The City: PuzzleLocked Book 1

Mida looked up. “You’ve said cats a couple of times. If you return tomorrow, I will run an experiment on you. There are at least four cats that wander the university grounds. I’m going to round them up and let you pet them. And I’m going to do the same. If four isn’t enough, I’ll extend my search through the city, and the island, if need be. I’m not sure I can become a persistent memory this way, since none of my colleagues have ever mentioned daemons, but I can hope. Will you help me with this?”

Both Flor and Alastair nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Of course,” said Alastair. “Whatever we can do to help.”

“So, it’s getting late. If you give me my cube, I’ll make a few adjustments, so you can have my current status when you present it to me in the morning. And we can pick up much easier.”

“Uh, please don’t kick us out, yet. If we go back to the prison tavern, they’ll likely just pluck us for the search party that’s about to get called.”

“Oh, you mentioned that in your story. How much longer do you think you need?”

“Both advanced displays and maps are short topics. How about we get through that? Then Flor and I will go for a beverage, and then it’ll be too late to join the party.”

“Okay. Start with advanced displays, then.”

“There are four…”

Flor and Alastair walked into the tavern with Mida’s memory cube tucked in Alastair’s pocket. Horace sat at a table by himself, looking into a mug. All the other tables were empty. Horace looked up at their entrance.

“Ah, I was wondering if you’d come back tonight. There was a search party called. It’s too late for you to go, now, though.”

“What was the search for?” Alastair asked innocently.

“Mayoral procession should have returned from the Lord’s keep a few hours ago. The mayor’s assistant called for the party when they didn’t arrive on time.”

“Hopefully nothing bad happened to the good lord mayor…” Alastair’s comment was soaked in sarcasm.

Horace glared at him. “Look, I may not know the Mayor personally, but I don’t take kindly to bad-mouthing the man who pays my salary.”

Alastair held up his hands. “No offense. It is only that I expect the mayor isn’t the only person who could reasonably manage that position.”

“I’m not in a good mood. Don’t turn me sour. I recommend you head to your room before you say something you might regret.”

Your disposition with Horace has changed from neutral+ to neutral.

“You’re right. We’ll turn in. See you in the morning.” Flor started to lead Alastair away.

“Before you go…where do you work? Make sure you arrive on time. You don’t want to piss off your new employer, either.”

“Muckers. We know the way and will be on time.”

After they were in the room, Flor turned on Alastair. “What was that? Are you gonna turn our positive interactions into negative ones? Just because of your work hang-ups?”

“You know the mayor is evil. He steals kids and who knows what they do to those kids at the keep.”

“Might be. But you aren’t preventing that by pissing off the people who are becoming our acquaintances.” She laid down, still fully clothed. “Hopefully you grow up a bit by tomorrow.”

Flor forced her eyes closed but sleep didn’t come easily.