Kurtz, Katherine - Adept 04 - Dagger Magic by Kurtz Katherine

Author:Kurtz, Katherine [Kurtz, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-09-07T04:01:30+00:00

Dorje’s expression hardened. “They had better be trifling.”

“What do your auguries tell you?” Raeburn countered, indicating the tiles. “Surely you know better than I, the odds for or against the success of this mission.”

“I have never cared for your impertinence,” Dorje said icily. Raeburn quirked his rival a faint smile. “I haven’t cared for this mission, from the very beginning,” he said lightly, “but you needn’t concern yourself that I’ll sabotage it, just to defy you. Remember that I, too, have a stake in this venture. I am hardly likely to endanger my own profits.” A sardonic smile curled the other’s lip. “Ever the materialist, Gyatso. I begin to see why you have yet to transcend your limitations.” “I may yet surprise you.”

“I doubt it. Acquaint me with the arrangements you have made.” With a shrug, Raeburn began to relate the timetable and form of his preparations. He had scarcely begun, however, when Dorje cut him off with a gesture.

‘ ‘Why have you not arranged to fly into Belfast?” he demanded. “Dublin is twice the distance from your destination.”

“True enough,” Raeburn conceded. “Unfortunately, I have reason to believe that quite a credible likeness of me has been circulating in British police circles over the last year or so. By contrast, the Irish Republic has no record of my existence. I thought you might prefer me not to risk calling attention to myself.”

With Dorje’s grudging nod of agreement, Raeburn continued. ‘ ‘One of my associates will be waiting to meet me with a car when I arrive in Dublin,” he went on. “The coastal village I’ve chosen for our staging area is only a few hours’ drive from there, and the sub a few more hours beyond, by boat. A suitable vessel and crew are being hired.

“Meanwhile, my pilot Barclay will meet another associate in Brussels, and they’ll fly via London to Belfast, where separate arrangements are being made for them to charter a seaplane. Once the sub’s cargo has been salvaged, Barclay will fly in to collect it and me. Do you wish me to detail the means of getting the goods out of the country?”

At Dorje’s gesture of agreement, Raeburn proceeded to outline the succession of boats and other vehicles that would be used to convey the sub’s cargo back into Europe, and subsequently to Tolung Tserphug. Dorje was nodding as Raeburn finished, but he did not speak, only staring distractedly into the coals of the incense burner at his elbow.

As the seconds ticked by into a full minute, Raeburn began to wonder whether his old rival had slipped into some narcotic stupor - the fumes were still heavy in the room, and beginning to affect his senses as well - but then Dorje looked up, the pale eyes still wide and dilated, all pupil.

“I have already sent Nagpo and Kurkar ahead to make their own preparations at the site,” he said at last. “The auguries suggest that your preparations will suffice, so long as you exercise vigilance regarding the interference of which I have already warned you.

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