Echoes of Blood - A New Point of View

This Friday's serial post we switch points of view from Nailha to Caoilinn. A look into what is happening elsewhere in Averin.

Caoilinn

Daddy was missing.

There was no avoiding the fact any longer. A day or two I might have passed off as business, or pleasure, even though he was usually careful to be precise in his return date. But it had been three weeks now since he should have been back and...nothing.

I lifted my arms, letting Elys settle the waist coat over my shoulders. The dress I chose for today was a simple pinstriped coat over cream blouse and a skirt the exact shade of the midnight sky. Fine enough to suit a lady, without all the frivolous lace and trappings. Which was exactly what I needed if I I wanted to be taken seriously.

"I don't like it, Miss, you shouldn't be going to places like that at all, especially alone..."

"Pish," I shushed her. She was sweet to worry, but really. "Someone needs to do something, and I'm taking Nevanth, which is more security than father ever took."

"Yes, but he was..."

"What? A man?" I raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at her in the mirror.

"I'm sorry Miss," Elys mumbled and bowed her head.

I turned to her. Elys really was a dear, and it probably wasn't entirely her fault she was living in the last century where women did nothing without the express permission of a man. First their fathers and then the man they were married to. I placed a hand against her cheek, it was soft, and wrinkled slightly and a little guilt entered my heart. When had she aged so much?

"I know you're just worried," I told her, "but don't be, I'm visiting the Temurans. Father holds them in high esteem."

Elys snorted, and my lips lifted in response. Father was too apt to bestow esteem, though it had worked out for him, being one of the richest merchants this side of the Syaina.

"I'll be careful," I promised, "you know I can talk my way out of just about anything."

"It's your talking that worries me," Elys chided.

"Cheeky, as usual," I smiled at her and then gave a small wave, dismissing her from the room. When she'd gone and the room was clear I turned, assessing my appearance.

I was what one could affectionately call plump. Not in the way that old men tend to get when they drank too often, but my chest was a definite asset, and my thighs and ass were not just walking sticks. It drew plenty of looks and male interest, which worked in my favor when I needed something, and the degree of my voluptuous was easily tempered by dress when I needed too. This was my business suit, so to speak, and it covered the girls and minimized them slightly. It also accommodated a few secrets, that daddy had insisted I learn to take advantage of. The first was the skirt, designed to follow fashion, and yet there was a special pleat, along both legs that would allow for free movement, if so needed. The second was the tiny spring-loaded crossbow that sat in a holder on my thigh. One of the newest inventions of the east, it folded into a perfect rectangle, six inches long and three inches wide, with one inch thickness. When released it instantly snapped into larger proportions, the mechanical gears ensuring the repetitive bolts were loaded, making it the most instant weapon I could get my hands on. I'd spent months perfecting my shot, and then months more practicing a variety of scenarios where I had to retrieve it from my holster first. All to say I was pretty confident I could gain the element of surprise and slip away, if necessary.

I fixed the pin in my hair, the deep auburn curls neatly tamed beneath the smart little cap and looked myself in the eye. "You're going to find him," I promised.

Nevan was waiting in the carriage. For an older man he was surprisingly spry and crafty, and father had trusted him all these long years. I had a feeling there was a lot more to him than appeared, making him the perfect companion for this mission.

"Depart when your ready, Geno," I gave the driver a small smile before climbing inside.

Nevan sat across from me in silence. He had never been much for small talk so I left him to it and began running through my plans. The Temurans were my best hope. Daddy had dealings with them for as long as I could remember and they had fingers in all sorts of pies. If anyone could get him found they would.

The trip across the city was slow and arduous. The roads were getting worse, I noted. Especially on the east side, where they fell into ruts and narrow alleys. From the doorways and spaces between buildings eyes watched greedily as we passed. If the carriage was left for a moment I had no doubt they would be all over it looking for anything they could sell. As if I was stupid enough to bring anything of value to the east side.

We pulled deeper and deeper into lower district, past long rows of warehouses until at last we came to a low building, a new construction of dark ash that stood out from the aged and worn buildings around it. I stood as soon as the carriage pulled to a stop, waiting impatiently while Nevan dismounted and held out a hand.

"If you feel anything is amiss, cough twice and I'll try to talk us out of here," I told him. "The goal is to gain their assistance, so I don't foresee any trouble, but it's better to be prudent, I think, in a case like this."

Nevan didn't say anything, just nodded, his sharp eyes taking in the narrow windows and heavy wooden doors. A wave of nerves hit me. I'd done many things in my short life, but nothing quite like this.

Straightening and firming my resolve I strode forward rapping sharply on the door three times.

For a moment I thought I had perhaps miscalculated the location, despite the obvious signs that I was in the right place. Then, footsteps and the door swung open to a middle aged man far too sharply dressed to be a warehouse worker. His features were not Temuran though, Temurans tended toward deeply tanned skin and dark hair, this man was paler than moonlight and his greying locks hinted at having once been blond. He was most likely an employee, one of high standing, given his dress. His permanent scowl fled for a moment, giving way to surprise.

"Yes?" he asked warily.

"Hello, I'm Caoilinn McKowen, I am here to speak to Mr. Meara, is he available?" The man looked me over skeptically. It took all my strength to remain straight an unaffected. The scowl was back, which didn't bode well for my chances. Time to change tactics. "I'm sorry, how rude of me, what is your name?"

The man blinked. "Edur."

"Well, Edur, I must say you seem like a very competent man. Your duty at the moment, no doubt is to keep out unwanted guests." I nodded without waiting for a response. "Tell me do you have a wide variety of duties?" The trick to disarming someone is to start with easy questions that don't raise any alarms.

"...Yes."

"Of course, I can tell you are a man of many talents. And your employers, do they treat you well?"

"...Yes."

Now the charm. Flattery is a girl's best friend...after money and good sex.

"I am always on the lookout for good men, you see, so if you find yourself...less than satisfied here, I can offer you a position, matching whatever pay they are giving you and with more free time and generous compensation for extra duties." I smiled sweetly. "Just mention my name around town and you'll be directed to the estate. Much better than lingering in this dismal warehouse I promise you."

Edur was surprised again, I wondered if those were the only two expressions he was capable of, disapproval and surprise. There didn't seem to be any in-between.

He hesitated, considering.

"I'm sorry, Edur, I really do need to speak with Mr. Meara, the matter is fairly urgent, is he available, do you know?"

He frowned at me and looked to Nevan, who stood behind me, unassuming.

"...I'll check," he scowled at me suspiciously.

"You really are a wonder, aren't you?" I beamed at him.

Less then ten minutes later Edur had returned, his face set. "Mr. Meara will see you." Then he turned and walked into the darkness.

Taking a long calming breath, I followed him in.