"Good. Then I expect to see you there in about five years. Make sure you learn well, what the guard has to teach first."

Turning, she rode out of the courtyard and headed for the center of the city. It was still early, and there was almost no traffic, except the early deliveries from the mills and bakers. As she rode, she felt as if she were being followed, but she made no indication of her suspicion. Pretending to be doing a little sightseeing, she tried to spot her follower.

At the center of the city, was a large park square with a wide road around it. The entrance to the mayor's residence was very conspicuous. Its lovely white walls were of the same material as the wall of the city, and it had an ornate gateway.

Riding into the mayor's courtyard, she was met by servants who took her horse off to the side, and then took her name and business need. She was asked to wait in a comfortable room with large windows that overlooked the courtyard. The mayor, himself, came in promptly. He was much older than Ticca imagined, but he walked straight and tall. He wore an excellent, double-breasted jacket over an older-style shirt of cotton, with a stiff collar and thin, black, silk tie. He approached her, holding his hand out.

"Lady Ticca, I am Rualli of Algan, the Mayor of Algan."

Ticca stood and took the offered hand. "I am Ticca of Rhini Wood, Dagger in service to Ditani of Karkaia."

"Please, come this way. My office is just across the hall. May I offer you some arit or tea?"

Ticca smiled. "Arit, please."

The Mayor smiled widely at that, and showed her to a large office lined with bookshelves, which were white, like the walls of his home. On one shelf at shoulder height, she noted there was a gold-bound book in a recess all to itself. It rested on a holder that kept it elevated at a good angle for display, as well as reading. The book looked almost identical to a book her uncle had. The mayor stepped around his desk, indicating a chair for her to take. Once they were seated, a tall, balding servant in well-worn, well-maintained clothes brought in a large platter with some cheese and a pot of steaming arit, with two cups. He placed the platter on a sideboard and poured two drinks, offering one to Ticca, and the other to the mayor, who took his, and sipped a little right away.

Ticca took a whiff of the unique and wonderful smell. "I haven't had this before."

The Mayor smiled. "It is a special blend we manufacture here. I own an arit-bean farm and arit factory here."

Ticca took a sip, and it really was very good arit, smooth, with a hint of spices. She set it aside and pulled out the papers Ditani had written. "Your Honor, thank you for the wonderful arit. I wish I was here with better news."

The mayor looked concerned as he took the papers and read, while drinking the rest of his arit. He put the cup down and covertly wiped his eyes as he finished reading. "Oh, Lady Ticca, this is sorry news for many reasons. Magus Vestul was not only an excellent friend for my entire life, but more, I loved him like an uncle."

Ticca nodded. "He was such to many people."

The mayor nodded. "It is even worse that only a week ago, his house was burned almost to the ground. There is little there for Ditani to inherit, unless he can get into the tower, which is only charred on the outside, but we couldn't force the door. Thankfully, it did not continue to burn or explode, as many here worried."

Drinking the rest of the wonderful arit, she looked at the mayor. "May I inspect the property, so I might give Ditani a full report?"

The Mayor stood. "Of course, what is left is still of value. It is an excellent location, and Ditani might yet build a new home there or sell it to a merchant. Please allow me to take you in my carriage." He rang a bell, and a servant stepped into the room. "Ollai, please have my carriage readied immediately. I will be taking Lady Ticca to Magus Vestul's property."

Ticca stood. "I have a horse, Your Honor."

He waved his hand. "We'll have a groom bring it for you. I insist such a lovely lady travel with me, so I can show you the marvels of our city personally."

Ticca blushed. "If you insist."

They left shortly in an open, two-horse carriage, with the mayor sitting facing forward. Ticca had maneuvered to sit facing backwards. As they went through the city, the mayor proudly pointed out many interesting features and spoke of the city's long history. Ticca made polite conversation while memorizing everything he said. She also tried in vain to find whoever was following her. She still had that feeling. They arrived at a gated home with a very large yard. Wow! This is a lot larger than I expected. Something about this is familiar.

As they stepped down from the carriage, the familiarity became even more intense. Ticca looked at the wide street that led up to the small avenue, which ended at the arched gateway to Magus Vestul's residence. As they walked past the gate onto the property, a large fountain sat in the middle of the drive, just inside the gate, past which was a large, square area with a little lawn and some trees with a bench. Back behind the burnt husk of the house, there were some glades of trees, so she couldn't even see how far back the property walls went. Looking around, she realized she was standing in the exact place where the Night Market was in Llino. The fountain was exactly where the statue of that girl was. If you pave over the lawn and build residences where the walls are around this, it would be the Night Market. I wonder if the city has the same general plan as Llino. If so, the Night Market could have been a rich residence at one time.

They walked up to the burnt remains of the once large, two-story house. A stone tower stood at the rear left, back of the house. The exterior was burnt, with smoke stains all the way to the top, which would have been a full story above the main house. The right side of the house was close to the outside wall. Ticca could see that the next house over the ten foot wall was also burned badly; however, there were dozens of workmen there cleaning and repairing it. At the base of the tower, was a blackened door.

Ticca tried to follow Ditiani's directions, and found the safe laying on the ground amidst dozens of burned books. She rolled the safe over and used the key to open it. Inside, was nothing but charred papers and melted silver and gold. The fire had gotten very hot.

Walking over to the door of the tower, she noticed it looked somehow familiar. Getting closer, she saw that it had six sliders at eye level, like a Dolphin Dagger-room door. Now that is interesting. Rubbing the door to remove some soot, she found the outline of a key hole. This is the same kind of door used at the Dolphin. We would need to know the pattern and have the key to open it. Stepping back, she looked up at the tower. There were windows, but they all appeared shuttered. Well, it is b.u.t.toned up tight. We'll need to get Lebuin here to see if we can open it.

Feeling eyes upon her, Ticca turned, and only the mayor was there, toying with a burnt beam of wood. She looked around with her eyes only, keeping her face directed at the mayor. On a rooftop, exactly where she had sat those nights observing the Night Market's activity, there was an abnormal b.u.mp to the roof line. There you are. We think alike. Walking back to the mayor, she shrugged. "Well, Your Honor, I am sorry to leave your company, as I would surely like more of that fine arit; however, I must go and report this to Ditani at once. I suspect he will want to clean it up and sell it. But I cannot be sure."

The mayor nodded and led her back to the carriage, where a groom brought her horse over. The mayor took her hand and held it for a moment, and he bowed to her. Turning, she mounted up and rode out onto the street at a walk. But once out of sight of the Mayor, she kicked the horse to a fast canter, and kept it going as fast as possible out of the city. Once on the open road, she kicked it to a full gallop, and raced for the farmland. They'll follow. I need to be ready.

The horse was in great condition, but she allowed it to walk for a while, then urged it to a fast canter again. Reaching the point where she originally came onto the road, she kept going for another mark, before turning to go overland. Although she saw no one, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Reaching the forest, she maneuvered the horse, keeping it moving. After nearly a mark, she felt the gentle tug that told her which direction Lebuin was in. She signaled for him to run. The tug came again, but she signaled only for him to run. He gave her two tugs to answer yes.

Ticca's expression brightened as she began looking for the right spot. It took almost half the day before she finally found what she was looking for. There was a great clearing with a large rock outcropping on the far side, which could be used to surprise someone who pa.s.sed too close to it. The outcropping was part of a small hill. She angled the horse for the hill, pa.s.sing close to the rock outcropping, and then turned up the hill. Once there, she rode up the hill, and then found a place to tether the horse, where it had some gra.s.s to eat and a small stream nearby.

Dismounting, Ticca slipped the small bundle out of her shoulder pouch and shook out the cloak. Putting it on, she made sure the hood was fully over her head, and then she made the loop back to that rock outcropping, hiding her tracks as she moved. She moved rapidly, but with precision, her hunter instincts and training taking all of her concentration. The hunter knew she was both the bait and the hunter. Her prey was smart, so she had to be smarter. It took only a half mark to get back to the rock point.

She cautiously edged her way up to look into the clearing. Once in position, she settled in to wait. They were tracking her. She could feel it. They were only a mark behind, at most. In fact, the pursuit came sooner than she expected. A lone rider came out of the edge of the forest, into the clearing, cautiously. He looked around at the clearing and up at where she sat, hidden, and a frown crossed his face.

I know him, that is the Nhia-Samri I fought at the Llino gate! Well, at least, I know I can match him, but this is going to be harder than I thought.

He dismounted smoothly and examined her tracks, and then got back up on his horse. He sat for a short time thinking, and all this time, he stared directly at the outcropping where she was hiding. She held perfectly still, breathing very slowly.

At last, he looked down at her tracks and slowly started across the clearing, following them. As he approached, her muscles tightened, ready to surprise him. Something kicked her hard from behind. She yelped in surprise, and she tumbled off the outcropping, to the ground, a few feet in front of the Nhia-Samri from Llino.

As she tumbled, she drew her dagger and short sword. Throwing the cloak back over her shoulders, she rolled into a ready stance.

He smiled down at her from the horse, and on the outcropping, stood the beautiful bard with her oda.s.si out. "Ah, Ticca, forgive me. I haven't properly introduced you. Ticca of Rhini Wood, this is Second Lieutenant Runa-Illa, my second. I am Second Lieutenant Ossa-Ulla." He casually slipped off his horse. "You don't really have a chance. I wish I could offer you reasonable terms. However, we both know you wouldn't take them, regardless. After all, a Dagger never willingly accepts defeat, right?"

He drew his oda.s.si slowly. Ticca waited. Very calmly, he stepped forward, and in an even tone, said, "Now to see how good you really are, before I rend you in the old style." He bowed and waited.

Why not, he will want all of us, so he'll just be trying to capture me to use as bait... Might be able to take advantage of this. She undid her cloak, letting it drop to the ground behind her, and returned his bow. He smiled and attacked. She parried his blows and kept an eye on Runa-Illa, who stood on the outcropping like a judge. They fought as she looked for his weaknesses, and he looked for hers. Blow after blow were exchanged, and thrust after thrust. Finally, she found a hole and exploited it, to deliver a cut to his side.

Without pausing, he increased the speed of his attacks. The patterns flowed, and she found new and unique ways, and stepped beyond them, but he adapted and was able to counter her. He, too, began to adapt new approaches.

He is learning from me. d.a.m.n it! I am teaching him to fight better. Her trainer's voice came to her: 'Don't waste time in a fight. End it as fast as possible, or else, you might lose by example.' That had never really made sense, until now. She realized that in not trying to kill directly, she was in essence, training him. She needed to be a killer first and foremost, when fighting.

d.a.m.n it, I shouldn't have wasted time thinking he'd want to capture me. Too late, she realized that he was much better than she thought. I can find out what we need someplace else. The easy way is going to get me killed. If I can't best him now, we are all in trouble. Never mind getting information from him. If I lose, then Lebuin and Ditani will be lost, too. She didn't bother thinking about it anymore; she pushed and began delivering heavy, killing blows.

Ossa-Ulla smiled and parried them, while returning the same. "Now you are fighting like a Nhia-Samri. Who trained you?"

Ticca didn't answer. She pushed and pushed, but he had already learned too much from her, and she couldn't break through. He had learned her moves, her style, and was able to adapt to match. Still, he couldn't get through to her, either, as she also learned his. They fought and fought. They both were sweating and moving around, when he finally caught her off guard, and his blade sank into her hip. The pain flared, but she ignored it and used the moment to slice his overextended arm. The battle was ending. They were chest-to-chest, and he let go of the blade imbedded in her hip, and grabbed her wrist with his free hand.

Instantly, Ticca knew she had made a fatal mistake. Oh c.r.a.p! I let myself get into a strength-versus-strength position, and he has the upper body strength and speed to use it. Pushing her back hard with his knee into her crotch and with his hand holding her wrist, he lifted her off the ground and then slammed her down on her back, landing on top of her. She gasped, trying to regain her breath. His body was on hers, his nose touching the tip of her nose, and his cold, blue eyes were looking directly into hers. She could feel his breath on her lips. She couldn't defend, as his other blade knocked her dagger aside and pierced her shoulder. She screamed just before pa.s.sing out.

Chapter 16.

Beginning is a single step DITANI WAS COOKING SOME RABBITS they had bagged earlier. Lebuin decided to take advantage of the lull in conversation to check on Ticca, as he had roughly once a mark since they had parted company. She had gone to town, had dinner, and now had a room for the night. This time when he checked, Ticca was just climbing into a bath, and after a moment of marveling at how beautiful she was he rather guiltily stopped looking. He shifted, looking at Ditani to see if somehow Ditani could see what he had witnessed or done, only to notice his pants were far too tight. Oh my Lord, I am fully aroused. I never really considered Ticca that way. Lord, don't let Ditani see this.

He turned around as he stood, so that his back would be to Ditani. "I am going to... ah... practice a little while you cook."

"Milord, we just finished practice."

He moved off slightly, coughing. "I... ah... want to test something with magic."

Ditani called after him, "OK, don't go far. I'll call when the rabbits are done." He wasn't sure but he thought he heard Ditani chuckle. Oh Lord, he noticed.

Walking a short distance, he played with some light telekinetic tricks. His air powers were really back to nearly full strength. He had even momentarily cast the cleaning incantation he used and was enjoying not feeling as grimy. Now if I can get water involved I can even heat up some river water or a pool to take a comfortable bath out here. I wish we had all gone to town; I could use a nice bath too.

Pulling his knife out, he toyed with hitting stick targets that he floated around. Watching the knife fly he had an idea. "Ditani, can you put those rabbits aside for a moment? I need someone to help test something."

Ditani came walking over. "So you really are testing something?"

Lebuin laughed. "OK, Dad, really I didn't mean."

Ditani waved his hand. "It was only natural. She is taking a bath?" Lebuin laughed, nodding. "OK, so you wanted to test something."

"Yes please, grab these sticks and throw them in any direction you want, but wait for a moment or three so I don't know when you are going to do it."

Ditani shrugged, taking the sticks he made like he was going to throw one but didn't. Instead he tossed the one in his off hand, using an underhanded toss. Lebuin threw his knife fairly accurately but still it was slightly off. He gave it a telekinetic kick to both adjust its course and to accelerate it. The knife pierced the stick efficiently and they fell together to the ground. Ditani whistled. "Did that knife just change course?"

Lebuin nodded. "Yes, I just thought of this. I have been using telekinetic magic since I was about eight for all kinds of things. I just realized that I can do it almost instinctively so I thought it might improve my combat skills if I used it like a third hand or to improve accuracy on moving targets."

Ditani walked over and picked up the knife stuck through the stick, pulling it out. He tossed the knife back to Lebuin. As Lebuin caught it Ditani drew his knives. "Let's see if you can really use it as a third hand. If so it would be a real advantage because it couldn't be seen."

They sparred for another mark, until it got too dark. Lebuin slowly figured out how to use his magic while knife fighting. It was most effective against Ditani. He wasn't so sure how it would be against Ticca, but he smiled to think of the next time they sparred and he could try it. "If you don't mind a little extra practice I'd like to do a half-mark more in the morning like this."

Ditani nodded as they walked back to the camp fire. "It really is a bit shocking at first. I couldn't find a way to defend against it. I think you have found a real advantage should we have to fight for real."

The night pa.s.sed peacefully enough. When they got up he checked on Ticca again. She was eating breakfast. So they did the Path and various dances. When they were finished he checked on Ticca again and she was standing in a burned-out ruin of a house talking to a well-dressed man. "Uh-oh."

Ditani looked at him. "What is it?"

"It looks like Ticca is inspecting a burned-down home. Yes - she is opening a safe with the key you gave her. Magus Vestul's house is burned to the ground."

"What about the tower? That is where his library is."

Lebuin concentrated. Thankfully Ticca moved to a metal door and rubbed on it, exposing a key hole. "It looks like a Dolphin door."

"Yes, that is the door to the tower."

"Well then the tower is still there, and is untouched except for smoke stains."

"Well then, we might yet discover what we need."

Lebuin broke contact. "Well, I'll check again in a bit." They checked their traps and found they had bagged some more rabbits. Carrying these back to camp, they sat down to relax. Lebuin checked on Ticca again. She was riding in the forest, fast. He gave her a small tug, to which she gave the emergency 'run' signal. He stood and gave her another tug. She repeated the signal. "Ditani, pack, we have to move." He gave her the two-tug 'yes' signal.

Ditani sprang up and began packing their gear. Lebuin kept his Sight on her as he helped clean the camp. They did everything to erase their presence as Ticca had taught them. They then led their horses on foot through the forest.

"What is going on?"

"I don't know, but she is riding fast through the forest and she is some distance east of us."

"East, that is back towards Llino. She isn't coming here?"

Lebuin concentrated; Ticca had actually changed her direction after his first directional tug to angle away from them. "No. In fact, she is moving away from us."

"Are we going to help, against her instructions?"

"Of course. I hired her, not the other way around."

"Good! Which way?"

Lebuin pointed and they carefully followed Ticca, making sure to leave no trail.

Ticca stopped and Lebuin did too. "Wait, something is happening, I need to concentrate."

Ditani started watching for trouble.

"She has taken a position on a rocky overhang. She has some kind of cloak on that is blurring my vision of her slightly... someone is coming. It looks like she is going to ambush them. Wait! She just jumped off of the ledge in front of him, instead of jumping him from behind? Why would she do that?"

Ditani stepped closer. "Was she pushed? What is happening?"

"I didn't see anyone near her but I couldn't see clearly through that cloak of hers. They are talking. I think it is the Nhia-Samri warrior she fought at the Llino gate and it looks like they are going to duel... yes, now they're fighting." He watched the fight, giving Ditani a running commentary, when Ticca's face told him something was wrong. "Something is changing. They are changing their fighting styles slightly. She beat him before, but this time I think Ticca is in trouble." He watched as the man stabbed her in the hip. She cut at his arm, but he grabbed her and then lifted her to throw her on her back as he landed on top. Then he stabbed her through the shoulder and she went pale, closing her eyes. "No!"

Ditani grabbed him. "Is she dead?"

"No, they were not mortal wounds, but she is unconscious. Wait, he is talking. He's binding her wounds. Now he lifting her and is tying her to a large tree. He is using very strong knots and strong ropes pulled very tight. He is cutting open her leggings and is treating her stab wound with a salve."

He started moving again. "We need to get there, and she is at least a day away at this speed. There might be more of them, we will need to be extra careful."

They moved stealthily and steadily toward Ticca's location. Lebuin kept his mind partially open to her the entire time. At first it was difficult to maneuver and watch Ticca. But eventually he got used to it and they made better time. "She is waking up. They are talking again. My Lord, he has a whip and is using it on her! He must want to know where we are. Faster!"

They continued easterly as fast as they dared. When they got close, Lebuin used his precise knowledge of where Ticca was to allow them to circle widely around. They found a safe location to leave their mounts and slowly crept up, using every skill Ticca had taught them, until they were within hearing range of the clearing. They could hear the Nhia-Samri talking to Ticca in a cold voice that sent chills down Lebuin's back. "Stay awake please, this really isn't fun unless you are awake to feel it all. Would you care for more healing? Let's close up this wound here, huh. I think I should maybe give you a little energy boost. Here is a little more stimulant - that'll keep you going a bit longer, aye?"

Lebuin's blood boiled as they separated to come from two sides. Moving silently, he timed it so that he and Ditani would emerge at the same time. His steeled himself, blades out to free Ticca. Hopefully she was in good enough condition to move.

Stepping out, he saw that Ticca was trying to spit something out and her clothing was in ruin from all the shallow knife cuts and whip strikes. He grabbed the Nhia-Samri warrior with his telekinetic incantation and lifted him off the ground so he couldn't move and rushed to Ticca's side to cut her ropes.

"Lebuin, run. It's a trap. RUN!"

Lebuin looked up at the man he was holding five feet off the ground. "He can't do anything up there."

"Not him, behind you!"

His heart skipped a beat as the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end at the warning. Fear-fueled adrenaline surged through him, letting him start to duck and spin around as a knife cut deeply across his shoulder. He screamed in pain as he lost control of his powers momentarily. The Knife he had been holding in the air dropped and landed well, as if expecting the fall. Lebuin's training paid off as his feet found footing and his knees bent without real thought, lowering him below the worst of the strike. d.a.m.n it. If I hadn't moved that would have really been bad.

He now was crouched facing a beautiful woman who, like him, had two blades out ready for a fight. For the forest, the woman was amazingly well-dressed. She had a forest-patterned silk shirt over formed padded armor. Her light green leggings were the color of the gra.s.ses. She had well-worn but excellently cared for calf-high boots with dull bra.s.s buckles. She was wearing a cloak that blended perfectly with the forest. She shifted, bringing her other blade around. He was in the totally wrong position, so he reflexively used his magic as he had practiced with Ditani and it worked, deflecting her blade. He riposted rapidly and she actually had to dodge backwards to avoid the strike.