“How will we know when someone finds her?” Oren asked.
“Kaida said something about little orbs that warm up to alert the others?”
Reeve nodded. “We used the same thing when we went to the Halls of Reflection.”
“Good. We’ll need to discuss a few smaller details, but we won’t know more until we get there. We’ll leave tonight, when the sight of a dragon isn’t as likely to panic everyone who happens to look up. If we arrive on Kaethe at night, they might not even realise we’re there.”
“We’ll be ready,” Lon said.
“I know.” He hoped it was enough. He hoped they were enough. “Oren, I know you want to come with us, but I need someone from the old team to stay here and keep an eye on things. You know what to tell Commander Dryden if we don’t return?”
Oren nodded. “Yes.”
Cale felt a little better knowing that at least one of his Sparrows was safe in the White City. “Ludo, I want to talk to you before you get your things. You, too, Desma. Wait outside, I’ll call you in.
Reeve and Ludo passed a look, but neither man argued. Desma grimaced but followed everyone else out, leaving Cale alone with the man who’d almost killed Rachael.
Cale trusted Reeve’s opinion. That didn’t mean he couldn’t get a few answers himself.
Chapter Fourteen
“Thank you for not telling everyone about…” Ludo struggled, and Cale gestured for him to sit. “What I almost did. I appreciate it.”
Cale nodded. “I wanted to hear from you before making my judgement. Reeve trusts you and I trust him, but I still need answers.”
Ludo shrank into his chair but didn’t argue. This was uncomfortable for him, and Cale decided to make it quick. They both had preparations to make.
“Tell me what happened.”
“At what point? In Paranossa, or before that?”
“When Arnost Lis first hired you. I agree with Rachael; you don’t seem like an assassin.” Of course, that didn’t mean much. Anyone could be an assassin for the right prize, as Ludo had almost proven. Cale thought about what Rachael had told him that night. Would Ludo really have killed her, or would he have run at the last second? Cale was grateful they hadn’t found out the hard way.
Ludo smirked. “Because I don’t hide in shadows and don’t strike quickly?”
Cale shrugged. “In part. How did you meet him? Did you go to him for work?” He couldn’t imagine the ambassador had openly sought assassins to kill Rachael. Tramura was as anti-magic as anyone could be, but public recruitment would have been an invitation for war.
Ludo sighed. “Not quite.” Ludo was a tall man, but in that moment, he looked like he could have disappeared inside the chair had he been desperate enough. “Lis found me. At the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“He’s bribing you?”
Ludo didn’t look at him. “You could say that.”
“I need you to give me more than that. I want to trust you, but I can’t do it on barely any information. Perhaps if you start by telling me what you told Reeve?”
Ludo looked up, a tired smile on his lips. “I didn’t tell Reeve everything. He knows I got unlucky. He knows I want to see Lis dead as much as anyone here. That’s it.”
“If you’re innocent, why is it so hard for you to talk about it?”
In Cale’s experience, innocent people couldn’t wait to tell everyone how they hadn’t committed whatever crime they stood accused of. Only the guilty stalled for time. And yet, he couldn’t get himself to believe that Ludo was guilty.
“Lis… threatened my family. I don’t have much back in Grozma. My da died ten years back, and my sister died of a fever when I was five. I only have my mother, and she’s sick.”
Cale didn’t want to interrupt, but he was worried Ludo would stop talking again if he didn’t nudge him. “Sick?”
“Treatment is expensive. The day Lis found me, I was on my way to the bank. Money was tight after my da died; we needed a loan to pay for her medication. There are no gifted healers in Tramura, and I couldn’t take her to another country to be healed by one, either. The Tramuran guards would have followed us, killed the healer for being gifted, and killed my mother for having been healed by the gift. Do you have any idea what it’s like over there?”
“I have an inkling.” He still sometimes wondered how different things might have been if Tramuran soldiers hadn’t tracked down his parents to their farm and killed them. So much blood spilled, just because his grandfather had had the gift.
“Then you know a loan was my only choice.”
“I take it you never made it to the bank?”
Ludo exhaled long and deep. “I knew a shortcut. I found a body on the way, and shortly after that Lis found me. I knew I was in a bad situation, but I never—” He sighed. “Lis said he’d have me thrown into prison for murder. I said I had nothing to do with her death, that I couldn’t go to prison because of my mother. He saw his chance and took it.”
“So, he asked you to kill Rachael in exchange for what? Freedom?”
“Freedom. All the medication my mother needs. He promised a lot of money, Cale. I don’t know how long she has, but she’ll die if no one treats her. Because of this assignment, I haven’t been back in a while. For all I know, she’s already—” Ludo’s breath hitched, and he took a moment to collect himself. “I couldn’t go to prison. I figured I could come here, sneak back home, get my mother, and maybe we could hide somewhere. But Lis came with me. Demanded reports.”
“And if you hadn’t agreed to his terms?”
“He’d speed up my mother’s sickness. He never said how, but I can guess.”
Cale understood wanting to keep his family safe. “What did you tell him in your reports?”
“Lies, mostly. When he demanded details, I told him I didn’t know, that you didn’t trust me enough to discuss your next steps with me.”
“How did you stay in touch?” Ludo couldn’t have sent carrier pigeons or messengers without Cale noticing. Even if he had somehow eluded Cale, they wouldn’t have been fast enough.
Ludo pulled out a small object from his trouser pocket, barely larger than a coin. “For someone who despises magic, he sure likes using it when it helps him.”
Cale took the coin from Ludo, inspected it from every angle. It was unremarkable in every way. He wouldn’t have looked twice at it.
“Does he still demand updates now?”
“No. I think he’s given up on me.”
“And your mother?”
Ludo looked away. “If the illness hasn’t got to her yet, I doubt Lis has the time. It sounds like he’s busy destroying the world from Kaethe.”
“Why don’t you want Reeve to know?” Cale was surprised Reeve didn’t know more than him. His two Sparrows seemed close. Cale had figured if Ludo confided in anyone it would be Reeve.
“I don’t know. Reeve isn’t someone who tolerates weakness, and this deal wasn’t my strongest moment.”
Cale smiled. “It’s not a weakness to care about your family. We’re all prepared to protect one another, aren’t we?”
Ludo looked far away, a wistful smile speaking volumes of the things he never had. “I wish I had a family like yours. There are so many of you, and you all look out for one another. You all care.” His smile grew fonder. “Reeve hides it well though.”
Cale laughed. Reeve had that reputation. He was glad Ludo had seen the Reeve beyond that.
“If you’re willing to protect Rachael, we could still be your family.”
Ludo’s head perked up. “You mean, be a Sparrow?”
Cale nodded. “A real one this time. Our plan to save Rachael is risky. I need good people.”
Ludo grinned. “Are there vows?”
“No time.” Cale eyed the coin Ludo had given him. “But there is something you can do.”
“And what’s that?”
He handed it back to Ludo. “Send Desma in, please. And tell Lis we’re coming.”
&
nbsp; Commander Dryden didn’t leave his office lest he miss Cale. Fortunately, the prison was quiet these days. When Commander Videl had been in charge, he’d brought in every other person for sneezing the wrong way, but their cells held actual criminals now thanks to Rachael’s new rule. He feared they’d fill up again if an uprising was coming. If the protesters stuck to words, they’d do enough damage, but he worried they’d turn violent without change or answers.
But Cale was back now, if only for a short while, and Commander Dryden was desperate for answers—anything he could give them to keep the peace.
His nerves were ragged. It had been two hours since Cale had promised to speak to him. The Sparrows came first, Commander Dryden wouldn’t argue that, but he’d hoped to have Cale in his office sooner. What if something had come up that forced Cale away immediately? But Cale would have sent word. Rachael was their priority, but Cale still wouldn’t go back on a promise without an apology and an explanation.
Still, Commander Dryden couldn’t help feeling a strain on his nerves. The people needed answers—he needed answers—and only Cale had those.
If Cale still wasn’t here within the next hour, he’d go looking for him. With any luck, Cale would still be with his Sparrows.
A knock came at his door, and Commander Dryden straightened. “Come in.” He sighed with relief when Cale stepped inside, and pointed at the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
Cale did. “That bad?”
“I fear it’ll get worse. Tell me you have news? Rifarne needs to hear that Rachael is alive and on her way home.”
“Well, about that,” Cale said. Commander Dryden’s heart dropped. “The Mothers have kidnapped her, but we know where she is. Or we think we do. My Sparrows and I are leaving for Kaethe as soon as we can to rescue her and bring her home.”
“That’s not what I hoped you’d say.” Still, the last time Cale had seen her, Rachael was alive; it was better than nothing.
“Lon told me that there’ve been a few small incidents?”
“There have. It’s nothing serious yet, but I trust you know how much work resistance fighters can do from the shadows?”
Cale grimaced. “I do indeed. Do you think it’s progressed that far?”
“Not yet, but I worry what’ll happen if it goes unchecked. We don’t know who’s behind the unrest if there’s anyone at all, and my men can’t track like yours.”
Cale thought for a moment. “You have my permission to use the Sparrows however you need. We hope to have Rachael back home within the week, but until then, tell them that she has taken the fight to the Mothers. She’s alive and she’s fighting back. Enough people saw me arrive that the news should have spread by now. No one will question it if you tell them you heard it from me.”
“Tell them the truth—that I came to take Rachael’s private army to her and hurried back to her side. If we can defeat the Mothers on Kaethe, the White City won’t have to suffer another attack.”
Commander Dryden nodded. “If I can spare anyone to go with you and support you, say the word and my men are yours.”
Cale raised an eyebrow, but the creases in his forehead made it look uneasy. “How are your men with dragons? We’ll be flying back on one.”
He gulped. “It’s true, then? The dragon is on our side?”
“I think so.” Cale slumped back in his chair. “Would you believe me if I said that Kaida is the dragon?”
He stared at Cale. “I didn’t expect that. But that’s good, isn’t it? Mist Women are powerful enough for small armies, but a Mist Woman who’s also a dragon has to have some uses in this war.”
“That’s what I hope too,” Cale said. “Kaida is co-operating and has already asked one of her sisters to get a message to Reeve. That’s why he’s here and not still in Paranossa.”
Hope blossomed in him. “I had hoped to have Rachael back on her throne, but I’ll take Mist Women, a dragon, and your assurance that she’s alive and fighting. It’ll do the people a lot of good to hear it.” It did him a lot of good too. “What can I do?”
“What you have been doing,” Cale said. “Keep an eye on that possible resistance too. Lon can give you our best tracker, he knows them better than I do right now.” Regret ghosted across Cale’s eyes. “And keep an eye on Kleon as well. I wish I had the time to get to know him more myself, but I’ll trust you to do it for me. I’ve left him in charge of the Sparrows until I return, but he’s struggling to fit in. I expect the Sparrows will struggle to accept a Tramuran in the lead.”
“Then why did you put him in charge?”
More pain filled Cale’s eyes. This time, it didn’t go away. “Because I need to be with Rachael, Kiana is missing, and while Lon would be my next choice, he doesn’t want to lead. We’ve had that conversation several times, and besides, he’s coming with me. I trust Oren, but he’s not a natural leader. Kleon, however, is used to leading an army, and he’s Rachael’s brother. We’re nothing if not a family.”
Hope spread through Commander Dryden. “Then the people will be relieved to hear her blood is still in the city. I can use that.”
“It’ll buy you time. I hope you won’t need much.”
Commander Dryden clasped his fist to his chest. “Is there anything more I can give you?”
Cale stood. “Not right now. Work with Kleon and keep the peace as long as you can. We’ll be back soon.”
Commander Dryden stood, too, and shook his hand. “The city will be ready for our queen’s return.”
Cale nodded and left. Commander Dryden sank back into his chair. Cale had given him more than enough to work with, and Rachael would be home soon. Just a little longer.
He’d keep the city safe until then.
Chapter Fifteen
Kiana lay on the cold stone floor, wrists and ankles sore from her restraints. The Mothers hadn’t shackled her again per Cephy’s orders. The girl wanted Kiana rested. Kiana dreaded what for.
She’d been desperate to be out of her binds, but being able to move didn’t give her any more freedoms. She didn’t have the energy to move, but every bone, every muscle, hurt like she was straining them regardless. Even if she’d had the strength, her door was locked and there were no windows. The ceiling was solid, and no amount of digging would get her through the floor.
But she could think again. That was all she needed right now.
Although, her daggers would have been nice once her strength returned. Kiana missed them like a mother missed her children. Or at least she thought so; she didn’t have kids, so she could only guess.
Kiana spread out her arms and legs and stretched. She sucked in a breath when it set her muscles on fire, but she’d make herself endure it. It was a reminder of what awaited her if she didn’t get out—of what awaited Rachael. More importantly, it reminded her that she was alive. Her side hurt where the demons had cut her and her stomach burnt worse than her muscles from Cephy’s knife, but the demons had healed her a little bit. The wounds were still there, but she wasn’t losing blood. Small mercies and all that.
Rachael was here, maybe only a door away from her. Maybe this impenetrable wall Kiana had cursed so many times for being impenetrable was the only barrier between them. Kiana had to get to her, but unless she’d missed something, there was no way out.
Her eyes wandered across the darkness of her room. No torches, no iron wall sconces. Just pebbles and a few small rocks.
If she had her lockpicks, she could have tried to open the door, but Arnost Lis had searched her thoroughly. Although…
She tentatively felt through her hair. It was thick and long and hair; Arnost Lis would never have thought to search it. She couldn’t exactly hide a knife in there.
But she did hide cheap hair pins.
She never tied her hair back because it would give her a disadvantage in a fight—one ponytail was much easier to grab than a thousand loose strands—but sometimes, she pinned it back to see better. Her hair was untamed. Sometimes, it got in her ey
es. She always kept a pin or two for emergencies.
The pin wasn’t the best material, but Kiana wasn’t after perfection. It only needed to get her out of this room, maybe a few others, and then it could break for all she cared. She wasn’t a highborn fashionable lady who craved the latest trends. If this pin was strong enough to hold her hair back during a fight, it could do anything.
It was also too thick.
Kiana needed to whittle it down—carefully, so it remained smooth and didn’t break—but her room was far from a blacksmith’s workshop. She picked up a small rock. The result wouldn’t be excellent, but she had little choice. If she got lucky, it only needed to get her out of her prison. If she could find a storage room or surprise Arnost Lis, maybe she could get keys. She’d worry about the demons likely stalking the corridors once she got that far. One problem at a time.
Her luck had abandoned her when the Mothers had taken her. It was about time she claimed it back.
She breathed deep and got to work. Gently, applying as much pressure as she dared, she used the stone to whittle down the pin. Her heart hammered. This was her only hair pin. If this went wrong—if she thinned it too much or broke it in two—she’d be back to zero.
A key turned in her prison’s lock.
Her heart stopped.
She threw the rock away and shoved the pin back into her hair. If any god existed and looked out for her, despite years of devout atheism, he’d make sure that pin stayed where she’d put it. She didn’t have time to secure it properly, and she’d already worn it down a little.
At least she hadn’t snapped the bone clasp yet. It would never stay in if she had.
Her door opened, and two Mothers entered. She didn’t bother hiding how nervous she was; she was a prisoner after all.
“What do you want now? Does Cephy want to hurt me some more? All for the greater evil, am I right?”
As always, the Mothers remained silent.
Arnost Lis walked in behind them. Her heart dropped. His timing couldn’t have been worse. The Mothers were too dumb to know she was up to something, but he… Would he see that the fire had returned to her eyes?
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