by Ryan McCall
Magnets were well-known for disrupting magic. A mage trying to communicate to the guards would not have been heard. There were theories about the conflicting nature of magic and electromagnetic energy. But their disruptive nature to each other made it difficult to study.
There was on old story that floated among assassins. The tale went that there was a conceiver who worked for the Arm many years ago. Conceivers were specialized Arm members that focused on obtaining or creating the best weapons for assassins. This conceiver was the best, at least of his time.
He had the most inventive mind the Arm had ever seen but he was not satisfied. He wanted to create something that was radically different than anything ever before. His idea was to create a device to kill mages, one that they would be unable to detect. He had gathered the most powerful magnets he could find and had one of the Arm’s mage assassins assist him.
No one knows what happened in his lab, but the result was catastrophic. The entire building had exploded in black and red fire, killing everyone inside. Those investigating the aftermath reported that the shadows of those killed were marked on the walls, right where they had been standing at the moment of the explosion.
The building had been pulled down and no one ever tried to experiment with magnets and magic again. To this day, the Arm forbid magnets to be allowed in properties that held magical artifacts or spell books, under pain of death.
“No problems?” asked Ral. Through the gap in his hood, she could see his eyes looking at her carefully.
“No. It was a clean shot straight through his head. I left the gun as you said.”
“And if the watch and imperial security investigate enough, it will lead them back to a war hawk general in Cair Rathais province.”
Lucina nodded. She obviously didn’t know the reason behind the assassination but it wasn’t hard to guess. Someone wanted to push Alkos and Galria into war or at least accelerate the tension between them. The Circle must have thought war would be beneficial somehow, so they had accepted the contract
Ral’s ruby colored eyes studied her face.
“Hadn’t we best leave?” she asked. Though they were outside the university campus, a patrol could come by at any moment.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Ral’s tone was menacing. She should have known better than to try and leave something out. Ral had a knack for detecting lies.
“It’s nothing,” she said. She took a few steps to the side, trying to get him to move, but he stood in place.
He shook his head. “No, it’s not that easy and you know it. We are not moving from this spot until I know everything. What have you neglected to tell me?”
Lucina’s mouth tightened and she clenched her teeth. She could make up another lie, something similar to the truth, but there was the risk that he would detect that as well. If he knew the truth he would insist that she kill her brother and his friend; the Arm never left witnesses.
But that was the one thing she could not do. When she realized that, she made her decision. There was nothing else for it. Her life as an assassin was a steep price, but if it meant having her brother back, she was willing to pay it.
“Fine,” she said and stepped towards him. If she was fast enough, he wouldn’t have time to defend himself. Ral crossed his arms and looked at her, waiting to her what she had to say.
She sprung forward suddenly, pulling out her dagger and thrusting it towards his neck. One clean cut to his jugular was all she needed. He reacted far faster than she expected, twisting to avoid her blade and taking a cut along the outside of his left arm. Her blow off course, she stopped her movement and stepped back quickly.
Ral turned back around, twin daggers already in his hands. He came at her in a whir, and she parried his blows while he drove her back. Their blades sang out as they connected, metal clashing with metal. She was skilled with a blade, but he was a master.
He continued to push her back, his eyes looking at her with a mix of irritation and curiosity. She felt his daggers nick her left hand. She hissed slightly at the pain, but the cuts didn’t feel deep. There was no way she would beat him like this.
She flicked her hand and her blood flew into his eyes, blinding him momentarily. He cursed in Talfey and paused. He wiped his eyes into his sleeve, both of his daggers still pointed at her.
“What are doing? You know the penalty for turning against the Arm. There will be no forgiveness, no mercy,” he said.
“You tell me nothing I don’t already know,” she replied.
Continuing to fight him by matching blades was a losing prospect. As an elf he had more than century of experience over her. She had one more weapon she could use, but she would have to get in close. She put her left hand into her side pocket and felt the device.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked. His daggers slashed towards her face and she knocked them aside, feeling her arms begin to tire.
“I have my reasons,” she replied, but she wasn’t about to tell him. If she didn’t survive, he would certainly kill Rius. He hadn’t noticed her palm the device. “I can only say that I am sorry. But I had no other choice.”
“Spare me your apologies. You’re a master assassin of the Arm, you should be beyond such matters.” He came at her again, faster than he had before. This time she focused on purely dodging his blades, instead of trying to score a hit. It worked and Ral became frustrated at his inability to hit her. He slashed both of his daggers down in one furious blow and she barely managed to avoid it. But now he had opened himself up.
Lucina opened her left palm and slammed it onto his shoulder, depressing the small trigger with her thumb. There was a crack and a spark and Ral suddenly shook and convulsed. His weapons fell to the ground. He collapsed on the cobbled street, his body still twitching slightly.
Lucina turned him over. He couldn’t move, though his eyes remained open. He made a choked sound and Lucina guessed he was trying to speak. She showed him what was in her palm. It was a small circle of metal, with wires running to a trigger. Ral looked up at her. The fight and fury left his eyes and to be replaced with acceptance of his defeat. Every assassin had to prepare themselves for a moment like this.
She lowered her dagger and slit his throat. As his blood pooled, she took everything in his pockets. She didn’t know what he was carrying that could link to her and wasn’t willing to risk the watch finding anything. The Arm had given her everything. But today she had found something she thought had been lost forever. And she was willing to betray everything she had ever known to keep it.
Chapter 32
“Three weeks,” said Lawrence. “It’s been three entire weeks and we don’t have anything solid about who could have done this?”
He was sitting on his chair at the Imperial Council table. The other members seated at the table were Minister-General Sanya Kodiak, Minster of Security Austin Blake, Minister of Foreign Relations Siobhan Mason, Director of Imperial Intelligence Nolan Talmach, Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army Airic Marnoch, Alkos City Watch Commander James McLeod and Chief Scepter Shonna Ciar.
“Well I’m waiting?” he asked again. “Do we have anything, Commander McLeod?”
The watch commander was a tall, dark-haired man. His dark blue suit made him look like a businessman.
“No, Your Imperial Majesty, there’s nothing new. General Ferguson still insists that he had nothing to do with it.” General Hamish Ferguson, was a well-known hard-liner in the imperial army who for many years had advocated war against Galria. “We can neither confirm nor deny his involvement. The body of the elf found near the university has yet to be identified, but we don’t believe it’s related.”
“You’re seriously trying to tell us that at the exact time the Galrian foreign minister was killed on our soil, a mugging happened to take place, less than fifty meters away from the university?” asked Sanya.
“There is no evidence they are linked,” replied James.
“There’s also no such thing as coincidence. I
thought that was a phrase from your watch,” chided Sanya.
“That’s enough,” said Lawrence, interjecting before another argument erupted. The situation had everyone on edge. There was only one week before the deadline was up for their response to Galria. The day after Rossiv's assassination a telegram had come from Urdov, demanding the apprehension of the assassin within one month.
If Alkos failed to hand over the party responsible, Galria had pledged to take measures on their own to ensure their security. Whether that meant war or not, no one could tell, but all the garrisons on the southern border were at full defensive alert.
“Commander McLeod, I think it’s time the investigation had a fresh set of eyes. Your people have done an admirable job, but we are running out of time.” The watch commander dropped his head, but he didn’t say anything in response.
“Director Talmach,” Lawrence addressed the man sitting to James’ left. The spymaster had said little throughout the meeting. He was well-known for his silent observance. He had light brown hair, which he kept closely shaved and wore a set of glasses that lent his face a sharp intelligence.
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?” Nolan’s voice was soft and light, though the man himself was anything but that description.
“You have intelligence investigators do you not?”
“Of course, Your Imperial Majesty. They are traditionally used for internal issues within my department, but they are experts nonetheless.”
“Good. I want you to assign your best people to investigate this assassination. They have a free hand for anything they need. Commander McLeod’s people will hand over everything to you.”
Nolan nodded and looked over at James. The watch commander frowned but nodded in agreement.
Then Austin Blake spoke up, “Your Imperial Majesty, if I may, this is most unorthodox. Imperial Intelligence’s role is to deal with external matters. This is an internal matter and as your minister of security it comes under my department.”
Lawrence wasn’t surprised that Austin wanted to control the investigation. “This is an unorthodox situation Minister Blake. The Custody Department is not prepared for an investigation of this nature.”
The Alkos Custody Department, was the ministry of security’s largest organization, with jurisdiction across the entire empire. “I need the investigation to proceed with discretion. Something which Imperial Intelligence excels in.”
Austin looked ready to say something else, but he smiled. “Of course. It is your decision, Your Imperial Majesty.”
Lawrence relaxed. He was not in a mood for Austin’s resistance right now. “Now, Director Talmach, do you have any more developments for us with regards to Galria’s current operations?”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. The Galrians have moved two more divisions to the border forts. That makes six in total. King Cyrus has had several meetings with the Zefey and Silunder ambassadors.”
“We knew that would happen. Galria is shoring up its friends and possible allies,” replied Lawrence.
“It’s bluster,” said Sanya. “The Galrians make a big show and beat their chests. As long as we give them what they want, they’ll calm down.”
“You think so?” said General Marnoch. “We’ve all heard the tales of Cyrus the Paranoid. He’ll be jabbering in his throne room that all of Alkos is coming after him personally. He’ll have the entire Urdov court in an uproar, baying for our blood. We need to prepare for the worst.”
He turned to address Lawrence, “Your Imperial Majesty, I can have one third of the Imperial Army at the border within a week, but we need to move now.”
“And when the Galrians find out we’re moving so many troops to the border, how do you think they’ll react, or do you think we’re the only nation that employs spies?” snapped Sanya “For all we know it could confirm their fears that the assassination was a plot and we’re getting ready to declare war.”
Lawrence saw the logic in both of their arguments. He couldn’t do nothing, but neither could he risk antagonizing Galria by acting too aggressively. “General, recall what troops you require from Naikos and Hidan, but do not make moves toward the border. We have adequate defenses for now. Minister Mason?” The young foreign minister met his eyes. “Send a telegram to your Galrian counterpart, tell him I want to have a meeting in Sethain.”
“I don’t think he’ll be willing to come himself, Your Imperial Majesty. Not right after his predecessor was killed on our soil,” she replied.
“I don’t care who he sends in his stead. As long as I can talk to someone who represents him. Set the meeting up for the final day of the Galrian ultimatum.”
“Your Imperial Majesty? You seriously plan to travel to Sethain at a time like this. Is that wise?” asked Sanya.
“I’m not a child Sanya. I’ll be surrounded by soldiers and bodyguards. And I do know how to fight myself if it should come to it.” Lawrence had served in the Imperial Army in his late teen years during the early Naikos campaigns.
Shonna Ciar spoke up next, “Your Imperial Majesty, if you do insist on going, then at least take several Scepters with you.” Her curly black hair was greying and shook lightly as she talked.
“No. The Scepters need to coordinate with the Imperial Army. I have my Imperial Guard if anything goes wrong. Director Talmach, I will be leaving in two days. I hope that by the time I arrive in Sethain, you’ll have something I can take to the Galrian envoy.”
“My agents will do everything they can to determine the culprit and motive behind this crime. I will keep you updated with every new lead they receive, Your Imperial Majesty.”
An hour after the meeting concluded, Lawrence stood outside the doors of Queen Clara. Her guards knocked on the door and one said, “Emperor Lawrence to see the queen.”
Ursa opened the door. “Your Imperial Majesty,” she said and bowed then stepped back to let him enter.
Even dressed in simple gown, Clara still looked stunning. His heart skipped a beat, but he pushed his feelings aside. He had come here for something else.
“Emperor,” she said in her sweet voice. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“General, may I have a moment alone with your queen?” The general raised her eyebrows but acquiesced.
“Of course, Your Imperial Majesty.” She stepped into the corridor and shut the door.
Lawrence approached Clara and caught the scent of her vanilla hair. “I have something for you.”
“Lawrence,” she sighed. “I thought we already settled this.”
He shook his head. “No, no, it’s not a gift of that nature. It’s something different.” He handed her two envelopes, both with his seal.
She took them and asked, “What are these?”
“As you’re all too aware my nation is guilty of allowing a heinous crime to take place in our capital. Alkos could be at war soon, in fact I feel that there is little we can do to prevent it. This war will be different, every nation of Maceon has taken sides with either us or Galria. It will tear the continent apart.
In two days I will be travelling south, I will either have good news to tell the Galrian envoy or I will have to use every bit of politeness and diplomacy I have to prevent a war. The one upside to war is that I will have far more freedom to use the Imperial Treasury. If war breaks out, you need to immediately take the top envelope to the Arketh Commerce Bank.”
Clara looked at the envelope, it had the name of the director of the bank, Perriman Adair.
“That will instruct them to make payment to the account I have directed. Then take the second envelope to the Red Knights.” The Red Knight sigil was on the other envelope.
“Hector Cicero will give you a mercenary army of forty thousand soldiers, for a one year contract, with an option to extend it for an additional year. He’s a rough man, but he runs the largest and most well-trained mercenary army in the empire. He will help you re-take your kingdom.”
She looked up at him, her eyes full of gratitude. “Lawrence, there
’s been so much resistance from your own government about getting involved in Estara, if you do this-,”
“Anyone in my cabinet who complains about this, will find themselves in front of my throne. They’ll have to give me a damn good reason why I shouldn’t strip them of their position and wealth. As I said, war does have small upsides. Take back the throne you deserve my sweet queen. If I cannot have your hand, then I can at least do this for you.”
She dropped the envelopes, rushed forward and kissed him hard. He returned the kiss in full. By the time she stopped he was breathless.
“Thank you. This means everything to me,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.
“If I’d had my way this would have been done years ago. I’m only sorry it has taken this long.” It was true, Lawrence had slowly been pushing for a restoration of the Estaran monarchy throughout his reign.
“So you’ll be heading south. Is that wise, if Galria plans to attack?” she asked.
“I cannot ask my own soldiers to go where I will not. I am hoping both my own people and the Galrians see it as gesture.”
“And you only have two more days here in the city?”
“Yes,” he replied. He was not sure where she was going with this.
She pulled him in close and whispered in his ear, “Then we had best make use of the time. Wait for me after nine o’clock tonight, I’ll meet you at your chambers.”
He pulled back, surprised but glad. “But you, we…,”
“We’ll both be leading our nations to war. To hells with what is proper. We can’t be joined, but let’s at least have the pleasure of one night together.”
He tried to speak, but she put a finger on his lips. “No, don’t say anything else. I’m sure you have many other duties to attend to. I will see you tonight, where I can thank you properly.”
Lawrence nodded, he couldn’t help but grin. He walked back and stepped out of the room. He was still smiling, but he had managed to control it enough so Clara’s general wouldn’t notice.
