Working God's Mischief by Glen Cook Page B

room, every one a spy for her husband or lover. Or for both.
    â€œFerris Renfrow begs an audience. I know you like to hear his reports as soon as possible.”
    â€œSince he’s seldom seen these days I should seize the opportunity. Hilda, see to Lady Delta, in the annex, then post yourself at a distance so I can see Renfrow privately without my reputation being sullied.”
    Muttering, “I’ll take care of va Kelgerberg!” Lady Hilda did as asked. She had chaperoned Helspeth’s meetings before. The Princess Apparent’s enemies tried to make something of those but the charges only elicited mockery and disdain. Alten Weinberg knew Helspeth Ege too well.
    Renfrow came in as Lady Hilda herded the other women out. Lady Delta was furious because Renfrow had been given precedence. Drear posted himself just inside the door. He, too, would stand witness to Helspeth’s prudent behavior.
    Helspeth told the chief Imperial spy, “Yet again you arrive looking like you’re fresh from work on a hog farm. I cannot imagine how it would harm you to indulge in the occasional bath.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind, Your Grace. But I’m here, now. Can we retire to a quiet room?”
    â€œNo. The only one handy is being rebuilt. I took your advice, had them inspected. They all leaked. I’ve ordered them rehabilitated. If they still leak afterward I’ll have some necks stretched.”
    â€œGood, if inconvenient now.” Renfrow produced a doeskin sack, shook out its contents. Black beads scattered, opened up like sow bugs. Many-legged black things scooted around, looking for invisible eavesdroppers. “When your workmen tell you they’re done, I’ll do the follow-up examination.”
    â€œI’ll mention that. For now, your bugs should hold the Night at bay. So. What’s so important this time?”
    â€œNot as big a wow as you becoming Empress, but you should know. Remember the rules. No interruptions. But I will answer questions once I’m done. If they’re pertinent.”
    â€œWhen have I ever been impertinent?” She considered Captain Drear and Lady Hilda, by the door. And wondered if Hilda had added Drear to her list of conquests.
    â€œYou have a point.” Renfrow considered the chaperoning pair, too. His thoughts were not obvious.
    Renfrow told the tale of his adventure into another world, where he had met gods the Church insisted did not exist along with creatures from fairy tales: dwarves and the mer, who lived in the sea.
    Helspeth was fascinated by the mer Philleas Pescatore, who had had so obvious an impact on Renfrow’s libido. “She was a virgin every time she took human form so she could leave the water?” How handy a skill would that be?
    â€œYes. Questions after.” He went on.
    Helspeth noted the filthy bandage on his left wrist.
    â€œThe Commander of the Righteous has a sister?” She zeroed in on the personal part of the story.
    â€œIf I pulled the evidence together correctly, he does. And their father was a Brotherhood general named Grade Drocker. Who, in turn, was the illegitimate son of Principaté Muniero Delari, one of the most powerful members of the Collegium.”
    â€œI met him when we were in Brothe.”
    â€œI expect you did. Principaté Delari, in turn, appears to be the grandson of Cloven Februaren, known as the Ninth Unknown. Februaren was there for everything. A remarkable character. And a sorcerer of considerable stature who hides it well.”
    â€œI know someone else like that.”
    â€œYou do. Though it does get more difficult to do every day. The woman, Heris, called him Double Great, apparently because he’s the grandfather of her grandfather. She and the Commander’s adopted daughters have developed remarkable talents. Hecht and the boy, Pella, remain ciphers, however.”
    Helspeth was not happy about the Commander of the Righteous having