The next morning, Dwayne snuck down to the kitchen, grabbed some bread and cheese and slipped out of Sanford’s front door. He hadn’t slept at all, at first because he’d been plowing through the lecture notes that Rodion had somehow procured and then because the question of what was in Fluid, Vapors, Gases and Their Myriad Applications was far too interesting for him to fall asleep. As such, he could have snuck out earlier but Rodion had been replacing the cellar door until the early hours and Dwayne had not wanted to deal with any more of the steward’s concern. With the steward finally asleep, Dwayne could go to the Tower and, with any luck, find out what was in the stolen book.
Read more: Chapter 26: Fobucesaletejidusem, Cut at the FingertipUnfortunately, riding carriages regularly had been a terrible way to learn how to navigate the city. When he reached Nieder Street, Dwayne had to stop to try and figure out where he was. Although he couldn’t see it, he knew the Palace was behind him, which meant the big hulking buildings in front of him were part of the Bilges and not the Exchange. To his left were more warehouses, numerous carts, the occasional pedestrian and to his right were trees, carriages, zero pedestrians.
He went right and resumed ignoring the protests of his body, which hadn’t yet recovered from the robbery. Perhaps he should take it easy because while his time here in Bradford hadn’t yet reached the thrilling heights of obliterating a section of jungle, if things like the robbery kept happening, it soon would.
He failed to dodge the splash of muddy water that accompanied a carriage halting next to him.
“Young Kalan,” called out a familiar voice.
“Thadden.” Dwayne shook mud off his ankles. “You’re well.”
“Despite your thoughtless actions.” Thadden stomped out of the carriage. “How dare you leave me lying on the ground.”
Despite the inaccuracy of the verb “leave”, Dwayne’s response came out in an even tone. “I had to chase down the thief. They took something that was mine.”
“Oh,” a sneer touched Thadden’s lips, “your misguided attempt to compromise with criminals failed? I’m shocked.”
Dwayne crossed his arms. “It was worth a try, Baron.”
“Well, the results speak for themselves.” Thadden drew himself up. “However, I am also appalled at the abhorrent treatment I received at the hands of your staff. When I regained consciousness, that puffed-up brat of a guard of yours refused to answer any of my questions, and your steward didn’t see fit to call a carriage for me. I had to find my own way home!”
Dwayne could explain that Mei and Rodion worked for Lord Kalan and that it wasn’t their job to take care of strangers. He could also go on a tirade about how if Thadden had employed Akunna instead of enslaving her, maybe she would have collected him before the night was out. He could, but if he did, he’d have to find a place to put his rage that wasn’t Thadden’s face.
“I’m glad to see that you managed to do so,” Dwayne managed through clenched teeth. “My apologies for any troubles that must have caused you. I’m on my way to-”
“And what’s this about you missing classes yesterday?” Thadden’s finger thumped against Dwayne’s chest. “That was not a part of our agreement.”
“What are you talking about?” Dwayne stepped out of range of the finger. “Class attendance was not one of the requirements.”
“It was implied. After all, how could the Royal Sorcerer keep an apprentice who disregards the main mission of the Magisterium?”
It would be so easy just to shove a fireball into the man’s teeth. ““Do you not want the job anymore? I can find someone else.”
“Young Kalan,” the baron’s hands came up quickly, “there’s no need to do anything hasty. I’m just looking out for you. All I’m saying is that a proper mage devotes herself to emulating the foundational principles of magic and leaves squabbling in the dirt to the laity.” He offered Dwayne a smile. “Let’s move past this disagreement and agree that preserving the peace and prosperity Soura has enjoyed these many years is paramount.”
Even after Dwayne took a slow deep breath and allowed his rage fade into embers, the best response he could manage to this inane statement was a brief nod.
“Excellent.” Thadden straightened his robes. “By the way, were you able to find out anything out about the thieves?”
“Well,” said Dwayne far too brightly, “I found out that they murdered the windsong messenger.”
The baron froze. “How do you know that?”
Dwayne let sugar saturate his words. “The Tower’s Head Guard Mei has been working on solving the murders with a Scrytive Vogt from the Chamber. She was on duty that night when they attacked and recognized the weapon one of them used as a stiletto.”
“A stiletto.” Thadden bowed his head. “Poor Juanelo.”
Dwayne’s eyebrows raised. “You knew the victim? Have you gone down to the Chamber and identified the body? Mei mentioned that a family member would do it, but a second look would-”
“Oh, I didn’t know him.” Thadden shook his head for emphasis.
Dwayne blinked. “Then how did you know his name?”
“Well,” Thadden shrugged, “it’s a well known fact that all one has to do in order to keep abreast of all that happens in Bradford is listen to the Her Highness’s lay clerks during lunch, which they regularly take with the Chamber’s clerks.”
Dwayne’s ribs squeezed. Cross-office lunches sounded like fun. “Is that all you wanted to talk about, Baron?”
“Oh, yes.” Thadden turned to his carriage then paused. “Wait, there is one more thing. It has come to my attention that Lady Pol will be your Attestor at tomorrow night’s Rite.”
“Why?” Attestors made sure that attestees didn’t cheat. “Why aren’t you?”
“I don’t know,” Thadden entered his carriage, “but she is determined to get in our way. Don’t let her.” He rapped on the side of the carriage. “And don’t miss any more classes!”
As he watched Thadden’s carriage roll away, Dwayne did all he could not to scream. All he wanted to do was to quietly study magic, not deal with the fallout of Lord Kalan’s abdication or manage Thadden’s shifting demands or try to divine whatever Lady Pol’s plan was.
But there was nothing he could do at the moment about any of that so he resumed walking to the Tower.
Admaeus Speaks 