Chapter 17

“Yes, he definitely wasn’t cowed.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to try the same tactic more than

once. We’ll assume they’re going to continue to travel together, and we’ll

requisition some help. The watch will be willing to supply some men to assist

an inquisitor.”

Rhi raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think going to the temple for another

mage and three or four more monks would be better? The watch has low

standards.”

Zenia smiled faintly, well aware of the nonviolent feud the watch and the

monks of the four Orders seemed determined to continue for all eternity.

She’d long suspected politicians from the kingdom and the Orders fomented

that hostility, so one group could be convinced to fight the other if someone

tried to claim more than their share of the pie of power.

“I think a squad of watchmen will be sufficient,” Zenia said, not wanting

to explain her desire to avoid the temple and Archmage Sazshen until she

could stride up the stairs with Dharrow in shackles.

“If you say so. Any idea where the zyndar and his friends will run off to

hide?”

Zenia stared down at the floor. She could use her gem magic to track

criminals she’d met in person if they weren’t out of her range, but she always

preferred to use her mind. Though she was grateful with all her heart to the

Order for awarding her a dragon tear, it was so much more satisfying when

she captured men with nothing but her wits.

“Most criminals wouldn’t be foolish enough to run back to their families,

since the watch would look for them there first, but Jevlain Dharrow has been

away for ten years. I think he’ll go home. His father is still alive and, I

believe, acting as zyndar prime for the estate. Jevlain may think the man has

the power to help him out of this situation. I think he’ll also be arrogant

enough to believe we won’t cross onto his family’s property to collect him.”

Long ago, a zyndar’s land had been considered almost a country unto

itself with extradition papers signed by the king required to retrieve someone

who’d been granted sanctuary there. Those days were gone. The king’s justice

crossed all borders in the land, and no property was truly private anymore.

“But we will, right?” Rhi asked.

“I’ve never been one to bow to zyndar arrogance.”

“I’m glad to hear it. But just so you know, I’m going to let you go first.”

“Why don’t we let the watchmen go first?”

“The New Codex says it’s cowardly to hide behind lesser warriors.”

“But hiding behind inquisitors is acceptable?”

“I believe it’s encouraged.”

“I really must read these Codices someday. To see how accurate your

interpretation is. “As a noncombatant, you’ll surely find them dry and boring.”

“You wouldn’t be trying to discourage my perusal, would you?”

“Not at all.” Rhi smiled benignly and reached for her bo.

“Inquisitor Cham?” a nurse asked, scurrying forward while ducking his

head and wringing his hands. “I’m so sorry you were injured. Our director,

the unicorn Oligonite, healed you himself. Your skull was cracked and your

brain swollen. It must have been terribly uncomfortable, but all the pain

should fade away by the end of the day. Our director is the best. Can I get you

anything? The fees have already been covered, but even if they hadn’t, we

would not be comfortable charging you.”

“I’m fine,” Zenia said as the man continued to wring his hands and avoid

her eyes.

Was he nervous because of her job and her reputation? Or because of

some crime he had committed?

She knew from experience that even those who hadn’t committed crimes

sometimes felt guilty around inquisitors, perhaps for some long-past

indiscretion that they regretted, or simply because they feared they could be

dragged off to a dungeon by mistake.

As if Zenia made mistakes.

She drew upon the power of her dragon tear and funneled the magic

toward his skull, gently probing to see why he was worried. Guilty thoughts

floated at the surface of his mind. Thoughts of sneaking bandages, poultices,

and medicinal substances home from the hospital so that his wife could use

them on their six children and also the three nieces that they’d cared for since

his sister had passed. He wouldn’t have taken the items, but the nurses

weren’t paid much…

Zenia rubbed her head, withdrawing her mental touch.

“I’m fine,” she added again. “You said our healing was already paid for?”

“By Zyndar Dharrow, yes.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Please let me know if you need anything,” the nurse said, backing away

as he spoke. He almost tripped over his feet as he turned to leave the bay.

“It’s going to be quite the feat to find a nice man willing to go to dinner

with you,” Rhi said.

“That’s not my priority right now,” Zenia said.

“From what I’ve noticed, it never is. Sometimes, I wonder if I should try

to find you a nice woman, but I’ve never caught you ogling me, so I assume

that’s not where your interests lie.”

“Maybe you’re not ogle-worthy.”

“I assure you, I’m terribly appealing when I’m out of this gi.”

“Uh huh.”

Zenia swung her feet to the cool stone floor so she could put on the damp