Chapter Twenty-Five #3
She considered bargaining harder, just because this was Tavo, but she’d already spent more time here than she’d planned to, and besides, a letter wouldn’t take up really any room in Silver. “Three-quarters,” she agreed.
He handed her payment in a pouch, and she slid it into a pocket near her belt, securing it against any pickpockets.
She accepted the letter and that went into another waterproof pocket—it was addressed to Terlu Perna.
She wondered who the former statue was exchanging letters with and if it was wise, but she didn’t let any sign of recognition show on her face. “Good sailing,” she told Tavo.
“Good sailing.”
She returned to the sailboat and rejoined Ree and Perri.
“Did you do it?” Ree asked. “Did you post the job for the librarian?”
“No,” Marin said. “I kept it.”
“But why?”
“Because no one else is going to do it,” Marin said.
And because she wanted to believe Dax was going to succeed.
Dax was waiting for them when they poled into the tunnel under the conservatory.
He’d been sitting on a crate but he jumped up when he saw them.
He was wearing a fresh tunic trimmed with braided gold on the hems, and his purple hair was washed and plaited, no longer windswept.
In other words, he looked like he did before he’d joined her crew.
But he was smiling his familiar smile.
Marin felt a lurch of relief. She didn’t know why, but there was a piece of her that kept whispering that she wasn’t ever going to see him again, which was ridiculous since he’d always been the one to come to the dock for her deliveries in the past. Even if he stayed at the conservatory, there was no reason why that wouldn’t continue.
I don’t want to just see him for deliveries. I want him sailing with me.
She knew that was a selfish thought. He belonged here in the conservatory, surrounded by the music that he loved all the time.
This was where his future was. But his future doesn’t have to start yet.
We still have a job to complete. He’d said he wanted to help her locate Rijes Velk.
After that … She wasn’t going to think about after, not yet.
“I found out where she is,” Dax said with no preamble, as they pulled up alongside the dock. “She’s being held in a government facility nearby.”
Ree gasped. “A prison?”
“Not a prison, but she is essentially a prisoner, since she has not been allowed to leave.” Dax’s tone was grim. “The address is three canals over. Grandmaster Vorac has given me an introduction letter—it should be enough to get us in to speak with her.”
“That’s amazing,” Marin said.
Ree said, “You’re amazing, Dax.”
Ree’s right. He’s amazing. And it wasn’t just because he was a good musician.
Everything about him was amazing: his optimism, his great heart, his smile that made you feel like you were the sun and the moon.
She wondered if anyone had ever told him that—that he was amazing for more than just his music.
She wondered if she should, or would that just be awkward?
Maybe it was enough that the plant had said it.
“Thanks, buddy.” Dax hopped onto the boat. She noted he did that so easily now, his feet sure on the deck, knowing exactly where to step, where to put his hands. As soon as he was on board, she began to pole out of the tunnel. Perri swam beneath them, adding extra speed.
Ree hopped around Dax’s feet. “Was everything okay? Your friends?”
“Yes, I saw Shiare briefly, and she said the others have returned, safe and sound,” Dax said.
“Unlike the imperial palace, which I’m told was reduced to rubble, the conservatory weathered the revolution.
No structural damage. A few of the cosmetic spells, like the fountain, haven’t been renewed—the sorcerers have other priorities right now, much more important ones—but the conservatory is back to how it’s always been, at least so far as its music and its musicians.
I wasn’t there long enough to learn how the new politics will affect it.
Truthfully, I didn’t ask.” He directed them through the canals to a narrow unmarked building squeezed between two towers.
“That’s it. That’s where she’s said to be held. ”
The government facility was made of black stone that was caked with algae near the water level but smooth black matte the higher up it went.
Its windows were slits shaped like diamonds, and the door at the dock was painted red.
Even without a sign, it was clear this was an Official Building that had no sense of humor, joy, or fun.
“Subtle,” Marin said.
“Yeah, the empire wasn’t known for that.”
She noted the past tense. She still needed to get used to that.
Dax stepped onto the dock as Marin and Ree tied off. “Ree…” Marin began.
“I’ll guard the boat,” Ree said stoutly.
She glanced at Perri, who rolled his round eyes at her. Of course he’d guard it too.
“We’ll be back soon,” Marin promised. Hopefully with the news they wanted: that Rijes Velk was safe and well and would be back at the Great Library soon, with her beloved books.