Dzur by Steven Brust Page B

life. Once, twice around, much like in the old days, when I'd had a gold chain I'd called Spellbreaker, and a very familiar tingle ran up my arm, just like the old days. Two spins, then I held it out in front of me, and the sorceress crumbled and dropped to the ground.
    There were wisps of smoke coming from her clothing. My goodness. I wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but whatever it was, I felt neither the deep weariness that accompanies witchcraft, nor the momentary disorientation that often goes with casting a sorcerous spell.
    "Boss, what just happened?"
    "I didn't get killed."
    "Okay, I think I understand that part."
    "Beyond that, I'm not sure. Except I'd like to get somewhere safe."
    "Good thinking, Boss. Dzur Mountain?"
    "Just my thought."
    I stared at Lady Teldra, then glanced at the sheath. It had changed too; it looked just right to accommodate a curved knife with about an eleveninch blade. I put the one into the other and resolved not to think about it just then. I removed the amulet from around my neck, put it into the box I carried at my hip, shut the box, and performed the teleport as quickly as possible without risking turning myself into little pieces of Easterner scattered all over the landscape.
    It was chilly on Dzur Mountain, but once the amulet was around my neck again, I felt safe.
    The door was unlocked. I let myself in and eventually made my way to the sitting room. I badly wanted something to drink, but there was no sign of Tukko. I sat down and considered what had just happened, and what I had yet to do, and all I didn't know. In particular, all those things I didn't know that might make the difference between living and dying. In the midst of my pondering, Sethra came in.
    I stood up. "Sorry, Sethra. I had some trouble and needed a place-"
    "You know you are welcome here, Vlad."
    "Thank you. Uh ..."
    "Yes?
    I cleared my throat. "Do you know how, uh, how I might be able to reach Kiera the Thief?"
    She raised both eyebrows. I didn't answer all the questions she didn't ask.
    After a moment, she gave an almost imperceptible shrug, and said, "I expect her to be by shortly."
    "Thank you," I said.
    "For what?"
    There was no possible way to answer that, so I didn't. Sethra left, and I sat there being bored and restless for about half an hour. I passed the time as well as I could by recalling details of the meal at Valabar's, at the end of which time Kiera slid into the room.
    "Hello, Vlad."
    "Kiera. I appreciate you stopping in to see me."
    "It was no trouble; I was in the neighborhood. I assume you wish something stolen?"
    "Actually, no. Not this time."
    "Then what's on your mind?"
    "The Left Hand of the Jhereg."
    "Oh? You thinking of joining?"
    "Not this week. But I think one of them just tried to send me to that place from which none return except for those who do."
    "Hmmm. You've annoyed someone."
    "I've annoyed just about everyone in the Jhereg. That is, our side. Would the Left Hand care?"
    She frowned. "Now that, Vlad, is a splendid question."
    "Hey, thanks. Now I feel all smart."
    "I don't know as much about the relationship between the two organizations as you might think I do."
    "You know more than I do; that's good for a start. For example, you just spoke of two organizations; they really are entirely separate?" She nodded.
    I said, "What about the Imperial Representative?"
    "Officially, he represents the House, not any organization."
    "And unofficially?"
    "I.'m not sure. He may represent both sides, or the Left Hand may have another representative in the Palace that I don't know about"
    "If he represents both sides, that would explain why the Left Hand just tried to kill me. The-"
    "You're sure it was them?"
    "Female, Jhereg colors, sorcerous attack."
    "That's pretty conclusive, yes."
    "So either they want me for the same reason the Jhereg wants me, someone in the Jhereg hired them, or they already know what I'm up to, which is awfully fast work."
    "What you're up to?"
    "Uh . . . yeah. I