The restaurant was small and non-descript, a typical Harbour District eatery, with nothing to set it apart from its neighboring buildings besides a discreet sign, "A Taste of Taltheran". With a nervous glance over his shoulder, Raden Ghere pushed his way through the swinging doors. Inside, the restaurant was cool, dimly-lit, and quiet. There were only a few customers; Taltherani-style cooking was not popular in Thalcedon. However, too many customers would interfere with the owner's *other* business. Raden sat down in a booth in the corner farthest from the door, and waited. After about five minutes of waiting, the owner of the restaurant slid into the seat across from Raden. Raden looked at the man. "Hello, Cassat." The restauranteur inclined his head. "My Lord Chamberlain. It's been a few years. Why are you here?" Raden sighed. "I need your help." "What makes you think I would give you any help, my lord? I am . . . retired from that line of work." Raden laughed. "Nonsense, Cassat. You could no more give up the Great Game than you could give up breathing. Besides, I know something you don't know." Cassat cocked an eyebrow. "Really?" Raden leaned forward. "Yzara's alive, Cassat. You swore the same oath of fealty and service that the rest of the Inner Circle did when she ascended the throne. While she lives, we are bound to her service until and unless she releases us." "You have proof." Raden nodded, and passed over the Empress' letter. "I received this at my office at the metallurgy project two days ago. No one seems to know who delivered it or where it came from. But, if we accept everything she says in the letter, that's not so mysterious." Cassat quickly read through the letter, then looked up. "The Vra'al have had her all this time?" "Apparently." "And she has borne their High Lord's children." "It would seem so." "And the Burcancy found out, and decided to 'rescue' her and her children." "That's right." "And *she* wants *us* to do something about this?" "Preferably terminating the responsible parties with extreme prejudice, yes." Cassat sighed. "She hasn't changed a bit." Raden chuckled. "No, she hasn't." Then, more soberly, "Will you honor your oath to the Empress, Spymaster Cassat?" "Do I have a choice?" said Cassat. He looked around the restaurant, and shook his head. "And I was so looking forward to my retirement. Now, what would you have of me?" "Do you still have your network?" Cassat shook his head. "Not for the sort of thing Yzara wants. I still maintain a network in Thalcedon and the other League Cities, but I only have occasional, informal contacts in Mir and Taltheran. I've been cut off from the south Mid-Sea since General Zenos raised up his banner in rebellion. I certainly don't have the resources for a rescue mission and multiple assassinations in Burcancy. I'd need some support. Official support, Raden." Raden nodded. "I see. Could you handle one assassination, a little closer to home?" "I might . . . Zenos?" "Yes. The Duke and Dr. Vellin are concerned. The Duke knew that I 'arranged' things like that for the Empress in the past. If you can arrange for General Zenos' death, they're willing to bring you and your agents back in from the cold." "Do they know that Yzara is alive?" "No, I haven't told them. She was quite clear in her letter that I was to inform only those who absolutely needed to know. They don't need to know. Besides, it would only complicate things." "Truly. The last thing our poor nation needs is more complications." Cassat slid out of the booth and stood. "I will make the arrangements, Raden. With luck, Zenos will be dead by Year's End." Raden also got up from the booth. "And with that out of the way, we can work on the Empress' problems." He walked to the door, then paused. "If I need to talk to you again, how should I contact you?" Cassat said, "Make a chalk mark on the base of the equestrian statue in the central plaza. You know, the hideously ugly one of Yzara's father. If you do that, I'll be in touch within a day, two at most. And, Raden?" The spymaster's gaze became deadly. "Don't come back here again. I value my privacy . . . and my anonymity." With that, the spymaster turned and vanished into the restaurant's kitchen. Raden shuddered, and left the restaurant. * * * Two days later, Raden received an anonymous note at his office. It said, simply, "They're on their way." __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
