The Eyes of a Doll (The World of Shijuren Book 2) (34 page)

I started to drink some ale, but then a detail shot through my brain. “Oh, no. By the Wolf’s Teeth, I forgot something.”

“What?”

“Gibroz is impatient. How am I going to tell him to wait without making him want to throw me in the lake? Worse yet, he’s going to know something changed because Gabrijela and I are not going to continue looking through his organization. What in the Trickster’s name am I going to tell him?”

“And we certainly don’t want to mention that we’re using Vukasin’s koryfoi to follow him.”

“Definitely not.”

We all leaned back until Piri caught a gleam in her eye. “Remember when I said, when you have a problem, you have a problem, but...”

“When you have multiple problems, sometimes you can use them to fix each other? Yes, I remember you saying that.”

“Ylli sent a letter to Gibroz, right?”

“Yes.”

“What was in that letter?”

“I don’t know exactly.”

“Ylli at least told Gibroz that he was not at fault, that he was not cheating Gibroz, right?”

“Yes, in part.”

“How did he prove that?”

“I don’t know that he did.”

“Oh, I’m sure that if Ylli wanted to forestall a war he would have put some sort of confirmation into the letter to convince Gibroz that he was telling the truth. Whether it was some valuable tidbit of information to pay for the difference, a promise to repay the difference, or something else, there’s no way he would have sent the letter without something to make Gibroz think he’s telling the truth.”

“I suppose.”

“You investigated Ognyan with Gabrijela, and she used her talents to prove he was giving Gibroz his full cut.”

“Yes.”

“I believe you told me that at least one of the groups who attacked you was led by Dragan, one of Gibroz’s minor thugs?”

I nodded.

“Excellent. In that case, I think you have a solution that will make Sebastijan’s job easier
and
get Gibroz off of your back.”

“What is this miracle idea?”

“You go to Gibroz and quit.”

“What do you mean, quit?”

“At this point you have three points suggesting that the problem lies entirely within Gibroz’s kral.”

“I suppose I do, yes.”

“Go tell him that, and then ask him how much he wants you rummaging in his organization.”

“Oh. You think he’ll tell me to ‘leave it the fuck alone’ or some such.”

“That’s exactly what I think he’ll do.”

“You’re probably right. If he has me do the work, then he’ll look weak, and he can’t have that.”

“Exactly.”

“That will help tremendously, it means that I’m no longer in so much danger. We may not need your squad at all.”

The Achridans laughed at me.

“Actually, Sevener, I think that will put you in even more danger.” Piri shook her head at my innocence.

“Why? Gibroz won’t be angry with me.”

“No, but whoever is behind this will smell something fishy. I’m sure they’ll know you’re still a threat to them. Keeping track of Gibroz is smart, but none of us thinks he’s the one attacking Ylli and controlling Andreas. That person is still out there, and when he or she sees that you’ve stopped helping Gibroz but stayed in the city, they’ll know you’ve changed tactics.”

“What if I leave?”

“Where will you go? The information still has to go somewhere, and someone has to go through it. Where else is better?”

I slumped.

Piri put her hand on mine. “I know, Sevener. I know you hate sending people out to get hurt, but you have to. Whoever is behind this won’t let it go. You have to win or people will die.”

I nodded sadly. “Sebastijan, your people will be the ones most at risk.”

“I know. We’re going to be targets. Not the first time, and we have ways to lessen the danger.”

I did not know what to say. We shared more ale in silence.

“What now?” I asked.

“I need to return to the barracks, and Sebastijan needs to return to his men.”

“I don’t want you to travel alone.”

“We’re not. Sebastijan Gropa, may the Pathfinders escort you at least partway on your journey?”

“Why, yes, Piriska Mrnjavcevic, I do believe I shall deign to protect you with my godlike presence.”

We laughed.

“Don’t worry, Edward, I’ll send Arkady’s squad back when I’m safe at the barracks. They won’t attack the Faerie tonight, because they’ll surely think you’ll provide them with better opportunities later.”

“Agreed. And tomorrow, I’ll go visit Gibroz.”

“Yes, and we’ll join you.”

“You’ll join me, Sebastijan?”

“Well, we’ll make sure you get to Gibroz’s and back safely.”

“Won’t Gibroz suspect something if you’re with me?”

“No, I have a reason to visit him anyway.”

“What?”

“I’ll want money for Radovan.”

“Why would he give you money for Radovan?”

“Because he saved Gabrijela’s life, right?”

“Yes, but that brings up a different point.”

“What?”

“Won’t Gabrijela tell him we’re lying?”

“Then don’t lie to him.”

“But I’m going to continue to track this down.”

“Don’t talk about that. Focus on what is true. First, it looks like all of this is completely inside his kral. That will probably make him want you to leave anyway. Second, if that doesn’t work, simply say you’re uncomfortable meddling with his organization. You do know what happens if you break his organization without solving the problem, right?”

“I go for a long, deep swim in the lake.”

“Exactly. How does that make you feel?”

“Uncomfortable.”

“Then tell him the truth. He won’t quite know how to deal with it.”

Piri laughed. “The Enchelei has the right of it. Magic has its limitations. Gabrijela will know you’re mad, uncomfortable, and worried. She’ll probably be able to sift through those emotions and figure out when you actively lie, but not when you’re skirting the truth. She may have guesses, but she won’t know for certain if you’re lying.”

“What if he asks if I’m going to leave Achrida?”

“Tell him you’re worried about Honker and that you’re going to spend the time protecting him until you know he’s safe.”

“Which you plan to do anyway.”

“And which gives me a reason to stay at the Faerie.”

“Yes. Either way, you just tell the truth.”

“But...”

“You’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”

I chuckled. “That is not my greatest skill.”

“We’ve noticed that.”

I watched them leave as my fate settled on my shoulders.

With a sigh, I looked at Maja and got up myself. “Well, come along.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’re going to have meet Deor at some point. Might as well give Zoe a chance to heal the places where he’ll bite you.” I chuckled. “And me, for that matter.”

Sebastijan, Veselko, Anzhelko, and Spiridon joined us for lunch before leaving for Gibroz’s gambling den. We traveled in three pairs. Sebastijan and I led the way, with Veselko and Maja walking ahead of us and Anzhelko and Spiridon behind us. While we wanted to discover anyone following us, our main goal was simply to survive, so the groups stayed fairly close to one another.

Whether it was the time of day or our tactics, Sebastijan and I made it to Gibroz’s den safely. The ravaged man merely nodded at my arrival and led us up to Gibroz’s office.

I got the response I expected.

“About fuckin’ time.”

I chuckled. “It’s good to see you, too, Gibroz.”

I smiled pleasantly at Gabrijela and was rewarded with a demure smile in return.

Andreyev, Markov, and the other two lounged, clearly waiting for the opportunity to throw both of us in the lake.

“Why the fuck is this damned Gropa here?”

I looked at Sebastijan, who answered Gibroz directly.

“Because you fuckin’ owe me and mine.”

“The fuck I do.”

“My man is lying nigh unto dead right now because he fuckin’ saved Gabrijela’s ass. You damn well owe him. I’m here to fuckin’ collect.”

Gibroz leaned back and looked at Gabrijela. “This fucker telling the truth?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Radovan helped us twice, actually, both at the house and in front of Isidora’s.”

Gibroz drummed his fingers on his desk for a long moment. “I ain’t one for fuckin’ giving shit away, but I fuckin’ pay my debts. What the fuck do you want for him?”

Sebastijan and I relaxed ever so slightly at that. “I want him healed. That costs money. I’ll need something like a hundred silver dinars.”

“No fuckin’ way will I pay that much, but…” He thought for a moment. “Here’s what I will fuckin’ do. Markov, get me fifty dinars.”

“Fifty?”

“Yeah, Markov, you fuckin’ heard me.”

“He’s not fuckin’ worth that much.”

Gibroz turned his angry eyes toward Markov.

“I pay my fuckin’ debts. Shut up and get it.”

Markov stomped out, cursing under his breath. Gibroz shook his head and looked back at Sebastijan. “I know Helpers are fuckin’ more expensive than that, but I’m also going to call in a favor. I’ve got one that fuckin’ owes me. I’ll send him over to help.”

Sebastijan thought about it for a second. “That’s fair.”

Markov returned with a small clinking bag and gave it to Sebastijan with an ugly scowl. He sat down, still muttering under his breath.

Gibroz turned to me. “So I’m fuckin’ done with him. Now are you fuckin’ here to get Gabrijela and visit Sava?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m here to ask you a question.”

“Ask fuckin’ away.” He waved magnanimously.

“You’ve corresponded with Ylli, and he must have given you assurances he’s not cheating you, right?”

“Yeah, so fuckin’ what?”

“And Gabrijela surely told you we met with Ognyan, Ylli’s factor.”

“Yeah, she fuckin’ did. Again, so fuckin’ what?”

“She told you that she confirmed he wasn’t lying when he told you that he hadn’t cheated either you or Ylli.”

“Yeah, but get to the fuckin’ point. I’m getting all fuckin’ sort of tired of you.”

“I’ve been fuckin’ tired of him since we was kickin’ him in the head,” grunted Markov.

“Shut up,” snapped Gibroz, though he laughed along with everyone else in his crew.

“Did Gabrijela tell you who it was that attacked us the night we met at the amphitheater?”

“No, but I did some askin’ of my fuckin’ own.”

“Dragan, right?”

“Yeah, and his friends are fuckin’ missing him right now.”

“It’ll be a good year for the fishermen,” cackled the woman.

I sighed. “Were you at least smart enough to ask him who sent him to attack us?”

“Of course I fuckin’ was.”

“And?”

“And I’m looking for that person as we fuckin’ speak. What’s your goddamned question?”

“All of this tells me that whatever is happening is going on within your kral. One of your people is betraying you. At least one—maybe more,” I corrected.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Shut up, Andreyev.”

“This koryfoi can’t just walk the fuck in here and say one of us is backstabbing you.”

“I said, shut up!”

“You got reassurances from Ylli himself and his factor. That means if you’re not getting what you should it’s because someone in your kral is fuckin’ with you. And you damn well know that’s true, because why else would Dragan attack Gabrijela and me?”

“So?”

“So if the person fuckin’ with you is in your kral, the only way I’m going to find them is to make all sorts of waves and mess with all your people. Do you really want me to do that? If I were in your place, I’d rather handle the problem myself.”

Gibroz sat back. “That’s a good fuckin’ point.”

“But he and I already have a plan.”

“Shut up, Gabrijela. Tell me the plan later. I’ll probably have you deal with it anyway.” He looked back at me. I did not like him telling Gabrijela to shut up, but now did not seem the time to make that point. “You’ll leave this the fuck alone?”

“As much as I can. I’m going to stay and protect Harald until you figure out who it is.”

Gibroz leaned back, glancing at Gabrijela, who shrugged. “You’ll protect fuckin’ Big Nose while I figure out what the fuck’s going on.”

“Yes.”

“You’re fuckin’ right. I don’t want you involved with my fuckin’ people. And I’m fuckin’ tired of fuckin’ dealing with you anyway.”

“We’re even?”

“Yeah, you fuckin’ got Ylli to talk to me and you fuckin’ made sure I knew about the fuckin’ problem. We’re fuckin’ even for now.”

“Good.”

I looked at Gabrijela. “I’ll miss working with you.”

She smiled. “I may just visit you a time or two.”

Gibroz’s thugs hooted at that, though they subsided when Gabrijela looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

“Shut the fuck up, all a’you,” muttered Gibroz.

“You’ll send Sebastijan your Healer?”

“Yeah, I’ll send him to the Faerie.”

“Then I guess we’re done.”

Gibroz nodded. “Get the fuck out.”

We did.