Lusilk Seeks Information
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 5th October 2019
Series: The Assassin's Husband
Characters: Lusilk
Description: Lusilk sees a familiar face and seeks information
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 11, day 26 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Lorican, Jayzine, Urlene (not by name)
She couldn't believe her eyes when he walked by. How on Pern could it be that _he_ would show up at the same place she had taken shelter? Of all the horrible luck she could have, she'd ended up in the same place as that too-stubborn-to-die bastard. Lusilk cursed silently under her breath as she walked quickly to the office that she'd been provided. It was far better than the tent she had began with and offered enough privacy to think.
And think she must. Lusilk knew that just because she had killed the men paying her, it did _not_ mean whoever had hired them had given up on their goal. Lorican was still a man marked for death, whether he knew it or not. And shards and shaffit all, his proximity to her put her and Silgan at risk, especially since she was certain that those who hired the men knew that she'd been hired as well. And that she'd failed. She should have been more careful with her aim and not been so over-confident!
Making her way to her office, she closed the door silently behind her and let out soft voiced curses as she paced. She could take Silgan and run. That was one option that was completely viable. Tugging her braid, she scowled, kicking at the leg of her desk. Silgan was finally beginning to emerge from that shell she'd been forced to put him in. He still did not speak to others, it was far too risky, but he played now with other children and she'd heard him laugh in delight at a toy a woodcrafter had made for him. It was a silly pull-toy carved in the shape of a runner, but her son adored it. The staff around the dining hall were genuinely affectionate and kind to him. Turns of running, hiding, and moving from place to place had left him unwilling to make friends for so long and he finally was. _He_ needed that stability.
So what could she do? She tugged on her braid harder. She wanted to stay but she needed to ensure Silgan's safety. Her eyes narrowed as she looked out of the window towards the smoking forge. It was inevitable that he'd notice her and most likely recognize her. Crafters were precious here, so she couldn't simply outright kill him. It would be the easiest solution, but the least likely to allow her to stay. She was known here now. What she needed was leverage to ensure that he'd keep his mouth shut.
Leaving her office, she pasted a smile on her face, speaking briefly to those who stopped her and pretending all was well. It wasn't unusual to see her in the Craft area; she frequented it often enough as Jayzine's assistant. Nor was it unusual to see her entering buildings, inspecting them, and ensuring that everything was in its place. And people talked and gossiped about new arrivals, just what she needed.
It didn't take too long to learn where he was settled and where he'd come from. A few well-placed and innocent seeming questions and she had some of what she needed. Surprisingly, he hadn't come from that miserable Hold, but from the Weyr of all places. Healing, she reasoned, easily. His wounds would have been too much for the Healer they'd had assigned at the Hold and everyone knew that Weyrs offered better Healing. Making her way to where he'd been assigned to bunk, she slipped in quietly.
With all of the crafter's working, it was far too easy to dig for what she needed. The locks that held his private belongings were laughable; with a smirk, she began to dig through letters, documents, everything that he had. He had an uncle and oh, a brother as well. Apparently a brother that was an idiot. Good to know. So he had family. Also good to know. Within moments she knew where they lived and sealed them to memory.
She looked up and what she saw caught her attention. It was a portrait, stuck into the bedframe next to a wall. Lusilk rose, plucking the small drawn portrait from where it was nestled and studied it. It was a picture of a beautiful woman. Her brow furrowed. All the information she'd gathered on him previously said nothing of any love interest, but the position next to his pillow could only mean that he wanted to look at this woman every night. No love interest at the Hold, but he _had_ been at the Weyr for a good amount of time. Her eyes narrowed as she studied the face. Someone that was apparently very dear to him at the Weyr and with a face like that, easy to find. Perfect. Love made fools of men and was far more likely to make them vulnerable.
She tapped the portrait with her fingers, then carefully replaced it. She knew the face now and would remember it. That was her leverage. The woman and his family. There was a chance that the family had already been compromised, but she'd seen nothing to indicate that if they had been, he knew about it. That could be used. But the woman, she was new. A few threats would seal his lips rather effectively.
Smiling with satisfaction, she locked up his belongings and slipped out of the room he'd been provided.
Last updated on the October 26th 2019
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