I first became guildmaster, there was such an agreement in place that almost lasted a full decade. But Silent Order doesn’t keep the same guildmaster for long—too much infighting, belike—and our understandings with them only last until the next man takes over. Worse, every time they change guildmasters, the whole city feels the aftermath, like a tidal wave sweeping the streets. It’s like the new guildmaster has to prove himself to be more ruthless than the former one. He flexes his power, demonstrating it for several months before things steady out again.”
That made ice run through her veins. “Are they such a large guild, then?”
“Not as large as us,” he refuted with a shake of the head. “In fact, not particularly large at all. We can’t know their exact number, but I guess them to be about a hundred strong. They might grow if they can ever stop their members from killing each other off periodically. But every time an old guildmaster falls, anyone loyal to him dies too, which wipes out dozens of men at a time.”
How horrifying. Siobhan felt relieved with every word that she had managed to take Rune away from that future. She really didn’t want to ask this, but it begged to be known. “Please answer the next question frankly. Has Rune personally done anything to Iron Dragain?”
“That I’m aware of? No. I think my men have crossed paths with him before but we know him by his reputation and little else.”
She blew out a covert breath of relief. Honestly, she hadn’t known what she would do if the answer to that question had been ‘yes.’ “I’m glad. Hopefully our trip to Orin will let heads cool.”
“You’ll take him with you, then?” Jarnsmor studied her with narrowed eyes. “Doing so risks him leaving you, you know. Once he’s on a different continent, you’ll have no hold over him.”
Siobhan gave him an enigmatic smile. “You think so?”
His head slanted slightly in puzzlement. “Unless you know something I don’t?”
Shaking her head, she declined to answer and instead stood. “Thank you for handling this. I’ll get my people ready to leave tomorrow.”
Jarnsmor looked like he wanted to press the matter but let it go with a wave of the hand. “As you will. I’ll be curious to see if he comes back with you or not.”
ӜӜӜ
It was just as well that they were set to leave soon. After what happened with Rune, no one seemed able to rest easy in Iron Dragain. Without Siobhan being aware of it, some discussion had happened, and as a result everyone closed in ranks around Rune. He didn’t go anywhere alone, but always had at least one other person with him. In the course of preparing for their departure tomorrow, Siobhan saw him with three different people. At one point, she even saw him sitting with Conli, getting his bandages swapped out, with both Pyper and Pete sitting on his feet.
The whole scene just warmed her heart.
People might still be debating on whether or not they fully trusted Rune, but they did feel some sort of connection to him, or they wouldn’t be reacting this way. Word had spread quickly through the guild of what had happened that morning and Siobhan saw many a snide glance being aimed at her assassin. It never went further than that, however. Whether it was because of Jarnsmor’s instructions or her own people’s vigilance, she wasn’t sure.
As long as no trouble started, she didn’t care what the reason was, either.
Now, let’s see, what else did she need to do? She herself was packed, as was most of the guild, but she did want to speak with Lirah before they left. Where could she find her at this point in the day?
“Siobhan!”
She turned, halfway inside the common room, spying Sylvie and Rune coming her direction. “Yes?”
Sylvie rubbed her fingers against her thumbs in a clear gesture that asked for money. “We need to outfit Rune.”
Oh. Right. The clothes they’d bought for him earlier hadn’t survived the gamut of assassins. She had a feeling that Rune was rough on clothes anyway, but the nightly attacks were certainly destroying his wardrobe. “Yes, of course. I’m glad you thought of that.” She took the cloth purse out of her side pouch and handed it over. “Try to only spend half of that, alright?”
Usually Sylvie would shrug assent, but this time she hesitated as she took the bag. “Umm, that might be a bit difficult. Markl gave me a shopping list