The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [87]
"Your family is in the midst of another tragedy as well, I understand," Olive commented.
"An heirloom is missing, which, according to legend, is supposed to ensure that our line never dies out. The family's a bit on edge, what with its disappearance and Drone's death. You know, Mistress Ruskettle, it's really most extraordinary that you should have come to visit me this morning. You see, I was planning to come speak with you about the spur."
Olive managed to hide her surprise. There would be time enough to find out what Giogi thought she knew.
"Perhaps my coming isn't as extraordinary as you might think," the halfling said with a knowing smile. She raised her right hand to the Harper's pin and fiddled with it, seemingly absentmindedly. Then she let her hand rest back in her lap. "Perhaps you are already aware, Master Giogioni, that the wyvern's spur has attracted the attention of a certain powerful and dangerous wizard."
Giogi gulped. "You mean Flattery?" he squeaked.
"Precisely," Olive replied, leaning forward in her chair. Without realizing it, Giogi leaned forward in response.
"Perhaps it's time I got to the point, Master Giogioni. This Flattery murdered my partner, and my organization cannot let his crime go unpunished."
"Your organization-excuse me, but I couldn't help noticing; that is a Harper's pin you're wearing, isn't it?"
"Yes, Master Giogioni, it is."
"I hadn't realized… You weren't wearing one at Freffie's wedding last spring."
Olive sighed and smiled. "Those were less fateful days."
The door to the parlor opened, and Cat breezed in. She wore a cream-colored morning dress replete with pink ribbon-roses and white beadwork ferns. She wore her copper-colored hair in an elaborate five-strand Sembian braid that hung halfway down her back.
She slipped behind Giogi and took up the braided lock of his hair. It was obvious from her behavior that she did not notice the halfling visitor on the footstool across from Giogi's chair. She held out three small green beads. "I found these in my bed," she said with a smile, then began sliding them into the nobleman's hair.
Giogi colored visibly. He rose and turned Cat to face Olive. "We have company, my dear. Mistress Ruskettle, may I present to you-"
"Cat the mage, apprentice to the wizard Flattery," Olive finished for him, her tone chill.
Cat was taken aback at discovering that her flirtation not only had an audience, but one who knew too much about her. Nervously she slipped one of her hands into Giogi's.
"Um, well, she's decided to leave Flattery," Giogi reported. "She's here under my protection."
"A wise decision, Mistress Cat," the halfling said, nodding sagely. "And not a moment too soon," she added.
Even as she spoke. Olive realized she would have to handle Cat without any help from Giogi. From what the mage had just said to the nobleman, it was obvious that he had offered Cat more than his protection. He's not likely to welcome any suggestions that the woman might betray him, Olive thought. Human men are funny that way. It's a pity I can't let him know that I'm sure of her disloyalty because I eavesdropped on her in his carriage house.
"Cat," Giogi said, finishing the introductions smoothly, "this is the bard, Olive Ruskettle. We were just discussing Flattery when you came in."
Cat made a curtsy to Olive, not oblivious to the fact that Giogi had chosen to present her to Olive and not the other way around.
"It seems," Giogi gulped, "that Flattery killed Mistress Ruskettle's partner," Giogi explained to the mage.
Cat did not look surprised in the least. She merely blinked once and asked, "Why?"
Olive was struck by an inspiration. She smiled knowingly. "An interesting question, Mistress Cat," she said. "One that I suddenly realize you might be able to answer better than I."
"Me?" Cat paled, no longer so collected.
"You," Olive replied. "My story is a little complicated," the halfling