‘I didn’t think you’d enjoy it,’ he said, filling her glass with wine. ‘I find it frightfully boring, myself. After thirty millennia of watching mortals kill each other, the excitement rather pales.’
‘Arete didn’t seem to think so.’
‘The Seventh Ascendant retains a fascination with death, rekindled, I think, by her close brush with it in Fordamere. Your friend Corthie Holdfast came quite close to killing her.’
Belinda took a sip of wine as she sat on the long couch in the Ascendant’s private rooms. ‘I have been searching for a suitable Quadrant, as you commanded,’ she said. ‘I am determined to find one for you. I need to prove myself, I understand that.’
Leksandr glanced at her, then gave a slight nod.
‘This evening,’ she went on, ‘I intend to keep working. I will revisit Fordamere, and try to retrace the steps of those who fled before your arrival.’
‘Why?’
‘There were some demigods from the salve world there; companions of Corthie Holdfast. It is possible that one of them might have used a Quadrant.’
‘Are these the same demigods who were related to Count Irno of the Falls of Iron?’
‘Yes.’
Leksandr nodded again, and she wondered if he believed her. She wanted to check, to enter his mind to see what he really thought of her, but he would know as soon as she tried. It was true that lying was coming easier to her, but was she giving too much away?
‘Were they also your friends?’ he said after a pause.
‘No. They were not my friends.’
‘Off you go, then,’ he said, ‘and good luck.’
She got up from the couch, bowed her head, and left his rooms, her head spinning. She had almost told him more than she had meant to, her desire to assuage his doubts nearly overcoming her need to keep certain things secret. She knew perfectly well that Naxor had used a Quadrant to get to and from the City of Pella many times and, although she despised him, if he were caught then the location of the salve world would be discovered. Her memory was good, but she could easily be tangled up in the lies and half-truths she had espoused and if that happened, then they would know for sure that she was working against them.
She hurried to her own quarters, dismissed the prying servants, and threw up in the toilet, her stomach coiled tightly. Her heart was pounding as she crouched on the floor of the bathroom, and she began to feel that Leksandr could see through her fabrications and denials. He knew; he must, and was playing with her, using Arete to make her think that he was on her side, when all along the two Ascendants were in complete agreement. If that were true, then they were waiting for her to make a mistake that would lead them to Naxor, or to the God-Queen’s Quadrant. Paranoia and doubts filled her, and she realised she was afraid.
Her thoughts went to Silva. It had been four days since she had dismissed the demigod from her service, and not a single person in the Governor’s residence had commented on the fact that she was no longer around. Perhaps she had been taken into custody, and was being questioned, or tortured in the basement of the residence. Belinda washed her face and lay down on her bed, wanting to curl up into a ball and hide, or fall asleep and never wake up. Instead, she forced herself into a sitting position, and sent her vision through the half-closed shutters.
* * *
It took her over three hours to find her great granddaughter. The demigod was on the back of a wagon, heading south-east along a dusty road that led from Tordue to the Four Counties and the Fordian Wastes. There was a gap in the ring of mountains that almost enclosed Tordue, and her wagon was a few miles from a large earthen embankment that stretched across it. The demigod was sitting amid piles of luggage and goods, and a couple of other passengers were resting next to her.
Belinda almost cried out in relief when she saw her, and she dived into her mind without any hesitation.
Silva!
The demigod nearly jumped in surprise.
Silva, it’s me.
Your Majesty?
Yes. O, Silva, I’m so sorry about sending you away like that; I’m sorry about everything. I’ve made so many mistakes, but please know that I love you, and I didn’t want you to think that I had dismissed you because I was unhappy with you, I…
Her rushed tumble of thoughts trailed off as tears spilled down her face.
Your Majesty, please, slow down. What do you mean?
Corthie’s alive, Silva. I revived him after Arete and Leksandr killed him. They don’t know, and I couldn’t tell you; I knew they would read it from your mind. I’m trying my best to work against them, even though everyone thinks I’m on their side now, but it’s hard, so hard, and I don’t know how long I can keep it up.
Silva quietened, and Belinda could sense her sympathy, and the turmoil in her mind. She looked into the demigod’s memories, and could clearly see the feelings of betrayal and hurt that she had caused her great granddaughter.
Do you mean, Silva said after a while, that you tricked me into going away? Am I still in your service, your Majesty?
If you’ll have me, Silva.
Your Majesty, never doubt that, never. This makes me so happy… I must try to be calm, so that no one else on the wagon can see how I’m feeling right now, but I’m worried that I might start crying at any moment. Please, tell me what you need me to do.
I’m not sure. Part of me just wanted to have an honest conversation with you, and this was the only way I could think of that would work. I’ve missed you; I feel so alone. Arete suspects me, but Leksandr is acting as though he trusts me. I think he’s lying, but I can’t tell without going into his head, and then he would know. What should I do?
You’re asking for my advice, your Majesty?
I am.
To answer that, your Majesty, I must first know what it is that you want.
Belinda hesitated. What did she want?
I want to defeat the Ascendants. I want to free Lostwell, and the other worlds, from their rule. I want my friends to be safe.
Then I should search for Corthie, your Majesty. Alone, the two Ascendants would overcome you; but with him by your side? He nearly defeated them in Fordamere; together, you would stand a good chance of winning. Do you have any idea where he might be? I cannot sense his powers, so I will not be able to locate him that way.
I left him with Van, but he might be with Naxor.
I can look for Naxor.
We must be very careful. Leksandr told me that they could find the City of Pella with anyone who has ever used a Quadrant to travel there; in other words, Naxor would be able to give them all the information they need.
I understand.
Go to Cape Armour, and from there take a ship to Kinell. If Corthie fled from Yoneath, Kinell would be the place he would have most likely fled to. I will search there too, and let you know if I find them.
As you wish, your Majesty. In the meantime, I advise that you do everything the Ascendants ask of you; you must make them believe that you are on their side, and then, when we are strong enough, we shall strike.
I’ll track your progress, and make contact every day. Thank you, Silva. Were it not for you, I would despair.
Stay strong, your Majesty.
Belinda broke off the connection and took a deep breath. She wiped the tears from her face and stood. Her heart was still racing, but it was with exhilaration and hope, rather than anxiety. Even though nothing had really changed, she felt better for having had someone to share her feelings with. She strode to the window and gazed out over the city. She frowned. Pillars of smoke were rising from over the slums, and then she became aware of shouts coming from the courtyard below her. Had something happened?
She made her way out from her quarters, and saw Arete on the landing, surrounded by demigod courtiers.
‘What’s happening?’ Belinda said.
Arete looked at her as if she were mad. ‘Did you not feel that?’
‘I was in a vision trance; I felt nothing.’
&nbs
p; ‘You need to fix that, immediately,’ Arete said. ‘The city has just experienced its worst earthquake in a century, and you felt nothing? Did you not leave even a small part of your consciousness behind to stay aware of your surroundings?’
Belinda lowered her eyes, feeling like a child being berated by an angry adult. She hadn’t known that it was possible to remain aware of what was going on around her while she was using her vision powers, and didn’t want to ask how it was done, in case she appeared ignorant or foolish.
‘We’re sending troops out into the lower city,’ Arete went on, ‘to assist with the casualties.’
‘How bad was it?’
‘Use your vision to see for yourself,’ Arete said; ‘I’m too busy to do everything for you.’
She strode off down the stairs, the small crowd of demigods scurrying to keep up. Belinda remained at the top of the steps for a moment, then went back into her rooms. She poured herself a glass of water and sat down by the window. Everything in her quarters seemed fine, then she noticed that a picture hanging on the wall was a little askew. There was also a thin layer of dust covering the small table where her glass was sitting, and she looked up to see a crack in the ceiling. The Sextant lay somewhere in the rooms above her, and she worried for a moment that its great weight might send it falling through the floorboards, even though Leksandr had assured her that he had used his powers to strengthen the beams beneath it. She walked into her small study, which she knew for certain was not located under the Sextant, and gazed out of the window. Her vision pulled free of her body, and she sent it across the high plateau of Old Alea so that she could look down on the lower city.
The Shinstran districts were in chaos. Tenements had collapsed, and fires were raging through parts of the slums. Debris filled the streets, and a dazed population was gathering in the open areas. The neighbouring fortress was also burning, and long sections of its outer walls were in ruins. Moving north, the Torduan and Fordian districts were in the same condition as those where the Shinstrans lived, and Belinda watched as bodies were removed from a building that had fallen over. She brought her vision back and lowered her head.
Then she remembered Blackrose. She sent her sight back out, and raced it over the city. The Central Pits where she had seen the games that morning were still standing, though a couple of the auxiliary buildings next to the main arena were damaged. A little to the north, on the main road that traversed the entire length of the city, a convoy had paused, and amid it was the largest wagon she had ever seen. It was almost as wide as the road, and over a dozen gaien were attached to its harness. The wagon was covered, but there were a few gaps in the reinforced sides, and she sent her vision through. Inside, the huge black dragon was sitting, her eyes staring out through a small air hole.
Belinda pushed her vision at the dragon’s eyes, and they yielded.
What do you want, traitor? Blackrose said, as soon as she entered the dragon’s mind.
To see if you were alright. And I’m not a traitor, I’m a friend.
The dragon laughed. Is that why you stabbed Sable? Is that how friends behave?
Sable attacked me; I was defending myself. Please believe me. I’m trying to help; I’m trying to work against the Ascendants, while making them think I’m on their side. I’m not doing a very good job, I realise that, but my heart remains with you, and Corthie, and…
Corthie? If you cared so much about Corthie, then why did you let him die? That is the rumour I am hearing; that the two Ascendants cut him down.
They did, but I revived him. Damn it. I didn’t want to tell you, because if one of the Ascendants reads your mind, then they’ll discover the truth.
Blackrose hesitated.
I know Sable hates me, Belinda went on, and I understand why.
You had better not be lying to me, the dragon said.
I’m not. Is Sable alive, do you know?
She is.
Belinda gasped in relief. And does she still have the Quadrant?
What Quadrant?
She had a Quadrant when she attacked me. She used it to take Maddie away with her; I assumed you knew.
Belinda felt a rumble of anger rise within the dragon.
You are filling my head with lies and half-truths in order to deceive me, the dragon said. Go. I want nothing more to do with you.
Nothing I have said to you is a lie.
I will see about that.
Blackrose cut the link between them, and Belinda withdrew her vision from the wagon. She didn’t understand. The conversation had been going better than she had hoped, right up until she had mentioned Sable. Then it dawned on her; Sable hadn’t told the dragon about the Quadrant.
Had she ruined everything by telling the dragon the truth – had she spoiled Sable’s plans? Blackrose’s rage with the Holdfast woman would be ferocious if she had been keeping from her the fact that she possessed a Quadrant.
Belinda almost smiled. Sable would finally get what she deserved, and Belinda only hoped she would be there to witness it.
Chapter 6
Playing Along
S toneship, Forted Shore – 21st Tuminch 5252
‘And then,’ Kelsey went on, ‘when Corthie was eight, Karalyn was kicked out of the house again for trying to split up our parents, and Keir and I went to work right away. Without Karalyn to protect him, he was at our mercy. I was a pretty evil ten-year-old, I should add, and Keir was even worse.’ She paused for a moment, and peered at the base of the window bar that she had been unsuccessfully trying to dig out for over a month. ‘Anyway,’ she went on, raising the purloined spoon to begin scraping the mortar again, ‘we started…’
‘I get the picture,’ said Aila from where she sat on the bed pallet. ‘You and your older brother were horrible bullies. I’m not sure why you’re telling me all this; it’s not exactly making me think any better of you.’
Kelsey blew the dust from the base of the bar. ‘I just thought you should know a bit more about Corthie when he was young, that’s all. I don’t care what you think of me.’
‘Why did you hate him so much?’
‘Well, that’s the funny thing; his incessant cheerfulness used to get on my nerves, but I never actually hated him. It was all just a way to get at Karalyn, who we did hate, with a passion. Karalyn used to tell us off all the time for being mean to Corthie, so we kept doing it to annoy her.’
‘What did your parents do about it?’
‘Not much. Mother was away most of the time, governing the Holdings from the capital. Father tried to rein us in, but we used to run rings round him. Pyre’s arse, I regret that now. We were almost as mean to father as we were to Corthie.’ She stopped her work, her eyes cast downwards. ‘I’ll never forgive myself for not telling father how much he meant to me. He died saving my life, and Keir’s too, when a god attacked us. Despite everything we’d done to him, he didn’t hesitate, he just charged right in, and she killed him.’
Aila watched as the young Holdfast woman closed her eyes. ‘That’s awful,’ she said. ‘I don’t want to take anything away from what happened to you, but my father was also killed in front of me.’
‘Was he?’ said Kelsey. ‘Sorry.’
‘Prince Michael executed him for rebelling against the God-King and God-Queen.’
‘Amalia, you mean?’
‘Yeah. She was the all-powerful God-Queen back then.’
‘Did she order it?’
‘She didn’t need to; Prince Michael was really in charge. His divine parents had retired from running the City by that point. She would have known though, and approved.’
Kelsey glanced at her. ‘Do you want to kill her?’
‘I used to, though I would never have imagined being in a position where I would have been able to. She was the most powerful god in the City; she could have killed me with a look.’
Kelsey wiped her eyes and tried to smile. ‘Not while I’m around.’ She clenched the spoon in her fist and got back to work. ‘You should tell
me more about the City. I don’t mind telling you stuff, but sometimes, I think that you’re sitting there wondering when I’m going to shut up.’
‘What do you want to know?’
‘Well, about the sky, for a start.’
‘The sky?’
‘Aye. I heard Belinda say that there was something wrong with your world, and that the sun only rises a little way, and then goes down again.’
‘Yes, that’s true.’
‘I’ve been thinking about that.’
‘Why?’
Kelsey paused from her work again. ‘Well, I have a theory. If, right, the sun is pretty much on the horizon, then wouldn’t the sky often look like it’s sunrise or sunset?’
‘Compared to Lostwell, I suppose. The sky is usually pink or red, although it’s blue sometimes. At night, it’s purple, because the sun doesn’t dip too far below the horizon. It never gets completely dark.’
Kelsey nodded. ‘I’d like to see that.’
Aila frowned at her. ‘Don’t say that in front of Amalia; she’d whisk us there in no time.’
The sound of footsteps approached through the thick door, and Kelsey slipped down from the window and hid the spoon under the bed. The door opened, and the young servant walked into the room with a tray.
‘Morning, ladies,’ he said.
‘Good morning,’ said Kelsey. ‘No Maxin today?’
‘He left to go into town,’ the young man said as he placed the tray on the ground.
Kelsey picked up a book and threw it over to him. ‘Here. We’ve finished that one. It would be great if you could get us some more.’
‘Funnily enough, that’s one of the things on Maxin’s list. I’d be wary of what he buys you, though; his reading skills aren’t up to much. Oh, em, don’t tell him I said that, eh?’
‘Get me some cigarettes and it’s a deal.’
The servant smiled, and retreated from the room and locked it again.
Kelsey grunted. ‘Pyre’s knackers, I’m so sick of pretending to be friendly to these arseholes.’
‘It was your idea,’ said Aila, as she got off the bed to inspect the contents of the tray, ‘and, I must admit, it has kind of worked. They never bring crossbows with them when they give us meals any more, and he would never have stood there for a chat when we were first put in here. All the same, it hasn’t got us out, has it?’
Gates of Ruin (Magelands Eternal Siege, #6) Page 8
