The Flute Keeper's Promise (The Flute Keeper Saga) by Ashley Setzer Page B

grinned
triumphantly. “The good news is that I can commission private parties to do my
bidding! You should have seen Kesper’s face when I quoted that bit of policy to
him! Lord Finbarr volunteered immediately. Things got nasty when Kesper pointed
out that the last time a Finbarr was in charge of a mission…well you know what
happened.”
    Fury shot through me so fast that I
almost produced a barrier. “That insensitive jerk! How dare he bring up Florrie?”
    “I know!” Chloe said. “I almost set
his robe on fire for that. Lord Finbarr was a good sport, though. He said he’d
see if he could rouse up any more ‘traveling buddies’ and make plans for his
departure. I’m sure Garland will be joining him.”
    “A small victory, at least,” I
said. “Maybe the outlanders will feel more secure when they know. When is he
leaving?”
    “Two days time,” Chloe said.
    “How long will he be gone?” I
asked.
    “A month or two, most likely. As
long as it takes for things to settle down. Meanwhile Commander Larue has
expanded the search for Robyn. I’m supposed to meet with him at dinner to talk
about it. I told him you’d be there, too, seeing as you have that dagger. He
wants to know everything about your encounters with Robyn and the mechamen.”
    I saw Bazzlejet prancing around in
the parlor out of the corner of my eye. If I got held up too long with
Commander Larue, I wouldn’t be able to follow him to his secret meeting.
    “Are you with me?” Chloe asked,
watching me curiously. “You seem distracted.”
    “I’m fine,” I said.
    Chloe was not convinced. She tilted
her head, letting a tumble of purple curls fall to one shoulder. “You sure? You
look kind of ansty. Is it about your induction?”
    The induction was the least of my
worries for the moment. “I’m fine.”
    Chloe didn’t press the issue any
further as she set about changing her shoes and re-styling her hair. I hung
around and tried to provide lively chatter, all the while watching Bazzlejet to
see if he got any more calls. If he realized what I was up to, he didn’t let
on. He went about humming tunes and badgering the other servants who had
arrived with Chloe’s lunch.
    “I’m off to sit with Father again,”
Chloe said after she’d put away a whole plate of candied fruit. “Ugh, and I
might have to go talk to my tailor, too. My dresses are getting tight.”
    Bazzlejet snickered as Chloe left
the room.
    I shot him a frown. “You know, I
might just tell her who you are and what you’ve been up to. It’s only fair
since you’re holding out on me.”       
    “Lighten up,” Bazzlejet said. “It
wouldn’t do you any good to blow my cover.”
    “I’m not so sure about that,” I said.
“I’m not so sure about Othella, either. Where has she been? Chloe’s been at the
king’s bedside every day, but I’ve hardly seen Othella at all.”
    For once Bazzlejet looked ruffled.
“Don’t go accusing Boss of anything. You don’t have any idea what—”
    “That’s right, I don’t!” I said
hotly. “I wouldn’t, would I? I’m just not cool enough to be a part of her little
club!”
    “Oh shut up and eat a cookie,”
Bazzlejet said, shoving a plate of warm treats at me.
    Thrown off kilter, I stared suspiciously
at the fresh-baked goods. “Why would I want a cookie?”
    “Because Chloe didn’t finish them
and they’ll just go to waste if we don’t eat them,” Bazzlejet said.
    “They’re not poisoned or anything,
are they?” I asked.
    “Of course not” Bazzlejet said,
looking offended. “Watch. I’m gonna eat me some cookies right now.” He grabbed
a handful and stuffed them into his mouth. “See?” he said, spitting crumbs.
    I knew better than to trust him.
W.R.A.I.T.H. had potions at their disposal that could render a person unconscious
for hours. It would be a simple way for Bazzlejet to get me out of the way.
    The cookies did smell really great,
though. It had been a few moments and Bazzlejet hadn’t