Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart (32 page)

"Well, he hasn't made arrangements with me, son," Colby replied, "though the horses the diplomats from the Isles rode here from Bright Bay are in our stables, but then, if Baron Waln is involved in skulduggery he might not want to work through us—you being connected to the Crown and all. Yet he's not local and the Horse Fair won't be until the spring."

That was a long speech for Colby Carter and he fell silent as they continued on through a more crowded portion of the streets. When they had passed through the wall and were in more open country again, Colby said:

"Your man'll want to hire and, even if the lady you mentioned is involved, he won't want any trace of her involvement. That rules out using her family's mounts."

Derian offered his own partly formed plan. "I'd thought to check the other livery stables, but I hadn't worked out how to ask without making clear what I was doing."

Colby brightened. "Tell them you're asking because the same gent came asking us and we think he's trying to undercut local business and tie up resources. He's a foreigner and we can use that to our advantages. Don't be too coy—be indignant."

Grinning, Derian slapped his father on the shoulder.

"That's the very thing!"

He went to it that very day, using the excuse of going around to the various stables to collect Prancing Steed Stables' portion of the stabling fees so that his visit would seem even less obvious.

Luck wasn't with him on his first few stops. Happily, neither was the resentment he had thought he might meet in his role as fee collector. The flush of business at what should have been the beginning of the slow season—combined with the fact that gentle-born patrons stood for a higher tariff than did the merchants who usually would have provided the bulk of trade—made for good humor all around.

This continued as Derian passed on to the smaller stables and carting establishments. For these he could not use the excuse of collecting the Prancing Steed's share, but he'd worked out a ruse involving asking after their available space and resources—implying but never promising that the Carters might be bringing business their way.

And I'm not precisely lying
, Derian comforted himself,
for if the plans Mother and Father have for expanding our business into Bright Bay come through, we will indeed need extra hands
.

He ended each spiel with a variation on the same theme.

"We've heard—and in fact my mother intends to bring the matter before the guild next meeting—that some of our foreign guests don't understand fair trade. There's one fellow—and I won't name names, just say that he's a big man from across the water—who's been going around promising his business to several stables. The word is that he's getting the best price he can by offering a solid commitment, but…"

And here Derian let his voice drop. "The thing I've heard is that he's offered that commitment to more than one stable!"

Eventually, Derian got the information he needed and as he pieced together the picture his respect for Baron Waln rose a notch.

Waln had indeed made contracts with several stables, but never for more than two animals. In this way he had acquired three good horses—these trained for either riding or hauling, a brace of pack mules, and a light wagon that converted with comparative ease to sleigh runners.

Along with the last Waln had contracted for a driver, the promise being that the man would be paid for a round trip in advance and if he proved satisfactory he'd be given the wagon in the bargain.

Smart
, Derian thought admiringly,
for he's buying the man's loyalty as well as his services and since Baron Endbrook doubtless plans to return to the Isles, he won't care to ship the sleigh home
.

To each of these businesses—whether the owners expressed indignation or the sly satisfaction of those who felt they had a good deal done and to perdition with anyone else—Derian suggested that they keep their part of the bargain and let the unnamed foreigner break the deal. Then the guild could step in and take punitive action.

The various guilds spread their influence throughout both Hawk Haven and Bright Bay. Since the Isles had been until recently a part of Bright Bay, they also fell under standard guild rules and regulations. At times of all but full-fledged war, the guilds had actually served as a form of international government, maintaining standards between the two nations.

No one expected them to do otherwise now that the labeling on the map had changed. A carter, therefore, could expect that a broken contract would be avenged.

Derian finished his rounds with a firm sense of pleasure at a job well done.

The information he had gathered confirmed Elise's guess that Baron Endbrook—and quite possibly Lady Melina—planned a journey somewhere other than back home to the Isles. The question remained—where?

Derian studied a mental map of the region, working out possibilities.

At this time of year, the southern reaches of Hawk Haven—in which Port Haven itself lay—might or might not see snow. A wagon capable of sleigh conversion would be overkill—especially since the post road between the capital and the port boasted several establishments where a wagon could be traded for a sleigh if the weather turned ugly.

In any case, Derian had already learned from his father that the diplomatic contingent from the Isles had arranged to hire riding horses and a baggage wagon all the way to Port Haven. Therefore, Waln wasn't making those arrangements—not that Derian had really thought he was.

In the northern sections of Hawk Haven, however, as the post-riders already reported, snowfall was becoming regular. A sleigh-convertible wagon would be a good idea, since it would be difficult to say in what condition the roads might be.

Derian reported his findings to Elise and Dog during a quiet moment at the Kestrel ball, the only one of the numerous post-wedding festivities to which he had been invited. The trio had retired to a private room that Doc, as a resident guest of the household, secured for them.

As Derian talked, he noticed that Elise seemed tense and unnaturally stiff, especially when she greeted Doc. Inwardly he sighed, sensing yet another development in that undeclared romantic drama.

Derian finished his report by saying, "I plan to find that wagon driver if I can. His name is Orin Driver, called Fox since his father has the same name but belongs to the Hummingbird Society. Fox is a bit of a scoundrel—as might be expected of someone who'd take a job which anyone could guess must be a bit shady. Still, I may be able to get him a touch drunk and learn the route they're taking."

Doc nodded his approval.

"Good. Now, I think you're right in guessing that Waln is planning on taking a trip north. If we rule out a meeting with someone in Hawk Haven, he's going either into New Kelvin or Waterland. Waterland is a possibility, but not my favorite."

"Why rule out Hawk Haven?" Derian asked.

"Because he could meet almost anyone in Hawk Haven more easily and with less fuss here in Eagle's Nest. The royal wedding itself is excuse enough for a journey here."

"I'll buy that," Derian said, "so you prefer New Kelvin."

"I do, but let's rule out Waterland first." Doc gestured as if he was writing. "Rather like diagnosis of an illness, don't you see? We rule out the less likely and then we have a better idea what
is
likely. Then we can find a way to treat the illness."

The knight glanced at Elise and the young woman managed a tepid smile.

"Right," Doc continued. "Now, Waterland certainly seems a possibility. One, the assassins who attacked at the first wedding were from Waterland. Two, Waterland has been—until recent events—an enemy of Bright Bay and an ally of Hawk Haven. It is still unclear what new alliances they might find profitable. It could be that Baron Endbrook is going there to plead his country's case."

Elise stopped looking wan and tense long enough to protest, "But the Isles have long sheltered pirates and privateers! Waterland wouldn't make an alliance with them!"

Doc grinned. "They would if those same pirates and privateers could be turned against Bright Bay's shipping rather than Waterland's. Remember, Waterland traditionally chooses the course that leads to the greatest financial profit."

"That is true," she admitted, relaxing now that they were discussing international relations—one of her favorite subjects.

Doc continued his diagnosis.

"Both of these reasons can explain why Waln might go to Waterland, but we are left with several reasons to discount them. One, as an Islander, he would probably choose to go by sea."

"Even at this time of year?" Derian asked, with a landsman's distrust of ocean tempers.

"I think so, but," Doc said, showing a trace uncertainty, "I could be wrong. My second reason is stronger. What advantage would he gain in taking Lady Melina to Waterland?"

"None that I can see," Elise said, "but there
would
be a possible advantage in 'taking her to New Kelvin. She is known to have great interest in things sorcerous and they nearly worship the old ways."

"Just my thought, Lady," Doc said enthusiastically. "Moreover, the waistcoat Baron Endbrook wore to the wedding was made of intricately figured New Kelvinese silk—a kind they do not usually export but that is sold in markets in Dragon's Breath. I have seen the like on traders coming from New Kelvin to wine-fests."

"That's a slim thing on which to base a judgment," Derian protested.

"True," Doc said, "but I do find it interesting that—as far as I can tell—Baron Endbrook is pretending relative ignorance of New Kelvin."

"That
is
interesting," Elise mused, "and combined with his interest in Lady Melina…"

"It may just mark his destination," Derian interrupted, forgetting protocol in his eagerness. "It fits nicely in with the convertible wagon I mentioned earlier. New Kelvin is north and west of here. The likelihood of snow will be greater."

"Crossing the White Water River from Hawk Haven is one way into New Kelvin," Doc added. "It still isn't precisely simple, but there are recognized crossings."

"I hadn't realized," Derian said uneasily, "that we were so vulnerable on that border."

"Oh, we're not," Elise said distractedly, speaking like one whose thoughts are mostly elsewhere. "The White Water has cut deep canyons and the ice is broken by rocks that make for treacherous spots that freeze and thaw unpredictably. Still, as Sir Jared says, there are ferry points and much of our trade with New Kelvin crosses during the winter months."

"Thank you, m'lady," Derian said.

He tried to sound flippant—afraid her serious mood would return—but genuine respect crept into his voice. After all,

Elise's own lands were all the way across Hawk Haven from the White Water. Who would ever have guessed she'd know so much about distant lands?

Elise smiled and seemed to come back to the present moment.

"I enjoy such things, Derian. Now, I rather agree with Sir Jared that New Kelvin seems more likely than Waterland—especially if Lady Melina is involved. I seem to recall my mother saying that she—Lady Melina—went there when she was about my age and talked about the journey for a long time after."

"A return trip in itself, then," Derian said excitedly, "might be reason enough for her to link up with the baron."

"True," Elise said slowly. "Lady Melina and Lord Rolfston's family has never had as much money as the gems and fancy horses might seem to indicate. I heard rumor that the estate Jet is taking over carries a good deal of debt.

"But," Elise continued after a moment, "a pleasure trip would not be reason for the baron being so secretive—unless he fears his wife learning and social scandal. I'm afraid I will continue to think the worst of Lady Melina."

Doc nodded gravely. "A wise thing to do. However, the fact that we can all think of reasons why Lady Melina might legitimately travel with Baron Endbrook, and the fact that neither New Kelvin nor the Isles are our declared enemies…"

"Remember, the New Kelvinese got plenty pissy when we went to Bright Bay's aid against Stonehold," Derian reminded him.

"But they never declared war nor sent aid to our enemies," .Doc said.

"At least," he added, "that I know."

He glanced at Elise as he said this and the young woman shook her head.

"No, not that I have heard either. Am I correct in thinking that you feel, Sir Jared, that the evidence we have to support our suspicions is, as of yet, fairly flimsy?"

She didn't sound affronted—as she would have had the right to do, given that she was the one who had started suspecting Baron Endbrook—merely interested.

"Not at all, Lady Elise," Doc replied levelly, "simply that we have knowledge of Lady Melina's character that most do not and since we are sworn not to share that knowledge we are in something of a bind."

"I agree with you," Elise said. "That's why I spoke with the two of you rather than my parents. My mother may not particularly like Lady Melina, but she thinks of her as a charlatan. As far as I know, my father doesn't consider Lady Melina much at all—except as sister to a traitor and another failed competitor for the throne."

. "Faint praise," Derian said, needling her deliberately, "for your confidants, eh?"

Elise colored and seemed for a moment the same lovely and uncomplicated girl he had mooned over for a time the previous summer. Then a certain gravity settled on her features once more.

"I trust you," she said firmly, "both of you, like the brothers I never had. Is that praise enough?"

Derian grinned. "Better."

"We can't stay closeted here much longer without causing comment," Elise said. "What do we do to get more evidence?"

"I'll do what I can to make acquaintances among the New Kelvinese diplomats," Doc offered. "It isn't easy. I know because I've already tried—I'm honestly interested in their herb lore. Still, since some of their trade is medically related, I have an excuse to keep pressing. I won't ask anything direct about this matter, but I hope to learn a thing or two that will make it easier for us if—Eagle spread her wings against it—we need to cross the border after Baron Endbrook."