Chapter Thirty
By the next afternoon, we had a good start on the investigation. Not only had Navin and Sudar found Bara's paltry defenses, but the rest of my crew had also gathered more information on Lord Bara.
Sitting on the bed beside Vas with most of my crew gathered in the room before us—some at the table, some leaning against the walls, and others standing—I mentally sorted through the reports I'd heard so far.
I had a general picture of Bara forming.
A lord of the King's court, a successful owner of spell supply shops, and a scholar who specialized in skeletal anatomy.
What surprised me was his status in the city.
Bara had gone from outcast to a wealthy, respectable nobleman and even found a way to make his interest in bones seem normal.
Bones were common spell components, and he owned spell supply shops.
No one knew that he had been banished from his clan for suspicious experiments on corpses.
A kingdom away meant a new start for him.
I shouldn't have been surprised. I had intended the same for myself.
A knock came at the door. Yesmic opened it, and Drellan walked in with a grin splitting his tiger-like face.
I sat up straighter. “What have you found?”
“I got you an invitation to dinner!” Drellan flicked a small card into my lap.
I picked it up. It had Bara's name and address on it. “Tonight?”
“Yup.” Drellan crossed his thick, furry arms. “I just so happened to run into Lord Bara Vanculf while having lunch at a Hulfrin restaurant today. He overheard me asking the waiter if he knew of any nice residential properties for rent.”
“Properties?” I asked.
“Well, my employers are visiting from Rushao, so they don't want to purchase a place, but they do need somewhere more suitable to their status. Especially since one of my employers is a Dragon.” Drellan winked at Vas.
“We're trying to hide my presence here!” Vasren snarled.
“No, hold on.” I put a hand on Vasren's thigh. “We just have to hide you from the King. But your status as a Dragon might help us with Bara. He doesn't know you're banished.”
“Exactly what I thought, boss.” Drellan pointed at me. “And it worked. I had him hooked as soon as I said, 'Dragon.'”
I tapped my leg with the card as I thought it through. “So, you told him we're looking for somewhere to rent while visiting. What else did you say?”
“I said you two were newly mated, and that you were human. That fascinated him. He asked me to join him for lunch.” Drellan grinned broadly enough to show his blunt canines. “I said this visit was part of your mating gift from Vasren.”
“You didn't give him our real names, did you?” Vasren asked.
Drellan looked at Vas as if he were an amateur. Which he was.
“What names did you give him?” I asked.
“Lord Varra and his human mate Kailan.”
“Varra?” Vasren grimaced. “It sounds too much like his name. Varra and Bara?”
“That's the point, Vas.” I handed him the card. “A similar name makes people feel a kinship even though they have nothing in common with you.”
Drellan winked at Vas. “Oh, yeah, he's eager to meet you. You too, boss. I told him you asked to come here because of the Lamatoka burial grounds.”
“The human tribe?” I frowned. “They don't bury their dead. Calling it burial grounds is incorrect. They dress the bodies and leave them on platforms for the elements and wildlife to consume. It has to do with their belief in nature spirits.”
Drellan burst into laughter. “That's what Bara said. You see? It's perfect. I told him I don't know about that stuff, but you do. I said you're interested in human migrations and tracing races from one kingdom to another.”
“I haven't given you enough credit, Drellan.” I stood up and clapped him on the shoulder. “You're a quick thinker and have a good mind for tactics. Well done.”
“Thanks, boss.” Drellan grinned broadly again. “So, uh, I said I'm your bodyguard. That means I get to go tonight, right?”
“Yes, of course. You and Behez will accompany us. Navin, Sudar, and Cesha will also go, but unseen. I want the rest of you roaming the city tonight with your ears open. I want all the gossip you can find on Bara.” I looked at Vas. “Now comes the fun part.”