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.The writing table was carved from somber marble, the chairs padded with smoke-colored silk.Even the carpet was patterned in shades of gray.Procopio noted, however, that it was a fine Calimshan carpet, a work of art that would cost most men a year's wages.Ymani Gold sat behind his table, absently decimating a pile of sugared figs as he read a messenger's scroll.His plump hand moved steadily between plate and mouth, and the plodding movements of his jaw brought to Procopio's mind the image of a cud-chewing rothe cow.The priest was not yet in midlife, but his bulbous nose was a map of broken veins, and deeply shadowed skin sagged in tired crescents beneath his eyes.He wore beautifully embroidered gray silk, cut in flowing layers to conceal his bulk.In short, Ymani Gold was visibly fond of fine things.Procopio knew of other, less readily apparent indulgences.Since a priest's wages could hardly begin to satisfy Ymani's various appetites, Procopio found that Ymani was quite willing to serve the lord mayor of Halarahh-for a price.Procopio quickly cast a spell of divination, hoping to 11 the scroll's message from Ymani's mind before the priest discerned his presence.The pilfered news startled an involuntary gasp from him, which he covered by pointedly clearing his throat.Ymani Gold leaped to his feet, noisily upending his chair.The befuddlement on his face would have cheered Procopio considerably, had not the stolen information been so grim."Greetings, priest, and peace to this house.I pledge not to work any magic within these walls unbidden." Any further magic, he added silently.Ymani gathered his composure and settled back in his chair."Lord Procopio," he said in a fluting, nasal tenor."What brings so great an honor to my door?"Procopio arranged himself in room's best chair before speaking."We have a mutual problem.Kiva the magehound has escaped."The priest blinked in surprise.A flicker of suspicion crossed his face."You are well informed.I just learned of this myself."Procopio reasoned that the best way to cover one misdeed was to focus upon another."It is difficult to hide such matters from a diviner, although the church of Azuth has certainly tried.""Apparently we have not done well enough, if you learned of it." A sour expression crossed his face."Don't bother telling me what a powerful diviner you are, how nothing is hidden from you.The truth, now! How did you come by this knowledge?""I had a visit from a jordain who was once in my service, a youth known as Matteo."Ymani's eyes took on a malicious gleam."I have heard that name.His masters call him a shining example of everything his breed purports to be.They claimed that since he was instructed to keep his counsel on this matter, he would never speak of it.It is gratifying to know that such a paragon is capable of indiscretion and that the so-called jordaini masters are as fallible as other men.""The jordaini masters were more right about this than they know," the wizard grumbled."Matteo is persistent, dedicated, and honorable."The priest narrowed his eyes."Am I to conclude that you have some power over this jordain that enabled you to divine this news from him?"Procopio saw where this was going."An unsound conclusion."Undaunted, the priest continued."Only the inquisitors of Azuth have the ability to enter a jordaini mind.You may have promise.If you'd like to apply as a temple acolyte, I would sponsor your petition."The diviner let Ymani have his fun but noted the price of it for later reckoning."The question remains: What's to be done about Kiva?"The priest's smirk faded.He helped himself to another fig."This is a grave matter but not the usual province of Halarahh's lord mayor.""I have a personal stake in this," the wizard said bluntly."An elf jordain in my employ was in league with the traitor.I do not appreciate any stain upon my name, however small.I intend to see that the elf woman does nothing that might cause this stain to spread.""Most understandable.What would you have me do?""I want the magehound who examined Kiva before her escape.Bring him to Halarahh on some pretext, and I will take from his mind the details of his findings.Perhaps some small bit of information might be a trail marker.""If such existed, surely my fellow Azuthans would have found and followed it," Ymani protested."Partisanship aside, such spells are hideously illegal.I cannot be part of this!"The wizard sniffed."The Azuthans let a traitor to king and country slip between their fingers.Worse, you kept silent, valuing your reputation over the security of the land.You and I stand aboard the same skyship, my friend.We fly or fall together.Find a way to bring this man to me, and soon.""You are most persuasive.Of course, I will do what I can." Ymani lifted one hand and formed the Azuthan blessing.Usually Procopio would be insulted by so blatant a dismissal, but he had already spent too much time on the fat priest.He eased himself away from his projected image, pulling back along the threads of magic to his tower.Procopio returned to his spell chamber to a body grown painfully stiff and chilled.Cursing himself for tarrying too long, he struggled from his chair and shuffled over to the hearth like a toothless old peasant.A quick spell conjured a blaze, and he chafed his icy hands as he considered the problem before him.Kiva's disappearance cast a grim light upon other, recent events.Just this morning he'd received word of the raid on the Lady's Mirror.There were no survivors, but magical inquiry revealed that the attackers were wild elves
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