warehouse. One of the three stage Night Masks carried on her shoulders a cyclops head puppet-the symbol of House Urdo.
Alias tried to figure out the appearance of the Urdo puppet. Was House Urdo behind the raid? To get the wine?
There was the usual slapstick swordplay until the Night Mask carrying Urdo blew up a paper