Page 33 of The Study of Poisons
“This isn’t part of her food tasting duties. Besides, if she earns some coins, then she won’t be as tempted to sell our secrets to Star and others.”
“As tempted?”
“That’ll depend on how greedy she is.” Although from the list of items she had desired, Valek doubted it.
“And other future jobs? Does that link back to your desire to have her become a member of our team?”
“Yes. These opportunities will give her a chance to see what we’re doing. Who we are.”
“That’s important to you.” The Commander said more to himself than Valek. He relaxed a bit.
Sensing he might have convinced him, Valek kept quiet.
“How much will you pay her?” he asked.
“A couple golds.”
“I hope this works out, Valek. The exercise is for training and if she’s captured easily—”
“She won’t be.”
The Commander smiled. “Care to bet on it?”
“Of course. Our standard bet?”
“Of course.”
Yelena returned with the hot tea. Valek told her they’d pay her two golds to be the fugitive.
“The exercise is scheduled to take place during the fire festival. A busy time for the soldiers. Should we postpone it until after?” Valek asked the Commander.
“No. The added commotion will increase the level of difficulty for our pursuers.”
“Well, Yelena, that gives you only a few days to prepare. Fair enough, since some prisoners plan an escape route, while others see an opportunity and bolt. Are you interested in the challenge?” Valek asked. He held his breath.
“Yes.” The word burst from her as if she’d been trying to suppress it. “On the condition that Brazell not be informed of my participation.”
His mood soured. Did she think he was an idiot? “Isn’t having a room in my personal suite an indication that I’m properly concerned with your well-being?”
They glared at each other.
“Speaking of Brazell,” the Commander interrupted. “He gave me a gift. A new dessert that his chef invented. He thought I might like it.”
Commander Ambrose set a wooden box onto his desk and opened it. Inside were towers of brown squares. Odd. Valek picked up a piece and sniffed it. It gave off a nutty scent. “I hope you didn’t try any.” The shiny and smooth cube was about the size of a fingernail. It had rough edges that shed brown flakes.
“It’s too blatant, even for Brazell, to be poisoned. But, no, I didn’t.”
Valek handed Yelena the container. “Yelena, take some pieces at random and taste them.”
She sorted through the box and picked out four pieces. Inspecting each, she sniffed then hesitated before putting one into her mouth. Valek watched as her expression changed from thoughtful to…he wasn’t quite sure. Dreamy? The Commander stood up as she shoved the rest of the brown cubes into her mouth. Did he think she’d pass out? Was the dessert some type of drug?
“Unbelievable! What is it?” Yelena asked. Her green eyes flashed with delight.
Valek and the Commander exchanged puzzled looks.
The Commander said, “Brazell called it Criollo. Why? Is there poison in it?”
“No. No poisons. It’s just…” She gestured. “Try it.”
