All Chapters of Blue Thread, Silver Scales: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

AilisI finished wrapping the panel as quickly as expensive embroidery permitted.Which was not very quickly.The Cyren footman had returned, and he had brought someone with him. Maela had already made that clear before leaving me upstairs with an unfinished wrapping and no useful explanation of who the second person might be.I tucked the remaining thread cards beneath one arm, carried the cream panel downstairs, and discovered that the woman waiting beside him had excellent sleeves.This was the first useful thing I learned about her.Dark-wine wool fitted closely through her arms before loosening near the wrists, where curling old-gold embroidery disappeared beneath soft white feathering. The work was fine enough that I slowed on the last stair.Then I noticed the footman.He had occupied Maela’s counter comfortably several times now. Beside this woman, he stood half a step behind.He had not done that for Maela.I revised my assessment of the woman’s importance.She was Cyren too.

AilisGeneral Aodren had kept my favor.This remained true all the way back to Maela’s tavern.I tested it several times.He had caught it.He had looked at it.His thumb had moved over the embroidery.An attendant beside him had been carrying other things people threw.General Aodren had not given him mine.He had kept it.I walked into the tavern and nearly struck the doorframe with my shoulder.This damaged the dignity of my investigation.Tovan looked up from behind the counter.I looked at him.“He kept it.”“Yes.”I stopped.“You cannot possibly know what I am talking about.”“You have been standing there holding the door open for several breaths.”“That does not explain anything.”“You went to the procession carrying a blue favor.”I closed the door.Tovan continued arranging bowls.“He kept it,” I repeated.“I heard you.”I crossed the room and sat at the counter.The tavern was quieter than usual. Enough people were still elsewhere in the city that several tables stood empty,

AodrenThe first person waiting inside the palace gates wanted to congratulate me.The second wanted a report.The third managed both at once.Efficient.I dismounted while he was still speaking.Taren shifted beneath my hand as the stable attendant approached. The noise outside the walls had followed us into the outer court in a softened form—cheering carried through stone, mixed now with boots, harness, officials and servants trying to turn a public victory into an organized arrival.Taren had endured enough organization.“He has had enough people for one day.”The attendant smiled.“Yes, Your Highness.”I rubbed Taren once between the eyes before giving up the reins.He followed the man without looking back.Ungrateful creature.The official beside me reached the part about council.I listened.Mostly.The blue favor was still in my hand.I had stopped noticing that I was holding it somewhere between the gates and the dismount.No.That was inaccurate.I had stopped actively thinkin

AilisMy stomach complained halfway back to Maela’s.I ignored it.It complained again.I stopped walking.Yesterday.Breakfast.The procession.General Aodren keeping my favor.Stew after I returned.Then several hours spent thinking about General Aodren keeping my favor while attempting to read.Then Lord Carad finally becoming sensible.I had forgotten supper.“Oh.”That explained why the six disappointing books at the secondhand shop had occupied my entire attention instead of the fact that I was hungry.My stomach complained again.“Yes. I understand.”A woman passing me looked over.I continued walking.General Aodren had kept my favor.That remained delightful.It had also apparently interfered with meals.This seemed less useful.Maela’s was busy when I returned.Halven crossed the floor with cups balanced against one hand. Maela was speaking to two travelers near the door. A man at the wall lifted an empty bowl.My feet changed direction automatically.I made it two steps.The

AilisCorren came back while I was eating breakfast.I noticed his spectacles first.They appeared beyond the window, followed by the rest of him and a writing board tucked beneath one arm exactly as though no time had passed since the road.I stopped with bread halfway to my mouth.Corren opened the door.I swallowed.“You are alive.”He looked at me over his spectacles.“I had hoped so.”“I have not seen you.”“That is not generally how death is determined.”There.Corren.I smiled before I could help it.He noticed.His expression changed only around the mouth.“You seem well.”“I have a room.”“I know.”“A key.”“I was here when you received it.”“Two daytime shifts.”That made him pause.“Two?”“Yes.”I was still pleased by this.“Stockings too.”“I see.”“You cannot see them.”“I assumed you were wearing some.”Fair.Corren sat at the counter.Tovan emerged from the kitchen, took one look at him, and said something in Aedrathi.Corren answered.I understood food and possibly agai