He had to admit he'd been fashioning scenarios with Ursa for some time now, and he was leery of reading too much into her actions. She hadn't said anything new. But there was a change in the way she leaned into him. He was sure of it. Almost.
"I miss the sunset from the top of the mountains," she said as they turned again toward the setting sun. They had kept to the western side of the tower to catch the last of the light, despite the saying that circling the tower three times would bring good luck.
"I miss...sugar clouds."
This drew a giggle out of her. "Ama, I cannot picture you eating a sugar cloud."
He gave her an exaggerated look of surprise. "Clearly we have not spent enough Alveas holidays together. Or Solstice nights. I am a connoisseur of sugar clouds."
"Do please list the best in the city. Alveas is soon, and I will be on the lookout for smuggled sugar."
He regaled her with a full run-down of candy shoppes he’d frequented in his youth.
The sun set, and they eventually wrapped up their silly conversation, and returned to his balcony.
Ursa paused to look due south, at the campfires of the Hji starting to light up.
He dared to put an arm around her whole body, and she leaned into him once more.
"You shouldn't look. Take one evening off."
Her hands cradled her belly. "Unfortunately, that is our burden. No nights off."
"Five minutes off then. To look at the stars."
She obliged him that, and they watched the moon rise, staving off the end of the interlude.
Finally, he walked her across the darkened common room and dropped her off at her door.
~*~
Ursa closed her door and leaned against it. Her workroom was dark now as well. She folded her arms around herself and let the feeling of the evening sink into her bones, let the feel of Amadou's arms settle on her skin.
Then she grabbed her workbag and shifted, off to see how she could help on the wall.
~*~
Amadou took the stairs down to Hestia's offices. He almost ran into a page going the other way.
"Sorcerer," the girl said, and bowed lightly.
He already knew what was coming.
"His Majesty requests your presence."
At least they'd given up the old ways. Obiad said when he was younger, a page would have passed him on the stairs, only to give the message to the head butler or footman of the sorcerers. Now those boundaries were breaking down. Come to think of it, the last time I saw a butler was at Xavier's, he thought with a faint smile.
"Thank you. Dismissed."
The page knew Amadou would go immediately. Figurehead or not, no one made the king wait.
Amadou turned around with a sweep of his robes and made his way back up the stairs.
The royal family lived below the sorcerers. The lower floors were warrens of hallways designed to flow around the circular shape of the tower, and the staircases that made up the main routes and the servant passageways. Most rooms had no windows, until the bedrooms or state rooms of the royals. In Carnate's heat, the inner rooms felt like cool caves.
He walked down the hallway, carpeted in plush blue. Guards were posted at intervals. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Princess Phumzile enter her rooms. She lifted a hand in greeting. He backtracked and bowed.
"How are mine, Sorcerer?"
She meant himself, Ursa, and Khalil. The princess had officially hired the younger generation of sorcerers. It was the role of the second heir.
"Striving to beat back the wolves, Your Highness."
Phumzile adjusted the deep blue silk wrap draped over her elbows. Her eyes had been outlined extravagantly in kohl. Gold jewelry dripped from her ears.
"You have protected this city well, Sorcerer. We thank you."
He bowed again, and she passed into her rooms.
Amadou quick-stepped to make it to the king's receiving rooms.
As he'd thought, Prime Minister Letteres and General Freas were there as well. The prime minister sat, while the general had taken up a wide-legged stance by the window.
Amadou bowed before King Olanrewaju.
The king waved a hand. He was similarly dressed to his daughter, in blues and golds, his eyes rimmed in kohl.
"We are here to plan the retrieval of this demon from the smugglers' outpost of Saccharine," Olanrewaju said.
"When will the High Priestess be joining us, Your Majesty?" Amadou asked.
Hestia winced. He realized he may have come out of the gate too strongly on that one, but he was outnumbered without En Heduanna.
King Olanrewaju took it in stride. "I will meet with her later. For the time being, we will plan on delivering the demon directly to the tower. We have space here equipped to handle a demon who has already been bound."
"It is bound, isn't it, Sorcerer?" General Freas asked.
Amadou nodded. "The tab indicates a binding by a temple. But it isn't meant to be moved. The binding only means anything when it is held by a temple. It could have broken during travel."
He had a fear of the demon exploding out in the middle of Saccharine. Not only would the poor souls there be lost, but demons were drawn to chaos. He could think of nothing more chaotic than a city that had been under siege close to a year.
"We will have to move it quickly and as soon as possible," the general clarified.
"Tomorrow," Amadou said.
But the others shook their heads, as if this had been discussed already.
"The guard will need a day to prepare," Hestia explained. "And we must wait and track the location of the Hji."
"Perhaps I should take another sorcerer and go on ahead." This statement reminded him he still hadn't told the other sorcerers of the demon. He and Ursa could go out, but they would need the others to be on alert and ready to receive the demon.
And of course, he'd need to warn En Heduanna of the king's intentions. The High Priestess wouldn't mind sending sorcerers into danger to retrieve the demon, but she would want it delivered into the care of the Temple, immediately.
"That's an unnecessary danger," Guenhwyvar said. "Just be patient. The smuggler you questioned—Cirina, right? She's not an Arrowhead or a Demon's Breath. She won't have the resources of a big crew. I doubt she'll be able to get a message to her contact. The real problem is knowing where to find the demon. Do you know what it will look like?"
He nodded. "A plain wooden chest. The only clue will be the other half of this tab. And, of course, the plethora of magical charms on it. Do you know what Saccharine is like?"
The general shook her head. "A tent city. Traders pass in and out, but our situation has given it more permanence. Normally, those people would come into Carnate. The location of Saccharine used to be a meeting place for criminals. It is far enough from the city to be neutral ground, but not so far that underhanded deals can't be finished before supper."
"As it is," Hestia went on to the king and Amadou, "We've never had cause to raid the place, not before, and not after it was christened Saccharine."
"So we are forced to go in blind," Amadou mused. He wondered if they could get Cirina to help, but he doubted the woman would be back at the Sledge for some time. Like the general, he was focused on speed. The longer the demon was out there, the greater the chance it could fall into the hands of the wolves.
The planning continued for some time more, until finally Amadou, Hestia, and Guenhwyvar were dismissed. Amadou kept quiet until they reached the landing out of the royal floor.
"Hestia?" he said.
She faced him, and Guenhwyvar stopped as well, fingers hooked in her belt.
The prime minister's mouth was in a firm line. "All I can say is... En Heduanna's influence would be helpful here. Then the parliament can vote."
The general's eyebrows rose. "We can hardly leave something so critical up to a vote."
"Don't tell me you're for this, Guen," Amadou said in horror.
Guenhwyvar had the decency to avoid his e
yes. "Sorcerer...I know you put your life on the line same as us all. But you haven't lost your people like I have."
A flash of irritation brushed over him, making him want to walk off in a huff for the second time in one day. Wasn't I on the ground during the first assault? But he didn't say it. The guard were her people. Much as he felt the loss, it wasn't the same as if Obiad, Khalil, Thisbe, Isis, or Ursa had been killed.
"If the priestesses can control it—"
"—they cannot," Amadou cut in. "That's the exact point I'm trying to make Olan—His Majesty understand." He tried to keep his tone neutral, calm, and deadly clear.
Hestia put up her hands. "All sides will be discussed before a vote. Do not fear, Amadou, you will have your chance to speak before parliament just like everyone else. Now, can we stay focused? None of this will matter if we cannot retrieve the demon."
The general nodded. "We'll go the day after tomorrow. Ready your people, Ama."
He bid them adieu and went up to the top floor.
~*~
The next morning, Ursa settled into bed after a shift on the wall. They were returning to their regular schedule, and Khalil had recovered from his wounds from when he'd been sprung upon by the Hji.
She rose around midday, put her workshop in order and charmed armor and weapons while she thought about her spells.
There was no way of knowing what they'd need in Saccharine. A collection of battle charms were endlessly useful, of course. Spells for deception and detection, controlling crowds, and disguising their party were more complicated. She could hardly walk around with a great mass of semi-prepared charms at her waist. Even common ingredients would be too much to carry.
Of course, she could always lean on her raw magic, but she preferred to save her energy for an engagement with the Hji. Many lives depended on how quickly she could spellcast in a battle.
Once again, she wished she and Amadou could just nip out and reclaim the demon, but that wasn't how bureaucracy functioned. And as had been wisely pointed out by Thisbe, they never knew the consequences of their actions. What if she and Amadou drew more attention, and caused the Hji to attack? What if they fumbled the execution with no help and no backup plan?
In the evening, Amadou knocked and entered her workroom. She smiled at the cup of tea in his hands.
"Almost ready?"
Ursa looked at the mess of herbs, stones, feathers, bones, inks, beads, powders in unlabeled vials—all of it meant to fit into the small pack, which would also carry her waterskin, a small amount of rations, and a dagger.
"I begin to despair," she said.
Chuckling, Amadou nudged the tea toward her. She took up the porcelain cup. He came to stand by her, organizing and sorting the items on the table. As he weighed raven skulls in his hands, he said, "I haven't heard any of your wild tales lately. Don't tell me Ursula el-Kine is settling down."
Her mind went to the rescue of Khalil, which she and Khalil had smoothed over when describing.
"You wouldn't be the first to suspect it."
"Oh, no?"
"No, my mother is quite determined that I settle as well." She took a sip of tea.
Amadou's hands stilled on the table. "Is that so?"
"Yes! You wouldn't believe it, Ama.” Ursa had forgotten she hadn’t had time to tell Amadou all about Sodumo’s machinations. “She orchestrated a trap to force a proposal, and sprung it on me with the lure of a new outfit! More fool me for falling for it, I suppose. I thought she was done with that foolishness."
"Foolishness? You did not accept?"
"Accept!" Ursa cradled her tea in her hands. She hadn't even gotten to the ridiculous part, the man's seduction attempt in the carriage. She did not notice Amadou's back stiffen. "Of course I didn't accept. I...favor another. I have for a long time."
"I've finished here," he said abruptly.
"Oh." Ursa straightened at his tone. He had leaned forward over the table, and she could not make out his expression. "Thank you—"
She was not able to finish her sentence as he made to leave her workroom.
"Ama? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Turn around."
He obeyed, a frown deepening his features. "Perhaps you shouldn't come tomorrow."
Ursa set her teacup down on the table. She had followed him around the table but now she stopped.
"What just happened? Of course I'm coming. We've already made the plan."
"It's dangerous."
"Well then perhaps you should stay back."
"I'm not pregnant."
She flushed. "It has always been about that, hasn't it? You can't stand it."
"That isn't what I meant—"
"I've known for weeks, Amadou. You haven't hidden it well."
He reddened, at least. But he rebounded just as quickly. "You kept a secret from me first."
Ursa drew a breath, but she did not know what to say after that. He was right, and she couldn't deny it, and she didn't want to bring Xavier into a conversation she was trying to have about her and whatever the hell Amadou wanted from her.
"Exactly," Amadou said into her silence.
They faced off for a moment, and then her door burst open. They whirled toward it as Isis burst in.
"Ama! You're wanted at the west guardhouse. They think they saw a Fade!"
A Fade? she thought incredulously. Even a demon is more common a sight.
"Great Eye," Amadou said, equally surprised. "I'll go now."
He made for her window, taking a wide berth around Ursa, who folded her arms. Her eyes drilled into his back until he was gone.
~*~
Amadou was still cursing himself when he landed into the chaos of the guardhouse. What followed were several hours of Guenhwyvar berating him for inadequate magicks supplied to her people after the Fade escaped.
He made no defense. He should be ready for anything, even something as arcane as a Fade. They could never know what the Hji would throw at them. The general tried to cancel the excursion to Saccharine, but there he’d put his foot down. A demon was much, much worse than a Fade.
By the time he made it back to the tower, Ursa was asleep, and there was no more way to argue with her about coming to Saccharine.
Probably for the best. I don’t have another chance to be an utter fool.
Amadou settled at his desk with a sigh. He was an awkward scholar next to her. He wasn’t wild, and he hadn’t had many successful relationships. The last had been Gyeong-Hui, a noblewoman. A fine match but they had never quite fit together. When Ursa had walked through Carnate’s walls, Amadou had known for sure he and Gyeong-Hui would not work. Not because he’d fallen instantly in love with Ursa—he didn’t think—but rather because of the ease of their friendship. He’d been forced to admit things with Gyeong-Hui had never been that carefree. His family had taken it harder than Gyeong-Hui. By then, she’d known too, but a good match with a head sorcerer was a hard thing to give up, even though she was well-positioned.
And there had been good times. His mind wandered back, to when he and Gyeong-Hui, dressed in silks, snuck out of a party to his darkened workroom. He’d lifted her onto the table and loosened the ties of her tunic, pressing his face into her smooth, pale breasts. She’d tipped her head back and smothered a giggle. Snow leopard spots patterned her body as she half-shifted. Then they’d pulled up their skirts and she’d wrapped her legs around him. Her fingers traced the lines of his collarbone and they’d looked deeply into each other’s eyes. He’d been certain he was in love then.
A nice memory after all.
And Ursa…He was annoyed and apologetic by turns. He tried to push away thoughts of her, but ended up going over their conversation over and over in his head until he fell asleep.
~*~
Before dawn, they rose and collected their things. In frosty silence, Amadou and Ursa descended the tower to meet their party at the northwest gate.
Gawin
Gawin swayed on his feet. T
he past few weeks his crew had been beset by the rival gang at every turn, almost like they were reading his mind. Now Renat was telling him that his wife, Moon, had been the one selling secrets to their enemies.
Sound blurred out. Renat kept speaking—dully, Gawin noted. Defeated. But Gawin swayed out of the conversation. He’d loved Moon. She’d been funny and weird and…just, a breath of fresh air. But mostly he’d loved Renat and Moon together. He’d idolized the two of them and their unlikely but perfect love.
Now all that had fallen apart.
I have to tell Philippa. She knew how much he'd loved Moon. She'd be as shocked as any of them.
Gawin put a hand to his stomach. He felt a pain forming there at the news.
"—Right, Gawin?"
Gawin straightened at Renat's call. Renat must be feeling this worse than any of them. The inner room was Renat and Moon's apartment. The bed was against the far wall, behind a screen. The space between the screen and the desk they clustered around was in disarray, as if Renat had trashed the place.
Hopefully it had been Renat, and not Moon, come to destroy their crew.
The others did not know Moon was a Fade, but they had noticed she did not shift to cat form. It was a hard thing not to notice in a city like Carnate. Gawin had heard other places did not integrate animal-forms into city life so much, but he couldn't picture that. How did one not feel the beating of their other half in their blood?
He couldn't understand it, and the people of Carnate couldn't understand it, and therefore anyone who did not conform was noticed.
But Renat had created a place for any and all to come together. There had been a peace in it, a solidity. Moon’s betrayal had cut through that clean as any guard saber.
Try as he might, though, Gawin felt only sadness. He could not generate any anger towards Moon. Maybe in time, for all she'd taken from them.
When the other lieutenants had been dismissed, Renat kept Gawin behind. Gawin sighed as he heard the news. Any plans to leave the city were put on hold. Renat was set on revenge.
~*~
Gawin wanted to go straight to Philippa, but it was impossible. The Arrowheads were in an uproar. He spent a good fifteen minutes calming the others. Their anger was only a mask for their fear. If their rivals, the Demon's Breath, were powerful enough to plant a Fade in Renat's bed, what else did they know? What else could they do?
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