Page 37 of The Study of Fire
“Nice.” Valek updated him.
“Magic and not a drug.” Ambrose stared into the distance. “If you think about it, magic could be considered a drug. Magicians abuse it, crave it, and are willing to do anything to get more of it. But I digress. The magician?”
“Is no longer a problem.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Star’s back to her old tricks.” He explained.
“She’s been a problem since the beginning. Kill her and train a new taster.”
“I would, but I just discovered her company. Which makes me worry about what else I may have I missed.”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes, because if she could set up such a complex network right under our noses, then so could someone else. I need to see how it all works so I can prevent others from doing the same thing. And this time, I have agents on the ground floor.” Plus, he needed to decide what to do about Porter. If Valek killed Star, the kennel master might bolt.
“Do what you need, but if she gets too troublesome, I won’t hesitate to put a permanent end to her schemes.”
“Understood. What have I missed while I was gone?”
“I sent Adviser Maren to help General Rasmussen with his civilian watch problem. She finished her course in diplomacy.” He took a sip of his brandy. “I talked with her at length. Patience and tact are not Maren’s strongest skills, but she’s intelligent. I think she plans on the old ‘I’ll help you and you’ll help me and we’ll both keep the Commander happy’ tack.”
“That’s a good one. I’ve used it many times. And occasionally I manage to make the other person think it was their idea.”
“As long as she gets results, and I don’t have General Rasmussen complaining to me, I’m content.”
“Did you give her a timeline?”
“No. I didn’t want to rush her. If she doesn’t get results or the general remains stubborn, then I’ll have to send a more influential adviser.” Ambrose gave Valek a pointed look.
Valek refrained from groaning aloud. Instead, he put his glass in the air and said, “Here’s hoping Maren has a successful mission.”
Ambrose clinked glasses and drank.
* * *
Valek entered Kenda’s office early the next morning. He updated her about the incidents in Castletown, and Trevar and Adrik’s new mission. “And I won the bet. Star was actively recruiting people for her network before the cold season started.”
Frowning, she reached into her desk. She pulled out a small purse bulging with coins and slapped it into his palm. “Those boys are playing with fire. Star isn’t easily fooled.”
“I’ve warned them, and I’ll have Hildred and Inrick keep an eye on them.”
“Don’t let her get too far with rebuilding her network. The more complex it becomes, the harder it is for us to unravel.”
“I won’t.”
“Do you want me to dig deeper into her corporation?”
“Yes, please.” With that taken care of, Valek switched subjects. “Have you heard from Ari and Janco?”
“Just a brief report that they’d arrived in MD-1. I don’t expect we’ll get another. After they finish their mission, they’ll be on the way home. Unless they get stuck by the blizzards, and then the messengers are trapped as well.”
Valek wasn’t worried about the power twins, but he’d like them to return soon. “I think Janco is highly motivated to get the job done quickly.”
Kenda laughed. “Janco apologized in the message for his shaking handwriting, claiming he was shivering uncontrollably.”
There was a knock on Kenda’s door. “Come in.”
