Page 41 of The Study of Fire
“When I’m done with it, you can repurpose the snake.”
“Goody.” Brede bounced on the balls of his feet. “I’d better get back to your windows.”
That reminded him. “What happened to Mr. Spider?”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s not next to the window.”
“Oh! I relocated him.” Brede walked to the brazier. “See? He’s much warmer here, but it’s getting harder and harder to find insects for him.”
Ah, Brede kept his office warm not for him, but for Mr. Spider. Good to know where his priorities lay. Valek thanked Brede.
Once his housekeeper was gone, Valek mulled over the implications of the gift for the Commander. The best official response was to ignore it. Unofficially…
Valek had assigned a couple agents to watch the Daviians when he had returned to Ixia. They might be able to deliver an unofficial message. Except…
He returned to his desk and sorted through his files. It had been almost a month; they should have reported in by now. But he found nothing. Perhaps Kenda hadn’t processed their report yet. Valek headed for her office.
“If you have that snake with you, go away,” Kenda said when he appeared at her door.
“It’s dead.”
“Yeah, well…” She shuddered. “Did you find out where it came from?”
“Yes.” He explained his theories about the Daviian Clan. “Have we heard from the agents we sent to the plateau?”
Kenda glanced at the schedule. Written in code on an oversized chalkboard were all their agents’ locations and when they last reported in. “Not yet. But they’re pretty far south. It probably took them a good two weeks to get down there and to establish a cover. Another week to investigate. Then the closest safe house is in Booruby, a city in the Cowan Clan’s land. And a message from Booruby takes about eight days via horse to reach Ixia. Add in the transfer at the border, and it’s been thirty-one days total. So, I’d expect a report any day now.”
Valek relaxed. The snake hadn’t been a message that the Daviians discovered his agents. Besides, they’d probably send Valek their heads or another identifying body part. Unfortunately, that had happened before.
“When the report comes in, please make it a priority.”
“Will do.”
Valek had one more stop before informing the Commander about the snake. He wove through the crowded and noisy throne room, heading toward Adviser Ilom’s desk. The adviser had done him a favor by allowing Valek to pretend to be him when they were in Sitia. Being rather easy going, Ilom thought it’d been an adventure. Plus, he appreciated the bottle of his favorite bourbon that Valek had given to thank him.
“Ah, Adviser Valek, what do I owe the pleasure?” Ilom asked. “Do you need a doppelganger again? I’ve been growing my hair just in case.”
Valek was glad to see that the scratches Ilom received from the Wannabe King had healed without leaving a scar.
He laughed. “Is that what you tell the Commander when he comments on your unmilitary hairstyle?”
“It hasn’t grown that long, but I’m sure to get a snide comment from our fearless leader soon. It’s unfair that you get to keep yours longer.”
“Perks of the job.” Valek set the crate on the desk. “Speaking of the job, since you’re the expert in Sitian diplomacy, do you know what the Sitian Council would send to Ixia as a peace offering?”
Ilom straightened in his chair. “Are they trying to reconcile? I haven’t heard.”
“I’m still working that out.”
The adviser glanced at the box, but when Valek didn’t offer an explanation, he said, “From what I know of the Sitians, they enjoy discovering what a person likes and gifting that item. For example, when they traveled to Ixia for the trade treaty, Fourth Magician brought a bottle of their most expensive cognac because it’s well known the Commander enjoys the drink. Which is why I never believed they would poison the cognac. Anyway, I’d say they would send a collection of Sitian teas, an assortment of their finest liqueurs, and a box of Greenblade cigars as a peace offering.”
“What would they send as a warning?”
“They might send a letter expressing their displeasure, or one of their master magicians to intimidate or threaten us.” Ilom leaned back. “Why are you asking?”
Valek handed him the scroll. “Is this legit?”
