Page 91 of Deadly Maiden

See you then.

With much love, W

“Excellent copying of her scribble. This looks like what a loving daughter would write.” I nod to the scribe, then reread what he penned. The boy messenger waits, shifting on his feet as if nervous. “You. Boy. The seal of Thander Munk will be applied, with a map tucked inside it, then you will take it to Landos Diamond. Correct?” I hand the letter back to the scribe. The red-brown wax is already heated. The seal will take only seconds to affix.

“Yes, Ser.” The young man steps up. “I ride into Darsum, deliver it, say as little as possible. Wait for his reply.”

“Indeed. Then bring the reply to me.”

The scribe checks where he placed the melted wax, stamps shut the envelope with the folded message and map, then hands it to the young man.

“Ride! Go!” Leaning back in my canvas chair, I watch him sprint to his mount and ride up the trail leading to a break in the trees.

Almost done. Get the father, then lure out the girl with more letters. A pity the boy can’t be relied on to get deeper into the organization of this abominable church. Although a raid in Langordin, where he believes she is hiding, that would be more difficult than pouncing on her in the open.

I run a finger down the cleft of my chin, thinking of what is needed.

Somewhere with a landmark close to Langordin.

Somewhere Darsum travels past also, so she will assume it really is her father she is meeting, and not my hand-picked soldiers, mage, and myself, ironskin edgemaster to King Madlin.

While waiting for the girl, I can amuse myself playing with Landos, former follower of the Gothschilds. That alone merits punishment. And for harboring the fugitive child?

The man has escaped the king’s justice for far too long.

He should have been executed twenty years ago.

Chapter 28

Wyntre

The killer drop has mail.

Finally. It’s been too many days.

“It’s well over a week since I sent a letter, and this is the only reply?”

Rorsyd has the terrace door open on the third story of the library, and it’s far too windy. I shouldn’t be reading up here, but after finding a letter in the killer drop, finally, it has made me impatient. “I should go inside to read this!”

He nods and stays where he is, staring out across the lake and the grounds. Birds are wheeling about squawking at each other. Crows are arguing with a heron.

Since I get no answer from him, I return to the table nearest the door. Rorsyd has not budged. His hands are in his pants pockets, the veins on his neck visibly bulge, even from here. He’s been distant and drinking like a fish since we made the move to his old rooms.

I sigh and unfold the letter.

Dearest Cassandra

I was told to use that.

Your father will have your letter by now. I’m sure he will say yes but you must make certain any meeting place is safe. I would suggest Darsum itself, but I gather the master there is worried regarding the Aos Sin having some disagreement with such a meeting on his town property.

And so, again, be careful wherever it is you meet.

Yours,

Thander Munk, stoneborn and Golem Master of Bollingham

“Right. Well. This doesn’t advance me much further.” I tuck the letter into my pocket.

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