She stared at the tiny figures on the other ship. Details grew clearer as they sailed closer. Among the people on board was a trio standing together at the railing. Soon she could tell that one was male and the other two female. She recognised Anyi first. How could she not? I would know her by her shadow. By her presence. Her heart twisted. I can’t mess this up. She’ll die. Perhaps I should abandon my plan and do whatever Skellin orders. But will he really let her go if I do? Will he keep her and force me to stay and teach him everything I know about magic?
Steeling herself, she looked at the other two people. The vessels were close enough now for her to see that the woman was Lorandra. Which meant the other man was her son.
So this is Skellin. He was tall like a Lans but dark like a Lonmar. But since both peoples are known for their honour and strict moral code, I doubt they’d like the comparison. Still, he’s probably not the best example of his own people. I wonder... It took an outsider, someone willing to break our rules and laws, to show us our weaknesses. What could we have learned about ourselves if the first people to visit us from Igra had been decent and law-abiding?
The ship slowed and turned so that the vessels now floated alongside each other. She could hear activity around her –the anchor lowering and sails furling, she assumed – but she could not take her eyes off the trio on the other ship. They were only twenty or thirty paces from her.
—Rothen says do whatever you have to, to get Anyi away safe, Gol sent.
Lilia nodded, then hoped that if Skellin had noticed her movement he’d taken it as a gesture of recognition. The rogue magician beckoned.
“Come join us, Lilia,” he called.
She looked down at the gap between the ships, then at the crew watching her. They were making no move to direct her to a boat. How was she supposed to transfer to the other vessel?
—Can you levitate? Gol asked.
—Yes, but it will use up some of my magic.
Which was probably Skellin’s intention. Still, levitation over that small distance wouldn’t use up too much magic, if she was quick about it.
Drawing power, she created a small disc of force beneath her feet and lifted herself up and forward. Skellin, Lorandra and Anyi stepped away from the railing to make room for her. Lorandra was holding onto Anyi’s arm. Once her feet were on the deck, Lilia looked up and saw that the woman was holding a knife to Anyi’s throat. Her stomach clenched and a chill ran over her skin. Anyi stood stiffly, braced against the rocking of the deck, and as she looked at Lilia her eyes were full of apology, anger and fear.
“Lady Lilia,” Skellin said. “So glad you accepted my invitation.”
She made herself meet his gaze without flinching. You may think you’re the king of the underworld, she thought. But I am a black magician, defender of the Guild. The pride she felt was surprising and maybe a little inappropriate, but she didn’t care so long as it gave her the confidence to stand up to him.
Unlike his mother, he had no unfamiliar accent. He paused as if waiting for a reply, and when she said nothing he smiled. “Well, you have been up for some hours and early mornings don’t suit all of us. Perhaps we should get to business. I have a proposition for you. A trade. Teach me black magic and I will hand this lovely young woman into your care. I believe you know her?”
As he gestured to Anyi, the knife at the girl’s throat turned in Lorandra’s hand, reflecting a flash of sunlight into Lilia’s eyes.
Lilia ignored it. “Let her go now.”
Skellin shook his head and laughed.
“How do I know you won’t kill her,” Lilia continued, “once I’ve given you what you want?”
“How do I know you won’t kill me, once I let her go? You are the black magician, after all.”
“And you are the murdering rogue magician and Thief.”
His eyebrows rose. “Now, now. When have you ever seen me kill someone?”
She opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again. She hadn’t. Not even Cery had. Anyi’s father had died when his heart failed, though that was likely caused by the strain of being hunted by Skellin. Lorandra was the Thief Hunter. But that was the way of Thieves, wasn’t it? They didn’t get blood on their hands. They got someone to do it for them.
She crossed her arms. “Let’s get this over with.”
He grinned. “My, aren’t we impatient?” He took a few steps towards her, then stopped. “But first you need to take off your clothes.”
She stared at him. “What?” The word burst out of her.
His smile vanished. “I’ve done my research, Lady Lilia,” he said in a low voice. “I know black magic requires the skin to be cut. I require assurance that you aren’t carrying any sharp objects. You can be sure I am not, since I would rather not risk you’d turn them against me. I could get one of the crew to check you over, but you might kill him, and would probably rather not be man-handled. I only need you to undress to the point where it is clear you are weaponless.”
Swallowing hard, she pulled off the worn old tunic and trousers. Then she glared at Skellin, daring him to insist she remove the simple undergarments that Guild women wore beneath their robes. From the crew of the ships came low whistles, but they fell silent as Skellin glanced around, his expression stern.
“Kick the clothes away and turn around,” he ordered. Sighing, she obeyed. “Now, to begin you will teach me how to read minds.”
Lilia froze, then cursed silently. If she protested that the deal was only to teach him black magic, he’d laugh. She was in no position to argue.
“You need someone to practise on,” she told him.
“You’ll do,” came the reply she expected.
She felt an unexpected admiration. Oh, he’s not stupid. He’s thought this through. Far better than I have. It never occurred to me he’d demand this. If I do it, he’ll see everything. My plan will never work.
“I haven’t tried to teach it that way before.” It was not hard to sound uncertain and honest. She hadn’t taught mind-reading before. To anyone.
“Then you don’t know it won’t work.” He took a step toward her, then another. It’s time to decide. Give him everything he wants, try to kill him with Healing, or try my plan. She flinched as he reached out, but made herself stand still. Looking over his shoulder, she met Anyi’s frightened, angry gaze and hoped she did not look as uncertain as she felt.
This had better work...
Chapter 27
Old Battles, New Weapons
Being dressed all in black had been an advantage when Sonea had slipped out of the mansion in the early hours of the morning, but now that the sun was up she was all too visible against the pale walls of the Sachakan capital.
At least I’m closer to the centre of the city.
As dawn had arrived, she’d chosen another mansion with a tower to hide in. The side door she’d slipped through hadn’t been locked, but she’d discovered the building wasn’t completely empty when she’d heard voices from somewhere inside. When she’d tried to leave, a quick check of the outside revealed a group of men hurrying along the street, so she’d crept back through the house as silently as she could. She’d found the stairs and ascended to the tower, telling herself that if she heard anyone coming up she would climb out of one of the tower windows and escape across the rooftop outside.
Hours had passed and the only sound she’d heard below had been distant and muffled. The tower windows were open, perhaps to let in the cool morning breeze. From the street below she’d heard footsteps and more voices, but the city was mostly quiet.
The windows looked onto the furthest side of the street below and a sea of rooftops. It’s tempting to slip out and find a better vantage point. But the risk of being seen isn’t worth it. I don’t know where the fight is going to be. Once it started there should be noises and lights to tell her where it was located. I’ll be able to move closer then. Perhaps go across the rooftops, like Cery and I used to do, back when we were children of the slums...
She jumped and spun around. Regin stood near the top of the stairs, arms crossed. Embarrassment at being found, then a selfish relief that he was here, was followed by a flash of concern and annoyance.
“Regin!” she hissed. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged and uncrossed his arms. “I followed you, of course, though I got stuck downstairs for the last few hours, hiding from the people down there. They just left, by the way.”
“You told me you wouldn’t come with me. We had an agreement.”
“I lied.” He shrugged again and continued up the stairs. “I knew you wouldn’t take my power if I didn’t agree to stay behind. Besides, you lied too. You told the Traitors you would stay put.”
“That’s different. I should be able to trust another Guild magician to keep his word. And they left without telling us.”
“I think the Guild would disapprove more of you risking making the Traitors an enemy than of me ignoring you. I’m only trying to protect you.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “You can’t. If we’re attacked, I will have to protect you. All you are is another person I have to worry about. You could get us both killed.”
He smiled, not bothered by her brutal honesty and she found herself wondering if she was attracted to him because he wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her. “Protecting one person won’t take more power than protecting two.” His gaze moved to the window, and she could not help following it. “Is Dannyl in place yet?”
Sonea reached into her robe for Osen’s ring. “I don’t know.”
“You haven’t contacted Osen yet?”
“I did earlier. Nothing was happening. I didn’t want to keep the ring on in case someone came up the stairs and I was too distracted to notice.”
“No need to worry about that now. I can keep watch.” He chuckled. “See? You do need me.”
Biting back a retort, she felt her fingers close on the ring. She drew it out, slipped it on her finger and sought Osen and Dannyl’s minds.
* * *
Peering around the corner of the building, Dannyl searched the street and was relieved to see it was empty. Beckoning to Tayend and Merria, he stepped out and hurried forward. Their footsteps and breathing told him they followed close behind.
So far the only people they’d seen roaming the city were slaves and a carriage driven by a man too well dressed to be a slave. All had been in a hurry. All had been moving away from the centre of the city, whereas Dannyl and his companions were moving inward.
Unfortunately, what made Ashaki’s home attractive also made it dangerous: its proximity to the wide parade leading to the palace. Getting close enough to see the battle also meant getting close to the very people he’d been warned to stay away from.
But we should be fine, once we get there. Once we’re inside and out of sight.
He’d always been aware of the prestigious location of Achati’s house, but had never been in any rooms on the parade side. Master’s Rooms and private suites were usually central, and did not have windows. Sachakans preferred privacy and to be away from the heat of the summer sun over nice views.
He reached a larger thoroughfare – one that joined to the parade. Achati’s house was on the corner. After checking that the street was empty, he led the others around the corner. Keeping close to the wall on one side, he tried to walk softly and quickly. Even so, the rap of his and Merria’s boots echoed in the street.
Tayend’s shoes made little more than a soft tap, he noted. As if to make up for that, the buttons and clasps of his elaborate courtier garb clinked and chimed as he moved. The noise would normally be unnoticeable, but in the eerie quiet it sounded like... He frowned as he tried to think of a comparable racket. Like the rattle of roughly handled cutlery.
A door across the street opened and he froze. He heard Merria stop and out of the corner of his eye he saw Tayend casting about for somewhere to hide, but it was too late. A man emerged, looked up and, as he saw them, he stopped.
Ashaki. Dannyl’s heart pounded. The man stared at them, then he straightened and started toward them.
“Run?” Merria asked quietly.
Dannyl shook his head. To run would make them look guilty. To show fear would make it obvious they had reason to. Warrior lessons from long ago repeated in his mind. You can’t tell how strong another magician is, nor he you. A confident attitude will give your adversary reason to doubt he is stronger, even if all evidence points to him being so. Following the other man’s lead, he straightened his back and walked forward to meet him.
The man was about sixty, Dannyl estimated. Grey streaked his hair and the typical Sachakan broadness was well softened by fat.
“You are the Ambassadors from the Guild House?” the man asked briskly. He was tense, Dannyl noticed. In a hurry. Perhaps I can use that to my advantage.
“We are,” Dannyl said slowly and with formality. “I am Guild Ambassador Dannyl.” He gestured to Tayend. “This is Elyne Ambassador Tayend. And this—” he turned to Merria.
The man cut him off. “Why are you not at the Guild House? You do know what is about to occur? You may be heading toward a magical battle.”
“I have been appraised of the situation,” Dannyl assured him. “I assure you, we do not intend to get in the—”
“Then why are you here?”
“We were offered a safer alternative to the Guild House.” That much was true. Achati had told him there was a ship waiting.
The man frowned. “Here? Close to the palace. How can here be safer?”
Dannyl shrugged. “The Traitors are unlikely to get this far.”
That had the desired effect. The man’s chin lifted. “Yes. Of course. Well, then. It is not far to the palace and I am heading that way. I will escort you there.”
Uh, oh. The last place Dannyl wanted to be was among the Ashaki, if they started to lose and were desperate for more power. He ducked his head in apology.
“I’m afraid we aren’t going to the palace. Both of our rulers are keen to avoid any impression of interference by the Guild.” Then, knowing the man was not going to let them wander off without knowing their destination, especially after mentioning the possibility of interference, he added: “We are going to Ashaki Achati’s house.”
The man’s eyebrows rose, then he nodded. “I will take you to the door.”
He strode away, his strides long and fast. Dannyl followed, relying on the sound of Merria’s footsteps and Tayend’s noisy buttons to tell him they were keeping up. The temptation to look back and meet Tayend’s eyes was strong, but he resisted. Looking confident meant also looking as though he was in charge.
Peering over the Ashaki’s shoulder, he saw movement. A crowd large enough to block the broad street had gathered, and probably filled the parade beyond. Men in trousers and short coats stood watching something within the parade that Dannyl couldn’t see. Precious stones glittered in the sunlight. Ashaki. Many, many Ashaki. At any moment one is going to look up, see us and draw the attention of the others to us. What will happen then? He could not help imagining a horde of them coming at him, ready to harvest power from the three foreigners.
But none did. As the self-appointed escort neared the door of Achati’s house the crowd began to move. The Ashaki army was leaving. Dannyl hoped this would persuade the escort to abandon them, but the man only scowled and stepped up to the door. He rapped on it.
A long silence followed. The Ashaki rapped again. As time stretched, Dannyl felt his heart beating fast. Achati would be with the king. The slaves had probably gone. What would the escort do when it became clear nobody was going to answer? The man knocked a third time, waited, sighed, then turned to face Dannyl.
Then, as his mouth opened to speak, the door swung inward. A slave peered out.
“Ambassador Dannyl.”
Tayend let out an in-held breath and Merria sighed. The Ashaki turned to look back at the
slave, then at Dannyl, then towards the parade. Following his gaze, Dannyl saw the last of the Ashaki stride out of sight behind the building opposite.
“Thank you, Ashaki...”
The man didn’t offer his name. He took a step back. “Stay out of sight,” he advised, then he turned and broke into a run.
Dannyl looked at Tayend and Merria. Their eyes were wide as they stared back at him. “Let’s get inside.”
The slave didn’t protest as they pushed through the door. Once all were in the Master’s Room he threw himself on the floor. Hearing a movement, Dannyl saw another slave on the floor near another corridor. He looked from one to the other and frowned. Why were these two still here?
“Stand up,” he ordered. The pair obeyed. “What are your names?”
“Lak.”
“Vata.”
“Why haven’t you left with the rest of the city’s slaves?”
Lak glanced at Vata. “He may need us,” he said.
“He” must be Achati. Dannyl felt a wry admiration for their loyalty.
“What’s the best place we can see the parade from?” Tayend asked.
Vata looked up. “The roof.”
Tayend’s eyebrows rose and he looked at Dannyl. “Well?”
Dannyl nodded. “Then take us there.”
* * *
Traitors filled the street, milling before the mansion’s gates. Lorkin and Tyvara had found their way out through a slave’s entrance to a side street and hurried around to the front of the building where the Traitors were gathering. Looking around, Lorkin noted that half of the fighters were women, half men. Magicians and sources. All wore vests like his. For most of the men, the stones will be their only source of magic, he realised. Non-magicians participating in battle. That must be a first.
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