The Raven Throne by Eric Kent Edstrom

Author:Eric Kent Edstrom [Edstrom, Eric Kent]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Undermountain Books

16

Insidious Desires

Lady Quinn Peline left Fallo at the entrance to the Baths. It was a short walk from there to the Peline greathouse. She used those minutes to compose herself.

Her mother knew nothing about Quinn’s Shadline affiliation. What Quinn had to do now was tell her and then ask some very difficult questions. She found Radiant Peline in the parlor, enjoying tea while a young footman named Fandy played a droning tune on the nyckelharpa.

It was far from the usual work for a man in such a position, but he happened to be quite skilled. Mother exempted him from other duties whenever she called upon him to play.

Quinn could not discuss anything with Fandy in the room, so she poured herself a cup and joined her mother on the rose-colored settee facing the performer. Her mother didn’t offer a smile, but she made room for her daughter. Together they sipped and listened.

The fact that Mother was “lazing,” as she would call it, said a great deal about the state of her mind. Clearly, she was not happy about the situation with the Hargothe.

When the song ended, Quinn stood. “Thank you, Fandy. I need to speak alone with the Radiant.”

“Stay, Fandy,” her mother said. “Play ‘Her Eyes Borrowed My Love’s Glow’ or the one with the dog who loses his tail.” Mother didn’t look at Quinn when she said this. She was in a worse mood than Quinn had suspected. Obviously, she knew that Quinn was going to question her about helping the Hargothe.

But she didn’t know that Quinn knew what the Hargothe wanted the demayne for. Easily remedied. “I know what your brother wants,” Quinn said over the rim of her teacup as Fandy started up a song.

To her credit, Mother didn’t react. She continued with her tea, nodding her head in time to the tune. When Fandy had completed the song, she gave him a silver plug and sent him away. Once the doors were closed, she came to stand next to Quinn at the window. The slate-colored sky hung low over the city, drapes of ragged cloud scudding by on hard easterly wind. It looked like it would snow at any minute.

“What do you think you know?” Mother could wield her stare as directly as a whipaxe blow to the forehead when she was out of patience.

“Your friend the Voluptuary pulled me into a favor. As a result, I know that the Hargothe is desperately searching for a girl named Kila Sigh. She is a friend of mine. The thing the old man seeks to recover from the demayne is something he stole from her.”

“I cannot see that it matters what he seeks or how he got it. I have negotiated beneficial terms for both this house and you. Once I have completed the task, you will be free to go to the Ori’s Home at the Garden.”

Quinn laughed. “I’m not going to the Garden.”

“Yes you are. I’ll hogtie you and hire a longshoreman to bundle you into a cargo hold if I have to.

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