The smiths nodded and left, leaving only Duke and Dohma in the room. Duke looked over at him. "Any more questions?"

Dohma leaned back with a gla.s.s of wine. "Thousands, but for now I think you need the rest and I need to think. Should I stay longer?" he asked hopefully.

Duke nodded and smiled. "If it won't be too much of a bother. I'd like you to be here for the interview with Lebuin." With that he put his head down and closed his eyes.

Ladro came back in quietly and sat down at the desk, continuing to process the papers. It was less than a mark before Elades came back with a very odd look. Dohma looked closely at the man. He's embarra.s.sed about something. I wonder if Lebuin already got out of the city.

"Sir."

Duke lay there, waiting. "Yes, Commander? You look like you got caught sneaking off with the cookies. What is it?"

"Sir, Lebuin wasn't there. Ticca really pulled an excellent switch." He waved his hand to the guard at the door and two men walked in. The tall one was dressed in simple clothing bearing the Mage's Guild sigil. The other wore an excellent double-breasted blue vest over a light blue silk shirt with large pleated sleeves, loose gray leggings tucked neatly into shiny light brown riding boots with silver buckles. However, both had wide belts with swords, fighting knives and a dagger prominently displayed. "Sir, these are Nigan and Risy."

The taller one stepped up. "Excellency, I am Risy, Dagger in service to Journeyman Lebuin. This is my partner."

The shorter, well-dressed dagger did a half-bow. "I am Nigan, Dagger in service to Journeyman Lebuin."

Duke just stared at them for a minute and everyone started looking a little uncomfortable. Finally he sat up slightly. "Risy, you are not in service to Ticca or Magus Vestul?"

"No Sir, Ticca is our commander and we are all in service to Journeyman Lebuin, although technically our service is up. Still, we felt we should try to complete the original objective, just in case."

"Can you tell me your mission, please?"

"I don't see why not. Journeyman Lebuin just earned his badge, sir. He has some rival in the Guild who has caused some Knives to be on his tail to trip him up. He hired Ticca to help him with the Knives and to see him safely through some quest for a new type of magic for the Guild. Ticca hired us to impersonate Lebuin and Ditani, laying a false trail while she snuck them out for the primary objective. We were only to be a target and to get a chance to have at some Knives. After that our coin is done, and I think with where everything is we did a good job, sir."

Duke was looking at the floor, mumbling, "Ditani, Ditani...could it be?" He looked up at Risy. "You do look like him. Boys, you did a very good job. In fact too good. With this information you must forgive earlier comments I may have made about you abandoning Ticca to fight alone at the gate. I now see that it was Lebuin and Ditani whom she was buying time for. Elades, go get that cart ready; we must leave as soon as possible. Tell Bravo they are to a.s.sume primary role here, Alpha is going with me. Alpha, prepare and report in at the west gate in one mark. The remaining Daggers will take orders from Lord Dohma until my return." Elades left at a sprint. Looking back at Nigan and Risy, he added, "You boys missed a good fight."

Nigan smiled wickedly. "No chance of that, sir. We wouldn't miss the preliminary skirmish for nothing. We slipped in with the guards and helped protect Lord Dohma here. And as you are heading after Ticca, if it is all the same to you sir we'd like to join up - might be more fighting."

"Your service honors me. No time to go back to the Dolphin, and I a.s.sume you gave Lebuin and Ditani all your gear. You'll find all the gear you might need and some horses in my stables. Pack for maneuvers and report to the west gate in one mark."

Dohma just stared at the two Daggers in shock. They were in my guards just for a fight and protected me? Now they want to follow Duke to help Ticca. My Lord, Daggers really are living up to what Duke described. Then the first part hit. "Preliminary skirmish?"

Duke saw the look on Dohma's face and started laughing hard. "Oh ouch! Don't make me laugh, d.a.m.n it!"

Sayscia wrote a few instructions for the healers on the supply report. Setting her quill down she carefully set the report in the stack of similar papers for her secretary. Looking at the desk she sighed. So many wounded beyond our abilities, I can't believe another war is starting. She was reaching for another report when she heard the familiar tread approaching in the hall. Smiling she leaned back and waited.

After placing a pack just outside the door Boadua came into her office dressed in st.u.r.dy brown leather riding pants. She had a cream-colored cotton shirt on under hard-formed leather armor which protected her chest and back, with a leather skirt to protect her thighs. Over this she wore a wide belt with a short sword and belt pouch. On the front of her belt she had a dagger with a lovely silver pommel; its ivory hilt engraved with intertwining vines and winged cross-guard sheathed in another carved piece of ivory with intertwining leaves and flowers.

Sayscia looked at the travel pack resting on the floor behind Boadua in the hall just outside the door. Lady she means to leave. Sayscia stood and looked at Boadua seriously. Boadua looked fit and ready in her old costume; yet she stood uneasily looking at Sayscia holding a neatly folded green cloth over her right arm.

Boadua stood straight, looking Sayscia in the eye. Sayscia knew what it all meant and that there was no chance of changing Boadua's mind. Boadua carefully placed a golden-chained amulet on the desk and held out the green cloth. Sayscia's eyes watered, her heart felt heavy and her spirit sank taking in the stance of her friend and trusted second.

"Duke is leaving, and Alpha Squad needs a senior medic."

Sayscia stepped around her desk and gently took the green priestess's mantle from Boadua. "You are still a priestess of Dalpha."

"I am a Dagger first, Sayscia. You, more than most, know what that means."

Sayscia sighed. "Yes, Boadua, I do. Commitment never dies."

Boadua shook her head. "No, it doesn't."

Sayscia didn't bother with the traditional parting. She grabbed Boadua in both arms and squeezed her hard through the leather armor. Boadua returned the hug generously. "You stay out of the fighting. You're the medic, so you have to be there to put them back together. If you get yourself killed you can't do that."

Boadua sniffled and then held Sayscia at arm's length, by the shoulders, looking at her eye-to-eye. "You aren't my commander now. But, I promise you I'll do everything possible to bring them, and myself, back."

"You can take all you need from the temple supplies."

Boadua smiled. "Thank you, I have."

They both laughed and wiped tears from their eyes.

"Very well, but I also want you to take this." Sayscia moved quickly to the storage locker on the side wall. Opening it she took out a leather pouch and filled it with a number of small individual vial boxes, each one containing a precious vial of Dalpha's Draught, sealed and packed in the box with cotton felt. This store was part of the war preparations Sula had ordered on her arrival. Turning, Sayscia held out the pouch.

Boadua looked at her for a moment, then took the pouch and slung it over one shoulder carefully. "I'll try to not need to use these."

"I know. But better to be prepared, right? Plan for the worst, expect the best?"

Boadua nodded. "Thank you for not making this difficult."

Sayscia waved her out. "Just make sure you come back. If you get yourself killed I'll be seriously mad at you when we next meet. This isn't 'goodbye', just 'until we next meet'."

Boadua nodded, smiling. "Until we next meet." She turned and stepped out, grabbing her pack, and walked off rapidly towards the front of the Temple, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

Sayscia rolled the green mantle into a tight roll and hugged it for a time. Her work forgotten, she stepped out into the hall and started walking. In her mind she reviewed all that had pa.s.sed in the last few cycles. Sula, Dalpha's own daughter, arriving without warning - at first she'd felt it was a blessing for the Temple. But, Sula had immediately ordered preparations which could only be for a war or worse. They labored to find and train new acolytes, and to prepare large quant.i.ties of medical supplies. Then Sula had started going out on mysterious business. After one of those outings Sula had returned with Magus Cune and introduced him as her direct agent saying the Temple was to send notice to all of Dalpha's hospices to give Magus Cune anything he asked for without question.

Then a box was delivered that contained sealed messages. The first message scared her to the core, as it accurately described events that happened the next day, warning that every care was to be taken to not take actions without Sula's or Dalpha's approval, as the consequences could lead to the destruction of everything she knew. Sula then had shared that she had hired a new, inconsequential hunter-Dagger to identify specific people and place a tracking hook keyed to Sula and Cune.

Cycles of careful preparations followed, and then came the whole emergency rush to heal a new Journeyman. That servant called Ditani had just ran into the Temple, unceremoniously grabbing Dalpha's Light, handing it to her, and pushing her physically out while screaming she had to move faster to heal Lebuin. Sula, who had walked out into this and with only a single look had taken up the servant's side, had provided the last physical push through the doorway to the hospice and then dodged back into the Temple as if she needed to hide.

Then the revelation that the great Magus Vestul had died, knowing he was to die, and was also the source of the mysterious packets of information. She'd discovered Sula crying publicly in the Temple the next morning and had consoled her as she cried for a full day after that, occasionally calling out Vestul's name and asking her mother what could possibly be so important to require such a sacrifice. How Dalpha herself had come into the Temple and asked to be left alone with her daughter. After that interview Sula had radiated rage and determination. Sula's rage had cooled, but the new determination in her eyes never wavered.

Sayscia didn't pay attention to where she was going. She realized she had climbed the entire stair to the tall tower without noticing the journey. From the high tower over the Temple Sayscia saw that the dock gates were open once again. She watched dozens of ships preparing to or already setting sail. Looking at the docks, she smiled, seeing them once again busy with commerce. Squeezing the green fabric in her hand, more tears came to her eyes. She stepped to the western side of the tower and looked out into the distance. She saw, just over the western wall, what could only be Duke's carriage heading west, escorted by a thirty warriors on horse. The western and southern gates were open and farmers were bringing in much-needed food for the city. Her eyes tried to find one particular Dagger with Duke; she found her by the color of her snowcap blanket, appaloosa horse, and the green cloak she wore, which was the same color as the mantle Sayscia held. Lady, watch over her and let her come home.

"She'll be back."

"You don't know that, Holy One."

Sula stepped up to the bannister with her. "She rides as if born to it."

Sayscia laughed. "She was, and she had much practice over the years."

"Duke has cleaned the city of Nhia-Samri, and now goes to help Ticca and then kill more."

Sayscia nodded. "Yes, Holy One. Please watch over her."

Sula put her hand on Sayscia's shoulder. "I have Magus Cune's help. I will do what I can."

Sayscia nodded and softly said, "Once a Dagger, always a Dagger."

Sula was gone and the platform was empty; alone, she watched as Magus Cune rode up to the Temple on a huge black warhorse with white socks, leading another stallion, which was a beautiful cream color. Both horses had travel packs and gear. Magus Cune also had a backpack that looked a little heavy, a large black sword swung at his side and a black-hilted dagger with a pentagon pommel on the front of his belt. Sula came out of the Temple and walked gracefully down the stairs, taking the reins of her horse from Magus Cune and mounting smoothly. The two of them rode down the street towards the west gate.

Just at the corner Sula stopped and looked back up at Sayscia. Sayscia felt her heart warm with hope as Sula smiled and held her hand high. Sayscia held hers up in return.

She stayed there on the tower, watching the western road until long after even the dust trails of Sula and Magus Cune had vanished. She realized a warm presence had been with her as she watched. She turned around, and behind her stood a tall woman who looked much like Sula except she had blazing red hair that fell in curls past her shoulders; she was wearing a simple green dress of woven wool that covered her from her neck to the floor. On her wrist was a beautiful shining bracelet of woven gold and silver over black leather gloves that went almost to her elbow over the dress's long sleeves. A golden chain belt wrapped her waist, with a sapphire buckle that allowed the ends of the belt to hang down to her knees in front. Around her neck, over the dress, was a simple golden chain with a medallion made of a large sapphire with the same symbol as that was etched over every door and altar in the Temple. She wore a simple, soft, loving smile that extended to her brilliant emerald green eyes, which were slightly larger than normal.

"It is not over Sayscia, it is only begun. You have done well and we have hope. The first step has been made and the ground is solid."

Sayscia knelt, holding out Boadua's mantle. "Lady Dalpha, Boadua has left to go with the Daggers, as their medics were killed. Though she has resigned, please do not forsake her."

"Sayscia, be at peace in your heart. All the G.o.ds are watching with great concern and care. Boadua remains my servant as much as my Lord's servant. She burns with commitment, honor, and courage. She is doing as her soul tells her and is deeply respected for this. All must do this now if we are to have hope. Rise, you of all my faithful need not bend knee to me."

Sayscia stood and looked into the eyes of her G.o.ddess, Dalpha, seeing and understanding that all the G.o.ds would help if needed and possible. Her heavy heart lifted with hope.

"Good, you understand. You must now burn all the packages left to you by Magus Vestul. There is danger in their continued existence with my daughter gone."

"What of the unopened one?"

"There is the one you know of and three more in the vault that were hidden from all. They must be destroyed as well. Fear not, our Lord knows their contents if needed. Burn them in the great fire, collect the ashes and mix them, then sprinkle them into the river below."

"Yes My Lady, your will." Sayscia moved to the stairs and just before she started to go down she saw that Dalpha had moved to the same spot where she had been standing and was looking westerly. Even the G.o.ds are worried. With that, she hurried down to the Temple to destroy all the precious knowledge which they had been given, and which had saved so many lives already.

Chapter 15.

Lessons come with a price THE TRADE ROAD WAS NOT too busy. Carts of hay, fruits, vegetables, and other products were flowing towards Algan, while still other carts filled with iron works, tools, and wooden crates flowed away. She pushed her horse to move around the various carts, keeping a careful eye out for anything unusual. The farmland slowly turned into vineyards, which in turn, slowly became more industrial enterprises, such as large barns for animal traders and wood shops.

The sun was close to setting as the city came into view. The road was bracketed by inns and cottages, mixed with the large country estates of the wealthier citizens. The road widened and was very busy with people moving about on their various errands.

Ticca slowed the horse down to a comfortable walk. As she pa.s.sed through the city gates, she looked at the masonry around the gatehouse and the walls. She could see that the gatehouse was not the same as the walls themselves. She also noted that the heavy, iron-banded, wood gates were held in place with hinges set into masonry, which was inside of similar slots to Llino's, though thinner. So Algan has gates like Llino, but they don't use them, or probably even know about them.

The sun was setting, so she started looking for an inn. She turned into the courtyard of a large one with a sign showing three green doves flying in a circle around a mug, with the name 'Three Green Doves Inn' underneath. It was a short distance inside from the large city gates. A small boy ran up to hold the reins of her horse.

Ticca pulled a copper pence from her belt pouch and handed it to him. "Give him a full wash and brush-down. He needs his shoes cleaned, and I want good hay or oats only. Understand?"

The boy pocketed the pence and stared at her dagger for a moment. Then he looked her in the eye and smiled. "You a real Dagger?"

Grabbing her saddle pack, she nodded. "Yes, I am."

"I'm going to be a Dagger someday too. Don't worry, I'll take real good care of... uh, what's his name?"

Ticca smiled. Bright boy, and a good one too. He might just do it, if things work out right. "His name is Rild. Don't give up on that dream; it takes a lot of work."

"I know. My da' is in the guard and says I can join in a few more years. In the meantime, I am studying smithing and horse husbandry. I promise to take good care of Rild for you, ma'am. I can also clean your leathers, too, if you want." She nodded. He saluted her and turned, walking the horse off to the stables around back.

Slinging the saddle pack over her shoulder, she stepped into the inn. She was reminded of the Dolphin. There was a large room with a single hearth that boasted a large fire. The room was filled with the smoke from dozens of sources, and people of all cla.s.ses were talking or playing games. Next to the fire, in a corner, was a rather beautiful lady, expertly playing a dulcimer as she sang an old ballad. Many of the patrons had stopped talking and were entranced by her performance. There were two servers, so Ticca took a small, empty table, putting her pack and saddle pack under the table where she could keep her leg against both. Two people took note of her entry; a rather handsome man at the end of the bar, and the bard in the corner.

A server noticed her relatively quickly and came over with a platter of hyly. "You're new. Are you hungry? We have some of the best stew in town."

"That sounds perfect. I'll take one of those mugs, too. Do you have any rooms still open?"

Putting one of the mugs of hyly down in front of Ticca, the girl shrugged. "Don't know about the rooms." Indicating a man at the end of the bar, she added, "I'll let Illari know you want one." She moved off to serve others.

Ticca relaxed, drinking the hyly and taking an inventory of the patrons. She noticed that the bard would sweep the room with her eyes from time to time. Smart bard, keeping track of the drunks and other possible problems... Especially when you consider how good she looks. I bet she has issues almost everywhere she goes.

A male server brought her a large, wooden bowl of wonderful-smelling stew, placing a wooden spoon down on the table with it. While she ate, the dulcimer played on through a series of old songs. She is really very good. These are hard tunes, and she hasn't missed a note. Tapping her toe to the beat, she finished her dinner.

Something was wrong, and Ticca couldn't figure it out. Taking a quick glance around, everything was as expected. The bard had shifted slightly, and was actually facing more generally in her direction. The same male server came to take away the bowl and spoon. As he left, the handsome man from the end of the bar approached and pointed at the chair opposite her. She nodded, and he sat.

She tried to stifle a smirk at his over-the-top Gracian machismo. He had strong, brown eyes, the expected ever-present dark, stubbly beard, and a handsome, slim face. He sported a white, billowing-sleeved, open-neck shirt, showing off six gold necklaces over his black, wiry, chest hair, and wore several gold rings on both hands. His hair was well cared for and greased back. He smelled of pine soap with a mix of some top-quality cigars. He had the Gracian look that a lot of ladies, for ages, had thought to be the perfect look for romance.

"Hullo, my name is Illari. I own this place." He had an accent that emphasized his vowels and elongated the 's' sound. In fact, he sounded exactly right for his look.

"Ticca. Do you have a private room?"

He gave her an obvious look from head to toe, and might have even judged her worth correctly. "We do, Lady Ticca. How long would you need one for?"

"Just the night. I want a good room."

"Of course, Lady Ticca. I have an excellent room that I am sure you will enjoy. For you, ten bells, including your dinner and breakfast."

Wow, this place is expensive. Judging from the rest of the room, it didn't seem the patronage was all that high scale. Trying to fleece the one-nighter, are you? "Three bells."

Illari smiled widely. "Ah, you are not a silly traveler then, are you? Four bells, one pence. It really is a good room."

Reaching down, she grabbed her packs. "Show me, and if so, I agree." As they left the room, she noticed the bard in the corner glancing at her. Everyone else was either paying attention to their meal, their companions, or the beautiful bard.

Illari showed her through the bar and up the stairs. The second floor was composed of two long hallways, and he walked down the left to the very end. There was a wide door with a slightly better lock on it than the others. He produced the key and opened it, stepping back to let her enter.

As she stepped inside, she was impressed. It was a s.p.a.cious room with windows on three walls, to the front, back, and side of the inn. She tossed her packs on the bed and stepped over to look out the windows, at the bustling street. The bard was leaving the inn, heading deeper into the town, her dulcimer slung over her back. She glanced back, and Ticca quickly dodged to keep from being spotted. Ticca was sure the bard hadn't seen her in the window, and watched through the sheer curtains as she turned right, a couple of blocks down. "Your bard has left early."

"Ah, she is often requested by wealthy people for dinners and such. She keeps a small room downstairs. She'll likely be back later tonight, if you liked her."

Ticca shook her head, as her instincts were telling her something was wrong. "No issue. How long has she been here?"

Illari moved to a door. He thought about it. "She has been in town for about four days now. Yes, that is about right, because she came three days after the big fire. You have a private bath and toilet here." He opened the door, and Ticca looked in.

Surprised by the toilet and bath, she re-valued the room. OK, so this is a really nice room. "Big fire? Was the city burned then?"

Illari carefully moved her pack to the floor, grabbed the bed covers, held up his hand for attention and then rapidly whipped the covers off, revealing the cotton sheets. "See, no bugs. I pay good money to mages to keep this entire inn free of little biting things. I really do not like getting bit in the night." Looking at her with an intensity only a true Gracian could get away with, he added, "Unless, of course, it was a beautiful lady such as yourself, doing the nibbling, aye?"

Ticca smiled and blushed, in spite of herself. She nodded and pulled out five bells. Handing them to the innkeeper, she said, "You won't have that worry with me tonight. You said there was a fire?"