Souldrifter

by Garrett Calcaterra

  Natale put a sympathetic hand on Makarria’s shoulder. “Yes, I’m afraid your friend is dead. I am sorry for that, but thankful he is all we have lost. It could be much worse. The turmoil the body thieves created in the Old World nearly destroyed the nation. They went rogue, it seems, intending to rule the realm themselves, breeding among themselves to bolster their numbers and placing their kind in key positions of power. Unlike other forms of sorcery, their power appears to breed true: a pthisicis-corporis begets another pthisicis-corporis. If two of the body thieves have a child together, their offspring is especially gifted, sometimes with additional powers, like precognition. Some ancient scholars conjectured the pthisicis-corporis was not human at all, but a different species altogether.

  “In any case, the warring factions in the Old World had to put aside their differences and join together to defeat the body thieves. It was a horrible time. Hundreds of body thieves, including their children, were put to the torch, and a law was ratified to outlaw body thieves in the realm forever. The Old World’s goal was to eradicate their race forever. Complete genocide. That was the idea, at least, and my understanding is that after that first extermination, while the Old World did not actively continue to seek out and destroy body thieves as Emperor Guderian did sorcerers here, there was still a policy—a promise—that the government and military would never use pthisicis-corporis for political purposes again.

  “I have discovered a few allusions to them since then, though. A hundred years ago, the then king of the East Islands accused the Old World of using a body thief to infiltrate his court to remove trading tariffs. In a separate occasion, the sorcerer’s guild here in the Five Kingdoms prior to the Dreamwielder War had some sort of internal uprising, and a few accounts suggest there was a body-changing spy from the Old World that caused the turmoil. I’ve found enough to suspect that the Old World Senate, or certain factions of it at least, have not lived up to that law they enacted five hundred years ago, and have, in fact, been using body thieves as spies to influence foreign affairs to their benefit. What you have here in your court, Your Majesty, is a spy sent by the Old World to sow discord and undermine your authority.”

  “But not kill me?”

  “No, I don’t think so. If he, it, whatever we want to call the body thief, wanted you dead, I think he could have done so easily before now.”

  “It makes sense, I suppose,” Makarria agreed. “The Old World doesn’t want to appear like a warlike nation, so they strike with subterfuge. Weaken my kingdom and my authority in hope that I accept their aid, then become indebted to them, ultimately becoming their puppet.”

  Natale smiled. “So you have been paying attention to your history lessons after all?”

  “Yes, not that it helps us a bit right now. We know what we have—a pthisicis-corporis—but how do we subdue him?”

  “Are we even sure we have the right him?” Fina asked. “He must have switched bodies with Caile to accost you. Do we know he switched back?”

  Makarria’s eyes widened in sudden horror. She hadn’t even considered the ramifications of the body thief in the incident with Caile. Caile had been innocent all along, she realized, and she had accused him of violating her trust and then sent him away. Or had she sent the body thief away?

  Makarria’s father cleared his throat. “I could be wrong, but if both Caile’s and Lorentz’s bodies are still alive, then the body thief must have switched back that night, right? The body thief couldn’t risk letting Caile wake up in someone else’s body and figuring out what was going on. If he had wanted to inhabit Prince Caile’s body permanently, he would have killed Caile in Lorentz’s body to keep his secret safe.”

  “You are exactly right, sir,” Natale said. “Unless we find a dead body, we can safely assume the body thief is still wearing the same body.”

  “Yes, it has to be Lorentz,” Makarria agreed, reassuring herself. She had spoken to Caile before sending him away, and despite her anger, she knew it was still him she was talking to. The same couldn’t be said for Lorentz.

  “If we’re certain it’s Lorentz, then, we have to kill it,” Fina said. “You’ve played with fire long enough keeping him nearby, Makarria. Kill him. I’ve felt this creature’s touch. It is nothing but pure evil. Kill it. Kill your friend’s body if that’s what it takes. He’s sleeping as we speak. Send your soldiers in and kill him right now.”

  “That’s not exactly lawful,” Makarria said. “I can’t expect my vassals to honor laws if I hold myself above them. And even if I wanted to, who’s to say he wouldn’t swap bodies with one of my guards? We’d end up killing an innocent man and the spy would still be in our midst, and now unknown to us.”

  “Let me go then. I’m quiet, and he can’t use his magic if he’s still asleep.”

  “No, we can’t risk it. We have to be more cautious than that.” Makarria pursed her lips and turned back to Natale. She knew what she was up against now, but that didn’t make her task any easier. “In any of this stuff you read, did you find details about how the pthisicis-corporis switches bodies?”

  “Not much, but enough to know that the body thief must touch its victim to make the change. Tangere is the expression in the Old World. To touch.”

  “A crossbow bolt to the heart then,” Fina said. “If we go now, we can turn him into a porcupine where he lies on his bed.”

  “No,” Makarria said. “I want him alive.”

  “Makarria,” Makarria’s father said. “You know me—I’m never one to suggest violence or murder, but I’m scared for you. I think Fina has the right of it. We can’t risk having this creature near us anymore. Who knows what he has planned? Remove the danger so you can focus on repairing the damage he has done.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m thinking about,” Makarria said. “If I can capture this body thief alive, I then have evidence of the Old World’s treachery. I can prove Caile’s innocence, and my own. I will have fuel to unify the Five Kingdoms against the Old World’s treachery. If we’re smart about this, we can capture the spy and defeat the enemy in one fell stroke.”

  “We don’t have time for long, drawn out plans,” Fina said. “Lorentz sleeps only for a few hours before he’s on duty again. You must act now.”

  Makarria sighed and took in all their advice. They had the right of it, she knew. Time was already against them, and who knew if she would ever have this chance to capture, or kill, the body thief again. Lorentz—the real Lorentz—had often warned her against making rash plans, of rushing into battle, whether it was on the field with swords and pikes or in the political sphere with pens and words. There was no way about it now, though. She had to act fast.

  “All right, here’s what we do then,” Makarria said at last. “Fina, round up my best crossbowmen and a few stout guards from the dungeon. Also, summon the kennel master.”

  “The kennel master?”

  “That’s right. He’ll have pole lanyards for capturing feral dogs. We’re going to need his tools and his expertise if we’re going to take our pthisicis-corporis without him touching any of us.”

  “Of course,” Fina agreed. “I’ll never say you’re not bold, young queen.”

  “That’s only half of my boldness. Father, you’re coming with me. We’re summoning the Brotherhood of Five, and we’re going to confront Ambassador Mahalath. It’s time the Old World knows we’re on to their scheming.”

  13

  Cornered Prey

  Makarria had intended to summon all the ambassadors to the throne room, but when she learned they were already eating dinner together in the embassy wing of the palace, she decided to confront Ambassador Mahalath there instead. It would be less formal that way, which was good considering she had not yet captured the pthisicis-corporis and was not prepared to make official accusations against the Old World Republic.

  There were six ambassadors in all sitting in the private dining hall, one each from the other Five Kingdoms—Pyrthinia, Sargoth, Golier, and Norg—and also the ambass
ador from the East Islands, in addition to Ambassador Mahalath from the Old World. They were sitting at the long dining table in the hall, along with a dozen or so of their personal servants when Makarria walked in, flanked by her father and a contingent of four soldiers she knew and trusted from their trip to Khal-Aband.

  “Your Majesty,” greeted the ambassador from Pyrthinia, a middle-aged man with a curly mane of brown hair and a giant hook nose. “If we had known you would be joining us, we would have waited to begin eating.”

  “It’s quite all right,” Makarria assured him, coming to a stop at the head of the table so they all could see her. “I’m not here to eat. In fact, I apologize for disturbing your meal, but my business could not wait. There is a spy in my court, gentlemen, and I wanted you to be the first to hear of it.”

  “A spy?”

  She had everyone’s undivided attention now, including Ambassador Mahalath’s.

  “That’s right, and not just any spy. A pthisicis-corporis. A sorcerer who can steal bodies. He’s killed one of my men already and inhabited his body, and he temporarily stole Prince Caile Delios’s body to accost me the other night. You no doubt heard of the ordeal. It seems this spy is out to soil my honor and undermine my authority as queen.”

  Ambassador Mahalath had turned away to whisper something to his assistant sitting beside him, but he cleared his throat now and stood, bowing his head slightly to Makarria. “Queen Makarria, might I speak? The other ambassadors here have not likely heard of a pthisicis-corporis before, but I have, so I understand your implications. The pthisicis-corporis is a scourge from the Old World Republic’s past. A race of beings—meddlesome tricksters—that steal a man’s body and identity for nefarious purposes. At one time they were used as instruments of subterfuge and war, but they have long been outlawed in the Old World Republic, and I assure you, if indeed you have a pthisicis-corporis here, it is not here at the bidding of my nation.”

  “So I thought you might say, and yet the timing of his disruptive actions coincides with your arrival and Senator Emil’s treaty proposal. The Old World stands to gain more than any other nation by creating chaos and instability that would force me to agree to your concessions. And Valaróz wouldn’t be the first nation to accuse the Old World of using body thieves as spies.”

  Makarria glanced over at the ambassador of the East Islands, hoping the stout, dark skinned man knew his own nation’s history better than she knew hers. Thankfully, his shrewd eyes picked up on her cue immediately.

  “Indeed,” he said. “King Aola made grievance to the Old World thirty-seven years ago. The Old World Senate denied the accusations, but there was ample evidence to prove the spy’s guilt and he was executed. And though few know of it, one other such spy was captured and executed in the last decade, under the reign of King Kana. The people of the East Islands have long been wary of the political manipulations of the Old World.”

  Ambassador Mahalath inclined his head again before speaking. “I understand your concerns. I promise you, though, I was sent here to work with the Five Kingdoms, and yes, the East Islands, in good faith to procure trade agreements that benefit all of our nations. I’m not out to manipulate the internal politics of your kingdoms. I myself have participated in senatorial inquiries to investigate claims of the unlawful usage of subterfuge and sorcerers, and I have discovered no evidence my nation has done anything wrong. As I said before, if indeed there is a body thief in your court, it acts of its own accord, as is their wont.”

  “We shall find out soon enough,” Makarria said, not willing to risk pushing Mahalath further. “When we have the spy in custody, he will be questioned and I will get answers.”

  “I’m certain you will find the Old World acquitted of any responsibility,” Ambassador Mahalath said. “Do proceed with caution, however, Your Highness. A pthisicis-corporis is formidable prey and not easily captured.”

  “Thank you for your concern. I’ll return the sentiment. All of you, be careful. I ask that you stay here in the embassy wing of the palace tonight. Don’t admit any unexpected guests. We are taking precautions, but it is possible the spy could escape.”

  “Or has already escaped,” Ambassador Mahalath suggested. “Some body thieves of old were said to have the same powers as seers. It could be that your spy already knows you’re coming.”

  Makarria stared at him, trying to read his intentions. Was he trying to scare her into making a mistake or was he honestly warning her for her own safety? The man seemed earnest enough, but she was unused to his accent and demeanor—he was impossible to read.

  “As I said, we shall know soon enough,” Makarria said, anxious to be away. She’d put her plan into action now, and there was no turning back. “I will hold a hearing in the morning, regardless of what happens,” she told the ambassadors. “I request that you all be there.”

  They all nodded in agreement, and she turned away without another word, with her father and guards in tow. She had hoped to get something of use from Ambassador Mahalath and had gotten nothing, but it was of little consequence. She had accomplished her primary goal in making the existence of the spy known. Subterfuge held sway over her only when it was secret. The spy had already done its damage in tarnishing her reputation, and capturing him would only be half the battle. The other half was redeeming herself in the eyes of her vassals, and that began with making the truth public.

  A dozen doubts popped to the surface of Makarria’s mind, but she pushed them away. Her mind was made. She was committed. She thought briefly of the speaking stones she and Talitha had created. She could speak with Caile at any time. Or Talitha. Or both of them. But she was afraid of doing so. She was afraid their advice would weaken her resolve. Trust your feelings, Talitha had told her once. You have a way of seeing the true nature of things. And that’s exactly what Makarria was doing now—trusting her instincts.

  She made her way to the armory with her father and her guards. Waiting for her and standing at the ready were Fina, four crossbowmen, two dungeon guards, and the kennel-master and his apprentice, both of them equipped with long pole-lanyards. They waited still, however, for the last member of their party, the one person out of all of them that it had pained Makarria to summon. No one said a word as they waited. They knew their tasks. All they could do was wait.

  When Master Rubino, the spokesman from the Brotherhood of Five, finally arrived in the armory a half hour later, Makarria sighed in relief. In a few hours more, it would have been time for Lorentz to resume his shift as Makarria’s night bodyguard, and she absolutely did not want to confront him out in the open. The plan was to corner and subdue him in his own quarters—the anteroom of Caile’s bedroom—but the plan also hinged on the presence of a representative from the Brotherhood. Capturing the pthisicis-corporis is only half of it…

  “You summoned me, Your Majesty?” Rubino demanded, beads of sweat running down his bald head and jowls despite the cool evening air.

  Makarria swallowed her disdain for the man and spoke evenly. “Yes. Thank you for coming on such quick notice. You wanted proof of my innocence? Well, you’re about to get it. I did not consort with Prince Caile. I was drugged and accosted by a spy who used sorcery to steal Prince Caile’s body.”

  “What?” Rubino sputtered. “That’s outrageous.”

  “Have you ever heard of a pthisicis-corporis, Master Rubino? It’s what we call a body thief. They originate from the Old World, and we have one who has been hiding here in our court. The entire incident with Prince Caile was planned by this spy to sew discord in our kingdom, and now we’re about to capture him and find out who sent him. I want you there as witness. You and I are both Valarion, Master Rubino. We must help one another for the good of our kingdom, because I promise you, this threat does not come from within.”

  Makarria’s flattery had its intended effect. Rubino puffed up his chest and nodded solemnly. “Well, of course, Your Majesty. If there is indeed a spy in our court, I will make sure the people of Valaróz know about
it. By the Five, we will clear your name.”

  “Thank you,” Makarria said. It was exactly what she needed to hear: her most outspoken detractor would now spread the truth of Makarria’s innocence to the people of Valaróz. “Come with me then, Master Rubino. And use caution. Stay well behind the guards.”

  She led the way out of the armory, down a long corridor to the central hall of the keep, and then up the stairwell to the second floor where she navigated a long series of intersecting corridors to bring them to Caile’s private chambers. Unless he somehow knew of their coming, Lorentz would be in the anteroom, asleep on his slender bed.

  Makarria wordlessly stepped aside from the door and nodded for the soldiers to take their positions. One of the jailors took hold of the door handle. Two crossbowmen took their places at his side, ready to rush in. The other crossbowmen were split to either side of the doorway as backup. The kennelmaster and his assistant stood at the ready behind them. Galen and Fina guarded Makarria, and behind them all, Rubino watched.

  The jailor at the door looked to Makarria for her order. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. She had planned this the best she could, but she knew it might come to her having to use her power to capture the body thief. If so, she had to be calm and ready to slip into a dreamstate. She breathed out the anxiety inside her. Relaxed her shoulders and neck. Let the warmth of her meditative state wash over her. Only then did she open her eyes again and give the order.