VitD: Prologue

"Are you sure of this?" The woman standing opposite him reread the dirty scrap of paper he had handed her.

"Completely. They were discussing how many supporters each could rally in a year. I was right outside the room through the whole conference, now Iohan's following the group. He should have more information when I get back... he was trying to become the general's personal servant." Dylin Trekys pulled his homespun cloak tighter about himself and sidled closer to the wall sconce with its happily burning torch. He'd marched out five days earlier in clothes too thin for their underground meeting room, and he idly considered changing into something warmer as he used his knuckles to investigate his fresh stubble. I should've shaved before our meet... not that Tania hasn't seen me worse off than this...

His companion sighed, tucking the scrap of paper with his tallied count into one of many pockets in her deliciously form-fitting clothing. No other woman he knew would willingly don breeches, even if it would suit her purposes better than skirts. But then again, no woman he knew of looked better out of skirts! As she spoke he turned his attention back to her face.

"Then get back to camp. We need every detail you can give us if the Guild is to maintain any level of functionality next year. If you can get me names of the conspirators, I can find someone to keep tabs on each of them wherever they end up." She paused as a spindly man entered the underground chamber, hunched over as if his back were paining him. Dylin watched his companion's face as the man whispered in her ear, then shuffled slowly back the way he had come across the uneven stone floor. He couldn't read the emotions flitting across her face, save for the surprised expression she finally presented to him.

Waiting until the door had closed, the look of surprise slowly receded from her face. "I guess you've been watched rather closely, Dylin. Plans have changed higher up, and you are to contact me directly from now on." He watched as she untied a flat leather pouch from her belt, and then withdrew a gold coin after a little rummaging. When she extended it to him he took it, wondering what was so special about a coin. "Hold this in your hand and think about me," she told him, immediately answering his unasked question as she retied her purse. "I have a similar one. We'll be able to speak as if standing next to each other, and you won't have to ride all the way back here to report."

He blanched. The hand holding the coin shook slightly. She stepped closer and took him by the shoulder. "You needn't worry so, Dylin. It's not that bad, and completely safe." That certainly didn't help much; Tania thought sneaking into the castle was safe. But then, a little voice in the back of his head reminded him, maybe for her it was. Tania was a much better spy than he would ever be. She'd been comfortable doing risky things for as long as he'd known her.

Dylin was in the process of trying to tell his frozen muscles to drop the coin when she gave him a little shake he interpreted as playful. "Dylin, breathe. There's nothing to worry about." With her face that close to his, he could see the amber flecks in her green eyes.

He blinked and looked away. "You know me, Tani. It's not because it's illegal, most of what we do is. It's just that there're so many stories..." His eyes shifted to her briefly then away again, not wanting to look at her while admitting weakness.

"There are stories about the Emerald Syrpint that is taller than Rolyn Castle tower. That doesn't make them true." Her wide smile sparkled white in the flickering illumination. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that one to scare you to bed?"

Dylin nodded slowly, the first hints of a smile touching his face. "Aye, I remember that one. She told it to me many times over. I was petrified until I was twelve or so."

Tania nodded, still smiling in the one-sided smirky fashion he found so endearing. "How's Iohan doing out there?"

He shrugged, making a face at the thought of his long-time friend and current partner. "You know how he is about change. The thought of revolution makes his head spin. He's... not in top shape." The understatement made him smile, even he couldn't decide between sympathy and outright sarcasm.

Tania's smile widened, though she tried to hide it behind her hand. "I know, and I'm sorry to say it but I have a feeling that might be why the two of you were sent out with the army. We didn't think anything would happen with the new general."

Dylin swatted at her raised hand in mock annoyance--quietly admitting to himself that he liked seeing her smiling--then grinned. "I had wondered, but to tell you the truth, I was happy with the cushy assignment. There's always plenty of food and shelter with the armies. And you don't have to hide because you blend in pretty well."

"You would like that. Getting soft, are you Dylin? Maybe I should put you on some in-town assignment?" She dodged, anticipating his half-hearted punch. Laughing, he threw a few more punches, as he did when they sparred as children. Finally she threw up her hands, laughing with him. "You win, I know. Get back on your horse, Dylin, and let me clean up before I make my report."

"Oh, so I don't matter any? Only the Lords matter now?" He grinned. She rolled her eyes and turned away without a word. Dylin watched her shapely backside while she headed out of the room then turned and headed in the opposite direction.

*

The man who had brought Tania the message a few moments earlier was waiting for her. He looked up as she entered the underground passage, picking up a beaded hair clasp and unfolding a green silk robe.

"Lady 'Thenai, the Family has just sat down to dinner. Ye'd best hurry that ye not be missed." He assisted her in sliding the robe over her tight clothing, the high black collar of her blouse showing above the golden edge of the silk robe. Then he handed her the clasp, letting her precede him up the servants' stairs.