The City of Ravens by Richard Baker Read Free Book Online

was occasionally employed by various theaters in the city. Many of the noble patrons of the arts enjoyed inviting actors, playwrights, and artists of note into their social circle for a time. The rich and powerful engaged in a subtle competition to attract the most interesting personages into their retinue, in the same way that they might bid against each other to own the most striking paintings or to stock the most outrageous menageries. Ingratiating himself among the well-to-do of the city was one of Jack’s favorite pastimes.
    “In fact,” he said, “I was hoping you could help me on the matter of the play.”
    “Help you? But how?” Illyth asked.
    “I know that last year you became interested in the topic of heroes, adventurers, and freebooters who’d made their homes in Raven’s Bluff,” Jack began. “I’ve got an idea for a smashing production based on the deeds of one of these adventurous sorts, but I’d like to verify the details of the story and make sure that I get it all right. Historical accuracy is very important to me.”
    “I’m glad to hear it!” Illyth exclaimed. “I can’t tell you how much it annoys me when a playwright doesn’t even bother to do a bit of research. Who did you have in mind?”
    “A mage named Gerard. As I understand it, he passed
    through the city and mysteriously vanished about six to ten years ago. Have you ever heard of him?”
    She frowned prettily. “Hmmm… no, I don’t believe so, but I’ve got hundreds of names recorded in my papers. If not there, then I might dig up some information at the Wizard’s Guild, or at the Ministry of Art. What did Gerard supposedly do?”
    Jack realized that he’d better tread carefully. He had to give Illyth a good reason for why he wanted to know about Gerard, one that would match his cover story. “I’m not really sure. My play is actually about a rival of his, and I wanted to cast Gerard as a villain. Supposedly, he owned a book called the Sarkonagael,” he said. “Can you look into it for me?”
    Illyth thought about it for a moment, and then nodded her head. Td be happy to, Jack, on one condition.”
    “Oh?”
    “I need a partner in the new Game of Masks. It’s going to start in just three days, and they say that the prize is a real Dragon’s Tear! You’re clever, and you’ve worked as a player before. I think you could be very good at it, if you just gave it a try!”
    “The Game of Masks?” Jack tried not to wince. The Game was a noble diversion, an ongoing series of playacting events wherein the participants took on various roles and tried to solve puzzles, stumble through a plot, or play at great deeds. He supposed it was fun… but it would take a lot of time, probably one evening in every three or four for the next couple of months. More than that, if he played seriously, and Illyth would demand no less than a serious effort on his part. It would also cost a lot of money to stay in the game, more money than he could put his hands on.
    Unless Anders came through with his share of the Kuldath ruby.
    Or he and Illyth actually won the Game prize. A Dragon’s Tear would compensate him quite nicely for his time and trouble. And how hard could it be, really? Most of their competition would consist of foppish noblemen and bored ladies groping their way through a stale plot of some kind. Jack, on the other hand, was a professional. He lied, cheated, stole, and played at being someone he was not as a way of life. He’d cut through their silly Game like a shark in a barrel of codfish.
    He looked up at Illyth, a little breathless, a little too fond of her books, but a charming and pretty girl who thought he was romantic, tragic, and entertaining all at the same time. If playing at the Game made her happy, why not?
    “All right,” Jack said. “When do we start?”

CHAPTER THREE
    it turned out, the Game was not scheduled to begin until the following night. Jack promised to pick up Illyth at sunset (yet another