Gloria Oliver (27 page)

Talia studied the cave entrance with apprehension as they approached it. It was here Kel attempted to kill a man. Only Nertak’s magic saved Kel from completing the crime. She secretly hoped Kel truly did know about the old man’s tricks, just as she was told, and expected him to escape his attacks. If it were true, maybe Kel didn’t really try to murder the old man in his sleep after all.

Mops, brushes, and buckets filled with water lined the entrance of the cave. As each student got there, they were given one of each and told to go inside. Older students were coming out of the cave, carting off what was left of the shelves and goods once housed within. The stench of smoke and wet wood drifted to the line. Nertak stood off to the side watching them, looking incredibly depressed.

“Ugh, yuck!”

Talia took her bucket, mop, and brush and stepped forward in the line, not sure she really wanted to see what’d brought out such an unenthusiastic exclamation from those ahead of her.

The stench grew worse, invading her nostrils as she walked inside. Globes lit the interior of the cave, making it look enormous since it was empty. The walls, the ceiling, everything was covered in dark soot and grime. She was sure she’d not seen a more pitiful sight.

“We’ll never get this cleaned,” Yllin commented with a frown.

Mandee grinned at her. “It did get us out of geography though.”

“I’m not sure this is better,” Yllin mumbled back.

The teachers split the students into groups of three and sent them to different areas of the cave so they could start cleaning. For the first time, Talia got a good look at the room beyond where the counter used to sit. About a third as large as the main chamber, it opened up before her. A tub sat at one end, seemingly undisturbed by the fire. On the side by the entrance was something else not touched by the fire—two giant, concentric circles with strange runes carved into the floor between them, their indentations filled with a silvery looking metal. Talia and her friends were cleaning around it even as she pondered what it might be for. It wasn’t long before the water in their buckets turned as dark as the rest of the burned-out cave.

After a couple of hours of cleaning, the teachers let them go so they could get themselves cleaned up for lunch. Her knees and arms hurt from scrubbing the floor and most everyone else didn’t look any better.

She glanced back as they left and sighed, as she realized they’d barely made a dent in the amount of work still needing to be done.

“That squire should be doing this, not us.” This came from a husky boy in one of the other first-year classes. His clothes were covered in grime, the same as the rest of them. “It’s his fault all this got burned.”

Though his tone was angry, he kept his voice low so none of the teachers would hear as they entered the school building.

“Yeah, it should be his punishment, not ours,” piped in one of the other boys. “We had nothing to do with it.” A number of the others nodded in quiet agreement. “They should have chained him in there.”

Talia made herself climb the stairs faster despite her knees’ protests. Now even more people would be angry with Kel. It didn’t seem to matter to them that there was no way he could have cleaned the mess on his own. Though surely the Administrator could have used magic to clean it? She didn’t know much about the subject, but if it could keep water clean and warm, put light into dark rooms, and make a man disappear from where he’s standing, surely it could be used to clean? Why make them all go through the trouble?

Nothing ever went around here as expected. You’d think she would be used to it by now.

Reaching her room, Talia quickly bathed and redressed, but not before she put some salve on her aching knees. When she finally reached the dining hall, she found all her friends in a glum mood. Without much enthusiasm, she heard them grumble about the work they’d been tasked with even as she hurried through her meal so she could go on to complete her extra set of chores.

She barely paused in her efforts to deliver Clarence and Kel’s food to say a word to either of them, but even doing so, she was still late for class.

Helyn took pity on them and didn’t start any truly difficult subjects in the afternoon. Talia was grateful and so were the rest.

At dinner, she didn’t rush through her meal, but still left before everyone else was dismissed. She fought with the dolly as she pulled it along for Clarence’s feeding. The dragon was awake when she came in, one of his eyes staring right at her. She nodded a greeting to him when she saw him and set the barrel down. She promptly left to go get the next one. She returned with it not long after.

I take it the Thieves’ Guild’s Master is having his cave cleaned? There seems to be a heavy scent
of soot in the air today
. Clarence arched a brow in her direction as he picked up the second barrel and grimaced as he swallowed its contents.

“Thieves’ Guild’s Master?” Talia stared at the dragon in confusion. Did he mean old man?

Yes. I believe the name he is currently going by is Nertak. It’s the man Kel tried to punish
, Clarence stated.

“Y—yes,” she stuttered trying madly to fit all the pieces together. “We had a shift to clean the cave this morning. But you say the old man is a thief?”

Clarence finished his meal and lay down with a long stretch.
That is correct. And he’s very good at it.

Though aside from thievery, his skills range into spying, analysis, all the usual requirements for a
master
. The dragon used one of his claws to pick at something stuck in his long teeth.
He gathers quite
a large amount of information, at times too much. That and his unusual hobbies got him sent out
here rather than the capital. Though from the way he does business, you’d never know the
difference. He is as much in control of his sources here as anywhere
.

Talia shook her head not sure if she should believe what she was hearing.

The little trick which almost got him killed and the extra entertainment he tries to gain for
himself with his discounts are some of the many ways he tests students to find likely candidates for
his guild
. Clarence sounded almost bored, as if he were speaking of something elementary.
I’m sure
you’ve already been told not everyone will become a Dragon Knight. Sometimes, the younger they
can be trained for other things, the better. All guilds have their uses
.

She nodded, only half listening to the rest of his words. Nertak really was a guild master, as LaSeren had said. And he was the head of a thieves’ guild on top of it. Did others know? Somehow she doubted it. Then another thought occurred to her. “Clarence, is it okay for you to be telling me all this?”

The dragon shrugged his massive shoulders.
I’m telling you nothing which is not already there to be
learned
.

She said nothing, not entirely sure what to make of his answer. She forced the dolly under the first barrel and took it away. Clarence was quiet when she came to retrieve the second.

After she put the barrels and dolly away, she reentered the kitchen to retrieve Kel’s meal, her conversation with Clarence still very prominent in her mind. Once she reached the roof, she knocked on the door with her foot, but wasn’t surprised this time when Kel almost immediately opened the door.

“Hi,” he said brightly. “Come on in.”

As she followed him into the room, she wondered if he ever took any of Nertak’s tests and how he’d fared. She felt her cheeks grow warm as she abruptly realized if he had succeeded in them, then Nertak probably would have ended up with a total inventory of someone’s underwear and more. She was sure if the female population of the school ever found out what the old man was up to, what Kel tried to do to him would be merciful compared to what they would do.

Without looking at him, she stepped up to the table and set his tray down and then picked up the one she brought earlier.

“Talia?”

She stopped in mid turn, hearing a strange note of uncertainty in Kel’s voice.

“Could I ask a couple of favors of you?” He didn’t look at her directly.

“I—I guess so,” she responded. She felt her curiosity rise at what he might need her for.

“Wait here a moment, please?” He didn’t wait for her to answer but shuffled off down a small passage she didn’t noticed before.

As she waited for him, she turned to watch the moving mechanism behind the glass at the far wall. The ticking sounds, which seemed muted and barely noticeable when she’d come before, were more distinct and clear this time and resonated in the silence. How could Kel stand them, day after day, hour after hour? Did the Administrator consider this before meting out his punishment? It would drive Talia mad if she had to put up with it.

She quickly shoved those thoughts aside as Kel reentered the room. She noticed he brought back a small pouch with him. She was sure it held gems inside it. She felt a chill course down her back remembering another favor which was recently asked of her with the same type of reward.

“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Kel looked away as he spoke, hesitating. “But, I’d really appreciate it if you would oil Clarence’s skin beneath the scales for me once a week. I’ll pay you whatever you want for the trouble.” He sent a furtive glance in her direction. “His skin gets very dry and it itches him badly, but I know he’s too proud to ask anyone else to do it for him since it’s my job.” His words picked up speed as if it was hard for him to say. “I’d hate to add neglect to all the other things I’ve put him through lately. And I think he trusts you, so he’d allow it.” Kel held the pouch out to her expectantly. “It would mean a lot to me.” His blue eyes sought her own.

Why did people think they continuously needed to pay her to get her to do things? Didn’t anyone believe in just asking around here? She tried not to let her thoughts show on her face. “I’ll do it.” She made no move to reach for the bag. “Where do I get the oil?”

Kel’s face broke into a bright, relieved smile which made him look younger than his years. He took a step toward her, his chains’ rattle echoing in the room. “Everything you’ll need is already in his stall. He’ll show you where. It’ll take a few hours, but you don’t have to do it all at once.” He looked away. “I really do appreciate this.” He set the pouch on the tray she was carrying.

“It really isn’t necessary,” Talia said.

“I have plenty,” he insisted, “and I know I’m putting you out. You’re being kinder to me than I probably deserve.” His expression was earnest.

She looked away. All this time, she’d felt more as if she owed him, not the other way around. And how could he afford it? Didn’t Lareen already charge him a ridiculous amount of gems for the damage he’d caused? “All right, if it’s what you want. I’ll help Clarence tomorrow.” She turned to go.

He didn’t stop her. “Thank you.”

She hesitated before reaching the door. “What was the other favor?” she asked.

“Ah,” Kel hesitated again, “would you mind delivering this for me as well?”

Talia turned around and saw him pull a letter from a shelf.

“If it’s too awkward, I’ll understand.” He held out the letter to her and she saw Nertak’s name scrawled on the outside of it.

She couldn’t help but be curious as to what it said. “No, I’ll do it.”

He set it on the tray beside the bag. “Thanks. I don’t expect a reply.”

She nodded in acknowledgment and then left. She stopped on the roof long enough to tuck the pouch and letter into her tunic and then went on down the stairs.

In the kitchen, she wondered where she might find the old man. Since the cave was being cleaned, she was sure he was no longer staying there. Not positive how she might find out, she decided to ask one of the kitchen staff.

“The old goat? He’s up in the silver room. Living it up, too, I guess.” The woman smiled. “I think the Administrator wanted him close by, so she could make sure he didn’t get himself into any more trouble.”

“Thanks.”

Making her way somewhat hesitantly to the fourth floor, Talia headed toward the silver-covered door there. She glanced around to make sure no one was looking, then rapped lightly on the door.

A minute later, Nertak opened it. “Well, well, isn’t this a surprise.” He gave her one of his disrobing looks. “Didn’t expect to have any visitors, and definitely not you.”

She sighed softly, reminding herself all she was going to do was deliver the letter and go. “Here, I was asked to give you this.” She took the letter out and handed it to him.

Nertak’s brow rose as he took the letter in hand. “Hmm, interesting. Did you read it?”

”
What
?” She felt her indignation rise. “No, of course not!”

“Pity.” He gazed at her seriously. “You should never pass up an opportunity to get information if you can help it. You don’t know when it might come in handy.”

She could only stare, realizing he was serious.

“Come on in.”

“But…”

“What, afraid I’ll bite?” He laughed at her expression. “You think I’d be fool enough to dare incur the wrath of that young man again?” He was still chuckling softly to himself as Talia hurried on in and he closed the door.

As with the Administrator’s apartment, the door led into a hallway with a number of rooms. Nertak opened the letter and walked into what should be the office, leaving her to follow.

“This is interesting,” Nertak said as he read quickly through the one page letter. “Could have sworn he didn’t have it in him.”

“Didn’t have what?” She asked this, half distracted, the office’s contents surprising her. Rather than looking bare and holding someone temporarily, the room appeared to have been in use for sometime.

Papers, parchments, books, all covered several tall bookshelves. File cabinets filled to overflowing covered all of one wall.

“Why the mettle to admit he’s wrong, that’s what.” He gave her a half grin. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but our friend here is just a bit on the hardheaded side. Heck, you’d have to be to put up with what he does, just to keep trying to prove he’s right. Not that Clarence is any less stubborn, mind you.”