‘Kinsel Rukanis.’ It wasn’t a question, more a flat statement.
He looked up. Two men, clad darkly, stared at him. Their faces were sober. ‘Yes,’ he replied tentatively.
‘You’re going to do exactly what we tell you,’ one of them said. He spoke softly, but his manner was professional, and threatening.
‘Who are you?’
‘We have the authority of the state. That’s all you need to know.’
‘And we’re not here alone,’ the other man added.
‘Am I being arrested?’
‘You’re to be taken into custody, yes.’
‘On what charge?’
‘This isn’t a debate,’ the first man informed him coldly. ‘Our orders are to take you quietly, if possible. But it makes no difference to us. If you want to be difficult, an awful lot of people here are going to get hurt. It’s your choice.’
Kinsel didn’t doubt he meant it. ‘I understand.’
‘Good. Now you’re going to tell your minders that you have to leave. Don’t make a meal of it. Then we’re going out of here with no fuss. Got that?’
‘Yes.’ He wanted to ask to see Tanalvah and the children, but knew that would be a mistake.
‘Just do as we say,’ the second man told him, ‘and no blood need be shed.’
On the stage, Kutch and Disgleirio joined the women.
‘Have you –’ Quinn began.
‘Yes,’ Serrah said, ‘we see them.’
Tanalvah was growing more distraught. ‘They’re taking him away. Do something!’
‘It isn’t just those two,’ Serrah pointed out. ‘There are others down there.’
At least a dozen similarly dressed men had made their way into the tent.
‘And no doubt they’ll be plenty more about the place,’ Disgleirio reckoned.
‘They can’t do this,’ Tanalvah protested, her eyes welling.
‘They’re government,’ Serrah said, ‘they can do what they damn well please.’
‘Do you think they’re after all of us?’ Kutch wondered, looking troubled.
‘They only seem interested in Kinsel,’ Quinn replied. ‘If this was some kind of general raid we’d know it by now.’
‘Why are you standing here talking?’ Tanalvah demanded. ‘Help him!’
The children were distressed and crying, too. Kutch did his best to comfort them.
‘There are a lot of civilians here, Tan,’ Serrah reminded her, ‘and it’s a good bet those bastards don’t give a damn about them. If we wade in –’
‘If you won’t do something, I will!’ Tanalvah spat.
Serrah grabbed her arm and held on tight. ‘If you move, or scream, or do anything to attract their attention, so help me I’ll knock you down.’ She backed the threat with a clenched fist.
Tanalvah stared at her for a moment. Then she began to break down. ‘Oh gods, it’s my fault. I made him do this. I –’
‘Shut up. Get a hold. This isn’t helping Kinsel. Or the kids.’ She turned to Kutch. ‘You’re going to stick with Lirrin and Teg. You stay with them whatever happens. Right?’ Kutch nodded. ‘As for Kinsel, all we can do for now is find out where they’re taking him.’
‘I’ll do that,’ Quinn offered.
‘All right, but be careful. Go.’
He slipped away.
Down in the tent, Kinsel was leaving, flanked by his two escorts. Their associates followed at a distance, keeping a watch on the crowd.
‘It wasn’t supposed to be like this,’ Tanalvah muttered.
Serrah looked at her. ‘What?’
All she got was another blank stare.
‘We have to get you away from here, Tan. And not back to your place either. Kutch, stay close. Come on, all of you.’
Once his captors had got Kinsel a reasonable distance from the concert area, they stopped. One of them produced a pair of glamoured hand shackles.
‘That won’t be necessary,’ Kinsel promised.
‘Orders,’ the man grunted. He clamped the bracelets on Kinsel’s wrists. They tightened of their own accord, and would stay that way, unbreakable, until the counter spell revoked them.
They resumed walking at a brisk pace, trailed by their accomplices, who amounted to at least a score by now. A number of them went forward to clear the way of curious citizens leaving the park. There were plenty of other people about, and not a few of them recognised Rukanis. But no one felt confident enough to brave his escort and approach him.
Disgleirio followed, hanging well back, trying to look like any other citizen and using the occasional tree for cover.
Kinsel was marched to a road abutting the park. There was a heavy security presence. An assortment of uniformed men and women prowled the area, but the majority were red-jacketed paladins. Curious bystanders were being kept well away.
A small fleet of carriages was parked in the road. The grandest was harnessed to four coal-black steeds, and its windows were blinded. He was taken to it, bundled in and deposited heavily on one of the leather seats. Then the door was slammed. He found himself facing a young man in the uniform of a high-ranking paladin officer. The man favoured him with a triumphant smile.
‘What a pleasure it is to meet you at last,’ Devlor Bastorran said.
13
By the time they got to the nearest safe house there was an air of barely suppressed panic.
Serrah did her best to comfort Tanalvah, leaving Kutch to look after the children more or less on his own. None of them felt secure, and Serrah was at a window or door every few minutes to check on the outside world. There was no sign of Disgleirio.
Within the hour, Caldason arrived.
‘Everybody all right?’ he asked as he slipped in, doffing his hood.
‘Yes. Well, physically.’ Serrah nodded towards Tanalvah, hunched in a chair by the hearth, staring into the yellow-blue flames of a log fire. ‘She’s still in shock. I’d leave her be for now.’
He nodded. ‘And Kutch?’
‘Upstairs with the kids. He’s fine.’
‘What about you?’
‘Me?’
‘How do you feel?’
‘I’m all right, Reeth. What did you expect, that I’d run amok or something?’
‘No. From what I’ve heard you dealt with it in exactly the right way. But just lately you have been a bit …’
‘Unpredictable? Apt to fly off the handle? Like you?’
‘Well …’
They exchanged sheepish smiles.
‘It’s funny, but having to take charge back there kind of centred me. Otherwise … well, maybe my reaction would have been different.’
‘It’s not so strange when you think about it.’
‘Perhaps. Anyway, what do you mean by “from what you’ve heard”?’
‘There were other Resistance people at the concert, and they’ve been spreading the word. I figured out where you’d be.’
‘Do you think Kinsel’s arrest was part of a general clampdown?’
‘There doesn’t seem to be any more activity on the streets than usual. I reckon they were targeting just him.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
‘Where’s Quinn?’
‘I was going to ask if you knew. He was trying to find out where they were taking Kinsel. I hope he hasn’t shared his fate.’
‘He can look after himself.’ He glanced at Tanalvah. She hadn’t moved, and seemed unaware of them. ‘I was with Karr earlier. He’s on his way, taking a roundabout route, same as me.’
‘Good. Reeth, that meld you had a run-in with.’
‘What about it? Her … them …’
‘I think “it” will do. Could it be connected in any way? With Kinsel, I mean.’
‘Can’t see how. I don’t know what the hell that was about.’
‘Yes, could have been anything, I suppose. You’ve made a lot of enemies.’
‘That’s a habit we share.’
She was about to answer when Kutch entered the room.
‘Reeth! Am I glad to see you.’
‘How are the children?’ Serrah asked.
‘Sleeping. What’s happening, Reeth? Are they rounding up everybody in the Resistance?’
‘We don’t think so. But it’s as well to take precautions.’
‘Including abandoning places like this,’ Serrah added, ‘though I’m sure Kinsel didn’t know about this particular house. But we’re going to have to make some big changes to how we operate.’
‘Why?’ Kutch said.
‘Oh, come on, Kutch.’
‘What?’
‘Serrah means that we’ll need to be extra careful now Kinsel’s in their hands,’ Caldason explained, ‘because he’ll be made to talk.’
‘He’d never do that.’
They turned. Tanalvah had lifted her head and was glaring at them, eyes red-rimmed.
‘He wouldn’t do it,’ she repeated. ‘Kinsel wouldn’t betray anyone.’
‘Of course he wouldn’t,’ Serrah agreed, ‘not willingly. How are you feeling, Tan?’
She ignored that. ‘He’s strong. I know he isn’t like you. He’s not a fighter. But he has a … moral strength.’
‘Nobody doubts he has guts,’ Caldason said. ‘Or that he’ll try to hold out.’
‘He won’t inform. He’s too principled for that.’
‘It’s not a question of choice, Tan. Particularly as I think I know who’s –’
Someone rapped a signal on the door.
Hand on sword hilt, Caldason went to the spy-hole, then drew the bolts.
Karr and Disgleirio came in together. The patrician looked white and exhausted.
‘We ran into each other on the way,’ Disgleirio told them.
‘Was anybody hurt?’ Karr wanted to know, sounding short of breath.
‘No,’ Serrah assured him. ‘Shaken, but otherwise all right.’
Karr moved over to Tanalvah. ‘This must be a terrible time for you, my dear.’ He took her hands. ‘We’re going to keep you safe, you and the children. And we’ll do all we can to help your man.’
‘I told Kinsel it doesn’t matter. I said no cause is worth your life.’ She looked up at Karr. ‘I don’t think he believed that. Any more than you do.’
‘I deserve your blame. I should have –’
‘No. If I blame anybody, it’s myself. I was the one who … talked him into giving the concert.’
‘Doling out guilt won’t help Kinsel,’ Serrah announced. ‘What’s important is, what do we know? And what can we do?’
Karr nodded. ‘You’re right. In that respect, Quinn has something to tell us.’
‘Well, it’s short and not so sweet,’ the Righteous Blade man reported. ‘The carriage they put him in went straight to paladin headquarters.’
‘Could we get him out?’ Kutch asked.
‘Maybe if we attacked with an army,’ Caldason allowed, ‘though I doubt it. And the chances of Kinsel still being alive when we got to him are slim.’
That sent them all into a reflective silence.
Disgleirio cut through it. ‘There’s something else. Guess who rode in the carriage with him? Devlor Bastorran.’
‘The young pretender himself,’ Karr mused, ‘and your greatest admirer, Reeth.’
If Caldason appreciated the joke he didn’t show it. ‘How did he look, Quinn?’
‘I only caught a glimpse of him. There was no sign of bandages or dressings, and his leg was out of plaster. He walked a little stiffly, but looked hale apart from that.’
‘So, the paladins were behind this,’ Karr concluded. ‘Or at least the younger Bastorran.’
‘It might not be that simple,’ Serrah said. ‘I think at least some of the men who arrested Kinsel were CIS agents.’
‘You’re certain?’
‘Not entirely. But I worked with them long enough to be pretty sure.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Kutch admitted. ‘What does it mean?’
‘The Council for Internal Security is one of the most powerful and feared arms of the Gath Tampoorian government,’ Karr clarified. ‘But by tradition and treaty it’s only supposed to operate within Gath Tampoor itself.’
‘You’re naive if you think it’s never meddled in any of the empire’s colonies,’ Disgleirio said. ‘The pretence that it doesn’t was only ever to do with agencies not being seen to step on each other’s toes. It’s just internal politics.’
‘True. But if they’re acting openly here in Bhealfa, and working closely with the paladins, we’ve moved to a new level.’
Caldason shrugged. ‘More evidence that the gloves are off. We knew that.’
‘But hardly good timing when we’re so close to the move,’ the patrician reminded him.
‘How does this do Kinsel any good?’ Tanalvah broke in.
None of them had an answer.
They talked on, pooling their knowledge, arguing, considering plans. And doing their best to comfort Tanalvah when tears overcame her.
Eventually night began to fall and the curfew loomed. Karr left for home, promising to send people to keep a discreet eye on the safe house. Disgleirio went off to check the lookouts stationed near the paladin headquarters, and to increase their number. Kutch, suppressing yawns, was sent upstairs to sleep by the children.
‘I’m going to scout the area before curfew,’ Caldason decided. ‘When I get back I’ll stay the night.’
‘All right,’ Serrah said. ‘Be careful.’
He let himself out and she secured the door behind him.
Tanalvah still sat forlornly by the dying fire, seeing who knew what in the dancing flames. Serrah tossed on another log and sat next to her.
‘It sounds a stupid question,’ she confessed, ‘but how are you?’
‘I’ve lost him, haven’t I? The only man who ever respected me. The only man I … loved.’
‘Listen to me, Tan. We’re going to do everything we can to get him out of this situation. You heard what Karr and the others said; no effort’s going to be spared to bring Kinsel back to you.’
‘I also heard them say he’s in a fortress, and in the hands of ruthless men. I don’t fool myself, Serrah. It’s over.’
‘It is as long as you have that attitude.’
‘Where there’s life there’s hope, eh?’
‘Well, yes. It sounds trite but it’s true.’
‘I’m finding it hard to keep any hope going right now. I can’t see … I can’t see a way out of –’
‘It’s easy for me to say, Tan, but this isn’t the time to go to pieces. Kinsel needs you, and so do Teg and Lirrin.’
Tears began coursing down Tanalvah’s cheeks. ‘The children …’
‘At least they’re going to be safe.’ She reached over and squeezed her hand. ‘You can rely on that. I swear it.’
‘I know. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have had the brief happiness we were lucky enough to have.’
‘You can have it again. We’ll work something out.’
‘I know you’ll all do your best. But –’
‘What?’
‘There’s something you don’t know.’
‘If it’s something that might help Kinsel you must tell me, Tan.’
She gave a short, bitter laugh. ‘It doesn’t help. Far from it.’
Serrah passed her a kerchief. Tanalvah began dabbing her wet cheeks with it.
‘What is it, Tan?’
‘Serrah, I … I’m pregnant.’
Serrah was speechless for a moment, then said, ‘You’re sure?’
Tanalvah nodded.
‘How long?’
‘A couple of months.’
‘Oh gods, Tan.’
‘You know the ironic thing? I prayed for it. I begged the goddess every day to bless us with a child of our own, to make our family complete. The gods work mysteriously. They give with one hand and take away with the other.’
‘What’s happened to Kinsel is the work of men, not gods.’
‘I think the goddess knew what was going to happen to him. She gave me this child as compensation, a way of balancing things.’
‘If it helps you to think of it that way, go ahead. But don’t lose sight of the possibility that you may still have both; Kinsel and the child.’
‘You have more optimism than I do at the moment.’
‘Yes, at the moment. You’ve had a tremendous shock. Things will look different soon.’
‘I hope you’re right. But … don’t tell anybody. About the baby. Not just yet. I don’t think I could take much more sympathy right now.’
When Caldason got back, Tanalvah was slumbering on the fireside couch.
‘You look tired yourself,’ he told Serrah.
‘It’s been a long day.’
‘Get some sleep. I’ll look out for Tanalvah.’
‘Sure?’
‘Go ahead. If you’re needed, I’ll call.’
She left to rest in another room.
He quietly hefted a chair to the hearth. Placing his swords on the floor beside it, he sat.
All was silent for a while.
‘Reeth?’
‘I thought you were asleep.’
Tanalvah shifted on the couch. ‘The way I feel at the moment I might never sleep again.’
‘I feel that way myself sometimes.’
‘You have demons waiting for you in sleep. I know what that’s like now.’
He said nothing.
‘Tell me, Reeth: what gives you your strength?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The capacity to go on. Your will to survive.’
‘I have no choice.’
‘Because of this … immortality thing?’
‘I could end my life if I chose. There have been times when I’ve tried.’
‘But not too hard, it seems.’
Again he didn’t answer.
‘So it’s simply revenge that gives you the resolve to carry on?’ she ventured.
‘Don’t underestimate it. Revenge can be a worthy sentiment.’
‘There was a time when I would have argued with that.’
‘But not now.’
‘After what’s happened to Kinsel, I’ve thought of nothing but vengeance.’
‘Then you understand.’
‘We’re not the same. Don’t try to make out we are.’
‘It’s just a matter of degree. You want retribution for your personal hurt. I seek vengeance for my tribe, and our entire race.’
Quicksilver Zenith Page 13
