by Ehsan Ahmad
He tried to focus on his work—cleaning the last section of track—but he could not dispel the fear. He had taken more items from the building: a few small components for the weapon, which he now reckoned he would need after all. It was perfectly possible someone had noticed what was missing.
Just before midday, Kadessis exited the tower and spoke to the guards outside. Sonus reached inside his jacket and touched the hilt of the sharp blade he now kept on him at all times. If it came to it, he would slice his own throat rather than allow the Vitaari to torture him. He continued his work, chiseling away until the shadow loomed.
“Sonus.”
“Sir.”
Kadessis walked along the length of track, occasionally bending over to examine it. “How much longer?”
“I should be finished by tomorrow.”
Kadessis adjusted the sleeves of his robes. “I had a conversation with one of the engineers yesterday.”
Sonus stood up straight and tried to ignore the tremors running through his body.
“He has been watching you.”
Kadessis scratched at his cheek; the bone beneath was twitching. “He is of the opinion—and I agree—that you are taking far too long over this job.”
Sonus hoped the relief didn’t show. “Sir?”
“If he has noticed, it is possible others have noticed, too. It goes without saying your reputation is not what it was. You would be unwise to attract attention. Otherwise, you may find that you are not excused regular duties so often. There are limits to what I can do.”
“I understand, sir. I shall make sure I am finished by the end of the day.”
“Good.” The Vitaari rubbed his eyes, then looked up at the sky. “Cold today, isn’t it?”
“Very, sir. No cloud.”
Kadessis gestured to the tower. “It is unusually clear. This morning, I used our viewing equipment to look up at the mountain. Quite beautiful. There was a discussion amongst the staff—we could not remember, did any of your people ever reach the top?”
“No, sir. The most successful attempt was made some decades ago by a Palanian man named Tellus Sangar. He used some specialized breathing equipment and clothing designed at the university. He reached what’s known as the Black Ledge, a plateau on the southern flank of Origo.”
“What height is that?”
“Around twenty-two thousand feet, sir.”
Kadessis didn’t look impressed. “Long way to go.”
Sonus had been a young student when Sangar had finally accomplished his lifelong mission of reaching the Black Ledge on the fourth attempt. He recalled watching the parade pass the University.
Kadessis said, “Some of the others were of the opinion that a weak-willed people like yours would never have achieved something requiring such courage. I disagreed.”
“Perhaps one of us will do it one day, sir.”
“Perhaps.” Kadessis glanced back at the tower. “I should not delay you. You must get on.”
The Vitaari took several steps before stopping and turning around. “You shouldn’t be stuck back in the tunnels for too long. There will be quite a lot more cleaning work for you in the next few weeks. It seems we will be receiving a prestigious visitor.”
Sonus tried not to look too interested. “The Count, sir?”
“No. Someone even more important. Imagine that.”
Cerrin had listened carefully to Sadi’s names. Two were from the group that had arrived with her: both men who worked on the day shift. The other she knew by name, but little more. Sadi had spent hours working and speaking with them and felt sure they would all be prepared to help.
Then Cerrin took her turn.
In truth, she was not sure of any of them. Other than Sadi, she had never had a conversation with anyone within Mine Fourteen about organized resistance or escape. But there had been the odd comment, the occasional expression of approval, and incidents where others had shown an attitude toward the Vitaari not entirely unlike her own.
“I don’t know any of them,” said Sadi when Cerrin had given her three names. “Who are our best bets, do you think?”
They were standing outside, behind the latrine; it was too risky to remain inside for long with people coming and going.
“Bet?” She didn’t know the word.
“Gamble.”
“Gamble is right. We get this wrong, it’s over.”
“I know,” said Sadi. “But we need more bodies, and we have a chance at this now. Who knows what could happen? The Vitaari might alter the shifts, or put a guard on the block, or fill in that tunnel. We have to get started, at least. I can talk to Trantis and Erras tomorrow. Ralar, too, if I can.”
“You’re sure about her? She just doesn’t seem right.”
“You said yourself you don’t know her. You worry about yours—who’s first?”
“Torrin is on my crew. I can probably get to her tomorrow.”
“Only her? What about Kannalin? He’s in the compartment below you, right? And he’s in there on his own. You could talk to him now.”
“At night? No.”
“When else will you get the chance? You have to start—”
From the other side of the compound came the boom of a heavy impact. They moved up to the corner and looked toward the warehouse. A shouted conversation in Vitaari ensued, then all went quiet again. They withdrew into the darkness once more.
“Listen,” said Cerrin. “It’s complicated. Kannalin, he… likes me. When I first arrived, he was always trying to talk to me. Once, he even tried to climb into my compartment.”
“What happened?”
“I kicked him in the face.”
Despite the circumstances, Sadi began to laugh. And suddenly Cerrin found that she did, too. They laughed so much they had to move farther away from the accommodation block. It took a long time for them to calm down.
“By the Maker, look at us,” said Sadi. “Well, will you talk to him now? Listen, Kannalin is big, strong. He could be very useful.”
“I haven’t spoken to him in months. He probably hates me.”
“Then you must change his mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you know.”
Cerrin could not believe what Sadi was suggesting. Even the words brought back memories of Talazeer’s assault.
“I would never do that.”
“I’m not saying that you should… give yourself to him. But you are a very attractive woman, Cerrin, and he is one of your kind. We must use whatever means we have to.”
There was no denying it made sense, and Cerrin realized she had to be realistic. The truth was, she was terrified of ruining their plans before they’d even made a start.
“I haven’t done this kind of thing before. What if one of them refuses? What if they tell others? Or the Vitaari?”
Sadi gripped her by the shoulder. “We didn’t, Cerrin. We each took a risk, and it paid off. We cannot do this on our own. We trusted each other, and we trusted our instincts. We just have to keep doing that.”
Cerrin put her hand on the ladder and looked into the compartment. The only light inside Block A came from the compound, allowing her to see only the silhouette of Kannalin’s bulky form. She reached out and tapped his foot. At the second attempt to wake him, he kicked out.
“Who’s there?” he said, sitting up. His voice was a low rumble, his Echobe accent harsher even than Cerrin’s.
She leant into the compartment and spoke in their own language. “Quiet. It’s me, Cerrin.”
“What?”
She sat and moved up closer to him. She could just out make out the shape of his head and broad shoulders.
“What?” he said again, rubbing his eyes.
“Keep your voice down. I want to talk to you about something.”
“Now?”
“It has to be now.”
“By the gods,” he sighed. “What is it?”
> She didn’t know where to begin, how to say it.
“Well?” he demanded.
“I haven’t worked with you for a while. But when I did, you used to make signs at the Vitaari behind their backs. Do you still do that?”
He gave a little laugh. “When I can be bothered. Stupid, I know, but it seems to make me feel better.”
“Why do you do it?”
“What else can I do? I suppose I’m not as brave as you. Then again, I’m not the governor’s favorite, so I can’t afford to take risks like you can.”
Cerrin said nothing.
“Maybe you’re not his favorite anymore,” added Kannalin. “Who did that to your face?”
She couldn’t be bothered to repeat the lie; it didn’t particularly matter what Kannalin believed.
“Will you just tell me what you want, Cerrin? I need my sleep.”
“If there were a way out, a way to escape, would you help?”
He did not reply immediately. She listened to his breathing.
“That depends.”
“On?”
“On whether I trust you. Up to a few weeks ago, you were the last person I would ever think a traitor, even though you’d been out scouting for the governor. But helping the Count with these animals? Going up to their ship? And then coming down with that scar upon you? Maybe they did that to warn you, make sure you did as you were told. Who better to root out troublemakers than you?”
Cerrin couldn’t see how she was going to make any progress. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No. I want you to tell the truth. What happened up there?”
She had decided not to tell anyone. Ever. But a lot had happened since then. Suddenly the prospect didn’t seem quite so bad.
“If I do, will you help?”
“I’ll need to know exactly what you’re doing, but… yes.”
“The Count—Talazeer—he tried to force himself on me. I fought back. He cut me. I got away before—”
“All right. All right. I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t told anyone else.”
“Neither will I. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s done now.” She actually felt relieved. Perhaps it was best she had told someone.
Kannalin’s breathing became louder. She heard him thump a fist into a palm.
“Shall I tell you what we’re planning, then?”
“We?”
“Me and Sadi.”
“Are there others?”
“We’ll see.”
Kannalin shifted closer, but she felt no fear of him. “Yes, tell me. But I can give you my answer now. I’m in.”
21
“You all right, sir?”
“Fine,” replied Vellerik, though he felt anything but.
Officer Kerreslaa turned his attention to Deputy Administrator Rasikaar, who was sitting on the other side of the table.
Vellerik was relieved to have made the meeting at all. Despite setting three separate alarms, he had slept through them all. The double and triple sessions had to end. In fact, it had to end completely. He pledged to himself he would destroy the box that night, kill the soarer: that way he couldn’t be tempted again.
Now that he was leaving earlier than planned, he’d expected it to get easier. But it was getting worse. He had begun to wonder if life away from it all with Seevarta would be so perfect after all. Would he really be able to forget everything? Start again?
There was an undeniable irony. Only now—when he was about to leave the service of The Domain—was he preoccupied by all he had seen and done.
Administrator Danysaan was last to arrive. As he sat down, Vellerik went to fetch himself some water from the machine in the corner. He drank it there; he didn’t want them to see his hands shaking—a side-effect that was noticeably worsening.
“I’ll keep this brief,” said Danysaan, elbows on the transparent table. “This is the first of our meetings to oversee planning for the visit of Viceroy Mennander. As you all know, the date has now been fixed and we have only twenty-two days until he arrives. I have assumed overall command for the day itself, while Captain Vellerik is responsible for security. Officer Kerreslaa will liaise with the mines to be visited, and Deputy Administrator Rasikaar is in charge of certain specifics. Firstly, I shall run through the schedule.”
Vellerik just about kept up. When Danysaan finished, the two junior men fired questions at him. Now they seemed to be talking about this ridiculous statue.
“Obviously, the terodite is not a problem,” said Rasikaar, “and apparently the engineers can manufacture a decent likeness. But blue diamonds? We’ve already ordered them, but they’ll arrive only a day or two before the tour. And the cost!”
“But it’s the Viceroy,” said Vellerik, mocking Talazeer’s previous words. “The Viceroy.”
Danysaan glared at him. “Captain, you may enjoy the privilege of disobeying the Count, but the rest of us do not. Now is as good a time as any to discuss the dispositions of your men. I suggest you and one of your senior officers accompany the party for the entire day.”
“No. I need to be with the troop. The Count has his Drellen, and the Viceroy has his own detail.”
“Have you mentioned this to him?”
“No, but I will. He was very insistent that an escort of my men accompany the shuttle in combat shells. The party are flying over every mine and visiting six locations, so that will be a rather hazardous and complicated operation. I will use three of my best men, but I will need to be with them.”
“Very well. And the arrangements at the location for the meal? Presumably you will coordinate this with Officer Kerreslaa?”
Vellerik offered a nod and leaned back in his seat. Danysaan had a few more questions for him, which he answered as cogently as he could. It was evident the other three were highly anxious about the Viceroy’s visit. Vellerik told himself he should at least ensure he did his part well; it would be his last duty as a soldier of The Domain.
When they eventually ran out of things to discuss, the Administrator concluded the meeting. Officer Kerreslaa still seemed very happy about the Kinassan operation and informed Vellerik there had also been no further trouble with the Batal. Vellerik was relieved to hear it; he wasn’t sure he had it in him to lead another massacre. Kerreslaa also asked about Triantaa. Vellerik told him that he would be back on duty within a week or so, possibly even in time for the visit.
Danysaan made it clear to the other two that they should leave, then took a seat beside Vellerik. He waited for the door to slide shut before speaking.
“If I may say so, Erasmer, you do not look well.”
“Nor do I feel it. Some… illness. The surgeon hasn’t been able to work out what it is. I will seek further help after I leave.”
“I saw the confirmation of your resignation. General Eddekal will be sorry to lose you. As will I. No reason was mentioned. I assume it is this condition?”
Vellerik nodded and finished the rest of his water.
Danysaan ran a finger down his neck. “It is obvious that relations between yourself and the Count have been strained. And that you are not particularly enthusiastic about your role in the Viceroy’s visit. But I must ask that you do your part. We all need it to go well.”
Vellerik almost snapped at him. But Danysaan was not the worst of his type—not by a long way—and Vellerik couldn’t blame him for being concerned.
“My men and I will do our duty. You needn’t worry about that. As long as Talazeer and the Viceroy keep a safe distance from the locals, there should be no danger.”
“Mine Fourteen is first on the itinerary, of course—where the Drellen killed that suicidal native. Perhaps the Count wishes to make a point.”
“Perhaps. I can’t claim to understand the working of that young man’s mind.”
Danysaan cast a look toward the door before continuing. “That night… with the girl. Those of us who were there kno
w what we saw. If that information were to ever reach certain parties…”
“Administrator, I suggest you proceed no further along that line of thought. We both know that making an enemy of him is unlikely to end well. My advice—hope for the continued deterioration in the health of his father. If the Count fulfills his ambition, you will be rid of him for good.”
So far, recruitment was going well. Sadi had spoken to the two men who had arrived with her, and they were eager to help. She had decided not to approach Ralar—having changed her mind about how the woman might respond—but Cerrin had made solid progress. As well as Kannalin, she had approached an older Palanian women named Sirras.
Sirras had lost both her husband and son in an accident in the mine the previous year. Grief-stricken, she had vowed revenge. It was common knowledge that Dukas had dissuaded her from a plot to poison the Vitaari food. As soon as Cerrin said the words, Sirras gripped her hand and agreed to do whatever she could.
Another approach had not gone so well. Torrin was a young Echobe woman who had been captured the year before Cerrin. They had only ever spoken briefly, but Cerrin had seen her stand up to the Vitaari guards on several occasions. Torrin had been transferred to the night shift for a while but was now back in Block A. Cerrin had taken her aside while queuing for the elevator. The conversation seemed promising until she mentioned she was working with Sadi. Torrin simply walked away and refused to say any more to Cerrin or even look her in the eye.
This was just the type of thing Cerrin had feared. Torrin now knew they were up to something, but she was not with them. Cerrin was also concerned that it was Sadi’s involvement that had put Torrin off. What did she know?
“Has she gone in yet?” asked Kannalin.
“Just now.” Cerrin was waiting with him outside Block A. She couldn’t afford to leave it any longer, and he had agreed to help. They had to wait a while for the line to clear, as people entered their compartments and climbed the ladders.
“How are we going to handle her?” whispered Kannalin, head bowed. He was one of the few Echobe men taller than Cerrin. She supposed he was good-looking in his own way: a strong, broad face marked with several scars.
