In Thunder Forged by Ari Marmell

Author:Ari Marmell [Marmell, Ari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 9781616147730
Publisher: Pyr
Published: 2013-06-01T04:00:00+00:00

“Hasn’t his Lordship already seen the show five times?”

“This is a special performance.” Dignity wandered the cramped dimensions of the knight’s chamber, occasionally drumming against the wall in what might have simply been a sporadic fidget—or, for all Katherine knew, a search for hidden passages. “Invitation only. Very exclusive.”

“By which you mean expensive.”

“If they’re stuck in Leryn anyway, they might as well make a profit, right?”

Katherine grunted something noncommittal.

“Besides,” Dignity continued, “they’re not performing An Orgoth tonight. I understand they’ve promised a showing of The Storm King.”

“Just how many of Muir’s plays do they know, anyway?”

“Rough guess? All of them.”

“All right, all right.” Katherine stood from her mattress with a groan and flicked a lock of hair away from her eyes. “When?”

“I believe the baron plans to leave by seven. I assume you can be ready?”

“We’ll manage. Sadler will join us, I think. Pruscott needs a break.”

“Fine. Oh, he wants you both in full armor and regalia.”

“What?” She’d squeaked. Katherine hated how she sounded when she squeaked. And it’s not as though she were unaccustomed to standing around for hours on end, clad in steel. Still . . . “For a bloody play? What, has he irritated Claeddon’s troupe that much?”

“Wouldn’t surprise me if he had, but no, I think he just wants to look impressive. You, my good lieutenant, are a fashion accessory.”

“Lovely. Just what I trained for.” The knight dipped a hand in the brass basin atop the dresser and splashed a bit of clean—and dear Morrow, cold!—water on her face. “And you?”

“I’m still in the baron’s disfavor. I’m to remain here and continue my chores while the bulk of the staff is at the theatre. Not entirely certain that really qualifies as punishment, but . . .”

“And what will you actually be doing? More Red-hunting?” It was a jibe, albeit a mild one. She knew that Dignity’s fortunes in locating the enemy, after her one success using Laddermore as the lure, had again dropped to zero.

“In a manner of speaking.”

Katherine’s thin smile faded as the other woman’s grew. “I see. Bait again, am I?”

“Until Section Three identify me as their enemy, their best bet is still keeping eyes on you and the baron. With a bit of luck, I’ll spot them first.”

“And how will you be getting in, if Halcourt expects you to remain here?”

Wordlessly, Dignity handed over an engraved invitation: golden lettering on thick, ivory paper.

“Lady Cyndra Gaynor-Rozetta?” Katherine felt the blood drain from her face. “You didn’t . . . !”

“Oh, calm yourself, Laddermore! Of course not! The real Lady Gaynor-Rozetta will awaken tomorrow with a headache and fuzzy memories of a vintage that really shouldn’t have put her out as hard as it did. No harm done, unless you count missing The Storm King. Honestly, what do you take me for?”

“I don’t believe you want me to answer that,” Katherine grumbled, returning the invitation.

“Perhaps not. I’ll send someone up to assist you with your armor. Oh . . .” She paused, hand on the doorknob.

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