The Traitor Queen

by Trudi Canavan

  Gol cursed and bowed his head. “Sorry, Cery,” he muttered. “It should have gone by now.”

  Cery cursed as he realised the trap had failed. Gol had shown him that the minefire worked. Why not now?

  “What are you chatting about?” Skellin came closer, his strange eyes narrowing. He leaned toward Cery and his mouth stretched into a humourless smile. “There’s someone missing, isn’t there? Where is your daughter, Ceryni?”

  Cery’s heart began to shrink inside his chest, but he forced himself to laugh. “Do you really expect me to tell you that?”

  Skellin shrugged, then straightened and looked around. “No. But my sources in the Guild tell me she is down here with you. I wonder where she could be.”

  “Safe from you,” Cery told him. Sources in the Guild? So the rumours are true. But how do they know Anyi is here?

  “Is she?” Skellin must have removed the barrier, as he moved past Cery into the next room, his globe light floating before him. “Who sleeps on the third bed, then?”

  “Someone you don’t want to meet.”

  Skellin didn’t reply. He was looking at the doorway to the passage leading to the Magicians’ Quarters. Though his face was turned away from Cery, the set of his shoulders suggested he was listening to something.

  Anyi and Lilia? Cery felt a rush of hope followed by fear. I hope Lilia is ready for this, and Anyi has the sense to stay out of the way.

  Skellin took a step toward the doorway, then another. Cery sensed that Gol had crouched down. He looked away and saw that his bodyguard had picked up a still-burning candle. Skellin’s two henchmen had moved into the room, however. They would be able to stop Gol getting to any of the minefire tubes set into the walls.

  A laugh drew Cery’s attention back to Skellin. The Rogue had stepped into the passage. He extended a hand toward something out of Cery’s view. An all-too-familiar voice cursed. Anyi appeared, struggling as an invisible force pushed her into Skellin’s reach.

  At the sight of her Cery felt his heart jump and twist like an animal struggling to escape – and it hurt. He clenched his fists against the pain and started forward, but something caught and held his legs. Gol, too, lurched to a halt.

  Where is Lilia? As Skellin reached out to grab Anyi, she stopped resisting and darted forward. Surely Anyi didn’t come back without Lilia. But the hand that stabbed toward Skellin twisted as it encountered his torso and she cursed in pain. Skellin grabbed her wrist and prised the knife out of her grip. But if she couldn’t find Lilia then …

  The Thief looked up at him, grinning. “Safe from me, eh? Looks like you’ve failed to protect your family again, Ceryni.”

  Cery gritted his teeth. Had Anyi at least sent a message to Lilia? Was Lilia on her way? Cery wanted to ask Anyi, but the pain in his chest made it hard to breathe and he didn’t want to warn Skellin that Lilia was coming. We have to delay him. Give Lilia time to get her.

  Anyi was still fighting, but she could do nothing to harm or unbalance Skellin. Cery swayed as a wave of dizziness hit him, and the room darkened. When his sight cleared he saw that Skellin had pushed Anyi against a wall. She stayed there, held in place with magic. Skellin whistled, and the men pushed past Cery.

  “Search and bind her.”

  Anyi’s jaw tightened as the men stripped off her coat and felt for weapons. Cery wrapped aching arms around his chest and dragged in a breath to speak.

  “You want me, not her,” he managed.

  Skellin laughed. “I want all three of you. But you have to die in the right order. And …” Skellin looked up and around as if he could see the magicians above them. “Not here.” He turned to face them, his eyes moving from Cery to Gol. His nose wrinkled and he shook his head. “You’re not worth the trouble.” His eyes narrowed and Cery heard a sickening crack. Gol cried out in agony and surprise, and fell to the floor.

  No! I have to stop him killing Gol. Slow him down! Cery tried to think past the fire in his chest. Find some way to delay Skellin a little longer. He opened his mouth to speak but only ended up gasping out a breath. Another wave of blackness consumed him and he felt his knees go weak. He suspected that only Skellin’s magic was holding him up. What has he done to me?

  “Wait a moment,” he heard Skellin say. “There’s something wrong with him.”

  Cery felt a growing fear as he realised Skellin was right. It’s not him. It’s me. My body … my heart … Though his eyes were open, darkness still obscured his vision. A bitter triumph rose. At least Skellin didn’t get the satisfaction of killing me. But … Anyi …

  The force holding Cery melted away and he felt himself land on the hard floor. Whatever Skellin said next, he said at such a distance that Cery could not hear it. Then, after a stretch of silence, he felt cool hands on his face and he heard Gol talking from far, far away.

  “Don’t worry. He won’t kill Anyi. He wants to make a trade. Lilia will get her back. If Anyi doesn’t kill him first. Those two will always look after each other. You know it. Don’t worry. It’ll all be fine. Anyi will be fine. We’ll make sure of it.”

  Lilia hurried down the passage, keeping a tiny globe light floating before her.

  Should I extinguish it? The intruder might see the light and know I’m coming. But if I do that, I’ll have to feel my way in the dark. It’ll slow me down. What’s more important? Speed or remaining undetected?

  Her footsteps sounded loud in the narrow space. They would betray her approach anyway. She decided to keep the light burning.

  Aside from her own footsteps, she heard no other sounds. The secret entrance to the passages that Anyi had cleared was on the far side of the University, so Lilia had to make her way around the foundations of the building. Fortunately, the passages were no labyrinth here. They were straight and turned at right angles until they led away from the University, under the gardens. Lilia’s heart was pounding by the time she reached the first curved wall.

  I don’t think I’ve been so scared in all my life, she thought. I think I’d even consider having a little roet right now, if someone offered it to me.

  The intruder might be someone harmless – a novice or servant venturing where they shouldn’t. Anyi might be wrong, and there was no intruder at all. Or it could be Skellin’s people, come snooping or looking for Cery. In that case, she had to hope that, if they’d found Cery, then he, Gol and Anyi had been able to hide until she got there.

  But if it was Skellin or Lorandra. Or Skellin and Lorandra …

  I have to hope, if both of them are here, that I’ve gained enough extra power from Kallen to fight them. And enough skill.

  She’d considered this many times before. It was unlikely Skellin or Lorandra had much training in fighting. Lorandra might have learned something before she left her homeland, but she and Skellin would have had no training here. The most they could have done was practise on each other.

  She was not far from the rooms now. As she started down the last stretch of passage she slowed, staring into the darkness ahead.

  Should I whistle to warn them it’s me? It’ll warn Skellin if he’s already there. But if he is, wouldn’t I be able to see light and hear voices?

  She added more magic to her shield and crept forward. A faint noise reached her. A low, murmuring voice. The doorway was dark, but as she drew closer she saw a faint, flickering light. Reaching it, she peered around the opening and saw a single candle burning, braced between two rocks, and a hunched figure sitting on the floor. At the same time she heard a choking sound.

  Something about that sound made her stomach sink.

  The man’s head lifted and the shadows concealing his face retreated from her globe light. Gol’s cheeks glistened.

  “Lilia,” he said.

  She brightened the light and saw what he was sitting beside.

  “Oh no.” She hurried forward and knelt on the floor. Cery’s face was pale, his eyes closed. She could see no sign of injury. Placing her hand on his forehead, she sent her senses out – and im
mediately recoiled. “Oh no.”

  “It’s too late, isn’t it?” Gol said, his voice tight.

  She felt her heart twist, then looked around the room. Where is Anyi?

  “Yes. What happened?”

  “I don’t know. Skellin did nothing to him. Was going to take him away. But … he just collapsed.”

  Reluctantly she reached out and touched Cery’s body, forcing herself to examine him again. She had never used her Healing skills on a dead person before. The lack of presence, the mental silence within, the lack of a natural barrier to repel the will of another, all were shocking to her. But if Skellin had done this …

  No. The damage was clear, once she found it. Cery’s heart had failed. Not that Skellin didn’t cause it indirectly, by forcing Cery to live here, constantly fearing for his safety. And Anyi’s.

  Anyi. She withdrew her senses, opened her eyes and looked at Gol. He had slumped forward, and was breathing quickly. His face was contorted with pain, but she suddenly understood it was not just the pain of grief.

  “What’s … are you hurt?” She reached out and grabbed his arm, then jumped as her senses opened to a flood of agony. It was coming from somewhere lower. His legs. Letting go of his arm, she crawled over to him and grabbed his shoulders. “Lie down.”

  He did as she told him, sucking in sharp breaths as he moved. Once he was lying flat, she moved her light over to his legs.

  “Don’t,” he said. “Go. Find … her. Find … Anyi.”

  She froze. From somewhere deep inside her rose a terrible dread. “Where is she?”

  “Skellin … took her.”

  “When?” Her mind raced ahead. She climbed to her feet. Cery had not been dead long. Skellin could still be in the passages. If she left now, she might catch him. Save Anyi. “But why take her? Why not kill her?”

  “You.” Gol gasped, sucked in a breath, held it. “Wants you. Will send … a message. Where … to meet.”

  She pictured herself catching up with Skellin. Fighting Skellin. She shook her head. He won’t fight me. He’ll put a knife to Anyi’s throat. Or do something with magic. He’ll use her to get away. And take me with him. And make me teach him black magic.

  Would it work out any differently if she waited for his message? Perhaps he’d torture Anyi in the meantime.

  No. He won’t harm her. Not if he wants me to teach him.

  He might accidentally hurt her if she rushed upon him now.

  If she waited for the message, waited for the meeting, she would have time to work out how to rescue Anyi without teaching Skellin black magic. Time to strengthen herself. Time to decide how I’m going to tell Anyi her father is dead.

  She may know already. Oh, Anyi. I’m sorry I didn’t get here faster.

  It took more strength of will than anything she had done before to not run after her. Forcing herself to kneel down next to Gol, ignoring his protests, she set to work mending his shattered bones. And hoped, desperately, that she had made the right decision.

  CHAPTER 24

  DANGEROUS MINDS

  The sky was streaked with orange and black when Saral and Temi moved off the main road towards another estate. Sonea and Regin followed. Every night since the Traitor escort had met them, they had stayed at freed estates. Horses had been given to them at Saral’s request on the second morning, though they had not ridden at any great speed since then.

  I’m surprised we haven’t caught up with Savara’s group. It must take time to confront and subdue the Ashaki. But maybe that’s why we’re travelling so slowly. She doesn’t want us catching up – or getting to Arvice before her.

  They’d travelled mostly in silence. Saral and Temi clearly weren’t happy about their role as escort to two inconvenient foreigners, but neither complained. They did not strike up a conversation either. At the estates it was a different story. The newly freed slaves were euphoric and endlessly talkative, asking questions of Saral and Temi and assuming Sonea and Regin were welcome visitors in Traitor eyes. Now, as the four horses neared the estate’s walls, ex-slaves poured out to greet them.

  “Welcome, Traitors!” they called. “Will you stay here?” They came forward in a surge, then the foremost slowed as they saw Sonea and Regin.

  “I am Saral and this is Temi,” Saral told them. “This is Black Magician Sonea and Lord Regin, of the Magicians’ Guild of Kyralia. We are escorting them.”

  One of the slaves stepped forward. “I am Veli, chosen leader of this estate.” He looked up at Sonea. “Welcome to Sachaka.”

  “Thank you, Veli,” Sonea replied, inclining her head respectfully.

  Veli’s attention returned to Saral. “Will you be staying? Queen Savara and her team were our guests last night.”

  “Yes, we will stay, and we would all like news of your previous guests.”

  Saral looked at Sonea and almost seemed to smile. Sonea inclined her head again in gratitude. At every estate where the queen had stopped, Sonea had asked after Lorkin.

  The ex-slaves led them into the estate, where they dismounted and the horses were taken away. A middle-aged woman and her two daughters approached and welcomed them.

  “Tiatia is the former owner’s wife,” Veli explained. “She welcomed Queen Savara into her home when she arrived.”

  “And her husband?”

  “Is in the east. He is a good man and we did not want him to die. We knew there was a chance that he would be forced to fight along with the other Ashaki, or that we would not have a chance to speak in his defence, so we arranged for him to be out of the country.”

  “What did the queen think of this?”

  “She said she was impressed with our loyalty. But it was not simple loyalty.”

  Saral frowned. “No? What was it?”

  “Friendship.” As Saral regarded him closely, his gaze faltered. But then he lifted his head and stared back at her. “He is a good man,” he said defensively. “If you want proof, take a look at our slave quarters. They are clean and warm. He allowed men and women to choose each other and live together, and to keep their children. He only required us to make obeisance when visitors were here.”

  Saral’s eyebrows rose. “Remarkable. What will happen to him now?”

  “His ship slaves will tell him everything in a few days, and warn him that he may have to seek permission to return. Do you think it will be granted?”

  The two Traitors exchanged looks. Temi shrugged. “Perhaps. He will have no land. He will have to live on equal terms with you.”

  “He will be honoured to,” Tiatia said.

  Saral looked at the woman, then Veli, and nodded. “Queen Savara did say there would be circumstances like these and that we must know when to balance caution with compassion.”

  “Come inside,” Veli said, smiling. “Rooms and a meal are already being prepared for you.”

  As with all previous estates, a surprisingly humble main door led down a corridor to a bigger room, which in each home has been put to different uses: sometimes storage, sometimes sleeping quarters, sometimes a gathering place.

  “Sit,” Veli invited. “It will be a while before the food is ready.”

  Sonea chose a pair of stools for her and Regin. Sitting on pillows is for younger people than me, she mused. Veli, Saral and Temi did the same.

  “While we wait, can I prepare some raka for you?” Tiatia asked.

  Saral looked at Veli, her eyebrows raised in question. He nodded. “Yes, that would be appreciated,” Saral replied.

  Tiatia smiled, and settled with her daughters onto pillows at the centre of the room. Beneath a stool was a raka pot and a canister of the powder. As more ex-slaves arrived carrying water and cups, she set to work. While Saral and Veli talked about the estate’s produce and future, Sonea watched, amused to see such a familiar ritual of preparation in a place so unfamiliar. To her surprise, steam began to waft from the pot’s spout.

  “You are a magician?” Sonea asked Tiatia.

  All conversation abruptly cease
d. Sonea looked around. Veli was biting his lip and frowning at Saral. The two Traitors were both gazing at Tiatia in surprise. Sonea’s stomach sank as she realised that Veli had wanted to keep this a secret, and she might have condemned the woman in their eyes by revealing it.

  “Yes,” Tiatia said in a quiet voice. “My husband taught me.”

  Saral let go an in-held breath. “Now I’m willing to think your husband may be all you claim he is,” she said.

  “Why do you believe this, and not us?” Veli asked, scowling.

  “Because treating slaves well is – was – never going to threaten an Ashaki’s power over others. But teaching his wife magic might.”

  Unless he did not teach her higher magic, Sonea thought. She knew Sachakans looked down on magicians who did not know higher magic. If Tiatia’s husband hadn’t taught it to her, she would still be lower than him in status as well as power.

  As would Regin be, to Sachakans, if he and I were …

  She pushed the thought away, suddenly conscious of Regin sitting silently beside her. It was strange and disturbing how a stray thought could change her awareness of his presence from simply knowing his location to sensing a much more physical nearness. She would suddenly notice his breathing, and imagine she could feel warmth radiating from him.

  “On behalf of all the people here,” Veli said, his formal tone drawing her attention away. “I offer our strength to you. We gave strength to Queen Savara and her team this morning. We will have recovered enough to do the same for you tomorrow.”

  He was looking directly at Saral.

  The Traitor smiled and looked down. “You are very generous.”

  Veli shrugged. “We want you to win.”

  Saral nodded. “As do I. Temi is strong, but it may be that I will join the battle at a time when extra strength will turn it in our favour. I accept your offer with gratitude.”

  In the corner of her eye, Sonea saw Regin turn to look at her. Each morning, as they had begun their ride for the day, he had reached across to touch her arm and send power to her. With Saral and Temi within hearing, she had been unable to object.