“Dom Rux?”
Rux looked up, the worry lines on his face momentarily disappearing.
“Torren!” With long strides, the ambassador crossed the room and grasped his arm in greeting. “It’s good to see you again.” He glanced over his shoulder at his companions. “And the twins. Micca said you two would be the ones bringing him.”
“Dom Rux.” Both brothers gave him a half-bow.
“Is Micca here?” Torren asked, his impatience getting the better of him.
Rux’s worry lines returned. “No, not yet. Though I expect him back at any moment.”
“Has something else happened?”
Rux waved the question aside. “Not exactly. Some other problems have come to the surface.”
Torren nodded. “I presume you’re referring to the Landers at the gate?”
“Yes.” Rux looked suddenly weary. “The governor has come, and with him an emissary from the emperor.” He resumed pacing. “When the capital appeared before, I was able to placate the governor’s fears. But now that an emissary from the emperor is here and the capital has, as far as they’re concerned, so unexpectedly returned…”
Torren finished what he left unsaid. “They’ve come looking for answers.”
“Precisely. And they’re growing more impatient by the moment.” Rux stopped by the side of his desk and apprehensively picked at a loose feather on one of his wings. “I sent a message to Tel Valerian the minute they appeared asking how the council wanted me to proceed, but I’ve heard nothing.” His troubled gaze met Torren’s squarely. “I don’t think I’ll be able to hold them off much longer without them jumping to some sort of conclusion and possibly resorting to violence.”
Torren frowned, wondering if things were deteriorating here as rapidly as in the capital. “The council probably won’t be much help. Aen didn’t awaken as many expected.”
The twins nodded in agreement. “He’s right, Dom.”
Rux sighed deeply.
“I was afraid this might be the case.” He came to stand before Torren. “You’ve worked closely with them. You understand better than any of us what motivates them. I would greatly appreciate it if you would be in attendance when I meet with them.”
Torren hesitated, wanting more to get together with Micca and Sal and pool their information than coddle some frightened politician. “I don’t know what help I can be to you, but if it’s what you want.”
“Excellent!” Rux’s wings bobbed a little higher. “For, you see, I think more than just our unexpected presence here is on their minds.” He glanced over at the twins. “Refreshments for the guests are being prepared in the kitchen. If you would tell them they’ll be here presently, I’d appreciate it. Please feel free to take anything you want and to use one of the rooms to rest for a while, if you need it. I know you’ve not slept since keeping vigil over the Vassal last night.”
“Thank you, Dom.” Grinning, the two usually sober-faced brothers left.
“Let me go advise the guard to let our guests in. I’ll only be a moment.”
Taking his time, Torren wandered around the office and studied its maps then stepped out into the reception room. He hadn’t been there long before Rux returned.
“They’ll be here momentarily.” He threw Torren an odd look. “The governor is a strange one, even for a Lander. I’ve not met the emissary before.”
He nodded, grateful for the information, then helped Rux move some of the chairs into a loose, non-threatening circle. They’d finished by the time a knock rang on the reception room’s doors.
Rux, wings twitching, strode across to open them himself. Torren watched from the back of the room as a tall, thin man dressed from head to foot in ruffles and lace entered behind a shorter, portlier man in dark velvet. Beyond them, four men, two of the city guard and two in the emperor’s livery, stared with almost open distrust at the four armed Flyers keeping them company.
“Gentlemen, please come in and make yourselves comfortable.” Rux swept a hand toward the chairs farther in the room. “I apologize for the delay in seeing you, but it couldn’t be avoided.”
“Well, it was highly irregular of you, Ambassador. And the heat does so bother my complexion.” The taller of the two men sat down, dabbing at his face with a silken handkerchief. The other continued to stand. After a moment, he made a slight noise with his throat and stared hard at the other.
“Oh! Yes, yes, where are my manners?” The governor stood once more. “Ambassador, I want to introduce you to the emperor’s emissary, the distinguished Count Von Duren. Count, this is Rux, Ambassador of the Chosen for the city of Caeldanage.”
The emissary gave Rux a curt bow.
“It is an honor, sir.” Von Duren’s dark eyes met Rux’s then slid from him to Torren. “And might you be the Vassal?”
He laughed before he could think better of it. Von Duren’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“No, I’m sorry, this is not the Vassal.” Rux moved to stand closer to Torren, color rising on his neck, the fact he might be mistaken for Aen not having occurred to him. “This is Torren, the son of one of our councilors. He’s been lost to us since he was a boy and has but recently returned.”
“Really?” The governor, who’d sat down once more, now moved up to the edge of his seat with unconcealed interest. “It would explain the clothes. But shouldn’t he have…?”
Von Duren sent the governor a scathing look even as the latter realized what he’d been asking.
“Oh, my. I’m so sorry.” His interest didn’t seem to diminish in the least.
Just then there was a soft knock at the door. Before anyone could move to answer it, the doors swung inwards revealing the twins, each carrying a filled tray. The guards still milling in the hallway glanced in as the two strode forward, then closed the doors.
Rux smiled in relief at the sight of them. “Gentlemen, how about some refreshments? Please, help yourselves.”
The twins lowered the trays before each of the two men, and after they’d made a selection they set them on small side tables placed within easy reach. The twins nodded in Rux’s and Torren’s direction and let themselves out.
“Oh, eva fruit! I love how your cook prepares it.” The governor glanced over at Von Duren. “Do try some. It’s fabulous.”
As the governor helped himself to more of the fruit, Torren sat down, eyeing their two guests circumspectly. This was the first time he’d met the governor, but it looked as if some of the talk he’d heard about the man had substance. Still, if this was all there was to him, he was sure there’d be no way he would have lasted in his position as long as he had.
Von Duren was another matter, however; there was no subterfuge in him whatsoever. It was hard to tell which was the one to watch out for the most.
Rux took a piece of fruit and some white cheese for himself and sat down. He ate his tidbits slowly, waiting for one of his two guests to start the conversation. He didn’t have to wait long.
Von Duren quickly munched down his food, eating just enough to seem polite, before sitting forward and pinning Rux with his gaze. “So, Ambassador, are you the type of man who minces his words or one who enjoys getting down to business?”
The governor looked pained at the question and dabbed quickly at his lips with his handkerchief.
Rux met the count stare-for-stare, the beginnings of an amused grin tugging at his lips. “Personally, I prefer to speak simply and to the point. Though niceties at times do have their place.”
“I see.” Von Duren cast a glance in Torren’s direction, as if trying to ascertain the same thing about him. After a moment, his gaze came to rest once more on Rux. “All right then, let me be blunt. Why have your people returned here so suddenly? Why was the usual visiting time accelerated in the first place?”
Rux blinked slowly but didn’t look away. “Those are excellent questions, but I don’t have the authority to reveal the answers to you. I can tell you it is an internal matter and has nothing to do with t
his city or the empire.”
“Hah.” The two men stared at one another long and hard. “Internal the problem may be, but it seems strange it would be centered not only here but so close to the border.”
Rux raised a brow. “What would the border have to do with anything?”
Torren spoke up for the first time. “It’s the rumors of a military buildup in Galt, on the other side of the mountains. It would seem the emperor suspects the Chosen being present here at this time might be related.”
Von Duren sent him an appreciative grin. “Precisely.”
“Keer, this insistence on bluntness is so gauche.” The governor sent Von Duren a hurt look. “It just takes all the fun out of things.”
The emissary ignored him. “So, can you explain this?”
Rux looked away for the first time. “No, I can’t. I’d heard some of those rumors from the merchants we deal with but didn’t pay much attention to them. Disputes amongst Landers don’t normally affect us; and since there’s been no evidence of anything untoward, the council hasn’t been informed of any of it. It’s just a coincidence.”
“Maybe not.”
Rux sent Torren a startled look. He now held everyone’s attention.
“This is purely theory. I have no concrete proof. But there’s a chance these matters could be related, though not in the way you might think.
“Some of the internal problems the Chosen have experienced, I believe, have been partly orchestrated by a group of mercenaries called the Black Lords. The very fact they’ve been active in this area might also have something to do with the rumors of the build-up of arms in the mountains.”
Now that he’d voiced his thoughts, he felt more than ever he was on the right track.
“The Black Lords, here…?” Von Duren’s brow darkened. “You didn’t happen to mention this minor tidbit to me, Governor.”
A thin, plucked brow rose on the governor’s face, stimulated by the displeased tone in the emissary’s voice. “I hadn’t heard they were hereabouts myself. It’s not as if they’re causing any obvious trouble to bring attention to themselves. Besides, there’ve been other things to keep me occupied.”
He sent a sly glance in Rux’s direction.
Von Duren grunted and shifted his attention back to Torren. “And what, precisely, do you theorize they’re doing here?”
He hesitated for a moment, again wishing he’d already gotten the information he’d requested from Micca and Sal. “I would guess they’re here for a couple of reasons. The first would be to carry out what they have in mind with regards to the Chosen. The second would be to spread rumors on both sides of the border and at some point instigate incidents to bring the empire and the country of Galt to war.”
Dread-filled silence met this statement. Rux stared at Torren, turmoil darkening his face as he reconciled what he knew with what he’d just heard and came to the same conclusions as his dead friend’s son.
“What would they hope to gain from this?” The governor looked even more pale than usual.
Torren shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe the weakening of the two groups, hopefully leaving them open to be taken over by a third party.”
The explanation didn’t sound quite right to him even as he said it.
“No one would dare.” Von Duren glared at him. “It also wouldn’t explain why they’re working against the Chosen, the details of which the ambassador has already made clear his reticence to clarify.”
“Now, Keer, it’s not as if we tell them our secrets.”
Von Duren threw the governor a dirty look. The other continued nonplussed.
“Regardless of what we can or can’t tell each other, I would suggest looking into the Black Lords. It could be that if we can find out what their connection is with all this, it will answer a lot of our questions.”
“That goes without saying.” Von Duren’s harsh demeanor eased a bit. He turned to Rux. “But don’t expect our search for them means you are totally absolved of suspicion. With no more information than you’ve given, we can’t dismiss the possibility there might be more afoot here than we know.”
Rux rose slowly to his feet. “My people have never given yours cause to doubt us in any way before. Why would you doubt us now?”
Von Duren smiled at the question, leaning back in his chair. “Things haven’t been as they were with your people for a hand-span or two of years. The empire is aware weapons have been purchased by your race in excess of previous periods. The term ‘grub’ has come more into common usage.
“Secrets are being kept from us as well. There has been a general change of attitude that hasn’t been favorable to us at all, not that it has ever been all that good to begin with.”
Rux glanced away, color once more rising on his neck. “You’re right, there has been a change, but if our current problem is resolved, we should be able to go back to where we once were. The Black Lords could well be involved in the very matters that have brought us to this current state.”
“Are you saying these men might be holding the Vassal?” Von Duren’s eyes gleamed.
“N–no.” Rux’s surprise was clear. He shot a look in Torren’s direction, one Von Duren didn’t miss. “I’m sorry, but I have no leave to speak to you of these matters, as I said before. Please try to understand my position.”
Von Duren slightly inclined his head. “Of course.” He glanced slyly in the governor’s direction. “I guess we’re done here then.” Both men stood. “Please don’t hesitate to call on us if some information comes to light that you can share.”
“I’ll do that, of course,” Rux said. “And at the same time, I would hope you will keep us informed if you yourselves happen upon anything.”
“You can count on it,” the governor agreed cheerily. Von Duren said nothing.
Torren followed Rux as he accompanied the two men to the door. He watched them as they gathered up their guards and took their leave.
Once they were gone, Rux sighed with relief.
“I’m glad that’s over.” His eyes were troubled, but after a moment they cleared and he gave Torren a half-smile. “The emissary appears sharper than most men sent to deal with us. They must be truly worried about matters as they stand.”
Torren nodded. “They’re afraid if a conflict does break out, the Chosen will pick one side or the other, or that you’ve already picked one. If the Chosen weren’t to stay neutral, as they’ve done in the past, it could mean assured supplies for one side and not the other, and this could very well decide the war. And if you actually joined in it…”
Rux’s wings shuddered. “It frightens me to think such a thing could happen. Ten years ago it would have been unthinkable. We would have never contemplated meddling in Lander affairs. But with things as they stand now, half our people thinking Aen’s disappearance was their doing, and if the Vassal doesn’t recover….”
“Are they gone?” A blond head peeked out from Rux’s office, startling them.
“Micca! When did you get back?”
Sheepishly, the young Flyer stepped out of the office. “Not too long ago. I would have been here earlier if not for the mob at the gates. When we finally could get in, we just used the back stairs and came down from there.”
“We?”
Micca grinned. “Yes, I brought a friend of yours along with me.”
Sal stepped out, looking more subdued than was his usual wont. “Hello.”
He bowed in their direction. Torren wasn’t sure if he should be astounded or amused.
Looking more closely at the two, he noticed dark circles under their eyes and their sagging, tired stances. It appeared they’d been quite busy through the night and morning.
“Who were those men, Uncle? One of their voices sounded familiar.” Micca headed for the nearest chair and flopped down on it, his wings lying half on the floor. Sal took the one next to him, sighing in relief.
“It was the governor and an emissary from the emperor,” Rux replied. “They w
ished to know why the island has returned.”
Sal nodded. “I’d heard rumors someone was sent. Brought a whole lot of troops with him, too. Got here not long after you left, Torren. Everyone’s gotten a lot more on edge about things since then.”
“So, you weren’t able to find out anything?” Torren felt his chest grow tight.
“On the contrary.” Sal broke into a grin. “I’d say things were actually quite fruitful. Right, Micca?”
The Flyer’s face also looked bright.
He waited with a quickly rising brow as neither said anything. “And you’re going to share this bounty with me when?”
Sal’s grin changed to a full-fledged smile as he removed a number of papers from his jacket. Some of them were from the letter Torren had sent.
“The information Micca brought from you was quite helpful,” he stated. “Some of my contacts were able to give me the name of a guy who’s into some of the shadier businesses in town, but who’d be willing to provide information for a price. Everyone else I’d asked about it didn’t know what to make of it, but his line of work had actually brought him across it before.”
“He identified the poison!” Micca blurted out, his excited gaze swapping between Torren and Rux. “It comes from the mountains, from a spiny fish that grows in some remote lakes up there.”
“The guy seemed to think whoever gave it to her was damn lucky not to have killed her,” Sal added. “The fish are rare, but a little goes a long way. It’s also expensive and, as we found out, not well-known.”
“Is there some way to counter it?”
Micca’s face lost some of its light, and for a moment his very real exhaustion came to the fore—but only for a moment. “He wasn’t sure. He said he’d never needed one. But he did give us the name and location of someone who would know.”
“Here in Caeldanage?” Rux asked before Torren could.
Sal shook his head. “No—across the border, off the high point of the pass. There’s an ex-priestess of the First Mother there by the name of Mala. Seems she deals in rare herbs and other things. I got the feeling our guy might be a little afraid of her, which you never see in someone in his line of business.
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