Marie
Month 12, Day 20, 10:00AM
Marie never slept in. For one thing, to visit her Mama, she needed to be awake early. Even if the visits were temporarily stopped, the habit of waling early stuck with her.
Waking up well into the morning felt disturbingly unnatural to her.
On the other hand, Marie did not sleep well, and she’d gone to bed late after an already tiring day.
Nor did Poe wake her. By the time she got down to the office, Poe had already left. On her table was a silk bound journal in a soft pink cover, and a note. The note read:
This is an enchanted journal that will let us communicate at a distance. I have the other one in the pair. The range is limited to the city, but it was still quite expensive, so take good care of it. To communicate with me, the maker includes a special pen. Write, and when I check the journal, I’ll see what you wrote. If a prospective client stops by, write to me. Keep the the journal handy, in case I need you to join me for our observation of Silverling. He did not move last night, although the master of the house is coming and going late into the night. I have gotten a story from a neighbor that he is quite a the social butterfly, attending crown family parties but also “slumming” in bars and investing in businesses. For lessons today, I would like you to review the primer’s chapters on the construction of buildings, and the practice the exercises for good penmanship focusing on loops.
Marie frowned at the pink cover. It had flowers on it. ‘Would it have been too much to ask that Master Poe find a magical journal in black?’ She thought.
Then she felt a little guilty, because Poe allowed her a great deal of trust to give her an enchantment of this quality, then she worried about his expenditure. Unless they found the Raven Queen, how much had this surveillance cost? The August Agency needed real work. Marie wondered who this Mariner was, and how much the Mariner would pay the Agency.
Dinky and Mama didn’t visit either. And Marie began to worry about them as well. Poe kept sneaking out and thwarting the Morrow spies. Eventually, that might not go well. At least the Stags didn’t appear to have spent the resources to watch the back and the front at the same time. Marie couldn’t see the street from the office, because Poe had put bookshelves on every wall covering even the windows. But, Marie could see the street from her third floor room, and yet again, Jemnie stood on one corner and Cory on the other.
They looked cold.
Marie thought about inviting Jemnie in, but then that wouldn’t appear neutral, so, she’d have to invite Cory in too. If she was honest, she didn’t want both of them underfoot while she worked on her studies. The feud between the two gangs made her life troublesome.
Marie settled for reading and Poe’s assigned writing practice. She even voluntarily spent an hour exercising. In the afternoon, Poe finally wrote her a message:
Come to the park; tonight would be an ideal time for Silverling to contact the Raven Queen. I need an extra set of eyes. Lose the spies however you think is best. Use a cab, as necessary, if you can’t just sneak out the back window. A Lonsdale cab is usually stationed at the corner of Stage St., which is a blind, so if you can get a block ahead of them, you will be able to grab that and meet me at the little park we’ve been using. If you can’t, write to me when you are close and I’ll give you instruction.
Marie felt a trill of excitement. She would finally help Poe with Silverling. She changed into her nicest dress, and checked the window. The two spies still watched the front door. She thought about it for a moment, and concluded they needed to see her and think she wasn’t avoiding them first.
A few minutes later, she walked out the front of the August Agency, right past the two spies to see if they would follow. Jemnie did, but Cory did not. Marie wasn’t sure what was going on there, but she stopped at a street vendor and bought two boxes of a fried rice with bits of vegetable, a mysterious brown sauce, and a single shrimp per serving. She wrapped the boxes in a large cloth, giving all the world the impression she intended to eat a late lunch with Poe.
It might not fool Cory, or didn’t fool Cory, but, if she could fool Jemnie, then that would at least be one fewer pair of eyes to lose. She strode confidently into the office, then locking the door quietly.
Without pause she moved to the back, and snuck out the window. The alley appeared clear, but even though Marie smiled at her luck, she cautiously headed to Stage Street. Poe mentioned a new alternative he was going to develop, but whatever he had planned, it wasn’t likely that he would have it place so long as he followed Silverling.
Marie knew well enough how to watch for someone following her, and she didn’t see anyone. Even so, when she made it to a can green and black livery, she hopped into the open seat.
“Where to, young miss?”
Marie frowned at the slightly patronizing tone. Annoyed, Marie snapped the address a bit more rudely than she would have preferred. She opened the journal and wrote a note to Poe: ‘On my way. No obvious followers.’
She arrived at the park after quick chilly ride through the busy streets. When she hopped out, Poe strode out of the park and greeted her, and help her get out of the cab. He paid the cab driver Marie even had a chance to reach for the money in a pocket,
“You brought food? How thoughtful.” Poe told her.
“It might keep them confused.” Marie replied. “I bought it in front of the spies, so the wouldn’t check the office.”
The cab pulled away and back into the street and headed back toward the Mires.
“That was good thinking. Too bad it didn’t work on the Stags. Did you notice?”
“Notice what?”
“The Green Antlers on the cab.”
Marie suddenly felt cold. She’d lead the Stags right to him.
“Oh no, I forgot to check the cab company!” Marie said.
“Don’t worry about it.” Poe gave her a small smile. “This is a public place, and while it is close to our surveillance target, it will take the cabbie a while to get to back to Stag territory and tell them where we are. We’ll just relocate.”
Poe moved them up the street to a bigger park farther away. They sat and ate on a slightly cold bench, but Poe warmed the food with a quick spell. Marie found it warming and filling. They discussed the progress on watching Silverling. Poe noted that Silverling did not seem to be moving. Poe told Marie that the household had been busy late into the night, and Lord Dryden in particular appeared to be quite busy - leaving late and returning even later. Poe was not following him, but he told Marie he expected to consult Frig about him.
By dusk, even with the cold, idle young people walked by the bench gossiping. Marie mostly ignored them, until a pair of men in pressed gold and blue uniforms slowed in their stroll. One was slightly thicker one with a jaded look, and the other one was younger and athletic. The young one said to the other. “Wait, is that her?”
Marie stiffened. Had the Stags already found them?
“No. You keep jumping at shadows like this, and the captain will discipline you. Again.”
“But, she’s got long black hair, and she looks a little Raven-like, right?”
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Marie heard the jaded one huff. She shrunk down on the bench a little. Up close, she recognized the insignia and uniform. They never ventured to the Mires, but everyone knew the High Crown’s insignia; it was on every coin in Gilbratha.
Poe stood up and confronted them.
“And, she can hear you just fine. If you think the Raven Queen is just sitting on a park bench, in the middle of the day, then you are quite mistaken.” Poe said rather loudly.
“Excuse us sir, but we must follow up on all leads.” The younger man said.
“Move along sir. This young girl is not the Raven queen. She is too pale, too short, and too young.” Poe replied cooly. “Your captain would not take kindly to the complaint I will file if you continue down this line of incompetence.”
Poe’s posture reminded her of a certain sort of man, and remembering gave her a pit in her stomach.
The clientele of the Hands, Hearts and Palms occasionally included men who had crown blood. Once, one demanded that he have private use of a masseuse into the evening, privately, at his manse. He brought the masseuse — a girl named Shirelie — before Madame. Marie happened to be doing a tally for Madame, so she ended up watching the entire thing out of the corner of her eye.
Even in the face of the lord’s commanding posture and arrogant attitude, Madam politely declined. In blatant violation of Crown law, he practically tried to buy the girl. Madame eventually convinced him that he could better spend his coin elsewhere.
Even knowing what they did at the parlor, Marie saw the terrified look in the Shirelie’s eyes. Marie later found out the girl was convinced that if she left with him, she might not come back. Even Mama agreed. It had happened before, when they first opened. Nothing seemed to restrain a Crown scion.
Marie hated those corrupt aristocrats. The world revolved around them, and if they had the money to buy, they expected you to sell.
In that moment, Marie realized Poe was one of them, or so close the difference did not matter. His firm tone, posture, and unblinking stare intimidated even Crown guard. Ambivalent feelings warred in her chest; he was protecting her, but he also sounded possessive and controlling.
‘How well do I know Poe?’ Marie thought. ‘He is … a little dangerous, isn’t he?’ Marie began thinking about her Mama’s warnings. ‘Is this who he really is?’
The two men looked between themselves. The older shrugged.
“I can see we are mistaken. This girl is too young, too small, and not dark enough to be the Raven Queen.”
“That’s right.” Poe said. He sat back down, pointedly ignoring the pair. They continued on down the street.
Marie and Poe sat in silence for a moment.
“I could have handled that.” Marie eventually said.
“Maybe you could.” Poe conceded. “I … am sorry. Those men are dangerous for you. They could take you away and … I don’t want you to be hurt. If I have to act entitled to keep you safe, then I will.” He sighed.
“Was it acting?”
Poe seemed to think about that, and eventually he said, “I’m not that person anymore.”
Marie wasn’t so sure.
Regardless, they stayed on the bench, with Poe scrying occasionally. Several times, they strolled over to the Lord Dryden’s home and watched the comings and goings as the little scrying coin sensed movement. Poe was using some sort black powder to see watch for movement on a map; it vibrated and distorted and would radiate in spiral waves. Marie couldn’t understand quite what Poe was looking for.
On one of their periodic walks to watch the front door of the manor, Marie asked if Silverling had moved.
“His token has not.” Frank touched his glasses, watching the gate for a moment.
“Are your glasses … magic?” Marie whispered to him.
“They have spell arrays in them, yes.” Poe replied. “I am just checking their wards. Plenty of of antiscrying wards keep me from checking the contents of the manor, and I don’t think I could sneak anything in either. It seems Lord Dryden is more paranoid than I thought. There has been a lot of movement.”
“What now?”
“I think Silvering will be moving tonight, if nothing else, he may return to the University or try to meet with a contact or the Raven Queen.” Poe explained to Marie what he had in mind. After nightfall, they would set up on either end of the street, waiting for Silverling to move. In the dark, they would harder to spot, but Silverling should be visible in the light of the house.
Marie stood on her end of the street long after the lamps were lit, trying to keep to the shadows. Marie tried hard to keep off boredom, recalling the various glyphs Poe had been teaching her and checking her grimoire to see if she had memorized them correctly.
A carriage came up to the manor, and she thought she saw Silverling open the front door and stride toward it. Just as she opened the enchanted journal, she read Poe’s hasty scrawl.
Silverling doesn’t have his token. Run over a block, we’ll follow in a cab.
Marie headed straight for the cab, and Poe arrived just a few moments later. He had a hushed and quick conversation with the driver, and they hopped in. They took off, with the horse setting up at a brisk trot. Turning two corners, they arrived just quickly enough for them to see the expensive black carriage pull away from the manor.
Following behind, they moved through the city, downhill somewhat, but still in a part of town nice enough to business’ signs with writing on them. and finally arrived at a cream-colored building that Marie knew well enough she didn’t need to read the sign.
As Silverling left the carriage, Marie was close enough to hear the carriage driver comment, “have fun milord.” Silverling stepped out of the carriage without a backward glance, and walked straight to the building.
“It’s the Silk Door.” Marie whisper to Poe as they hopped from the cab and Poe paid the cabbie. “He’s going in there?”
Poe nodded. They stood across the street and watched Silverling enter. Poe had Marie wait before they moved toward the door. He seemed reluctant to go into the elegant creamy brick building, and they stood at the corner watching.
“He doesn’t seem like the type.”
“Why?” Marie was genuinely baffled. She’d seen all sorts of men at the massage parlor. The men she’d met always seemed to crave sex, except Poe, maybe. She reserved judgement; he at least wasn’t open about it. In her experience, men might be kind or cruel, but they all wanted sex.
“He’s attractive, wouldn’t you say?”
“I suppose.” Marie didn’t know what would make a man attractive, but Silverling did dress well, and his hair did make him striking.
“I met some girls who definitely thought so. They looked at him like a fisherman eyeing a big catch. On the other hand, he behaves as if money is important to him. He sold Ennis’ clothes to a fence, and I saw him try to sell a chunk of cerelium, and he was indignant when he didn’t get a good price.”
“But, the Silk Door is high class, and expensive.” Marie replied. Of course, maybe quality mattered to him?
“An attractive boy like that can get a girl to bed if he wanted. Now, maybe he has esoteric taste, but Silverling does not seem like the type to visit a brothel.”
“He could have a friend there.” Marie replied. Marie knew the Silk Door was more than a workplace. Like the Hands, Hearts, and Palms, the workers treated the place as a home. In many ways, sex workers only felt safe among each other. No one cared about them, so they had to care about each other.
Poe nodded. “I had not thought of that, but that would explain it.”
“It’s run by the Stags. Not openly, but the Hands, Hearts, and Palms knows about it. We had some defectors.” Marie observed.
“Stags is it?” Poe raised an eyebrow. “Another connection. Do you think the Raven Queen might hide there … No, I’m sure the Coppers swept places like this.”
Marie nodded. “Coppers came through the Hands, Hearts, and Palms, searched all the rooms, and questioned everyone. Several times. All the sex-work places got swept. Coppers must figure that the Raven Queen could hide among women who work in the business. Or, maybe it has to do with where her father was found. Anyway, she wouldn’t be able to hide long at the Silk Door.”
“But, exotic women come and go from that place. She might just sneak in and out. Go watch the back door; you’ll draw less attention than me. I’ll stay out here and watch for Silverling.”
“You think I might see the Raven Queen?”
“It’s possible; keep a careful watch for either Silverling or Naught.”
Marie walked around the building till she could get a view of the back doors. She noticed women, and some men, did come and go, but none of them looked like Silverling or the Raven Queen.
She found herself looking at her journal at one point, as her attention had wandered. When she looked up, she didn’t see anyone. At least, she didn’t notice the Raven Queen walk past her into the night.
Later, a pair of women took a break and came outside to chat and cool off, and Marie walked a little closer to hear what they might be saying.
“I had another customer want me to dress up in black and them dress in a copper uniform,” the taller black-haired woman giggled, “and have them pretend to catch me as the Raven Queen.”
“Shh. Don’t use her name; she might hear you.” The blonde replied.
The other woman scoffed. “That’s just superstition.”
“Yeah, but what if she could hear? I heard from a customer that she was behind the alarms the other day. She seduced two coppers and used them to loose an invisible abberant.”
“That was false alarm. A prank. The coppers just got drunk on duty.”
“That’s just what the papers want us to believe! Even if it not true, can you be sure? You tempt fate calling her name. What will you do if the Raven Queen hears?”
“They tipped well. A little danger makes it exciting for them, I guess.” The dark haired woman shrugged. “Playing dress up has been in demand lately.”
The other sighed. “This is true. I’ve even had some that don’t want any of the usual stuff at all; just lounging around in something more comfortable and chatting about ‘girl’ things. I charge ‘em all the same. Still, I’d not want to piss off the dark lady. I heard she travels the shadows and visits the nightmares of her enemies.”
If calling the Raven Queen’s name brought her, Marie figured she and Poe would have met her by now. They’d said her name dozens of times today alone, and Marie hadn’t seen anything.
Hours passed, and eventually, Marie felt her attention waiver, and just fail. Had someone come in? Marie felt too muddled to say. Marie had to signal Poe that she was too tired to continue. A few minutes later, Poe signaled that Silverling had left via the front. They managed to trail him back to Lord Dryden’s Manor, and then gave up for the night. If he’d met the Raven Queen at the brothel, neither the girls nor their surveillance had turned up anything.