Deals and Dangers

by Kay L. Ling

  Kaff raised a brow. “The barn?”

  Olissa leveled a blistering gaze on him. “You have a problem with that?”

  Ertz gave Kaff a warning glance, but Kaff wasn’t looking.

  “The barn will be fine,” Eneff said hastily. “We’re glad to be out of the O.D., and it’s good of you to take us in.”

  “Don’t thank me, thank Tyla,” Olissa said. “If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be here.”

  That was abundantly clear, Eneff thought, intensely aware of the lump on his cheek.

  “Loud Mouth said there was an attack on the land,” Ertz said, filling the awkward silence. “It looks like the destruction stopped at the perimeter ward.”

  “Tyla had a run-in with the pythanium, and we think this was a retaliatory attack. Come with me. We’ll fill you in on everything.”

  Ertz gave Kaff and Eneff an apologetic glance.

  “Don’t worry about us,” Eneff said. “We’re in good hands with Ben and Tina Ann.”

  Ertz went with Olissa, and a couple breghlin followed with his belongings.

  Tina Ann told Eneff, “Don’t let her bother ya none. Come on. Maggie Ann made a fresh pot of raaka, an’ we got somethin’ fer ya ter eat. There be a cellar door over there,” she said, pointing. “Us breghlin go ter the kitchen that way.”

  “We’re honorary breghlin now,” Kaff said gloomily.

  “I plan to make the best of it, and you’d be wise to do the same,” Eneff said as they followed Ben and Tina Ann.

  Tyla couldn’t be happier to see Ertz. It was wonderful to have him back, and she planned to keep him as long as possible. “I’m so glad you’re here! I sent Loud Mouth to look for you. Have a seat.” She closed the book she’d been reading and added it to the stack on her desk. After pouring him a mug of raaka, she gestured at food the servers had brought in. “Help yourself. You must be hungry.”

  “I was astonished when Loud Mouth delivered your message,” he said, picking up a wedge of cheese. “What a change since I saw him last!”

  “Yes. His vocabulary is amazing, and he’s more intelligent than ever.”

  “When did The Emanicus attack the land?”

  “Yesterday. They destroyed all our crops outside the perimeter ward. Breghlin that raised produce for S still bring it here, and we’re going to need it.”

  “Olissa said this was a retaliatory move.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it was.” She told him about the pythanium’s last visit, and he winced when she described Ben and Tina Ann showing up with Head Spy on a pole.

  “The Emanicus felt they had to punish you for insulting their messenger.”

  “Exactly. It took them awhile to think of a way to get back at us, but they finally did. Franklin took a ride to assess the damage. It goes for miles.”

  “The land will recover,” Ertz said.

  “Yes, but it will take months.” Tyla rubbed her forehead wearily. “It hasn’t been a good week. Kitana Windan came here demanding an interview. I let her in against my better judgment for reasons I’ll explain later. I know you’ve never liked her, and I have something to tell you that will make you like her even less.”

  Ertz had picked up a piece of sausage. Now, he set it down.

  “She’s changing. Becoming evil.” Tyla hadn’t expected him to take her claim seriously, but he nodded.

  “Tell me how you came to this conclusion.”

  “You believe me?”

  “Yes, I do. In fact, I was going to tell you something along the same lines. I’ll explain once I’ve heard you out. The situation is more complicated than you suppose.”

  Chapter 24

  Tyla told Ertz about the interview with Kitana. When she reached the part about the knife showing muted flames and Kitana failing the Fair Lands gem test, he didn’t look the least surprised. “The gems didn’t exactly burn her, but she said they felt hot,” Tyla clarified.

  “It’s a wonder she’d admit it.”

  “She wouldn’t have, but I prodded her a bit.”

  Ertz raised a brow. “You coerced her?”

  “You might call it that,” Tyla said with a twinge of guilt.

  Ertz laughed. “Good for you. She almost compelled you to hand over your knife. Now she knows what it feels like to be manipulated.”

  “Kitana knows my knife is gem-bonded. Arenia slipped and said something, and Kitana put two and two together.”

  “That’s unfortunate. I think Kitana communicates with The Emanicus, and I wouldn’t put it past her to share what she’s learned about your knife. I suppose she thinks your knife produced the Guardian. That will be misinformation. On the way here, we ran across her. She was camping for the night, and she’d set up two wards—a perimeter ward and a ward to halt passing carts. Kaff and Eneff turned invisible, so she only saw me, and she had a lot of questions. During the conversation—or should I call it an interrogation—she said she’d seen Elias visiting a gnome clan and asked if I knew why. When I tried to drive away she grabbed my arm, and I sensed she’d been touched by dark powers.”

  “Touched by them? More likely using them.”

  “It’s possible, but I don’t think so. It felt like a spell.” Ertz ran a hand through his wispy white hair. “Remember the day I discovered S’s tracking spell? It was so subtle most gem masters wouldn’t have noticed it. This was similar. It’s an evil from outside, not from within her.”

  “I’ll take your word for it, but I’ve always thought she walked a fine line between unscrupulous and evil, and I assumed she’d finally crossed the line.”

  “She may have. But that doesn’t change the fact that I sensed a spell—a compulsion or something of that nature.”

  “You think Emanicus gnomes targeted her?”

  “I don’t think they used the Focal Gem, but I suspect they laid a compulsion on her while she was communicating with them by dendrite ball.” He looked at the one on her desk. “You could contact them, though I wouldn’t recommend it, and I doubt they’d respond.”

  It had never occurred to her that she could contact them. “I’d rather they didn’t know I have one. For that matter, I’d rather most folks didn’t know.”

  “If Marrid sourced the ball for you, she may have told the seller who it was for, and word gets around. Have you talked to Marrid lately?”

  “Yesterday. I told her about our dead crops. I have seeds in storage, and a spell that creates rapid plant growth, but the spell only affects one plant at a time. I need something that works on a larger scale.”

  “Can she help?”

  “She’s coming to visit in a few weeks, and she thinks she can modify the spell.”

  “If The Emanicus hears about it, they’ll destroy the new crop. You should extend your wards, but you probably can’t cover that much area.”

  “If it weren’t for the pythanium, they wouldn’t know about the new crops. I wish we could kill it, but if we did, they’d do worse than destroy our crops.”

  “The fear of retaliation has allowed them to accomplish many of their goals. You haven’t received the latest newssheets, so you may not know that mine overseers must use Outcast laborers now. They’ll comply because they’re afraid not to.”

  “Each fortress should send officers to protect local mines.”

  “There aren’t enough officers, and let’s face it, they’re afraid of retaliation, too. This is quickly turning into the Second Great Upheaval. The militias must band together and form an army.”

  The conversation shifted to Elias and Gliaphon who were handing out S’s rare gems, and from there, to the possibility of the Amulet forming its own army. After spending generations under S’s rule, Amulet residents knew what lay ahead if The Emanicus wasn’t defeated, and Tyla believed they’d be willing to fight.

  Ertz was explaining how Nopes supported by gem masters had fought during The Great Upheaval when Tyla received a message by dendrite ball.

  “Hello, Tyla. I see you have company,” Marrid said.

  �
��Shall I leave and allow you some privacy?” Ertz asked quietly.

  Before Tyla could answer, Marrid said, “Not as far as I’m concerned. You’re Tyla’s mentor. You may as well hear what I have to say.”

  “Please stay,” Tyla said. Ertz closed the door and took his seat again.

  “After I talked to you yesterday, I had a conference via dendrite ball with the rest of The Eight.”

  “You told them what happened here?”

  “Yes, we discussed that among other things. We’re all concerned about what’s happening at the mines. Do you know about that? The change of labor force?”

  “Ertz and I were just discussing it.”

  “It’s only the start. Outcasts will take over every important industry. That’s what happened during The Great Upheaval.”

  “I trust your predictions. I know you’ve studied The Great Upheaval.”

  “I have, but reading about it isn’t the same as living through it. Some of The Eight know firsthand what happened.”

  Tyla thought back to Kitana’s assertion that gnome politics didn’t concern woodspirits and that The Emanicus was a minor annoyance. Marrid wouldn’t hold a conference to discuss a minor annoyance.

  “If you don’t mind my asking, are The Eight willing to get involved?” Ertz asked.

  “Some are. You can forget about Tomdian and Nesmick. They’re so caught up in their resentment toward each other that they’ll never participate in a team effort. Corlua saw firsthand what happened during the war, and she’s full of well-meaning advice, but as far as actually using her gem powers to do anything, I wouldn’t count on her. That leaves me, Zeetha, Anatta, Varkandian, and Kitana.”

  Kitana would be more likely to help The Emanicus, Tyla thought bitterly.

  “Yesterday morning, Anatta was using oracular gems and glimpsed a cave with Outcast gem masters inside. She believes they’re Emanicus gnomes. Whether the main body or a cell group, she couldn’t say. If she can break through the mist ward again, perhaps she’ll learn more.”

  “If the group has S, Anatta might detect the tracking spell, and that would give away their location,” Tyla said.

  “I mentioned that possibility to her last night,” Marrid said. “She’d like to track S down and capture her, but I told her she should tell fortress officers where to find S and let them handle it.” Marrid sighed. “I don’t trust her to take my advice even though she agreed with me at the time. When I talked to her an hour ago, she seemed cold and distant.”

  “Perhaps she feels you should be supporting her, not deferring to gnomes,” Ertz said.

  “Probably so,” Marrid agreed. “It’s awkward trying to defend a gnome viewpoint. I asked her if she’d had any more glimpses of the cave, and she clearly didn’t want to discuss it. She acted as if she didn’t know what I was talking about.”

  Tyla found that last comment unsettling. An unwelcome suspicion came to mind. “When you asked Anatta about the cave today, what exactly did she say?”

  “She said, ‘Cave? What cave?’ and her expression went from being confused to downright hostile, so I dropped the subject.”

  Tyla looked at Ertz and noticed he looked concerned. He was probably thinking, as she was, that Anatta had been targeted. It would never have occurred to either of them prior to their conversation this morning, but now it seemed all too likely.

  “Did Kitana have much to say yesterday?” Tyla asked.

  “Not really. She wanted to know if I had a plan to stop The Emanicus, but she didn’t seem eager to help.”

  “I assume she heard Anatta’s comments about the cave with the Outcasts inside,” Tyla said.

  “Yes, why?”

  “She can’t be trusted to keep something like that a secret. Ertz and I think The Emanicus has gotten to her, and she’s under their influence.”

  Marrid burst out laughing. “That’s all but impossible. She’s one of The Eight.” Seeing Tyla’s expression, Marrid said apologetically, “Look, I know that sounds arrogant, but it’s a fact. The Eight have built up defenses over the years, if only to make sure we don’t manipulate one another. We’re competitive by nature, and we’ve been known to play pranks, most of which are embarrassing but harmless, but Tomdian and Nesmick have actually done malicious things to each other. So, it’s highly unlikely anyone is controlling Kitana. Don’t credit The Emanicus for Kitana’s sour temperament or spiteful nature.”

  “She was here a few days ago, and not only did my knife react to her, I touched her with my topaz bracelet, and the gems burned her. Worse, Ertz encountered her on the way here and sensed a spell on her. She didn’t put it on herself, so unless one of you did it, The Emanicus must have.”

  “Oh dear,” Marrid said, all trace of amusement gone. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Most gnomes wouldn’t want The Eight’s help,” Tyla said. “They don’t trust you. But if our own gem masters can’t defeat The Emanicus, The Eight are our last line of defense, and I don’t want to think The Emanicus can defeat all of you, too.”

  “It would be best to play it safe,” Ertz said. “Don’t tell Kitana anything you don’t want The Emanicus to know.”

  “If they’ve gotten to Kitana and possibly Anatta, you need to keep your defenses up,” Tyla said. “If you think The Emanicus can’t hurt you, you’re wrong.”

  Chapter 25

  It was wonderful having Ertz here, Tyla thought as she headed to the office. Everyone respected his opinions, including Olissa. Yesterday, Olissa had come out of the Ministry of Gnome affairs with Eneff and Kaff in tow, and they’d all been talking and laughing as if they were old friends. Tyla had hung back out of sight, wondering how Ertz had accomplished this. He’d said he’d have “a little talk with Olissa,” but Tyla hadn’t expected much.

  Tyla turned a corner and saw Ertz coming toward her, munching on a seed roll, probably pilfered from the kitchen. She greeted him and pulled him aside. “What have you done to Olissa? You must have laid a compulsion on her. All of the sudden she’s friends with Eneff and Kaff.”

  “I did nothing of the sort,” Ertz said with a laugh. “I simply pointed out how useful Eneff and Kaff could be. I said she’d need to keep them under strict supervision of course, but a gem master with her skills had nothing to fear from a novice like Kaff or an Outcast like Eneff who was reluctant to use gems.” Ertz took another bite of his roll, eyes twinkling.

  Well, he certainly knew how to get around Olissa, Tyla thought, amused. Flattery was more effective than coercion.

  Ertz brushed seeds from his robe. “These fellows should be doing research, reading, and translating runes. For that matter, I see no harm in letting them infuse common gems.”

  “That’s fine with me. I had a long talk with both of them last night, and they want to be useful, but they know we have reason to mistrust them. I’m trying to be open minded.”

  “Eneff is a likable sort. His sincere nature won me over immediately. As for Kaff, he has a long way to go, but he’s less self-centered than he used to be and far more humble. I think Olissa can make something of both of them if she’ll spend some time with them.”

  “She was livid when I agreed to take them in. Thanks for smoothing things over,” Tyla said as they walked up the passageway together. “I’m expecting Loud Mouth any minute with a surveillance report. In a few weeks, he may be willing to search for The Emanicus’s hideout, but for now, he’s watching the land around Elantoth and delivering messages to local clans.”

  “Has he seen anything of Elias?”

  “Yes. He spoke to Elias and Gliaphon yesterday. They were on their way to Strathweed. After resting a day or two, they’ll deliver more gems.”

  Ertz produced another roll from his pocket. “I’d like to see Elias before they leave again.”

  “I’ll arrange it. Look, here comes Loud Mouth.”

  The bird flew down the passageway and landed. “What do you have there?” he asked Ertz. “A seed roll? Tell me you brought me one.”


  The only one who liked seed rolls better than Ertz was Loud Mouth. Mainly, he liked the seeds, but he’d been known to eat an entire roll.

  Ertz winked at Tyla then told Loud Mouth, “I suppose I can spare you some of mine.”

  Loud Mouth cocked his head. “Only some? After I flew for two hours, and more importantly, brought you news?”

  “News? What news?” Tyla asked.

  “I’m having trouble remembering,” Loud Mouth said.

  “Ertz, give him the roll,” Tyla ordered.

  Ertz broke the roll into pieces and put them on the floor.

  “My memory is coming back,” Loud Mouth said. After pecking scattered seeds, he started on the bread.

  “The message?” Tyla prompted.

  “Just a minute. Let a fella eat.” He gobbled a few chunks before looking up at Tyla. “Three cartloads of Outcasts are on the way here.”

  “Outcasts? Coming here? Why?”

  “They’re headed to the alamaria mine with orders to increase production. They brought tools and supplies, and they’ll work alongside the breghlin.”

  Even though she’d heard Outcasts were taking over mining jobs, it hadn’t occurred to her they’d come here. Some breghlin had quit, hearing there would be no witness taxes anymore, but many had stayed despite needing fewer IGs. They wouldn’t take kindly to working with Outcasts.

  “Where will they live?” Tyla asked.

  “From what I heard, the abandoned mining shacks.”

  “How did they know about the shacks? I—” She broke off when the answer came to her. The Watcher. He kept an eye on everything, and he didn’t miss much.

  “This must have been a recent idea, or The Emanicus wouldn’t have destroyed so much of the local food supply,” Ertz said.

  “I hope they don’t expect us to feed Outcast miners.”

  At the mention of food, Loud Mouth went back to eating the roll, leaving Tyla and Ertz to discuss the Outcast problem.

  “We could ward the mine so Outcasts can’t get in, but that would invite retaliation,” Ertz said. “Or we could let them work while we come up with a plan, but they’ll be a bad influence on the breghlin, and you’ll be shipping more alamaria to our enemies.”