Dzur by Steven Brust

was a musician. I wasn't.
    I said, "It's not like I'm tone-deaf or anything. And, I mean, there are some things I like. Simple tunes, that you can hum, with words that are kind of clever. But most things that people call real music-"
    "Yeah," said Aibynn. "Sometimes I want to be just done with the whole thing." As he spoke, his fingers were drumming on the tabletop. I don't mean tapping, like I might do if I were bored,
    I mean drumming-making complex rhythms, and doing rolls, and frills. He seemed entirely unaware of what his fingers were doing. But then, Aibynn usually seemed entirely unaware of most of what was going on.
    "I don't think he's going to get it, Boss," said my familiar. "I think you're right, Loiosh."
    "Anyway," I said, "I actually came because there are some questions I wanted to ask you."
    "Oh." He said it as if it had never before occurred to him that he might know the answer to any conceivable question. "All right."
    "You used to go to South Adrilankha fairly often. Do you still?" His eyes widened slightly, but from him that didn't mean much. "Yes, I do. The Easterners have an instrument called-"
    "Is this guy bothering you?"
    We both glanced up. A particularly ugly specimen of Orcahood was speaking to Aibynn. Funny how differently people re-act to you when you aren't dressed as a Jhereg.
    Aibynn frowned at the fellow, as if he had to translate. I reached for my rapier, but my hand came in contact with the hilt of Lady Teldra instead. I leaned back in my chair, and waited for Aibynn to answer. He said, "No, no. We're friends."
    The Orca gave him an odd look, started to say something, then shrugged and shuffled off. Five years ago, there would have been blood on the floor. Ten years ago, there would have been a body. I guess I'd changed. I returned my attention to Aibynn.
    "Do you know the area called Six Corners?"
    He nodded. "I used to play at a place there called, uh, I don't know what it's called. But, yeah."
    "Good. That was going to be my next question."
    "What was?"
    "Never mind. Tell me about the place."
    "Well, the acoustics are really nice because-"
    "No, no. Uh ..."
    Eventually I managed to get the information I wanted, and even to communicate what I wanted him to do. He shrugged and agreed because he had no reason not to. I got out of the place without any untoward incidents, and slipped around behind it to give myself time to figure out my next move.
    "Think that's going to do any good, Boss?"
    Àny reason not to have it set up, just in case?"
    "Well, no, I guess not. Rocza is hungry."
    'Already?"
    "Boss, it's been hours."
    "But it wasValabar's. Doesn't that count extra?"
    "I'm sure it does in some ways they've found you, Boss?' "Huh?"
    "Boss, someone just found you?'
    "How . . . what?"
    "I don't know. I felt something. You're being looked at."
    "Through you?"
    "I don't know?'
    As we were talking, I was moving-walking as quickly as I could without appearing to rush. I passed a few tradesmen and Teckla, none of whom paid any attention to me. I turned right onto a street whose name I didn't know.
    I carried a charm that prevented anyone from finding me by sorcery. I was also protected against witchcraft, just on the off-chance the Jhereg would use it. There are other arcane disciplines, to be sure, but could they be used to track me? I wished I knew more.
    Sethra Lavode had once located Loiosh. That was one possibility. But there weren't many Sethra Lavodes in the world. Could they have tracked Lady Teldra, even inside her sheath? If I were given to muttering, I'd have muttered.
    Loiosh and Rocza took off from my shoulders, to keep an eye on things from above, and so that, if it was Loiosh who had been located, I wouldn't be in his immediate proximity. I guess it was having the Bitch Patrol on my mind, but I kept seeing visions of some sorceress showing up in front of me and blasting me to pieces before I could move. Okay, I had three choices. I could find an alley where they had to come at me