“So I’ve heard.” Jan paused a second, as though uncertain, and then continued. “I’ve come here to investigate the possible misuse of sorcery and power, but none of the Kalvats know this. The official story is that I am here as Morgsten’s guest, but who knows how much longer I can keep up that cover now that the masquerade is over.”
Talon listened to the exchange between Jan and Niercel with interest. It was obvious this Niercel was someone with whom Jan was familiar, but Talon did not think that Jan should trust Niercel with everything, particularly information regarding the Coruscalli. Talon hoped Jan had the sense to keep their true reasons for being in Kalvatin a secret.
“What brought you to the masquerade?” Jan asked Niercel. “A grand party at the Institute of Thaumaturgy seems an unlikely place to find an Arbiter.”
Talon glanced at Niercel in time to see a look of unease settle over her features. Apparently Jan’s line of questioning had taken Niercel by surprise, or perhaps, Talon thought, Niercel had something to hide.
“I attended the masquerade incognito,” Niercel replied after another moment. “After hearing some disturbing rumors involving the Institute, the Kalvat chapter of the Arbiters decided to investigate. I was attempting to blend in with the crowd, observing the events of the party, when I noticed your companion.” Niercel stared pointedly at Talon. “I’ve seen many things in Kalvatin, but tonight is the first time I have seen an Astraeyu Nouvin at a social function for Kalvat nobles and sorcerers.”
“You thought Talon was the most suspicious thing at the masquerade?” Jan asked, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen.
“You have to admit, it is unusual to see an Outlander anywhere in the Four Kingdoms,” Niercel said, “other than the pirates that terrorize the northern coasts. But Astraeyu Nouvi is a land known for its beliefs in mysticism and the arcane. When I saw your friend here at the masquerade, I was puzzled and alarmed, to say the least.”
Talon did not like the way the woman regarded her with disdain as she spoke. It was as though Niercel viewed her as a stray mongrel that managed to wander into the Institute. Or worse, Talon was beginning to get the impression that Niercel believed her to be conspiring with the enemy, that her presence at the masquerade was all the proof that she needed.
“Talon is my guest,” Jan said. “My instinct told me that she would be a valuable addition to my entourage. Let me just say how glad I am that I listened to my instincts on this one.”
“Yes,” Niercel agreed, giving a short laugh. “It is rather fortunate that you brought her along. I still can’t believe it, even though I saw it with my own eyes. An assassin in the Institute of Thaumaturgy, and an assassin with the intent to murder the Grand Arbiter, no less. It’s frightening what this world is coming to.”
“It’s our duty to set it right again,” Jan said. In that moment, Talon thought she looked more like a leader than she ever had before. “An enemy of the Order has appeared before us, perhaps the first in hundreds of years, and an enemy to the Arbiters is an enemy of Lythril.”
“You sound so sure that the Arbiters have an enemy.” Niercel arched an eyebrow. “Tell me, do you have an idea as to who this enemy is?”
Talon held her breath. She did not think it wise to inform Niercel about their suspicions regarding Morgsten’s involvement with the Coruscalli. Niercel might have been at the masquerade investigating rumors of rogue sorcerers, but she seemed content to dismiss the matter as an Astraeyu Nouvin plot when she saw Talon at the Institute, precisely what the rest of the world would do if the truth was ever revealed about the Prophecy of Fire. Talon still did not fully trust the Mainlanders, not even Jan. It would definitely be a mistake to bring any more Arbiters into the matter involving the Coruscalli. She looked to Jan, dreading what her next words might be.
“I have ideas, yes,” Jan said, rather evasively. “In fact, I believe we are on the trail of our enemy as we speak.”
“Really? Right here, in Orsela?” Niercel appeared aghast at the idea that the enemy could be so close without her knowledge.
“It’s possible.” Jan seemed to share Talon’s reluctance to impart too much knowledge of their enemy to anyone outside of her inner circle. “All I know is that the Arbiters have recently been made targets by someone with intimate knowledge of the arcane. Even the disaster in Sonastra bore evidence of magical fire.”
“I’d heard that it was a mage,” Niercel said. “Then there was word that an Outlander was apprehended close to the ruins of the Summit Palace.” Here, she glanced again at Talon. “Some even said that it was an Astraeyu’s Talon, one of the infamous assassins, the first ever to be captured.”
“There is some truth to the rumors.” Jan volunteered the information, albeit hesitantly. “Talon was arrested near the scene of the crime, but she has since been proven innocent.”
“So you’re the one, are you?” Niercel took a closer look at Talon. After a long pause, she said, “You’re not as intimidating as the rumors make you out to be.”
Talon’s lip curled in a snarl. She was relentless and dutiful in her role as Astraeyu’s Talon. She did not like having her reputation so casually dismissed by this arrogant woman.
Niercel saw the fierce scowl Talon was giving her and laughed.
“It looks like you have your hands full, Jan,” she said. “Not only did you get a promotion, but you also got a ferocious Outlander as part of the package. I daresay I don’t envy you, my friend.”
“I’ve been taking it in strides. With someone targeting my life, adjusting to my new position will be even more difficult.”
“Well, if anyone can do it, it’s you. You might not have been the most outgoing student at the Academy, but your determination was a match for anyone. Your grades were nothing to scoff at, either.”
To Talon’s amusement, Jan beamed at the compliment paid by her old friend and then lowered her gaze shyly.
“Look at the time,” Niercel said. “After the night you’ve had, you probably can’t wait to retire for the evening. It was nice meeting up with you after all these years. Say, I have an idea. If you’ve worn out your welcome here at the Institute, you can always stay at the Vermillion Temple. We would be happy to have you.”
“Thank you,” Jan replied, still smiling. “I might have to take you up on that offer before this is over.”
“Then we’ll have a chance to get caught up on all the things that have happened over the past ten years,” Niercel said.
Talon listened impatiently as Jan and Niercel exchanged their farewells. She did not like the idea of staying in close proximity to Niercel. The woman had an effect on Jan. If they were together for too long, Talon feared Jan would reveal too much of the Coruscalli and the Prophecy of Fire. Talon worried that her dislike for Niercel stemmed from something other than caution. She simply did not like the way Jan looked at Niercel. That was the real reason Talon was glad to see Niercel leave. Jan admired her old friend, maybe even loved her. Talon wondered if Jan would ever look at her that way.
That was it. She was jealous of the admiration Jan held for Niercel. The emotion was startling. Talon never experienced jealously before. She cast a sidelong glance at Jan. She never expected to meet anyone who could inspire such feelings in her, especially in the Four Kingdoms. Jan watched as Niercel took her leave, the same smile from before still on her face. It was as though Jan had forgotten the rest of the world existed. Talon had seen it happen too many times before and refused to allow Jan to become distracted.
“Arbiter Sterling,” Talon spoke sharply, snapping Jan back to her senses. “If I may have a word with you, your time would be most appreciated.”
“Actually, I was just thinking I needed to speak with you,” Jan said. To Rhys and Beatrix, she said, “Stand guard outside my room. We can’t be too sure of anything while we’re here.”
Rhys and Beatrix saluted Jan and waited outside in the hall as Jan motioned for Talon to follow her into the rooms. Once
they were inside and Jan was satisfied that no spy had infiltrated her suite during her absence, she sat in one of the overstuffed chairs and gestured to Talon to have a seat across from her. Talon sat down, her eyes on Jan as she waited for her to speak. She wondered what Jan wanted to talk to her about. Was it because she brought a weapon to the masquerade when Jan requested that she didn’t? Talon hoped Jan didn’t see the jealousy in her eyes when she interrupted Jan’s conversation with Niercel. The feeling was new for her. It felt awkward. She worried that Jan noticed her behaving strangely.
Jan was silent for several long minutes, emotions roiling in her dark eyes. Finally, she met Talon’s gaze.
“I don’t know what to say. Tonight, I could have been killed. No, I’m fairly certain that I would have been killed, if not for you. You saved my life, Talon. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“I-I was merely performing my duties as an Astraeyu’s Talon.” Talon swallowed hard. It was an awkward situation for her, as well. She was more accustomed to taking lives than saving them. To so suddenly be hailed a hero made her worry that her reputation as the Black Talon would be tarnished. Also, her realization that she was attracted to Jan made her feel suddenly nervous in her presence.
“I suspected something was amiss when the woman I bumped into refused to accept my apology,” Talon continued. Her throat felt suddenly very dry. “When I next looked your way, I noticed that Morgsten was gone. That was when I saw a flash of light on metal that alerted me to the assassin.”
“I’m glad you are so perceptive,” Jan said. “You saw through Morgsten’s ruse in time to prevent his plans to assassinate me from coming to pass. I question whether my Arbiters would have figured it out in time and shudder at the consequences if they had not. And that dagger,” she added, pointing to where Talon had the dagger still secured at her thigh. “I thought I told everyone to come to the masquerade unarmed, but in this case I’m glad you didn’t listen.”
“I did not feel right walking into the lair of our enemy armed with only my wits.” Talon shrugged. “It was the right thing to do. My intuition told me so.”
“Remind me to listen to your intuition from now on.” Jan smiled so sincerely that Talon had to smile in return. In that smile, Talon thought she saw some of her own emotions mirrored on Jan’s face, but perhaps that was only wishful thinking.
Talon still wondered what compelled her to risk her life for the sake of another, especially when things would become less complicated for her if Jan was removed from the scene. If Jan was assassinated, Talon could have used the ensuing chaos as the Arbiters struggled to restore order to their ranks to flee and then continued the investigation on her own, unhindered by the Arbiters’ rules and restrictions.
It was not so easy. Jan had spared Talon’s life in Sonastra, even when everyone else was ready to see her hanged for the Coruscalli’s crimes. Jan was the only one that believed in her. Talon could not repay her kindness by throwing her to the Coruscalli. Not only that, but Jan had been touched by Astraeyu’s Light. Talon could not turn her back on one of Astraeyu’s Chosen. Jan was someone special. Talon could not stand for any misfortune to befall her.
Jan’s expression became serious once again as she continued. “Your assistance has been invaluable to the Arbiters, but in light of recent events, I no longer feel right keeping you as little more than a glorified prisoner.” Jan sighed and cleared her throat, as though what she was about to say caused her physical pain. “I release you from the Arbiters’ custody,” she said weakly. “I pardon you from any crime, real or alleged. You are free to go.”
Talon only stared at Jan for a long moment, unsure of how to
respond. Jan had saved Talon’s life in Sonastra. Now that the debt was repaid, Talon no longer had any reason to stay with the Arbiters. Strangely enough, now that the long awaited opportunity for freedom had come, she found that she did not want to leave. Jan inspired loyalty in everyone she met, including Talon. It was the kind of loyalty that Talon had only read about in epics. She was an Astraeyu’s Talon through and through, but she held great respect for such camaraderie. And she could not just leave, not after the Coruscalli targeted Jan. The cultists would come after her again, and Talon would be ready.
“If you don’t mind, Jan,” Talon replied, “I would like to continue assisting you in your pursuit of the Coruscalli.” When Jan stared at her as though she had lost her mind, Talon merely shrugged. “Our goals are the same. I see no reason why we can’t work together, unless you no longer feel that my knowledge and experience could be of use to the Arbiters.”
“Of course you are free to stay, if that’s what you truly wish.” Jan seemed genuinely shocked that Talon would choose to accompany them over setting out alone. “You probably know more of the Coruscalli than anyone in the Four Kingdoms, and your skills as a swordswoman are nothing short of a marvel. We are fortunate to have you.”
Talon gave a hearty laugh and then clenched her fist over her heart in a salute. “I will do my best not to disappoint you.” It was strange to ally herself with the Arbiters yet again. Talon had sworn to assist Jan before, but this time she was wholly sincere. In the time she had known Jan, she had come to respect her as a leader and admire her as a person. The jealousy she felt when Jan was near Niercel was a reminder that Talon’s feelings toward Jan were more than friendly. She would have to sort through her emotions later. For now, she had to ensure the Coruscalli did not succeed in their plan to eliminate another Grand Arbiter. Talon rather enjoyed having reliable companions on her mission. Bringing down the Coruscalli was not going to be easy. It was a mistake to ever assume that she could accomplish her goals on her own. Talon needed the Arbiters just as much as they needed her.
Chapter Ten
THE NEXT MORNING Jan summoned her inner circle to her quarters and together they reviewed the events of the masquerade.
“Are you sure your quarters are secure?” Rhys asked. Since the attempt at Jan’s life the previous evening, he was on high alert, suspecting the enemy of hiding around every corner.
“Two of your finest soldiers are guarding the door,” Jan reminded him. “It’s as secure as we are going to find, for the moment.”
“In addition to the guards,” Beatrix began, “I have placed magical wards throughout the rooms and the connecting hallways. If any of them are disturbed, I will know of it immediately.”
Rhys still did not look completely satisfied, but they currently had more pressing matters. Someone had tried to kill Jan, an action which was not only a threat to Jan herself, but an offense aimed at the Arbiters and the entirety of Lythril.
“We definitely have enemies here,” Jan said. “Who they are precisely and where they are hiding remains to be seen.”
“If I may say a word, Arbiter Sterling,” Talon said. Jan met her gaze and felt a blush rise as she recalled the memories from the night before. Talon was the strongest woman Jan ever met. She was fearless in the face of danger. She was wonderful. Jan gasped as she realized that her feelings for Talon were more than mere admiration. Jan was falling in love with Talon. Her mind was overrun by frantic thoughts as she fought to retain a professional demeanor. She noticed Talon waiting for a reply and nodded for her to continue.
“I believe the woman I had the misfortune of bumping into was an agent of the Coruscalli, put in place by Morgsten to cause an altercation with the Arbiters.” Talon cleared her throat. “I suppose my presence at the masquerade created the perfect opportunity for the Coruscalli to cause trouble. I apologize for any inconveniences I might have caused you.”
“There’s no need for apology,” Jan said. “You saved my life. Without your presence, I might not be having this conversation right now.”
“Everyone at the masquerade witnessed your heroic deeds,” Beatrix added. “Your actions have done nothing to harm the Arbiters’ standing in Kalvatin. If anything, you have only improved the Kalvats’ opinion of Astraeyu Nouvins.”
Again, Jan noticed that Talon was uncomfortable at being described as a hero. She quickly regained her composure, however, and said, “I hope you are right, Advisor. Astraeyu Nouvi does not want to be seen as the enemy of the Mainland.”
“Back to the point,” Rhys interjected. “If Coruscalli were at the masquerade with the intent of creating a scene, that means that in coming to Orsela we have walked right into a trap.”
“He’s right, Grand Arbiter,” Beatrix agreed. “I don’t think the Coruscalli will stop with the masquerade. It won’t quit until the Kalvats want to have all Arbiters forcibly removed from their country, starting with our little entourage.”
“If we survive that long.” Talon’s words caused everyone in the room to stop and look her way. “It’s obvious the woman at the masquerade was only a diversion. Her true purpose was to distract us while the Coruscalli’s intention was carried out. The Coruscalli wants the Grand Arbiter dead. It has already succeeded in killing one Grand Arbiter, along with so many others in Sonastra. Now, Arbiter Sterling is the cult’s target.”
“If the Coruscalli wants to kill Arbiter Sterling, and Morgsten is in leagues with the Coruscalli,” Rhys said, “that means Morgsten suspects that we aware of his involvement with the cult.”
“We know too much. That is why he invited me to the masquerade.” Jan swallowed hard past the lump in her throat. “Morgsten aims to have me assassinated.”
“We are in the heart of enemy territory,” Talon said. “I know that everyone at the Institute of Thaumaturgy is not with the Coruscalli, but this place is Morgsten’s home. As long as we stay here, we are in danger.”
“She’s right,” Rhys said. “If Morgsten has a contract on your life, we must proceed with caution. Maybe we should return to Fort Solitude.”
“No,” Jan replied firmly. “Fort Solitude is too far away to effectively monitor Morgsten’s activities. Besides, we are not completely out of our element in Kalvatin. The Arbiters have a base here in Orsela.” Jan recalled Niercel’s offer to join the Kalvat Arbiters during her visit to Orsela. “I think we’ve worn out our welcome at the Institute. We should relocate as soon as possible to the Vermillion Temple.”
Tears of the Sun Page 15
