“The night the Guild Master died. A pair of ‘em, all in dark cloaks, climbed right up the wall and into his room, they did.”
“Nighthawks,” James said. “They were going to come back, Thom, but we got to them before they could find you.”
“You’re a good lad, then. My thanks to ya.”
“You’re welcome,” said James with a smile. “Did you see anything else?”
“Well, before them dark cloaks went inside, they was talkin’ to somebody down the street a ways.”
“Did you see who?” asked Jazhara.
“Old Thom couldn’t rightly see, ‘cept he was wearing Guild colors.”
James said, “He had a torque?”
“Yes, that colored thing some of ‘em wear around their neck.”
“Could it have been Kendaric?” asked Jazhara.
Old Thom said, “Aye, the fella what was always arguin’ with the old Guild Master? I seen him the night of the killin’, I did. He left the Guild House early that night; never did come back.”
“Could it have been Kendaric who was with the Nighthawks?” asked James.
“Coulda been,” replied Old Thom. “Or maybe not. He wasn’t wearin’ colors when he left.”
James sat back on his heels. “There are only two other men who would wear colors: the master and Jorath. The Guild is closed for the night, but tomorrow we will return to visit Journeyman Jorath.”
James fished in his pouch and came up with two gold coins. He handed them to Old Thom and said, “Get yourself a decent meal and a warm blanket, my old friend.”
“Thanks, son,” said the old fisherman. “Old Thom thanks you.”
James and Jazhara left the old man in his crate and returned to the city streets.
Morning found James and Jazhara once again at the Wreckers’ Guild office, but this time they entered to a much quieter scene than they had the previous day. When they came in they found Jorath in the main office, reading documents. Looking up, he said, “Again?”
“We have a few more questions, Journeyman,” said James.
“Very well.”
“We have uncovered a few things, but obviously this case will not be put to rest until we’ve located Journeyman Kendaric. What can you tell us about him?”
Jorath said, “He was the oldest journeyman in the Guild, the only one senior to myself. There are two others, both out of the city at present. Kendaric was a man of unusual talents, and had the potential to be prime among us, perhaps even the next Guild Master. Unfortunately he was also greedy and arrogant, probably because of his half-Keshian ancestry.”
Jazhara kept a straight face, but James saw her knuckles turn white as she tightened the grip on her staff.
James asked calmly, “Do you really think his ancestry matters?”
“Without a doubt,” replied Jorath. “He’s always been arrogant, but ever since he had to give up his engagement to a Kingdom girl, he’s had it in for us. Her parents didn’t want a Keshian marrying their daughter, and who can blame them?”
Jazhara said, “I take offense at your obvious prejudice toward Keshians, Guildsman.”
Jorath inclined his head slightly. “Lady, I am no bigot, but as a scholar of some skill, I can tell you that Keshians, and half-breeds in particular, are generally unable to control their emotions.”
Jazhara leaned forward and with an icy smile said, “As the newly-appointed court magician of Krondor, and as a great-niece of Abdur Rachman Memo Hazara-Khan, Ambassador of Great Kesh to the Prince’s court, I can tell you that you are gravely mistaken. Were I not able to control my emotions, you would now be a slithering worm.”
The blood drained from Jorath’s face and he stammered, “I apologize most sincerely, milady. Please forgive me.”
Hiding his amusement, James said, “Tell us about this woman Kendaric was engaged to.”
Jorath appeared glad to change the subject. “A local shopkeeper, if I remember. I don’t know the girl’s name.”
James looked hard at the journeyman, and said, “Thank you. If we have more questions, we’ll return.”
As they left the office, James glanced up the stairs. He motioned for Jazhara to be quiet and they crept up the stairway. At the top of the stairs, James indicated the third door: Jorath’s room.
“What are you doing?” Jazhara asked.
“Our friend downstairs is a little too sanguine about all that’s gone on. He’s hiding something.”
“I agree. Given that his world seems to have been turned upside down, he seems almost . . . relieved.”
James deftly picked the lock of the room and they entered. The chamber was neat, with nothing obviously misplaced. “Tidy fellow, our Journeyman Jorath, isn’t he?” James observed.
“Indeed.”
James went to the desk while Jazhara investigated the contents of a chest at the foot of the journeyman’s bed. In the desk, James found some documents and a ledger. He took them out and had started reading them when Jazhara exclaimed, “Look!”