Free Bloodborn by Nathan Long Page B

head sulkily. ‘Aye, mistress.’
    Ulrika glared at the knight, but did not retort. She didn’t want to ruin her chances by making Gabriella angrier.
    The countess sat in silence for a long moment, staring out the window into the night. Finally she sighed. ‘But I must know. There’s nothing for it.’ She turned to Ulrika. ‘Very well, you shall go.’
    Rodrik grunted.
    Ulrika suppressed a grin of excitement. ‘Thank you, mistress. You will not regret this!’
    ‘Quiet, girl,’ snapped Gabriella. ‘You shall go, but you will follow my rules to the letter, do you understand me? You will keep yourself hidden at all times. You will not fight. Not anyone. Not even the killer, should you find him, unless you are in danger for your life. You will not feed. You will speak to no one unless it is absolutely unavoidable, and when you have seen what there is to be seen, you will return to me immediately. This is not an invitation to explore Nuln, nor to play at hero. Am I clear?’
    Ulrika nodded respectfully. ‘Yes, mistress. Very clear. I will not disappoint you.’
    ‘I trust you will not,’ said Gabriella, then her face fell. ‘But wait. This may not work after all. You cannot do this in dresses, and you would drown in Rodrik’s clothes. What am I to send you out in?’
    Ulrika smiled. ‘Not to worry, mistress. I packed my old things.’
    As they neared the house of Guildmaster Eggert Aldrich, Gabriella signalled the coach to stop, then turned to Rodrik and Lotte. ‘You must leave us here. Take the baggage wagon and find a nearby inn. I will contact you again tomorrow night once I know the lay of the land at this new place.’
    ‘But, mistress,’ said Rodrik. ‘I am your champion. I must not leave your side.’
    ‘And who will dress you, m’lady?’ asked Lotte.
    ‘I’m sorry, Rodrik,’ said Gabriella. ‘My job is to woo this Aldrich and win my way into his heart and home. Until I have done that it would not do to seem to have a rival for his affections. And Ulrika will act as maid, at least for now, Lotte. For I need a spy more than I need a dresser at the moment. Now go, both of you. I will send for you soon.’
    Rodrik shot a dark look at Ulrika, then thrust through the coach door with more force than necessary. Lotte ducked her head sadly and followed.
    On the snowy street, Rodrik bowed coldly to Gabriella. ‘I pray for your safety, mistress.’ Then he closed the door.
    Gabriella laughed and shook her head. ‘As faithful as a dog, and as stupid.’ She rapped on the wall of the coach. ‘Drive on!’
    The coach stopped in front of a sturdy, prosperous-looking townhouse in the Kaufman District, where all the houses were sturdy and prosperous-looking, and a bit dull. As the countess and Ulrika stepped down onto the drive and approached the white panelled door, Ulrika thought she had never seen a cleaner, more well-kept street, or one with so little character.
    Gabriella knocked, and a few moments later, a thick-set butler in regal black opened the door and looked down his nose at them. ‘Yes?’
    ‘Herr Aldrich, please,’ said Gabriella. ‘It is about his wife.’
    ‘I shall inquire,’ said the butler, then closed and locked the door again.
    After another short wait, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard within, then the locks turned and the door flew open to reveal a wild-eyed and panting fat man staring at them, his breeches hastily pulled on under his night shirt.
    ‘What do you know of my wife!’ he cried. ‘Where is she?’
    ‘I cannot tell you on the street, Herr Aldrich,’ said Gabriella. ‘Will you invite me in?’
    Aldrich’s round face collapsed as he looked at Gabriella, and he staggered back. ‘You… you’re one of her sisters. Oh, Sigmar, it’s bad, isn’t it? Something’s happened.’
    ‘It is bad,’ said Gabriella. ‘May I come in?’
    The guildmaster sobbed and motioned them in, then led them to a dark parlour. When the butler had lit the lamps and