Kushiel's Dart

seen it too, but he answered seriously. "Offers aplenty, if you wish them, Phedre. But there is a matter I would have you attend first, if you would hear it."
    I inclined my head. "In the name of Kushiel, I-"
    "Enough." Delaunay raised his hand, silencing me, but his glance took in Joscelin Verreuil as well. "Phedre, you of all people should know better than to mock the service of Elua's Companions. Joscelin, your Prefect has gauged this matter worthy of your order's attendance, and you stand in danger of heresy if you question his judgment."
    "As my lord bids," Joscelin said with restraint, bowing. It would have grated on my nerves, this constant bowing, were his every motion not such a damnable pleasure to behold.
    "What is it?" I asked Delaunay. He gazed steadily at me.
    "The Due L'Envers is due to return in a fortnight's time. I would have you request of Lord Childric d'Essoms that he send word to Barquiel L'Envers that I desire a meeting with him."
    "My lord." I raised my eyebrows. "Why d'Essoms? We have laid the groundwork with Rogier Clavel."
    "Because Barquiel will listen to him." Delaunay shook his head. "Clavel is a minor functionary; Barquiel would dismiss him out of hand. He has served his use. Barquiel L'Envers has grown large with this new alliance, and I cannot afford to to have him dismiss my request. D'Essoms got him the appointment in the first place; Barquiel will heed his words. And I need you to convince Childric d'Essoms."
    "Then he will know," I said simply.
    "Yes." Delaunay rested his chin on a fist. "That's why I waited for the Prefect's answer. Do you think he will act against you?"
    I glanced sidelong at Joscelin Verreuil, finding a sudden comfort in the quiet menace of his ashen Cassiline attire, the daggers that hung at his waist. He looked straight ahead, refusing to meet my gaze. "Perhaps . . . not. D'Essoms has known from the beginning that I was part of your game. It is which part that he has not known." And that had comprised the greatest part of his pleasure, the endeavor to extract that knowledge. I felt a pang of sorrow at the idea of losing him as a patron. He had been my first.
    "Then you will go to him," Delaunay said. "Ganelon de la Courcel ails, and time grows short. Let it be done."
    "There is no assignation?"
    He shook his head. "I would sooner surprise him with it. Do you think he will see you uninvited?"
    I thought of Childric d'Essoms, the gifts he had sent after the time he had burned me. "Oh yes, my lord, he will see me. And what bait is it I am to dangle?"
    The lines of Delaunay's face grew stern, sterner than Joscelin Ver-reuil's in all his disapproval. "Bid him to tell Due Barquiel L'Envers that I know who killed his sister."

TWENTY-NINE
    When we returned, Delaunay was waiting for us in his receiving room, unusual in itself. I wondered if the formality was for Joscelin's benefit, and grew further irritated with him to think it. Alcuin was there, sitting cross-legged and quiet on a low couch; he had been watching Delaunay pace for the better part of an hour, I guessed.
    "Well?" Delaunay asked as we entered. "Will he do it?"
    As I made ready to speak, once again Joscelin beat me to it.
    "My lord," he said in his most impassive voice, unbuckling his baldric and slinging the sheathed sword off his shoulder, "I have failed in your service. I beg you to accept the blade of this unworthy one."
    I stared at him open-mouthed as he went to one knee before Delaunay and proffered the blade across the back of his vambraced left arm. Even Delaunay looked startled.
    "What in Elua's name are you talking about?" he asked. "Phedre looks well enough to me, and I ask no more than that."
    "Show him," Joscelin said, not looking at me.
    "What, this?" I touched the trickle of blood that had dried at my throat and laughed, uncomprehending. "From Childric d'Essoms, this is no more than a love-scratch, my lord," I said to Delaunay. "And'twas Joscelin kept him from giving me worse."
    "D'Essoms grew violent toward you?" Delaunay raised his eyebrows.
    "When he learned that I had betrayed his patronage to you. But Joscelin-"
    "He laid a blade against her and drew blood," Joscelin interrupted me, adamant in his profession of guilt. "I failed in my warding, and then in my anger, I let her out of my sight."
    I caught Delaunay's inquiring glance. "Melisande." Her name sufficed as explanation. "She sends her greetings. and her regrets upon your in jury," I added to Alcuin. To Delaunay, I said,