Trickster's Queen (Daughter of the Lioness Book 2) by Tamora Pierce

Author:Tamora Pierce [Pierce, Tamora]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2004-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

12

MEDDLERS

There was no rest period that day. All of the servants watched Aly as if she were god-touched. Her own pack, when it met in her workroom, had that same look of awe mingled with fear. Aly was glad when callers descended on Balitang House. At least none of them stared.

For once the young nobles talked quietly about things other than themselves, though the young men were careful to tell Sarai she might count on them, just in case. They did not say in case of what. The only man of Sarai's circle not present was Zaimid. Sarai made the mistake of asking Ferdy where the Carthaki was.

“Caring for rioters over on Soursop Lane,” the young count informed her with contempt. “The Watch had taken care of them as they should be cared for, and off goes our healer to tend the wounded. I'll be glad when we see the last of that sanctimonious face!”

“At least he helps,” retorted Sarai. “At least he's doing something for people, instead of living off them and ignoring them when they need him.”

“Lady Sarai, helping troublemakers only encourages them,” Ferdy said gently. “Look at Topabaw. He got slack. Now we've had a prison break, attacks on the fortresses, and uprisings all over the Isles. It's time we had new blood to set the realm to rights.”

Chenaol touched Aly as she watched the young nobles. “Vitorcine Townsend, Lady Isalena's maid, wants you,” the cook whispered in Aly's ear. “She looks like she's in love. You'll find her in my rooms.”

Aly raised an eyebrow and went in search of the housekeeper's private sitting room. Chenaol was right. Vitorcine looked as if she had shed years of her age or a great burden. Aly lowered herself into a chair. “You heard the news of Topabaw, then?” she asked Vitorcine.

The young woman nodded. “There's more. Grosbeak! Grosbeak is gone! I report to him as I run errands for my lady, and I was late, close to the noon bell. His shop is locked up, doors and shutters! I . . .” She looked down, blushing, then met Aly's gaze. “I picked the lock. The books, papers, all of it was gone. And everything was a mess, as if he'd packed in a hurry. So I took a chance and went to his home.” In response to a question Aly hadn't asked, she rushed to say, “I tracked him there once, just . . . just in case.”

Aly tapped her chin, fascinated. She hadn't thought Vitorcine had that kind of gumption. Perhaps she could find something better suited to her talents than simply reporting on the activities of the Obemaeks. Aly had decoded the information Vitorcine had brought, to discover correspondence about the things she already knew, that Lord and Lady Obemaek belonged to the luarin conspiracy.

“What did you find at Grosbeak's home?” she asked.

“Gone, him and his family,” Vitorcine said eagerly, giddy at being free of Grosbeak and his master. “And they must have taken only what they could carry.

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