Death Rites

5 - The part where she saves Rhys Avon

It was a giant mess, full of construction equipment, dust and noise at Prince and Lexa's other other offices. They hadn't had other other offices until this morning, so all things considering they were getting along fairly quickly. These ones were nowhere near the law office, they were in a park, in an old storm drain tunnel. Prince had made it known he was not pleased with this, but it was the only other large holding they had. The complex under the storm drain was larger than you would expect. Nothing drained into it anymore, for one thing, and it had been used in the past long ago as a safehouse for the ducal family in case of a siege. Some said there was a tunnel to the duke's estate somhere, but in the few times that Teague had been there when she was younger she had never found it. Mostly because some also said the place was haunted by angry spirits of kids that drowned in the storm drain long ago. It was dark, and full of cobwebs and little brick corridors that went nowhere, grates to deep dark places that strange noises came out of... Teague had not liked this place much when she'd been younger, but the fences had given her a place to stay, to hide when she needed it and she had needed it on occasion. It was a vast complex and she could easily lose anyone that followed her in here. She hadn't used it much lately because she had gotten her place in the sewers, where it was much easier to lose people, and where she wasn't depending on Prince and Lexa's charity. 

It was slightly less creepy there now, now that the place was crowded with construction people, mages and Prince and Lexa's 'associates' keeping the peace and keeping outsiders outside. Of course associates was a nicer term than 'thug'. Teague knew some of them, was on friendly terms with most, but she didn't want to distract them while they were working. Besides, she had the distinct impression that PRince wanted to speak with her. It could be the glowing anger on his face that tipped her off. 

Leonara smiled at everyone they passed as they went up the small steps to the side rooms, the down smoe steps again, through a portcullis and up a ladder. It looked like each smile was especially for that person. She went up the ladder first, which made it abundantly clear that Teague's initial suspicion was correct; Leonara had not managed to pick up any underwear to go with her new dress. As the second person on the ladder, Teague did not know where to look. 

At the top of the ladder was a room that was already almost finished. There were constructors working on the plastering and there was some basic furniture in place. 

Prince waved his hand vaguely and the associates or thugs present ushered out the constructors and left to guard the bottom of the stairs. 

Prince sat down in one of the bare wooden chairs and crossed his arms. Teague remained standing, awkwardly in the middle of the room while Lexa made herself busy pouring some water into some glasses. 

"Well?" he said. 

"The guy knew I was lying before we even got started. He was just setting me up," she said, trying to avoid saying 'I don't know what happened' again. 

"And where does she come into it?" Prince nodded his head in the direction of Leonara, who seemed very insulted. 

"I can speak for myself, summoner," she said, stepping out so she was in front of Teague. 

"You couldn't an hour ago," Teague interrupted. 

Leonara looked at her. "I learn fast."

Apparently so. 

PRince sighed. "How are we supposed to fix this now?"

"What do you mean," Teague said, "He may still suspect me, but I don't think he's after you guys. At least not right now."

"Exactly," Prince said. "Not right now. BUt tomorrow, or the day after, he'll get over the scare he got and go after us. And now he'll know there's a fucking spirit involved. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts thinking we're mancers and putting this entire thing on us."