The Wizardwar - Elaine Cunningham [114]
Matteo looked troubled. "If he did, most likely Procopio knew as well.
Proving that, however, will be difficult. Diviners are notoriously hard to read through magical inquiry."
"Maybe this will help." Tzigone handed him a small packet. "I got this from Sinestra Belajoon's room. She found it hidden in Procopio's villa."
"Oh?" he said cautiously.
Tzigone shrugged. "Sinestra had some notion about learning thieving skills. You might say she was my apprentice."
"Sweet Mystra," he groaned. "Twice-stolen proof is not much better than none at all."
"That depends on the proof. This is mummy powder."
Stunned enlightenment crossed Matteo's face. "Only the Mulhorandi embalm their dead. That suggests Procopio was in collusion with the invaders!
On the other hand, perhaps Procopio got this powder from a northern grave robber. It was once used as a base for paint-"
"Too late," she broke in. "Andris already told that tale, and once was plenty. And really, do you see Procopio as a would-be artist?"
He conceded this point with a nod.
"Here he comes," announced Tzigone. "This should be fun."
Before Matteo could respond, Tzigone wriggled out of the bushes and headed for the tower. With a groan, he followed.
They met the wizard at the gate, his arms full of spell-books. He stopped short, and his expression was cautious but not alarmed.
"Shame about the invisibility spell," Tzigone said casually. "The damn things just never seem to hold up, do they?" Her gaze skimmed the wizard, and she lifted one eyebrow in a politely inquiring expression. "Out for a quiet stroll? A mug of breakfast ale and a little loot and pillage?"
Procopio's face flushed and then hardened. "I am responsible for Halruaan justice in this city, and these items will be needed for the queen's trial. I'm sure Dhamari Exchelsor would have wished it so."
"You're certainly in a position to know that," she shot back. "This was Keturah's tower before Dhamari stole her life. It's mine now, and everything in it.
Don't think about poking around in Basel's tower, either."
"Two towers. Aren't you the ambitious one?"
"I have two parents."
"Both of them conveniently dead. In fact, many wizards have died of late."
Procopio's black eyes narrowed. "Amazing, that their killers are so hard to trace.
It’s almost as if the murderer was magically shielded from inquiry."
Matteo stepped between them, intercepting the wizard's challenging glare.
"I don't like your implication."
"I don't give an Azuthan damn what you like or dislike," the wizard retorted.
"You're a fool, jordain, if you can't see beyond that pretty face to what lies within.
Legend-legends in these very books-claim that dark elves slipped through the veil into Unseelie realms and came back as drow. What sort of monster did she become in the Unseelie Realm?"
Tzigone said quietly, "People become what they truly are."
"What, in your particular case, might that be?" sneered Procopio.
Her chin came up. "There's one way to find out, wizard. Meet me on the dueling field today at twilight."
Chapter Nineteen
For a long moment Tzigone's challenge hung heavy in the astonished silence. Then Procopio let out a startled laugh, which quickly settled into an arrogant smirk.
"This will be legal in every particular, so none can say I did murder. You, jordain, will bear witness the challenge was hers."
He started through the gate, chuckling. Matteo quickly moved into his path. "The books," he said simply.
Their eyes met in silent, furious struggle. Finally Procopio muttered an oath and let the priceless, ancient volumes tumble to the garden path. He stalked out without a backward glance.
Matteo turned to Tzigone, who stood regarding the books. "Right there is all the justification I'd ever need to squash him like a toad," she muttered.
"Tzigone, what in the name of every god were you thinking? Procopio Septus is one of the most powerful