Chapter 75: Cat, Mouse, and Louse (Patreon)

“The only advantage that we have over the Red Raven is that she doesn’t know we’re looking for her,” Levente told Pascal, Duke of Sturmbann, whose daughter he had met at the event hosted by Sybrand. “There’s no possible way that she would have been able to learn about our pursuit that quickly. No one’s that good.”

“Are you certain of that?” Pascal asked.

The Duke of Sturmbann was a tall, red headed man, with cold red eyes that seemed dispassionate and calculating. In a way, that was much like his daughter Gabriele. Theirs was a family of magic-users, yet despite that, he was associating first and foremost with Levente, the outcast who was born to a slave of Avaria. Everyone else had been intentionally hesitant to associate with the foreigner, but not Pascal.

The reason was simple: ideology didn’t matter for anything if you didn’t win. And Pascal was convinced that Levente could win.

“I am,” Levente said. “I have little doubt that the palace thoroughly vetted every candidate to marry the Princess. The only person that possibly has connections to Avaria is Willem, who formerly worked with the Red Raven when she took the form of Petronella. That’s information that no one else knows.

“Willem is a smart individual, and he wouldn’t risk contact with the Red Raven even if he actually knew her whereabouts. And even if he was stupid enough, she also wouldn’t be stupid enough. We’re talking about a spy—a trueborn chimera—that survived for well over seven decades of service to Avaria. I know these people, and there’s not a way that she would make such a rudimentary mistake.”

“So… what needs to be done?” Pascal prompted.

“We need to watch Willem.” Levente crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “We’ll get our lead from him. You don’t get points for originality in this—you get points for winning. I’ve picked up a robust coterie of gold marks I think can be discreet. I’ll make good use of them, I promise. All we need is a little bit of help from you.”

“And you’ll have it,” Pascal promised.

***

“You’re going to be watched at every turn,” Eleanor said. “That man, Levente, already knows that the Red Raven knew you as Petronella. You’ll have to make it look as though nothing is going on.”

“Nothing is going on,” Willem said. “Right now, I’m just trying to ruin my uncle’s life to the massive benefit of my soap business. It’s not like I’m doing anything underhanded.”

“We need to create decoy suspects,” Eleanor continued. “And we need to set up a convincing cover for our association. And… it might help if you started to lie again.”

“There’s deception in honesty,” Willem said. “I’m sure you’ve seen enough of that. As for cover… I think as long as you see sufficient financial motivation, that can be easily explained.”

***

“Look… I may not like you too much, but I think that there’s an opportunity for collaboration.” Rolof agreed reluctantly. “I have the knowledge of the methods to create magical artifacts, and you have the magic power and expansive practical knowledge. If we pool that together, I have no doubt that we can isolate the Red Raven via magical means with relative ease.”

Harmon crossed his arms. "Indeed, I concur. Even should the trueborn chimera possess the prodigious arcane aptitude attributed to her by rumor, she remains, ultimately, unequal to the breadth of our conjoined expertise. I am but a single man—but with your enchanted trinkets, we might yet disseminate my apprehension of the ineffable across the entirety of the city."

Rolof grimaced at the man’s tone. “Yeah. That.”

"Though I find it utterly perplexing that no one should deem me fit for their support in my charge, your case is, if anything, more inscrutable still." Harmon gestured with deliberate poise. "You bear the Heiden name—a lineage entwined, doubtless, with the uppermost echelons of noble society. What, then, compels you to stoop to discourse with one unsupported such as myself? I daresay the Duke of Sturmbann or, perhaps, the Duke of Usman might be prevailed upon to extend their patronage."

“I intend to rely on none but my compatriots in the competition.” Rolof shook his head. “If I’m to become king, I don’t want there to be any debts in my ascent. I believe that the king would appreciate that mentality. He’s shown as much throughout his reign.”

“Ah. Fastidious,” complimented Harmon.

***

“There’s considerable risk in the field of magic. I was concerned enough about Galahad, but if the net is widening to include talented mages like Harmon or Rolof, then it’s going to be a genuine challenge.” Eleanor wrote on a piece of paper some notes of hers.

“You’re concerned about a couple of tykes?” Willem looks skeptical. “What could they possibly do that Galahad can’t?”

“A great deal. I keep abreast of changes happening in the field of magic, and both Harmon and Rolof have been at the center of many. It would do them a disservice to call them anything less than geniuses. On that front... I was wondering if you’d be willing to involve your sister, Suzanne.”

“You want me to jeopardize my sister’s position as heir to one of the most powerful wizards in the world for my own personal gain?” Willam rubbed his chin. “Sure, I can do that. What is family for if not to enrich yourself?”

“There won’t be any risk. Tell her that you want to get up to date on the most recent way to detect shape shifters. She worked in the Iron Stomach for a long period of time, and so I’m sure she’ll be able to give you a robust analysis of what techniques there are available. Depending on how much she likes you, you might even be able to extract some artifacts that I can use to help.”

“Also, that man Harmon has a crush on your sister,” Eleanor continued. “You might be able to manipulate him that way.”

“You’re joking.” Willem narrowed his eyes. “You’re telling me that he was doing the classic, ‘I’m bullying you because I like you’ shtick?”

“That’s the way I read it,” Eleanor confirmed. “I’m not often wrong about these things.”

“I thought that style died after they left school. How interesting.” Willem nodded. “I’ll talk to her and see what I can do, but I don’t expect much on that front. Suzanne quite likes Dirk. I don’t think that she’d be willing to flutter her eyelids at Harmon, much less show a little leg.”

“She doesn’t need to show anything. She just needs to put the right word in the right ear at the right time,” Eleanor said.

***

“I’ll be frank.” The Duke of Villamar, Leonardo, stared at Raphael as they stood in the training room. “Under ordinary circumstances, I’d want nothing more than to see you dead. You’re a bastard of my family, and that’s not tenable.”

“Why not?” Raphael asked, his arms crossed before him as he stood defiantly. He looked ready to fight. “I’m everything that you want. I’m skilled in aura, I’m skilled at governance. We even look alike. Brown hair, red eyes… most people would be jumping for joy that such an opportunity landed in their laps.”

“The Villamar family are not most people.” Leonardo walked around the training hall. His footsteps were totally soundless. “We’re meant to practice temperance, restraint. We’re assassins, but our true power comes from our reputation. Owing to our profession, we must have deeper honor than any of them. You are a sign that any marital contracts we enter are less than sacred.”

Raphael sighed deeply, obviously displeased. “So why are we talking, then?”

“We’re talking because the honor gained from working with you is greater than the dishonor that comes from acknowledging you. Despite everything, you’re very skilled.” He stopped, and those steely red eyes fell upon Raphael. “This Red Raven presently subject to the inquisition was responsible for the death of my father. She killed him in open combat. That cannot go unavenged.”

“You’d be willing to acknowledge my existence in exchange for avenging your father.” Raphael uncrossed his arms, and walked to stand up right in front of Leonardo. “Is that what you’re saying to me?”

“You’ve already been acknowledged,” Leonardo said. “But that’s all you’ll be receiving from this family. We’ll not welcome you with open arms, no matter what benefit may come to our house. You were born out of wedlock. That means something. All that we’re offering is our assistance in this matter with the contest. What becomes of it is up to you.”

“That’s not enough,” Raphael said. “I want to know who my father is.”

There was a long period of silence.

“If you find her,” Leonardo agreed with a nod.

Raphael mulled over those words, and then held out his hand. “We have an agreement.”

Leonardo looked at the hand, and said, “We do.” He walked away, leaving the hand unshaken.

***

“My largest concern, though, is the Villamar family. Their patriarch, Leonardo, is said to be one of the most formidable combatants in the kingdom. They claim that he was already beating his father in combat at the age of eighteen. Nevertheless, Leonardo loved his father very much. The Red Raven killed the man in open combat. I’ve little doubt he’s very motivated.”

“Just because they’ve got the motive doesn’t mean that they have the means,” Willem pointed out. “I’m not sure it’s of any concern.”

“I forget how utterly ignorant and uneducated you are.” Eleanor shook her head wistfully. “The Villamar family is a family of assassins. They have few peers in the field of subterfuge. It’s how they made their bread and butter. If there’s anyone that’s capable of finding the Red Raven alone, it’s them. They’re the largest threat in this competition, and from what I hear, Raphael himself is no slouch.”

“Who in the world would elevate assassins to peerage?” Willem scoffed. “That seems ridiculous.”

“Who? Someone who doesn’t want to get assassinated, I imagine.” Eleanor leaned her head against her hand. “They don’t have nearly as much resources as the other houses. Tielman has more land than they do. They prefer to get involved in matters personally, and therein lies their strength and weakness. If we’re lucky, we’ll avoid them entirely. If we’re unlucky, there’ll be a problem.”

“I don’t like relying much on luck.” Willem leaned in closely. “Is there no surer alternative?”

“You’ve been relying on luck your entire life. After all, you had the good fortune to meet me,” Eleanor said firmly. “It’ll have to do.”

“OK… what about the last guy?” Willem looked around the restaurant. “Jurre, I think his name was.”

“He’s taken the counsel of the Duke of Usman.” Eleanor’s face lit up with amusement. “I think they’ll be more of a help than a hindrance.”

“Why?”

“The duke has mastered the art of simplicity,” Eleanor explained. “Usman XXVI of Usman is refreshingly unencumbered by nuance. He harkens back to a simpler time, when people didn’t let knowledge get in the way. In a fight, you want him by your side. Elsewhere? Well…”

***

“The Red Raven…” Usman of Usman mused. “Could be my stable boy. He’s got shifty eyes. But then again, he’s cross-eyed, poor lad, so maybe that’s just how his face sits. Can’t go jailing folk for how they look, can we? Father would’ve cuffed me for such nonsense.”

Jurre listened to the duke talk, obviously somewhat harrowed by what he heard. Jurre had always been quite satisfied by his size, but Usman was huge, and he cloaked himself in heavy furs despite the fact that it was spring. He came from the desert regions, so this place was likely quite cold to him.

“Perhaps I should ask around. Nicely, of course,” Usman cautioned. “No shouting. Spies probably don’t like shouting—well, no one does, really. I’m not clever, unlike my cousin or that mage we met at the party who talks in riddles. But I know people. And I know when something doesn’t smell right. Like when someone says they were at prayers, but the temple’s been under repair all week. That’s the sort of thing I remember.” The duke tapped his temple.

“…I don’t think we should ask around. We’d be best served keeping this quiet,” Jurre said.

“Oh. Right, right.” Usman nodded. “I think maybe we should just… wait and see. Wait, watch, and observe. Something’s bound to happen. We just have to see it when it does. Until then… maybe you can have lunch with my daughter, Yasmine? She likes you, she does. You’ve got shoulders like a plough horse and good manners to boot. She’s always sighing about poetry and staring at strong arms—well, you’ve got both, don’t you?”

Jurre blinked. “Uhh…”

“Ah, I know. Yasmine, she’s… sharp-tongued. Stubborn as a mule dipped in glue. Holds a grudge like it’s gold—refused to speak to me for three weeks because I put her hawk’s perch in the wrong window.” Usman shook his head lamentingly, then stood up and put a hand on Jurre’s shoulder. “She’s not soft. She’s not sweet. But she’s true. And that matters more than manners or charm. Just don’t expect a quiet life. And if she throws a book at your head, duck fast—she never misses.”

“But the… contest, sir—err, Your Grace?” Jurre asked, concerned.

“I just came here for my daughter,” Usman shrugged. “The girl needs a good man before I die. I was looking for some wealthy heir, but I’m thinking maybe it’s overdue for some brains to be introduced into the house. You’re big enough, and you’re smart. You’ll do. What would you say to an engagement?”

Jurre gaped. “Well, that’s… that sounds… great, Your Grace?”

“Father,” Usman corrected, patting the man’s shoulder. Jurre winced from the impact.

***

“But there’s one more person that we need to be concerned about,” Eleanor continued. “The princess.”

“Yeah, she’s got a powerful champion. Hans.” Willem shook his head. “I thought that she wouldn’t know about the subject of the contest. She’s a gold mark—separate but equal.”

“I have it on good authority that the king is somewhat biased towards his daughter. I’ve no doubt that he’ll make some moves to let her know.” Eleanor shrugged. “He wants to give her as good a chance as anyone else. Despite everything, he does genuinely wish for her to succeed him.”

“And she’s not bitter about the whole ‘executing her brother’ thing?”

Eleanor shook her head. “I’m not privy to the details of their relationship. But from what I know, the king and his daughter are on very good terms. She’s the only one who he’ll allow to embarrass him.”

“OK. What the hell do we do about that?” Willem looked uneasy. “Got some way to curb royal authority?”

“No,” Eleanor said. “But we do have a way to co-opt it.” She pointed at him. “You’re going to recruit the princess to your cause before anyone else does. She’s going to be the linchpin for this operation. Thus, you need to get very close.”

Willem narrowed his eyes. “Somehow, I think that this part is going to go wrong.”

Eleanor picked at her food. “So long as you do your job properly, there won’t be any problems.” She tossed a berry in her mouth. “You can do your job, can’t you? Surely you wouldn’t disappoint your darling Red Raven. It might be she’ll realize you’re nothing special, after all.”

“Stop trying to manipulate me. It’s working,” Willem complained.

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