Chapter 12
Sollvar hadn't expected the glyph to be on this scale. Or with such clean lines. He was impressed despite himself. That it had been done at speed with such precision made Tifnar's discomfort understandable. Surely achieving this must require a level of skill found only among the most prominent of glyphmasons.
The street had resumed some degree of life, although the wall with the glyph was given a wide berth and a Society guard remained on duty. The guard eyed them with suspicion, undecided on whether he should act.
Sollvar's escort clearly identified his allegiance, and the Society couldn’t justifiably deny them access. By the time it had gone out, Alliance members had had as much opportunity to inspect the glyph as the Society, so they'd gain little from hurriedly removing it. A start had been made on one corner. He suspected the civic authorities had wanted it cleared away, only to be overruled by the Society.
'They'd have been watching,' said Irnskar. He leant languidly against their carriage as his gaze swept the street. The guard assigned to assist his inquiry, Irnskar had an easy smile, a casual attitude and loose blond hair. None of which instilled much sense of professionalism. And his green and grey Alliance uniform could’ve been tidier. He looked more like one born to money and playing at this. Tifnar considered him capable, though, and there was something beneath the mocking gaze that didn't seem casual.
'You're sure?'
'If it was triggered, they'd want to ensure an audience. It could have been done smaller and nearer the ground, with the same results. Doing it like that is showing off. And take it from a show-off, an audience is mandatory.'
Sollvar nodded, seeing the sense in it. He was relieved Irnskar would be of some use. 'So where would they observe?'
Irnskar glanced around. 'It'd need to be somewhere along this street. Close enough to see at night, even with the lights and whatever the guards had with them. And they'd need to get to it quickly. It'd be a rooftop, to minimise the chances of being seen from the ground. The roof would have to be sturdy enough to hold them, and to avoid disturbing anyone below. We can assume they scouted it beforehand.'
'They do seem to have planned it out,' said Sollvar.
'The reports said they fled dockwards. Since sneaking back around would have taken time I suggest we start down this way.' He led them towards the docks, visible ahead.
Finding the perch proved surprisingly simple, taking barely more than a quarter hour. Irnskar led them to the tallest building nearby, where his uniform gained them access. Even in what was predominantly a Society country the Alliance still handled the more mundane jobs. While Sollvar’s role usually involved dealing with those in charge – who’d be diplomatically resistant to his suggestions – among the populace they could exercise significant influence.
The vantage point from the top floor window let them determine the most likely spots, and a quick examination inside the buildings discounted a couple.
The first roof Irnskar clambered onto was the one they wanted. Which meant Sollvar had to join him. Having no direct access from inside, they had to climb from the window of a neighbouring building which was about even with the roof. Sollvar averted his eyes from the significant drop separating them from the street.
Breathing heavily – more from the panic of climbing than exertion – Sollvar took a moment to focus on the glyphs they found. There were two, one burnt out. That was presumably the sympathetic glyph which had triggered the larger one. He at least recognised some of the pattern and the points it connected.
The second one wasn't as familiar. Possibly it had been done at an unusual rotation. Some glyphists did that to hide details from casual observers, especially on a fixed surface like a wall.
Still, it wasn't as though he had to decipher it. They'd take it back and have experts look at it.
Irnskar had already started copying the glyphs, with a gap separating each vertically so the lines didn't meet up and burn the paper.
Letting him get on with it, Sollvar glanced around the rest of the rooftop. There was little of obvious interest. Not that there'd be reason for there to be anything. The glyphs were evidence enough they'd been here.
He considered destroying the glyphs to avoid the Society learning of them, assuming they hadn't already. Did they offer evidence they’d want to keep from the Society? Would it harm their investigation for the Society to learn of them?
More importantly, how safe would trying to destroy them be? The burned out one had presumably been used up, but the other could well be live so he didn't want to risk getting close. Every city of any size had at least official offices for both the Alliance and the Society, so he’d contact the local Alliance office and have them send a glyphist to decide what to do.
Venturing as close to the edge of the roof as he felt comfortable – or as comfortable as he could get up here – he glanced along the street. As well as a clear view of the large glyph, he could see the docks in the other direction.
'I don't think there's much doubt it was a diversion,' he said, mainly for something to say.
'Given the timing, I doubt it,' said Irnskar. 'With that impressive a display I'd expect to be able to draw more of a message if that was the intention. As a distraction, it's perfect.'
'Apparently it's also a message, which is why we're here.'
'Even so, it'd be too coincidental to think they're not linked.'
Sollvar nodded. 'How would they have known when the shipment was moving? Let alone what the shipment was. Would they need someone inside the Society?'
'Not necessarily,' said Irnskar, joining him near the edge. He seemed more at ease up here than Sollvar felt. 'The shipment would need drivers, and guards.'
'You think they’d have been bought off?'
'For the right price I'd sell our findings,' said Irnskar, flashing a wide grin. 'Even if they weren't bought off, there'd be plenty who could have heard about the number of guards being assigned to ride with this shipment and deduced its value. Especially if they already knew, or suspected, the metal was here.'
'So even if we could get access, looking for a turncoat in the Society could be pointless.'
'Yes. They'll probably have done a thorough sweep following the theft, anyway. If there's anyone to be found in that way I doubt we'd get near them.'
Sollvar felt completely at sea, grasping for something solid. Sighing, he turned to examine the roof. 'Do you see anything other than the glyphs for us to go on?'
'No. I'm unsure this’ll lead us anywhere. If we're trying to find a traitor in the Alliance, we might have to resort to more traditional corruption hunting techniques.'
'Which would be?'
'Probably not the kind of thing that'll let me intimidate at random. I'm afraid it might take some thought to approach, and thought isn't what I'm hired for. I'd need extra pay for that.' He flashed another grin. Sollvar couldn't match his mood.