They marched up to the second floor, avoiding people slowly climbing down the dimly lit, cracked stone stairs with laden bags and straining arms. Why had Requet chosen a pay day to instigate his little temper tantrum? It guaranteed numerous witnesses to his humiliation, eaters and shoppers alike.
The second floor had the same black brick walls as the first but contained decorative screens that divided one shop from the next. The markets sold cheaper foodstuffs from across Theyndora, targeting immigrants who did not have the funds to buy native fare at the Blossom markets. Despite the late hour, they brimmed with patrons stuffing items into wide reed baskets, and no one looked concerned about the happenings below.
She wistfully looked into the stores because the delectable scents issuing from so many places filled her with an odd pleasure. She especially liked the sugary atmosphere when passing the aisles of sweets from the southern parts of the continent, since so many originated from berries.
Shara entered one of the markets, and the busy sellers waved but did not engage. She led them through a swinging doorway and to a back room that fit them all, however tightly, around a square table. No windows, one door, and claustrophobia tickled in Lapis’s head.
Patch hugged her, likely to offset her growing unease, and pulled a chair for her. They settled, and Rin’s excitement about being included in the conversation amused everyone but her. She hated meetings, and she hated bringing him to this one; dealing with the Minq had severe consequences for the unwary. He might see stars because he just spoke with an underboss, but she would use anything he said against him if it proved beneficial to her.
“Apparently Requet has Vivina.” Annoyance tinged Patch’s voice as he lounged back, settling his knee against the edge of the tabletop. “Took her from the palace guard and whisked her to the skyshroud. Armarandos sent word to Caitria through Adrastos about it, and the runner got there just as we were leaving. Requet told him he expected the city guard’s help in drawing out Krios for a meeting, and that he had bait. I’m pretty certain he doesn’t realize Adrastos’s contacts in the rebel and underground circles in Jiy, or he never would have made such an asinine demand to his son.”
“Vivina was bait?” Lapis asked in disbelief.
He raised one shoulder in a lazy shrug. “I think they mistook her for someone else. She’s never met Krios.”
“Who is Vivina?” Shara asked politely.
“The Jiy rebel Headman’s daughter,” Neassa supplied. “Well, ex-headman.”
“It seems reasonable to assume she had contact with him through her father.” Shara tapped her long red nail against her chin. “But that doesn’t explain why he’s looking for Krios in the first place.”
“It’s odd,” Neassa admitted. “Krios knows Requet. They have a not-nice past, mainly because he’s a typical spoiled rich man’s son who thinks he’s more intelligent and charming than he is. His father spends an inordinate amount of time covering for his mistakes.”
“Sounds fun,” Patch muttered.
Lapis cleared her throat, wishing she had a drink. Some tea would be nice. “He was asking me about my not-partner Aethon, then asked if I knew Danaea’s partners.”
He winced. “Did he say why?”
“No. Then he asked me if I associated with Varr—and it was obvious where that lead.”
“It is, if you know who Krios is,” Shara murmured. “I wonder why he selected you, of all Jiy chasers, to interrogate. There are others who sell information, and he could have purchased what he wished from them, without the spectacle.”
“Requet doesn’t understand how chasing works, or much about the underground.” Neassa leaned closer to her cousin. “When we first met, he didn’t realize I was Jo Ban’s granddaughter and made a point of snubbing me as hired trash. After he found out, he wondered why I didn’t squander my family’s money once given the chance, as he did.”
“We have enough cousins to do it for us,” Shara grumbled. “So how did he come into possession of a skyshroud?”
“We have at least one source of intel that says it’s decommissioned,” Patch said. “I’m betting he waylaid it because he has a Second Council daddy whose name he used to scare military personnel into handing him the keys.”
“His father’s a Tribute, and made quite the name for himself in Trave’s military circles before moving on to the Second Council,” Neassa said. “His popularity with the army paved his assent into the second counselor position, which makes it easy for Requet to threaten others using the connection.”
“So he set himself up as a fake leadcommander, hired a few mercenaries to man the skyshroud, and came to Jiy. To meet with Krios?” Patch ruffled his bangs. “Why?”
“It wasn’t to meet Krios,” Neassa said. “He had no reason to believe we were even here. Something else attracted him, and then he heard rumors, probably from someone associated with Perben. His group resents the rebellion right now, and sharing info with the palace, which would be shared with the ‘shroud, will fill their need for revenge.”
“I think you’re right, that something else is going on,” Lais said. “They seem particularly interested in finding Hoyt and Danaea’s partners.” She tapped her fingers on the tabletop. She was about to provide Rin with more information than necessary on the lad, and she wondered if he might change his mind concerning him. “One of them they asked after, Jerin. He’s her son, not her partner. He looks twelve or so, and I’m not about to hand him over to those thugs.”
“A son?” Shara’s surprise reflected her initial shock. “I never would have pictured Danaea with a child.”
“She hid him at Willington’s.”
Shara pressed her lips together in thought. “She owed a great deal of money to Mibi. Perhaps she needed it for payments? Willington’s isn’t cheap, and she would have had to keep him there to protect him from the people she upset. They’d only be too happy to steal him away to get at her.”
“That might explain why she took this ‘shroud stake she mentions in her papers,” Patch said. “Requet has money and needed something underhanded done. Her death might have frightened him because he didn’t realize that stake had nothing to do with him. So he overreacted and sent his mercenaries out and about, looking for Hoyt and anyone associated with Danaea. I wonder if he thinks Hoyt killed her.”
“You think the Black Hats are mercenaries?” Shara asked, amused.
“Am I wrong?”
“No.” Neassa bubbly laughter seemed out-of-place. “They’ll take exception, though.”
“It’s true, they don’t have the clout they wished,” her cousin murmured. “Their star fell and they’re desperately trying to pick up the pieces. I noticed Kayleb with them. He’s the son of Thistle, the woman who started their syndicate. She died from an unexpected health issue, and they’ve floundered under the leadership of Donin ever since. He must think Requet can help restore their standing and his mother’s name.”
“He’s wrong,” Neassa said.
“We’re going to need to speak with Danaea’s partners.” Brander’s voice coated the room, a calming influence. He rarely voiced opinions in meetings, preferring to quietly study those involved. He learned much from it and understood motivations far better than Lapis did.
“And Hoyt.” Patch linked his fingers over his knee. “All leads go back to him.”
“If you give us names, the Minq can conduct little chats with the chasers,” Shara said.
“There’s a couple more to add, too,” Lapis said. “Predi was helping Hoyt’s people at the Trees Street Guardhouse, and didn’t survive the experience. He had a list of names on him when he died. They might not be Hoyt-related, but we should check, to be certain.”
“Like who?” Shara asked.
“Like Rukiel, Tirem and Krute.”
“Krute?” The underboss did not hide her surprise. “His hate of Hoyt is legendary in underground circles. The man sent Cimis to murder someone close to him, and he’s never forgotten or forgiven. If Predi did work with him, it was either on something not related to Hoyt, or he hid the fact. Well, we can find out.”
“And how much will that cost?” Neassa asked, all business.
“Nothing, cousin. We want the skyshroud gone as badly as you do, and Hoyt’s become a severe burden for the underground. We’ll be partners in this. Midir’s already suggested it, and I doubt Faelan will contradict him.” She took a deep breath. “And Jarosa is most . . . persuasive.”
No one denied Jarosa when she wanted something badly enough.
Shara eyed her, and Lapis realized her humor had peeked through. “I grew up around Jarosa, so I know about persuasive,” she said.
“That’s right. You’re Faelan’s sister.” Her bemused acceptance made her mentally sigh in relief. “It still amazes me how many contacts your father built around Theyndora. Your brother can work wonders with them when he feels like it.”
“We’ll get you that list,” Patch said, rising. “And now, back downstairs.”
“Checking on Krios? Varr is quite capable,” Shara said.
“No, I want some wake juice. The people will be too busy gawking to order anything. Perfect timing on my part.”
Of course it was. “And I have a lot of people to thank,” Lapis said.
