The Hunter's Gambit

by Nicholas McIntire

  Master Collins nodded in silent response, and Aleksei booted his warhorse out of the stables and onto the road that led into the city. He was on High Street in a matter of minutes, and was at the outer gate by the time the alarm bells began to ring.

  “Better get a move-on, Lord Captain,” muttered the guard at the gate. “They’ll be making us shut down at any moment. Wouldn’t want you to be delayed any more than necessary.”

  Aleksei smiled, “Thank you, Worthing. Have a pleasant evening.”

  “And yourself, Lord Captain.”

  Aleksei rode at a brisk canter out onto the road, waiting until the gates had shut completely before he urged Agriphon into a full gallop. South, towards freedom.

  And home.

  Sammul glowered at the man standing before him. After a moment, he turned and walked over to the fire, warming his hands as he thought. Most perplexing indeed. And more than perplexing, it was highly irritating.

  He hated mysteries.

  “Surely there’s a logical explanation.” Perron was saying, dry-washing his hands and looking hopefully at the Magus.

  Sammul sneered at the man, “Logical explanation?”

  Perron nodded hopefully, “Murders of this sort just don’t spring out of thin air, Sammul. They have to have motive, and more importantly, means. And at the moment, there are no means. In fact, there’s nothing beyond the addled tale from a scullery maid you brought forth. You touch the Archanium, surely her description made some sense to you!”

  The High Magus fought back an angry growl. The girl’s bizarre story failed to induce any recognition in him. Everyone was looking to him and his Magi to solve a crime he could not even fathom.

  No mark, no signs of struggle or force and most importantly, no blood. Not only was there no blood to be found around Hugo Malak’s body, there was no blood to be found within his body. It was as though he’d been drained dry. Yet no puncture wounds had been discovered, nor bruising of any kind.

  Worse, there were no traces of the Archanium anywhere near the room. However Malak had been murdered, it had not been through any methods Sammul understood.

  “My knowledge of the Archanium will do us no good here, Perron. The murderer did not use any form of magic I can divine.”

  Perron stared at him, “But surely that’s impossible. Perhaps it’s just a form you’re not familiar with.”

  Sammul delivered the other man a dangerous look, “There is no form the Archanium may take that is beyond my sight. I can see its echoes in the voices of the angels and in the incantations of warlocks. The nature of the user is of little consequence; the shadows of power leave traces all the same. But I tell you again, this crime was not performed with any aid of the Archanium.”

  Perron growled, “But if Drago did it, a death by use of the Archanium would naturally point to the Prince as an accomplice.”

  Sammul shook his head, “Which would be quite remarkable since the Prince departed for Dalita several days ago.”

  Perron shrugged, “It doesn’t seem all that farfetched to me. Drago disappeared over a week ago, but there are reports of people having seen him in the Palace today until shortly after Malak’s death.”

  There was a knock at the door and Sammul sighed in irritation, “Come.”

  A young errand boy stepped in and bowed to the two men, “Message for Chancellor Perron.”

  Perron nodded and accepted the parchment from the boy. As he skimmed the page a smile broke across his face.

  “What is it?” Sammul asked, trying not to sound eager.

  Perron glanced up, “It’s a response to an inquiry I made at the South Gate of the city. The lieutenant in charge of the gate says that the Lord Captain exited through the South Gate just as the alarm was sounded.

  “Now forgive me, Sammul, but it seems the means by which he murdered Malak are rather besides the point. How suspicious does it appear for the Lord Captain to appear seemingly out of thin air, stay only long enough for the murder, and then leave moments after?”

  Sammul shook his head, “You may press all you wish, Perron, but the Queen would not accept his guilt were she to have witnessed the murder herself. Need I remind you that above having a sterling record of service since his promotion, Lord Captain Drago is also the Prince’s Bonded. That means that any action taken against the Lord Captain must in turn be taken against the Prince.

  “Therefore, an execution is most obviously out of the question, as it would be the same as executing the Prince. And as much as you may wish for such a serendipitous event, it will not come to pass. Not while Andariana Belgi sits the throne, at least.”

  Perron smiled, “Then perhaps it’s time we changed that.”

  Sammul arched an eyebrow, “Are you strong enough to make such a move?”

  Perron shrugged, “We have strength enough. Malak ensured that the garrison in Mornj is not prepared to handle any effective uprising, and members of Parliament inclined to agree with our…grievances have been assembling militias and sending members of their personal armies to their provinces for months. We should have a sizable force assembled by now. Certainly large enough to overpower the Legionnaires in Mornj. After that there really isn’t another outpost until Keiv-Alon, but their garrison has a mere fifteen thousand. No, if nothing else Hugo’s death gives us the opportune moment to make our stand.”

  Sammul forced his face to become grave. It would not do to appear celebratory; he wasn’t prepared to give Perron such insight into his own thoughts.

  Before he could respond, another knock came at the door. “Come!” he barked.

  It was another messenger.

  “High Magus, the Queen demands your presence immediately.”

  Sammul sighed and nodded, “I’ll be with her shortly.”

  The messenger saluted and hurried off.

  Perron stepped forward and grasped Sammul’s arm, “Now not a word of this to the Queen!”

  Sammul regarded the man contemptuously, “You forget your place, Lord Perron. I’ll try to make this brief.” He stopped at the door and glanced back, “Try not to piss yourself from excitement.”

  He walked swiftly down the hall, becoming more and more aggravated with every step. The very nerve of being sent for. He was no lapdog. Then again, perhaps it was better she had not come herself. He would not have enjoyed explaining Lord Perron’s presence in his office. No, for the moment he couldn’t afford to be associated too closely with the man.

  The doors to the Queen’s chambers opened as he approached. Andariana did not get out of her armchair as he entered, she merely nodded at him in acknowledgement.

  “Good evening, High Magus.” She looked upset, though he sincerely doubted it had anything to do with Malak’s death.

  He bowed deeply, “Majesty.”

  “I would speak with you about Lord Malak.”

  “Indeed, Majesty. It is a great loss to the realm.”

  Andariana fixed him with a level glare, “While your words are most…appropriate, I have little interest in sentimentality at the moment. Rather, I am curious to know whether you have any light to shed on the subject.”

  “Majesty?”

  She smiled, “Come now, Sammul, surely you know what I’m asking you. I have had Legionnaires, physicians and chemists paraded through here, and not a one of them can explain what occurred here this evening. It rather reminds me of Lord Bazin and Lord Captain Lenox’s murders last year.

  “I was hoping that someone of your position might be able to answer a few questions that seem to be rather mysterious in nature.”

  Sammul sighed. He didn’t have to feign confusion on this particular subject, “I have inspected the area in question, as well as Lord Malak’s body. There were no traces of the Archanium in either. I can honestly say, Majesty, that I don’t have the faintest clue of what transpired between the Lord Captain and Lord Malak.”

  Andariana arched an eyebrow, “I never mentioned the Lord Captain, S
ammul.”

  Sammul cursed himself, “But surely you know, Majesty, that rumors are all over the Palace now. One must be suspicious at the nature of the Lord Captain’s short visit.”

  “Indeed, High Magus, yet I’m sure you can understand my reluctance at accusing the commander of my armed forces of murder when we have yet to determine the actual cause of death. Is it not possible that Malak died of some common malady?”

  Sammul arched an eyebrow, “His body was found drained of blood. And besides, Malak was not much past thirty summers and not in bad physical condition. No, Majesty, I firmly believe that only murder could have transpired here tonight.”

  Andariana considered a moment. “You are, of course, aware of the implications in accusing Lord Captain Drago?”

  Sammul nodded, “Some had occurred to me, Majesty.”

  “Then what would you propose we do?”

  “Well, if nothing else I believe the good Lord Captain should be present for any proceedings that may follow. His sudden absence only appears the more suspicious.”

  “And if he went to join my nephew?” Andariana asked.

  “The addition of the Prince’s support could only help the Lord Captain, Majesty.”

  Andariana regarded him crossly, “Don’t feign ignorance, Sammul. You know the Prince is presently in a very fragile situation. It may be that Drago’s presence is required for the success of the Prince’s journey.”

  Sammul bit back a laugh, “Majesty, the Prince is far more savvy than the Lord Captain. I doubt the addition of Drago’s presence will make that much of a difference to anyone.”

  Andariana sighed, “Perhaps you’re right. Jonas does seem to handle things admirably on his own. Very well, Sammul. Issue a summons for Lord Captain Drago. Have it sent to every major city in Ilyar, just in case he might be headed in a different direction than we first perceived.”

  “What of Dalita?” Sammul asked.

  Andariana chortled, “Oh, imagine the day Kevara Avlon would allow me to send a military unit within a hundred leagues of the Dalitian border. That’s a laugh.

  “If Drago is guilty, I hope he’s running north. The angels will harbor him against any indictment Parliament levels. I need hardly remind you, High Magus, of how little love was lost when my younger sister disappeared rather than be brought to trial by the Angelus.”

  Sammul nodded, “Joel’s death was a greater evil than we could have imagined.”

  He watched Andariana, noting the way her face fell at the thought of her sister. She loved Rhiannon dearly, and had searched tirelessly for her the first decade after her disappearance. But there came a time when one had to let go. And Andariana Belgi had mastered that art long ago.

  “You are dismissed, High Magus.” she said quietly.

  CHAPTER 32

  Homecoming

  ALEKSEI FOUGHT TO keep his eyes open. He felt as though he’d been riding for an age, and while Agriphon was still full of energy from being pent up so long, his rider desired something in vigor.

  The only thing that kept him in the saddle was the knowledge that the Guard would soon be after him. He had to gain as much distance between himself and Kalinor as possible before they began searching.

  At first he had thought it best to go directly to Seil Wood. But while he had hoped the Wood might take him nearer to his father’s farm by the same magical means She had employed to send him to Drava, it was not worth bringing the ire of Ilyar down on the Wood for his own selfish purposes.

  He would never do that to the Wood, to Roux. He would not pull the Ri-Vhan into this. The knowledge that they would have aided him unconditionally was enough for him.

  Instead Aleksei made his way south, alone. After all, they would probably expect him to head north, where he could feel Jonas like the heat from a flickering candle, and where he might find sanctuary among the angels.

  But no, there was only one place he could, in good conscience, seek aid. It also happened to be the last place anyone might think to look for him.

  In the year he’d been in Kalinor, he’d not once had the opportunity to visit his father. They wrote each other, of course, and Aleksei sent money as often as he could. But in all honesty he’d had little time for such a long trip.

  It pained him greatly that the first time he could make it down was not as the Lord Captain of Her Majesty’s Legion, but as a murderer and a fugitive.

  As he rode, Aleksei recalled the last time he had traveled to his farm. It had been at the height of confusion for him, as he’d made it to Kalinor in only a few days, rather than weeks. He’d just rescued Tamara from an assassination attempt, and he remembered clearly the radiant pride on his father’s face.

  What would Henry say now? Aleksei needed to hide for a while, until he heard from Jonas, and he knew what was awaiting him back in Kalinor. Once that much was made clear, it would be easier to settle upon a more permanent course of action.

  The farther south he traveled, the more his thoughts consumed him. He passed farming communities, fearful that his presence might bring danger to them. He avoided the villages, preferring to camp in the wilderness rather than leave an obvious trail.

  But when he reached the walls of Keiv-Alon, he realized that sooner or later he would have to venture back into civilization. His rations were running low, and this late into the Harvest season it would be difficult to find food enough to live off the land.

  He needed to find a market, and this was likely the last decent one he would find before Voskrin some two hundred leagues south.

  Still, he thought, better a large city to blend into than a small village. Less likely to be noticed.

  With that idea firmly fixed in his mind, Aleksei rode down the hill into the valley dominated by the great city.

  At first he feared detection at the gates, but found that the guards were no more interested in a lone traveler on an expensive horse than they were in the cart of turnips in front of him. He rode through without incident and considered dismounting to lead Agriphon through the street. But as he glanced about, Aleksei saw how many Legionnaires there were. If he was spotted, his best chance would be on horseback.

  He rode cautiously towards Market Street, keeping a careful eye for anyone who might be looking for him. While he doubted that word of Malak’s murder could have traveled so far so fast, much less the word of who was responsible, Aleksei was taking no chances that he might be traced.

  The market had most of the things he sought, and in the matter of an hour he was done.

  His saddlebags heavy with provisions, Aleksei turned Agriphon towards the south gate. He passed out of Market Street and was about to turn onto South Street when something caught his eye.

  Aleksei pulled Agriphon towards the wall of a small grocery, his attention riveted to the poster that was nailed there.

  Wanted for the foul Murder of

  Lord Hugo Malak of Relvyn:

  The Lord Captain Aleksei Drago

  Sought Dead or Alive – Handsome Reward for

  Apprehension or Whereabouts

  Signed in the name of Her Majesty Andariana Belgi

  and under the ultimate authority of the

  High Chancellor Bertrand Perron

  His blood ran cold. They knew. That much was not so surprising, he supposed. But that he was wanted dead or alive? Wasn’t that a little premature? He was more than surprised that Andariana would have authorized such a proclamation, as his death would forfeit Jonas' life as well.

  Unless she doesn’t even know about it, he thought to himself.

  He looked again at the signature and his suspicions were confirmed. If this was a missive from Perron, it was hardly surprising that he was seeking Aleksei’s head.

  Aleksei knew Perron and Malak had been friends, certainly. And as eliminating him would also remove Jonas from the equation, it only further served Perron’s agenda.

  Fortunately there was no description of him, and unless he paraded himself
about town as the Lord Captain, there was no reason for anyone to suspect him. No one in Keiv-Alon knew what he looked like. Outside of Voskrin, Kalinor, or the Wood, he was a perfect stranger to every person who saw him.

  He turned Agriphon back towards the south gate, waiting impatiently for the guards to clear him before booting his stallion into a full out gallop. Gods, the sooner he got to the farm the better.

  Two more days passed under the constant threat of rain, but on the third day the sky cleared and, for the first time in what felt like years, Aleksei felt his self-possession return. His mind finally lifted from his own situation long enough to wonder about Jonas.

  Where was he? Aleksei could feel him to the north, but at such a distance it was impossible to be much more accurate. As his sense of desperation faded, he was suddenly keenly aware of the gnawing loneliness in the pit of his stomach. A loneliness only Jonas could satiate.

  Aleksei wondered if Jonas was even in Ilyar. Even in the brief period he’d spent in Kalinor, Jonas had seemed to be hundreds of leagues to the north.

  Aleksei frowned at that thought. He didn’t like the idea of Jonas going into strange territory, even if it was a nation tied to Ilyar by truce. He especially didn’t like the idea of Jonas venturing there alone. He knew his prince was more than competent, but there was always the threat that something might escape his notice.

  Such thoughts clouded his mind for several days until finally even worries for his Magus were driven from his head. He crested a hill and found himself staring down upon a depressingly familiar sight.

  Voskrin.

  He took a deep breath and rode down the main road, forcing a smile as he noted how the familiar houses of his friends hadn’t changed in the least. He wondered if any of them had left the village since he’d been gone, though he doubted it. No one left the village unless they absolutely had to.

  As he rode into town, an older woman stumbled on the path and fell in front of Agriphon. Aleksei immediately pulled the horse up short and vaulted out of his saddle. He reached the woman in a heartbeat, helping her to her feet.