by D.D. Chant
Chapter Thirty-One
The air was cool, it had rained in the night and the muggy oppressiveness of the last few days had disappeared. It was also very busy, Philip Burton was used to seeing the city deserted, and the sheer magnitude of those rushing to work was quite overwhelming. He emerged from the shaded path and into the open paved area that ringed the park with small cafés.
The library loomed before him, a cold black unfriendly edifice. Philip made for the café in the corner of the square that faced it. A large black and white sign, with a leafy motif, proclaimed it simply as ‘Jayn’s’.
As he entered, a generously framed woman, wearing the prerequisite dull silver skirt and jacket, broke away from the small group of employees chatting behind the counter and made her way toward him.
“How do you do, Senator Burton? I’m Jayn.” She smiled briefly, her expression a little anxious.
Philip waved toward the name advertised around the café.
“As in…?”
She smiled again.
“That’s me. Councillor Sendel is in a private tea room on the first floor, if you’ll just follow me?”
She indicated that he should accompany her through a port and out of the main tea room. The hall it led onto was deserted and quiet.
Jayn's low voice broke the silence.
“I’m sorry about your son, Senator.”
Philip felt a familiar tightness develop in his stomach at the mention of Ben.
“Thank you.”
Jayn paused, her hand resting on the stair newel. She hesitated, biting her lip and looking vaguely harassed.
“He was a nice boy, polite and friendly. It’s such a pity that…” She broke off suddenly and met his eyes. “Astra would never have hurt him. I know that everyone’s saying that she and the Va Dic Toban’s are all some sort of Una activists, but it’s not true. Astra would never do anything like that.”
“You knew my son?”
Jayn nodded anxiously, twisting the corner of her jacket.
“He came here for lunch once with Astra.”
Philip shook his head.
“I didn’t know that.”
“A lot of people did,” returned Jayn.
“What do you mean?”
Jayn looked uncomfortable, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I can’t tell you anymore; I shouldn’t have told you this much. It’s just that I liked your son, and I hate to see Astra blamed for something she didn’t do, just because she’s Una.”
She turned sharply, starting to make her way up the stairs again. Philip reached out, taking a hold on her arm and restraining her.
“Why are you speaking up for Astra?”
“Because no one else will.”
“Why not? Because she’s Una?”
Jayn worried her bottom lip, and cast a panicked look toward the corridor above.
“Partly. Mostly they keep quite because people who speak up tend to disappear.”
“You’re not afraid of ‘disappearing’ as well?”
Jayn’s eyes widened in fear.
“Don’t worry, I’m not threatening you,” soothed Philip. “I just need to know what I’m up against.”
Jayn’s rapid breathing slowed a little at his assurance.
“You want to know what you’re up against, Senator? The Devil incarnate, that’s who, and him up there.” She jerked a thumb indicating the tea rooms above. “He’s the Devil’s apprentice! He’s got too arrogant and wants to challenge his mentor for control, and me and you Senator, we’re stuck between them.”
Philip was taken back by her vehemence, and for a moment both of them stood quietly in the cramped corridor.
“We have to go up. He’ll have seen you coming, and he’ll wonder what we’re doing. If he guesses that we’ve been talking, I’ll get into trouble.”
Senator Burton nodded, and followed Jayn as she made surprisingly quick time up the stairs. She buzzed the bell on the port once, and opened it before stepping aside so that Senator Burton could precede her into the room.
Councillor Sendel sat on a large sofa playing absently with the coffee cup at his elbow, he turned as the door opened and smiled, getting to his feet.
“Good morning, Senator Burton. How nice to see you.” He held out his hand Free Nation style. “For a little while you had me worried that we had misunderstood each other that day at Senator Fredrickson’s welcoming ceremony.”
Sendel turned to Jayn.
“What took so long, Jayn? Senator Burton entered the café at least ten minutes ago, was there a problem?”
Jayn froze in the act of clearing Councillor Sendel’s used coffee cup away. Philip watched as her hand began to shake, making the cup rattle.
“My fault I’m afraid,” he interjected smoothly. “I had to stop and tie my shoe lace.”
Sendel frowned, obviously disbelieving. Yet he had no way to refute the statement without giving offence, so he allowed the matter to drop.
“We’ll discuss this later, Jayn. For now, bring us some tea.”
Jayn nodded and cast a harried but grateful smile toward Senator Burton. Sendel gestured that he should take a seat, and settled himself into the chair he had occupied just a few moments before.
Both men waited in silence for the other to make the first move. After a moment’s hesitation Councillor Sendel raised his hand in a gesture that encompassed the whole room.
“This is what I like to call a safe space. It’s one of the few places that Councillor Ladron can’t overhear every word.”
“And why is that?”
“No doubt you have seen the computer in Ladron’s private office?”
Philip nodded, and Sendel continued.
“We call it the ‘eye’. It’s the most technologically advanced computer in the Tula Strongholds, and has a direct link to the ‘heart’.”
“The ‘heart’?”
“It’s the server that stores the information shared by every computer in the Strongholds. However, it has a weakness. Its systems are too advanced to process the outdated software that private homes and small business use. Hence our safety.”
Philip nodded slowly.
“And just why have you invited me to speak to you in this ‘safe space,’ Councillor?”
Sendel smiled.
“Senator Burton, you know already! We both want Ladron gone, the most logical thing to do is work together to achieve our shared goal.”
“And what will I get in exchange for lending you my assistance?”
“Come, come, Senator. You make it sound as though it would be you doing me the favour.”
“Isn’t that exactly what I would be doing?”
Sendel leaned back in his chair.
“You cloud the issue, Senator. Whether I benefit or not does not change the fact that you need my help.”
“I would be a fool if I didn’t question whether your motives in helping me are entirely philanthropic, Councillor. What’s the price for your cooperation?”
Sendel inclined his head.
“Very true, but I think we both know what I want.”
“And if I don’t think it prudent to give you access to that kind of power?”
“I don’t think you have that option, Senator.”
Both men stared at each other, having reached a stalemate. A tap on the port heralded Jayn’s return with a tray. She set it down on the table between the two men, inclining her head and placing her hand over her heart. Councillor Sendel stilled her retreat as she made to leave the room.
“Pour the tea, Jayn.”
She hesitated, looking uncertainly from one to the other of the men seated in stony silence. The atmosphere was unpleasant, and they continued to glare at each other with the watchful eyes of predators, thinly disguised beneath a brittle overlay of pleasantness. The air was thick with menace and unspoken threats. Philip saw Jayn shiver out of the corner of his eye. No doubt she was wishing she could withdraw, but obediently she began to serve th
e tea.
However, her concentration was shot, and she paused, staring down at the milk she had poured into both cups.
“What’s wrong, Jayn? How did you come to be so thoughtless, you know I never take milk?”
Jayn looked up guiltily, but Sendel’s eyes regarded Philip without wavering.
“Not to worry, Jayn.” For a moment Philip’s gaze shifted and he smiled at her. “I take milk in my tea.”
She gulped and turned back to the tray. Philip was angry that she’d been brought into the argument in the first place. Now at least he knew just how low Sendel would stoop in a fight. Sendel obviously had no qualms about involving innocents in his schemes. He would do whatever it took to win.
Jayn handed out the tea carefully, obviously in a hurry to get out of the oppressive atmosphere. Philip smiled reassuringly at her as he accepted the beverage, and for a moment his warm hand touched hers.
“You can leave, Jayn.”
She inclined her head, placing her hand over her heart, and scurried away closing the port behind her. The room was quiet for a long time after she had left.
“What exactly did Jayn tell you, Senator?” asked Sendel pleasantly.
“That Astra would never have abducted Ben.”
“She’s right: Ladron had far too sure a hold over her. Astra would never have rebelled against him.”
“Then just how do you explain my son’s disappearance?”
Sendel smiled and shook his head.
“Not so fast, Senator. If you want my cooperation you'll have to agree with my terms.”
“And what are your terms, exactly?”
Councillor Sendel paused, drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair.
“When you remove Ladron, I wish to take his place as Councillor over the security forces.”
“And by that, you mean you want me to give you control over the whole Council.”
“A small price to pay for the return of your son, surely?” asked Councillor Sendel, raising an eyebrow. “It is only due to my intervention that Ben is still relatively safe.”
Philip watched the languid craftiness in Sendel’s attitude disdainfully. He reminded him of a cat, toying with a mouse. Philip had no choice, they both knew that. He needed to find Ben, and he needed to know what had happened the day that Ben had disappeared. He would agree to Sendel’s terms, but he would never honour them.
“Very well, Councillor: when Ladron is gone you will take his place.”
Sendel smiled and settled himself more comfortably in his seat. Both men knew that they were lying to each other, that they would use each other in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Neither had any intention of staying true to the agreement, further than the meeting of their own personal goals.
“Where would you like me to start, Senator?”
“At the beginning. What happened to my son?”
“Ah, yes. Poor Ben got a little too close to the truth and so with admirable expedience, Ladron removed him.”
“And what truth did Ben uncover?”
Sendel smiled lazily.
“Why, the truth about Astra being Una of course. You know how much Corbani hates them.”
“He is not alone in his hate, I have noticed,” observed Senator Burton softly. “I don’t see why Astra being Una was such a terrible secret.”
“Because he used Astra to inflame the already delicate tensions between the Una and the Tula. She was treated as a second class citizen. You can have no doubt as to the poor girl’s mistreatment; the lives of her foster-family relied on her complete obedience.”
“Obedience in what?”
“In everything. What ever she was asked to do, no matter how much she didn’t want to do it, she was forced to obey.”
“Are you telling me that she abducted Ben in an act of rebellion?”
“No, Astra would never rebel. Haven’t I told you that already? You really must learn to listen, Senator Burton. The only time that Astra ever rebelled against Ladron, he killed her foster-mother and attempted to kill her youngest foster-sister too.”
“Then what exactly did happen?”
Councillor Sendel paused momentarily in thought.
“I wonder, Senator, if you have had the pleasure of meeting Leda Uel Ne Toban?”
Philip attempted to curb his impatience.
“I have not.”
“Ben did.”
Councillor Sendel stood and strolled to the long window that overlooked the perfectly kept green park.
“Leda, unlike Astra, is incurably rebellious. Her mother’s death and the threat to her sister’s life had quite a stunning effect on her character. Ladron’s action had the unexpected result of emboldening her rather than subduing her spirit. She became determined to flout convention and cause as much trouble as possible.”
“You’re telling me that it was Leda Uel Ne Toban who abducted my son?”
“Not at all. No one planed to abduct your son, Senator. Leda wished to expose Councillor Ladron’s true colours to Ben. I have no doubt that Astra tried very hard to keep them apart, but she proved unsuccessful. Leda introduced herself to Ben at one of the parties at Government Building and gave him her contact number.”
“If Leda was such a threat, why did Ladron invite her?”
Sendel paused, weighing his words carefully.
“The Va Dic Tobans are an old family and have important connections, not only politically but secularly also. To have left them out would have been unthinkable. It would have been a political statement that would have caused trouble. Although Corbani knew that he could subdue any trouble caused, the last thing he wanted was for you to witness unrest against him. He had no wish for such a disturbance when he was hosting the peacekeeping envoy from the Free Nation.”
“Then why not dispose of them before we arrived?”
“Because Astra is too useful a tool. She is Ladron’s poster girl for how the Una would be so much happier if they were forced to take up our way of life. Every time he uses her it infuriates the Una, and that is not something he wanted to lose. In some things Corbani is incurably childish. Astra is his plaything, and he did not see why he should be forced to give her up. He thought that he would be able to keep her on and retain the peace.”
“But he couldn’t keep Leda quiet?”
“Exactly, when he discovered that Leda had spoken to your son, and had given him her contact strip, he told Astra to fix things or he would kill Leda.” Sendel paused. “I understand that you had a little visit from an Una Phantom?”
“That was Astra?”
Sendel nodded and Senator Burton remembered vaguely that Ben had said something about fighting with a girl at the time.
Had Ben known?
Why hadn’t he told him?
“Astra recovered the contact strip but it was too late: Ben had called Leda and made arrangements to visit her the next morning.”
“And Ladron knew?”
“Yes. Everything you did was monitored and reported to Ladron. He would have known not only that Ben had called, but also what had been said. It would have been recorded and saved to the ‘heart’. The search systems on Ladron’s computer would have picked up on it immediately. He decided that the danger surrounding Astra had outweighed the advantages of keeping her around, and so he ordered that they be dealt with.”
“And by that, of course, you mean killed.”
“Of course. He needed them out of the way before the morning, and so he planned to have Ben incapacitated for a while, but he needed it to look like a mistake.”
“So he used Ben’s allergies.”
Councillor Sendel smiled.
“I’m impressed Senator. It seems that great minds do indeed think alike. Ben was provided with biscuits containing nuts along with his morning coffee. Unfortunately his reaction was not as quick as Ladron had hoped it would be. We found a used vial of Veriton, a comprehensive anti-serum, at the Va Dic Toban residence, indicating that Ben was sick when he arrived.”
>
“I don’t understand why the Va Dic Tobans were still alive. I thought you said that Ladron had ordered them dealt with the night before?”
Sendel smiled again.
“The order was given, but somehow it was… delayed.”
“And how did you manage that.”
“With discretion.”
“No doubt the Va Dic Tobans received a warning as well?”
“But of course. A casual word dropped into the ear of someone I knew would be sympathetic to their plight.”
“Ladron must know that you are the one behind everything though.”
“He is suspicious, I don’t doubt, but he doesn’t know for sure. No one but him is supposed to be privy to information from the security sector.”
“But you are.”
“Shall we just say that I am by no means the only person in the Strongholds to have tired of Ladron’s rule. Corbani has stepped on far too many people to get where he is, and they have not forgotten it. Although the indignation of one can do little against the power Corbani wealds, those wronged are a formidable opponent when united.”
Philip fought the urge to shiver.
Jayn was right: Sendel might be different to Ladron, but he was just as evil. Ladron ruled with fear and strength, his power was as relentless and suffocating as a tidal wave. He had an awesome disregard for public opinion and didn’t see the need to hide his nefarious deeds. He flaunted his ability to do whatever he chose as a means of subduing the people.
Sendel was far more insidious. He chose to be subtle and played upon the needs and weaknesses of others, manipulating them until they danced to his tune. He presented himself as a saviour, ready to bring peace, but in reality he was a harbinger of evil. Somehow he had managed to unite those who hated Ladron and organise them into a subversive rebel army.
“Do you know why Jayn is sympathetic to those who wish to remove Ladron, Senator? It’s because Corbani had her husband executed.”
Philip tried to stem the tide of nausea that flooded through him as Sendel continued on in a light tone that made his words even more horrific.
“Drak used to smuggle food into the work camps.”
“Work camps?” repeated Philip hoarsely.
“Oh, how silly of me. You don’t know about the work camps, do you, Senator? I don’t believe they were included on your tour. The work camps are state run penitentiaries for captured prisoners of war and political prisoners. The people taken there are forced to work until they drop dead. I believe the average life expectancy after entering a camp is three months. Drak only managed three weeks; apparently his heart wasn’t up to the strain.”
Philip felt bile rise in his throat, choking him in disgust. Sendel showed no horror, no distaste, but a complacence that bordered on psychotic. He was not recounting the atrocity because it sickened him, but because he knew that Philip would be appalled. Sendel leaned forwards in his chair to place his cup on the table between them, and got to his feet.
“You must forgive me, Senator, but I must leave now. I'm due at Government Building soon, and it really wouldn’t do for me to be late.” He smiled, but the gesture lacked warmth. “Jayn will see to your breakfast, Senator. She is the best cook in the Strongholds; I’ll send her up as I leave.”
Senator Burton got to his feet, extending a hand.
“Thank you for your time, Councillor. Our discussion has been very enlightening.”
“I thought you would think so. If you need to speak with me again, you will always find me here at this time of morning.”
“I'll be sure to remember.”
The port sighed closed behind Councillor Sendel, and Philip sank back into his chair. He felt numb, empty, cold; stuck between a rock and a hard place, with only his wits to keep him alive. At least he knew that Ben was safe and that the Va Dic Tobans had no intention of hurting him. Philip rested his head in his hands. At least, that was if Sendel was telling the truth. Unfortunately, he had no doubt that Sendel would lie through his teeth if it meant the furtherance of his plans.
Sendel couldn’t be trusted any more than Ladron could. They were both obsessed with power, and in the end they were as bad as each other.
“Senator Burton?”
The voice was hesitant, and Philip jumped in surprise as he realised he was not alone. Jayn stood by the open port, a large tray in her hands.
“I’ve brought your breakfast, Senator.”
Philip smiled, trying to camouflage the despair that hung over him. He was not in a position where he could show weakness.
“Thank you, Jayn. I have it on good authority that you’re the best cook in the whole of the Tula Strongholds.”
Jayn shook her head with required modesty, but Philip could see that her thoughts were elsewhere.
“Did you get in trouble with Sendel?” he asked quickly. “I'm sorry if I made things unpleasant for you.”
“Sendel is no fool; he wouldn’t jeopardize everything that he plans with you by punishing me for something so small. He just wanted me to know that he knew what I’d done, that he knows every move I make, so that I remain afraid of him.”
“Are you scared of him?” asked Philip softly.
Jayn placed the tray on the table, and carefully set a place before him.
“I used to be, but now I’m only scared of what he might do to Annis.”
“Annis?”
“My daughter,” answered Jayn, pride infusing her voice with warmth. “She’s fourteen.”
“I see.” Philip looked down at the food before him.
Jayn had been busy, it seemed. A small rack of buttered toast and a pot of marmalade flanked a large plate filled with egg, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and sausages. A side of hash browns and a large stack of pancakes were set out like moons in orbit of a large planet, along with a pot of tea with a twist of lemon.
“It seems your talents weren’t exaggerated.”
Jayn smiled, and two dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks.
“You haven’t tried it yet.”
“Easily remedied,” answered Philip, spearing a hash brown. “Delicious!”
Jayn chuckled giving the Tula salute.
“I'm pleased it meets with your approval, Senator. I'll leave you in peace to enjoy your breakfast.”
“I’d prefer it if you stayed.”
She hesitated, and Philip raised his hand.
“I’d like to ask you some questions. It is of course entirely up to you if you answer them.”
Jayn looked uncertainly toward the door, as though she expected to see security forces ready to drag her away if she agreed.
“Please, Jayn? I need to know the truth, and I feel like you're the only person I can really trust.”
Jayn shook her head wretchedly.
“It isn’t that I don’t want to help you, Senator. It’s just that Annis…” She gulped. “I can’t lose Annis, I just… I can’t.”
Philip nodded understandingly.
“Of course, I’m sorry I asked. Please don’t be upset.” He smiled, gesturing to the food laid out before him. “I’ll feel bad, when you’ve made me such a feast.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jayn bit her lip and left the room, leaving Philip frowning at his breakfast. Despite the appetizing aroma that filled the air, he had no stomach for eating. His mind was filled with all that Sendel had told him, and with all that he had only hinted at. Philip shook his head wearily, and leant his head against the cushioned back of his seat, closing his eyes.
The Tula were so tightly regimented and controlled. They lived in such fear, and those who attempted to free themselves from Ladron's oppression only fell into Sendel’s clutches.
How was he supposed to fight that?
How would he ever find out the truth about Ben if the only people not too scared to talk to him were completely untrustworthy?
The port slid open. Philip opened his eyes, and raised his head slightly to see that Jayn stood on the threshold. Her hand was still
raised, one finger pressed against the touch pad that opened the port. She said nothing, but stared across the room at him, eyes filled with desperation and fear. Philip wasn’t sure how long they remained like that, but finally Jayn stepped into the room. As she settled herself in the seat opposite him, Philip slowly pulled himself upright.
“What would you like to know?” Her voice was soft, and as she spoke her hands twisted anxiously in her lap.
“Are you sure about this?”
Jayn gulped.
“Yes. I don’t want Annis to get hurt, but I can’t just do nothing.” For a second she met his eyes frankly, and he could see pain etched into their depths. “If our places were reversed I would want you to help me as much as you could. So what do you need to know?”
A lump formed in Philip's throat.
“Thank you, Jayn.”
“You’re welcome, Senator.”
For a moment he paused thoughtfully. Perhaps he should start by finding out just how much of what Sendel had told him was true.
“Councillor Sendel said that Ladron had your husband killed.”
Jayn reached out and began to straighten the table between them carefully.
“Drak didn’t agree with the work camps. He said that there was nothing wrong with putting the Una soldiers to work, but that keeping them in squalor was inhuman.”
“Where are the work camps?”
“Further north. Ladron likes to keep them out of general sight, although everyone knows that they exist.” As she spoke, she used a napkin to sweep a few scattered grains of salt from the glass surface of the table. “I doubt that most people know how bad they are though. Drak says that the soldiers are herded in to dormitories little better than sheds. There’s little attempt to make living conditions sanitary, and prisoners are fed just enough to ensure they die slowly, with as much suffering as possible.”
“How did your husband know so much about the camps?”
“Drak lived in a town near one of the camps as a boy. It was the camp that Ladron was in charge of when he was a captain in the security forces, before he became a politician. I don’t know what Drak saw there, but it must have been terrible.” She paused, twisting the silver wedding band on her right hand. “He used to have such horrible dreams. For years he wouldn’t tell me anything about them. He would wake up screaming like a madman, sick with fear, and he would reach out for me, and hold me so tight I could feel him shaking.
“He started smuggling food up to the camps a few years ago, using the chain of restaurants that he had opened up throughout the Strongholds as a network for supply. When Ladron found out, he confiscated the business, everything except this café, and said that as Drak felt such an affinity with those in the camps, he could join them. He was dead within three weeks.”
“And this café is all you have left?”
“Yes.” Jayn’s face twisted bitterly. “This was Ladron’s mercy toward us.”
“I'm sorry.”
“It isn’t your fault,” shrugged Jayn.
“It's my fault you’re having to talk about it.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she hurriedly brushed it away.
“What else do you need to know?”
Philip hesitated. He’d put her through so much already, but there was one more question that he had to find the answer to.
“Is Ben still alive?”
“He was alive when he crossed over into the Una territories. That’s as much as I know for sure. Believe me when I tell you that Astra will look after him in the Una territories and do her best to keep him safe.”
“You seem to know a lot about her.”
“I've known her for a long time. Besides, Annis is friends with Petta.”
“Who is Petta?”
“Astra’s youngest foster-sister.” Jayn’s smile was tinged with sadness. “She’s a real sweetheart despite everything she’s been through.”
She looked up from cleaning the table.
“Weren’t you hungry?”
“I… sorry, Jayn, it really is delicious. I just can’t seem to face it at the moment.”
“Words are cheap, Senator, you really should eat some.” Her voice had taken on a motherly inflection, and he found himself obediently forcing a forkful of bacon and eggs into his mouth.
Jayn smiled approvingly and began spreading marmalade over the toast.
“What happened to Petta?”
The knife in Jayn’s hand wobbled, and she looked up quickly.
“Bella Va Dic Toban died in a car accident. Petta was in the passenger seat.”
Jayn said no more, but Philip understood. He knew enough of Corbani Va Dic Ladron to guess the rest.
Jayn passed him the slice of marmalade on toast and he accepted it, wondering vaguely if this was the wrong time to tell her that he couldn't stand marmalade. Strange really, because Ben loved the stuff.
“Jayn, what are the Una like? Ladron paints them as a volatile mix of tree hugging hippie and terrorist nutter.”
Jayn frowned, and hacked the toast she had just spread with jam in to smaller pieces.
“They’re just people, the same as you and me. It’s just that they choose to live without the technological interference that we do.”
“Then why can’t Ladron’s armies defeat them?”
“What on earth has Ladron been telling you?” She held up a hand. “Wait a minute, I bet I can guess: the Una live in the dark ages; they need to be dragged into the modern world for their own sake, they are a danger to themselves and everyone else… yadie yadie ya.”
Jayn snorted and began to polish the salt pot vigorously.
“That’s what he has everyone here believing, and they’re too scared to have a different opinion.”
“It’s not true?”
“Well, duh.” Jayn rolled her eyes.
“How do you know?”
“Because I know Astra.”
“She may not be like the rest of her people.”
“I very much doubt that she is anything like her people, any more than she is anything like the Tula. She’s told me a lot about her life before she came here, about her family and Una customs. I think she was trying to remember them, trying to keep herself from forgetting. Despite the Va Dic Tobans taking her into their family, she was lonely. There were some things they couldn't share with her. She missed her Una family and the life that she left behind.”
“Just how long have you known Astra?”
“From the first,” answered Jayn. “As an Una, Astra wasn’t allowed to eat with the Tula. The Va Dic Tobans used to take one of these rooms for dinner, so that Astra could eat with them away from disapproving eyes.”
“What was she like?”
Jayn tilted her head to one side.
“She was a scared little thing at first, quiet and anxious. The Strongholds were new and confusing to her and our customs strange. I think that’s why Astra and Leda share such a close bond. Leda made her feel comfortable. She treated her no differently than she treated anyone else, and she explained things to Astra so she would understand what was going on. For the longest time, Leda was Astra’s lifeline… a security blanket. Which was funny because Leda is actually younger than Astra.”
Jayn replaced the now gleaming silver salt seller on the table and picked up the matching pepper pot.
“Leda was always protecting and looking after Astra. She was such a little spitfire, but then I guess she had to be, growing up with two older brothers. Astra would have been trampled on if it hadn’t been for Leda standing up for her.”
“That doesn’t sound very much like the Astra I know.”
Jayn’s smile vanished.
“The innocence of childhood never lasts long, but Astra’s was particularly short. She was a quiet child, always conscious of the fact that she was different, and that her position was precarious. Leda would impetuously barge straight into trouble, it was always Astra who was left to make peace, and calm the situation back down. When Bella
Va Dic Toban died it was different. Astra changed.”
“Bella Va Dic Toban? You mean the mother?”
“Did Sendel tell you how she died?”
“He said that Ladron had her killed.”
Jayn’s face twisted bitterly.
“I suppose he left out the fact that it was one of the lorries from his factories that ploughed into her car?”
Philip looked up to see that Jayn’s fingers had stopped polishing, and her eyes were fixed grimly on his.
“You mean…”
“Ladron wanted her killed and Sendel was only too pleased to facilitate… provided, of course, that he got something in return.”
“And what did he get in return?”
“A second term in office.”
Philip put down his knife and fork, and pushed the tray away from him. The savoury aromas filling the air made the nausea brought on by her words worse, and he found himself fighting to keep the food in his stomach. Jayn passed him a glass of water and took the tray away, setting it on the sideboard at the other side of the room.
“How do you know that, Jayn?”
“I’ve been around too long, and Sendel uses my café as a base for his subversive meetings. I know a lot of people, and I make it my business to know as much as I can. You never know when having dirt on someone will come in useful. If there is one thing I’ve learnt from my dealings with Ladron and Sendel, it’s that you can’t trust them to resist stabbing you in the back.” She paused. “I don’t intend to give them the opportunity.”
Her words hung heavy in the silence.
“Jayn, I need to find my son, and neither Ladron nor Sendel are going to want that to happen. I need you to help me, Jayn.”
She regarded him seriously from dark brown eyes that spoke both of fear and hope.
“Then you need to realise one thing: you can’t trust anyone.”
“Of course.”
Jayn shook her head.
“No, you don’t understand. You can’t trust anyone, not even me. When it comes to it, if I have to decide between you and Annis, I will betray you.”
