Sword of the Gods - Bruce R. Cordell [27]
Chant said, “What did he—”
“Is that the mistake you were talking about, before?” said Demascus.
She cocked her head and smiled. “Just so,” she said. For a Firestorm Cabal member, she seemed less like a mercenary captain than Demascus had expected. She seemed like someone who really cared about threats to Airspur.
Leheren continued, “Allowing Chevesh his autonomy back then was a decision made over my head. This time we’ll have him dead to rights, if you find evidence he’s summoning demons into Akanûl.”
Jett grunted and said, “Leheren, the only ‘mistake’ here would be to let these two poke their noses into Chevesh’s business. If he connects them back to us, he’ll come after the Cabal. He’s dangerous.” The firesoul rubbed at the tattoo on his neck.
“Plausible deniability,” said Chant again, in a manner that suggested he liked saying that phrase.
“The deputy commander assigned me this task,” said the lieutenant. “And I think I know best about how to proceed. These two have no previous connection to us. They’ve shown a measure of interest in the Cabal’s well-being by warning us what Demascus found at the shrine in the Akanapeaks. We shouldn’t spit at the gifts fortune throws in our path; that’s not the Firestorm Cabal’s way.”
Jett frowned.
“But,” Leheren said, fixing her regard on Demascus, then the pawnbroker, “don’t mention this commission to anyone. And if Chevesh does discover you lurking around his tower, pretend you’re robbers.”
“How will he react to thieves in his home?” asked Demascus.
“With extreme prejudice,” supplied Jett. “If you’re lucky, he’ll kill you right off.”
Perfect. Demons, and now crazy fire wizards. And somewhere between them, if fortune smiled, his true identity. He just had to get past the obstacles that could rob him of more than just his mind.
“We’ll deal with Chevesh, if it comes to it,” said Chant. “I have a way with people.”
“Then I think we have a deal.” She held out her hand.
“Hold on,” said Chant. “What are we looking for in the mage’s tower exactly? If we’re going to break in to find evidence, it’ll be a lot easier if we know ahead of time what we’re looking for.”
Leheren frowned. She said, “If you can find a ritual scroll inked with a demon summoning spell, that’ll be a good start. Something solid I can use.”
“Great,” said Demascus. He held out his hand and shook to seal the deal.
“Return if you find anything, but not immediately; return by roundabout paths. If Chevesh notices you and has you followed—”
“I’m familiar with this wizard,” said Chant, “and following thieves seems like too much subtlety for someone like him. He’d rather just blast us.”
“Probably. In truth, I regard you both as expendable. But if you do come back in one piece with news, you’ll be doing a great service to your city. Also, hold a moment …”
Leheren pointed at Jett. “Jett, get a team together. Visit the shrine shown on Demascus’s map. Bring back the bodies; if some group is implicating us in foul deeds, we need to know it, and stop it. On the other hand, if you find no evidence of this man’s story being true, I would also like to know.”
She stared at Demascus and Chant for a cool heartbeat, then added, “Because that would put a whole new spin on the conversation we just had.”
“You’ll find the bodies,” Demascus said. Unless some animal has dragged them off, or more demons have shown up and eaten them, or—
“I’m sure.” She motioned with a shake of her head at the door.
Demascus kept his lip buttoned over all his second thoughts and followed Chant out.
Both men maintained silence as they exited the Motherhouse. Outside, the evening chill had deepened, and Demascus was down one leather coat. He folded his arms across his chest.
“Do you have a place to stay?” the pawnbroker said.
“Not yet. But I have some coin. I can rent a room at the Lantern. Good thing the lieutenant didn’t make me hand over everything I scavenged at the shrine.”
“If the bodies you found were imposter Firestorm Cabal, she wouldn’t have any more