‘You’re well informed, my Lord,’ Sparhawk said.
‘I have widespread commercial contacts.’ Lycien shrugged. He winked at Bevier. ‘That’s what disgraced me in the eyes of the family My agent and the masters of my ships gather much information in the course of their dealings.’
‘I gather, my Lord, that you’re not overly fond of the Primate of Cimmura?’
‘The man’s a scoundrel.’
‘Our sentiments exactly,’ Kalten agreed.
‘Very well, then, my Lord,’ Sparhawk said. ‘What we’re involved with is an attempt to counter the growing power of the primate If we’re successful, we can stop him in his tracks. I’d tell you more, but it might be dangerous for you if you knew too many of the details.’
‘I can appreciate that, Sir Sparhawk,’ Lycien said. ‘Tell me, in what way can I help?’
‘Three of us need to go to Cippria,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘For the sake of your own safety, it might be better if we were to take the ship of an independent sea captain rather than one of your own vessels. If you could direct us to such a captain and perhaps give us a discreetly worded letter of introduction to him, we can take care of the rest.’
‘Sparhawk,’ Kurik said sharply, looking around the room, ‘what happened to Talen?’
Sparhawk turned quickly ‘I thought he was bringing up the rear when we came in.’
‘So did I.’
‘Berit,’ Sparhawk said, ‘go and find him.’
‘At once, my Lord.’ The novice hurried from the room.
‘Some problem?’ Lycien asked.
‘A wayward boy, cousin,’ Bevier told him. ‘From what I gather, he needs to be watched rather closely.’
‘Berit will find him.’ Kalten laughed. ‘I have a great deal of confidence in that young man. Talen may come back with a few bumps and contusions, but I’m sure they’ll be very educational for him.’
‘Well, if it’s all under control, then,’ Lycien said, ‘why don’t I send word to the kitchen? I’m sure you’re hungry. And in the meantime, perhaps some wine?’ He assumed a pious expression that was obviously feigned. ‘I know that the Knights of the Church are abstemious, but a touch or so of wine is good for the digestion, or so I’ve heard.’
‘I’ve heard that, too,’ Kalten agreed.
‘Could I prevail upon you for a cup of tea, my Lord?’ Sephrenia asked. ‘And some milk for the little girl? I’m not sure that wine would be good for either of us.’
‘Of course, madame,’ Lycien replied jovially. ‘I should have thought of that myself.’
It was midafternoon when Berit returned with Talen in tow. ‘He was down near the harbour,’ the novice reported, still firmly holding the boy by the neck of his tunic. ‘I searched him thoroughly. He hadn’t had time to steal anything.’
‘I just wanted to look at the sea,’ the boy protested. ‘I’ve never seen the sea before.’
Kurik was grimly removing his wide leather belt.
‘Now, wait a minute, Kurik,’ Talen said, struggling to free himself from Berit’s grasp. ‘You wouldn’t really do that, would you?’
‘Watch me.’
‘I picked up some information,’ Talen said quickly. ‘If you thrash me, I’ll keep it to myself.’ He looked appealingly at Sparhawk. ‘It’s important,’ he said. Tell him to put his belt back on and I’ll let you know what I found out.’
‘All right, Kurik,’ Sparhawk said. ‘Let it pass – for the moment anyway.’ Then he looked sternly at the boy ‘This had better be good, Talen,’ he threatened.
‘It is, Sparhawk. Believe me.’
‘Let’s have it.’
‘Well, I was going down this street. As I said, I wanted to see the harbour and all the ships and things. Anyway, I was passing a wine shop and I saw a man coming out.’
‘Amazing,’ Kalten said. ‘Do people in Madel actually frequent wine shops?’
‘You both know this man. It was Krager, the one you had me watching in Cimmura. I followed him. He went into a shabby-looking inn down by the waterfront. I can take you there if you want.’
‘Put your belt back on, Kurik,’ Sparhawk said.
‘Do we have time for this?’ Kalten asked.
‘I think we should make time. Martel’s already tried to interfere with us a couple of times. If it was Annias who poisoned Ehlana, he’ll definitely want to keep us from finding any kind of antidote. That means that Martel will try to get to Cippria before I do. We can wring that information out of Krager if we can catch him.’
‘We’ll go with you,’ Tynian said eagerly ‘This whole thing will be easier if we can cut Annias’ hands off here in Madel.’
Sparhawk considered it, then shook his head. ‘I don’t think so,’ he said. ‘Martel and his hirelings know Kalten and me. He doesn’t know the rest of you. If the two of us can’t catch up with Krager, you’ll all be looking around Madel for him. That’s going to be easier if he doesn’t know what you look like’
‘Makes sense,’ Ulath agreed.
Tynian looked profoundly disappointed. ‘Sometimes you think too much, Sparhawk,’ he said.
‘It’s a trait of his,’ Kalten told him.
‘Will these cloaks of ours attract any attention in the streets of Madel, my Lord?’ Sparhawk asked the marquis.
Lycien shook his head. ‘It’s a port city,’ he said. ‘There are people here from all over the world, so two more strangers won’t attract that much notice.’
‘Good,’ Sparhawk said. He started towards the door with Kalten and Talen at his heels. ‘We should be back before long,’ he said.
They left their horses behind and went into the city on foot. Madel was situated on an estuary, and the smell of the sea was very strong, carried inland by a stiff onshore breeze The streets were narrow and crooked and grew increasingly run-down as the two knights and the boy approached the harbour.
‘How far is this inn?’ Kalten asked.
‘Not too much farther,’ Talen assured him.
Sparhawk stopped. ‘Did you get the chance to look around a bit after Krager went inside?’ he asked the boy.
‘No. I was going to, but Berit caught me before I had time’
‘Why don’t you do it now? If Kalten and I go marching up to the front door and Krager happens to be watching, he’ll be out the back door before we get inside. See if you can find that back door for us.’