The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [88]
Giogi sat on the sofa and drew Cat down beside him, still holding her hand in his own. She looked as though she needed his strength.
Maybe this will bring you to your senses, Cat, Olive thought. Perhaps we can make you more afraid of going back to Flattery than of leaving him.
"You have no doubt noticed, Master Giogioni," the halfling began, "that Mistress Cat bears a strong resemblance to Alias of Westgate."
"Well, actually, yes, I have," Giogi said, "but Cat said-"
"She's never met anyone named Alias," Olive supplied. "That she is from Ordulin. Mistress Cat comes from a branch of Alias's family separated by… hard times. Yet her relatives all show a striking family resemblance to one another, much like in the Wyvernspur family. In addition, all of the women in Alias's clan inherit an unusual marking on their right arm. It appears overnight without explanation, and cannot be dispelled magically."
Cat touched her right sleeve with her left hand. Giogi looked at her questioningly, and the mage nodded her head.
Olive continued her story. "My partner, Jade, was also a member of this family. She, too, resembled Alias of Westgate, as well as you, Mistress Cat. At any rate, two nights ago, we sighted Flattery in the streets of Immersea. We followed him, as we were aware that he had unscrupulous reasons for visiting your town.
"Jade has been specially trained in picking pockets-in the line of duty, you understand," the halfling explained. "We thought it likely that Flattery had stolen the wyvern's spur, so Jade closed in on him to investigate the contents of his pockets. Jade liberated an unusual item from the wizard right off: a crystal as big as my fist and as dark as a new moon. I know, because she held it up for me to see before she continued stalking Flattery."
Olive took a deep breath. "Jade was just reaching for Flattery's pocket again when he turned around. He seemed to mistake Jade for someone he knew. He cried out, and I quote, 'So, you treacherous witch, you've escaped, and now you try to steal what you have not earned.' Then he… he killed my partner-disintegrated her with a vile magic spell."
Olive paused. She did not need to feign grief and rage; they came naturally. Giogi was rapt with the bard's tale. His mouth hung slightly open, and his eyes were wide. The cool and rational Cat clutched Giogi's hand tightly, and her gaze seemed to bore holes into Olive.
It was some moments before the halfling could bring herself to finish, and when she did, her voice was no longer as steady as it had been. "I think Flattery mistook my partner for you, Mistress Cat," she explained. "The question I have for you is: Is it possible your former master would kill you if he thought you were trying to steal something from him?"
Cat turned even paler. She nodded wordlessly.
Olive nodded at her admission. "After seeing Jade murdered, I'm afraid I lost my head," Olive said. "I screamed, and Flattery spotted me, got a good look at me. I managed to escape his pursuit with some magic of my own, but I was witness to his crime, and he has no love for Harpers."
Olive gave a shuddering sigh. "If I were farther north, I would have greater resources to draw upon to bring him to justice-companions with discretion. As it stands now, I am alone and far from home. I could use your help."
"I'm honored that you would come to me, Mistress Ruskettle," Giogi said, feeling a little astounded. "I will do all I can to help. But why did you come to me? Surely, in all of Immersea, you could find more powerful allies than myself."
"But not as discrete, I fear, and I thought you would wish to keep this in the family. Of course, I might have gone to your Cousin Frefford, but he has a young wife and new baby, and this may be a hazardous mission. As for your Cousin Steele, he is, I'm afraid, unsuitable."
"I'm sorry. I don't quite follow you," Giogi said, "about keeping it in the family."
"As Flattery is one of your own, I thought you might wish to bring him to justice, to help avoid a scandal, as it were."
"Flattery