13. Information.

Maria was silent for a minute.

"What do you mean the dagger you gave me?" she asked.

"I thought it was obvious." It said. "Who else would give you a perfect tool for killing someone. Those other flowery Gods?" It laughed mockingly. "None of them would even be able to think about making one, let alone actual go out and create one. All they gave you was wits or beauty or long life. Makes you want to throw up. I was the only one to actually see your potential. I knew what you could become and I gave you something that would be practical. Wasn’t that thoughtful of me?"

"Very." she mumbled.

It did not seem to notice or care about the tone of her voice.

"So far its come in quite handy, so I’ve heard."

"Are you keeping tabs on me?" she asked.

"Well, I am very interested in your activities. But I am not spying on you if that is what you are afraid of. I just make sure I listen to all the gossip running around. Those Gods just love to talk about the latest rumours about each other and can’t seem to get enough. Sometimes your name pops up. Its the only interesting topic."

Maria decided she didn’t like where this topic was going, so she quickly changed the subject.

"So you say you based my dagger on this sword that has gone missing. So am I to assume it has the same sort of properties?"

"Exactly." It said. "Just like your dagger, it is the perfect assassination weapon. It can change shape to fit almost any lock, it kills without leaving any marks or evidence. The victim looks as if his heart just gave out. No need to look for someone who may have wanted them dead."

Maria could hear the smile in It’s voice.

"Perfect for someone who needs to be surreptitious. Someone who needs to sneak around and not cause undue suspicion on one more death."

"Yes perfect." she spat. "And now you suspect that this Robert Isling fellow has this sword. Why do you suspect him and why would he want it?’

"As for why he would want it, I don’t know really. I hardly talked to the boy except to give him his orders. As for why I suspect him, well he had access to it and he dissapeared on the same day that it did."

"That is all? He dissapeared at the same time so you assume he took it?"

"Seems reasonable to me." It said. "The guilty always run away. If he had nothing to worry about, he would have stayed."

"Oh and you would not have taken your anger out on the person nearest you before finding out all the facts."

Maria, wondered if she had put to much sarcasm in her voice because it was very silent for a long time afterwards. The other gathered closer around her as the silence continued.

"He would not have been killed." It finally said. "Just hurt a little, then he could have told me what happened."

Maria let out her breath she had not realised she was holding.

"Be that as it may. He is gone and so is the sword. And this sword is just the wrong thing to let loose in the world." she said.

"That was why it was in my possesion." It said. "All the stuff that the others feel man can not be trusted with are sent to me for safe keeping. Though occasionally I lend them out, but no one seems to mind. So you can see that my having let it get taken from me is a little embarasing. And I don’t like being embarased."

The sky darkened at his last words but cleared up almost emediately as it said brightly,

"But I am sure you would be willing to find it and the guilty party and return them to me."

"I have very little choice."

"True. But don’t feel bad. Few people do when it comes to me."

"Where am I to start looking for this man? Where was he last?"

"That is the easy part for you. I had tracked him to somewhere in these lands of your lord’s. But he is a little sneakier than your average human and still eludes me. I was on the verge of doing something drastic, which may have been a sad thing for the people in these lands, when I felt your presence. I thought you may have a better chance at finding him than anyone I know, so I decided to ask you instead."

"What was this drastic measure?" she asked not sure she wanted an answer.

"Oh just killing all males of his age in the area." It said matter of factly. "Catch all the fish and the one you want will be in the net."

All of them shuddered.

"But that won’t be necessary now." It continued. "I am sure you can find him with less destructiveness. I will let you get on with your job. Good day to you all."

Its presence left them and the sounds of the forest came back. Everyone began to relax and breathing was returned to normal.

"Well, there is an event I hope never to repeat." said Jenny.

"I agree with you on that." said her brother. "But I suspect that when we find this man that we will encounter It again.

"What do you mean we?" asked Maria.

"Surely you did not expect to go on your own, did you?" said Harold.

"As a matter of fact I did." she answered.

"Of course not." said Paul. "This time you are not really going after someone for your mother. Now it is just a job given to you by the most evil being in the world. We wouldn’t let you face that alone."

"We are your friends." said Jenny. "It is only right that we help you."

"And besides," said Warren, "With all of us working together we can get this solved faster, so the faster we get out from under him."

Maria looked at the determined faces of those around her and realised she had no way of changing their minds. Part of her was glad for their help but she still worried.

They returned to the manor to let their Lord know about the situation. He was not very happy about loosing his entire pack of hunters for an indefinite amount of time, but he had little choice as he did not want The Unnameable to be angry with him. So after a little grumbling for show, he gave them permission to go. Annie was worried but tried not to show it. She kissed Maria and hugged her wishing her well and followed her to the back entrance that led to the hunters quarters to meet the others.

They had packed a few things and saying good-bye to the other servants who had come to see them off, they started out down the road to the town.

They were silent for a while and then Harold Treeborn spoke up.

"It may not be as hard as we think." he said.

"Why is that?" asked Jenny.

"Because it is only the start of the trading season. So only a few strangers would have come into the town at this time. Someone new will stick out. We only have to ask around."

"That is assuming he came into town. He may be hiding out in the forest of fields." said Maria.

"True." he answered. "Then let us hope he is not as bright as he is sneaky."

"So do I." said Maria. "We can get this over without too much trouble. Because if we fail it may not be only the young males who pay the price."