The Spirit Siphon (Magebreakers Book 4)

by Ben S. Dobson

  “Indeed,” said Lady Abena. “The Kaiser has agreed to let me send Inspector Lovial as my personal liason, as long as you and Miss Kadka are the primary investigators. She will be in charge of the delegation on our side, as it were, but you two are the faces we must present to the Belgrian government. I understand that this is a great deal to ask, but the fact of the matter is, we cannot afford an international incident here. I am just beginning to make headway on the matter of magical rights in Belgrier, and a setback now could risk all the progress I’ve made and more.”

  Tane sighed. “When you put it that way, I suppose there’s not much choice. If it’s Endo, he needs to be stopped.”

  “Means going on airship, you realize?” Kadka shot him a half-grin.

  “I’m aware,” Tane said with a grimace. He despised travelling by ancryst machine, whatever the form.

  Kadka chuckled. “This I must see.” But her amusement fell quickly away. “When? There are things to do first. People to tell.”

  “As soon as possible,” Lady Abena answered. “We will have an airship ready to board by tomorrow afternoon.”

  “That’s not a lot of time to prepare,” said Tane.

  “We don’t have the luxury of time, Mister Carver.” Lady Abena leaned forward over her desk. “There is too much at stake. At best, this could destroy a treaty that might improve lives. At worst, it means war. If you are going to do this, I need you fully invested. It cannot wait.”

  “I understand,” Tane said. He didn’t much like it, but he wasn’t letting Endo get away with anything else. “I’m in. Kadka?”

  Kadka nodded. “Iskar will understand.” It had to help that Endo had stolen an egg from Syllesia’s clutch—both Iskar and Kadka would want it back, even if the dragonling couldn’t have survived the separation from its mother.

  Tane turned to Indree. “I suppose we’re going on a trip together, then. Winter in Belgrier. Not quite as romantic as I might have hoped.”

  Indree shrugged. “Most of our best romance seems to happen while we’re trying to stop murderers. Maybe it’ll be better than you think.”

  “I suspected you would see things my way,” said Lady Abena. “And Audland will owe you a great debt for this service. Our ambassador to Belgrier will meet you when you arrive. Estene Althir. She will advise you on pursuing your work without offending your hosts.”

  Tane had heard the name before, and he’d always been curious. “Ambassador Althir. She’s ogren, isn’t she? How does an ogren woman end up as ambassador to Belgrier? They’re… fairly human-centric, to put it politely.”

  “Does it surprise you that it might be difficult to convince a citizen of Audland to live in Belgrier, Mister Carver?” Lady Abena asked, arching an eyebrow. “Estene was willing, and more than qualified. And she has no magic, which was a requirement—they wouldn’t allow a mage to live there long term. But in all honesty, if I’d wished to send a human, I could have found one. I believe that there is value in challenging prejudices. The airship treaty means that they cannot avoid working with her, and familiarity is the enemy of fear.” She smiled slightly. “And until they get over that fear, there is some value to having a nine-foot-tall woman on our side of the negotiation table.” It was a good answer—every time he spoke to her, Tane found himself admiring the Lady Protector a little bit more.

  Kadka grinned at her, pure admiration in her wolf-like yellow eyes. “I like this plan. They soil themselves, or learn not to be so stupid. Is good both ways.”

  “I am glad you approve,” said Lady Abena. “I shall tell Estene that her job is safe for now.” The hint of humor faded then. “But there is one more thing we should discuss before you go.”

  Tane sighed. “It gets better? Do tell.”

  “It will… complicate things a great deal, I’m afraid,” said Lady Abena, “but you mustn’t mention Endo Stooke to anyone until you have solid proof, and can lead the Belgrian authorities to him. The Kaiser is already nervous about our involvement. If we tell him an Audish mage is behind the sabotage before we are able to turn Mister Stooke over to him, he will almost certainly rescind our access.”

  Tane dipped his hand into his waistcoat pocket and rubbed at his watch case. “So we’re going to investigate a crime in a foreign nation that already suspects we’re culpable in the matter, and we have to lie to them about the person we think actually did it. Excellent. Can’t imagine why I ever hesitated.” He got to his feet, looked to Kadka and Indree. “We’d better start getting ready. Tomorrow’s going to be an interesting day.”

  Chapter Three

  _____

  “THEY ARE BIGGER every time I see them,” Kadka said, watching the silver dragonlings romp around the huge cavern with Tinga and Cestra. They’d stopped by the office to collect the girls before coming to visit.

  Syllesk and Nevka had grown to tower over their playmates, though. They were some six feet high at the shoulder now, and four times that in length from snout to tail, where once they had been no larger than hounds. But then, Kadka had seen their mother, a full grown dragon, and Syllesia could have swallowed a person whole without trouble. Her children still had a great deal of growing to do.

  “Imagine how much they’ll have grown by the time you return,” Iskar said in his deep, rumbling voice. Though he shared his siblings’ silver scales, he was only half-dragon—a kobold in the purest possible form, bare-chested and muscular, with piercing sapphire blue eyes over a fierce dragon’s snout, and shimmering wings folded at his back. Kadka was fairly certain he was the prettiest man she had ever seen.

  She sighed. “Is not what I want to think about.” She’d been to Belgrier before, and going back wasn’t high on her list of priorities. She had history there she didn’t want to delve into. There had been a time in her youth when it had seemed worth exploring the land where she’d been conceived, but not anymore. “Would be better to stay with you, but…”

  Iskar laid a hand on her shoulder. “But Endo Stooke can’t be allowed to run free. Certainly not with the last of my mother’s clutch, whatever he intends to do with it. I understand. If I could leave Nevka and Syllesk, I would go with you. You would not be the woman I have come to know if you refused.” With slight mischief in his eyes, he glanced sidelong at Carver, standing just past Kadka. “And Tane would not know what to do without your help, I suspect.”

  “I got by fine on my own before we met, you know,” Carver objected.

  Indree snorted at that. “‘Fine’ might be a strong word.”

  Carver faked a scowl, but it wasn’t convincing. Kadka chuckled under her breath. She liked seeing the two of them together—Indree knew how to keep Carver’s ego in check. It had taken them long enough to stop being stupid, but they seemed to have finally figured it out properly.

  “So,” said Iskar. “You leave tomorrow? That is… rather abrupt.”

  Kadka nodded. “And is no way to know how long.” She glanced at the dragonlings, frowned. “I worry they will forget me.”

  Iskar shook his head. “There is no need to fear that, of all things. They adore you.” He made a low trill in his throat and beckoned. Syllesk and Nevka trotted over, heavy footfalls rumbling through the cavern. Tinga and Cestra clung to Nevka’s back, laughing.

  Nevka crouched low to the ground to let the girls down, and then nuzzled Kadka’s shoulder. “Kadka.” Iskar hadn’t been lying about dragons maturing quickly—it had barely been three months before they’d started picking up Audish words. They still couldn’t string together more than one or two at a time, but it was impressive all the same.

  Kadka laughed and stroked the dragonling’s chin. “Hello little dragon.” Nevka gave a contented rumble. The larger of the two dragons was also the gentler, happy to bask in affection or give Tinga and Cestra easy rides around the cave.

  Syllesk’s snout pushed in then, fighting for attention. “Play?”

  Kadka grinned and gave the intruding nose a scratch. “When talking is done. But you are getting big. I am not
good match for you now.” Syllesk was the slighter of the two, but far more rambunctious—‘play’ usually meant wrestle, and Kadka didn’t have much of a fighting chance anymore.

  Syllesk’s snout drooped in a slight pout.

  “None of that, now,” said Iskar, and shooed his young siblings away again. “Entertain yourselves for a moment longer. We’ll be done soon.”

  Syllesk perked up almost immediately and darted back, nipping at Nevka’s tail. Together, they loped away, taking turns chasing one another.

  Kadka smiled at Iskar, and put her arm around him. She still didn’t want to go, but that had been what she’d needed, and he’d known it. Just a reminder that she wouldn’t be forgotten.

  “You’re braver than I am,” Carver said to Kadka, eyeing the young dragons as they ran in circles around one another. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the little monsters, but you wouldn’t catch me trying to pin one.”

  “Oh, they’re harmless,” Tinga said dismissively. “They’re always careful with us.”

  Iskar nodded, and there was pride in his voice when he spoke. “I have been teaching them to be gentle with those smaller than them. They are very mindful of their size.”

  “Is true,” Kadka said. Syllesk could roll around with her for hours without hurting her in the slightest. “Is no danger, Carver. You should try.” She grinned at him.

  Carver held up his hands. “I’m not that curious what it feels like to be crushed. Anyway, we can’t stay long. Got to be ready to get on that airship tomorrow.” He shuddered slightly.

  “I’m telling you, you should bring me!” said Tinga. “My grandparents came over the Channel from Belgrier when they were young, you know. I want to see what it’s like. They even taught me to speak Belgrian pretty well. That could be useful.” She’d been begging to come since she’d heard about the trip—the dragonlings had distracted her temporarily, but apparently not for long.

  Carver rolled his eyes. “You know we’re not just going to be dumped in Belgrier to muddle our way through in the wrong language. There will be translation artifacts.”

  “But you two always get into some kind of trouble!” Tinga insisted. “If you lose the artifacts somehow, you’ll be glad I’m there.”

  Spreading his hands helplessly in the face of youthful persistence, Carver looked to Kadka for support. He’d taken Tinga under his wing in many ways, but half the time he clearly had no idea what to do with her.

  Kadka shrugged. “Is not wrong. Has been useful before.” As far as she was concerned, Carver tried too hard to keep Tinga out of harm’s way. The girl had more than proven herself during the Thorpe case. She was young—seventeen last month—but Kadka had been younger than that when she’d set off from Sverna on her own.

  “Of course.” Carver rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Of course you’d say that. Look, Tinga, I’m not even personally against taking you, really, but we both know your parents aren’t going to allow it. Especially if your family came from there. There’s good reason for a goblin couple to leave everything behind to cross the Channel, and it isn’t because life over there is just too amazing for them to handle. And besides that, we can’t add you to an official delegation without Lady Abena’s say so.”

  “He’s right, Tinga,” Indree said gently. “It’s out of our hands.”

  “But you could—”

  Cestra interrupted with a hand on Tinga’s shoulder. “You know I love that you don’t give up, but there’s no point asking them if the Lady Protector’s the one making the decision.” When Tinga turned to her, she raised her eyebrows pointedly.

  Finally, Tinga shrugged. “Fiiine. I get it. You’re right. This isn’t getting me anywhere.” There was a glint in her eye, though, and it wasn’t hard to recognize. Kadka was no stranger to stubbornness.

  “Will wonders never cease,” Carver said dryly. “There is someone in the world you listen to.”

  Tinga stuck her tongue out at him, and then pulled at Cestra’s arm. “Come on, let’s go say goodbye to Syllesk and Nevka.”

  When the girls were out of earshot, Kadka said, “Is not like her to give up like this. Too easy. They will try something else.” She grinned. “Something good, I hope.”

  “I know.” Carver sighed. “But it really isn’t our call, and I don’t think she’s quite got the political influence to go over our heads to the Lady Protector. She doesn’t have time for much anyway—we’re gone tomorrow.”

  “Speaking of which,” said Indree, “We need to be packed and ready early. We should go. You’re coming with me?”

  Carver nodded. “Most of my things are there anyway.”

  “I will stay longer,” said Kadka. “Promised I would play.” She raised a suggestive eyebrow at Iskar. “And we need proper goodbye.”

  Carver grimaced. “Try to fit some sleep in around that ‘goodbye’,” he said. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Save travels, my friends,” said Iskar. “I may not see you again before you go, but I wish you the best of luck.”

  “Same to you,” Carver said, and nodded toward the dragonlings. “I think I’d rather chase down a megalomaniac than try to wrangle those two without Kadka around to wear them out.” He raised his voice, called to the girls. “Tinga, Cestra, we’re leaving.”

  After a few more parting words, Kadka and Iskar were left alone in the cavern with the dragonlings.

  “Tane is not wrong, you know,” Iskar said softly. “I will miss you a great deal. And so will Syllesk and Nevka. Without your help, they will be… a handful. You have been invaluable, these past months. I can never thank you enough.”

  Kadka leaned in and kissed him on the snout. “Is joy of my life to see real dragons grow,” she said. “You know this. I will not stay away long. Is nowhere Endo Stooke can hide from us after what he does.”

  “I hope not,” said Iskar, a haunted tone coloring his voice. “I cannot abide the idea that he might use any part of my mother’s clutch for whatever he has planned.”

  “He will not have chance,” Kadka said firmly. “I will find egg. I promise you this.”

  A small smile chased away the gloom in his eyes. “If you say it is so, I trust you.” He pulled her close, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. “When you set yourself to something, I do not think there is much in this world that could stop you.”

  “Smart man,” Kadka said. She lowered her head onto his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his firm chest pressed against her.

  And then a dragon snout pushed insistently in between them. Kadka looked up into a pair of brilliant sapphire eyes the size of her fist.

  “Play now?” Syllesk said plaintively.

  Nevka stood just behind, slightly more demure, but clearly eager. “Please?”

  Kadka looked to Iskar.

  He smiled fondly and stepped back. “Don’t let me stop you.”

  Kadka grinned, and grappled an elbow around Syllesk’s neck—too large now for her arm to fully encircle. “This time I will get—”

  Syllesk rolled over, pulling her along, and Kadka cackled with delight as her feet left the ground.

  Chapter Four

  _____

  TANE CLENCHED HIS eyes shut, leaned over the railing at the edge of the airship’s deck, and released the contents of his stomach into the sky.

  Kadka cackled behind him. “All we have seen, and is this that makes you lose meal.”

  “You’re my best friend, Kadka, but I’d push you overboard if I could keep my eyes open long enough.” They’d been flying for some ten hours now, and she still hadn’t gotten tired of laughing at his misery. Which only increased the longer he spent aboard the Illuvar. He’d been aboard an airship only once before, and it had fallen out of the sky before he’d had a chance to get airsick. This was almost worse. And there’s nothing saying this one can’t still go down. Those engines can fail just like a train’s.

  “It won’t be much longer now,” Indree said, placing a gentle hand on his back. “That’s Stelih
n coming up on the coast.”

  “Thank the Astra,” Tane groaned. He straightened, still clinging to the rail, and forced his eyes open. He’d been hiding below deck most of the trip, and had done his best not to look down since his upset stomach had forced him to come above. Looking at the distance between himself and the sea below made his stomach lurch once more, but there wasn’t anything left to come up.

  Sure enough, the deep blue-black of the Audish Channel was giving way to the Belgrian coast, all rough sea-cliffs and steep fjords. And against the growing gloom of dusk, the lights of the capital were clearly visible. Now that he wasn’t as distracted by his nausea, he noticed the cold; a deeper winter chill than had yet fallen over Audland. He was grateful that he’d dressed warmly in his scarf and longcoat.

  Stelihn sat at the edge of the sea on a spit of land between two deep fjords. On three sides, steep cliffs plunged away toward the water. It was a natural position as defensible as a strategist could have dreamed—high above any attackers who might come from the sea, with only one avenue of access by land. As the city grew rapidly closer, the coastal fortifications came into view, a crenellated stone wall that ran all along the snowy clifftops. It looked like something from some ancient king’s castle.

  “That wall is probably older than Audland,” Indree said, clearly impressed. “There’s a lot of history over here, I’ll give them that.” Civilization on the continent pre-dated the founding of Audland by centuries, and there were still surviving structures that dated back that far.

  “I think I’ve read that the fortifications here are from the Mage War,” Tane said. “Although they’d have to have done a lot of work to keep it standing all those years. I wonder if any stone in it is actually that old.”

  Kadka joined them at the rail as the wall passed by below. “Is just rocks, old or not.” She shrugged. “Lots of old things here, but not so much magic. I like magic better.”

  “Maybe,” said Tane. “But I’d rather be standing on those old rocks right now than this magical flying machine.”