Dzur (28 page)

"Able? Oh. Was the, uh, birth difficult?"

"No. Aliera was there. It was easy and nearly painless."

"Good. I wish I'd been there too."

"What are you going to do now?" she said.

"See my son."

She pretended not to hear what my voice did when I said that. "I meant, after."

"Oh. I'm going to keep moving, I guess. Nothing is resolved."

"Where to?"

"You really want to know?"

"No, I guess it's best if I don't."

I nodded.

"I understand Sethra's Dzurlord saved you."

"Yeah."

"How'd you like being saved?"

"About as well as you liked having me solve your problem for you."

"Yeah, that was going to be my point."

"I know."

"Vlad ..."

"Yes?"

"Nothing. I'll go get the child."

I nodded.

I should go visit my grandfather. Vlad Norathar's great-grandfather. Yes, I could do that.

I could do a lot of things.

I could do anything.

Well, anything that didn't involve being in Adrilankha; and anything that I could do with that amulet around my neck. And as long as I stayed on the move.

I wondered how long I could stand it.

"Where is Cawti?"

"Hello, Kragar. I didn't notice you come in. Isn't that remark-able?"

"Amazing. Where is Cawti."

"Getting my son."

"Getting your . . . okay."

I nodded. "Put it all together, didn't you?"

"It wasn't that difficult. Can I meet the boy as well?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"Then I'll take you to Valabar's."

"Think that's smart?"

"Of course not."

"You can always go in disguise."

I shrugged. "I'll take the chance. It's the Dzur in me."

"Nothing personal, Vlad, but I don't think there's much Dzur in you."

"No, there isn't, in fact. Dzurlords are all about standing alone. I'm all about having friends. That's why I'm taking you to Valabar's."

"Okay"

"And I'll introduce you to my friend Ric. I promised to let him know next time I went. Assuming that you don't mind being seen with two Easterners."

"Who will notice me?"

"The waiters, I hope."

"Good point."

"You, Sethra, Kiera, Aliera, Daymar, Mario, Morrolan ..."

"Hmm?"

"It's good to have friends."

"Uh huh. What will you do after that?"

"Get out of town. Alive, if possible."

"Have a destination in mind? Not that I'm asking what it is."

"Yes, in general, I guess."

"Sooner or later, Vlad, you'll have to settle things with the Jhereg."

"And the Left Hand."

"Yes, and the Left Hand."

"At the moment, I only see one way of `settling' that might work out, and that isn't a way that pleases me much."

"I can't imagine why not."

"Heh."

"I mean it, Vlad. This will have to be settled."

"Not today. Today I have to meet my son."

He nodded.

I heard sharp footsteps outside of the door, and recognized them as Cawti's. Kragar stood up. "I'll see you in a while, Vlad." I tried to speak, but couldn't, so I nodded.

My hands were shaking.