Lupi 09 - Mortal Ties

correct
     that I have been uneasy. I had…suspicions about Benessarai’s goals, but he and I are,
     to use your word, rivals. I thought he meant simply to damage my standing. I thought
     he did not understand why it would be disastrous to bring the masking device back
     to our realm.”
    “The masking device? Is that what you call—wait. You mean you don’t want to take it
     back to your realm. You want to destroy it.”
    She nodded. “Such a device would destabilize our realm. Hostages are fundamental to
     both our economic and our civic life, and the masking device would drastically alter
     the way power is balanced between hostage-holder and those with whom they would negotiate.
     Centuries-old agreements would turn unsteady. Imagine what would happen in your world
     if only one side in a contract had themeans to enforce it. I took pains to explain this to Benessarai. He understood only
     that making such a device available would weaken my position, for my Gift is, indeed,
     both rare and valuable. He does not see the repercussions…or so I thought. Hoped.
     This is why I took the risk of making my own deal with Robert Friar. It took some
     time to learn what he wanted enough to…I believe your word is
double-cross
? An interesting word. I wanted him to double-cross Benessarai. You were the price
     he asked. As part of our agreement,” she added, “he is bound to observe the code.”
    Lily snorted. “And you believed him?”
    “If he does not, I must in all honor kill him. He knows this.”
    “He may not be as afraid of you as he ought to be.”
    She shrugged. “I arose from the warrior caste. If he did not know what that means,
     he should have asked.”
    “That won’t be much consolation to me if he’s already fed me to his goddess.”
    Alycithin’s lip curled in distaste. “Death magic?”
    “That’s what I think he’s got in mind, yeah. He may want to do some really unpleasant
     things to me first, but apparently I’d make a tasty snack for
her.
Death magic violates one of those Queens’ Laws, doesn’t it?”
    “This is not one of the Queens’ realms, however.”
    “Bummer.” Lily decided she’d gone as far as she could without having a clue what they
     were negotiating. “Alycithin, I am puzzled. You want something from me, and you are
     unwilling or unable to say what. Nor have you offered me anything or hinted at what
     you might offer. Negotiations among your people may be conducted this way, but it’s
     not what I understand.”
    “That is plain speaking.” The halfling woman spread her hands. “I cannot tell you.
     To do so would violate my word.”
    Even bigger bummer. Lily drummed her fingers on the table. Alycithin hadn’t told her
     all this without a reason. There was a hint, a clue, hidden in what she’d been told,
     but damned if she could spot it. Maybe she hadn’t asked theright question yet. “Can you tell me what you promised Friar?”
    This smile spread slowly. “That I can do. I agreed to take you hostage, if possible,
     and then hold you until Robert Friar notifies me that he is ready to exchange you
     for the masking device. While I hold you, I must make sure you have no weapons and
     no means of contacting your people. I am to let you know that you are going to pass
     into his hands.”
    “Wanted me to worry about that, did he?”
    “I believe so. Lily, Robert Friar is your
dielgraf
. Your soul-enemy.”
    “That sounds about right. Is that all of the agreement?”
    “Oh, no. Robert Friar was meticulous in his terms. Neither I nor my people can in
     any way reveal your situation, either while you are my hostage or after you become
     his, to anyone who is not sidhe. When Robert Friar tells me he is ready to take possession
     of you, I must make the exchange promptly and without attempting to alter or add to
     the terms of our agreement. At that point, if we have both honored the terms of our
     agreement, we are mutually bound not to act against each other, or allow our agents
     to so act, for twenty-four hours.”
    “Is that the exact wording? You can’t reveal my situation to anyone who is not sidhe?”
    “That is the wording. However—” She held up a hand, stopping Lily before she spoke.
     “You have hinted that someone in your realm is sidhe. While speaking to such a one
     would be allowed under one of the terms, it violates another. I vowed to hold you.
     Were I to reveal your presence while you are in my custody, I would be acting