“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Hefler’s voice pulled her from the best sleep in ages. Daezin cracked an eye open and was nearly blinded by the sunshine streaming through the window.

“Holy smokes. How long did you let me sleep?”

“You were sleeping peacefully for a change, so I let you sleep in. Let’s be honest here, you’ve been cranky and off your game. I thought it a safe investment in our future income to let you get some rest.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and handed her a cup of tea and a napkin-wrapped bundle. She smelled sugar and yeast and I smiled. “I take it you were dream free last night?”

Daezin touched the crystal through her shirt and nodded. “Seems like.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yep. Fine. Better than fine. I got some sleep and a pastry, and as soon as I eat it, I’ll be ready to help you with the wagon and the rest of the errands.”

They spent the rest of the day with tasks that made staying in one place for several months possible. First, they emptied out the wagon and arranged for the upkeep: a fresh coat of the green and yellow paint for the walls, a new layer of caulk for the roof, and the front axle needed looked at. A trip to the blacksmith’s to replace the wheel rims rounded out those errands. Some people might wonder why the first thing they did in a new place was get ready to leave again but they had long ago learned the lesson that plans didn’t always work out. If they needed to leave suddenly and in the middle of the night, it helped to be prepared.

Next up, Madame Idzina’s 'granddaughter' made the rounds with the regulars and set up several appointments over the next couple of weeks. The innkeeper, Tyrel, at The Swaying Goose was an old friend, bought and paid for, and he helped carry out the ruse when they were in Corethe. He delivered plates of food to ‘her’ room when she needed quiet time to renew her link to the spirits, intercepted messages, and kept the nosey from sticking their noses where they didn’t belong.

Finally, as night fell, they made the round of the taverns, brothels, and underground fighting pits. They each had their own sources and contacts, so they split up. Daezin sold a few tidbits of information. Farmers in Jondellis had been hit by bad weather and their crop of rye had been decimated. A mercenary group, Green’s Blades, had been hired by Grand Prince Lina Thal of Xe’Ellest. Lina Thal planned to mount an offensive in the spring against Anjah. Again. A few more items and she had a respectable jingle in her purse and a few leads that would hopefully pay much more.

And throughout the day, if she watched for a tall man with dark hair, green eyes, and a cocky attitude, no one was the wiser. There was no sign of him. And she was happy. Not disappointed. Happy. Good riddance.

Back at the inn, Hefler and Daezin compared notes before collapsing into their beds for the evening. Fatigue kept her from remembering to take that cursed crystal off. It was probably some kind of trick anyway.

Daezin awoke from another peaceful night of sleep. She may have dreamed about Aetran. He was definitely in her thoughts when she opened her eyes. She admired him in her early years. He was seven years older and a woodsman. He was thinner and laughed more then. All the girls her age had a crush on him. But when he married Hyleia, all their hopes went up in smoke. It was clearly a love match. But by then Daezin had her own problems.

This morning, Madame Idzina had two appointments. The first was with Lady Chadell. She always asked for a prediction for her son. More specifically when would he finally marry. And then she begged to be connected with her late husband. Daezin had become fairly good at vague-ing up the first and channeling the second. Besides, Lady Chadell always had laid out an excellent tea. With pastries.

The second appointment was with Tansy, a working girl who worked in the best brothel in the red-light district. She always wanted to know if she’ll find true love or a wealthy client to take her away and set her up as a mistress in her own house. Daezin didn’t think even Tansy was certain which outcome she wanted.

Daezin tied the padding on over her undershirt and walked around the room a few times to make sure that it wasn’t going to slip. Then she started to pull on the layers, in all their many colors. A beaded tunic, followed by no less than three skirts went over her head. Before she added the half dozen shawls, the wig and headscarf, and the rings for every finger of her hands—she'd left off the beaded necklaces ever since her encounter with the native man—Daezin needed to put on her face. Or rather Madam Idzina’s face and for that she needed Hefler’s help.

A sharp rap on the door separating their rooms produced the desired assistance. In no time at all, she sat in a chair, eyes closed, mouth relaxed; while Hefler worked the only kind of magic Daezin believed in. Using putty, paint, and talent, Hefler changed her from a slightly-better-than-average young woman into a borderline-ugly wise woman. All in under an hour.

Daezin's stomach gurgled just as she settled the last of the shawls into place. “Must be time for morning tea. Wish me luck.”

“How ‘bout I wish you a safe journey and no accidents. The last time you went out without me, you came home blind, in need of a new shirt and boots, and did I mention blind? Be careful and I’ll meet you at Lady Chadell’s in a hour.”

“Ha. Keep it up and I’ll tell Tansy that you’re her true love.”

Hefler had met Tansy and he shuddered. “You do that and I won’t tell you where to find any of that tea you love so much. For a month. At least.”

Details under control, Daezin picked up the blackwood cane, checked that the blade hidden inside slid out easily, and tottered out the door.

Daezin knocked on Lady Chadell’s door with a gloved hand and waited. An elderly manservant, Dalling, opened the door.

“Madame Idzina. Lady Chadell is expecting you. Come in.” His voice sounded like a rasp on wood.

Daezin always had this urge to pound on his back and clear out his chest. Instead, she nodded, smiled vaguely, and hobbled inside.

Lady Chadell had a whole room just for taking tea in. Oh, it probably had other purposes — she had a needlework basket by the fireplace — but everyone Daezin met in her household called it the tearoom. Well-lit with bright brass lanterns, several chairs were arranged in conversational groupings around the room. Lady Chadell’s needlework covered every chair. Tablecloths on all of the side tables were equally adorned. Because of that needlework that Daezin knew Lady Chadell’s favorite flower was the yellow daisy.

Lady Chadell sat in her chair much like a queen on her throne. Or at least as Daezin imagined one would look like. Since she had never seen one, she couldn't be sure, but Lady Chadell had that regal air. She sat, back straight, with a patient smile. The skin on her face like wrinkled velvet and every storm grey hair on her head perfectly in place.

“Dalling, the tea please.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Dalling bowed from the waist and then closed the door behind him.

“Is he gone?” Lady Chadell stood and shuffled to the door as fast as her old bones could carry her. Ear to the door, her nearly-colorless grey eyes rolled up while she listened.

Daezin suppressed a big grin. Barely. “I’m sure he is, Shaina.”

Shaina Chadell settled into the chair near the fire and reclined. “I’m sure you’re right. The other day, I caught him with his eye to the keyhole of the maid's, Belia's, room. From the noises coming from behind the door, she wasn’t alone in there.” She fanned herself with one open hand. “I’d have invited Dalling up to my room after that if I didn’t think he would faint dead away at my feet.”

The mental picture of Shaina and Dalling tangled in sheets was a more terrible image than the nightmares Daezin spent the last month with. “Er... Shaina, I have another appointment after this one or I would love to hear more about all of this.” Gag. “How can I help you today?”

“Of course, of course. One evening, soon, you’ll have to stay to dinner so that we'll have plenty of time to chat. I’m sure you have the most amazing stories to tell. Travelling exotic lands, meeting foreign men, taking foreign men to bed.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Shaina.” Daezin was so not talking about that. Madame Idzina’s love life was as fictional as Daezin's. She did not want to hear how much more exciting Lady Chadell’s social life was.

“Oh, all right. Keep your secrets.” She pulled a lock of coarse black hair from the basket. “This belongs to my second son, Grizan. I want to know when he will marry and give me more grandchildren. He is nearing his thirty-fourth birthday and hasn’t courted anyone in years. He doesn’t even sneak girls in at night." She sighed. "What’s wrong with that boy? I want to know who to set him up with so that he can finally give me grandchildren.”

“You know I may not be able to give you a specific name. I’ll only be able to describe a type. Maybe give you a time frame. There are no guarantees. My visions don’t come with written instructions. I interpret what I see.”

“Yes, yes. I remember. But you can help me right?” She passed the hair over. “I cut this last night while he slept. I hope it will be enough to serve as a conduit to his future.”

Daezin stared at the hair and let her eyes glaze over for a second. “Yes, this should do nicely.”

Just then Dalling returned with the tea. He set the tray down on the table between them and left again. Not before studying the innocent expression Lady Chadell’s face.

Daezin let Shaina chatter while they had tea. The sweet bread she served was a smidge dry and not quite sweet enough, but Daezin choked it down anyway. The tea she washed it down with was superb. So superb that Daezin poured herself a second cup.

She steered Shaina away from discussion of their love lives, or lack thereof, towards Grizan. Daezin listened for any marriage prospects, maybe a profession that precluded marriage, although he was getting a little on in years for most of those.

Either Grizan kept his personal life truly private from his mother or there was no one to nudge him towards. Daezin would just have to vague it up then and hope it sounded like some appropriate girl the family was acquainted with.

Tea over, Dalling removed the detritus. Daezin shoved another slice of the bread in her pocket while their heads were turned. The bread wasn’t all that bad and free was an excellent price. Lady Chadell repeated the process of checking for spies at the door and finally it was showtime.

Daezin directed Lady Chadell to snuff out the lights, all but one candle in the center of the room. Deep shadows veiled the corners of the room from view. Daezin could and had done this routine before in broad daylight but the routine was so much easier to sell if there was a little atmosphere. Since Daezin didn’t have her tent with the fetishes, crystals, draperies, and other oddities Hefler or she had picked up in their travels, Daezin settled for a dark room and creepy voice tricks.

Lady Chadell’s eyes gleamed in the faint light as she watched Daezin pull off her gloves, finger by finger, and lay them on her lap. Daezin looked to the ceiling and hummed while she counted the pops from the fire in the fireplace.

When the count reached twenty, she said, “I am ready. Please remain silent until the end or you could interrupt the vision. If that happens, I won’t be able to try again for another month. Nod if you understand.”

Lady Chadell nodded. She leaned so far forward, that she might fall right out of her chair if Daezin didn’t get this started. The last thing she needed an elderly noblewoman with a broken hip.

Daezin took a deep breath and reached for the lock of hair. As soon as her bare skin touched the oily hair, paralysis locked every muscle and a waking dream blinded her vision.

...The dark haired man walked down The Duke’s Way. He nodded at acquaintances he passed and avoided the prying hands of the young pickpockets. A tall man with sun touched hair stopped the first man and they talked and smiled. The scent of cologne and horse dung hung heavy in the air. A note was passed and the two parted company. The first man opened the slip of paper. Written on it was a single word. Tonight...

...A black-haired man entered a bedroom. Firelight played over his face as he stared longingly at the bed. He removed his clothing with haste and climbed onto the bed. He leaned downward and kissed the occupant. A masculine arm freed itself from the covers and pulled him closer. The two men, one fair and the other dark, disappeared beneath the blankets...

A hand slapped the lock of hair from Daezin's. “You lie!” Lady Chadell’s shrill voice broke the paralysis and Daezin drooped. Sweat chilled her skin. Her throat scraped raw.

“What... What happened?” Her voice emerged as whisper.

“You said my son was having...relations with a man. Clearly a lie. How could you?” She pulled an overly embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve and sniffled into it.

Dalling opened the door and stepped in. “Madame?” Lady Chadell continued to sob and he narrowed his eyes at Daezin. “What did you do?”

She stood and locked her knees to keep from sitting again. “I don’t know. I think I am ill. Or something. That’s never happened before.” Daezin picked up her gloves, scurried out the door, and out of the house. She stood outside staring at the covered window. What in the worlds was that? She didn’t even remember the money until Hefler came to escort her to her next appointment.

“Would you like to lean on my arm, ma’am?” Hefler pretended to be Madam Idzina’s servant when there was any chance someone could overhear.

“Yes. Thank you.” Daezin laced her arm through his.

He leaned down and whispered, “You’re shaking. Something happen?”

Daezin shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it now. Just take me to Tansy’s.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As they left the wealthier district, eyes followed but when she looked around, she didn’t see anyone not minding their own business. Daezin shut her eyes for a moment and trusted Hefler to lead. Daezin's imagination ran amok. Maybe she was coming down with a fever. Daezin hoped not. They could not afford the loss of income or the extra expense.

But if she had to choose between delusions or fever, Daezin would take the fever any day.