C H A P T E R - 5
Tashti led Cryni around the people packed into the city for the trading season. People tried to catch her attention as she passed but she ignored them. Her goal was in the centre of the oldest part of the city. The change between tents and stone was sudden and she was in the heart of Kata'shin'a'in. Here were the Temples and inns that had stood on the edge of the Plains for centuries.
She wanted one particular temple. It was down a back alley tucked away from passers by. The alley was so narrow it was in permanent gloom. She knocked sharply on the door and waited for footsteps. A young man opened a small portal in the door.
"I want to speak to Veren."
"Who are you?" The young man demanded.
Tashti reached between the bars and grabbed his collar. "I want to speak to Veren." She repeated pulling him onto his toes.
"Hello my dear." Someone laughed from inside.
Tashti released the boy and Veren opened the door for her. "It's been a long time Veren."
"Too long, Silk. I must say, you look much more balanced." Veren was tall with broad body of solid muscle
"So do you." She smiled up at her friend. "How is the priesthood treating you?"
"Very well. Perhaps you should tie your horse and come in for a drink and we can catch up."
Tashti looped the reins around Cryni's neck and followed Veren into the stone building. The interior was as sparse as the exterior. The men who lived here were generally former fighters who wanted to make amends for their lives with prayer and contemplation.
"What brings you to my door step?" He asked as she sat in a chair in a torch lit room.
"I am looking for Tirune."
Veren looked shocked. "You've decided to kill him?"
"No. I only need answers."
"Ah yes, your vendetta." Veren nodded.
"No, my Vendetta was completed last fall. I was sentenced to be executed and then pardoned, after my execution date."
"And somehow you survived." Veren laughed. "I have heard he's here in Kata'shin'a'in. I have not seen him however."
"I can find him." Tashti assured him.
"What are you doing now?"
"Do you remember the tales of Captain Kerowyn?"
"Yes, she rode into Valdemar facing an impossible situation won the battle by a miracle and became a Herald."
"Well, I rode into Valdemar, hunted that bastard until he was in the palm of my hand and then everything went out of control. Somehow I ended up Chosen."
"This is rich. Silk, the terror of the night, was chosen to uphold the law."
"The horse outside is my Companion. Anyways, I work with Kerowyn now."
"A great change for you." Veren laughed. "You have found your place there?"
"Yes, I think so. I am happy there, but I want to face my ghosts before I face my future."
"Better now than later." Veren poured them each a glass of sweet cold water.
"There is a young boy there who has decided to idolize you. He runs about slaying dragons and ignoring the damsels most of the day. He was complaining that all the good fighters were female so I mentioned you and a few others."
"Ignoring the damsels in distress? I am certain he will discover them soon enough."
"Probably. Now, what has been happening with you?"
"Not much, the trading seasons come and go but we remain here."
"Sounds dull. I don't think I could do it."
"It's peaceful, that's what's important for me."
"I'll remember that when I need peace."
"I am afraid I can't offer you lodgings."
"That's fine with me. I already have a tent on the edge. I better go while I still have light."
"I hope you find Tirune before he finds you."
"Has he been looking for me?"
"I heard some rumours once he was but you can never be certain."
Tashti fingered her temporarily brown hair. She also had makeup on that gave her a weathered look. "Do you think he would recognize me?"
"No. Very few would."
Veren showed her to the door. "Stop by again before you leave."
"I will old friend. If you are ever in Haven stop by." Tashti shook his hand and left.
She led Cryni back to the main street.
:Where shall we look?: Cryni asked.
:I think I will speak to the Shin'a'in. Perhaps they can give me an idea where to start.:
:Good plan. I heard they are here in the livestock area. They are using a very plain tent so they don't stand out.:
:We'll go now.: Tashti mounted and let Cryni choose her way through the crowd.
Tashti didn't even have a chance to dismount before the tent flap opened and young man with white hair dressed in dark blue stepped out. Tashti slipped to the ground.
"I didn't expect a Herald to show up here." He said pleasantly.
"It wasn't exactly planned."
"It doesn't matter. I would like to hear about my friends. Please come in. I am An'desha."
"I'm Tashti and this is Cryni. I remember hearing about you at the Palace. I am rather recently Chosen."
"Do you know Elspeth and Darkwind?" He let both of them into his tent.
Tashti grinned. "Oh yes. I am the greatest pain in Elspeth's side these past few months. I have some rather unique talents that Kero uses to prove time and again that magic will not stop everything."
"You aren't a mage."
"No. Which makes my success so painful. Darkwind finds it rather humorous and Vree thinks it is all a great game. When I left everyone was content and Valdemar was at peace, but who knows about when I return."
"I'm glad they are happy."
He offered her a bowl of stew and another of a strong tea. "I am here alone so your company is welcome."
Tashti accepted the food. "Thank you. I accept your hospitality."
"Wonderful. Have you met Karal?"
"No. Afraid not. I have met his large bossy cat however. I believed I scared him out of his fur."
"What happened?"
"I have a talent for climbing walls, among other things, and just peeked over a window as he was jumping onto the ledge for a nap. He yowled, swore, and cursed at me."
"I wish I had seen that." An'desha laughed.
"If you don't mind me saying so, you don't resemble the Shin'a'in very strongly. Your features are too narrow, too sharp."
"Most people say that about my hair or eyes." An'desha looked surprised.
"I have seen too many people who have been Changed perhaps."
"You have?"
Something told Tashti she should speak of the last job she took with him. That it would bring him some peace. "Firstly, I am an assassin, and a very good one. Last year about this time I was offered a bag of coins by a Changechild to kill her master and free her fellow captives. It was every coin they had collected for years. I listened to her story and accepted. Killing him was easy. While many of the girls had been Changed he hadn't been the one to do it. The hard part was the girls, there were five all together and the one who had commissioned me was the one in the best shape. The youngest, was completely catatonic. She was the only full human and she had been sold to him only a week but there was nothing that could call her back."
"And the other four."
"They reminded me of a half finished work. They had very cat like features and swore he wasn't the worst master they had. Their creator had made cruelty an art form. When he vanished the man I killed took them as his own. They built a small home in the Pelagirs where they live mostly off the land now. They're happy."
An'desha seemed pleased to hear that. "I'm glad they, at least, are safe."
"I doubt any man would risk getting near them now, they are adamant that no man should rule them again."
"You gave them back their money."
Tashti nodded. "I had enough saved that I could afford to be generous and take on a few extra cases."
"You hunted down the others like them didn't you." An'desha guessed."
Tashti nodded. "Many were dead before I could get to them, but some I saved."
"Thank you." An'desha smiled sadly.
Tashti didn't ask why he was thanking her. "Every time I looked at them I saw me."
"You were sold into slavery?"
She nodded. "When I could barely walk I was sold to an assassin who wanted an apprentice."
"I am sorry."
"Thank you, but it is in the past, or at least it will be soon. I am looking for my teacher."
"The assassin?"
"Yes, his name is Tirune. He is supposed to be here somewhere."
"I haven't heard of him."
"It was a long shot. I will find him soon enough." Tashti finished the stew and set the bowl down.
"You are welcome to stay with me for as long as you need to." An'desha offered.
"Thank you. I shouldn't be too long. I have to get back to my classes."
"How do you plan on dealing with him?"
"By tying him up and asking some long overdue questions."
"You are going to let him live?"
Tashti nodded. "I plan to."
An'desha seemed reassured.
"What brings you to Kata'shin'a'in?" Tashti leaned back against Cryni.
"Knowledge." He said simply.
"What kind of knowledge? If you are looking for someone I know some people who may help."
"No. It's more esoteric."
"Ah, can't help you there."
"I know."
"Why don't we leave our searches for tomorrow and enjoy the city."
An'desha hesitated.
"Cryni can guard your tent. I have to collect some feed for her anyway."
"Very well."
Tashti stood and let him lead the way out into the festival-like city of tents. Lanterns cast enough light for the merchandise to be seen clearly and sweet scents hung in the heavy air.
Tashti took a deep breath. "I have missed this place."
"You have been here before?"
"Many times." Tashti confirmed.
They wandered through the stalls aimlessly for most of the evening before returning to An'desha's tent.
Cryni approved of Tashti's choice of feed and ate while they settled in for they night. Tashti unrolled her sleeping roll and was asleep almost instantly.
Tashti awoke several hours later. Something had disturbed her light sleep. She made no betraying moves as she listened for what disturbed her.
There was a slight movement of air and she heard the scuff of someone moving inside the tent. Tashti could tell they were near An'desha. She suddenly realized with his slender build and pale hair he might be mistaken for her. Tashti didn't wait. She bolted out of her bed and wrapped her arm around the neck of the intruder. They dropped something as they tried to pull her arm away from their neck. A magelight flared to life as An'desha sat up. Tashti's captive went limp but she didn't ease her hold. She used her gift to summon the vial of Mage Bane to her hand. She uncorked the vial and held it under his nose. This time his surrender wasn't feigned.
"What is that stuff?" An'desha asked as she replaced the cork.
"A little trick I picked up a few years ago." Tashti quickly tied his hands and searched the man for weapons. He was well armed.
She knew all the possible hiding places and left none unsearched. Satisfied she retied his hands back to back and tied that to a cord looped around his feet.
"Do you know him?" An'desha asked behind her.
Tashti sat back on her heels and stared at her captive. "Yes. Cryni, if he moves, break his legs."
Tashti led An'desha off to the side. "He is the man I have been searching for." She said quietly. "He should be coming out of it in a few minutes."
As usual the movement returned first to the head and progressed downwards.
They watched and waited as he looked about. Tashti knew he was well aware of being searched and tied.
"I didn't leave anything within reach." She commented. "Who are you looking for?"
Tirune glanced between them and drew back. "I must have entered the wrong tent."
"Bull. Try again." Tashti waited. He didn't seem so big now and he had gained more deep creases in his face. He still had the same iron-grey hair he had eight years before.
"I don't understand? It is all an honest mistake." He shook his head. "I was looking for my daughter."
"I suppose that is close to the truth." Tashti muttered.
"What are you going to do?" An'desha asked.
"Not a clue, yet." Tashti sighed. "He isn't going anywhere and I am tired. Cryni, would you mind watching him for a bit?"
:Don't worry. I will make certain he goes no where.: Cryni bared her teeth.
"Thanks. Move and she'll trample you." Tashti informed her captive.
"No need for her to stay awake. I can make certain he won't go any where for the rest of the night." An'desha offered.
"Thanks." Tashti returned to her bed.
An'desha stared at Tirune for a second and returned to his bed.
Tashti remained awake for sometime watching Tirune struggle with his bonds. He would soon realise the knots tightened when you struggled against them.
When he stopped Tashti allowed herself to fall asleep.
At dawn she pulled herself out of bed. Tirune had managed to fall asleep with his chin tucked into his chest. An'desha was just starting to rouse.
Tashti and Cryni immediately went in search of a source of water so they could freshen up. Her head was starting to itch from the dye and she also wanted to scrub the make up off her face. No sense keeping her disguise when she had her quarry safely trussed back in An'desha's tent.
She found a well and poured a bucket of the cold water on her head and gasped as it hit her. The water ran brown as it fell to the earth.
She lowered the bucket again and repeated the dousing. It only took a few more buckets for the water to run clear.
:I bet that woke you up.: Cryni commented dryly.
:Care to experience it first hand?: Tashti countered.
:No, that is quite alright thank you.: Cryni backed up.
Tashti used the bucket to pull up a bucket of water for Cryni. She used a corner of her towel to scrub her face clean.
:You are back to beautiful.: Cryni commented.
:Flattery will get you whatever you want.: Tashti laughed.
:A berry tart.: Cryni answered promptly.
:We can do that. I think it would only be proper to fetch breakfast since An'desha is kind enough to let us bunk with him.:
:Get up and we can get it quicker.: Cryni urged.
It took them very little time for them to find a vendor with divine smelling pastries. Tashti was glad she didn't have to deal with reins as they returned since her arms were full of food.
An'desha had just emerged from the tent when Tashti stopped. He stared for several heartbeats before shaking himself. "You look much different this morning."
"I just washed up good." Tashti assured him.
"Your prisoner is awake and protesting his innocence again."
Tashti slid to the ground carefully. "We can eat then deal with him."
"Sounds good. I'll return in a moment." An'desha headed to the well.
Tashti scowled at the tent flap and it drew out of the way enough that she could get through without dropping anything. Cryni followed with her head and ears up looking like an illuminated Companion.
"Miss, hurry before they return. They believe I am a thief, it was all a mistake."
"That one is beyond pathetic." Tashti set down her load on a low table.
He drew in a breath when he saw her face.
Tashti turned her back on him and changed her clothes then groomed Cryni.
"You don't go armed?" He asked.
"I am always armed." Tashti assured him. "There you go Sweeting." She finished grooming very quickly.
Cryni lipped her shirt.
Tashti offered her the berry tart she had promised and took a seat on a pillow waiting for An'desha to return.
Tirune was watching her like a hawk. Tashti ignored him. Instead she pulled out her comb and started teasing the tangles out of her hair. It fell a in a sheet of pale gold to her hips but she was as quick and efficient with the comb as she had been with Cryni's brush and it soon submitted to a tight braid.
An'desha finally returned clean and ready for breakfast. He ignored Tirune as well as they tucked into the feast.
"I am going to have to find this vendor again." An'desha said when the last crumb had been eaten.
"Just follow your nose and you'll find him. His pies smelled incredible."
"I suppose we should deal with our captive. Do you want me to leave?"
"If you don't mind."
"Not at all. I'll be back later." An'desha smiled and left.
Tashti rose and pulled a knife from her boot. Its keen edge sliced through the silk cords easily.
"It's been a long time." She commented
Tirune rubbed his wrists and watched her warily. "Eight years."
"Give or take." Tashti agreed. "Fancy meeting you here in Kata'shin'a'in after all those years."
Tirune didn't take his eyes off her as he removed the cords around his ankles. "Why were you looking for me?" He asked.
"I just want some answers." Tashti assured him. "You see, I traced my roots and found my family. They were surprised to discover I was still alive, well, except for my father. He tried to have me executed."
"He's a fool." Tirune sneered.
"He was a fool." Tashti corrected him. "He died at my execution with a blade in his throat. Rather dramatic. You paid him a great deal to buy me. Odd, since children are easily found for much less than 4,000 gold coins."
"How did you find him?" Tirune sat on a stool across from her.
"I tracked your movements back to Valdemar. At first I thought you had dealt with someone in that slaving ring the Queen discovered. But you were never that sloppy. If they were discovered someone may come looking for you. Instead I looked for a man who was willing to do anything for money but was unlikely to continue his criminal activities after you left and hence was unlikely to be caught and snitch on you. I focused on the highborn. One who was desperately in need of an infusion of funds seventeen years ago. The moneylenders were quite helpful there. The told me that seventeen years ago Lord Hardren was about to lose his house and suddenly found enough money to pay off all his debts."
"Clever."
"The Queen recognized my name just before I was going to die and pardoned me. My mother found a receipt for 4,000 gold pieces for me, complete with my name."
"It seems you have pieced most of it together. Why do you want to ask me questions?"
"Why me? Why anyone? You didn't need someone to live off of if you had 4,000 gold pieces."
Tirune said nothing for several minutes. "I wanted to pass on my skills and talents." He finally said.
"So, why me? Why not some child from the street?"
"I saw you climb out a window when you were barely able to walk. That kind of fearlessness and bravery are rare. I knew you could become one of the best with training. I offered you father 4,000 gold, all my savings, for you. He accepted eagerly."
Tashti thought for several moments in silence. "You are still a bastard."
Tirune grimaced. "You were such a quick girl. If you had just stayed you could have become the deadliest person alive. Instead you vanished."
"Instead I chose not to stay with a sadistic bastard who treated me like a piece of property." Tashti corrected.
"So what are you now? A seamstress? A cook? Or is that young man your husband?"
"An'desha? No. He is a fellow traveler who offered me shelter." Tashti eyed him. "I am many things. A thief, an actress, a minstrel, an artist, a lady's maid, a cook. I am whatever I need to be."
Before Tirune could say anything she stood.
"I am an assassin." She said quietly. "I have made quite a name for myself."
Tirune glanced down at the silk cords on the ground. "Silk."
"Foolish name, isn't it?" Tashti laughed humorously. "As one king put it. 'Strong, beautiful, expensive, and deadly.'"
Tirune tensed.
"You have answered all my questions. You may leave." Tashti ordered coldly.
Tirune stood. Tashti could feel his fear beat against her shields. He staggered out blindly. Tashti knew he would never seek her out. When he was gone Tashti sank on to a pillow. Cryni rubbed her nose against Tashti's arm.
"That was harder than expected." Tashti rubbed her soft nose absently.
:He will fear you for the rest of his days.: Cryni said. :He will never consider taking another student.:
"That's one good thing."
:You are more than Strong, beautiful, and deadly. You are also good, brave, gentle, intelligent, compassionate, and my Chosen.:
"Thank you. I needed to hear that." Tashti hugged Cryni's neck. "You may have scared the wits out of me that day, but you are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me."
:More wonderful than Aeric?: Cryni teased.
"More wonderful than Aeric." Tashti confirmed.
:You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me too.: Cryni assured her Chosen sending her a flood of love and understanding. :Now, enough considering what may have been and lets go find An'desha and do some shopping.:
Tashti felt the pain of years melt away. "Let's go."