Read Online Caught in Crystal: A Lyra Novel by Patricia Collins Wrede - Free Book Online Page B

a crunching noise against the ground.
    “I do not believe I know you,” Corrana said coldly. She turned her head to look at Kayl.
    “Forgive me, Your Virtue; my mind was elsewhere,” Kayl said. “This is Mistress Bryn saMural, Copeham’s carpenter, and this is Utrilo Levoil, one of Prefect Islorran’s secretaries.”
    “Thank you, innkeeper.” Corrana turned to Bryn. “May the Tree guard your way, Mistress.”
    “And may the stars look kindly on your own,” Bryn returned.
    Corrana inclined her head, then straightened and looked at Utrilo. She studied him with a dispassionate gaze and an expression of mild distaste, as she might have viewed a slug crawling on one of the plants in her garden. “You have some interest in my presence here?”
    “Ah, yes, my lady. I mean, no, my lady. That is, Prefect Islorran—”
    “The proper form of address for an Elder Sister is ‘Your Virtue,’” Corrana said coldly. “Has Mindaria lost all knowledge of manners?”
    Kayl saw hatred flash in Utrilo’s eyes again; then he was the unctuous servant once more. “No, my— Your Virtue. Would Your Virtue condescend to tell me when you arrived in Copeham?”
    “No.”
    Utrilo blinked. “Your Virtue?”
    “I said no. Is your hearing as bad as your manners?”
    “But, Your Virtue, Prefect Islorran charged me with the duty of bringing him information about the arrival of the sorcerer—ah, sorceress staying at Mistress Kayl’s inn.”
    “That is your problem, not mine,” Corrana said indifferently.
    “But Prefect Islorran will—” Utrilo said in a desperate whine.
    “I am on the business of the Sisterhood of Stars, and your Prefect has no authority over me. That is all you need to know.”
    “Of course, Your Virtue.” Utrilo’s forehead was shiny with perspiration. “But Prefect Islorran is most interested in magic. I am sure he would give you a most gracious welcome, should you wish to visit his villa.”
    Utrilo rocked forward hopefully as Corrana paused, considering. “Perhaps that can be arranged,” she said magnanimously. “I cannot say for certain until my business is concluded.”
    “If there is any way we can be of service—”
    “The affairs of the Sisterhood are no concern of yours,” Corrana snapped.
    “Yes, Your Virtue. I mean, no, Your Virtue.”
    “Bear it in mind,” Corrana said, and swept back into the inn before Utrilo recovered enough to respond.
    Utrilo stared after her. Then he closed his mouth and glared at Kayl, as though attempting to make up for the deference he had shown Corrana. “Wait until Prefect Islorran hears about this!” he hissed. “You’ll regret this day’s work, innkeeper Kayl!”
    Before Kayl could respond, Utrilo whirled and stalked off. Kayl stared after him, wondering at his unsettled behavior. Was it just the effect of Corrana’s unexpected appearance? The Silver Sister had humbled Utrilo in front of both Kayl and Bryn; he would find some way of taking it out on them after Corrana left. Kayl shook her head and went inside.
    To her surprise, Corrana had not left the serving room. She was sitting on a bench beside the empty hearth, watching Bryn inspect the broken bench-leg. Kayl joined them, nodding a greeting to the Wyrd. Corrana looked up. “Welcome, innkeeper.”
    “Your Virtue,” Kayl responded warily. Corrana did not answer immediately, so Kayl turned to Bryn. “How bad is it?”
    “Well, the one leg will have to be replaced, but you knew that already,” Bryn said. “The other one is showing the strain, too. It hasn’t cracked yet, so I could just brace it, but you’d be better off in the long run if I replaced it as well.”
    Kayl nodded. She had noticed nothing when she had inspected the damage earlier, but Wyrd senses could learn far more about wood than human eyes. “Replace them both,” she told Bryn. The Wyrd twitched an ear in surprise and Kayl gave a twisted smile. “I’d rather have it fixed now, while I can still pay you for it, than