The Vondish Ambassador by Lawrence Watt-Evans

Author:Lawrence Watt-Evans [Watt-Evans, Lawrence]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic, General
ISBN: 9781434477613
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2008-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Emmis had never ridden in a carriage before. He had rarely even seen a carriage; he doubted there was a single person living in Shiphaven who owned one. He wondered where Lord Ildirin kept his; he had never noticed anything like a stable or carriage barn connected with the Palace.

He had wound up facing backward as he rode, seated next to the guardsman, facing Lord Ildirin, with Gita diagonally across from him. The coachman and the other two guards were riding somewhere on the outside of the vehicle, where Emmis couldn't see them.

It was slightly disorienting, riding backward; he could not recall ever having done it before, as wagons usually didn't have any reversed seats. And they didn't have any seats upholstered in velvet like these, either, or lace curtains over glass windows. This was an adventure, riding in Lord Ildirin's coach – though it meant he wouldn't be making any stops on Bargain Street.

Gita was staring out the window, wide-eyed, as the carriage rumbled up Commerce Street; Emmis thought she looked more terrified than excited. Lord Ildirin was quite composed, his hands folded in his lap, his eyes closed; he appeared to be resting.

Emmis glanced sideways at the guardsman, but he looked bored, and not inclined to talk.

Emmis wondered who Zefna was. He had been hustled out to the carriage and had not seen who else the guard spoke to. From Lord Ildirin's phrasing it didn't seem as if Zefna could be any of the guards, or the coachman, or the innkeeper; who else was there?

He coughed, hoping the guard would take an interest.

Instead, Lord Ildirin's eyes opened. "Your pardon, Emmis," he said. "I was contemplating what I've learned today."

"Of course, my lord," Emmis said hastily. "I didn't mean to disturb you."

"But you're bored and curious, and after the better part of a mile, the novelty of riding in a nobleman's carriage has worn off. I entirely understand, young man. I could continue questioning you, if you like."

"Oh, that's all right," Emmis said hastily. Lord Ildirin's interrogation had been exhausting.

"Or perhaps there are questions you would like to ask me?"

"Ah…"

"I can always simply decline to answer, should you pry into inappropriate matters, and I think I would find it amusing to learn what you consider worth inquiring about. Ask away, sir."

"Ah… who is Zefna, my lord?"

Lord Ildirin smiled. "A person in my employ," he said. "Someone adept at listening without appearing to, watching without being seen, and gathering information without being noticed. He is residing in the Crooked Candle at present, alert for anything of interest."

"A…" Emmis had started to say, "A spy?" but caught himself in time. "An informant?"

"You could call him that. An observer. The common term would be a spy."

So much for tact, Emmis thought. "And he's staying at the Crooked Candle in case the foreigners come back?"

"Or in case anyone else comes looking for them, yes."

Emmis nodded. "I'm surprised to see you taking such an interest in all this, my lord."

"Oh?"

"I wouldn't have thought a single attack would attract the attention of someone as highly placed as yourself.

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