The City of Towers

CHAPTER 23

Rhazala led the way through the streets of Malleon’s Gate. As before the inhabitants gave her a wide berth. Clearly she was known to be an emissary of the medusa, and Daine wondered what she had done to earn her place in his band. It was still difficult to take her seriously. Half the time she was skipping through the streets, and the other half she was singing nonsense songs in Goblin. But having seen her at the brawl, Daine wondered how much of this was part of her pose.

They passed a group of goblins painting gargoyle silhouettes onto strips of gray cloth. “It’s for Eight Winds,” Rhazala explained, tapping a band of gray cloth wrapped around her wrist. “Carralag will win this year. Wait and see.”

Jode was cheerful as always, and he chattered away with the girl, discussing the Race of Eight Winds and the history of the Bat and the Gargoyle. But Daine was still frustrated by his encounter with the medusa, and he had no interest in hearing the tricks the Gargoyle might use against the Griffon or Pegasus. This fire still burned when they reached the gates of the district, and he nodded curtly to the goblin and headed off to the streets of Oldkeep. Without speaking to the others, he led them into the first tavern he saw, a grimy dive with an upside-down griffon above the door.

“Do you still have any silver?” he growled to Jode.

Jode threw him a sovereign. Daine slapped the coin down on the bar. “I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s strong,” he said.

The bartender grunted, and Daine turned and made his way to a filthy table. The others followed him. Jode and Lei sat down. Pierce continued to stand; being made of steel, stone, and wood he was immune to the effects of fatigue, and he generally preferred to remain ready for action. Having studied their surroundings, Pierce held his flail in one hand. The chain was still wrapped around the haft, but clearly he felt that it was best to be prepared.

“You’re in a charming mood today,” Jode said to Daine. “I expected you to be interested in the aerial archery discussion. It sounds like we could have used a squad of gargoyle archers a year ago.”

“But we didn’t have any, did we? And now all those soldiers are dead.”

The bartender brought over a few mugs filled with some foul Marcher brew. Daine took a deep swallow. Lei sniffed her mug and pushed it away.

“And this is news?” Jode said. “I would hope that there’s something more recent bringing you down.”

“Fine.” Daine drained his mug in one long draught then slammed it down on the table. He took Lei’s rejected flagon. “Why are we doing this? Why are we here?”

“On Eberron?”

Daine glared at him. “In Sharn. Working for Alina. Talking about weather and wind with thrice-damned goblin thieves!”

“Oh, Rhazala’s a good girl. Reminds me of myself at that age.” Jode took a sip and winced. “Except for the orange skin, of course. But really, Daine, where else should we be? Cyre isn’t coming back, and there are probably as many Cyrans in Sharn as there are anywhere else in Khorvaire. Working for Alina … where else can we make that kind of money? If you don’t like it, then do something to help the refugees. Give them the money we get from Alina. I’m sure that Greykell could put it to good use. Or here’s an idea-figure out who’s turning Cyran refugees into monsters and do something about it. Crazy, hmm?”

Daine looked down into the drink and scowled. “And what’s Alina got to do with this?”

Jode nodded. “This is about your family, isn’t it?”

Lei had been studying the grimy patrons of the tavern, but at this she looked up. “What do you mean?”

“Quiet, Jode,” Daine growled.

“You heard what the sphinx said about your past. I think she had a point.”

“What are you talking about?” Lei said.

“I don’t think Daine’s ready to talk about it,” Jode said. “Let’s just say that we crossed paths some time before we joined the army, and there are some issues I think our captain needs to deal with.”

Lei looked over at Daine, but he just scowled. “Look,” she said, “I don’t care what this is about, but we don’t have anywhere else to go. You know what? I’d like to live in a place that isn’t filled with lice. And do you think I like that gruel just because I can make it? This isn’t how I expected to live my life. The future I should have had has been stolen from me, as well, so get over it. Let’s do what we need to do to get this gold. If you want to give your share to the refugees, then do so. Cyre wasn’t my home, and I don’t have a family any more. And I’m sick of suffering for both of them.”

Behind them, Pierce remained silent and still.

“I see it’s good moods all around,” Jode said. “The joy at this table is overwhelming. But you’re right. We won’t get anything accomplished by drinking except to pour away what little money we have. So what more do we have to work with?”

Daine closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Jode was right, of course. “Fine. We have the freaks in High Walls, who appear to have been created-through magic, I assume. Perhaps it’s voluntary. Perhaps not. And a changeling is involved.”

“I doubt that means anything,” Lei said. “There’s no huge changeling conspiracy. It’s easy to mistrust them, but changelings are individuals just like us. They aren’t some faceless mob.”

“Except for the part about being faceless,” Jode pointed out. “And how can you be so certain there’s no conspiracy? Unless you’re a changeling …”

Lei glared at him. “As I recall, you were the one who said changelings weren’t inherently evil.”

Jode shrugged. “Just taking the side of the Traveler. Are you sure it was me you were talking to this morning?”

Daine opened his eyes. “Shut up, Jode. We know three things about the freaks we fought last night. One was a changeling, another had received her … “gift” within the last few weeks, and there’s a good chance they had some sort of dealing with our friend Rasial.”

“All true,” Jode said.

“What we don’t know is what Rasial would be doing with a group of monster makers.” He drained the last of his drink and stood up. “Drink up. We’re going to talk to Alina.”

Jode eyed the mug. “I think I’ll pass on the drink. I’d just as soon be on my toes when talking with her.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Do you suppose we need to make an appointment?” Daine said, as the lift pulled up to Den’iyas.

“I’m sure she already knows we’re coming,” Jode said.

“If she knows so much, what does she need us for, anyway?”

“An excellent question.”

“Is there anything more I should know before meeting this Alina?” Lei’s curiosity had overcome her general malaise, and it was hard to stay gloomy amidst the pleasant surroundings of the gnome enclave.

“She likes to play games,” Jode said. “If she talks to you, bear that in mind. She’ll try to provoke you, and she’ll pretend to know more than she does.”

“Why?”

Jode shrugged. “It’s part of Zil culture. The gnomes have always fought with words instead of swords. The more she knows about you-how you react, how she can manipulate you-the stronger her position.”

“Better not to speak at all,” said Daine.

Lei nodded. “Is she dangerous?”

Who isn’t? Daine thought, remembering her description of Rasial. “Without question,” he said. “She’s extremely wealthy, and you can be certain she has wards and other magical defenses spread around her lair.”

“And bodyguards, I imagine,” Jode put in. “Alina likes bodyguards.”

Lei shot Daine an inquiring glance, and he took a deep breath before continuing. “She’s a wizard of some talent, though I couldn’t tell you exactly how powerful she is. Just be careful. Don’t push her.”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Good.”

The gnome gardener smiled and bowed courteously at their approach, and a moment later the secret passage beneath the garden stood revealed. “Lady Lyrris is expecting you,” he said.

“See?” said Jode.

Daine shook his head.

They descended through the passage and soon found themselves in the mirrored room. Daine noticed that the long “window” now displayed an entirely different view than it had before. Unless his eyes deceived him, they were looking down over Malleon’s Gate. Alina stood by the window, a golden spyglass in her hand. Today she wore a gown of green and gold, the patterns of which bore an uncanny resemblance to Lei’s heirloom armor. She turned toward them with a brilliant smile.

“Welcome back, Daine, Jode.” She made a sweeping gesture. “Please, sit.” She walked over to Lei, and looked up at her; Daine always forgot just how small Alina actually was. “I am Alina Lorridan Lyrris. And you must be Lei d’Cannith?”

“Just Lei.”

“Of course. My apologies. A cup of blackroot tal, perhaps?”

“Leave her alone, Alina,” Daine said. “We came here for a reason.”

“You’ve run out of money?”

“That, too,” said Jode.

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing,” said Daine. “You obviously know more than we do. It’s hard to imagine that you couldn’t find Rasial without us.”

Alina looked back out the window. “I know it’s hard to believe, but my powers are limited.” Daine shot a glance at Jode. Such an admission of weakness was very uncharacteristic of her-and thus, highly suspect. “I believe that you’ve already encountered other members of House Tarkanan?”

“Yes. So you did know about Rasial’s connection to the Tarkanans?”

“Of course.” She turned to face him and tapped her hand. “I told you not to let Rasial touch you, if you recall. That’s why I haven’t been able to employ my usual sources. The balance of power in the city is shifting. There are a number of old, established forces that have been part of Sharn since the first towers were built. But new powers have arrived in the wake of the war-myself among them. Now it is a game of alliance and subterfuge, to see if the newcomers can set roots and dislodge the old, established trees.”

“I never thought of you as a gardener, Alina.”

“I have a knack for making things grow. You of all people should know that.”

“And where do the Tarkanans fit into your garden?”

“At the moment, the Tarkanans have remained neutral in this struggle. I doubt they would be pleased to know that Rasial had been working for me. But even so, if something had to be done about him I didn’t want it to be traced back to me. I can’t afford to have the Tarkanans as enemies … yet.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before?”

“There are things I simply can’t say, Daine.”

Daine was surprised to see Jode’s shocked expression; this was more or less what he’d expected Alina to say.

“I knew you’d encounter the Tarkanans,” Alina continued. “The less you knew about the situation, the more natural your reaction would be-and the less chance of their recognizing the connection. At this point, I think you’re safe enough from them. You made quite an impression.”

“So what about our freakish friends in High Walls? What do you know about that?”

“You know that I hate to admit my own limitations, but until yesterday, I knew nothing whatsoever. I have a few contacts in High Walls, so I’ve heard about the corpses. Do you know why you were attacked?”

Was she telling the truth? Daine wondered. Alina was as unreadable as always. Her features might have been carved from white marble.

“I had hoped that you could tell us,” Daine said. “I think your friend Rasial had dealings with them.”

“Ah.”

“Ah, indeed. You know more about your stolen shards than we do, and more about magic than I ever will. Do you have any idea why a cackling changeling and a woman with a new eye on her hand would want your shards?”

Alina paused, her eyes distant. She sat down and reached behind her chair, producing a glass of shimmering light. She took a thoughtful sip. “I don’t know.”

“Really? Or is this another of those things you ‘can’t say?’”

Alina looked up at him, her eyes cold and hard. Daine held up a hand in apology. Remember who you’re dealing with. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day, and we’re barely at the first bell. But we’re running out of leads, Alina. Anything would help.”

She nodded. “I don’t know … but it’s possible. The dragonshards are ideally suited to holding certain types of magical energy. In theory, if you charged the stone then ground it to powder and infused it into a liquid form …”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Lei said. Alina glanced at her, and she looked away.

“I can’t say exactly what would happen,” said Alina. “I’ve never acquired stones of this caliber before, which is why I was trying to acquire this batch. But in theory, if you were trying to induce a magical transformation and you weren’t concerned with the possible side effects on the subjects … yes, the shards might be extremely valuable to your monster makers.”

Daine nodded. “So what are they worth? How much do you think they paid Rasial?”

“You’ve worked with me before, Daine,” Alina said. “I think that Rasial knows better than to cross me for something so petty as gold.”

“He was willing to cross the Tarkanans to work with you,” Jode commented.

“True, but I don’t think Rasial has ever really seen himself as a Tarkanan. They base their membership on those miserable dragonmarks, and Rasial hates his mark, useful as it is. They may punish him for working behind their backs, but they won’t kill him or do anything worse. Now, our relationship … as I said, he wouldn’t betray me for money.”

“It’s possible they have some sort of leverage over him, that he didn’t have a choice in the matter,” said Daine. “If they are interested in the shards, I’d say that the odds are good that he’s already passed them along.”

“Agreed.” Alina swirled the liquid light about in her long glass. “Rasial is a secondary concern, Daine. I want my shards back. If you are correct and these makers-of-monsters already have the shards, I want to know what they plan to do with them-or what they’ve already done. That is what I’m paying four hundred dragons for-the shards themselves, or whatever is left of them. Rasial can rot.”

“Any ideas on where to look? Our leads came to nothing.”

Jode looked thoughtful, but it was Alina who eventually spoke. “You’re sure that the people who attacked you were all Cyrans?”

“Absolutely. Well, except for the changeling.”

Alina pondered. “Whoever is making these … aberrations would need to include space for the patient to recover-not to mention binding tables and a system to preserve living elements. You couldn’t do this in a tent or a single room. If your people really are operating out of High Walls, I would think the only place they’d be able to fit such a workplace would be down below, in the Cogs.”

“What might we expect to run into if we find more of them?”

“I couldn’t say. The basilisk eye is quite ingenious. I’ve never met anyone who could accomplish such a transfer. If that level of skill can be relied upon … well, a harpy would be a good source for wings-and perhaps you could even find a way to steal its voice. The breath of a dragon, a unicorn’s horn, the shroud of a displacer beast … a fascinating concept, really. They say changelings are the children of humans and doppelgangers. Can you be certain your changeling was born that way?”

Lei frowned. “It’s possible, but I still don’t see-”

“You are from the House of Making, Lady d’Cannith,” Alina said. “You weave magic into stone and metal. Your enemy-our enemy-seems to do the same with flesh and bone. You may wish to find out why, how, and who. And I might pay you for this information. If there is a new player on the board, I should wish to know about it-and all the more reason for using you, my outsiders. But for now, I want my dragonshards. I suggest you act quickly. If these people are performing magical experiments, it may soon be too late to recover them.” She produced a small purse, which she threw to Jode. “I think you’d better keep this one, Jode.”

The halfling nodded.

“Now please get on with it. Time is running out.” She walked over to one of the mirrors. A moment later she passed through and disappeared.

“She didn’t seem so bad,” Lei said. A gnomish child ran past them, twirling a hoop of cold fire.

“Did you notice the new bird? The purple one?” Daine remarked to Jode.

Jode nodded. “Q’barran nutcatcher, I think. Very exotic.”

“So?” said Lei.

“Oh, nothing.”

“There’s something I need to do,” Jode said, and Daine was surprised by his serious tone. “I had a thought while I was listening to Alina, and … well, it’s something I need to do alone. I’ll meet you at the Manticore at the third bell.”

“No,” said Daine. “It’s not safe, especially if those … things were after you. What’s on your mind?”

Jode shook his head. “This is something I have to do myself. You need to trust me.”

“Trust isn’t the issue.”

“After all we’ve been through, you know I can handle myself alone. I’ll stay out of sight.”

“We don’t know how many more of these freaks are out there, what they look like, or what they can do. I’m sorry, Jode, but-”

“Dasei!” Lei shouted. A moment later, she was running through the crowd.

“Dolurrh,” Daine cursed. “Come on! Quickly!” He dove through the crowd after her. As he ran he slipped his dagger out of its sheath, holding the blade close against his forearm.

“Dasei d’Cannith!” Lei called, still running. She came to a small plaza and grabbed hold of a woman in a green robe, her short red hair partially hidden by a headdress of gold and silk. “Dasei! Thank Olladra! You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”

The woman turned to face Lei, and her face was cold. It was just then that Daine noticed. Pierce had followed him, but Jode was nowhere to be seen.