Page 75 of Paladin's Faith

“We need a distraction, then,” said Shane. “Something to allow us to get to the cellars unobserved, and to cover in case they do attempt to stop us.”

Marguerite nodded. “We do. Hmm, let’s see…who could I get a note to…” She nibbled on her lower lip, while Shane and Wren moved about the suite, shoving things into packs. Unfortunately there weren’t that many people that both owed her a favor and would be able to cause a suitable distraction at a moment’s notice. And we have to figure that anything I write will be intercepted. Dammit.

“I could stay behind and cause the distraction,” Wren began.

“You’re not staying behind,” said Shane. “It’s too dangerous.”

She gave him an annoyed look. “You heard yourself that they don’t consider me important. And I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself in a fight.”

“And once you demonstrate that fact, they will suddenly realize that you are very important indeed.”

“Hate to say it, but he’s right,” said Marguerite. “And we don’t even know that they believe Davith completely about that bit anyway.” She considered. “On the other hand, it’s probably less likely that they’ll try to stop you if you leave here, so possibly you can carry a message for me.”

“Or me,” said Shane.

Marguerite’s eyebrows went up. “You’ve got a plan?” Has Mr. Communicates-in-Grunts actually made a useful contact or two when my back was turned? Or does the Temple have an operative here that has been carefully avoiding me?

“I may.” He looked sharply at Davith. “I don’t want him to hear it, though. The less he knows, the better.”

Davith rolled his eyes. “I’ll go into the other room.”

“You’re not leaving my sight, spy.”

“Oh for god’s sake. What do you want me to do, put my fingers in my ears and hum?”

“…Yes. That is exactly what I want.”

Davith stared at him. “You’re not serious.”

“I am entirely serious.”

With a much put-upon expression, Davith shoved his fingers in his ears and began to hum a tune that Marguerite recognized as the one about the milkmaid and the wolverine.

“Can he read lips?” asked Shane suspiciously.

“Probably, yeah.”

Shane made a little twirling gesture with his fingers and Davith rolled his eyes and turned his back. He began to sing the chorus. “Hmmm-mmm-mm-hmm, hmm-hmm…oh where are you going, my pretty little dear…”

“Lady Silver,” said Shane. “If we send Wren to her and ask her to cause a distraction, I suspect she’d be willing to help.”

“…with your milk buckets swaying to-and-fro…”

“Really!” Marguerite’s eyebrows shot up at that. Lady Silver? The diplomat? Gods above and below, she’s been here as long as the Court has. They say she doesn’t ever leave, just stays here writing letters to her nation and watching human politics. “You know her?”

“…suppose I were to carry you up on my back…”

“We’ve met.”

“…far far away from here…”

“And you think she’d help us?” Marguerite rubbed the back of her neck. “She doesn’t play politics, so far as I know.”

“I could be wrong. But at least if Wren goes to speak to her directly, there’s less chance of a message being intercepted. Little as I like to send her off alone.”

“…and with these great claws, why I’ll scratch any itch…”

I can’t imagine she works for the Sail. Though I suppose that I can just about believe that Bishop Beartongue knows her. “It’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, I doubt it will put us in any more danger.”

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