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changed hands recently, or withstood an attempt to cause it to do so.
Grillo asked him casual questions; he answered in non se-quiturs until the
other man volunteered the information that Tempus had sent a message to
Bashir, received no reply, and thus would be doubly glad to see him: "Both he
and I think your old acquaintance with the Successors might be the most
valuable weapon in our arsenal right now."
They were climbing wide granite steps; Niko ventured: "So it's 'we'?"
At the top of them, Grillo answered, "It is. This way."
Beyond an oak door, reinforced with wrought iron and guarded, was a second,
inner court where the sack hadn't reached. They entered the low stone building
centering it, trod the corridors and stairs. Then Grillo stopped: "I'll wait
here." He lifted a latch and pushed a door inward. "The next door on your
right is his& and, Niko?"
"My lord?"
"Our condolences on the death of "
"Thank you." He didn't want to talk about it. He turned his back on Grillo and
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knocked where he'd been told to.
"Come," he heard; the Riddler's gravelly voice was unmistakable.
The door was unlocked. He pushed it open and paused, shocked by the infirmity
of the man on
the bed. He'd thought Tempus to be indestructible. The man he saw was
bristle-chinned and sweating, arm in a sling. Around the sharp, long eyes dark
shadows hovered.
"Close it. Sit. You're a fortnight early. Tell me how that is."
Niko did as he was bid, pulling a chair up beside the bed. On a nightstand was
a pitcher, two goblets standing on their rims, one on its base with wine it
it. Tempus picked up that one, bade
Niko serve himself. Sipping watered wine, he tried to explain what he himself
didn't understand:
"Short cuts. I was delirious part of the time. The mare I brought her,
couldn't leave her& She picked the route. Everyone's coming. Critias ruled
that each must find a substitute first to satisfy the guild." He knew he was
rattling on, but all he could think of was the Riddler's obvious wounds and
what could have made them.
"It's all right, Niko. You can relax."
He saw Tempus's mouth twitch, half a smile dance there. "I had a run-in with
some
Nisibisi-fielded demons and fiends. I'll be well enough in another week or
two. Meanwhile& " The
Riddler pushed himself up on one stiff arm, and Niko was reminded of last full
moon in Sanctuary, when their positions were reversed. "& I'm pleased you're
here. Jinan's gone, disappeared."
Niko held the other's gaze, unspeaking.
"She took both Trôs horses."
"What?"
"We suspect foul play. Nisibisi magic, possibly."
"Where? How?"
"Those are questions I'd like your help answering. Until the other Stepsons
come, you are the single man I can trust. You know Grille's background?"
Niko nodded.
"Then I don't have to explain. These men here, as well as this place, are
ours. Mix among them and take their measure, but carefully."
"I will."
"Too, if you are up to it, I'd ask special favors& "
"Command me."
"Bashir. I have to meet with him. Personally. You know the free zone?"
"I knew it once. Better than I'd have liked."
"Little's changed, I wager. Vouch for me with the Successors."
Niko smiled at that, shaking his head slightly, a hand gesturing: "Surely
there's no need. But if you wish?& "
"As in Sanctuary, I'd like you to work apart from these others at first,
construct what rationale you please; let me know what you need in the way of
support and verification. Check in at the guild hostel; infiltrate the free
zone; find Bashir and convince him to meet with me; come back then and tell me
where and how."
"But Grille will know. He said the same to me." "If we can't fool him, we'll
have to trust him. You had trouble with some of his specials, he told me.
You've a reputation for temper. We'll say your price was too high, and
Sanctuary soured you with the loss of two partners, it sounds likely enough."
"I'm not sure, commander& " He was tired, suddenly. He'd thought he'd get a
different welcome. He wondered if the Riddler was trying to keep him out of
the avenging obviously under way.
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"Sure of what?"
"That I can& " Half into a complaint that he, too, could use a few nights' rest
where sleep was secure and danger minimal, Niko backed away from it. Before
Tempus, he could not show weakness. "& convince Grille that we've come to a
parting of the ways."
"Just a temporary dispute over wage and accommodation. The guild will rate you
below what you're worth."
Squinting at him, Tempus reached under his mattress, pulled forth a pouch,
shook it. "Tysian currency. Work money, not pay." He tossed it, and Niko
caught it in his hand, hefting it.
"I'd like to leave my mare here, Commander, where she's safe."
"Take any of mine, then. I'll give orders. And be sure you get a curfew pass
before you leave."
The audience was over, Niko thought. He rose, trying to stand straight, not to
look disappointed, not to show his hurt. Perhaps Janni and some few others had
been right: perhaps the
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