Page 5 of Rune Assassin

Only two out of the remaining ten gladly hurried into the house. The others took their staves and clustered together to chatter.

Tegan stepped up to the master of the house. “Good morning, Mr. Lusio. Domini has requested we be here to-”

He waved his hand at us without looking. “Yes, yes. Domini informed me you were coming and I promptly wrote him to tell him you weren’t needed. I’m perfectly safe with the vetted participants and the crowds have already been checked for those who would cause a disturbance.”

Tegan lifted an eyebrow. “Do you expect disturbances every year?”

Lusio wrinkled his nose. “Well, not every year, but I’m sure you met those troublemakers on the road here.”

“We couldn’t help it,” Tegan confirmed.

A dark cloud settled on our host’s brow. “They’ve been trying to tarnish my name for many months now with those false accusations. Imagine me going against the rules of the sea when I’ve made my life and fortune from it.”

“A vast fortune, or so I’ve heard,” Tegan added.

Lusio turned to us and gave him a sharp look. “You don’t believe those falsehoods, do you?”

“We didn’t come here to pass judgment on your life but to protect it,” Tegan reminded him.

The man didn’t appear appeased as he looked Tegan over. “Whatever your intentions, I need no help. You can stay for the tournament as a courtesy to Domini, but any interruption on your part will result in immediate dismal.” He paused and looked over my broom. “And under no circumstances will I allow you to participate. Is that understood?”

Tegan bowed his head. “Perfectly. Thank you for allowing us to witness your tournament. The reputation precedes it and I have no doubt we will enjoy the show.”

The corners of Lusio’s lips twitched upward. “Yes, well, I pride myself on giving variety. No two years are the same. Take this, for example.” He held out his hand to the group of servants but they didn’t notice his gesture. He frowned. “You there! Will someone bring me one of those sticks?”

They snapped to attention and half of them scrambled over the other half to meet his demand. They nearly stuck Lusio like a pig with their eagerness to shove their stick at him. He jerked his hand back and gave them a disapproving glare before he snatched an offered stave.

Lusio turned to us and tilted the stick enough so Tegan and I could see the interior of the jar. “Do you see that? Can you guess what it is?”

Tegan took one look at it and nodded. “It looks like some bubble mixture.”

Lusio frowned but hid most of his disapproval by clearing his throat. “Yes, well, not just a mere bubble mixture, but you shall see soon enough.” He shoved the stave back into the hands of the servant and nearly toppled the trembling fellow. “Now if you will excuse me, I have a tournament to prepare. You may return to the house and Miles will show you to your rooms.”

Tegan and I were only too glad to leave our strange host behind and return to the house. We met the stoic servant just inside the doors and he swept his arm down the hall. “If you will come with me, I will show you to your rooms.”

I lifted an eyebrow at his inexplicable knowledge but silently followed him. Miles led us to the left set of spiral stairs and up to the third floor. The climb wasn’t as brutal as reaching Glistnia but my head was spinning by the time we arrived at our destination.

The butler led us down the hall to the end where a window looked out on the cliffs. He gestured to the last two doors. “You may occupy these rooms during your brief stay with us.”

Tegan clapped a hand on the man’s shoulder and grinned. “We’ll only need one of them.”

Miles eyed his hand as a personal offense but kept his stoic mouth. “I see. Will you be needing anything else, sir?”

“The itinerary for the tournament would be appreciated,” Tegan told him.

Miles reached into his coat and drew out a pamphlet. “This lists the events and meal times.”

“Perfect,” Tegan replied as he accepted the flyer with his offending hand.

“Will there be anything else, sir?”

“A list of the guests,” Tegan added as he took a brief look at the inside of the pamphlet and held it up. “This doesn’t include that.”

Miles shook his head. “The list is exclusively held by my master. None may view it unless given express permission by him. Would you like me to ask him for the list on your behalf?”

Tegan smiled and shook his head. “No need. I think we both know the answer to that question.”

“Then if there is nothing else, sir, I will take my leave.” Miles bowed his head and disappeared down the hall.

---