Jak Barley-Private Inquisitor by Dan Ehl
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BLURB:
As a private inquisitor, Jak Barley’s job is fairly
mundane-finding errant debtors and missing property, or proving the
unfaithfulness of roving spouses. It’s not a vocation that makes many friends.
Though a frequent patron of dark, wretched bars seldom visited by
the more fastidious citizens of Duburoake, he still can be squeamish about some
things – such as ghosts and rabid magicians.
Barley’s latest cases are just that more upsetting, dragging him
into contact with sinister specters, malicious mages, irate harpies, creepy
death deities and royal plots.
It will take all of his backstreets cunning to stay alive, as well
as the help of alchemist Olmsted Aunderthorn, his half brother, who uses the
latest metaphysical laboratory techniques in solving crimes.
EXCERPT:
The slow ride through the night was depressing. The bone-chilling
dampness made me draw my canvas cape tighter. I was tired, cold, and bruised.
The disheartening slaughter weighed heavily upon me. The alluring memory of the
redheaded fortuneteller's warm nest of quilts made the venture seem all the
more wretched.
"How did you guess I seek
vengeance?" Mahvan had pulled her horse up next to me.
"Guessing had nothing to do with it," I replied
halfhearted and by rote. "A trained private inquisitor reads subtle signs
and cues as easily as if they were inked script on a grand bishop's
vellum."
"Vague words to hide
behind," she snapped.
I laughed at the words, the same I'd
spoken to Lorenzo only hours before.
Mahvan must have thought I laughed at her, for her retort was
laden with ire. "You find me humorous, Master Barley?"
I remembered her hidden weapons and the proficiency in which she dispatched
an attacker. "No, my lady. Just an errant thought."
This time I would not relent to a beautiful face. Why the gods toy
with me so, I do not know. Too many times I have lain out my well-crafted
deductions, only to find I had reached the right revelation but by a wrong
path.
"As with a stage illusionist, a private inquisitor seldom
reveals his methods. Let us just say that I observe obvious signs an untrained
eye will miss. Once explained, I'm afraid my deductions would suddenly plunge
from the realm of wonder to a more mundane plane."
She remained silent and I wished I could view her face. Our
discussion was lightening my heart, as it is often when speaking to a beautiful
woman.
"You are of high birth," I explained, keeping to safe
ground. "You have rid yourself only recently of jewelry, so speaks the
light rings of skin about your fingers. Your speech also gives you away, as
well as your obvious unease at the informality of being addressed by your
bestowed name. Would you rather I call you mistress or lady?"
"You find me prissy?" she
snapped.
I was relieved to have sidestepped
her queries.
"I hardly think that word would describe a maiden who travels
as a boyish follower of Dorga, carries a battery of hidden weapons, and uses
those same arms with the skill of a Hoonnish assassin."
"Are you for hire?"
I grimaced. The last thing I wanted to do was reduce my status
from fellow traveler to that of a common hireling.
She mistook my hesitancy. "I can pay you. I am not without
resources, despite my current appearance."
"It is not that my
lady..."
"Mahvan," she corrected.
"I, ah, have many commitments when we arrive at Stagsford. I
had not thought to work. To take on a case now..."
"I see, please excuse me if I trouble you with my
problems," she interrupted again, this time more coolly. "I should
have realized you take not just any task."
"Why, no, er, yes. It is
not..."
"And I am sure you have more important things to do than aid
some helpless maiden in distress. I have heard private inquisitors are a
reticent sort, made reserved by their unpleasant tasks."
"Well, that is not wholly true," I sputtered, wanting to
defend my trade. "We private inquisitors are not without feelings..."
"You will help me as a friend then, Master... Jak?" she
said with a voice groping for hope.
"Ah..."
"Thank you. We will talk more of this tomorrow." She
nudged her mount and dropped back with Eli and Chaatiguin.
This was a
really fun book! It combined elements of Sword and Sorcery
Fantasy with elements of satire that made occasionally viscious fun...
Fantasy with elements of satire that made occasionally viscious fun...
G. L. Helm
for Rogue's Angels 4 Angel Wings
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