A Scoundrel's Song

31

Niico stood back to look at his prowess and ignored the irritation on Pelenia's face. She didn't understand his genius, even after all these years, but no-one else had a better idea other than trying to look nonchalant as they entered Baccirese. That wouldn't work. What they needed was a way of misdirecting everyone. Including Herit. He adjusted the hooded cape once again.

"This is never going to work." Pel tugged the hood from Herit's head, revealing a grin on the girl's face. "It's just going to bring attention to her. It's far too warm for a hooded cape. And the rest of it is just cruel."

"Herit doesn't mind." He ruffled the girl's hair, pretending to be nice and kind. "Do you, little one?"

"No!" She lifted her arms and the cape didn't even lift from the ground, covering her in her entirety. "It's fun!"

"And Akafa doesn't mind." He pointed to the man and stepped away as Akafa looked ready to rip him apart. "Well, he doesn't not mind. Doesn't not not mind? Whatever, the point is that both Akafa and Herit know this is our only option. The Patron has shown us that she sees things through Herit's eyes, so we take that away from her."

He held up the blindfold, allowing it to dangle from his fingers. Not only a blindfold, but with additions to muffle whatever Herit tried to hear. Wrapped around the child's eyes and ears, the blindfold would take away the Patron's biggest advantage. If Herit couldn't see anything, or hear anything, then neither could Diaste Kha.

Of course, there were ever more devious layers to this plan, but the others would learn about that later. Right now, with Baccirese only half a mile away, they could reach the port town with an advantage of their own. An advantage that could only grow wider as Niico set into motion the other parts of the plan. That is, if Antioni had played his part as Niico had instructed.

Sending the young man, instead of Pel, or Akafa, had the advantage that it got the fawning man out of Niico's hair. Yet, now that Antioni had spent some time away from him, Niico, after a fashion and with some reluctance, missed him. His hopeful demeanour would come in handy amongst these that did not trust Niico's genius.

"When this proves to be as idiotic as I think it will be, what then? We have to get Herit to her father at the docks, through a town filled with cutthroats, thieves, generally nasty people and vicious priests with heavy weaponry. And we only have Akafa. You won't fight and I don't have any fighting skills at all." Pel had a way of saying things that almost had Niico second-guessing himself. Almost. "And where's Antioni? If it comes down to a fight, we need every hand we can get."

"I sent Antioni home." He dropped his head the requisite amount to appear both a little angry and a little sad. "He professed his love for me for the last time. We argued. He begged. And I ... I told him I hated him. You know me, Pel. I can't stand the idea of settling down and I was tired of him following me around like a puppy."

"You are not a good man, Niico." Akafa reached out, taking the blindfold from Niico's hand and kneeling before Herit. "I am sorry, my sister, but this will be over soon. I will get you to your father if I have to die to do so. You have my word."

"Don't be ridiculous. No-one is dying today." Niico bent over, supporting himself with his hands on his thighs and smiled at Herit. "Now, this will be strange and uncomfortable, but Akafa will never be far from you. We will have to stop before we enter the town, for an inspection, but if you stay quiet, everything will be fine. Do you trust me?"

"Ha! No." The girl could not have a wider grin if she tried. She looked as though she were about to play a game, not hide in fear of her safety. "But it'll be fun. I've never been blind and deaf before."

Once again, Niico ruffled Herit's hair and then stepped back allowing Akafa to fasten the blindfold around his sister's head. She didn't complain and, when Akafa had finished, she waved her hand before her covered eyes several times, smiling as she did so. She made a couple of barking shouts, in different tones, and pressed her hands upon her ears. Then she laughed.