James knew that some agreement between the Prince and Mockers had been reached years before when he had joined Aruthas service, but he never knew the details. An understanding of sorts had arisen between James and the Mockers. He stayed out of their way and they avoided him. He came and went as he pleased in the sewers and across the roofs of the city when he needed, and they looked the other way. But at no time had he any illusion that he would be warmly welcomed should he attempt to return to Mockers Rest. You were either a Mocker or you werent, he knew, and for nearly fourteen years he had not been a Mocker.
James put aside concerns about braving a visit to Mothers and turned towards the one other place he might find some news.
James returned to the sewer and made his way quickly to a spot below a particular inn. It sat on the border between the poorest quarter of the city and a slightly more respectable district, one inhabited by workmen and their families. A rank covering of slime hid a secret release, and once it was tripped, James felt a slight grinding as a section of stone swung aside.
The stone was made of plaster over heavy canvas, covering a narrow entryway to a short tunnel. Once inside the tunnel, with the secret door closed behind him, James opened the shutters of the lantern. He was almost certain he knew of every trap along the short passage, but as the key word was almost he took great caution as he traversed the tunnel.
At the far end he found a thick oaken door, on the other side of which he knew rose a short flight of stairs leading to a cellar below an inn. He inspected the lock and when he was satisfied nothing had changed, he picked it adroitly. When it clicked open, he pushed it gingerly aside against the possibility of a new trap on the other side of the door. Nothing happened and he quickly mounted the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, he entered the dark cellar, thick with barrels and sacks. He moved through the maze of stores and climbed the wooden steps up to the main floor of the building, opening into a pantry, behind the kitchen. He opened the door.
A young womans scream split the air and a moment later a crossbow bolt flew through the space James had occupied the instant before. The young man rolled on the floor as the bolt splintered the wooden door and James came to his feet with his hands held palm out as he said, Easy, Lucas! Its me!
The innkeeper, a former soldier in his youth, was halfway around the kitchen, the crossbow set aside as he was drawing his sword. He had grabbed the crossbow and fired through the door, across the kitchen, upon hearing the scream. He hesitated a moment, then returned his sword to its scabbard as he continued moving towards James.
He circled around a butchers block. You idiot! he hissed, as if afraid to raise his voice. You trying to get yourself killed?
Honestly, no, said James as he stood up.
Dressed like that, sneaking at my cellar door, howd I know it was you? You should have sent word you were coming that way, or waited an hour and come in the front door like an honest man.
Well, I am an honest man, said James, moving from the kitchen, past the bar and into the empty common room. He glanced around, then sat down in a chair. More or less.
Lucas gave him a half-smile. More than some. What brings you crawling around like a cat in the gutter?
James glanced over at the young girl who had followed him and Lucas into the commons. She had regained her composure as the intruder was revealed to be a friend of the innkeeper. Sorry to startle you.
She took a breath and said, Well, you did a good job of it. She stood upright, and her high colour from the fright put her fair complexion in contrast to her dark hair. She appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties.
James asked, The new barmaid?
My daughter, Talia.
James sat back. Lucas, you dont have a daughter.
The proprietor of The Rainbow Parrot sat down opposite James and said, Run to the kitchen and see nothings burning, Talia.
Yes, father, she said, leaving.
I have a daughter, Lucas said to James. When her mother died I sent her to live with my brother on his farm near Tannerbrook.
James smiled. Didnt want her to grow up in this place?
Lucas sighed. No. It gets rough in here.
Feigning innocence, James said, Why, Lucas. I never noticed.
Pointing an accusatory finger in his direction, Lucas said, Far less savoury characters than you have graced that chair, Jimmy the Hand.
James held up his hands as if surrendering. Ill concede as much. He glanced towards the kitchen door as if somehow seeing through it. But she doesnt sound like any farm girl Ive heard before, Lucas.
Lucas sat back, ran his bony hand through his grey-shot hair. His angular face showed irritation at having to explain. She studied with a sisterhood in a nearby abbey for more hours than she milked cows. She can read, write, and do sums. Shes a smart lass.
James nodded in appreciation. Laudable. Though I doubt your average customer will appreciate those qualities as much as the more obvious ones.
Lucass expression darkened. Shes a good girl, James. Shes going to marry a proper man, not some scruffy well, you know the type. Ill have a dowry set by and He dropped his voice so as not to be heard in the kitchen. James, youre the only one I know who knows some proper lads, being in the palace and all. At least since Laurie ran off and got himself named duke in Salador. Can you arrange for my girl to meet the right kind of boy? Shes been back in the city only a few days and already I feel as green as a raw recruit on his first day of training. With her brothers dead in the war, shes all Ive got. He glanced around the well-tended but rough common room and said, I want her to have more than this.
James grinned. I know. Ill see what I can do. Ill bring a couple of the more likely fellows down for a drink and let nature take its course.
But not Locklear! said Lucas. You keep him away.
James laughed. No worries. Hes probably riding out the gate this very minute, heading for a long tour of duty in Tyr-Sog.
Talia came back into the room and said, Everything is ready, father.
Thats a good lass, he replied. Open the door, then, and let anyone in whos waiting for breakfast.
As she moved off, Lucas said to James, All right then. You didnt get yourself almost killed sneaking in from the sewers to gossip about my girl and the boys in court. What brings you here before sunrise?
Jamess face lost any hint of humour. Theres a war underway in the sewers, Lucas. And someones killed some friends of mine. Whats going on?
Lucas sat back and nodded. I knew youd come asking one of these days. I thought it would be sooner.
I just got back into the city last night. I was off with the Prince doing some things.
Lucas said, Well, Arutha would do well to look closer to home for trouble, for he has heaps of it here free for the asking. I dont know the truth of it, but according to the rumours men are killing freely in the sewers and along the waterfront. Citizens and Mockers alike are dying. I hear of Keshians setting up shops in buildings once owned by Kingdom merchants, and new bully gangs working along the docks. No one knows whats going on, save the Mockers who have gone to ground and are hiding out. Ive not seen one in a week. Most of my regulars come later and leave earlier, wanting to be home safe before dark.