The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [90]
Giogioni listened with unusual attentiveness to his new guest. It seemed to Thomas that his master was disturbed as well, though not completely by the halfling's talk. The servant couldn't help but notice that Giogi's attitude toward the mage had turned considerably cooler.
Thomas wished he'd had the opportunity to put an ear to the parlor door so he could know what had happened between them.
"We will need the help of others of talent and power," Olive explained as she reached for two breakfast rolls and smeared a tablespoon of butter on each. "I will leave it to you to choose persons you feel you can trust with the knowledge of Flattery." Olive bit off half a roll.
Giogi thought for a moment. "I was going to visit Mother Lleddew today. I don't know how I will be received exactly, but I'm sure I can trust her with a family secret. She once was a companion of my father."
"Mother Lleddew," Olive muttered through a full mouth. She chewed rapidly and swallowed. "Mother Lleddew," she repeated. "Priestess of Selune, isn't she? Has quite a reputation. If you're willing to trust her, I'm sure she'll be most useful.
"There is something else you might consider, Master Giogioni," Olive said, dabbing a stream of butter from her chin. "It may be unseemly to bring it up so soon after your uncle's demise, but did he possess any magical items we could use?"
"I don't know," Giogi admitted. "I was going to search through his lab for his journal this morning. I wouldn't really know what to look for, though, when it comes to magical items."
"Mistress Cat would be able to aid you in that respect, surely," Olive said as she plopped five sugar cubes into her tea.
"I had hoped to keep her hidden from Flattery's sight," Giogi explained without looking in Cat's direction.
The enchantress, who had remained silent until now, reminded her protector, "It may be too late for that." Then she looked into her lap to avoid Giogi's eyes.
Olive looked up in surprise. Are we to get a confession now? she wondered, thinking that Cat was about to admit to having contacted Flattery the day before.
"Oh, yes. I'd forgotten," Giogi said, his forehead furrowed.
"Forgotten what?" Olive asked.
"Late last night, someone broke in and attacked Mistress Cat. Fortunately, she managed to raise an alarm, and her attacker fled."
"I thought it was my master, Flattery," Cat explained, still not looking up. "It looked like him in the moonlight, but I don't think Flattery would have tried to smother me in my bed."
"No. I can't see the wizard who disintegrated Jade relying on down pillows," Olive agreed.
There was a clatter of silverware on oak at the far end of the table. All three diners looked up suddenly at the noise. Giogi's manservant was looking at the halfling, temporarily oblivious to the disturbance he'd just created by dropping a pile of flatware on the table.
"Thomas, is something wrong?" Giogi asked.
"Excuse me, Mistress Ruskettle," the servant said, looking pale and stricken, "but did I hear you just say someone had been… disintegrated… by this Flattery person?"
Olive held her ham-laden fork suspended in midair. "Yes, Thomas," she answered. "My partner, Jade More. Two nights ago. Why?"
"Forgive my interruption, sir," Thomas addressed Giogi, "but, um, I understand from the servants up in Redstone that nothing was found of your Uncle Drone, save a pile of ash, his robes, and hat."
Giogi tapped his forehead with the flat of his palm. "Sweet Selune. You're right. It looks as if this Flattery could be responsible for the death of my Uncle Drone as well. Good thought, Thomas." Thomas did not hear the compliment however. He'd bolted for the kitchen.
"Why should Flattery kill your Uncle Drone?" Cat asked.
"I would think it's obvious," Olive answered her. "Flattery