Part 9 (2/2)
”You know what this is?” she asked.
”Sure, I've seen 'em before.That's how you found me?”
She nodded, solemn.
”Cool that you can use one of those; not many people have the knack.”
”It's difficult, but not impossible.”
”Were you looking for me in particular?”
”I asked the mirror to show something that would help against the h.e.l.l-river.”
”And it picked me? For certain?”
”I clearly saw you coming from a building near the bell tower and sent Captain Shankey to find and bring you here.”
Oh, lucky, lucky me. I should be so blessed when it comes to picking lottery numbers.
”Youare the right one to help us, Mr. Myhr. The magic never lies. I know that for a fact.”
Boy, didshe have a lot to learn. Like the river, her mirror had probably sensed Terrin and geographically focused where she could find him. A literal interpretation to her request. I'd just walked onto the stage at the wrong moment. It happens to the best of us, only this time it brought me more than guffaws from a bemused audience. A quick exit would be the wise course, but I hadn't heard Shankey or his pal Debreban move from their posts. No way could I get past either of them without a fuss. Besides, I was still too full of lunch for feats of derring-do. Hanging around here didn't appeal since I wasn't eager to get involved with this h.e.l.l-river stuff. Not without pay. She'd still not mentioned money yet. Wizards don't work for free, especially Terrin.
On the other hand, Filimahad fed me, so that made up a little for the kidnapping. I could also understand why she was hanging on my every word. Under all the gorgeous tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs and posh airs, she was scared. Really, really scared. ”Just what is your stake in this?” I asked.
”Stake?”
”Why's it so important that I help you? What do you get out of it?”
She blinked. ”I don't get anything. I just want the h.e.l.l-river sent back to wherever it came from.”
”That's pretty civic-minded, but aside from making all the town magicians vanish and scaring the pants off tourists like me, what is the river doing right now that's especially threatening?” That one netted me another scowl. It was still adorable, but I'd touched a nerve. ”It's come to a place where it shouldn't be! That's more than enough threat for anyone. You can't leave things so seriously out of balance without consequences.”
I had the feeling she and Terrin would get along just fine. He was really big about cause-and-effect stuff in magic.
”If we don't find a way to put the river back I'm positive something truly dreadful will happen,” she continued, voice rising.
Talk about a stress case, she needed calming. ”If this river has been running for a couple of weeks and no harm done except for some missing persons”-Terrin might be able to sniff them out; he could find other Talents almost as fast as a s.e.x business-”then maybe things won't be as bad as-”
”Don't yousee ?”
”Not very well, no.” It was pretty dim in here, even for my eyes.
”Every night the river gets a little bit bigger.”
She could have mentioned that sooner. ”That's a threat?”
”I've no reason to think otherwise. It grows in strength, but the change is so gradual I don't think even the overduke is aware of the potentials.”
”Such as . . . ?”
”Compare it to a normal river. Ever see one in flood? I have, and the devastation is the most horrible thing you can imagine. I think that when it gets large enough the remaining people with Talent will also vanish. There will be no one left to remember them, or try to get them back. Please, Mr. Myhr, please help us.”
I'm a sucker for a pleading dame, but usually the circ.u.mstances are a lot more romantic. ”I'm not sure I can help. . . .”
”I'll pay you anything.”
h.e.l.lo. My favorite magic word: money. Or gems. Filima probably had a dusty old diamond tiara lying around somewhere that Terrin could use. Something like that would power us a lot farther toward home than the quartz crystals stuck in his fis.h.i.+ng hat. ”No promises, butmaybe we can work out a deal.”
She jumped for it like we'd already signed contracts. This babewas scared. ”You've a plan?”
”Not yet. I'll need to study the river some more-without your captain breathing down my neck.”
”Shankey won't bother you, I swear.”
Filima had gotten agreeable way too fast. There had to be a hitch, but I'd find it later, after I was clear of the house. ”Sounds great. I'll just go back to my place and settle in for a good bout of research.” And do some serious data dumping on Terrin. With this info he might be able to figure out what to do. The prospect of getting some real diamonds for his travel-whammy might even make him hurry. ”But youmust stay here as my guest,” she said, dropping the shoe I'd expected.
”I must?”
”Yes, of course. My house is infinitely more comfortable than anything you'd find in town. I also have supplies of every kind of herb and incense, magical equipment, books, whatever you'll need.”
Hmm. A cushy place to nap, regular meals, servants, and-compared to the facilities at Clem's Place-decent plumbing. This just turned into a no-brainer. Add to it the sight of the glorious Filima wafting through the halls and I was ready to apply for a long-term lease.
”It sounds pretty good, but I'll have to consult with my partner.”
”Your partner? Why didn't you mention him?”
”Already did-when I was singing. His name's Terrin.”
”I thought that was a nonsense song.”
”Nope, all true. I have to go back, find him, and do my late afternoon show at Clem's Place. He'll expect me to draw in the early supper crowd for a couple hours.”
”No need. I'll see to it he's compensated for your being elsewhere.”
”But I've got an obligation. He's been advertising me all day, and the lunch crowd might be back for more. You know how it is, the show must go on, at least for one more time so I don't look bad.”
Filima grinned. Much more adorable than her scowl. ”You like the applause, don't you?”
”Almost as much as chocolate.”
”What's that?”
”An old Aztec love spell.”
Somewhere close I heard a choking noise that sounded like Shankey lurking nearby. Having swivelly ears on top of one's head is a heck of an advantage at times. If he was any good at his job he'd have been listening in on this little conversation in Filima's retiring place. I chose to ignore him, and Filima hadn't noticed.
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