Dead Letter (11 page)

A smile
tickled the corner of the Constable’s moustached mouth. He turned
to his guards and presented an open hand to Kettna. “This is our
long awaited Inspector. You will make her welcome and afford her
every hospitality, every accord and every ounce of your assistance.
Not only do you report to your respective watch-captains, you shall
also report to Inspector Kettna. Captains, you stand in equal rank.
The Inspector is to be your peer while I am your commander. Guards,
your purpose is unchanged. Your place and position is not
threatened by the Inspector. Her inquiry into the unsolved crimes
of this great city is at my discretion. Aid her and she will aid us
all. If any of you have a concern with this arrangement then you
are to bring the issue straight to me. Am I understood?”

The
brigade came to attention and saluted in unison. “Yes,
Constable!”

“
Good. Now, back to your posts and spread the word to those
walking the cobbles. I’ll address the Night Watch this evening.
Dismissed!”

Kettna
felt a dual sensation of relief and disbelief at the brevity of her
induction into the Guard. “I thought a man in your position would
require evidence before such a speech. Shouldn’t you have witnessed
the edict before you announced the terms of my engagement to a
whole brigade?”

“
And that’s why you are the right guilder for this position; a
deft intellect and an enquiring mind. You’ve never met me and yet
you’ve gathered such a conclusion to which my actions contradict.
What then, Inspector? Who is wrong?” The constable swung his door
open. “Please, come in.”

Kettna
wrestled with her new title. It had been slapped so readily upon
her with no trial or test. It was a rash decision. Inspector was
not a title she had ever heard of and she was not sure it suited
her qualifications at all. To have aspired all her life to be
called an adept, a master, or even to be accepted as an elder;
being addressed as Inspector felt empty. Nonetheless, the Constable
was determined, and so Kettna resigned herself to the conversation.
Perhaps she would get a better measure of the man who would be her
new superior, if she fathomed his intentions for her.

“
As with all things, there are possibilities,” she said,
speaking her mind aloud. The worst that could happen was that she
failed his test of wits and be cut loose from the position. That
would allow her to dedicate her time to resolving Rix’s
disappearance and return home. Not a bad outcome by any means. It
was her thoughts the Constable was after, so he would have them.
“You may have been duped and I am not Novice Kettna. What if I’m an
imposter, a Jandan agent in disguise or a doppelganger ready to
claim your persona and take over the Guard?”

“
These are possibilities, not facts. I might already be a
doppelganger and the Guildmaster might be a liche lord, but they
are unlikely and thanks be to The Good Mother, Ona, not at all
true.”

“
Another possibility,” suggested Kettna, “is that I could be
wrong in my judgement of your character. Your rapid gift of title
and responsibility to me reflects that you are a rash man who makes
speeches and issues orders on small fancies that come to you as
often as visitors do to your door.

“
And yet?” asked the Constable, his posture as straight as a
pillar.

“
I know the former cannot be correct, as I know I am indeed
Novice Kettna and I have the edict instructing me to assist you
here in my satchel.” She removed the scroll and offered it to the
Constable, who placed it on his desk without opening it. “The
latter cannot be correct because your precise and considered
character precedes your position as Constable. It is your character
that drives your actions. You are not one to act without considered
judgement. That leaves another option.”

“
Yes?”

“
Neither you nor I are wrong. We are both correct. Your haste
in announcing me as Inspector was, perhaps, considered. However, I
am also correct because I know who I am and what I lack and
therefore protest that your decision was, most definitely,
ill-considered.”

The
Constable smiled and opened a drawer at his desk. “The evidence to
prove either theory is absent. Time will be the judge of the
matter.” He took a scroll sealed in silver wax and passed it to
Kettna. The Constable of Calimska was the keeper of the golden
city’s law and his seal depicted Daniakesh’s wings wrapped around
the city, protecting it from harm, be they other dragons, monsters
or men. Like her, the Constable had sworn to uphold the defence of
Calimska and her citizens.

Kettna
quickly read it over. “This is the very same as mine … You drafted
the edict?”

“
I did.”

“
It’s dated before the Surrender Moon, a full turn ago. How
can that be?”

“
I’ve been petitioning the Archmagus and the Guildmaster for
this position since a full turn before that. Seasons have come and
gone, and now I finally have my Inspector!”

“
Why me?” asked Kettna. “I’m just a novice.”

“
And why is that? The Order of Calim has created a dreadful
bottleneck of talented citizens with their trials. I understand
that the Order has internal laws to adhere to, but how many novices
bow out before the trials for fear of death? How many drop out for
lack of money to fund their way through another turn of tuition?
How many flame out and are never spoken of again?

“
Many,” Kettna admitted. “We know what is at stake. Daniakesh
is gone and rival dragons come each season, none with her
benevolent intentions. The Guildmaster is a marvel, a miraculous
saviour by all means, but he won’t live forever. We need to
maintain guild traditions to produce the best talent and protect
the future of Calimska.”

“
Yes, yes. But what of the waste? Good citizens fall through
the cracks like filings from a goldsmith’s bench. Gold is gold, I
say! I’ve been entreating the High Council to offer an alternative
path for the unfortunate failures of their internal regulations and
traditions.”

“
How is that any different from the guilds’ tributes to the
Guard every year?”

“
Bah! Most of the tributes are discreditable disasters or
victims of some punishment. A year in the Guard is better than a
stint in prison or the shame of a scandal.”

“
So, I’m here because I am the best failure on
offer.”

“
No. You are the best of what the failures of our system have
to offer. I’m not an idealist, Kettna. I’m a realist. There are
limits to our politics here in this great city. That does not mean
our great city is limited. It means that improvements can be made
to smooth some of the gnarled edges. Calimska needs to grind off
the burs on her blades.”

“
Are you suggesting the anti-guild league has a point? Of all
the people to sugges—”

“
Certainly bloody not! I’m not advocating the dismantling of
our very pillars of success. I’m talking about progress for the
greater good. These are long-term issues. The citizens of Calimska
have a right to live free of crime. They have a right to work in
safety and build our mutual wealth, not have it stolen by organised
criminals like Bloody Agnus or swindled by anti-guild
sympathisers.”

“
Are you trying to start a new guild?”

That
drew a great laugh from the Constable. “No more than the City Guard
already is a guild under my stewardship. No, I want to give the
brawn of the law a brain. Guards bring order as best they can. But
there are things going on that pass them by like shadows. Murderers
are getting away. Wealth is being stolen. Bribes and corruption go
on with the hand of law not even able to see it, let alone grasp it
and throw it in chains. We need investigation. We need evidence to
bring charges to the crimes that slip by. An honourable guard can
only do so much. You, Kettna, are trained to do what they
lack.”

“
Magic? Because my talent isn’t—”

“
No, no. Magic is a good thing of course, but it is no match
for a sculpted, critical mind. The very culture of your profession
rewards inquiry and discovery with power. Gathering knowledge is
your oats and honey.”

“
This seems like a fine idea. But the edict only commissions
me to this post for one turn. If I’m to be the only inspector here,
how can I hope to accomplish all these things you believe are
possible? I can’t investigate every bit of intrigue that occurs in
Calimska. A village maybe, but this city is far too
large.”

“
You’re right. There is not enough time, and do not worry. I
don’t expect you to sweep our streets clean of crime on your own.
Nathis knows I have enough trouble sorting my own guards’
allegiances and immoral tendencies. I will lay it on the slab for
you, Kettna. I’m at liberty to follow this scheme for only one
turn. It is an experiment of sorts, alive only for the grace of the
High Council. For while the Guildmaster was not initially a
supporter, I give him credit for not vetoing the guild heads’
support. Does the situation become apparent to you?”

“
It does,” said Kettna. The Guildmaster must be worried that
the Constable was gathering too much power. If there was a
Calimskan alive who could replace the Guildmaster and lead the
great city, it was the Constable.

“
Are you still willing to participate and abide by your
earlier announcement to the men and woman of the Guard?” asked the
Constable, regarding Kettna with eyes sharp enough to piece any
lie.

“
I suppose I made a mistake by saying that with such
bravado.”

“
I do hope not,” insisted the Constable. “By all things I see
in you here today, I think you will do Calimska proud.”

“
Pride is well and good, but I must live. Will I be paid for
my service?”

“
Weekly, as are all the Guard. It isn’t a great deal of shine,
although it is offset by board and lodging at the barracks. I
understand you have found a room at the Cog and Wheel?”

“
How did you know?”

“
I had reports of your entry with three others last night.
Another source confirmed you had taken lodgings on Flint Street.
Don’t be offended; it’s my job to stay informed.”

Before
Kettna replied, the door opened and the page who had guided Kettna
into the fortress entered, puffing like an excited pup meeting his
master. “The Guildmaster has come to meet with you,
sir.”

Both
Kettna and the Constable stood and gave a formal bow at their
leader’s entrance. He was a man in his senior years, older than
Kettna’s parents, but vigorous and wiry. Robes of gold hung upon
his shoulders with the burden of his responsibility to Calimska.
Kettna expected to feel him from a distance, brimming with mana,
like the morning sun before a long summer’s day. Instead, she felt
an ebb and flow of energy, like the breath of a sleeping giant. She
sensed a great potency resting deep within and felt enveloped by
his strength. This was the saviour of Calimska, their leader,
dubbed the Golden Shield because of his grand spell that protected
the City when dragon season began. She owed her life to him. All of
Calimska did. There was no one more honoured since Calim had
founded the great city.

The
Guildmaster did not bow in return, but gave a reserved smile and
motioned for them to return to their seats. “Forgive my
interruption, Constable. I had word of our new arrival. May I join
the briefing?”

The
Constable was cautious in his agreement. “Should you think it
needed, though we’ve covered most things. You must have many other
pressing duties, given the arcane preparations for the shield
raising this Surrender Moon. Is everything in order?”

“
Thank you for your concern, Constable,” replied the
Guildmaster with a cutting smile that belied the insincerity of his
thanks. “My shield…the people’s shield, is ready to defend Calimska
whenever the need arises. I am always prepared. I come here today
to welcome a fellow of the Order of Calim. The last daughter chosen
by Daniakesh, no less.”

Kettna
was humbled in his presence and felt heat rise to her cheeks. What
do you say to the most powerful sorcerer in the known lands? Her
throat swelled with a nervous jumble of conversations that refused
to come out. Not able to manage a simple thank you; she bowed again
and returned to her seat, feeling more than foolish.

The
Constable covered her awkwardness and took control of the
conversation. “I have outlined the trial nature of the position and
Kettna has accepted the title of Inspector.”

“
And her first assignment?” asked the Guildmaster. “I don’t
want to tell you how to do you job, Constable. Instead, might I
suggest getting to the bottom of Head Merchant Guillan’s stolen
property?”

“
Theft is an important issue. I agree. What then regarding the
blaze problem? It’s causing no end of trouble in our less fortunate
quarters. These addicts are more than a nuisance. They’re growing
in number, partnered with grief and violence in a dance that spins
out of control.”

“
Surely, you can leave that menial clean up to the regular
guards. The petty addictions of the less fortunate don’t degrade
the foundations of our guildocracy, political subterfuge does. The
Head Merchant’s case takes precedence. It must be resolved quickly
for the public interest.”