22 The Burd-glar (1/2)
”Wait.Is somebody listening?” the voice in the shell said.
Nelda pulled the shell away from her ear and looked around the room.The gryphons continue to argue vociferously.The satyrs continued to watch and eat grapes.A Lapis trotted past the open doorway, gave her a guilty glance, and hurried away down the hallway.
Passing the grapes to BugleHead and clutching the shell in one hand, Nelda hobbled across the room after it.
”Where are you going?” Herby asked.
”It is getting very noisy around here.” Nelda kept going. [That was probably rude.]
Then again, if one statement from her caused this much emphatic editorializing, but no further questions, what was the point of her being there anyway?And Herby didn't seem to have the knowledge or inclination to help with her now obviously swollen ankle.
She arrived in the hallway just in time to see the tip of the Lapis's glinting tail disappearing around the corner.She hopped in pursuit and rounding the corner could hear the bird scampering up a stairwell just up ahead.Above her, she heard a slapping sound like a door or window closing.
HoneyBeard appeared behind her.”What's the bird golem up to?”
[Now there's an idea.If the bird is an AI, it must be running some kind of program. Like the spell places in a golem's mouth.It would most likely to be doing SmithGuild's bidding.Or can a phoenix be hacked?]
For some reason, she found it hard to think SmithGuild was the sort to spy on her bedroom.And why would an agent of his refer to 'the gryphons' arguing?
Nelda shook her head. She tried to hold the shell against her chest to avoid being overheard.
Using the banister, she clambered up the curling stair which ended at a ceiling hatch she popped open and lifted up.Peaking her head out she saw a flat roof surrounded by a low parapet.But the roof was scattered and cluttered with haphazard piles of objects.
HoneyBeard's head popped up next to her, as he invaded the small space. Peering back down the stairway, she could see BugleHead was not with them.
Answering her unspoken question HoneyBeard said blandly, ”He's busy eating grapes.He likes grapes.”
”We could bring them with him.”
”That won't occur to him.”
Nelda shoved the shell ahead of her onto the roof. She used both hands to lift herself out of the hatch.In an instant, a Lapis darted from behind the raised hatch and grabbed the shell.With a flurry of tinny wing-beats, it made a graceless leap and disappeared over the side of the roof. [Son of a….]
Nelda hestited, but then hauled herself out on the roof.Her long curtain-dress-skirts making it a problematic maneuver.
HoneyBeard followed with an effortless hop, like his goat legs had hidden springs.
”That bird is up to some shit,” Nelda said.