Reputable sources on the Arbiter were rare. Caed knew this, which is why he never bothered researching the Lord of Balance before now.
Similarly, few referred to him by name. The sorceress invoking him so casually as she did in Veleria’s presence got him thinking. As far as he knew the woman held only disdain for the deities of the realm. She called them charlatans, liars, and passive parasites. He could understand her frustration, as Istvar had upended his entire career.
She had also removed his true name from the annals of history. It was something that was meant to protect him (and her) but managed to annoy him in equal measure. Even so, it meant that the Arbiter no longer held power over him.
Caed sucked on what remained of his cigarette. Without his little powerhouse for a lover, he was back to relying on Spiritcaller to feed his hunger. It was good that so much of it had grown since the dawning of spring. He mused that even if he crushed it up and snorted it that it would still pale in comparison to a single kiss from that woman.
He ashed his smokes just as Wren nudged the door to the library open with his hip.
“Special delivery! M-Mel said there was a journal somewhere in this b-b-box.” Wren announced, dropping the aging crate in his arms onto the largest table in the room. Caed was sitting at a smaller one nearby. He got up to join the shopkeeper and rummage through the goods.
“Thanks, Wren.” Caed said and gave him a light pat on his back. “The mistress has been strangely stingy with the sight. Not that I could handle much of it anyway, without Veleria most of my visions are back to the occasional image. Par for the course with objects.”
“Hmm,” Wren placed a hand below his chin. “Do you think that Istvar d-doesn’t want to be c-complicit?”
Caed shrugged.
“The harlot rarely tells me anything.” He pushed some of the larger books aside in the box. When he found what he was looking for, Caed grinned. “Why, hello there.”
It was older than dirt. Even the parchment was no longer made in this day and age. It was handwoven as were the spine and cover. Better, he got nothing from touching it. Her silence was a confession.
“Is your girlfriend how you managed to find some of these old tomes?” He asked, sitting back down in the plush armchair. Studying the cover more, he eyed Wren momentarily. The man could get mousy when one wasn’t watching him.
“I wouldn’t call Mel my g-girlfriend…Occasional stress relief, m-maybe. On her part.” He rubbed his hands together nervously. “She did dig up a few things for me, yes.”
“Come on, man. Ya don’t really consider yourself the side piece?”
“I consider myself a realist. How would you f-feel if Veleria was more interested in Adrian than you?”
Caed stared at him following a blink. It was a pointed question.
“Never considered it,” he said. “Her not really bein’ the type aside, if she did get in bed with Giarmund then I suppose I would just wonder if he was as good as his reputation precedes.” Cracking the journal open, he offered Wren a wry grin. “Sorry for oversteppin’. Thanks again for all this.”
“No problem.” Wren smiled weakly. “I’ll just sort the rest of these.”