Luck in the Shadows

tale serves well enough in some circles, but would not bear up under the scrutiny of the Queen's inquisitors. At the very least, witnesses would be sent for from Mycena. When none appeared, you would find yourself as deeply implicated as Seregil. Besides, there is no time.
    Idrilain has given us just two days' grace. I fear our best recourse is to pursue Seregil's original plan regarding Hind Street."
    "I've been thinking about that," mused Micum. "It took Seregil a week to find Alben, and he's not even certain he's the right one. Assuming that we do find a cache-that there is one— what if he's not our man after all? It could take us weeks to run down information that Seregil could come up with in a few days' time."
    Nysander spread his hands resignedly. "True. Yet at the moment I can think of no other option."
    "If only he'd had another day," Alec exclaimed bitterly. "He was all smiles about it tonight, as if he had all the time in the world."
    "It occurs to me," said There, who'd been quiet for some time, "that Alec's absence at Wheel Street this evening will surely have been remarked upon. Perhaps an appearance at the prison would not be out of place-expressions of outrage, bewilderment, and the like? While it would not be politic for Nysander to be seen there, who would question Lord Seregil's young ward bringing his protector a few necessities for the night? A blanket, perhaps, and some clean linen—"
    "A lock pick!"
    Thero spared Alec a withering glance. "Only if you want to guarantee your place on the gibbet beside him. My thought was that if they allowed you to see him, he might be able to pass along some helpful information. If not, what have we lost?"
    "You've a bit of the spy in you after all," said Micum.
    Thero looked slightly offended. "It's simple logic. My thinking is unclouded by emotion in this matter."
    "Nonetheless, it is a fine idea," said Nysander, giving the young wizard an approving look. "Well done, Thero."
    Alec rose and reached for his cloak. "I'll go right now! Are you coming, Micum?"
    Nysander raised a warning hand. "A moment first, both of you. It is imperative that you recognize the magnitude of our actions. Should anything go awry, we will have forfeited any credibility we have left with the Queen. We could all find ourselves in the Red Tower, or worse."
    Having said what was necessary, he was proud to see no signs of wavering in the others. "Very good. I must add that any misstep will reflect most disastrously on the Queen; that must be the final consideration in any decision. If this does stem back to the Lerans, any cock-up on our part would play right into their hands. Nothing would please them more, I am certain, than the appearance of a widespread conspiracy that includes myself. With that in mind, I pray for Illior's favor to grant us all luck in the shadows."
    "I'll second that," said Micum. "Come on, Sir Alec. We've got work to do."
    A dank wind whipped up from the harbor as Alec and Micum rode up to the prison near the southern wall of the city. The main tower was a squat, ugly structure ringed by a bailey wall. Dismounting in the outer yard, Alec wrinkled his nose at the dismal stench of urine and burning tallow that hung over the place.
    "It's hard to believe I woke up at Watermead this morning," he whispered, clutching the little bundle he'd thrown together.
    "More like yesterday morning now," sighed Micum.
    "What if they don't let us in?"
    "Just be as persuasive as possible and have some gold ready, throw back your cloak so they can see you're a gentleman."
    Following Micum's advice, Alec pounded at the gate.
    A bearded face appeared at the door grille.
    "What's your business at this hour?"
    "A man was brought in tonight," said Alec. "His name is Lord Seregil. He's my protector and I've brought some clothing and blankets for him. May I see him, please, just for a moment?"
    "That dark-haired blade?"
    "Yes, that's him."
    "It's damned late, you know."
    "Inconvenience has its price." Alec held up a gold half sester. "We'd be very grateful."
    Micum stepped closer behind him. "They haven't given an order against visitors, have they?"
    The guard eyed Alec's coin, then turned to confer with someone else. The gate soon swung open.
    "I suppose there's no harm in the lad going up," the guard said, taking the coin and leading them into the warder's room. "But just him and only for a minute. You can wait here by the fire if you like, sir, while he goes. And I'll have a look through