The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [91]
"That's possible," Cat admitted, softly. "Flattery told me he would not be able to watch me with his scrying crystal because the catacombs and crypt were proofed against magical eyes."
"Uncle Drone had them shielded from magical sight from all but himself," Giogi added, "and even he had trouble looking into the crypt after the robbery."
Not that either of them would have been able to spot Cat, Olive thought to herself. Like Alias and Jade, Cat must be proofed against magical detection and scrying. It seems, though, that Flattery has never told her. He wouldn't want her to think she could hide from him.
"Mistress Ruskettle, you were saying," Giogi prompted Olive out of her reverie.
"Anyway," Olive continued aloud, "when Flattery sees Jade later that evening, he assumes you've escaped, and, thinking you have just picked his pocket; he believes you have betrayed him and he slays Jade, mistaking her for you. Like the witness to Jade's murder, namely myself, who he did try to kill, Drone is a loose end. Drone may have interrogated you and learned all about him. Also, Flattery would not have given up his quest for the spur. Drone might have taken the spur from you and have it in his lab, where it would be easy to get. If the spur was still safe in the crypt, Flattery could have stolen Drone's key before killing him."
"But I never had the spur, never even saw it. It wasn't in the crypt when I got there," Cat protested, some of her old spirit returning to her voice. "Someone else had stolen it."
"Ah," Olive said, "but Flattery couldn't see into the crypt, so he couldn't know that, unless he looked for himself. Later in the day, after he'd already destroyed Drone, Flattery would have discovered that someone had been successful at stealing the spur."
"Yes" Giogi said guiltily. "It does seem to have gotten out."
Cat, Olive noticed, stirred uncomfortably in her seat. As well she should, since she was the culprit, the halfling thought.
"And somehow," Olive said, pointing a spoonful of eggs at Cat, "Flattery's found out you're still alive and at large."
"I told you he has a scrying ball," Cat said.
"If he thought you were dead, he wouldn't have been scrying for you," Olive pointed out. She hoped Cat would realize that if she hadn't been stupid enough to contact Flattery yesterday, he'd probably be pretty much in the dark. Too bad the mage hadn't known that Flattery can't scry for her at all. At least we can use that to our advantage, Olive thought.
"In any event, Flattery discovers you're still alive," Olive continued, explaining to Cat, "and learns that you've taken refuge here. It may look to him as if you've got the spur, and you're negotiating to return it to Master Giogioni. So he sends a flunkie after you. I presume he has flunkies?" Olive asked.
Cat nodded. She looked very confused, though, and Olive could tell she'd planted the seed of doubt in the woman's head.
"Master Giogioni, I believe it is probably safer for Mistress Cat to remain with us wherever we go," Olive concluded. "We will no doubt profit from her expertise as well."
"You asked yesterday if you could come with me," Giogi said to Cat. "I guess you'll get your chance. Thomas!" the young noble called out, ringing a small silver bell beside his plate.
Thomas, looking pale, appeared at the doorway to Servant Land. "Yes, sir?" he asked.
"After breakfast, the ladies and I will be riding up to Redstone and then to the Temple of Selune. Would you please harness Daisyeye to the buggy?"
"Yes, sir," Thomas said, fading back through the doorway.
Olive downed her breakfast with relish, except the oatmeal. She didn't quite have the stomach for that. The two humans poked their food around their plates in silence, though. Olive could understand Cat not being very hungry. She'd