Masquerades - Kate Novak [87]
For the first time Alias felt as if they were truly at sea, and not just because they'd left the bay. A stiff breeze shot across the port side. Alias shivered in the wind.
"I forgot I might need a cloak out here," she said.
"In the interest of chivalry, I feel obliged to offer you an arm around your shoulder," Victor said.
"In the interest of encouraging chivalry wherever I find it, I feel obliged to accept," Alias replied.
Victor slid his arm around her back, and Alias leaned against his side. The wide sleeve of his tunic served well as a shawl, and the warmth of his hand on her shoulder was wonderfully pleasant.
Westgate was ablaze with lights that rivaled the stars above: the lighthouse, the streetlights, the campfires on the shore.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Victor said, regarding the city. "Lit up on a clear night like this, it looks every bit as magical as Evermeet, as exotic as Kara-Tur, as wealthy as Zakhara. Like a place of make-believe, a place where legends can be born."
Alias made an agreeable and noncommittal, "Mmmm," unable to put out of her mind the Night Mask rot at the city's heart.
As if he could read her thoughts, Victor added, "If only we could excise the Night Masks without damaging the city."
"Well, we may be another step closer," Alias said. "I've traced a protection racket from the Shore back to a wealthy vintner in the city. His name's Melman. I wanted to be sure he wasn't some noble's cousin or brother-in-law."
Victor furrowed his brow in thought. "Melman. My father and I have exported some of his wine. No, he's not related to any of the noble houses."
"Good. I'm hoping he's a high-ranking Night Mask or will lead us to one."
"I've heard some stories. His house has an evil reputation," Victor said. "Promise me you won't go there alone."
Alias nodded. She didn't mention she knew the house well, or that she planned to visit it later this very night. There was no sense worrying the young nobleman.
"Better still, why not just have Durgar arrest the man?" Victor asked.
Alias shook her head. "Jamal," she said, "has suggested
that if we can just find the Faceless's treasury, we should be able to capture the artifact that keeps him and the Night Masters magically sheltered from scrying and divinations. I'm hoping Melman might lead me to the Night Masters' lair. He's not going to cooperate, locked in a cell in the Tower."
"How does Jamal know all this?" Victor asked. "She has a network of her own informants," Alias answered.
"I realize she must be a friend, but, well, she seems to know so much. Are you certain-do you think it's possible that all this theater against the Night Masks is maybe a smoke screen? She could be one herself. She could be the Faceless, for all we know."
Alias shook her head with a scowl. "That's no more, likely than your father being the Faceless."
"Father! That's ridiculous."
"Is it? You said he refuses to pay the Night Masks protection, yet the Night Masks haven't wreaked their revenge on your operations as they have on House Thalavar."
"That's because they're afraid that Father would make good on his threat to start a war in the streets."
"Or they have orders not to harm your oper-" Alias halted, struck by a sudden idea.
"What is it?" Victor asked.
"Or they've been geased not to harm your family. Kimbel would certainly make an excellent candidate."
Victor shook his head. "I keep an eye on Kimbel. If he were running a thieves guild on the side, I would know. But I'm also sure the Faceless is not Father."
"So am I," Alias agreed.
"But you just said-"
"I was just pointing out that there are some inconsistencies. I suspect your father pays the Night Masks, but is too proud to admit it. He's simply not a logical candidate. He has more money than an ancient dragon and the most powerful position in the whole city. He has no reason to belong to the Night Masks."
Victor remained silent for too long.
"What's wrong?"