Modesitt, L.E - Saga of Recluce 19 - The Mongrel Mage by Modesitt L.E

Author:Modesitt, L.E [Modesitt, L.E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

XXXVII

When Beltur arrived at City Patrol headquarters on sevenday, a day much cooler than those previous, although the sky was clear, and the air crisp, a different patroller manned the duty desk.

“Mage Beltur?” The patroller pushed the duty book forward. “Sign in first. You need to see the Patrol Mage.”

Beltur signed, then laid the pen on the blotter. “I also need to talk to someone about an attack last night.”

“You can tell Mage Osarus. He wants to see you.” The patroller gestured to the door behind him. “Go on back. He’s in the first study on the left.”

As Beltur opened the inner door, he wondered whether Osarus had already heard about the attack … or if there was another problem. He stepped into the empty corridor beyond, then closed the door, and made his way to the first door, where he knocked.

“Come in.”

Beltur eased the door open and entered, carefully closing it behind him.

“You’re Beltur?” The man who rose from behind the table desk was of moderate height, with black hair slicked back, and pale blue eyes. He wore a black tunic and trousers, but the cuffs of the tunic were the same shade of blue as the uniforms of the patrollers, and he wore a large silver medallion similar to the one Beltur displayed. He also radiated enough order that Beltur scarcely felt like a black at all, although Beltur suspected that was more his feeling than what Osarus sensed.

At least, Beltur hoped so. “Yes, ser.”

“Please sit down.” Osarus seated himself and waited for Beltur to take the straight-backed chair in front of the table desk before continuing. “Laevoyt said you did an excellent job last fourday. Especially for a first patrol. It was your first, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, ser.”

“You’re from Fenard, I hear. Were you an armsman for the Prefect or a patroller there?”

“No, ser.”

“Were you a mage for the Prefect?”

“No, ser. My uncle was hired to do things for the Prefect. I went with him on his last trip to Analeria.”

“What was that about?”

Beltur explained as briefly as he could.

“I heard that the Prefect ordered your uncle killed.”

Beltur explained that as well, including how he had come to Elparta.

“Are you always this truthful?”

“I suppose so. I try not to offer information unless it appears that it will be necessary.”

“Do Athaal and Meldryn know all you have said here?”

“They do.”

Osarus nodded. “There is one other thing.”

“Before that, ser … I’d tried to report something to the patroller at the desk, but he said to tell you. Late yesterday afternoon, just as the worst of the storm hit…” Beltur related the incident with the coach and the three men. “Athaal said I should report what happened as soon as I arrived here this morning.”

Osarus smiled tightly. “That’s interesting, because that was what I was going to ask you, whether you were the mage involved, or whether you knew anything about the matter.”

“Just what I told you. That’s all I know.”

“The trader whose coach you encountered claims you were disrespectful to his wife and son.

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