“And what did she say?” he yelled. “Did she tell you the warlocks kill Touched once they’ve outlived their usefulness?”
“Lies,” hissed Thenna.
“Did she tell you about Devenish, how he could create purified land? That he wanted to pitch himself against Kelhak and didn’t care what was destroyed along the way? Did she tell you the warlocks use destructive sorcery? But you already knew that, didn’t you? And what about coercive sorcery—”
“Take him!” Thenna screamed.
Shadows broke from the trees. Warlocks and Protectors. Dozens of them. Armor and weapons gleamed in the moonlight.
Caldan let his sword slip from his fingers. He wouldn’t give them any excuse to injure or kill him this day. Protectors rushed in, followed by the Touched Lisanette and Edelgard—both carrying weighted clubs.
His arms were pinned to his sides, then twisted behind his back as he was pushed to the ground, face grinding into the dirt. Rope encircled his wrists. A hand yanked his head roughly back.
“Gag him,” Thenna said.
She stood in front of him, hatred on her face.
A cloth strip was forced between his teeth and tied behind his head.
Thenna took a step forward and spat in his face. Caldan closed his eyes. Warm saliva ran down his cheek.
“Not so tough now, are you?” Thenna said.
Surrounded and outnumbered? Of course he wasn’t.
“That’s enough, Thenna,” Mold said. “He’ll be tried and judged. We have a cell waiting—”
“No,” Thenna snarled. “I’m taking him from here. You’ve done your job. He killed Devenish, and he’s ours to do with as we will.”
“Now, Thenna—”
“He’ll greet the accursed ancestors in the hells. Lisanette . . .”
A booted heel smashed into Caldan’s head.
CHAPTER 44
Felice waited on the deck of Quiss’s ship, Izak by her side. The nobles of Riversedge had offered to supply lodgings, as was her right to demand, and their privilege, due to her rank as Third Adjudicator to the emperor, but she’d declined their offer. There was too much to do. Too much at stake. And inside Riversedge, she’d be too far from the action, removed from the pulse of the emperor’s forces and the battle with the jukari. At least she’d been able to change her clothes and fill her pockets with purses of ducats before finding Izak—fleeing before an audience with Lady Porhilde wouldn’t do her standing any good. She’d have some explaining to do.
She stretched her back and gave Izak a sidelong glance. He could be off drinking and whoring, and yet he hung around. Perhaps he realized the enormity of what they were doing. Or perhaps he sought to curry favor with her.
Or perhaps he’s just overwhelmed by everything that’s happened, and I’m a familiar face.
For some reason, she hoped it was the last one . . . probably because she was close to feeling the same.
She looked away from Izak, closing her eyes. Questions needed answering. The Indryallans had to be stopped. And the talon . . . She hadn’t stopped thinking about it since it had disappeared. What was it? Where had it come from? What was its purpose? How did Quiss and his people fit into all this? And what of Caldan?
So many questions. Too many questions.
“There was a flash of light out there,” Izak said.
Felice peered into the darkness but couldn’t see anything.
“I saw it,” Izak said.
“I don’t doubt you.”
After a few moments, Izak turned back to examining the men and women on watch, and she followed his gaze. From their look, they were mercenaries, and experienced ones at that. They all betrayed a nervousness, as if they were waiting for something to happen. Fidgeting hands. Biting lips. Furtive glances. All told a tale.
“Lady Felicienne,” Izak said. “Perhaps, instead of waiting out here in the cold for Quiss, we could adjourn to a spare cabin? Partake of some spirits and keep the chill at bay.” He smiled at her and raised an eyebrow.
Felice couldn’t help but laugh. “Izak, are you propositioning me?” They’d been through a lot together, and the thought was tempting. She’d been alone for so long.
“I . . . well, yes.”
She shook her head. “We’ll talk when this is over.”
Izak inclined his head. “I’ll hold you to that. If we—”
Shadows moving caught Felice’s eye. “Shh,” she hissed.
Armored men appeared out of the blackness, illuminated by the sorcerous globes adorning the ship. Some limped, others winced at injuries. All looked battered and bloodied. Behind them walked Quiss and two of his colleagues.
The soldiers—mercenaries, surmised Felice—ascended the gangplank. Once on board, a few collapsed, and those on watch hurried over to administer aid.
Quiss strode onto the deck and eyed Felice and Izak.
“What are you doing back here?” he said.
The sorcerer looked tired. His face was pale, and he seemed skinnier than usual, if that were possible.
“How did it go? Did you catch the lich? Where’s Caldan?” She might be acting above her station, but the ends justified the means, didn’t they? The empire must survive, even if protecting it meant playing her own game of Dominion behind the emperor’s back to ensure Kelhak was defeated.
And she still wasn’t sure what to do about Caldan. She’d already gone out on a limb for him in Anasoma, and again when she’d decided not to turn him in for killing Devenish.
Quiss glanced into the darkness, as if expecting someone to appear. “I don’t trust you.”
Well, at least he’s blunt. “There are those who would see what I’m doing in a treasonous light. I’m putting my faith in you, and require discretion. So where is Caldan? The warlocks are out for his blood.”
“Would you hand him over to them?” Quiss said.
Felice shook her head. “No. Everyone will be needed in the coming days. There can be no separate strikes against Kelhak. We must work as one, or we’ll perish.” That was what the emperor would want, and it would save some time. He would be pleased. And if she could get closer to Quiss’s people and learn more about them, then so much the better. Perhaps if she confided in them . . . “Listen,” she said. “The emperor won’t admit to needing alliances, but it’s clear the empire and your people need to work together. That’s why I’m here.”
Quiss sniffed, then told the other two sorcerers to go below. He handed one a small item, which Felice couldn’t see. They walked off, casting backward glances at him.
“Sir Quiss,” Izak said. “Lady Felicienne speaks the truth. I’ve . . . we’ve seen things. We need to gather our forces, and our information. We worked with Rebecci in Anasoma before she . . .” He paused and cleared his throat. “You can trust us.”
“Wait,” Quiss said, his eyes narrowing. He held up a hand. “There are sorcerers out there.”
“Not yours, I take it?” Felice said.
“No. The warlocks know they’re no match for us. They wouldn’t risk coming this close, unless—”
Suddenly, a large man rushed out of the darkness. He wore a greatsword strapped to his back and puffed mightily as he sped toward the ship.
“Quiss!” the man yelled. “They’ve taken Caldan!”
A YOUNG, DARK-HAIRED woman gasped for breath as she harangued Quiss. The mercenary’s shouts had woken most of the ship, and she’d rushed onto the deck and headed straight for Quiss.
“You bloody find him!” the woman screamed at the sorcerer. “You took him with you. You put him in danger, after all he’s been through. This is on you, Quiss.”
The large mercenary—Selbourne, Felice had heard the woman call him—tried to placate her.
“Caldan went of his own accord, Miranda.” He placed a meaty hand on her shoulder, which she shoved off.
So this is Miranda. I can see why Caldan is so entranced by her.
Although I’m guessing she doesn’t normally yell this much . . .
> “I don’t care! I’m not leaving him to the warlocks. They’ll kill him for certain. I’ll find him on my own, if I have to.” Miranda clutched at her hair, face twisted in distress. “They wouldn’t take him back to their camp; it’s too obvious and not secure enough. He has to be in the city somewhere.”
Quiss stood rigid, hardly moving. His jaw worked for a few moments, then he spoke. “I don’t know this city, and without knowing where Caldan is, there isn’t much we can do. I tried searching for his well, but there was nothing. Either he’s disguised it, or he could be dead.”
Miranda kicked the deck and screamed an obscenity that would make a sailor blush. “He’s not dead! I have my own resources. I’ll find Caldan. Selbourne, come with me to see Charlotte. I know she’s here on one of the ships.”
“You didn’t leave her on the best of terms, Miranda,” Selbourne said.
Miranda grimaced. “I know. But there’s nothing like a crisis to bring family together. And I think this qualifies.”
Felice felt this was a good moment to interject.
“Perhaps I can help?” Felice said. Miranda reminded her of herself when she was younger: headstrong and unafraid to do what she thought was right. But in this case, if she confronted the warlocks, they might decide to make an example of her.
Miranda looked her up and down, as if examining a horse she was about to buy. “You must be Lady Felicienne,” she said. “Caldan’s told me about you. You wanted him to accompany you home after your game of Dominion.”
Felice felt heat flush her face. “Ah . . .”
Miranda strode up to her and looked her in the eye. “Keep your hands off Caldan. I’ll accept your help, but stay away from him.”
Felice laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
“If you know I propositioned him, then you’ll also know he rejected my advances soundly.” She chuckled again. She has courage, that’s certain.
“I’m serious,” Miranda said.
“And so am I. I have no interest in Caldan other than trying to help him. I take it,” Felice said, “that this Charlotte has sources here in the city we could use?”
“Yes,” Miranda said. “Who do you know that could help?”
The chuckle became a full-throated laugh once more. “Me? I know the emperor.”
Miranda didn’t blink. “Good,” she said. “Then you can help us find out where Caldan is.” She turned to Selbourne. “Gather some men, quickly. We’ll go with Lady Felicienne into the city.”
Selbourne stood there, looking at the two of them, as if deciding whether to agree.
Miranda clapped her hands. “Go!”
With a nod, Selbourne left them.
“Now,” Miranda said, turning back to Felice, “tell me how you’ll help.”
CHAPTER 45
Caldan’s hand hurt. His head throbbed, and his tongue felt like it had swollen until it filled his mouth. His shoulders burned like they were on fire.
He remembered feverish dreams . . . Dreams both sharp and bludgeoning: Fog floating atop a river’s surface, swirling and gliding around the hulls of ships. The pale mist’s tentacles stretching up and over the sides of ships, igniting in furious incandescence. Hordes of jukari, goaded on by vormag, bristling with weapons newly forged, flooding the landscape like frenzied ants. Behind their gray, slavering ranks, huge misshapen creatures roared with bestial delight. Enormous metal maces thumped the earth. A city by the sea; a harbor, buildings cluttering every available space, flowing up the valley like a giant wave.
Water splashed his face. He blinked at sun-bright torchlight. Shadowed figures moved around him. Cold chains bit into his skin, grinding deep against the bone.
“He’s awake,” a man said.
“I can see that myself.”
Thenna.
“He’s still weak. You shouldn’t—”
“He’s one of the Touched. He’ll survive until he’s executed.”
Silence greeted Thenna’s words. The flickering too-bright torches shifted.
Caldan reached for his well—couldn’t take hold of it.
The sword. It must be near.
He twisted in an effort to keep one of the figures in his vision. Agony flared.
“Caldan . . .” Thenna said, “try to keep movement to a minimum. You’ve received a rather nasty blow to the head. And your joints must be protesting their harsh treatment. But . . . I’m sure you’ll do what you will.” The glee in her voice was edged with malice.
Caldan was naked, chained. His arms were outstretched and pulled in different directions. His bare feet scraped against a stone floor, but only just. He lifted his heels and put his weight on the balls of his feet. The agony in his shoulders gradually subsided. He licked his lips, tasting his own sweat.
He was somewhere damp, neglected. White fungus grew on the wall in front of him, and the walls to either side were lost in gloom. A few torches dotted the stonework, and there must have been at least one behind him, as light shone on Thenna’s sweaty face.
They’d blocked Caldan’s well, but they didn’t know he had more than one. Once they thought his contained, they had no reason to look further. He reached into his mind and brushed his senses over Amerdan’s—his—wells. The trickle of power was still there. Yes. I’m not defenseless. Working through his pain, Caldan constructed a defense to protect his mind as best he could, then disguised the fractured well.
Thenna smiled thinly, watching his eyes dart around. “I’ve left you ungagged, to let you speak. No doubt you’ve already realized you can’t access your well. The Protectors have their devices, some of which are useful. Annoyingly, they’re reluctant to part with them, but it was only a small matter to remind them who is their master in Mahruse and persuade them to help us with your capture. Your actions have shown you’re a rogue sorcerer, and not to be trusted. Not that it matters, since you’ve no craftings to use. We have them all now, and an interesting collection it is, too. You’ll have to explain what they all do. We also have Devenish’s trinket back.” She stumbled over the warlock’s name, the word catching in her throat. Her eyes flashed fire, filled with hate. A nervous muttering came from the warlocks around Caldan. “And also . . . a similar ring to his. You can imagine my surprise! The emperor will reward me handsomely for this.”
They had everything of his, then—he had nothing left. I’m going to die here, Caldan realized. As slowly and painfully as Thenna can manage.
He twisted against his manacles and chains, metal biting into his skin, then sliding as his blood flowed. He bared his teeth in a soundless snarl. Searing agony traveled from his wrists down through his body as he writhed against his bonds.
He stopped, breathing heavily, and let his weight rest on the balls of his feet again.
Miranda . . .
Thenna laughed, a cruel sound with an edge of madness. “You may wonder why you’re not dead already. No? I think you’ve been holding back. I never trusted you, and you proved me right. Maybe you’re one of the Indryallans, or perhaps they bought you with promises of power and trinkets? No matter. We’ll find out the truth.”
“Truth!” spat Caldan, a dry thing that caused him to cough. Once he got control again, he said, “You already know the truth. What you want is an excuse to torture me! To make me feel pain. Revenge for Devenish’s death.” He cast his eyes around him to the other warlocks. “Can’t you see what she’s doing? She only wants to make me suffer.”
Thenna stepped closer, her face inches from his. “Oh, they know already, Caldan. And they’re of a similar mind. I can do what I want, and no one will ever know what happened to you. Your corpse will end up in the mud somewhere, food for animals.
“Except for your blood, of course,” she added with a smile.
Caldan shook his head, causing beads of sweat to spatter the stone floor. He glared at Thenna.
I will see you dead!
Reining in his fury, he softened his gaze.
“You’re making a mis
take,” Caldan said.
“How so?”
“I have secrets—”
“And we’ll pry them out of you. By the time we’re done, your mind will be scraped clean. There will be nothing left. If you can still form thoughts, you will beg for mercy, plead with us to be put out of your misery.”
“Not these secrets. Send the others away. I can show you what I mean. A taste . . .”
With a puzzled frown, Thenna stared deep into Caldan’s eyes. Eventually, she grunted. “You’re harmless. And I already planned some time with you, alone.” She turned and waved a hand at the other warlocks. “Leave us.”
“But, Thenna—”
“Leave us,” Thenna hissed. “He’s mine to do with as I will.”
One by one, the warlocks exited through the gloom to Caldan’s left. A door closed with a clang.
“I know you’re playing for time,” Thenna said. “But no one will find you here. There is no rescue. This is the last place you’ll ever know.”
“You’re not making me want to tell you anything.”
Thenna laughed wildly. “I don’t care! Don’t you understand? Tell me or don’t, it makes no difference. But you can’t help thinking it might, so you can’t take that chance. Once you tell me everything, I’ll strip your mind bare and determine the truth.”
She wouldn’t let him leave here alive. But Caldan had to delay her in case she was wrong. Surely Quiss could find him. The question was: Would he find him? Because he already had what he wanted: Amerdan’s trinket.
A weight descended on Caldan. Cold and heavy, pressing against his body and his mind. He quelled his rising panic.
“Have you examined my well?” Caldan asked.
“I imagine it’s the same as it was before. Wells never change, though they can be concealed.”
With a weak laugh of his own, Caldan drew himself up. He met Thenna’s stare. “Look again, but not at my well. Around it.”
“Why? There’s nothing—” Thenna cut off with a sharp hiss of indrawn breath. Her eyes narrowed in puzzlement, then amazement. “How did you—?”
“They’re blocked. I can’t use them. But I know how the process to transfer them works.” A lie, but he was relying on Thenna’s lust for power to give him some breathing space.
A Shattered Empire Page 40