JК
The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 99 из 212Even if Sinestra and Keturah were not the same person, Sinestra's response raised disturbing questions.
Perhaps it was time to consider last resorts.
* * * * *
Within the hour Tzigone had exchanged her smock for a skimpy gown she found drying on a bush behind a brothel, smudged her eyes and lips with some of the face paint she'd borrowed from Sinestra's bag, and made her way to the palace. She waited by the gate Matteo usually took. He was an early riser, so she hadn't long to wait. She all but pounced on him, seizing his arm and dragging him away from the early morning bustle.
Matteo sent her a sidelong glance as they hurried away from the palace gate. "Anyone who sees us will click their tongues and complain that the city's doxies have become far too aggressive! If you've no thought for your own reputation, Tzigone, have you considered mine?"
"You're a jordain," she retorted. "Being seen with a courtesan could only improve matters. Never mind that right now. I need you to find someone for me."
"You found someone willing to speak of Keturah?"
"Well, sort of. I came straight out and asked Basel Indoulur if he knew anything about Keturah. He suggested someone who might be able to help me."
Matteo's eyes widened with alarm. "Did you tell him she was your mother?"
"How stupid do I look?" His eyes dropped briefly to her tawdry gown. "You know what I mean."
"Indeed. Tell me about this person you wish me to find."
"Dhamari Exchelsor. He's a generalist wizard, a potion stirrer. You'll find him in the green marble tower at the corner of Sylph Street and South Market Road."
Matteo regarded her thoughtfully. "No doubt I can manage that, but if you know so much already, what do you need me to do? Why not go yourself?"
"He was Keturah's husband."
"Ah. You want me to meet him under some pretense, take his measure," Matteo mused.
"He's very quick," Tzigone announced to no one in particular. Her tart expression melted, and she turned a look of appeal to Matteo. "This could be my best hope of finding the truth about my mother. Perhaps my only hope. I know you jordaini are sworn to truth," she added in a rush, "and I'm not exactly asking you to lie for me. Just sort of… fish around. You know-trim the bait into bite-sized bits but hide the hook…." Her voice trailed off uncertainly.
Matteo considered her for a long moment. "You took a risk asking about Keturah so openly. Do you trust Basel Indoulur?"
"Sort of."
His smile was faint and devoid of humor. "A common sentiment these days.
Perhaps it was time to consider last resorts.
* * * * *
Within the hour Tzigone had exchanged her smock for a skimpy gown she found drying on a bush behind a brothel, smudged her eyes and lips with some of the face paint she'd borrowed from Sinestra's bag, and made her way to the palace. She waited by the gate Matteo usually took. He was an early riser, so she hadn't long to wait. She all but pounced on him, seizing his arm and dragging him away from the early morning bustle.
Matteo sent her a sidelong glance as they hurried away from the palace gate. "Anyone who sees us will click their tongues and complain that the city's doxies have become far too aggressive! If you've no thought for your own reputation, Tzigone, have you considered mine?"
"You're a jordain," she retorted. "Being seen with a courtesan could only improve matters. Never mind that right now. I need you to find someone for me."
"You found someone willing to speak of Keturah?"
"Well, sort of. I came straight out and asked Basel Indoulur if he knew anything about Keturah. He suggested someone who might be able to help me."
Matteo's eyes widened with alarm. "Did you tell him she was your mother?"
"How stupid do I look?" His eyes dropped briefly to her tawdry gown. "You know what I mean."
"Indeed. Tell me about this person you wish me to find."
"Dhamari Exchelsor. He's a generalist wizard, a potion stirrer. You'll find him in the green marble tower at the corner of Sylph Street and South Market Road."
Matteo regarded her thoughtfully. "No doubt I can manage that, but if you know so much already, what do you need me to do? Why not go yourself?"
"He was Keturah's husband."
"Ah. You want me to meet him under some pretense, take his measure," Matteo mused.
"He's very quick," Tzigone announced to no one in particular. Her tart expression melted, and she turned a look of appeal to Matteo. "This could be my best hope of finding the truth about my mother. Perhaps my only hope. I know you jordaini are sworn to truth," she added in a rush, "and I'm not exactly asking you to lie for me. Just sort of… fish around. You know-trim the bait into bite-sized bits but hide the hook…." Her voice trailed off uncertainly.
Matteo considered her for a long moment. "You took a risk asking about Keturah so openly. Do you trust Basel Indoulur?"
"Sort of."
His smile was faint and devoid of humor. "A common sentiment these days.