Thraxas and the Ice Dragon Read online

  "She didn't tell me about any meeting. Where are you going?"

  "The Queen's Bathing House."

  I blink. "What? You get to go to the Queen's Bathing House?"

  "Of course. You can't expect the Head of the Sorcerers Guild to walk around without her bodyguard in wartime. What if an Orcish spy tried to assassinate her?"

  I don't take the news well. The thought of Makri splashing around with the female aristocracy really irritates me. Damn it, you couldn't get more common than Makri. She was born in an Orcish slave pit. I'm a solid citizen with an exemplary record of public service and war-time heroism. They should be welcoming me into the King's Bathing House with open arms. Now in a poor temper, I decide to fortify myself with a beer or two. It's still early in the morning but there's no harm in checking out the local taverns. I stroll past some of the low grey buildings in the centre of town, reflecting that I might have a hard time making a living in Samsarina. I'm not certain that there's enough crime among the mainly-rural population to keep an investigator in employment.

  "Help me!" screams an anguished voice nearby. Maybe I was wrong about the crime. I sprint round the corner where I find an elderly gentlemen having his belongings removed by three armed men. I grab one of the men by his collar and toss him to the ground. His companions round on me.

  "Stay out of this." One of them brandishes a knife in my direction.

  "Get out of my sight or I'll make you swallow the knife."

  I place my hand on the hilt of my sword. With no more threat than this, he hurries off, followed by his companions. A very poor class of street thug, if that's all it takes to scare them. That's not to say my actions aren't appreciated by the grey-haired, grey-bearded man currently brushing down his cloak and looking relieved. He bows, thanks me, then introduces himself.

  "Arichdamis. Chief Mathematician at the court of King Gardos."

  "Thraxas of Turai," I reply. "Chief Adviser to Lisutaris, Mistress of the Sky."

  "Really?" My companion looks impressed. ""Is Lisutaris here in Elath?'

  I look around for any sign of the thugs. They weren't the bravest robbers I've ever met but they might have friends nearby so there's no point in hanging around. I suggest to Arichdamis that we move on. He tells me he was heading for the baths. Reckoning that it's no bad thing to be on good terms with an important figure at the King's court, I offer to accompany him. It's a sacrifice, as I was hunting for a tavern, but one I'm willing to make. We walk back to the northern outskirts of town, then turn left towards the bathing houses.

  "Why were these thugs attacking you? And do you want to report it to anyone?"

  "Report it to anyone?" Arichdamis doesn't seem to have considered it. Though his eyes are quite alert, he has about him a slightly distracted air, as if he's got part of his mind permanently on some mathematical problem. He might have, I suppose.

  "I take it you live in one of the hillside mansions?" I ask.

  "I do."

  "If you're heading for the baths, weren't you rather out of your way?"

  "Just taking a walk," he replies, pleasantly. "Good exercise."

  He's tall and thin, and stoops slightly. He looks like he could do with some exercise. I should just let it pass. Often there are things you shouldn't talk about. But not talking about things is something I've often found difficult.

  "Well, if you'll take my advice, next time you're out buying an illegal bag of thazis, don't walk down any dark alleyways."

  This gets his attention. He stops, and stares at me. I take a package from my pocket.

  "You dropped this when you were attacked. I suppose it's what they were after. It would fetch a fair price around here, with it being illegal, and the King so keen to see it stamped out." Arichdamis looks very alarmed. I hand over the bag. "Don't worry. I'm not about to tell anyone. I'm a Private Investigator by trade. I'm not in the habit of giving away secrets."

  "It really is vitally important that no one learns of this," he says.

  "I've never ratted-out a mathematician yet. Which baths are you going to?"

  I'm expecting him to be heading for the King's Bathing House, but apparently the post of Chief Mathematician doesn't carry that much status. He's heading for the common baths, same as me. We stroll up the hill together. I ask him if he's ever encountered Lisutaris. He hasn't, but he's heard favourable reports of her power, and her intelligence.

  "Lisutaris would love to meet you," I tell him.

  "Would she really?"

  "Undoubtedly."

  Arichdamis looks pleased. As far as I know, Lisutaris doesn't care that much for mathematicians, but she'll certainly be pleased to meet a person with a nice bag of thazis in his pocket.

  Chapter Seven

  Because of the King's presence, security is tight. Soldiers are stationed on the roads around the town's mansions. They have dark green tunics, polished breastplates and gleaming weapons. On the way back to Kublinos's house I'm halted at a checkpoint, where a Military Sorcerer searches me for hostile spells while the Captain of the Guard verifies my identify.

  "Thraxas of Turai, Chief Adviser to Lisutaris, Mistress of the Sky," I mutter. Already I'm sick of saying this. It's not like anyone believes I'm giving her advice.

  "Turai?" the Captain sneers. "Didn't hold out for long, did you?"

  I don't bother replying. The Samsarinans may be able to muster a large army, but they don't have a great reputation for warfare, no matter how smart the King's guards look. I make my way to Kublinos's mansion. Servants keep an eye on me as I take the side stairs up to the attic. So far I haven't been invited into Kublinos's state room, or his courtyard shrine, or his main dining room. Nonetheless, after my visit to the mineral baths, I'm feeling more like my old self. I had to do a fair bit of pushing and jostling to get myself a bit of room among the farmers and merchants, but once I'd done that, I had an excellent soak. Arichdamis wasn't a bad companion, for a mathematician. Apparently he designs war machines - siege devices and so on - which explains why he's employed by the King. As an old campaigner myself, I'm sympathetic to anyone who can tell a few good stories about campaigns he's been involved in, which Arichdamis could.

  While soaking in the hot water I did my best to pick up information about the sword-fighting tournament. If Makri won't enter, I can still bet on the other fighters. I anticipate a prosperous betting campaign, if I can just raise some money to get started. I'm musing on where exactly I might raise a stake when there's a sharp knock at my door and Lisutaris enters, looking angry. Ignoring all rules of decorum, she plants herself on the bed and starts complaining.

  "Life is hell," she begins, and goes on from there. The Sorceress spent the morning in a meeting with King Gardos, his Barons and his Sorcerers. By her account, her reception was frosty. "Lasat looked at me like I was something washed up on the beach. Which I was, I suppose. He'd heard I was missing - some Sorcerer got a message to him, I don't know who - and he'd already started to take control of the Guild. Charius the Wise was there and he hates me just as much as Lasat. Damn these Samsarinan Sorcerers. The Barons are no better. The story has got around that an Orcish Sorcerer sneaked into Turai without me detecting her, and now people are whispering I'm not up to the job."

  "What about the King? Is he against you?"

  "Gardos is young. He's only been on the throne for a few months. I don't think he's really established himself yet. I can't see him standing up to the Barons and Sorcerers on my behalf. Besides, he's not what you'd call intelligent."

  "Isn't he?"

  "Of course not. If he had any sense he wouldn't be carrying on with this ludicrous anti-thazis policy."

  Lisutaris drums her fingers on the side of the bed. "Damn this place," she mutters. She glares at me crossly. "Weren't you meant to be finding some thazis? You're my Chief Adviser. Is it really beyond you to - "

  "I found some."

  "What? Where is it? Give me it!"

  I admit I don't actually have any on me. "But I do know a user, and I
'm certain he'd share with you. A man called Arichdamis. Mathematician to the King."

  "Arichdamis? He's here?"

  "You've heard of him?"

  "Of course," says Lisutaris. "He's one of the most famous scientists and mathematicians in the world. Are you sure he has thazis?"

  "Yes. And he was keen to meet you."

  "Then let's go." Lisutaris stands up.

  "Aren't you meant to be dining with Kublinos?"

  "Kublinos can wait."

  Nothing will satisfy Lisutaris but that we set off right away. She summons a servant to take a note to Makri - currently practising with her weapons outside - telling her to meet us there, and we depart. Outside the sky is still grey but the temperature has risen a degree or two. Further east, the snows will soon be melting. The storms in the great ocean to the south will be calming down. It's almost the season for war.

  "Makri will want to meet Arichdamis," says Lisutaris. "He's written quite a few important scientific treatises."

  "No doubt she's read them all," I respond, gloomily. "And will bore me to death with a long lecture abut some interminably dull subject no one in their right mind would care about."

  Lisutaris carries herself regally as we pass by the guards and soldiers outside. If she's feeling browbeaten by the local Barons, no one could tell from the way she freezes out a Sorcerer who tries to check me for spells. "The Chief Adviser to the Head of the Sorcerers Guild does not require inspection, thank you."

  We sweep past. I thank Lisutaris. "It's time I got a bit of respect around here. Since I arrived in Samsarina it's been one insult after another."

  "For instance?"

  "For instance it's outrageous that Makri gets to go to the Queen's Bathing House while I have to go to the common place. I almost drowned under the weight of farmers and blacksmiths."

  "I'm sorry, Thraxas. They're willing to stretch a point for my bodyguard, but not my Adviser. Was it really so bad?"

  "No, not really. Crowded, though. What's the Queen's Bathing House like?"

  "Extremely elegant. Marble floors, steam rooms, masseurs, that sort of thing."

  "How did the massed ranks of Baronesses react to the not-very-aristocratic-Makri?"

  My question makes Lisutaris frown.

  "What's wrong? Did she commit some outrage?"

  "No, she behaved quite properly. It's just… I don't suppose you've ever seen Makri naked?"

  "I have."

  Lisutaris looks at me with surprise. "You have?"

  "Yes. When she strolled into my room without bothering to get dressed. Until you've lived in the same tavern as Makri, you have no idea how uncivilised she is."

  Lisutaris continues to look at me rather dubiously for a few moments, then carries on. "Well, if you've seen her naked, you'll know what I'm talking about. She has a body like… like… " Lisutaris struggles to find a comparison. "Like a female athlete would be, if there were such a thing. Her stomach is completely flat. You can see the outline of her muscles, which I've never seen on a woman before. She doesn't appear to have a single ounce of spare fat anywhere. Apart from her breasts, oddly enough, which seem rather generously-sized. You've no idea the sensation this caused at the bathing house."

  "Really?"

  "When she walked out of the changing rooms there was a sort of collective gasp. The Baroness beside me probably hadn't thought about her own body for the past twenty years but I swear she was sucking her tummy in when Makri strolled past. There was nothing but rich women looking sick with envy."

  It's not something I'd anticipated, but I can understand it. The aristocracy in Samsarina are no doubt just as vain and frivolous as they were in Turai.

  "But what about the pointy ears?" I ask. "I'm sure they weren't jealous of her Orcish blood."

  "Well no. But even so, she had quite a sensational effect. Makri, while swimming, displays remarkable muscular development. I caught sight of one young princess flexing her arm to see if there was any sign of a bicep. Which sadly, there wasn't."

  Lisutaris looks rather thoughtfully down at her own body. "How does she do it?"

  "I don't know. She doesn't eat much, and she's always practising with weapons. But I've always thought she was too skinny."

  "Really Thraxas? Only moments ago you were revelling in seeing her naked."

  "I was not revelling. Merely reporting the facts."

  Lisutaris look irritated. "I need to win these Barons' support against Lasat. I'm not going to be popular if their wives are all miserable because Makri's made them feel flabby."

  "Maybe they'd be pleased if their wives start taking better care of themselves?"

  Lisutaris shakes her head. "I got the impression the King wasn't very impressed with me having Makri as my bodyguard. Probably doesn't believe she can even fight."

  "You should encourage her to enter the tournament. If your bodyguard won that, it would be a real boost to your status."

  Lisutaris doesn't dismiss the idea out of hand. By now we've reached the northern edge of town where the mansions are laid out in a haphazard manner. Presumably each Baron bought the best piece of land they could find, and started building. The streets between their mansions are narrower than might be expected, and there's an unusually high concentration of nobility in the area. At times there seems to be a Baron round every corner, and manners are probably more relaxed than they would be at court.

  I wonder if Lisutaris fully appreciates the risk she's taking in visiting Arichdamis. "You know how the King feels about thazis. If you're caught using it, he'll be down on you like a bad spell."

  The Sorceress shrugs. "I'll risk it. Makri was right. It's a flaw in my character and there's nothing to be done about it. Are you sure we're going the right way?"

  "I think so."

  "I don't want to ruin into Baron Mabados or Lasat again."

  "Relax," I say. "We're nowhere near the Baron's house."

  I lead us round the corner. There, looking comfortable in his own front yard, is Baron Mabados. Lasat Axe of Gold is next to him. Lisutaris shoots me an angry glance and swears under her breath.

  "Baron Mabados," she exclaims. "What a pleasant surprise to meet you again. And Lasat as well. It seems like only minutes since we parted."

  If it sounds a little forced, it's a good deal more polite than Lasat Axe of Gold, manages. He barely acknowledges Lisutaris's greeting, though the Baron does manage to make the formal bow due to a woman of Lisutaris's status. We stand there awkwardly for a few moments. I feel sorry for Lisutaris, and her acute lack of thazis. I notice a few beads of perspiration on her brow. The front portal of the mansion opens and some men troop out. Another Baron, I'd guess, and several men with swords, including Basinos. sword-fighting champion of the southern armies.

  "My champion, and entrant for the sword-fighting tournament," says Baron Mabados.

  "And mine," chimes in Lasat, indicating the other swordsman. "Elupus of Simnia."

  Elupus makes a small bow. He's not especially tall for a sword-fighter, but he's powerfully built, and carries himself confidently, as befits a man who's won tournaments all over the West. It's quite a surprise to learn that he's being sponsored by Lasat. The Sorcerer really must want to boost his own status.

  "Will you be entering your bodyguard in the tournament?" Baron Mabados asks Lisutaris.

  "The thin woman?" says Lasat. "I doubt she'd want to trade blows with Elupus or Basinos."

  "My bodyguard is not keen on tournaments," says Lisutaris, evenly.

  "Quite wise," replies Lasat. One wouldn't want to see her hurt."

  The other Baron in attendance, who's name I don't know, sniggers at this. Lisutaris is discomfited. I'm angry.

  "You can count yourselves lucky Makri isn't entering the tournament," I say. "Or she'd show you who was number one chariot with a sword."

  My outburst only provokes more mirth.

  "Is it really wise," says Lasat to Mabados. "In these dangerous times, to engage the services of such an ineffectual bod
yguard?"

  Lisutaris is about to respond but she doesn't get the chance.

  "I am entering the contest," comes a voice from behind us. Makri has arrived.

  "You are?" I say.

  "Of course," replies Makri, quite calmly, as if she meant to do so all along. "And when I win, people will see which Sorcerer has the best judgement in bodyguards."

  "Well put Makri," says Lisutaris, "Now we really must be off. Good day, Baron, Lasat."

  We walk on.

  "Thanks for doing that," says Lisutaris. "I know you didn't want to enter the tournament."

  "I'm not letting them insult us like that," says Makri.

  "Lasat still thinks he can force me out of the Sorcerers Guild, and take over," says Lisutaris. She pauses. I notice her fists are clenched. "Are we far from Arichdamis house? If I don't get some thazis soon I'm going to explode in a fireball which may destroy the entire town. Thraxas? Are you listening?"

  "Of course he isn't listening," says Makri. "He's dreaming about his betting campaign now I've entered the tournament."

  She's right. I can sense prosperous times ahead. Makri is going to sweep all opposition before her. If I can just raise a stake, I'll show these Samsarinan bookmakers a thing or two.

  Chapter Eight

  As we approach Arichdamis's house, Baroness Demelzos passes by on the other side of the road, in the company of two other well dressed women, both Baronesses, according to Lisutaris. Demelzos notices us, but barely acknowledges our presence.

  "That was quite rude," says Lisutaris. "Only a few hours ago we were sharing the same mineral bath."

  "But Thraxas wasn't there then," Makri points out.

  "True. You can't expect her to stop for a chat when Thraxas is around. There's no knowing what he might come out with."

  I ignore their mockery. It's the first time I've seen the Baroness since our unfortunate encounter in Orosis. Now I'm sober, Demelzos reminds me of someone, but I can't remember who.

  Arichdamis's dwelling is far more modest than those of the Barons.