by Gail Dayton
“But what?” Kallista thought hard while she ate, the others apparently doing the same.
“The kids,” Keldrey said after a time. “They're our weak spot. We should've left ‘em home."
Kallista shook her head. “We'd have been weaker without them and less able to protect them. With them here, we know if they're safe, and I can maintain the protections around them. So we tighten their protection.” Kallista touched Padrey's hand as she threw another layer of shielding up, taking delight in the eager response of the magic. “And we act."
“Tonight?” Torchay lifted an eyebrow.
“I said act, not attack—though if we have to...” Kallista called magic, shaped it to hunt, gave it teeth and armor and sent it out. “It's late. Tonight, the magic can hunt. Tomorrow is soon enough to follow where it leads. We can rest tonight."
Aisse gave her a wicked grin, sliding into Padrey's lap. “You believe we will get any rest?"
Kallista laughed as Padrey's surprise melted into a cheeky grin. “Eventually. I hope. The bed is awfully small."
“We'll manage. We did before.” Fox scooped her off the chair and tossed her onto the bed, then stripped off his tunic. “Everyone playing?"
Not everyone spoke, but everyone agreed.
“Oh dear.” A little twinge of nerves, laced heavily with anticipation, slithered through Kallista.
“Oh good.” Aisse's voice sounded all anticipation and immense satisfaction.
“It is our wedding night after all.” Fox squeezed closer to Kallista to make room for Padrey against his back, with Aisse on the other side.
“Do we want magic?” Kallista twisted her hand in the links, but didn't call.
“Enough to bind us,” Torchay said. “To feel each other."
“Enough to help us wait.” Obed kissed Kallista's nape.
“But no more.” Viyelle hooked an arm around Joh's neck. “Just ... enough."
“Done.” Kallista called magic as she returned Fox's kiss.
* * * *
Kallista woke late. Again. But this time, the bed was crowded with naked bodies and someone was knocking at the chamber door. A brisk knocking, not timid, but not a frantic pounding either. Important news, but not desperate.
“Hey.” She worked a hand out of the crush and patted some part of someone's body. Ribs, she thought. Male. “Whoever's on top, go answer the door."
“Already done.” Keldrey tied off his trousers and slipped out the door to see what was wanted.
Kallista used elbows and hands to clear a space big enough to wriggle through, slapping away Fox's hands when he tried to pull her back. She was belting her houserobe by the time Keldrey returned. She took a second to check her hunting magic. Nothing. Had she hurt the demons so badly?
“What is it?” Kallista didn't like Kel's grim expression.
“Message from the justiciars. Without evidence of wrong-doing, our accusation against Chani's dismissed."
“Without evi—” Kallista stopped her outburst.
Keldrey had more to say. “Apparently, there is no sword."
She frowned. “We sent it. With the complaint."
“Well, they haven't got it. That's what they say, anyroad."
She took in a deep breath, let it out again as her mind laid plans. “So either it didn't reach them, or somebody's lying. And since we sent the sword with Nur im-Nathain, I think we can count on the lie.” She flicked a glance at Keldrey. “Send an escort for Nur Truthsayer. Ask him to bring another blade and meet us at the Justice Chambers. That's where we'll begin."
“Begin what?” Joh pulled his hair forward over his shoulder to begin the process of combing and braiding it.
“Our demon hunt.” She held her hand out to her new godmarked ilias. “Come, sweeting. Time to hurry. Anyone who's coming with us had better hurry too."
* * *
Chapter Twenty-Nine
All nine of the godmarked rode to the Daryathi Chambers of Justice in Mestada, Keldrey once again staying behind to keep guard over the children. Kallista had to admit it eased her mind to know one of their own watched their horde of little ones. She just wished she had better contact with him so she could reassure herself whenever she wanted that all was well.
Nur Truthsayer was already through the gate, escorted by his own local bodyguard-champion rather than the soldiers Kallista had sent. Clever of him. The justiciars would have no chance to cry collusion. Kallista rode into the courtyard at the head of her party and dismounted. Only she and Allanda the lawyer—and Obed as Reinas and bodyguard, and Padrey who couldn't be left behind—joined the truthsayer at the Chambers building entrance, waiting for the justiciars to arrive.
“May I ask?” Kallista edged nearer to Nur, speaking without looking at him. “Why did you leave the temple?"
“Do you know what it is to have magic and not use it?” He replied in the same manner. “It seemed to us better to use the magic in constructive ways, ways that would help others, rather than simply—venting the pressure. When the temple walls fell—"
“Ah.” Kallista nodded. “I understand.” Then she straightened as the wide double doors opened. She'd have to ask later about the temple walls.
“What is the meaning of this?” The woman who had spoken for the presiding justiciars at the court arena stood in the open doorway, as if she would bar it with her body.
“I bring my response to your communication of this morning.” Kallista inclined her head in a slight bow. “Since you claim that you received no weapon to support my complaint of tampering with justice by means of drugs in the arena, I have asked Nur im-Nathain to bring another."
Behind the speaker, Kallista saw shadowy forms gathering in the dimmer light of the buiding's entry hall, at least one of them white-haired. With luck, that might be the head justiciar from the trial. Maathin, Obed had called her.
“I have had possession of this blade since the trial.” Nur stepped forward. Lifting the sword in his hands, he pulled an inch or so of steel from its sheath. “It was taken by our own healer nathain from one of the Habadra champions after he fell in the Varyl-Habadra trial. It has not been touched since it came into her possession in the infirmary."
The speaker-for-the-justiciars held out her hand, her face a blank mask. “I will take this weapon for consideration."
Nur lifted it just out of her reach. “As you took the last weapon out of my hands?"
The woman's blank mask cracked and fear showed through. “I—yes. That is—"
Maathin pushed her way through the door. “Did you receive an earlier sword, speaker? I thought you said you did not."
“I—I may have been confused—my memory—when the sword wasn't with the complaint, naturally I assumed I hadn't got it, and I—"
The white-haired woman cut her off with a brusque wave of her hand and gave Nur Truthsayer a questioning look.
“Not truth.” His mouth twisted a bit.
“Did you receive the sword with the Varyl complaint?” Maathin's voice cut as sharp as the steel.
“Erm—I—” The speaker turned her eyes all round, as if looking for escape. “I suppose I may have, yes."
“Truth,” Nur said.
“Where is it now?"
“I'm sure I don't know."
“Truth.” Nur sounded surprised.
Kallista wasn't. She knew how literal truth could hide lies. “May I ask a question?” She bowed a bit deeper to the head justiciar. Maathin frowned, but nodded.
“What did you do with the sword when it was given to you?” Kallista asked.
“Why, nothing."
Nur opened his mouth, but Kallista waved him to silence. “You didn't bring it inside and place it with the complaint?"
“Oh. Well, yes, of course I did.” The worry began to leave the speaker's face.
“Truth.” Nur's expression had soured.
“And then what did you do?” Kallista continued.
“Nothing."
Kallista wanted to smack the smu
g expression from the woman's face. “Nothing at all?"
“I listed it on the register of complaints and informed the Head.” She bowed to the white-haired justiciar.
“Whom you told that no sword had come with it."
“Yes.” The speaker blinked, realizing what she'd said. “No! That is, I'm sure I said nothing about the sword at all."
“Lie.” Now Nur was looking smug. Funny how it didn't make Kallista want to smack him.
"Speaker." The snap in Maathin's voice made the younger woman jump. “What did you do with the sword?"
“Noth—” She slanted her eyes at Nur and didn't bother finishing the word, falling into sullen silence.
"Tell me."
The speaker cringed. “I hid it behind the file shelves and sent word to Habadra, who sent someone to collect it. I truly do not know where it is now,” she cried in desperation, then sank back into sullenness. “Who knew these Adarans had another?"
“The healer collected five of them,” Kallista said.
"Why?" Maathin's voice held anguish. “Why would you subvert our justice like this?"
The speaker flinched, tucking her hands in the folds of her robe. “They have no respect for justice. You saw how she behaved after the first day of trial. They are a race of slaves!"
Even Maathin recoiled at that, but Nur shook his head. “That is not all the truth. It is very little of it.” He pointed at her hands. “What are you hiding there?"
The speaker glared at him, defiant.
Maathin put out her hand, palm up. “Show me. Now."
Reluctantly, the younger woman brought out her hands from the folds of her white robe. Rings adorned four of her ten fingers, gold rings with glittering stones.
“How much did the Habadra pay you?” Kallista asked quietly.
The speaker turned her defiant glare on Kallista, refusing to answer.
“Whatever it was,” the head justiciar said, “it was not enough.” Maathin snapped her fingers at the Justice Chamber champions and indicated her be-ringed junior. “Take her away. And bring me paper and ink. I am writing out a warrant for the arrest of Habadra Chani for perversion of justice."
Kallista bowed and backed away, satisfied at achieving her goal. She was still curious though, and watched as Maathin turned to Nur.
“It seems we owe you thanks again, Truthsayer,” she said. “Shall I appoint you justiciar?"
The young nathain bowed deeply. “That is not my role, madame. I do not judge, only speak truth."
“Perhaps truthsayer is a new position for Daryathi justice.” Obed startled everyone when he spoke. “Edabi held a trial not long ago with a truthsayer. I am sure they would be willing to share their experience. Especially since Edabi Skola will no longer be providing champions for the trial arena, and I am sure the other skolas will soon follow their lead."
“Nine-marked.” Maathin gave Obed a deep bow—deeper than the one she'd given Kallista. “We will consider your words."
She turned aside to write on the portable desk held by a junior apprentice. When the ink was dry, she rolled the paper, sealed it and handed it to a six-marked justice champion.
“Thank you, Aila.” Kallista bowed again as Nur gave custody of the second sword into the head justiciar's hands. “You give me hope for Daryathi justice."
Maathin's mouth twisted. “I do not like change. Our ways have worked—perhaps not well, but they have worked for a hundred years. Still, if there is a better way..."
Kallista's smile flickered into being. “Exactly. Now, if you will excuse us—"
The head justiciar held up an imperious hand. “Do not interfere with this arrest."
Kallista feigned shock. “I wouldn't dream of it. But—if there's trouble your people can't handle, we can help.” She gave the old woman a bland smile. “Surely you cannot refuse that."
“Do not interfere,” Maathin repeated, and with a brusque bow, disappeared inside chambers.
“So.” Kallista returned to her godmarked. “At last, we ride against Habadra."
“You heard what the justiciar said,” Allanda warned. “Do not interfere."
“I heard.” Kallista swung onto her horse. “Three times now. And we won't. I promise. Unless."
“There's always an ‘unless',” Torchay said, not helpfully.
“The justiciar's champions can't handle a demon.” Kallista led the way back into the street.
“What? Demons?” Allanda scrambled to follow.
“You think Chani harbors the demon?” Obed asked.
“She's one of the few I haven't dared search.” Kallista waited to let the escort form around her.
She glanced at Padrey, who sat awkwardly on his horse next to her. He obviously hadn't ridden this much since childhood, if ever. Kallista eased a bit closer. “How are you bearing up?"
He flashed her an ill-at-ease smile. “Fairish. I don't like being in the front of things. It's bad for a thief to be noticed. Or a spy.” He paused for another, cockier smile. “But I like hearing everything first hand. I like knowing."
Kallista laughed. “That's my spy.” She urged her horse ahead as they started toward Habadra House. “Tell me—what do you know about Habadra's slaves?"
Padrey's smile vanished. “She has more than fifty, at least half of them too young for magic—maybe more than half. Of the adults, three of the women and one man have magic—all south. Two bakers, a weaver and a brewer. She bought two of ‘em, from smaller Lines. Poorer ones."
“Ah. How are they treated?"
Padrey shrugged. “They're slaves. They're fed, kept alive, but—"
Kallista felt the sadness and anger through his link and sent love and promises back. Then she changed the subject a bit. “Where are they kept?"
“In the back. Behind the kitchens. There's a big room—"
By the time they reached Habadra House, Kallista knew everything Padrey did about Habadra's slaves.
The Adarans hung back, across the broad square fronting the house, as the champions approached and demanded entry.
“Joh? Ride close and watch for me.” Kallista sent him off with his escort. Dressed today in working clothes as they all were, he wouldn't be as easily noticed as Kallista, and she could watch through his eyes.
What would Chani do? How would she react to this outrage? And no question, she would consider it an outrage. What if she truly was—as Kallista had come to suspect—demon-ridden?
Kallista held her hand out to Padrey and sidled her horse closer to his. “Come, sit behind me."
“Why?” His look wasn't quite suspicious.
“Because I still have to touch you to reach your magic.” She beckoned to hurry him. “If I have to call it quickly, I want to be ready."
He slid from his saddle onto Kallista's horse. He almost fell before settling behind her, his arms round her waist.
“One hand here.” She moved his hand from her waist to rest on the bare nape of her neck beneath her queue. Over her mark. It tingled just a bit, as if the mark recognized him. “Skin to skin, remember? This way, my hands are free. Just don't let go."
“I won't.” He leaned into her, breathed warm on her neck. “Seems a strange way to go into a fight, though."
Kallista had to smile. “It is. But it works. We've done it before, when Joh was new. Don't let me fall off the horse."
“Are you likely to?” Padrey sounded a bit alarmed.
“Not if you hold on tight.” Kallista squeezed the hand still at her waist. “Poor Padrey, so many strange things. I can see through Joh's eyes. But while I'm watching, I tend not to pay attention to what I'm doing. I've been known to fall off perfectly still chairs. And since this horse isn't still..."
“Right.” His grip tightened.
“Hold on.” Kallista slid down her link with Joh and blinked her vision into alignment with his.
Joh stood just outside the outer gate, at an angle where he could see the inner gate without being easily seen himself. He'd dismounted and his infa
ntry dun tunic blended nicely with the local shades of dirt. His guard, in red-and-white-trimmed black, was a deal more noticeable.
Through Joh's eyes, Kallista watched the justiciar's champions wait while Habadra Chani was summoned from within the house. As they did, the outer courtyard filled with more and more champions wearing Habadra's purple cranes painted and embroidered on their kilts, until those in justiciar's black-and-white could barely be seen.
I don't like this, Kallista whispered through Joh's thoughts. Aloud, she said, “We need to move closer."
The six justice champions were beginning to look a trifle concerned about the situation as well. Kallista brought her people to stand behind Joh and pulled back into her own vision. She called magic and sent it questing out for fresh demonstink, then called more, piling it up to be ready, in case.
Finally, Habadra Chani sauntered through the inner gate into the outer courtyard of her Line's House.
The six-marked champion in charge of the justiciar's company handed the scroll to Chani who cracked it open and read it. The champion with tattooed hands and feet nodded at his underlings. Two of them moved to take the Habadra by the arms.
The sound of a double score of blades clearing sheaths hissed through the courtyard, but the justiciars held firm. Chani wadded up the warrant and let it fall to the paving.
“I am Head of Habadra Line,” she said. “I do not submit to arrest.” She shook off those holding her and this time, they allowed it. Naked steel had that effect, even on the bravest.
“Do you defy Daryathi law?” the six-marked asked.
“I see armed Adarans at my gate.” Chani sneered at Kallista, waiting in the street. “Is that Daryathi law?"
“This is Daryathi law.” The champion pointed at the warrant crumpled on the ground.
“No, I am Daryathi law,” Chani retorted. “I am Head of Line, of the richest, most powerful line in all Daryath, and I do not submit to the accusations of foreign upstarts."
Kallista had listened to enough. She didn't take offense at Chani's sneering words. Kallista was foreign, and she wasn't from a prominent family, which she assumed made her an upstart. How could she take offense at truth? But she'd never had much patience, and she was tired of listening to them argue.
