A pair of footfalls hastily approached from the nearby staircase, and Elade glanced back behind her to see one of the rebel soldiers approach. “Dame Devarath,” he said. “Adar wanted to let you know that we’ve just received word from the Solarian contingent—they’ve reached the city gates, and he has sent Sarina to help smuggle them into the city.”
“Good,” she whispered, turning. “I’ll be up to greet them shortly.”
“Very well,” he replied, his eyes flicking down and his brow furrowing. “Is something wrong, my lady?”
Elade frowned and followed his gaze down to her hand. Apparently she had drawn her dagger and even taken a few steps towards Kroll. “No,” she whispered. “We’re finished here.”
“I see,” the rebel managed, his eyes flicking towards Kroll. Thankfully, he probably couldn’t make out the other man in the darkness…otherwise he would have seen the blood-spackled smile plastered across Kroll’s lips.
“Take me to Adar,” Elade said, sheathing the weapon and letting out a deep breath. “I’d like to have a word with him before the others arrive.”
Chapter Five
“One day you’ll be able to come forward proudly as what you are. I’m sure of it. But for now, you have to live in the shadow of their ignorance and light it with your strength.”
—Tevek to Elade, 2011 AG
Escorting almost thirty people through the sewer tunnels—most of whom were clad toe to scalp in heavy armor—was a colossal pain in the ass. Sarina doubted that a single one of the paladins or Solarian soldiers had ever been on scout duty before, let alone tried to sneak anywhere. If Elade hadn’t been able to telepathically communicate with the group and give them explicit instructions on where to rendezvous, Sarina wouldn’t have been surprised if they had just walked up to the front gate and started calling out Adar’s name.
Still, the rebels were in desperate need of bodies, and a few dozen trained fighters would go a long way towards securing their position. In addition to the knights and soldiers, the Solarians had also sent six priests, and Sarina guided them to the compound’s makeshift infirmary as quickly as she could. Within an hour the situation had greatly improved: a few of the severely injured rebels were back on their feet, Selvhara was sitting up and eating, and Jason…well, Jason remained unconscious. Other than keeping his body hydrated, there was apparently very little anyone could do for him.
Not long after the priests hunkered down with the wounded, Adar summoned all the new blood to his war room for a tactical briefing. Once they were gone, Sarina collected the rest of their own party in a separate room. They hadn’t been able to get a moment alone together since the attack, and now seemed like as good a time as any to plan their next course of action.
“There’s something about that new guy I don’t like,” Tam said, his arm slung around Selvhara as she nursed a bowl of soup.
“Sir Lavonde?” Sarina asked.
“That’s the one,” he said. “The instant he got here he started barking out orders. And did you see the way he was looking at Elade? He clearly doesn’t like her.”
“I get the feeling she doesn’t get invited to many knightly parties,” Sarina muttered. “Not that they would throw any.”
“Just because they are paladins doesn’t mean they are immune to racism,” Selvhara said. “Many of them were opposed to her admission in the first place.”
Sarina pursed her lips. “She’s been snooping around the streets at night. I don’t know what the prisoner has been telling her, but she’s looking for something.”
“Well, that makes me feel better,” Tam said.
“She’s half the tracker I am,” Sarina reminded him with a pointed glare. “At best.”
“No, that’s not what I mean,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to…you know…see if we could eat dinner together one night. Alone.” He shrugged. “At least now I know she was busy and not just avoiding me.”
“You’re pathetic,” she said, throwing a hunk of cheese at him. How any man could be so thoughtful one-on-one and then such a dolt in a group was beyond her. “Elade doesn’t trust Adar or any of the other rebels. She probably doesn’t trust us, either.”
Selvhara set down her spoon and looked up. “She will, in time. But right now she’s suspicious about how the rebels have managed to survive for so long. And frankly, so am I.”
“You always underestimate us ‘normal people,’” Sarina snapped. “We’re not invalids, you know.”
She regretted the words almost the instant they left her mouth, and even more when Sel turned away. It was probably about the worst thing she could have possibly said to an elysian druid who had just lost her ability to channel. Tam shot Sarina an annoyed look, and even Gor favored her with a surprised glance.
“Look, I just think Elade doesn’t understand how hard the people here have worked,” Sarina explained. “Adar and the others have spilled a lot of blood for this city, and they aren’t going to take well to an outsider questioning their accomplishments.”
“Maybe not, but she is correct to be cautious,” Gor said, his voice a soft rumble. “As much as you want to believe in these people, there are certain facts you must face. Without our presence, they would have been wiped out to a man four days ago.”
“Without our presence, the ‘Coats never would have been here,” Sarina countered.
“A fact I’m well aware of.”
“This isn’t really the big issue here—I’m sorry I brought it up,” Tam interjected wearily. “We need to figure out what we’re going to do when Jace wakes up. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we still have a cartful of junk to sell and a nice stash of gold bricks burning a hole in our pockets.”
“I gave my share to Tevek before he left,” Selvhara told him. “I’m sure the Dawn can use the resources.”
Tam whistled. “Wow, he was that good in bed, huh?”
Sarina’s first reaction was to leap across the table and hit him. Her second was to pick up her crossbow and shoot him in the leg instead.
“He was, yes,” Selvhara replied evenly. “But you do make a good point. I’m sure not everyone wishes to stay here in Lyebel.”
Tam glanced over to the nearby bed. “I wonder if Jason would want us to move him.”
“I doubt it,” Sarina said. “He’ll want to help. I know he will.”
“Maybe, but I really wish we knew what was going on in his head right now. He could wake up a completely different person…”
“Would that really be such a terrible thing?” Gor grunted.
Sarina waved a hand. “He’s staying here, and so am I. One way or another, war is coming soon, and I intend to be ready to fight it.”
“How nice for you,” the chagari grumbled. “I, for one, don’t care about this ‘struggle’ of yours, and you are all allowing misguided sympathy to poison your judgment. It’s also worth pointing out that you are almost assuredly picking the wrong side.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Selvhara replied distantly. “For any of us.”
Tam turned to the chagari. “No one’s keeping you from leaving, big guy. I’m sure we could smuggle you out of the city if you wanted.”
Gor growled under his breath. “I still haven’t seen my cut from the rest of our haul.”
“We’ll mail it,” Tam sneered. “I’ve heard the Crell have pretty efficient riders.”
The chagari’s eyes focused on the blonde man for a moment, but he actually seemed a bit less annoyed than usual. He had been surprisingly mellow all around since the night of the attack.
“None of us are going to leave this city anytime soon,” Gor said. “Where exactly do you think we should go? With the Zarul on our tail, we can’t travel anywhere in Crell territory. We could head into Solaria, but you are a pariah to them…and they’re not exactly fond of my kind, either.”
Tam sighed. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. It figures, really. We wait for years to get the big score, and once we finally have it we
get stuck in the middle of this drek.”
Selvhara placed a hand on his. “It could be worse. At least here you get to chase Elade.”
“That’s true,” he said. “Maybe she’s done speaking with Lavonde.”
Sarina rolled her eyes in annoyance, though it was mostly feigned. As hard as it was for her to admit it, she really had missed them. She had learned a great deal during her travels to Ikara, but these people were her family. If the world was about to topple down upon them, she would rather be with them than anywhere else.
She had only just started to smile when she heard a groan from across the room. Two beds away, Jason stirred.
***
Elade glanced back over her shoulder as Sir Patrick Lavonde followed her into the room. The other knights and the Solarian reinforcements had already dispersed about the compound, mostly helping deal with the wounded. She appraised her fellow knight with a raised eyebrow, noting the stern expression on his face. Lavonde was an Izarian man in his mid-thirties, and he also happened to be Knight-Lord Alric’s protégé. His brown hair was short, and his moustache was neatly trimmed, especially considering they had just spent the last three days flying from Celenest. It didn’t surprise her in the least that Alric had sent this man here to “appraise the situation” in his stead.
“You’ve done well here under difficult circumstances,” he told her as he took in his surroundings. “It’s fortunate you were able to stop the Crell leader, especially given how he nearly killed the Highlord.”
“He nearly killed me,” Elade pointed out. “And he forced Jason’s hand. We’d still have the cube if they hadn’t attacked.”
“Jason?”
“Jason Moore, the man who used the spark?”
“I know who he is,” Lavonde said. “I just hadn’t realized you’d become so intimate with the people here.”
She shrugged. “Highlord Dracian has known many of these people for years, and in some cases decades.”
Lavonde took a finger to Adar’s desk and wiped away a trace amount of dust. “So I’ve heard,” he murmured. Like anyone who spent any significant time with Alric, the man practically exuded arrogance. His puffed chest and proud gait didn’t do him any favors, either.
“Is there something you need to tell me?” Elade asked, trying not to sound overly annoyed. It wasn’t easy.
Lavonde smiled and pivoted back in front of her. “Lord Alric has ordered us to relieve you. He wishes you to return to the Citadel for reassignment immediately.”
“What?” she stammered. “Why didn’t he tell me this earlier?”
“Your presence was necessary until reinforcements arrived, but now that I’m here, he believes I will be a more…suitable liaison to the Alliance and these rebels. Besides, unlike Highlord Dracian, Lord Alric understands the wisdom of commanders staying far from the front lines.”
“And the safety of it, I’m sure,” Elade muttered. Lavonde had inched even closer to her now, probably assuming she would back away. She didn’t. “But he could have contacted me telepathically at any time.”
Lavonde loomed in front of her for a long moment, appraising her as he would a morsel of food, then chuckled softly and backed away. “I’m sure he just didn’t want to upset you.”
In other words, he was waiting until Tevek was gone so he couldn’t contradict the order, Elade thought to herself. “The Highlord ordered me to stay here until he returns, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“I’m aware of Lord Dracian’s wishes,” Lavonde said, his insufferable smile returning with a vengeance. “But in his current condition, the Conclave has granted Lord Alric full command over our forces. His orders stand…and you are relieved, Dame Devarath.”
Elade’s eyes narrowed. “Tevek doesn’t have a ‘condition.’ His bond will be re-established within a few days.”
“I certainly hope so, but there’s no way to be certain. In the meantime, the Dawn needs a Highlord capable of communicating with his troops.”
“That’s all well and good, but I have my orders. I’m not going anywhere until Tevek tells me otherwise.”
Lavonde’s upper lip twitched. “There’s no need to be petty, Elade. This isn’t worth throwing away everything you’ve worked for.”
“You know, I think that’s the first time you’ve ever used my name,” she said with a snort. “At least you’re willing to look me in the eye when you talk to me. Your boss can’t even manage that much.”
He stepped in close to her again, and his hand flexed above his scabbard. “Don’t make me do this.”
“Do what? Take my sword?” Elade snorted. “You’re welcome to try.”
For a moment, Lavonde just glared at her. She could feel his rage boiling over, and she readied her muscles just in case he made a move. It was hard to believe he would actually go that far—Elade didn’t even know the last time one Knight of the Last Dawn had attacked another. If the Conclave were really adamant about her leaving, the other Knight-Lords would have given her the order themselves. Their continued silence meant that Lavonde was bluffing…and she was calling him on it.
“Highlord Alric respects and rewards loyalty,” Lavonde said. “I suggest you tread lightly, Dame Devarath.”
“He’s not Highlord yet,” Elade replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have demons to hunt.”
She turned on a heel and left the room. Once she was alone, she let out a deep breath and swore under her breath. She had actually gone in there debating whether or not to just tell him that she was Unbound. In the face of the inevitable, she wondered if getting the truth out in the open now would be for the best…but no, the consequences were too dire, especially with Alric already positioning himself to claim Tevek’s position. She needed to weather the storm until Tevek’s powers were restored, and then they could confront the situation together.
Hopefully then the Conclave would show mercy. If not…
Well, Elade knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on that right now. Not with demons infesting the city and not with the situation here in the compound so tenuous. She needed to remain calm and focused on the task at hand.
Taking in a final deep breath, she slipped out of the compound and slammed her gauntlet into the wall.
***
A glowlamp flicked on, and Garin Kroll struggled not to wince at the blinding light. He hadn’t seen anything more than a faint silhouette in days, and right now all he could make out was a searing blur. He heard at least three sets of footfalls clad in heavy boots, and the men seemed content to loom over him for a few seconds. Kroll clenched his fists behind his back and prepared to strike.
During the last several days, he had continued to test his endurance against the suppression band clasped to his wrist. While at first he’d only been able to manage a single telepathic peep, at this point he could hold his concentration for several seconds at a time. His arm was mangled and infected as a result, but the pain was worth the cost. Kroll was reasonably certain he could shatter the cuff if he wanted to, and he had been waiting for the appropriate moment to test his theory. Now seemed as good a time as any.
“The paladin told us you weren’t very cooperative,” a male voice said in a heavily-accented version of the Crell tongue. “It’s time for you to reconsider.”
Kroll squinted and glanced up. His eyes still hadn’t completely adjusted, but he could make out three men armed with swords, bows, and light armor. They weren’t wearing any obvious identifying markers, but the man’s accent indicated they were obviously Solarian. Kroll was tempted to reach out his senses to see if any of them were Bound, but he decided against it; getting stabbed right now wasn’t going to help him, and he certainly didn’t want them to realize he could channel—not just yet.
“The Sovereigns won’t be pleased when they learn the Alliance has sent troops across the border,” Kroll managed. “They might interpret such an aggressive display as an act of war.”
The Solarian leader, a blond-haired man not much older
than Kroll himself, leaned in closer and smiled. “I’m trying to do you a favor. If you don’t answer my questions, these men are going to rip what they need directly from your mind. Trust me, friend: the process will not be pleasant.”
“They will probe me regardless,” Kroll replied calmly, carefully judging the distance between the three men and mentally plotting out his attack. The shock from his escape would only last a second or two, and perhaps even less if they were better trained than they looked. His options were limited, and without a weapon he would need to completely rely on his powers—and hope there weren’t a dozen more Solarian soldiers waiting outside.
“We’re not Crell,” the blond man replied sharply. “We don’t torture people for no reason. If you cooperate, you will be taken to a camp for prisoners of war. They will treat you fairly until your government negotiates your release.”
Kroll grunted. “I thought the Alliance prided itself on never starting a war. And yet here you are threatening to kidnap a citizen of the Imperium.”
“You’re not an imperial citizen—you’re a murderer.”
“I am an agent of the Crell Imperium tasked with eliminating enemies of the state,” Kroll replied. “You have no authority here.”
“I won’t give you another chance,” the blond man replied, clearly unintimidated. “Answer my questions, and I will show you mercy.”
“Listen to me, Solarian dogs,” Kroll said coldly. “If you want mercy, I suggest you tuck your tail between your legs and return home before the High Sovereign hears of this incursion.”
The soldiers snickered just as Kroll knew they would. In a primitive interrogation, this would be the point where they would hit him or otherwise inflict pain, but with a pair of telepaths here, such old fashioned barbarism was unnecessary and obsolete. Kroll had trained hard against far more potent and violent interrogators in the Vortex Chamber, however, and a few Alliance priests didn’t concern him.
The Godswar Saga (Omnibus) Page 53