The Leontine glared at the Hawklord. The Hawklord pretended not to notice either the glare or the question. “The usual method of paying in Imperial currency for information was rejected; the information, however, was deemed necessary.”
“And?”
“The information offered to us came via Lord Nightshade of the fief of Nightshade.”
Copper shaded toward orange in the Dragon Lord’s eyes. “He offered the information first?”
“Of course not. But he offered some of the information to indicate the importance of the offer.”
“And the information he did offer was not sufficient for our investigators?”
“No; if we attempted to investigate thoroughly, we would almost certainly be detected, and any proof of criminal activity would vanish.”
“What was the tidbit he dangled?”
“The Office of the Exchequer has been working in conjunction with two highly placed Arcanists. Both,” he added, “are Barrani, and both might be in possession of some of the embezzled funds.”
* * *
Kaylin did not, through dint of will, whistle. She did sneak a glance at Sanabalis; his eyes hadn’t gotten any redder, which was a positive sign. On the other hand, Marcus’s hadn’t gotten any less orange, which was not, given that Marcus now turned the full force of his glare on her. She felt this a tad unfair, given that she’d already warned him what Nightshade would demand in return for the information; she was not, however, feeling suicidal enough to point this out.
“Were you aware, Private, that the leave of absence requested in return for this information would be extensive?”
“…How extensive?”
“The fieflord is asking for a minimum of six weeks if we provide the transport, and a minimum of eight weeks if we do not.”
She blinked. After a moment, she said, “Eight weeks?” thinking, as she did, of her rent.
“Eight weeks.”
“I can’t take eight weeks off!”
For some reason, this seemed to improve Marcus’s mood. “When you agreed to Teela’s offer of aid during your leave of absence, did it ever occur to you to look up a map of the Empire?”
“…No.”
Sanabalis lifted a hand. “Why is a leave of eight weeks required?”
“She’s to travel to the West March.”
“A map wouldn’t have done you any good, Private,” Sanabalis now told Kaylin. “The West March is not technically part of the Empire. It is a remote stretch of forest of some significant size. It is not, however, the size of the forest that makes it worthy of note.”
This was not exactly a comfort. “What makes it noteworthy?”
“The trees contained in the heart of that forest are not considered…entirely safe.”
“What does that mean? They don’t burn when you breathe on them?”
Sanabalis’s answering silence was glacial.
“Given Teela’s offer, she will also be missing for eight weeks. It’s a good damn thing Nightshade specifically demanded that you go without any other Hawks, or we’d probably have to do without Corporal Handred, as well.”
Kaylin was still stuck on the eight weeks. “Minimum?” she finally managed to say.
“Minimum. There is the possibility of poor weather and impassable roads, and Lord Nightshade wished to make clear that eight weeks might not suffice.”
She shook herself. “The information was useful?”
“The information,” Lord Grammayre replied, before Marcus could, “may finally crack the case for us. It is more than simply useful, but we wasted some time in negotiations for your release, and we are only now in dialogue with the Lord of Wolves.”
The Wolves.
“How bad is this going to be?”
No one answered, which was answer enough.
“You agreed to the leave of absence?”
The Hawklord nodded. Kaylin desperately wanted to ask if this absence involved pay, because she’d have nowhere to live if it didn’t. On the other hand, the right person to ask was Caitlin, not Marcus, and certainly not Marcus in this mood.
“When does this leave start?”
“Teela will be able to better inform you of the actual dates of import; I suggest you speak with her, because she’ll also be able to inform you of expected dress, weather, and, apparently, colorful wildlife. Lord Nightshade, however, is likely to be in touch with you shortly; you are to leave in five days if we are not to provide the transport he’s asking for.”
“And if you do?”
“We’re not.”
“But—”
“Yes?”
“The midwives. And the Foundling Hall. And the—the etiquette lessons—”
“Lord Sanabalis will, of course, evaluate the information once you’ve left, and discuss it with the Imperial Court. In a strict currency evaluation, eight weeks of your time is far less than we might be expected to pay for information of this
nature; it will save money at a time when finances are—”
Sanabalis coughed loudly.
“Now,” Marcus growled, “get lost.”
* * *
Teela was loitering at the bottom of the stairs, her hands behind her back, her shoulders at a slant against the slight curve of the wall. She glanced up when she heard Kaylin’s steps. Given that Kaylin wasn’t exactly attempting to move silently, this wasn’t hard.
“You’ve heard the news?” she said as Kaylin took the last step and drew level with her, in a manner of speaking. Teela, like all Barrani, was tall; she probably had seven inches on Kaylin when Kaylin was standing at her straightest. Teela wasn’t even trying at the moment.
“Yes.”
“Don’t look so glum. Have you ever been outside the City?”
“No.”
Teela whistled. “Well, this will be an adventure for you, then. It’s a useful experience; you can’t stay cooped up behind the City walls for all your life.”
“Why exactly not?”
“In this case? Because Nightshade had a very important
