A Beast's Tale

Chapter 82

"I don't need a laundry list of all the groups who harbor animosity toward Prince Chevalier. I need the name of the person who attempted to hire you to abduct Prince Chevalier's maid."

Sariel's sonorous voice was not loud, but in the empty sewer, it echoed off the mossy stones to my ears with ease. It was damp here, and the smell was not altogether pleasant, although the trickle of flowing water through the center of the stone tunnel diluted the odor somewhat. Condensation dripped from the ceiling. I kept my steps silent as I approached a small patch of flickering torchlight and two shadowy figures.

"It's someone from Obsidian," a rough voice said.

Sariel sighed. "Could you perhaps be more specific?"

"You know how hard it is to get anythin' outta there. That country's locked up tight, even worse 'n it was when you were runnin' with us, an' that hasn't changed jus' 'cause Gilbert decided it was time to rejoin the rest o' the world. We're workin' on it. But I got a hunch about who it is."

"Do you intend to tell me, or would you prefer to drag this out for more dramatic effect? It isn't as though I have better things to do."

A hoarse laugh rang out. "You haven't changed a bit. Yeah, you've got your glasses and your fancy clothes, but you still have that same bad attitude. Don't worry. This'll be worth your time. See, until Gilbert showed up here in Rhodolite, all I heard 'bout that maid was connected with Chevalier, but now... You see where I'm goin' with this?"

"You think they were only interested in her because of her association with Prince Chevalier, but now, they see an opportunity to avenge themselves against Prince Gilbert for some slight as well. That is problematic."

"Narrows it down, though. Both princes have got their fair share o' enemies, but they've also got most people scared to death of 'em. Soon as word got aroun' that Gilbert had his eye on her, a bunch o' people went into the woodwork. This is somebody who thinks they can take both o' the tigers on an' survive. Makes 'em stupid or powerful. Or both."

"It makes them stupid with an excess of time and money, and there are far too many people who fit that description. Get me a name."

"On it. Oh, an' the anti-monarchy faction has taken her off their hit list. Not that they really had 'er on a list, but you know they weren't happy 'bout her gettin' their leader caught. Seems that Barrande guy has taken over, an' he's put out the word that she's off limits. Kinda like someone told him to leave 'er alone. Maybe your new student? Have you let 'im out o' your sight recently? Or are you makin' use o' him, too?"

"This is not a social call. My business is none of your business. I gave you a job to do; now do it."

"Yeah, yeah. Well, that Luke kid couldn't ask for a better teacher, although he probably has enough underhanded habits of his own without pickin' up a few more from you."

Another sigh echoed off the walls. "My teaching skills must leave something to be desired if you haven't noticed yet."

"Oh, you didn't want Chevalier to hear that? Sorry, I should probably say 'Prince Chevalier.' I'm not used to kowtowing with royalty like some people." The man looked as rough as his voice sounded, with a weather-beaten face and a scar through his left eye that twisted when he grinned. He gave me an awkward bow as I stepped into the light. "Your Highness. The way things are lookin', I should have somethin' for both o' you in a couple o' days." His gaze returned to Sariel. "I'll get you a message the usual way."

"Do that." Sariel stood tall in his black and purple attire, a shadow turning toward me as his confidante slipped into the darkness. "You heard most of that, I believe."