Page 5 of The Gargoyle's Grace
“Apologies, council, but I must advise that there seems to be an influx of crime in the city. Enough to warrant concern. More shipments are being pilfered before they reach their destination, violence is erupting in the street over minor infractions—”
“Yes, all duly noted, General. The unrest of the humans is not unexpected, and they have their own methods for policing things.” The councilman waved his hand as though such things were inconsequential.
“Of course.” I frowned, but proceeded. “Also, the lower-level demon horde outbreaks are increasing in frequency, though overall volume and strength has diminished. Myself, Archmage Stolas, and other stone kin have been successful at putting them down thus far, but the way they are concentrating around Revalia is unusual.”
“Thank you for your report, General. Your concerns are all noted and will be monitored. Maintain your patrols. There’s no dispensation for additional man power at this time. Do you have any other concerns?”
Not aside from the significant ones I just listed that you have no interest in, I thought grumpily. Instead of saying as much, I simply shook my head. “No, sir.” I gritted my teeth while giving the honorific. The more I dealt with these people, the less I believed they had any interest in what actually happened beyond these hallowed halls and their own posturing.
“Your assignment remains the same and will continue until we see further progress. Patrol routes and staffing are at your discretion, but please remind all stone kin that they are to be vigilant and above all, remainunseen.” He looked at me over the top of his ridiculous little half-moon spectacles, impressing the importance of this upon me as though it weren’t something even little fledglings just learning how to use their wings were taught. “You’re to return next month as scheduled for briefing. Excused.”
He called on the next poor bastard before I even had a chance to move. Stunned, I gave a polite nod before backing away. As I glanced over, I spotted General Gaius Caledon, who was pointedly looking away from me and toward the council bench. No matter. We weren’t friends, but I wouldn’t have called us enemies either. We did the same job, though in a very different way much of the time.
Once clear of the attendee benches, I turned and strode quickly out of the chamber. As I made my way down the wide marble-floored hall, I inhaled, breathing easier now that I was out of that stuffy room full of bureaucrats.
I thought I’d been pressing my luck double-booking my evening, but thankfully, the council had released me instead of wanting to pick apart every inch of my progress where several assignments were concerned. I wasn’t sure which option I preferred.
I walked instead of using my wings as I wound my way into the center of the city. The sun was still not fully set, and the humans gathered too densely for me to travel the way I preferred. My contact, Will, worked evenings at the smithy in order to catch the cool breeze while toiling over the forge. He saw much, worked with many, and always had good information to share.
I stopped at the cart selling grilled meat skewers and bought two for each of us. While mostly a kindness, I also understood too well that information flowed better on a full stomach or with much wine.
The rhythmicclangof the hammer meeting the anvil could be heard a full block away. I always wondered how the neighbors felt about his preferred evening shift. I’d bet none of them would be brave enough to mention it in any case. If you were smart, you didn’t complain to the man surrounded by fire and swords that he was making too much noise.
“You’re early,” he muttered as I walked into the shop. He had a long blade carefully balanced in his tongs as he moved toward a wide water trough.
“I come bearing gifts,” I said, waving the skewers.
“One I’ll gladly accept.” Will nearly groaned in appreciation as he sniffed the fragrant air. “This blade has given me no end of trouble today, so I’ve not stopped to eat.” The metal sizzled as it touched the cool water, and steam rose in a billowing cloud above the bath.
He shed his heavy leather gloves, tucking them under his arm as he reached out for the food. “Be well,” he said by way of blessing, then enthusiastically tore into the meat with his teeth.
“And you,” I replied, following his lead.
“I don’t have much for you today,” Will said over his mouthful, shaking his head as though admitting such was a disappointment to him. “Just more talk from the merchants that loads are arriving light—like missingcasesof goods. The food vendors seem particularly upset.” He chucked the first bare stick into the flames of his fire. “But most understand that when people are hungry, they do desperate things.”
Indeed. I had several things on my list to discuss with the city council, which unfortunately was a whole separate entity from the magical councils I already met with. With Rylan away, it would be a while until that could happen, but that only gave me more time to gather evidence for my proposals.
“Any new contraband popping up?”
He shook his head, chewing a massive bite. “No. Your cleanup efforts a while back seem to have disrupted the whole business.”
I grunted, pleased. Magical contraband—black market potions, spells, charms, and the like—had been flowing into the city for several months. Non-approved practitioners had been selling them, and untrained laymen had been using them. Several people had ended up dead because of it. Thankfully, we’d rooted out the issue, though not without cost. The people who had kidnapped the archmage’s wife were the ones found responsible for both creation and distribution.
It was to my great pleasure that they were all dead now.
Will took a deep drink from a waterskin and gestured to the open archways that served as doors. “Shall we take a breath of clean air? I could use some cooling off.” Sweat dotted his smudged forehead and there were rings of salt on his clothing.
“Of course.”
I followed him into the grassy courtyard where he gave me a quick inventory of the weapons he’d been hired to make since I’d last seen him. Nothing felt out of the ordinary, but it was often hard to tell until it was too late when it came to things like swords and daggers.
“As always, I appreciate your help, Will.” I put my hand in my pocket, palming a decent-sized coin. I shook his sooty, rough hand, making the transfer.
“My pleasure, Magnus. Anything you’d like me to keep my eye on this next little while?”
“Nothing new. Of course, if you see anything of interest before I’m scheduled to come by, just send me a message at the guild hall.”
He nodded. “You sure I can’t interest you in a blade?”
