The Traitor Queen tst-3

by Trudi Canavan

  “Too bad. Like it or not, the king’s actions have a bearing on Sachakan relations with all Allied Lands,” the Elyne said. “Ambassador” he added, to made it clear he considered this something he had the right to do.

  Dannyl sighed. “Of course.” But his resistance was mostly habit. In truth, he was grateful for Tayend’s company. Having a common cause, working together, and Tayend’s approval of Achati had changed something. They were no longer at odds. The resentment at their parting was gone, or at least a thing of the past. He felt as if he could call Tayend a friend now and it wouldn’t be an insult.

  Having Tayend there would keep the meeting formal, too, which might make it easier to ignore his more personal feelings toward Achati. Like betrayal.

  Yet we know Achati got Lorkin out of Arvice, he reminded himself.

  “Lorkin is with Sonea,” Dannyl murmured. “I was communicating with Osen when Kai reported Achati’s arrival.”

  Tayend’s eyebrows rose. “Good news.”

  At a sound from the corridor, they turned to face the visitor. Tav, the door slave, arrived first and threw himself on the floor. Achati walked in after him, smiling.

  “Welcome Ashaki Achati,” Dannyl said. “As always, you seem immune to the disfavour that association with the Guild House seems to engender.”

  Achati spread his hands. “An advantage of my position, Ambassador Dannyl.” He nodded to Tayend. “Ambassador Tayend. It is good to visit the Guild House in more pleasant circumstances than the last time.”

  “If you mean in the company of the king’s spies, then I’d say the circumstances are likely to be much the same.”

  Achati nodded sympathetically. “The king has far fewer scruples about such things than you expected.”

  “It is generally good manners to at least pretend you aren’t spying on others. Even when it’s obvious you do so.”

  Achati shook his head. “Really? Kyralians do have odd ideas about manners. But this is not what I came to talk to you about.”

  Dannyl crossed his arms. “And that is?”

  “I came to explain why I told the king of my part in Lorkin’s escape.”

  “I think we have guessed,” Tayend told him. “You saw an opportunity to gain information from Lorkin.”

  Achati nodded. “One that did not involve abduction, imprisonment, or worse. I took a risk that he would not keep to his word, however. The king thought it reckless, but was eventually persuaded that it was the best course of action.” He took a few steps closer. “You do understand that anything I do against the king’s wishes would eventually be discovered.”

  Dannyl nodded. “Next time you wore his blood ring.”

  “Yes. Initiative is a tricky issue for a king. When does it end and disobedience begin? There’s always the danger that knowing what the king needs is interpreted as presuming what the king wants.”

  “Did the king get what he wanted?”

  Achati’s shoulder’s lifted. “No. He got what he needed. Not everything Lorkin knew, but enough.”

  “Lorkin betrayed the Traitors?” Tayend shook his head in disbelief.

  “He didn’t think he had, I suspect.” Achati’s smile was thin. “He thought he had tricked us, but he told us a lot more than he realised.”

  “What did he say?” Dannyl did not expect the Ashaki to answer. If the information was so important that the king had let Lorkin go...

  “He told us where the Traitor home is, just as he said he would.”

  Tayend narrowed his eyes. “He said something vague, like ‘in the mountains’?”

  “No. He said ‘Sachaka’.”

  Achati watched expectantly as Tayend turned to frown at Dannyl. Returning the Elyne’s gaze, Dannyl nodded in understanding.

  “He revealed that the Traitors consider the whole country their rightful home,” he explained. “Which means their hope isn’t to remain hidden or become a separate people.” He turned to regard Achati. “Their hope is to, one day, rule Sachaka.”

  “Ah,” Tayend said. “But that might not happen for years. And they may not win.”

  “They won’t win,” Achati said firmly. “There can’t be as many of them living in the mountains as there are Sachakans in the lowlands. We are, by far, the greater force. Which is why their usual means of meddling in our affairs is through spying and assassination.” His expression became serious. “And that is why we have our own spies everywhere, including the Guild House – though we did not have many here before Lorkin’s abduction because we didn’t think the Traitors would be interested in Kyralians.”

  Dannyl frowned at the open admission of spies in the Guild House.

  “They are here for your safety,” Achati assured him. “Lorkin was a different matter, of course, but that’s over now. The king does not wish you harm. He does want good relations between the Allied Lands and Sachaka. As do I, since I enjoy your company.” He looked from Dannyl to Tayend, to indicate he included both of them. “I consider you both my friends.”

  Tayend looked at Dannyl. His eyebrows rose slightly, then lowered as he smiled. There was a hint of mischief in his gaze. He turned back to Achati.

  “Well then,” he said. “Would you like to stay for an evening drink? I don’t know about Dannyl, but I’d like to know more about your plans to thwart a Traitor uprising.”

  Surprised, Dannyl could only nod to show he approved of the idea. What was Tayend up to? Was he gathering information, or planning to look for holes in Achati’s story, or test his declaration of friendship?

  Though Dannyl knew he ought to do the same, he had to admit his heart was not in it. It was easier when I didn’t need to trust Achati. Though he had to admit it only made Dannyl admire Achati more, knowing that he had deftly steered everyone – Lorkin, Dannyl and Tayend, and the Sachakan king – to a solution that satisfied, if not pleased, them all.

  * * *

  Architecture was a subject that all novices learned, though most only received a basic training. Lilia had always thought it was a grand term for what was mostly a menial task for magicians. Few magicians designed buildings, and since the Ichani Invasion the popularity of buildings that relied on magic to stay up had diminished. Most magicians only used what they learned in architecture classes to safely fix structures or speed the construction of new ones.

  Both kinds of work required an understanding of non-magical construction techniques. There was no point lifting wall and roof materials into place only to have them crashing down for lack of basic structural knowledge. A magician might also have to deal with a collapsing building, and need to know how best to support it.

  Lilia was willing to bet that it had been a long time since any magician had worked on secret underground rooms. The walls Cery wanted her to strengthen were brick, not stone. Even without a layer of mortar between them, they wouldn’t bind together like stone did. They didn’t have the same property that allowed stone to be suffused with magic, either. Magic slowly leaked out of stone; whereas it dissipated quickly in bricks. Her only choice was to create a barrier at the surface of the bricks to support them.

  Drawing magic, she created a dome of force, expanded it until it met the walls, then shaped it to fit the corners. She opened holes for the original door and for the newer hole she’d smashed through to the next room.

  “Like the shield blocking the passage, I’ll have to hold this in place constantly,” she said. “It won’t be too hard if I stay close by. It’s strong enough to stop a collapse, but it won’t hold against a magical attack. If there’s pressure on it from above or an attack from below I should sense it.” She sighed and shook her head. “Just as well Kallen’s been teaching me how to draw power, and I haven’t been using it up in fighting practice. This is going to sap some of my strength.”

  Cery nodded. “Thanks. Again.”

  His gratitude only made her stomach twist with anxiety.

  “You’re obviously worried that Skellin might find his way in here before the Guild are ready to
help.”

  “Yes. If Skellin finds us before we’re ready to spring the trap, and doesn’t want to risk that you or other magicians are close by, he might collapse the roof on us and slip away.”

  She imagined Anyi suffocating under bricks and dirt, and shuddered. It would not be easy to sleep, knowing that her friends might die if she didn’t sense an attack on the barrier.

  “If I feel anything happen to the barriers I’ll come as quickly as I can,” she said.

  Cery nodded. “If there are any other signs someone has entered the passages Anyi will go to your room to fetch you. Or get Jonna to. How often is Jonna there?”

  “A few times a day. Should I ask her to visit more often?”

  “That might be a good idea.”

  Lilia nodded. “Is there anything else?”

  “That’s everything.” Cery looked at Gol and Anyi, who nodded.

  “Then I had better go back,” Lilia told them. “I have some studying to do.”

  “I’ll come with you as far as the room,” Anyi said.

  “Don’t distract her too long,” Cery told his daughter. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

  Anyi rolled her eyes as she turned away. Beckoning to Lilia, she led the way toward the Magicians’ Quarters.

  “Sometimes I wish he didn’t know about us,” she muttered.

  “It’s nice that he doesn’t mind, though,” Lilia reminded her.

  “Yeah.” Anyi shrugged and smiled reluctantly.

  “So why’d you want me to leave earlier tonight?”

  Anyi glanced behind. “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

  As always, the climb up the wall to the panel behind Sonea’s guest room was uncomfortable in the confined space. Lilia went up first, then lifted up the now-empty lacquer box she always brought food in with magic. Anyi came up after it. They dusted off their clothes.

  “My poor old coat,” Anyi said, examining the scratches in the leather.

  Lilia looked down at herself. “I had better get changed.” She took a step toward her room.

  A knock came from the door. They exchanged looks of dismay.

  “Not Jonna,” Lilia said. “She doesn’t knock like that.”

  “Get into your robes,” Anyi said. “I’ll delay them.”

  Lilia hurried into her room and stumbled into her robes. It seemed the faster she tried to put them on, the more tangled she got. She could hear voices from the guest room, but Anyi didn’t sound alarmed.

  At last she was dressed. Opening the door, she looked out and sighed with relief.

  “Lord Rothen,” she said, bowing to the elderly magician.

  A strange, uncomfortable look crossed Anyi’s face as she realised she’d forgotten the gesture of respect, and she quickly bent in an awkward bow. Rothen looked amused.

  “I came by to see how you are, Lilia,” he said. “I’ve come past on other nights but you’ve been out.”

  “Oh. Sorry.” Lilia spread her hands.

  “I have a hunch I know where you’ve been, but you can trust me to keep your secret. Sonea told me of Cery’s visits.” He smiled at Anyi, then turned back and his expression became serious. “So how are you?”

  “Um...” Lilia gestured at a chair. “Why don’t you sit? Can I get you some sumi?”

  “Yes, thank you.” As he sat down Anyi settled into one of the other seats.

  “I’m... fine,” Lilia told him as she lifted the sumi-making set with magic and moved it to the table, then, as an afterthought, brought over the raka powder. She sat down and set to making the brew. “You know that Cery is in hiding?”

  Rothen nodded. “Kallen told us as much.”

  “Us”, Lilia thought. I suppose that means the rest of the Higher Magicians.

  “Well... I worry about him.” She handed Rothen a steaming cup. “And Anyi.” And Gol, but he may not even know about Gol.

  “That’s understandable.” Rothen was frowning now. He looked at Anyi. “Is he safe?”

  Anyi shrugged. “For now, but how long we can remain undetected...” She shook her head. “They could find us tonight, or never find us at all.”

  Lilia handed her a cup of raka, grimacing at the strong smell of it, and poured some sumi for Rothen.

  “Well, if there’s anything we can do to help keep you hidden, let me know,” Rothen said.

  Anyi hesitated, then nodded. “Thanks.”

  The old magician sipped his sumi and turned back to Lilia. “How are your studies?”

  It was her turn to hesitate. Should she be honest, or try to delay the inevitable?

  Rothen chuckled. “Looks like you are aware of how badly you’re failing to keep up. I’m also here to tell you that we’ve decided that you can drop a few classes for now. You will have more time to finish them – possibly graduate half a year later. Kallen’s lessons have added to your workload, and you had much to catch up on from your months of absence. It is better that you learn well, than learn within the allotted time.”

  At first Lilia only felt relieved. But it’ll be another half-year until graduation. That made her feel disappointed and tired. Still, less study meant more time with Anyi. She nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

  Rothen smiled again. “Remember, you can talk to me any time. Even when Sonea is here. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, Lord Rothen.”

  They fell silent, each sipping at their respective hot drinks. Lilia asked if he’d heard from Sonea. He told her that Sonea and Lorkin had been reunited. Well, that’s good. She’ll be home soon.

  When they’d finished the drinks, Rothen rose and excused himself. Lilia rose to see him out. After he’d left, Lilia turned to see Anyi sitting with her head in her hands.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Anyi sighed. Dark shadows lay under her eyes as she looked up. “Could you ask Kallen if the Guild will hide Cery here? We’ve always assumed they would, but avoided it because... well, just out of pride. It’s crazy. I should try to talk Cery into coming up here.”

  “I can ask him tomorrow – unless you want me to tonight.”

  Anyi shook her head. “Tomorrow if fine. Talking Cery into it will take time.”

  “What do you fear? That Skellin will come before the Guild are ready to help?”

  Anyi frowned. “That Cery will do something stupid. This trap he’s setting up... I’m not sure if he’s planning to wait for Kallen or not.”

  “He doesn’t think, now that Kallen’s teaching me to strengthen myself, that I’m strong enough to fight Skellin on my own, does he?”

  “No, he didn’t know about that until tonight. He started the preparations before then.”

  Lilia felt a pang of sympathy. If Anyi, who was frustrated by being stuck underground, was concerned that her father was being impatient, then things had to be getting bad down there.

  She reached out and drew Anyi into her arms. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll talk the Guild into it. You talk Cery into it. And if either or both of them won’t be sensible, then we’ll just have to find a way to trick them into it.”

  Chapter 18

  Choices

  The night sky was clear and the moon bright overhead. Cery breathed a sigh of relief. Though the moonlight made it more likely someone would see them, it also made it easier for them to move about in the forest. Neither he, Gol nor Anyi were used to getting around among trees and vegetation.

  Though Lilia was able to supply them with most of what they needed, thanks to Jonna, a few items were beyond her. They’d been back to the farm twice already for more chairs, sacking and straw for making mattresses. Tonight they were after some other practical items.

  “A bucket or tub, and more sacks. Nothing else?” Anyi asked.

  “No,” Cery told her. “Don’t go looking for more things to take just ’cause you’re there.”

  “Of course not.”

  As she slipped away into the forest, he turned to Gol. “Be careful. Don’t try to do any
thing else.”

  Gol nodded. Cery watched as his friend stumbled off into the trees in the other direction, then cringed as the snap of a branch echoed through the forest. If Anyi hears him... well, he can give her the story I’m going to tell her when she gets back and finds him missing: that he’s looking for the best way to lose pursuit if we ever have to escape this way.

  Retreating into the hole, Cery picked up his lamp and headed back down the tunnel. Anyi had insisted that only one of them needed to risk sneaking into the farm. He’d agreed, but only because he wanted to check on the Guild’s experiments with roet.

  Unless they’ve moved them after Lilia told them she knew about it.

  He found the overhanging roots and pushed them aside. Entering the tunnel, he quietened his steps as he neared the secret cellar door. Everything looked exactly as they’d left it. He bent to the spy hole and saw only darkness. For a moment he could not shake off the idea that there was a dark cloth now covering the spy hole, making it look as if the room was unlit, and there were magicians waiting beyond. Pressing his ear to the door, he listened for some time. All was quiet.

  He closed the shutter of the lamp until only a little edge of light spilled out. Slowly he eased the door open. Musty air greeted him, and the sound he made echoed in the room beyond. He opened the shutter of the lamp. Light spilled into an unoccupied room. The same tables stood in the same places as before. He stepped inside and moved over to them. They were covered in small containers. Less than half as many as before, he noted. A pile of broken pots and soil had been swept into a pile to one side. Some of the pots looked burnt. Looking closer, he saw that the ones on the table were seared on one side – and so was the table. He frowned and moved closer. The pots contained only dirt.

  Or do they...? He leaned closer. Tiny shoots were emerging from the soil.

  Cery smiled. Grow fast, little plants, he thought. Then he shook his head. Never thought I’d think that about roet.

  Moving back to the secret entrance, he re-entered the passage and closed the door behind him. He headed back toward the main network of passages, but instead of returning to the room they were now living in, he checked that the passage to the Thieves’ Road was still blocked by Lilia’s shield. It was.