Meet Markus Sevelien -- Part 3 of 3

Here's the last part of a chapter from MLTF that didn't make it into the final version.

Markus Sevelien is the head of elven intelligence in Mermeia, and Raine's sometime client. In MLTF, Markus is referred to, but never appears. Here's a chapter that introduces Markus, and provides more insight into A'Zahra Nuru as well. If it had been included, it would have been a part of Chapter 6. For those who didn't catch the first two installments, scroll down to Monday's blog, then up to yesterday's to read the parts in order. Enjoy!

The door closed and I stepped into the hall.

Markus spoke without turning. "So, Raine, what do you make of the primari's visit?"

"More than you might think."

He turned at that, and I gestured towards the reception room. "Do you mind? I need to sit down. It's been a long night. An hour of dozing doesn't take me very far."

I dropped into the chair A'Zahra Nuru had just vacated. The beacon thrummed against my chest, probably from the primari's magical residuals. I tried to ignore both of them.
"You're having her followed?" I asked.

"Naturally."

"Who?"

"Josse and Keril will go with her as far as the Goblin District, and Cerin will see her to her final destination."

"Which is?"

"Probably her house on the Kingfisher Canal. That is, if she suspects she's being followed." He smiled. I saw fondness and admiration there. "I'm certain she does. She knows the games I play, since she plays much the same ones. Jori is posted on the street level and Rolfe is covering the rooftops to watch for the messenger she will shortly send to Prince Chigaru."

It was my turn to be impressed, though not surprised. Markus was one of the most devious people I had ever met. Considering the people I knew, that said a lot. For sheer machination, Markus Sevelien would put a Nebian trader to shame.

"Then Prince Chigaru is in the city?"

"Almost certainly. A'Zahra would never have risked coming here herself unless someone she held very dear was in danger. A'Zahra has no concern for herself. The only other she cares about that much since the queen's death is the prince. She's aware that I know this."

"She drops breadcrumbs, you follow, and neither one of you has actually told the other anything."

Markus smiled. If you'd blinked, you'd have missed it.

"So you think the Khrynsani are after the prince?" I asked.

"More than likely. It sounds as if Prince Chigaru's guard may have clashed with his brother's Khrynsani. Nicabar's must have been a busy place last night. The report from my agents on the city watch said that garden was a battlefield, and several bodies were found floating in the canal behind the house. Bodies wearing leather armor with no house badges."

That just added two names to my list of people to avoid: Primari A'Zahra Nuru and Prince Chigaru Mal'Salin. Not that I planned to seek out either one of them. The list of people I needed to avoid was growing faster than the list of people I could safely be seen with. Until I could get all this cleared up, mine was going to be a lonely existence.

Markus took the fresh cup of tea Giles offered. "Thank you, Giles." He raised his teacup to me in salute. "All will come in good time."

"That time's come sooner than you think." I took a sip of my own tea. What I really wanted was coffee strong enough to claw its way out of the cup, but tea should at least keep me awake. "I was at Nigel's last night."

That got Markus' attention. I thought it would. A cool one, my friend. His only reaction was a slight raising of one dark and perfectly arched eyebrow.

"And judging from everyone who was out and about, the elves are the only ones in this city who don't know what's going on." I paused. "Well, not all of the elves," I had to admit. "Mychael Eiliesor certainly counts."

The brow went airborne again as Markus calmly settled in the chair opposite mine. "Why don't you tell me about your evening."

I did. I had it down to an art by now.

A collection of silver church vessels completely filled the top of the bronze marble mantle. Some were upright, others on their sides, all were antique and worth a fortune. Markus used them as knickknacks. He stared past them as he listened.

When I finished I lifted the amulet free from my shirt. "This is a very popular trinket."

Markus cast the barest glance at the amulet. I wasn't fooled. There was nothing bare or casual about his glances. With that flick of his eyes, Markus had committed the amulet to memory and could draw it in exact detail days or even weeks from now if he wanted.

"And you can't take it off." It was a statement, not a question.

That's what I liked about Markus--cuts right to the chase.

I shook my head. "I'd like to make you a gift of it, but I'd rather keep breathing. Sarad Nukpana's gone to a lot of trouble for this. So have the Guardians, and a lot of other people in town. Any idea what all the fuss is about? Or even better, what the hell this thing is?"

Markus smiled faintly. "None, but I have a feeling Primari A'Zahra would know the answer and then some."

"Trust her enough to ask some loaded questions?"

"I do. And I will."

I let a breath out I didn't realize I was holding. "I'd appreciate that. Right now, I'll take all the information I can get. By the way, she knew I was here."

"I knew something had disturbed her, but I thought it was our topic of conversation. I should have known better."

"It was either me or the amulet. Or both. I don't think the she identified me. She just knew something was here that didn't belong."

Markus steepled his fingers in front of his face. "What do you think the amulet does? Based on what you've experienced."

"I don't think what I've experienced has anything to do with what everyone else wants it for. Quentin took it off and gave it to me without any problems. But when I tried to do the same. . ." I stopped. I really didn't want to go down that path again. "Let's just say if Garadin hadn't been there to put the amulet back around my neck, I think I might have died."

"Do you think the amulet did that, or was it your abrupt separation from it?"

"I can't imagine a hunk of metal caring whose neck it's hanging around," I told him. "It seems to want me to keep it. No one else wants me to keep it; and any of them could take it. I'm just not sure I'd survive the experience."

"Therein lies a problem."

"Therein lies the problem," I corrected him.

"Of those pursuing you, the Guardians concern me less than the Khrynsani," Markus said. "The Guardians have a code of honor that they will not breach."

"I'm not inclined to put anyone's code of honor to the test right now."

"Paladin Eiliesor knows you have the amulet?"

"Yes and no. He knows I have what he's looking for, but he didn't actually see it. From what he said, I'm not sure he knows it's an amulet either." I hesitated. "That's one of the reasons why I'm here. I need somewhere to stay while I try to find out what this is, what it does, and how to get rid of it without it getting rid of me. You have a couple of safehouses that are well shielded."

Markus didn't respond immediately. His pale blue eyes were cool as he looked at me. He had decided something, and I had a feeling I knew what it was.

"Considering the interested parties, I would prefer you remain here."

I thought it'd be something like that.

Markus' pronouncement was unfortunately timed with Giles' sliding the bolt home in the massive front doors. From the set of Markus' jaw, I knew what he meant, and while I'm sure he meant it in the nicest way possible, protective custody just wasn't for me. Even in such lavish surroundings, it amounted to me as a bird in a gilded cage. I'm not one for cages, even cages with catering by Giles. Another Benares family quirk.

I didn't have to say a word. Apparently the twitch that had taken up residence under my right eye answered Markus loud and clear.

"It's not safe for you out there," he told me.

"It's not safe for anyone out there."

Markus just looked at me. Stubbornness was one of my less endearing traits. Markus knew that. Markus was also used to getting his way. I knew that. And one way or another, this situation wasn't going to be any different. When I left here (and I would), I was sure A'Zahra Nuru wouldn't be the only one with a tail courtesy of elven intelligence. That was fine with me. Tails could be useful. They could also be lost.

The elven duke sighed. I knew he wasn't giving up, far from it. More like a temporary tactical retreat. "I have a couple of safehouses that can withstand the searchings of a mage of Paladin Eiliesor's ability. Giles can give you directions when you leave." He indicated my pack. "And he can have that waiting for you when you arrive."

"Thank you, Markus." I grinned slyly. "And who'll be following me?"

His thin lips quirked upward in a brief grin. "I thought I'd let that be a surprise. You can't lose what you can't spot."

"Care to make a wager on that?"

"I'd rather count on your cooperation."

I shrugged. "Everyone else is following me. By all means, have your boys join the parade. Though I'm disappointed. After all these years you don't trust me to take care of myself?"

Markus chuckled. "I'm just trying to protect the goblins, Raine. We're not at war yet."