The Yellow Silk - Don Bassingthwaite [47]
"Lunatic. Good luck with Brin-you're going to need it." Desmada slammed her sword back into its sheath and grinned viciously. "Think maybe I'll start up a pool. How long will Tycho last after Brin gets hold of him?"
She turned and swaggered away. Li turned red and reached out to grab her shoulder, but Tycho stopped him. "She'll tell people that you're in trouble!" the Shou protested.
"Gossip is probably already flying," Tycho spat. "The magic will fog her mind, though. In a few minutes, Desmada will only barely remember talking to us." He curled his hands into fists and smacked them into his forehead. "Bind me! It was Jacerryl!"
Li looked at him, puzzled. Tycho shook his head. "I'll explain on the way. Come on-we're going back to hightown." He stomped off along the street, forcing Li to scramble to catch up to him.
It was like the goddess of fortune had stepped down from on high and kissed him.
Lander stepped out of his hiding place at the top of the street and watched the pair vanish into the gloom. Unbelievable! After a long while tracking Desmada down, he had been just about to hail her when a call from the other end of the street had drawn her attention. Tycho's voice, but it was the sight of the tall man with him that had made Lander's jaw drop. He had ducked into a doorway and watched as Tycho and Li Chien-alive after all-spoke with Desmada. The bard and the Shou were working together!
He couldn't be sure what they had said-he was too far away to catch anything other than the occasional word when voices rose-but Tycho was after Brin's beljurils, that much was clear. What Kuang Li Chien was doing with him… He cursed under his breath. The alley off Gold Lane where he had left the Shou lay between the Wench's Ease and the building on Bakers Way where Tycho lived with his doddering old teacher! Tycho must have found Li Chien last night and rescued him.
What now? Lander bit his lip. They were going somewhere-should he follow them? His hand dropped to the handle of the stolen saber, but he hesitated. Two of them, one of him, and Li Chien fought like a demon. The Shou had managed to get some of his clothes back-Tycho must have guided him to Giras. He had a weapon, too. Lander let go of the saber. It would be safer to catch up with Desmada and ask her what had happened. Safer, but probably unnecessary. He could talk to her any time.
Li Chien was the one he wanted. Searching Spandeliyon for him without any clues to his whereabouts had been like gambling at a crooked table. But knowing he was with Tycho… that changed the game. Lander knew Tycho. He knew the places the bard frequented and where he slept at night. Lander cracked his knuckles and turned back toward the Eel. Brin was finally going to get some good news today.
***
There was a knocking on the other side of the door. "Natala?" called Jacerryl sweetly. "Folco tells me you've come to see me." The latch jiggled and rose and the door opened a narrow crack. Light speared the darkness. Jacerryl's head followed, turning from side to side as he looked around. "No lights? What are you up to, my saucy little minx? " He stepped inside and closed the door behind himself. "A little game of wolf and rabbit? Or is it blind man's bluff?" Footsteps and the rustle of clothing being shed. "Give me a hint, darling-hot or cold?"
"Oh, very cold." Tycho unclenched his fist and let the light of a glowing coin shine out. Jacerryl, doublet off and caught in the act of pulling open his shirt, froze. His mouth dropped open. He stumbled back. Li stepped out from where he had hidden behind the door and gave him a firm push forward. Tycho, perched on the foot of the man's bedstead, smiled down at him. "Olore, Jacerryl. Expecting someone else?"
"You!" Jacerryl stood straight, trying to act firm and dignified as he hastily began to rebutton his shirt. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?"
He shot a glance toward the door. Tycho gestured and Li moved to stand between