"McKenna,.Juliet.E.-.Einarinn.04.-.Warrior's.Bond" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

An unwelcome voice hailed us in a strangled shout.
'What has been going on?' puffed Casuel as he reached us, hair unbrushed and mismatched buckles on his shoes.
'Some of the Kellarin cargo has been stolen,' I said flatly, hoping his precipitate arrival might go unnoticed.
'By whom?' he demanded, outraged.
'As yet, we don't know,' I replied calmly.
'Why aren't you out looking for them!' Casuel looked around the harbour, presumably for some slow-footed miscreant draped in stolen pelts.
I turned my attention back to Temar. 'It could have been pirates. They'll be interested in knowing what comes from
Kellarin and how it might compare to the Inglis trade.'
'And they would certainly be interested in looking for charts,' agreed Temar.
'Thieves or pirates, what's the difference?' Casuel folded his arms abruptly, scowling.
'Otrick was keeping Velindre informed, hadn't he?' I took a step closer to Casuel, using my greater height to force him back a pace. 'Otrick was well liked by pirates all along the coast, wasn't he? If Velindre has similar friends, perhaps she let something slip?'
'Impossible,' snapped Casuel, affronted.
'From her manner last night, I hardly think the lady would be so careless,' Temar said cautiously.
'Unlikely,' I agreed. But not impossible, and anyway the notion had Casuel too distracted to interrupt again.
'But what if it's neither?' I said to Temar.
'Elietimm?' He nodded, expression dour. 'People forgetting what was agreed, forgetting to mark the time, that could be Artifice at work'
'What?' Casuel looked from Temar to me and back again, eyes horrified. 'There's nothing to suggest Elietimm, is there?'
'No, but nothing to suggest it wasn't, as yet.' I heaved an irritated sigh. 'But how by all that's holy can we tell? Could Demoiselle Tor Arrial tell if these men had been enchanted?'
'I am afraid not.' Temar looked thoughtful. 'But she can look for anyone working Artifice hereabouts.'
. I stared at the warehouse. 'Copper is copper, and melted down it could have come from anywhere, so I don't think we'll see that again. But furs are too easily identifiable to risk selling them here, if our thieves have any wits.'
'So they ship them out with goods honestly bought and paid for?' Temar guessed.
'Organise a search!' cried Casuel. 'There's only one road out of here, so anything going overland can be stopped. Isn't there some chain to close the harbour to pirates? Get that in place and turn every ship inside out!'
'On whose say-so?' I enquired mildly. 'Planir's? Archmage
he may be, he has no authority here, not over Tormalin citizens when nothing's been proved against them.'
'Is Messire D'Olbriot's word not good enough, even by proxy?' Temar asked hesitantly.
'No, not for a general search.' I tried to recall the little I knew of Old Empire law. 'A Prince's power is still absolute over his own tenants and property, but that's as far as it goes. Houses on good terms with D'Olbriot would cooperate, but those that aren't would refuse, whether or not they had anything to hide. Self-governing traders and artisans will hardly compromise their independence by yielding to D'Olbriot influence like that. Forcing the issue will set them appealing in every court up to the Emperor himself.'
Temar was looking puzzled. 'Are many people living outside the security of tenantry?
'A great deal changed as a result of the Chaos,' said Casuel officiously. 'The autonomy of sufficient men of business is an important check on the influence of Princes.'
'Casuel's father is a pepper merchant,' I explained. 'Anyway, even where someone's officially beholden to a Name, the ties may be no stronger than ribbon sealed on a parchment.'
'But who safeguards their interests?' Temar looked genuinely concerned.
'The Emperor and the justiciary, naturally.'
I interrupted as CasuePs drew breath to explain twenty generations of precedent and custom. 'The best way to be sure we've no Elietimm creeping in the shadows is to find those stolen goods. I'll call in the few markers I have hereabouts and see if the strength of the D'Olbriot name can get the most likely places searched at least. Temar, go back and have your breakfast, then see if Avila can find any sniff of aetheric magic. Casuel.' I gave him a warm smile. 'Go and ask Velindre if she has any contacts among the free-traders.' I raised my voice over his incensed protests. 'I don't suppose she was involved in anything, but free-traders are most likely to be offered unusual goods at half their market value. We might get a scent that way. If she refuses to help, that might be worth telling Planir.'
Casuel's indignation subsided as Temar managed to control a smile I could see tugging at the corners of his mouth.
'Feathers!' the mage said suddenly.
'Of course!' I snapped my fingers. 'Why didn't I think of that?'
'I don't suppose your lady has much time for the heights of fashion,' Casuel smirked.
I let the jibe go as I saw Temar looking at me and the mage as if we'd both taken leave of our senses.
'Feathers, bright ones in bold colours are worth, oh, I don't know how many times their weight in gold,' I explained.
'No lady would dream of going out without a fan of plumes carefully chosen to match her dress or in the colours of her House,' Casuel broke in. 'And then there are the combinations that signifyЧ'
'If someone thought you'd brought back exotic feathers unique to Kellarin, that would definitely be worth a break-in.' Much as I hated to give Casuel any credit, his suggestion made simple theft a far more likely explanation.
'I must tell Guinalle to send hunters out with some nets,' said Temar with well-bred amusement. 'Strange that none of the mercenaries or mages mentioned this.'
'Well, mercenaries just sweat and I don't suppose wizards have much time for the heights of fashion either.' I nodded with mock politeness to Casuel, but baiting the mage wasn't going to get us anywhere. 'I'll see you back at the shrine at noon and we'll share anything we've found out. If there's any hint it's something more sinister than thievery, then we get on the road to Toremal where we've got the Name and the men to back us.'
'But what if we're attacked on the road?' Casuel bleated.
'Then you show us some magic, Master Wizard,' smiled Temar.
CHAPTER TWO
Appendix to the D'Olbriot Chronicle,
Winter Solstice Concluding the First Year of
Tadriol the Thrifty, As Written by Esquire Fidaer,
Castellan of the Tailebret Estates
Solstice celebrations have seen some relaxation of the austerity enjoined on us in the immediate aftermath of the new Emperor's election, much to the relief of tradespeople the length and breadth of Toremal. But all the gowns and furbelows adorning our ladies must be paid for with solid coin this year, now merchants have Imperial sanction to refuse open-ended credit to even the noblest of Houses. Well, Tadriol's strictures may be unpopular with giddy girls obsessed with fashionable competition and Esquires keen to cut an elegant figure, but I write this after submitting my annual accounts to the Sieur of my Name with the best set of balances for some years. With Messire's approval, I plan to use these funds firstly to support the tenantry who suffered in the recent floods around Nymet, and thereafter to expand whichever of our enterprises will benefit from sustained investment.