“Prince Yiloch!”
He spun Tantrum. Adran cantered up. He’d been in constant motion since Eris fell. Yiloch worried about him, but he knew better than to interfere. Adran would cope in his way and nothing he did was going to alter that or make it easier. There was a dark, hungry look in Adran’s eyes, a look he recognized from his own experience with the loss of his mother. Hunger for revenge. The relentless need to make someone pay for his pain.
“My lord, you’re needed at your tent.”
Hope sprang up in Yiloch and a slight nod from Adran confirmed it. He urged Tantrum to a swift trot back to the tents, swinging off before the stallion fully stopped, then striding inside with Adran on his heels. Paulin stood talking to a young man with pale gold eyes and close-cropped light blond hair. A small scar turned one corner of his mouth up in a permanent smirk, the result of a sparring match in which Leryc’s over exuberance and inexperience brought him in too close for Yiloch to check his attack.
“Leryc!” Yiloch grabbed his arm and pulled him into a rough embrace that he returned enthusiastically.
When they parted, Leryc’s broad smile turned the smirk into a comical leer that Yiloch had often teased him about. “Prince Yiloch, it’s wonderful to see you! I wasn’t sure you’d recognize me.”
“How could I forget that ridiculous smile?”
Leryc flushed then glanced at Adran and his expression sobered. He met Yiloch’s eyes. “I can’t be here long. I’ve been trying to get away from the palace for days. Myac pulled me off the outer wall and has been keeping me busy in the palace. I don’t think he trusts me. Fortunately, the emperor’s been demanding more and more of his time, so I finally got a chance to slip out.”
Myac again. He itched to settle several scores with the adept. “Can you help us?”
“Yes.” Leryc’s eyes shone feverish. “I can get you into the palace.”
Yiloch eyed him. Another life to risk, but how much of the city might he save if he could get inside those walls and defeat his father? “What’s your plan?”
Leryc took a deep breath, rubbed his trembling hands together. “I talked my senior officer into putting me back on normal duty. I relieve out the outer wall patrol by the Northeast corner tower at three every morning. I’ve broken away mortar around an old exterior access door in that tower. You’d have to get to the door undetected, but if you can do that, I can let you in. If you don’t breach the outer wall, the access doors in the inner wall will still be unlocked. Since your arrival, the emperor spends every night until dawn in the throne room. You could face him there.”
“Can we do it tonight?”
Fear paled his skin, but he nodded, clinging to resolve. “Myac will be with the emperor.”
“Good.”
“He’s dangerous. Don’t underestimate him.”
Yiloch smiled at his concern. “We’ll be at the door by three. Captain Paulin, see that Leryc gets safely back into the city and return here.”
Leryc bowed. “Thank you, my lord.” He donned the hood of his cloak and followed Paulin from the tent.
“I need Ferin, Hax, Cadmar, and Ian here now.” He turned to Adran. “And send word to hold off igniting the tunnels. We don’t want the wall to come down yet.”
Adran spun and strode from the tent.
Yiloch paced, wearing down the grassy floor of the tent until Paulin arrived to report Leryc’s safe return. Adran arrived a few minutes later with the others.
“Leryc’s getting me into the palace before dawn. I need all my officers to be visible while this is happening and I need to be seen.” He met Ian’s eyes. “Can you create a convincing illusion of me?”
“If I have a subject to build the illusion over.”
Yiloch turned to Cadmar. “How would you feel about leading the army in my stead?”
Cadmar flashed his teeth in a feral smile. “I would be honored, my lord.”
“Good…” He hesitated when Ian frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll have to stay out here to maintain the illusion. I can’t go into the palace with you.”
Hax and Adran both opened their mouths to protest.
Yiloch held up a hand to stay them. “I’ve already worked that problem out. I need you all to meet me back here exactly two hours after midnight. Ferin, I need someone trustworthy with a strong skill in illusion to join us. You and Paulin will be in charge of ensuring the wall comes down at the right time.”
“How will we know?” Ferin asked.
“I’ve an idea for that as well. Now go. We’ll meet here later.”
He followed them out, stopping beside where Tantrum stood grazing. His gaze went to the Northeast tower. The wall there wasn’t under heavy guard. They’d focused the brunt of their attacks at the Southeastern side where the damage within the city would have less impact and on the Western wall from the ocean. From the tower, he could sneak to the inner wall and from there to the throne room. The city had been his playground for years, sneaking through it was an old game. If they didn’t breach the outer wall before he got inside, then the guard within the inner walls and inside the palace would be relatively light.
He mounted Tantrum, riding out to be seen before he made his move.
*
When the time came to meet again, Yiloch rode to where healers worked in shifts near their tents, tending injuries sustained from ballistae and ascard attacks. Indigo knelt a few feet from Siddael healing a man with a torn abdomen. When she finished she rose and turned to him, no doubt sensing him through her link. She looked weary, blood on her hands and clothes, but her eyes lit when they met his and a faint smile touched her lips. How he loved having that effect on her. It lifted his mood even more than Leryc’s visit had.
Such power you have over me and you don’t even have to touch ascard to do it.
He held a hand down to her.
“Healer Indigo.” Siddael’s voice carried warning.
“I’m sorry, Master Siddeal.” She gave Yiloch her hand.
He helped her into the saddle behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against his back in a manner unbefitting their supposed relationship, but he didn’t much care who saw or what they read into it in that moment. He savored the sensation of her clinging to him. It made her vulnerable, despite the incredible power she could wield.
She is vulnerable and you’re about to ask a great deal of her.
If she took comfort in being close to him, he wouldn’t deny her that. He moved his reins into one hand and placed the other over her hands at his waist. She wrapped her fingers into his as he guided Tantrum to his tent.
“About Eris—”
“Indigo, don’t. Ian said the masking was well done. No one blames you. Even so, I wouldn’t bring it up with Adran. Not yet.”
She said no more.
Hax and Cadmar arrived as they rode up to the tent and Cadmar gave Indigo a hand down. One of Vyram’s creators, Dailin, also joined them as Yiloch led the way into the tent. Inside Indigo remained at his side, waiting like the rest to hear what he expected of them.
“Adept Dailin, I need you to come with us as far as the Northeast tower and hide us from sight. Not only from those on the wall, but from my army as well. No one can see us. Can you do that?”
Dailin nodded, confident. “I can, my lord.”
“Good. Ian, you need to maintain the illusion of Cadmar as me. He must lead one charge through the wall when the moment comes. Hax, I want you to accompany him with your troops. Adran, find Caplin. I want you to ride through the other breach with him and his host. They’re efficient and follow his orders well. They’ll be an asset for keeping things under control inside the city.”
“And it will keep him busy so he doesn’t have time to look into other things.” Hax glanced meaningfully at Indigo.
“Yes. When we breach the wall and my father doesn’t appear to rally his troops, they will falter. The trick will be timing the breaches. Indigo, can you communicate with Ian f
rom within the palace when it’s time to take the wall down?” He met her eyes, seeing a touch of fear there as she digested his words. To her credit, her voice held steady when she spoke.
“Over that distance, a link would be the most reliable way, but…” She gave Ian an uneasy glance.
“Good enough. Ian, your moment has arrived.”
Ian nodded, a faint shake in his hands as his focus turned inward. Cadmar became a perfect mirror image of Yiloch and Indigo gasped. She walked to the disguised warrior, inspecting his appearance, then turned to Ian and smiled.
“Remarkable.”
Ian flushed before her praise and Yiloch shook his head. What an effect she had on people without even meaning to. Her beauty, charm, and sincerity won over everyone. He delighted in her in so many ways.
“It’s nothing much, my lady,” Ian said, downplaying his accomplishment. “A little visual trickery.”
She glanced between Cadmar and Yiloch a few times. “It’s marvelous.”
Yiloch grinned as Ian’s flush darkened. “Indigo, please create the link?”
She gave Yiloch an apologetic glance then met Ian’s eyes. “I haven’t done this enough to know if I can undo it.”
Ian took a deep breath. “I trust you.”
Her eyes changed focus as she bent ascard to her will.
Ian shifted his feet a few times then relaxed. “That wasn’t so bad. I hardly felt anything.”
“I’ll be able to contact you through that link and let you know when it’s time.”
“We’re ready then,” Yiloch announced. “Cadmar, take Tantrum. Hax, stay with him and make sure he doesn’t do anything I wouldn’t. Ian, do whatever’s necessary to maintain the illusion.”
“I will, my lord.” Ian’s sober expression reassured him. He wouldn’t make the mistake he’d made on the way to Tunsdal.
They left the tent and he turned to the remaining three.
“Indigo, Dailin, there are black cloaks in the rear partition. Find the ones that fit best.”
When they went into the adjacent section, he set a hand on Adran’s shoulder and waited for him to meet his eyes. “Can you do this?”
Adran’s eyes brimmed with anger and tears he refused to let fall.
“I can.” He pulled away.
“I don’t doubt your ability. I want to know that you can do this without taking unnecessary risk. I won’t lose you both.” Adran hung his head and Yiloch used a finger under his chin to bring his gaze back up. “I can’t lose you both. Can you do this?”
Adran exhaled. “Yes, I can.”
Yiloch embraced him, encouraged by the strength with which his old friend returned the gesture. “Good. I expect to see you in the throne room before dawn.”
The smallest hint of a smile curved Adran’s lips when they parted. “I’ll be there.”
“Go keep Caplin distracted and away from Cadmar. The clever lord is sure to catch something out of place. I’m off to see my father.”
“Be careful.”
He nodded and watched Adran leave before donning his own black cloak and drawing up the hood. Indigo and Dailin returned similarly attired.
He met Dailin’s eyes. “Let’s disappear”
The ascard around them changed. Indigo’s attention turned inward as well and he wondered if she was observing Dailin’s process. In theory, such a working required the complex blending of ascard in the cloaks with ascard around them. Without the added concealment of the cloaks, it would be more complicated. If Dailin slipped up, it could be disastrous, but the man had to meet high standards to be one of Lord Vyram’s personal creators. Yiloch didn’t expect him to fail.
“Indigo, can you mask his ability?”
She focused for a few seconds. “Done.”
He offered her his hand and she accepted it automatically. They snuck into the night and made their way around to the Northeast tower. No one noticed their passing. Yiloch led them to the door. It would only need to open for a few seconds for them to slip inside once Leryc arrived. They waited in silence.
Attacks from siege engines and sounds of thousands of men and horses in motion made a din in the night. Indigo leaned against him and he wrapped an arm around her. He kept his ears tuned for the sound of the inner latch on the door. When it finally clicked, they froze, waiting while it creaked open.
Leryc peeked through the crack and Yiloch nodded to Dailin. The creator made them visible to Leryc as they slipped through the doorway then he retreated, leaving them to their task.
Leryc shut the door and stared hard at Indigo.
“Is there a problem?”
“Ah, no,” Leryc replied haltingly. “I thought you’d bring someone less…fragile.”
Indigo scowled.
Yiloch bit back a laugh. “She’s not so fragile,” he said before she could retaliate. But she was. He looked into her eyes. He needed her. He couldn’t pull this off without her power, not with Myac in the equation. “If you don’t want to do this…”
She placed a finger over his lips. “I understand the risk. I will help you.”
He pulled her to him and kissed her. He could feel her heart pounding, betraying terror she hid behind brave words. He loved her for that.
Leryc coughed softly. “Excuse me, my lord.”
Yiloch released her, keeping one of her hands to savor the silken softness of her skin. “Leryc, this is Lady Indigo. She’s an extraordinary adept. Maybe you’ll have the good fortune of getting to know her better later, but for now, make yourself scarce. I expect you to survive this.”
“I can help…”
Yiloch held up a hand. “If you want to help, go about your business as you normally would and don’t draw attention. This will be over soon one way or another.”
A new willful resistance tightened his features. “There are many here who want to see you take the throne. We can get your force through the inner gates if they breach the outer wall.”
Yiloch hesitated. He would be a fool to pass up this offer. “Well enough. Do what you can. Try not to get hurt.”
“Good luck.” Leryc slipped through the door on the inside wall, leaving it cracked. He tucked his thumbs into his belt and walked away.
Yiloch led Indigo through, shutting the door behind them. They emerged in the far corner of the wealthy district, little disturbed by the assault on the city walls to the south and west. The residents probably holed up in their houses, hiding from an uncertain future. There would be few patrols while the focus was still on holding the outer wall.
He led Indigo through shadows, moving away from the outer wall where they were most likely to be spotted. When they neared the inner wall, they crouched in the shadows of some tall bushes, waiting while he got a feel for the timing of patrols on the ground and on top of the wall.
“I haven’t much practice in stealth.” She clicked her nails nervously behind him.
He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s best done silently,” he whispered.
She flushed and bit her lip. He turned back to the task.
When he had the timing, he moved them to the edge of the shadows. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Her hand tightened on his.
“Now.” They dashed across an open area between the last houses and the inner wall.
Panic shot through him when the door to the tower didn’t open, but with a little ascard behind his push, it gave. They ducked inside and hid behind a stack of crates stored in the bottom of the tower, listening for anyone coming. With the siege on the outer wall, a negligible guard would be in place along with several adepts sensing for intruders. Given Indigo’s skill at masking, he wasn’t concerned about ascard detection.
Dark servants’ passages served to get them from the wall into the palace. He knew every twist and turn, keeping to passages until he heard someone coming. Then he backtracked and opened a door into a marble-floored hallway with a high, arched ceiling. They started down that hall, stepping into a dark doorway when two guards passed throu
gh a crossing hall in opposite directions. When the hallway was again clear, he moved, leading them from hiding spot to hiding spot, staying in dark places familiar from childhood forays. He stopped around a corner from the throne room.
A cautious glance revealed two guards in the hall outside the massive arched doors. He gestured for Indigo to look. She peeked out then tucked back against the wall beside him, the hand he still held trembling.
“Can you…” He trailed off when she paled, her eyes pleading for him not to ask. Yes, she could, but she would suffer for it. He peeked around the corner again and changed his request. “Can you mask me while I take care of them?”
She nodded, relief and gratitude in her eyes.
He kissed her then drew a dagger and his sword, careful not to make noise. Stepping around the corner, he swapped himself with ascard in the air between the two guards. Using his ability to enhance his speed, he buried the dagger in one man’s throat and spun, cutting into the other man’s throat with his sword, nearly decapitating him. Still boosting his speed, he caught each of them before they fell and lowered them to the floor. Indigo walked out to him, her face paler now.
“There’s someone powerful in that room,” she whispered. “It’s the adept who was linked to Ladon. He’s been scanning the army since we arrived.”
Yiloch suffered a twinge of unease. “Is he stronger than you?”
She shrugged. “I can’t assess my ability the way I can someone else’s. I know he’s considerably stronger than Ian.”
He grimaced. “It’s Myac. Can you block him?”
She met his eyes, her pulse racing beneath the soft skin of her throat. “As long as I catch him by surprise, I should be able to.”
“Don’t worry about anything else in that room, only him.”
Dissident (Forbidden Things Book 1) Page 31
