The Fire Eye Refugee

by Samuel Gately

  …

  It was a relief to see Abi at the front desk just like a usual day. She took one look at Kay’s bruises and groaned. “Week off going that well?” She wet a towel and handed it to Kay to press to her face. “What’s new?”

  “I’ll tell you in a minute.” Kay sat in the chair across from Abi’s desk. They heard Joah’s boots on the stairs. He burst through the door, usual grin gone. He looked at Kay’s face and opened his mouth. “Sit,” Kay said, cutting him off.

  As he pulled a chair over, Abi leaned forward to Kay. “Amos is asleep on the sofa in your office. Got here just after sunrise.”

  Kay glanced at the door. “Can you check on him? Make sure he’s not listening.”

  As Abi looked, Kay leaned over and gave Joah’s hand a squeeze. He looked at her gratefully. Abi came back and sat down. “He snores.”

  “Okay,” Kay said. “Red Canopy is a serious threat. They are anti-Farrow, anti-mixed-blood, and will go to any lengths to push their agenda. The one running their muscle is a Doctor Banden Milo, who also happens to be the one who killed Joah’s lover Sara and left him for dead.” Abi gasped and looked over at Joah, whose head was hanging. “The doctor was gone for the past several years, he says working with the Winden. Now he’s back and he’s got a bag full of nasty tricks he’s using to sway the refugee vote. He tried to frame me for the murder of a noble family last night. I didn’t include either of you in the story for the Home Guard so you don’t need to know anything beyond I told you about this horrible murder at the Coulet House this morning. Doctor Milo doesn’t know my name yet but probably will soon. I’m not ready to abandon this office yet, but we’ll have to eventually. So be careful in all comings and goings.”

  She turned towards Joah. “We’ll make him pay, I promise you. We’re standing right opposite him. We’re in his way and we’ll stay there. He’ll come looking for us. And if he doesn’t, we’ll go find him.” Joah met her eyes, looking older and wearier than she’d ever seen before. He nodded. Kay looked at Abi. “Where are we on the council?”

  Abi reached under the desk and pulled out two pieces of paper. “I’ve got the council roster and schedule. Roster is what we expected. Schedule is much tighter than we thought, just four days starting today. I bought them off the street but confirmed them with Jan. He gave me quite a look when I showed them to him. I think my days of feigning innocence with him are over. At the end of the four days’ deliberation, the Dynasty makes their decision over dinner, just like I said before.”

  “Okay, make copies of the roster and schedule. I’ll take one set outside the walls to see if we can get some real support from the Farrow. Speaking of which, how was your dinner with Amos?”

  Abi gave a soft grin. “Well, he certainly seems taken with you. Told me how Alban had them all prepped for some broken, useless sniveling little girl and then you walked in and put him on his ass. Said two jaws were broken in the camps later that day before people learned Gillis was taking your request to not be called Bug seriously.” She leaned back. “Not much more than that. He had a lot of questions about the Gol. Trying to find his feet working inside Celest. Seems like a quick study. He was a little nervous about walking right up to the Bosun but I could also tell he was looking forward to it. Not bad table manners for a Farrow.”

  “Okay. I’m gonna talk to him.” Kay went to the inner office door. Behind her, she could hear Abi rise and step over to Joah, quietly comforting him. Both Kay and Abi had taken Joah under their wing, kind of like a little brother. But they had to remember, he was no longer a child. It showed respect for Kay that he was here and trusted in her enough that he thought she’d lead him towards the revenge he sought. But if she wasn’t delivering fast enough, he’d find it on his own.

  She opened the door loudly, suppressing a smile as Amos winced and raised his head from the sofa he was stretched out on. He looked at her, squinting, and asked, “What happened to your face?”

  “Ran into a wall. How’d it go with the Bosun?”

  “It went about how you said it would.” He stayed prone on the sofa as he spoke. “The Bear and Flower had food, drink, gaming, mostly dominoes and dice. I walked in, dropped all the gold on the bar, took a bottle of the house booze, some sort of spiced liquor. Asked for a bunch of glasses. Soon enough a bunch of the younger guys joined me. The fighter I took a dive against the other night showed up with a bunch of his friends. More Bosun kept rotating in. Eventually this guy Micah joined. I couldn’t tell you what we talked about. I was lit by that point. But everyone else deferred to him. Seemed like he was pretty high in the ranks, I think maybe the one you were talking about. The street operative. We kept drinking. I don’t really remember when it ended but I’m pretty sure I passed out on the table.”

  “And where’d you wake up?” Kay asked, leaning forward.

  “On a cot in the hall, just past the curtain leading to the back. Looked like they had a dormitory type space back there with a lot of beds. They didn’t put me in there though.”

  “That’s good, though. If they didn’t like you it would have been the alley, or just the bar floor.”

  “And they put some of my gold back in the purse. Kept a fair chunk but I should have woken up with nothing.”

  “Even better.” Kay couldn’t resist a smirk as Amos pulled himself up to a sitting position, wincing and holding his head. “Nice work.”

  He laughed a little bit, then coughed. “That liquor wasn’t as bad as some.”

  There was a knock at the door, then Abi poked her head in. “Note just arrived.” She handed a small piece of paper to Kay, turned and laughed at Amos, his head in his hands, and left the room.

  Kay read the note and looked up at Amos. “Up for a trip outside the walls? It looks as if Ewan Silas has found Maggie Jordene. And for some reason wants a bunch of sewing needles. We’ll go see your boss too, while we’re there. If you’re nice to me, I’ll tell him your hangover was honorably earned.”

  Amos rose unsteadily to his feet. “Who found who? And needs sewing needles?”

  “I’ll tell you when we’re on the way. But first, that’s my bed.” Amos moved away from the sofa as Kay lay down. “Tell Abi to wake us both in a couple hours.” She heard Amos shuffle to the door, voice muffled as he told Abi. He looked around her office for a while before laying down on the floor.

  It wasn’t long after Kay drifted off that the nightmare came in. In it she was back in House Coulet. This time the noose found its way around her neck and she was lifted off the floor. Legs dangling as Reagan laughed. She kicked, trying to find purchase, and felt a hand on her.

  “Kay.” Amos’ voice was thick with exhaustion. He shook her gently and she woke with a start. His bruised face hovered near her. When he saw she was awake, he took a few steps back. He had some concern in his eyes, but nothing like pity or embarrassment. She remembered he was just back from a losing war. He’d seen his share of bad dreams.

  With the dark images from her slumber still clinging to her shoulders, Kay stood and moved over to the small washbowl in the corner. She heard Amos gathering himself as she scrubbed the dried blood she’d missed earlier off her face. When she’d found some measure of calm, she stepped out front to collect the copies of the council roster and schedule from Abi. She had a quick talk with Joah, sending him off to try and find where the Fire Creep was hiding. She swung downstairs to the store below her office and bought them out of sewing needles. Then she and Amos headed for the gates.

  Chapter 15. The Missing Daughter

  Kay had Amos take her to Gillis’ tent when they arrived in the camp. The meeting went well. Gillis offered her wine, which she accepted and Amos refused, earning an odd look from his superior. Gillis listened to her report and asked the right questions. He appeared grateful to get the roster and schedule. Probably tangible proof for the other Farrow that he wasn’t wasting Kay as an agent. And a reminder to Kay how blind they were out here.

  Kay still didn’t know much about the Pathf
inders, the organization Gillis led and Amos belonged to. But it seemed they were a good fit. If they were indeed Farrow’s premier military scouts, they would be used to collecting intelligence on not only enemy positions and movements but also on civilian issues. Opinions and threats that might mobilize the populace one way or another. Better to put intelligence in their hands than someone like Alban, whose profession only prepared him for identifying and locking up deviants. Or just exiling them.

  Gillis offered a brief and unexpected update on how things were proceeding in the camp. He talked about the negotiations between the easterner and westerner Farrow groups. What supplies were dangerously short. A quick tally of new arrivals. It took her a while to understand why he was sharing. He was trying to stoke her sympathies for the Farrow. Cultivate a we’re all in it together mentality. Fair enough.

  She didn’t mention Ban Terrel and her hire to find Leah Jordene. She also held back on the events of the Coulet House but emphasized Red Canopy as an enemy interest and asked Gillis to float the name of Doctor Banden Milo as a potential Winden collaborator among his other sources. The only awkwardness came when they discussed next steps. Gillis asked about what bribes could be levied to the refugee council, referencing the gold they’d already given her, which she’d let be destroyed in the fire. Kay spoke in vague terms about the need for more research. She could sense some uneasiness from Amos but he didn’t speak up.

  Gillis didn’t press her too hard, which probably meant he still didn’t really appreciate how critical the Dynasty’s decision would be. The Farrow were a more chaotic people, less prone to shifting positions based on a single mandate from above. The Gol were built differently. Kay knew the moment the Dynasty publicly declared the refugees’ status, the entire society would fall in line to carry out their orders, whatever they were. The decision made this week would be definitive, its consequences permanent.

  They left on good terms, Kay promising another report in a couple days. As expected, Gillis had an excuse lined up to keep Amos for a couple minutes afterwards so he could corroborate or counter Kay’s report outside of her earshot. Kay waited outside the tent, watching the business of the camp unfold around her. She suspected most of Amos’ report focused on the Bosun. She still didn’t know what deal the Pathfinders were working with the Bosun, but she’d probably helped advance it by sending Amos to The Bear and Flower. Hopefully they weren’t talking too much about the missing gold.

  Amos emerged and they went to find Ewan Silas.

  …

  “I talked to her briefly yesterday.” Ewan handed Kay a cup of tea, brewed on a small fire in the center of his tent. “She didn’t want anything to do with me. I think she smelled the former police.”

  Kay and Ewan were seated across from each other on light wooden chairs. The only other furnishing in the modest tent was a bedroll in the corner. Amos sat on the floor near the tent’s entrance.

  “After asking around, someone finally said they knew a Margaret Jordene. She doesn’t work with the kitchens. She sews with a group of women. They use Margaret’s tent. It’s not far from here. I was able to listen in a bit, heard her gossiping about the camp. She’s got a bit of storyteller in her. No mention of a daughter though. When I talked to her directly, she clammed right up. I tried while she was working and she shut that down. Tried again after the other women left the tent. I offered her some money but she didn’t bite. Scoffed and said she needs needles, not gold. I think she likes to talk, can’t help herself. But it’s not gonna be to a man. Or a cop. So I sent the note in. Your timing is about right. She’ll be wrapping up her shift pretty soon. When you finish your tea, I’ll walk you over there.”

  Kay saw a light in Ewan’s eyes. He may have retired or left police work as a job, but it was a part of him. He couldn’t seem to help himself. Kay was glad he’d found her. He was proving useful.

  She could have gone straight to Yamar with the information. That was what Ban Terrel had asked for. But she wanted to learn more. If Margaret was nearby, it couldn’t hurt to try and get a better line on the daughter.

  “That’s not all I have to report,” Ewan said. “I know you said it wasn’t a priority, but I learned Randall Lenz is dead. I asked about it when I spoke to the orphans about a Leah. It’s kind of hard to separate fact and fiction. They also told me about a haunted woods to the west with strange lights in the night. But one of them knew Randall’s younger brother and said Randall died in the war.”

  Kay felt oddly flat, not certain how she should react to the news her tormentor in another life was no longer around. They talked for a few moments about the refugee council. Kay planted a hint that she may have some trouble with the Home Guard inside Celest and may need Ewan’s guidance. She didn’t go into details and he didn’t press.

  They took a quick walk and Ewan pointed out an open tent, a group of women sitting in a circle and laughing as each sewed garments with sharp, precise movements. After a few minutes, the women started packing up. Kay sent the men to return to Ewan’s tent and wait for her results. Finally the last woman left and Kay watched as Maggie began lowering the flaps to create some privacy. She wore a conservative dress buttoned up to her chin. She was pretty in a rather harsh way, her lips soft and wide. Kay let her get through three of the four tent sides before approaching.

  “Hi, Maggie. My name’s Kay.”

  Kay got a suspicious look that deepened as Maggie looked over Kay’s face and skin color. “Well, Kay,” Maggie said, “I’ve got nothing for sale. And my name is Margaret. Anyone from the camp would tell you that if you bothered to listen. Maggie is a child’s name.” She lowered one of the last tent flaps, leaving only a small opening on one side of the entry. “I’ve got no time for chatter, Miss Kay, especially not with some Gol princess who can’t be bothered to learn people’s proper names.”

  “Margaret Jordene, right? I’ve just got a couple questions. I could make it worth your while.”

  Her dark look deepened. “I suppose you’re with that other one, the old cop. Seemed a loyal Farrow, not sure why he’d be working with a haught. Well, I told him to beat it and I’d like you to too.”

  “He mentioned you needed some needles. I brought a few with me from the city.” She had Maggie’s attention now. “It’s not my area of expertise, but I understand the Gol make some of the best.”

  Maggie was nodding slowly. “Yep. Ain’t much else they do I care for, but the haughts do make some fine needles.” She was standing still, not ready to lower the last flap and shut Kay out. “Needles have been scarce around here. Can’t get the camp’s attention on the small things.”

  “Well, here.” Kay pulled two of the needles from her pocket. Tiny, precise slivers of silver. She handed them to Maggie. “Even if you don’t want to talk, no point in me carrying these back. I won’t use them and you’ll get, what, seven or eight days’ good use out of the pair?”

  Maggie, eyes glued to the needles in her hand, gave a snort. She’d make them last far longer than that. She looked up hesitantly at Kay.

  Kay continued, “I’ll tell you what though, Margaret, how many women are in your circle? I saw six others leaving. What if I gave you twelve more of these? Then you could give your friends two each. I imagine that gesture would be appreciated. It’d sure make tomorrow a good day when they all show up. And you could tell them whatever you want about how you got them. Don’t have to tell them it was just payment for answering some simple questions from a mixed-blood woman. In fact, I’d have to insist you didn’t tell them that.”

  Maggie leaned in closer, looking at Kay’s face. “Hmm, I guess you do have some Farrow in you. What kind of questions?”

  “Mostly about you, Margaret. I want to know your story.”

  “Why do you want my story?”

  “Let’s just say I’m interested and leave it at that. If you don’t want to continue the conversation I could always just find some other sewing circle, pass the needles on to them. And you can just keep your two and co
me up with whatever story you want as your friends look on jealously. But let me ask you this, Margaret, what are you afraid of? Do you have enemies?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Maggie scoffed. She looked to the side and appeared to make up her mind. “Well, get inside. I’m sure the neighbors are already taking note of the haught in my yard.”

  Kay ducked in and Maggie closed the remaining flap. The afternoon sun provided plenty of light through the seams of the tent but the air was quickly growing hot with the breeze cut off. Kay took a seat on one of the chairs arranged in a circle around a small table busy with sewing tools. Margaret took a moment to gather up her day’s sewing, then sat across the circle from Kay. “I’d like to see the other needles.”

  Kay took out a handful, comfortably more than twelve, but ignored Maggie’s outstretched hand, instead dropped them in a small empty bowl on the center table. “Let’s keep them there for a minute. I’ve got questions.”

  Maggie’s mouth tightened, but she gave a brisk nod.

  “Do you have any children?”

  “No.”

  “Are you certain? Never?”

  “I’ve never been with child. Have no children.”

  “What family do you have?”

  “None to speak of. I’ve had two husbands, both passed.”

  “Does the name Leah mean anything to you?”

  “Can’t say I know any Leahs. Might have been one or two back in Ferris but I didn’t know them to speak to.”