“Get on with it.”
Kruppe winced. Baruk was in a terrible mood. He sighed. “A message to you personally, Master.” He completed folding his handkerchief and looked up. “From the Eel.”
Baruk stiffened, then a scowl darkened his features. “Why not?” he muttered. “The man even knows who my agents are.” His gaze cleared and he watched Kruppe. “I'm waiting,” he growled.
“Of course.” Kruppe shook loose his handkerchief and mopped his brow. "'Look to the streets to find those you seek." That, and no more. Delivered to Kruppe by the smallest child he'd ever seen-” He stopped and shook his head. No, such exaggeration would never do, not with Baruk's mood as foul as it appeared to be. “A small child, in any case.”
Baruk stood glowering at the dying embers in the fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back, fingers twisting a large silver ring. “Tell me, Kruppe,” he asked slowly, “what do you know of this Eel?”
“Little, Kruppe admits. Man, woman? Unknown. Origins? A mystery. Designs? Perpetuating a status quo defined by aversion to tyranny. Or so it's said. Influence? Far-reaching, even if one discounts nine out of ten rumours associated with the Eel, his or her agents must number in the hundreds. All devoted to protecting Darujhistan. “Tis said that Councilman Turban Orr is even now hunting them down, convinced they've ruined all his schemes. Mayhap they have, and for that we can all be relieved.”
Baruk seemed anything but relieved. Kruppe thought he could almost hear the man's teeth grinding. However, he turned to Kruppe and nodded. “I have an assignment. For it, you will need to round up Murillio, Rallick and Coll. And take the Coin Bearer with you, just to keep him safe.”
Kruppe raised an eyebrow. “Out of the city?”
“Yes. Paramount is the Coin Bearer-keep him beyond anyone's reach. As for your mission, you will observe. Nothing more. Do you understand me, Kruppe? Observe. To do anything else will be to risk the Coin Bearer falling into the wrong hands. While he is Oponn's tool, he also is the means by which another Ascendant can reach Oponn. The last thing we need is gods battling on the mortal plain.”
Kruppe cleared his throat. “What are we to observe, Master?”
“I'm not sure, possibly a foreign work party, digging here and there.”
Kruppe started. “As in: road repairs?”
The alchemist frowned. “I will be sending you to the Gadrobi Hills. Remain there until either someone comes or I contact you with further instructions. If someone comes, Kruppe, you're to remain hidden. Avoid detection at all costs-use your Warren, if need be.”
“None shall find Kruppe and his worthy, loyal comrades,” Kruppe said, smiling and waggling his fingers.
“Good. That will be all, then.”
Surprised, Kruppe climbed to his feet. “When are we to leave, Master?”
“Soon. I'll let you know at least a day beforehand. Is that sufficient time?”
“Yes, friend Baruk. Kruppe deems that more than enough time. Rallick appears temporarily indisposed, but with luck he shall be available.”
“Get him if you can. If the Coin Bearer's influence turns against us, the assassin is charged with killing the boy. Does he understand this?”
“We've discussed it,” Kruppe said.
Baruk inclined his head and fell silent.
Kruppe waited a moment, then quietly left.
Less than an hour after Quick Ben's soul had left the body seated on the hut's floor and journeyed into the Shadow Realm, it creaked back into life. Red-eyed with an exhaustion born of unrelenting tension, Kalam pushed himself to his feet and waited for his friend to come round.
The assassin laid his hands on his long-knives, just to be on the safe side. If Quick Ben had been taken, whatever controlled him might well announce its arrival by attacking anyone within range. Kalam held his breath.
The wizard's eyes opened, the glaze slipping away as awareness returned. He saw Kalam, and smiled.
The assassin released his breath. “Done? Success?”
“Yes, on both counts. Hard to believe, isn't it?”
Kalam found he was grinning uncontrollably. He stepped forward and helped Quick Ben to stand. The wizard leaned heavily against him, also grinning.
“He realized who I was just as I left.” Quick Ben's grin broadened. “You should have heard him scream.”
“Well, are you surprised? How many High Priests burn the robes of their vestment?”
“Not enough, if you ask me. Without temples and priests the gods” bloody meddling couldn't touch the mortal realm. Now, that would be paradise, right, friend?”
