Free Prophecy by Sharon Green

really would have been too busy to accommodate you.”
    “I see,” Hallina responded, delighted that she hadn’t told this detestable peasant her true plans. Once Clarion was in her hands again and back under control of that drug, she’d make certain that he never found it possible to leave a second time … unless it became necessary to sacrifice him to save herself. “Well, in that case I won’t detain you. Your—very important business matters shouldn’t be kept waiting.”
    “No, they shouldn’t,” he agreed as he rose, straightening the vest which covered part of his paunch. “As soon as I have any word, I’ll contact you again.”
    Hallina sat in her chair and watched as the man bowed briefly and then left, now more than eager to see him go. She’d been counting on the man to find the … thugs, as he called them, for her, and he’d failed her. But she refused to give up the rest of her plans, the ones that would begin to take just vengeance on those horrible, ill-mannered children on the throne. She would simply have to find suitable tools elsewhere.
    Thought of what the new Five had put her through this last time she spoke with them sent Hallina to her feet and pacing. She’d gone to the palace to pass on the information which Ravence had brought her two days ago, but rather than being admitted at once she’d been made to wait like a commoner. Then, when she’d finally been permitted into the august presences, her information had been thrown back in her face.
    “We already know that your son and his friends are in the west, Lady Hallina,” that Kambil Arstin had said dismissively, giving her only a fraction of his attention. “You were supposed to provide information we
don’t
have.”
    “The name of the place they’ll soon be is Widdertown,” Hallina had replied stiffly, biding her time while pretending not to be insulted. “Unless I’m mistaken, that
is
information you don’t already have.”
    “Yes, you’reright, we
weren’t
told about that town,” the creature had replied, now looking straight at her. “The information may or may not do us any good, but you still have our thanks for providing it. And, if it should prove to be valuable, you’ll have more than simple thanks. Now you may leave us.”
    Hallina had had no choice but to allow herself to be dismissed, something no one had ever dared to do to her before. She’d been determined even before that to teach those creatures a lesson, but after being treated like a peasant, the determination had become obsession. She wanted those five
hurt
, no matter what they were supposed to be capable of doing with their talent…
    “If only those peasants I used the last time hadn’t dropped out of sight,” Hallina muttered as she went to the teacup she’d abandoned when Ravence had arrived. She spilled the cold tea into the pot near the service meant for that purpose, then poured a fresh cup. “Their efforts were more than satisfactory, but my agent feels I may have paid them too much. They’ve apparently gone off to enjoy all that silver, and probably won’t be available again until they’ve spent it all.”
    But the man had promised to find others to take their place, so Hallina only had to wait until he did. She’d tried
her
hand at it by speaking to Ravence, but the fool of a peasant hadn’t even asked how much she was willing to pay. When peasants pretended to respectability, they were even more tiresome than usual…
    A knock came at the sitting room door, and when Hallina gave her permission to enter, one of the servants appeared.
    “Your pardon, Lady Hallina, but a note has been left for you,” the man said with a bow. “An urchin delivered it, and didn’t even wait to be tipped.”
    “The child was probably too stupid to understand about tipping,” Hallina remarked, holding out her hand. “Give me the note.”
    The servant did so and then retired, closing the door again behind him. Hallina put her cup aside to