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I stopped at the shrine beside the door. I ignored the Mother Goddess figure. She frowned at me in any case. My business was with the family shrine. All the way at the top was ancestress Rebakah and her black cat. I quickly replaced them with copies I’d had made, and tucked the real ones in my pocket. I meant to put them up where my honored Provost’s Guard ancestress could watch her descendant, the Rogue of all Tortall. It is a joke I’ve been laughing over for years and hope to laugh over for many more.
* * *
Proud of himself, limping only a little from his ferocious battle with the former King of Thieves, George Cooper left his mother’s house and sauntered down the street. Two fellows, both carrying swords, joined him on either side. Ahead of him and behind him, other guards took their places, ensuring that no one decided to attack the newest thief-king while he was still recovering from his rise to the throne.
In the shadows of an alley ahead, a purple-eyed black cat watched George Cooper approach.
You are indeed a clever fellow, Pounce—who would one day soon be called Faithful, and had many more names besides—thought as he watched the youngest Rogue in all Tortallan history saunter along. And your cleverness will be much needed in the time to come. But it does not serve my wishes that you remember that your Beka’s counselor was a purple-eyed black cat. You’re wary of god-touched people, and the sight of me might scare you away from the one who will upend your life. So—forget the purple eyes, George Cooper. Your ancestress had a black cat that went everywhere with her. No more, no less.
May 24, 430 H.E.
The Dancing Dove
Corus, Tortall
I write with the figure of the old huntress’s cat watching me. I used to think there was something odd about it, something almost magical, but no. It’s just a very well-made carving of a black cat. Whoever cut it even made the tiny face look a bit clever. Of late I’ve gotten in the habit of carrying it with me in my pocket. Ancestress Rebakah has her shelf high over my head, but I don’t think she grudges the cat’s company to me.
I met the oddest little fellow today, Alan of Trebond. He’s come to start as a page at the palace. He’s got a tough oak burl for a minder, Coram Smythesson. That one’s a smith and former soldier and no fool at all. He warned young Alan I’m a thief. The lad, being full of spirit and sauce, didn’t mind that at all. My Sight was all around him, making him glow like fire. There’s something about him.… I think we might do one another good. I told him so. It’s laughable, a little lord like that and me doing good for each other, but my Sight doesn’t steer me wrong.
He’s a redhead. I hope it’s true, about redheads and tempers. He’ll need one, the way those pages and squires pick on each other. And he’s got purple eyes. I never saw the like.
* * *
On his desk, in the pits that served the cat figure as eyes, twin sparks of purple glowed, then vanished.
Cast of Characters
Rebakah Cooper (Beka) fourth-year Provost’s Guard
(Dog), protégée of Lord
Gershom of Haryse (the Lord
Provost)
Pounce normally a constellation called the
Cat, Beka’s advisor and friend
for the last eight years
Achoo Curlypaws scent hound assigned to Beka
AT PROVOST’S HOUSE
Gershom of Haryse Lord Provost of Tortall, Beka’s
patron
Teodorie of Haryse Gershom’s lady, patroness of
Beka’s brothers and sisters
Diona, Lorine, Nilo, Beka’s younger sisters and
Willes brothers, all training for work in
noble houses
Mya Fane Beka’s foster aunt, cook at
Provost’s House
PROVOST’S DOGS AND ASSOCIATES IN CORUS
Sergeant Clara Goodwin Desk Sergeant, Evening Watch,
Jane Street kennel, the Lower
City Guard District
Sir Acton of Fenrigh Watch Commander, Evening
Watch, Jane Street kennel, the
Lower City Guard District
Senior Corporal most senior street Dog, the Lower
Nyler Jewel City Evening Watch, Yoav’s
partner
Senior Guardswoman street Dog, Jewel’s partner
Osgyth Yoav
Senior Guardsman street Dog, Westover’s partner
Wulfric Birch
Ersken Westover street Dog, fourth year, Beka’s
friend, Kora’s lover
Ahern Walker Holborn’s former partner, Flash
District
Holborn Shaftstall five-year Dog, deceased, Beka’s
betrothed, the Lower City Day
Watch
THE HUNT
Achoo Curlypaws
Beka Cooper
Pounce
Senior Guardsman Beka’s partner
Matthias Tunstall
Farmer Cape Provost’s mage from Blue Harbor
Lady Sabine of Macayhill lady knight, Tunstall’s lover
THE COURT OF THE ROGUE, CORUS
Rosto, called the Piper Rogue of Corus
Aniki Forfrysning swordswoman, rusher, chieftain in
the Court of the Rogue
Koramin Ingensra mage, serves the Rogue, Ersken
Westover’s lover
RESIDENTS OF CORUS
Tansy Lofts Beka’s oldest friend from
their slum days, now a
respectable wife, mother, and
businesswoman
Granny Fern Cooper Beka’s paternal grandmother
Kaasa dust spinner in Dogs’ cemetery
PROVOST’S GUARD IN PORT CAYNN
Sir Tullus of King’s Reach knight, Deputy Provost, Port
Caynn Provost’s Guard
Sergeant Terart Axman Desk Sergeant at Guards House,
hound breeder
Sergeant Nestor Haryse cousin of Lord Gershom, a Day
Watch Sergeant in Deep Harbor
District, Okha Soyan’s lover
THE ROYAL FAMILY AND THEIR HOUSEHOLD
Prince Baird of Conté King Roger’s younger brother
Prince Gareth of Conté Roger and Jessamine’s only child
Queen Jessamine of Conté Roger’s second wife, mother of
Gareth
King Roger II of Conté husband of Jessamine, father of
Gareth
Ironwood of Sinthya King Roger’s personal mage
Orielle Clavynger Queen Jessamine’s personal
mage
Lunedda Gareth’s nursemaid, murdered
Tassilo Gareth’s King’s Own guard,
murdered
AT QUEENSGRACE
Aeldra of Queensgrace countess, wife to Dewin, Sabine’s
cousin
Baylisa of Disart lady-in-waiting
Dewin of Queensgrace count
Elyot of Aspen Vale master mage, educated in Carthak
Graeme of Aspen Vale baron, Elyot’s older brother
Fay talkative baker
Fess very old dust spinner
Iris talkative baker
Lewyth of Disart lady-in-waiting
Linnet Beck six-year-old slave
Niccols castle steward
Parris Eckard silk merchant
Rosewyn noblewoman
Wyttabyrd lady-in-waiting
AT HALLEBURN
Daeggan slave boy, tough
Dolsa Silkweb illusion mage, great mage
Lady Nomalla lady knight
of Halleburn
Lord Thanen Nomalla’s father, Sabine’s cousin
of Halleburn
OTHERS
Beldeal irate headwoman, War Gorge
Marsh
Ormer local guide, War Gorge Marsh
Cassine Catfoot Farmer’s Master, female great
mage
Looseknot Farmer’s first teacher
Elfed captain of the King’s Own
Iceblade Regengar peregrine boat mage
Lazamon of Buckglen lord chancellor of mages
Martinin of Macayhill Norow’s only son, Sabine’s brother
Lord Norow of Macayhill Sabine’s father
Palisa Vintor Dog from Arenaver
Okha Soyan popular male-dressed-as-female
singer/entertainer, Nestor’s lover
Glossary
afore: before
aught: anything
bailey: courtyard in a castle
bait: food and water for horses at a rest stop
barbican: fortified gateway
barrel trapper: kidnapper
beard: oppose boldly or impudently
Birdie: informant
blessing: birth control device or charm
bogle: ghost
bolster: long, narrow, stiff pillow or cushion
Book of Gold, The: oldest census of the noble houses of Tortall, dating back to the founding of the realm
boot: metal boot placed on a victim’s foot. Wedges are hammered into the inside of the boot, pressing on the lower leg until they break bones. Metal boots can also be heated to burn the victim’s leg.
bordel: house of prostitution
budget: pouch or wallet
by-blow: illegitimate child
canoodling: sexual activity
caudles: soothing drinks given to excited or crazy people
cipher: shorthand method used by Dogs, with symbols for entire common words
cole: false coin
colemonger: someone who makes or passes false coins; counterfeiter
Common: language spoken in Tortall, Barzun, Tusaine, Maren, Tyra, and parts of Saraine and Scanra
coney: victim of a theft or any crime; sucker
copper noble: coin equivalent to ten coppers
corbie: raven
cot: small house or cottage
cove: man
coyne: vagina
cozening: cajoling, wheedling
cracknob: madman
craven: cowardly
cresset: metal wall fixture containing wood or oil to be burned for light
cuirass: piece of armor protecting chest and back
dance a set: fight
destrier: warhorse
detail: assignment
Dog: member of the Provost’s Guard
dozy: sluggish
Drink: form of torture in which water is poured down the victim’s throat and nose to simulate drowning
dust spinner: small dust whirlwind, what our world calls a dust devil
elsewise: otherwise; or else
fambles: hands
Ferrets: street nickname for Crown spies
folderol: nonsense, foolishness
fussock: donkey; old mean woman
gab: speech
Galla pasties: turnovers with beef, cheese, pine nuts, currants, and spices
get bit: be cheated
gixie: girl
gob: mouth
gods’ fool: crazy person
gold noble: coin equivalent to ten silver nobles or four gold bits
gormless: gutless
Great Gods: most powerful gods in the pantheon: Mithros; the Great Goddess (three aspects: Maiden, Mother, Crone); the Black God of Death; Oinomi Wavewalker; the Smith God; the Trickster or the Crooked God; Gainel (Master of Dreams); Wind (god of all winds); Pelmry (bird-clawed god of scribes); Apetekus (god of slaves); Wilnedur (goddess of slaves)
ground cover: anything on the ground: grass, trees, bushes, gravel, stones, and crops
Happy Bag: weekly bribes for Provost’s office
Heskaly’s drum: instrument used by the trickster god of the hills to make people crazy
hoddy-dod: slang for snail; someone who is slow
Hunt: criminal investigation; pursuit of criminals
hunter: hound trained to hunt escaped prisoners and slaves
Hurdik: language of Tunstall’s native hill tribes
jabbernob: chatterbox
Jane Street kennel: Tunstall and Beka’s home base
jerkin: hip-length sleeveless jacket
jumped-up: raised above one’s station
kennel: Provost’s watch house; police station
ladyhorse: destrier (warhorse) bred smaller and lighter for lady knights
looby: fool
lure: scent sample used to give Achoo the right scent to follow
mains: main dishes for meals
Master: Mr.; mister; old title of honor for a mage
mayhap: perhaps
mot: woman
mumper: beggar
new Tom: overeager stranger; one who thinks he knows the game
nimmer: swindle
nuncle: pimp
pallet: narrow, straw-filled mattress
pig’s knuckle: barely competent worker; major insult
Puppy: trainee in the Provost’s Guard
rack: torture device on which the victim is placed with arms and legs spread. Turns of the handle and grips stretch the victim until his or her joints dislocate, then separate. Muscles are also stretched to a point at which they no longer contract. Some racks also have a spiked roller that can do bloody damage when the victim is placed facedown.
randy: always having sex on his or her mind
Rat: captive, civilian, criminal, or prey (to Dogs)
raw one: corpse; body
rushers: thugs
sap: lead-filled six-inch leather cylinder; bone-breaking weapon
sarden: blasted; damned; detestable
scry: watch something magically in water, a crystal, or a mirror
scummer: animal dung
scut: idiot
seek: hunt down a criminal or missing person
Sign: sign against evil; an X intersected by a vertical line to form a star on the chest
sign: in a Hunt, some indication of the prey, such as a footprint or handprint; marks of urine, feces, or vomit; or pieces of clothing
slum stew: liquid garbage
stripes: marks of the whip
swive: vulgar term for having sexual intercourse
tack: harness for a horse, including bridle and saddle
take someone over Breakbone Falls: administer a very severe beating
tarse: piece of meat
thumbscrew: vise that crushes the victim’s fingers or toes
ticklers: fingers
tightfisted: cheap
trencher: “plate” cut from a stale loaf of bread, used to hold food
trull: very low-class woman; the dregs
turncoat: traitor
twilsey: refreshing drink made from raspberry or cider vinegar and water
wander mage: mage who travels, picking up work here and there
wench: less-than-respectable woman
ACHOO’S COMMANDS
Come here Kemari (kehMAHRee)
Down Turun (tooROON)
Easy Mudah (MOOdah)
Eat Makan (mahKAN)
Friend Kawan (kahWAHN)
Go Maji (MAHjee)
Go fast Cepat (SAYpaht)
Greet Pengantar (pehnGANtahr, gan like can)
Guard Jaga (JAHgah)
Heel Tumit (tooMIHT)
No Tak (TACK)
Quiet Diamlah (deeAHMlah)
Relax Santai (sahnTIE)
Seek Mencari (mehnKAHRee)
Sit Dukduk (DOOKdook like bookbook)
Slow Pelan (pehLAHN)
Smell Bau (BOW, like cow)
Stay Tinggal (tingGAHL)
Steady/easy Gampang (gamPANG)
Stop Berhenti (buhrHEHNtee)
Up/rise Bangkit (bangKEET)
Wait Tunggu (toonGOO)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My heartfelt thanks goes to Dr. Daniel Wnorowski; Daniel DiMartini, P.A.; Cheryl Bryant; Dr. Sami Abdul-Malak; the aides, housekeepers, nurses, and therapists of Menorah Park in Syracuse, New York; and Ted Lambert of Orthopedic Rehabilitation Associates of Syracuse, New York. All of you saw me through my surgery and subsequent therapy with knowledge, kindnes
s, efficiency, and professionalism. Thanks for putting me back on my feet (knees, actually) and back to writing again!
My thanks to my Random House crew: Mallory Loehr, who continues to be wonderful; Lisa Findlay, who edited Bloodhound; Schuyler Hooke, old friend and new editor for Mastiff; and Chelsea Eberly, who runs interference.
