The Tainted City

by Courtney Schafer

  “Talmaddis,” I said. “Martennan’s second lieutenant.”

  When the sand circle around me stayed blue, Ruslan smiled, eager and predatory. Sechaveh’s weathered face turned grim.

  “I will want to hear your proof,” he said. “But first, tell me what you know of my enemy.”

  I repeated everything Pello had said of the killer, down to the tiniest details of dress and mannerisms. How he had powers straight out of a demon tale, yet needed Tainters to fuel them, and had to return often to a source of some kind; of Pello’s visit to that source, and his later attempts to discover its location. I added in Avakra-dan’s tale of the killer’s visit. When I got to the bit about him pouring blood on her contracts, Edon grunted as if I’d confirmed something for him.

  Sechaveh put out a hand to halt me, and asked him, “This means something to you?”

  Eyes still shut, Edon said, “The oldest tales of charm-making claim that mages first learned the practice from demons, who could bind malign magic into the blood of their victims. I also find it curious how closely Pello’s report resembles the Kaithan legends of the origin of the Tainted…the legends speak of bargains made between untalented men and demons that allowed the men to take on the demons’ power. The men soon sickened and died, but children conceived by them retained a shadow of the demons’ talents…”

  “A ridiculous tale.” Ruslan gave Edon a look of withering contempt. “The Taint is merely the result of confluence forces affecting unborn nathahlen while their ikilhia is still coalescing. There are no such things as demons and devils; only the ignorant believe otherwise.”

  I wondered darkly if he was so adamant about it simply because he hated the idea of competition for the spot of Ninavel’s worst nightmare, and smothered a half-hysterical urge to laugh.

  Edon said, “How do you know? I do not mean to suggest the legends are true in every particular. But mysteries yet remain in the world…who is to say that non-human creatures do not exist who can confer their powers upon men? You are the one who insists our enemy bears no mage talent. How else do you explain his abilities?”

  Ruslan made an irritated noise. “There is no need to resort to fanciful creatures. Any hireling mage can bind spells in blood for a nathahlen to use, crude and limited as the method is. As for the killer’s apparent use of the Taint…we know the Alathians possess artifacts whose true use they do not understand; the Watch siphons power from them to fuel Alathia’s wards, content in their ignorance. I think it far more likely that Talmaddis discovered that one of Alathia’s treasures can be used in the manner of a charm, to give an untalented man an augmented version of a Tainted child’s powers. Easy enough for Talmaddis to find a convenient catspaw when so many nathahlen resent mages, jealous of our power.”

  Sechaveh said, “Enough speculation. Our enemy’s exact method is far less important than finding and destroying the source of his power. Attacking the source and not the person would solve the problem his ability to translocate poses, would it not?”

  “Yes,” Ruslan said thoughtfully. “Destroying the source is a far better strategy.”

  “Not even Pello could figure out where the bastard hides,” I said. “You’ll need Talmaddis for that.”

  Sechaveh said, “You are certain Talmaddis is a traitor—that Pello did not lie to you about his Alathian captor?”

  “I have more proof than just Pello’s word.” I related the whole tale of Pello’s snatch and handoff of me to Bren, and my growing suspicion afterward that the embassy harbored a traitor. I told of my chase after Pello, and how Talm had watched the rubble fall on us without trying to cast.

  That wasn’t even all the evidence I had. I’d had plenty of time to think under that rubble. To remember how Bren had died while Talm examined him—Talm had killed Bren right under Marten’s nose, knowing Kiran would take the blame. How Talm had been so insistent ever since we got to Ninavel that Ruslan was the culprit, likely hoping to play on Stevan’s prejudices. Hell, even the damn nightmare-inducing tea Kiran drank back in Tamanath had been his doing. He must’ve seen how terrified Kiran was of going, and thought if he augmented that fear a little, Kiran might refuse and deprive Marten of the leverage he needed to sway Ruslan.

  I spilled it all, and watched Ruslan’s triumph grow with every word I spoke.

  “Are any of the other Alathians at the embassy involved?” Sechaveh asked.

  “Pello thought not—he said he only ever dealt with Talmaddis, and that Talmaddis was always careful to keep his actions hidden from others in the Watch—but he wasn’t certain. One thing I am certain of: Captain Martennan isn’t working against you. He wants to stop the killer, save both Alathia’s wards and Ninavel. Otherwise, he’d never have bothered to bring me and Kiran here.”

  I’d never imagined to hear myself defending Marten. But much as I hated him for his methods, I didn’t doubt his goal…and the last thing I wanted was to leave the fate of the city solely in Ruslan’s hands.

  Ruslan said to Sechaveh, “We should arrest and interrogate all the Alathians, not just Talmaddis. Revoke your sanction! My vow binds me from casting, but Lizaveta can lead your mages in shattering the embassy’s wards and capturing all within. She can break their minds and take every scrap of information they hold…if any of them know where the killer hides, I guarantee you, she will find out.”

  I flinched from an image of Lena, screaming and bloodied. I had to stop this.

  I protested to Sechaveh, “If Lizaveta casts against the embassy, the Alathians will all fight her—and she might be powerful, but Martennan is as cunning as they come. It won’t be quick or easy, no matter what Ruslan says. Even if she wins in the end, the fight would give Talmaddis a chance to run.”

  Ruslan’s face darkened. I hurried on. “You want to be certain of capturing Talmaddis? Then call Martennan and his whole team here without any warning of what you intend. Make up some excuse to keep the other Alathians busy, keep your eye on Talmaddis, and get Martennan aside in a warded room. Let me talk to him, under truth spell if necessary; if we can convince him Talmaddis needs to be questioned, his orders will stop the others from trying to protect Talmaddis when you take him into custody. Then Talmaddis won’t have a chance to escape—and you won’t lose Martennan’s help in the real fight: taking down this bastard who’s trying to destroy everything you’ve built.”

  “An interesting proposition.” Sechaveh studied me, his ringed fingers tapping in sequence on the chair’s stone. “Pello said you were clever in his reports before Simon’s death.”

  “Clever?” Ruslan made the word into a curse. “He merely seeks to preserve the lives of his foreign masters, putting their interests above yours.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about the Alathians’ interests.” This was my chance, and I’d take it. “You think I work for them willingly? Martennan’s just as much a viper as you, Ruslan. But he’s a smart viper. If anybody can figure out how to take down the killer, without destroying all Ninavel in the process, it’s him. This city is my home. My friends are here, everyone I love—I want them safe, and I want the bastard attacking Ninavel to burn.”

  The sand circling me stayed pure, cobalt blue. Sechaveh’s head tilted, new interest dawning in his eyes. A thread of hope snaked through my heart.

  I said, “Lord Sechaveh, Pello once told me you could use someone with my skills. His death left you short a good shadow man. I’d gladly work for you instead of the Alathians, in whatever capacity you want me. If you want to ensure my loyalty…Did Ruslan tell you how the Alathians coerced me into working for them? I wanted the chance to help a Ninavel-born child, the daughter of an old friend—the child Ruslan now holds, and intends to kill as revenge on me. Give your protection to the girl, and to my lover, the outrider Cara ap Denion—and I am your man.”

  Ruslan moved; checked himself. He snapped at Sechaveh, “Shadow men are no scarce resource in this city. This man deserves my revenge after all he has done to turn my apprentice against me.”

 
Sechaveh said coolly, “Yet Kiran remains at your side. Is your control over him so weak that a single untalented man can break it?”

  “Devan na soliin does not act alone, but as Martennan’s tool.” Ruslan fixed me with a direwolf’s burning gaze. “Martennan yet plots to take Kiran from me. Tell me: what is his plan?”

  I said with perfect truth, “I’ve no idea. I don’t even think he has one. He’s already had his use of Kiran in gaining Lord Sechaveh’s sanction. He’s said time and again the investigation is his top priority, the hell with everything else.”

  “But you admit you seek to goad Kiran to rebellion.” Ruslan’s hand had locked tight on the hilt of his belt knife. The murderous look in his eye was all too chilling a reminder that his vow only stopped him from casting against me, not slashing my thoat. I wanted to back away, but I knew better than to brave Edon’s sand circles.

  “All I want is to tell Kiran the truth, and let him make his own choice.” Though after Kiran had handed Melly to Ruslan, I had to wonder: would that choice still be against blood magic?

  “A truth skewed by your own ignorant prejudices.” Ruslan turned to Sechaveh. The fire in his eyes faded, his expression shifting to one of sorrowful, proud entreaty. “You have raised sons. Would you allow a criminal to encourage a child of yours in foolish, youthful resentment of a necessary punishment? To entice him to reject his family, turn his back on a glorious talent, and take a path that leaves him easy prey to enemies?”

  Sechaveh said, “I am not unsympathetic, Ruslan. But Kiran is your responsibility, not mine. Easy enough to find a clever shadow man; harder to find one whose loyalty can be assured.”

  My heart pounded, a prayer to Suliyya echoing in my ears: please, please, please….

  Sechaveh said, “Here is my decision, Devan na soliin: I will take the child into my custody, and order Ruslan to stay his hand from her and your lover while I take your suggestion on how to handle the Alathians. If you can convince Martennan as you say, and Talmaddis is captured and interrogated without a fight—then I will give you the child, renew my order to Ruslan, and take you provisionally into my employ. If the killer is caught and my city’s safety assured, I will consider your provisional period ended, and demand Ruslan swear a full blood oath not to harm the child and Cara ap Denion.”

  Thank the gods, I could work with that. I ignored the sudden uncomfortable memory of Pello shrugging off the murder of children with the claim he’d done worse on Sechaveh’s orders. I’d worry about the future if I made it that far; for now, I snatched at the chance to keep Melly and Cara alive.

  I told Sechaveh, “My loyalty is yours…so long as Ruslan’s vow would also bind both his apprentices and his partner Lizaveta, and ensure they won’t harm Melly or Cara by any means, physical or magical.” I emphasized the “physical” part, keeping a wary eye on Ruslan’s knife hand.

  “I will not vow,” Ruslan said flatly to Sechaveh. “If you bar me from the confluence in response…I am not an enemy you want, old friend.”

  Sechaveh held up a hand. “Wait, Ruslan. I would require you and Lizaveta to vow not to harm them—unless Devan na soliin should make further efforts to turn Kiran against you. In which case I would cast him out from my favor, and revoke all offers of protection.”

  I should’ve guessed I wouldn’t get away with selling only myself. Kiran. Gods. Even after his betrayal tonight, guilt savaged me at the idea of leaving him with Ruslan. But then, maybe it was already too late. Maybe the Kiran who’d been my friend was gone forever, replaced by this new, coldly obedient version.

  Ruslan was silent. Sechaveh said softly, “Come; would you deprive me of a useful tool in this battle we fight for our lives, all for a moment’s fleeting satisfaction?”

  At length, Ruslan said, “I would consider such a vow. Though I would ask the chance for a different revenge, in return. When Talmaddis is captured, I want Lizaveta to conduct the interrogation of him and any other Alathians he implicates.”

  Sechaveh smiled thinly. “I know her skill; I will grant your request, gladly. I warn you, though—if Lizaveta claims to find evidence implicating Alathians other than Talmaddis, I will want it corroborated by my own mages.”

  “Yes,” Ruslan said, without hesitation. The savage anticipation in his eyes turned my stomach.

  Sechaveh clapped his hands once and stood. “Summon Lizaveta, then. She can ward an interrogation chamber and prepare defenses against the Alathians, in case Martennan balks. I will send a message to the embassy the moment she is ready. The sooner we have Talmaddis in hand, the better.” He waved a hand at Edon. “Release him from the spell.”

  Edon knelt and removed the sapphire. The sand faded back into its old greenish color. I stepped out of the circles, gingerly.

  “I want to see Melly,” I said.

  Sechaveh snapped his fingers at a guardsman. “Take him to the child. He may remain with her until the Alathians come.” He surveyed me again, with proprietary satisfaction. “A good bargain, Devan na soliin. I regret the loss of Pello…I own few shadow men that are his equal. But you show some promise.”

  I nodded as steadily as I could, not wanting him to see how I flinched at his talk of ownership. I thought I’d left that behind me when Jylla and I killed Tavian. But Melly and Cara’s lives were worth far more than my freedom.

  * * *

  I paced between walls of blue-veined marble, ignoring the guards bracketing the warded door. They’d taken me from Melly’s side only moments ago, saying the Alathians had come, and I was to wait here for Sechaveh and Martennan. The room was yet another of the tower’s waiting chambers; this one was barren of furniture, though shelves cut into the marble held magelights cupped within bone sculptures carved to look like rose briars.

  Thank Khalmet, I’d found Melly unharmed upon my return from the audience chamber. A silent servant had brought us food—bowls of delicately spiced meats, accompanied by cinnamon-glazed rasheil nuts and goblets of rosewater. The guards had even given me skin-seal and scouring charms, let me scrub the worst of the grime from myself and tend to my wounds. Melly had helped, with deft fingers. Liana made sure all her Tainters knew how to tend injuries, after difficult jobs.

  Afterward, Melly had been droop-eyed and yawning fit to split her jaw. Dawn wasn’t far away; at this hour, she was usually sleeping curled in a heap of her denmates. I was tired too, but nerves kept me as jittery as if I’d eaten a whole jar of Avakra-dan’s beetles.

  Especially now. I had to make Marten believe me. But I’d seen his love for Talm. Even if I spoke under truth spell, would he refuse to hand Talm over for interrogation?

  Footsteps in the hallway outside, and voices. The wards flashed a brilliant blue, and the guards swung the door open.

  Sechaveh strode in. Despite his seamed face and silver hair, he moved with the energy of a far younger man. He murmured to me, “Lizaveta and Edon have the Alathians in hand. Martennan comes now, with Ruslan.”

  Marten entered, talking over his shoulder. “I don’t see why we could not—” He saw me and stopped dead.

  “Dev?” He stared like he thought I might be an illusionist’s charm-vision. “Talm said you were dead…”

  “Strange, isn’t it?” I said. Behind him, the guards shut the door, and Ruslan swept a hand over the wards. “Let me guess. Talm told you he’d seen me and Pello crushed to jelly, that he knew us dead despite Pello’s veiling. He came up with some excuse why he hadn’t saved us…maybe that he tried, but there was too much rubble to stop it all.”

  The dawning wariness in Marten’s eyes told me I’d guessed right. I said, “Talm’s betrayed you, Marten. He watched that rubble bury us without even trying a spell. Before Pello bled out from his injuries, he told me Talm had been working with the mage-killer for months now. It was Talm who caught Pello in Alathia and gave him over to the mage-killer to use.”

  “No.” Marten’s denial was sharp. “Talm would never betray his oaths to the Council. Pello lied to you.”

  “I
’m not just accusing him on Pello’s word,” I said. “After Bren, and Avakra-dan, I suspected you had a traitor at the embassy. I just wasn’t sure who it was…not until Talm stood there without lifting a hand while a wall collapsed on us.”

  Marten turned on Ruslan. “If this is some new scheme of yours against us, I warn you, I will not fall for it. You hold the child Melly’s blood-mark. I know Dev would do anything, say anything, to protect her.”

  Sechaveh said, “Devan na soliin is not lying, Captain. He testified under truth spell—a spell cast by one of my own mages, I might add, and not Ruslan. The spell confirmed all he is telling you.”

  Marten shook his head. “Truth spells confirm only what a man believes to be true. If Ruslan altered his memories, replaced them with false ones—”

  “I could not alter his memories without casting on him and breaking my vow,” Ruslan said.

  “Lizaveta, then!” Marten snapped. “She could cast, and you know it!”

  For an instant, doubt assailed me. How would I know if Lizaveta had fucked with my head? No. If Ruslan had planned this, he’d have set me up to implicate all the Alathians, not just Talm.

  That said, I knew how to be sure—and how I might convince Marten. I just wished the idea didn’t make my skin crawl.

  “Marten. You want to see if anyone’s been in my head? Come look. See for yourself that I’m telling the truth.”

  “Mages of the Watch are forbidden from mind magic without the express permission of the Council,” Marten said tightly.

  Ruslan shifted, sudden fury flaring in his eyes. He’d just realized I’d lied about the Alathians’ supposed binding. I allowed myself a small, humorless grin.

  “Yeah, but Lena told me you can dodge that rule if someone willingly allows you into their mind. So…I’m inviting you, and I swear I say it of my own free will. I want the killer stopped, and you need to understand that Talm is the key to that.”