Dohma murmured, “Dalpha has a left bracelet.”
Orahda drew his blades and leapt over the desk to the floor, as the Imperial regent rapped his gavel. Orahda’s reaction confirmed Dohma’s worst fears, and he started to stand reaching for his weapons.
Lothia’s jaw dropped as she turned to face Dalpha. Pualla also turned to face Dalpha, his eyebrows nearly vanishing into his hair.
Before the sound of the gavel finished echoing, the crash of a dozen blades rang out, along with the screams of dying people. Nhia-Samri were pouring through four glowing disks on the walls, cutting down everyone in their path.
Chapter 2
Everyone Bleeds
Electra
Countess Electra Neyon of Waylisia, the youngest Chief Deputy Secretary of the Duianna Alliance to an Alliance state — her new love, the Kingdom of Aelargo — stretched and yawned. She’d been working hard to set up the Alliance secretary office in Aelargo’s capitol, Llino.
Looking over her twelve busy staff members, she took a deep breath and exhaled it, enjoying the feelings that washed through her. She couldn’t wait for Lord Dohma to return; her whole body shivered at the imagined smile and congratulations she was sure he’d give her when she showed him her tidy new office. It was the model of efficiency. Everything was clean and orderly, with rows of empty filing cabinets, which would soon be filled with all the deeds, disputes, and investigations she and her staff would have to handle. It was a lot of work to run an office for the Duianna Alliance of Realms.
If someone had said to me, even four cycles ago, that I’d be placed in charge of my own office, I’d have called for the physicians and some priests of Dalpha to bless the mad fool. With my Lord’s rise to power came my own rise. I know my grandfather had something to do with them considering me for this, but the secretary of the Alliance is no fool. He would never allow someone to take such a position, let alone give them the responsibility of establishing a new office, if he didn’t have confidence in them. I’ve surpassed by thirteen years my goal of becoming a chief deputy secretary by age thirty-five! I’m the youngest to hold this position in the 10,061 year history of the Alliance. How can my Lord not be pleased with these results?
With the thought of Lord Dohma, she recalled the image of his face, her heart rate picking up. She clasped her hands in her lap and swallowed to clear the dryness of her throat. She knew he was in the assembly meeting that would be attacked by the Nhia-Samri just after the vote to ratify the war against the Nhia-Samri took place.
He’s one of the best warriors there, captain of the guard. And he has Daggers protecting him, she tried to reassure herself. It helped, marginally.
Again she considered asking Vesta to help keep him safe. She was aware of Vesta’s potential powers, but she set those thoughts aside. Both Vesta and Arkady were afraid of being discovered by the assembly.
Shaking her head she stood and looked out the window across the palace grounds. She knew Vesta was watching over her here, but Arkady had fled to the moon. He had been worried Duke would detect he was awake and according to Vesta’s monitoring he was right. Duke had been cross checking all the Gracian systems as well as unsealing some emergency corridors for the rulers’ expected retreat.
The moon. She looked up and the third moon was visible in the darkening sky. They can travel to the moon. They have such powers, yet they fear to use them.
She recalled the night she’d helped Vesta and Arkady attack the Nhia-Samri base. The three of them had used an army of steel-encased crabs the size of horses to attack a Nhia-Samri base. The Nhia-Samri had lost thousands of warriors, yet they’d won that fight. Vesta and Arkady were ancient powers, sentient beings made of pure energy and machines with powers that rivaled the Gods, but they’d still lost.
That same night the main Nhia-Samri stronghold, Hisuru Amajoo, survived an attack by Arkady that should have created a new mountain lake.
I’ve seen their power. They can do so much that the assembly voted to force them to sleep over 5,000 years ago to prevent the misuse of their knowledge and power. And yet the Nhia-Samri have proven strong enough to face their legendary powers.
I don’t wish they’d never woken up, but I do wish we’d been able to be more open about our preemptive strike on the Nhia-Samri. Because of the need for secrecy, Vesta and Arkady could not deploy the full level of forces they had at their command. The attack had not succeeded. She clenched her fists in frustration. Yes, we cut the Nhia-Samri forces by more than half. But the remaining forces were better, stronger, and I think angrier, which does not bode well for my beautiful Gracia or for my love, who will be at the center of the first attack.
Shaking her head out of her worrying, she examined her staff as they worked. More than a few quills were moving slower, and some hands were even a little shaky.
“Everyone, that will do for today. Go get some rest. Tomorrow I have meetings in the morning. There’s nothing outstanding that requires being here before noon.”
Their actions sped up noticeably as they cleaned their desks and put everything away. After they left, she took a quick tour to make sure all was in order before locking the doors. It was nice, having an office provided by the state in the palace. Her rooms were also provided by grant of the regents. As she walked back to her room, she passed patrols of four guards led by two Daggers.
For the uncounted time that day she patted her breast pocket, the soft crinkling of paper making her smile. The letter from Dohma was still there and real. Her steps quickened with the desire to sit in her private chamber and read his juvenile attempt at being romantic once again. It’s so sweet, silly, just like a young boy trying to impress his girl. His sister said no lady has ever turned his head. She’s so happy for us. When Regent Ellua had given Electra the letter, she’d also confided that she’d given up hope that he would find someone to love and be loved by.
Approaching her room, she noted there were six Daggers on guard in the hall leading to her door. No one else is here, so this must be for me. But we’re at the center of one of the ancient cities, the capital of Aelargo, in the very heart of the palace. Surely Dohma doesn’t expect the Nhia-Samri to strike here, too.
She acknowledged the Daggers, reading their body language to identify the senior one. All of the Daggers were women, and they looked like they were each a whole guard squad. The senior Dagger was a full hand shorter than the rest, with a strong, square face. She had a trim but muscular build and sported as many knives as would be expected of an assassin. She also wore small shield bucklers on both arms, with some rather expensive looking custom-armored gloves.
Electra stepped up to her. “Captain, why do I have six guards?”
Right eyebrow rising, the Dagger asked, “How’d you know I was in charge?” Her tone was exactly like that of Electra’s matronly tutor: tough, no-nonsense, and used to being listened to seriously. A shame, as it was also a lovely mezzo-soprano, which made Electra think of the very best smoky tavern singers.
Electra waved, indicating the others. “They all glanced at you when I looked them in the eye. Also,” she said, leaning in closer and lowering her voice, “I’ve noticed the shorter women Daggers are usually far more dangerous.”
The Dagger captain laughed an interesting, bouncing laugh that Electra liked. “You’re classic. Name’s Mandy. And yeah, I’m the lead. I received orders making me your personal guard captain. I picked the roughest and toughest I knew. I understand Lord Dohma has a personal interest in keeping you safe, so we’re taking this very seriously. The assembly is expected to vote any time now. You’ll have at least three of us with you at all times from here on.”
Electra’s stomach did a flip. Oh, no! How can I use the equipment Vesta gave me if they’re watching me?
She chewed her lip, trying to decide what to do. As she puzzled over the dilemma, her concentration was broken by the
ringing of bells. The sound vibrated through her. They weren’t just any bells, but the big palace alarm bells, signaling the city to go on alert.
Before the second ring, three of the Daggers had drawn weapons and closed into a protective circle around Electra. The others had run in both directions down the hallways, to check around the corners.
Mandy grabbed Electra’s wrist and stared into her eyes. “Listen carefully. That can only be one thing. If we’re attacked, you’re to run away. Don’t worry about us. We’ll stay with you as best as we can. You must escape, even if that means abandoning us or fleeing the city. If we can, we’ll be with you or close behind. You’re smart and resourceful, according to everything I’ve been told.”
Electra tried to break Mandy’s grip, but for such a small woman, she was as strong as steel. “Mandy, you’re being ridiculous. I’m not important.”
Mandy reached out and poked her in the chest, just over her heart, and the letter there crinkled audibly.
“Lady, listen to me. You’re more important to Aelargo than you can imagine. And this is just one part of that. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, knows about you and Lord Dohma. Just as everyone believes Lord Dohma will be the calm in the storm that can save Aelargo from the Nhia-Samri. If you’re captured, you will be the end of Aelargo. You’re also a secretary of the Alliance of Duianna with Imperial authority, which will open many doors the Nhia-Samri are interested in.”
For a second, she felt dizzy and wobbly, as if the floor had fallen out from beneath her.
I’m only twenty-two. How can I be so important?
Her diplomatic training reasserted itself, and she slowed her breathing, looking at Mandy. “I understand. Let go. I need to get into my room.”
Mandy held her gaze a moment more before releasing her wrist. “Check her room,” she barked.
One of the Daggers moved over to her chamber door and slipped through it, closing it behind her.
“Do you expect an attack so soon?”
Mandy had turned so she could watch both ends of the corridor and the Dagger at each end, checking around the corner. Mandy shook her head. “No. We were told Gracia would be the primary target. But it won’t take them long to mobilize. The supreme commander believes they’ll attack all the old cities first.”
That makes sense. The old cities are strongholds and also symbols for the people. If the old cities fell, it would be demoralizing.
The door to her chambers opened and the Dagger slipped back out, holding Electra’s weapon belt, some clothes, and a few essentials.
They’re going to move me. I need to get to Vesta to see what’s really going on.
The Dagger stepped over, handing her the rest of her belongings. Electra shrugged into her light leather armor and strapped on the weapons belt.
This is going to be the dress of the day for some time.
She rolled her things into a tight ball and tucked it under her arm.
“There’s a green jewelry case on my night stand. I need that.”
Mandy looked at her with wide eyes. “You’re worried about your jewelry now?” she said incredulously.
“It holds more than you know. If you’re going to move me, I cannot leave that behind,” she said in her own commanding voice.
Mandy took in the tone and her serious stance and nodded. The other Dagger slipped back into her room and returned in seconds with the case held in one hand. Electra accepted it and then let the Daggers escort her to a room deep inside the palace, with no windows and a strong door.
“Two questions: There’s no back door, so what am I to do if we’re attacked? And when can I see the regents?”
“I was told by the regents to put you in this room; they seem to think it’ll be safer for you. And they said they’ll meet with you in the morning, once they have some reports sorted out.”
Electra sat down on the freshly prepared bed. There were empty bookcases along the wall.
This is an office converted recently for me. When did they decide to stuff me in here?
She thought back to the night a few days back, when Regent Ellua had given her the letter from Dohma. The letter had come with 250 reinforcement Daggers for the city.
I bet they picked this room the next day.
Her eyes landed on an old piece of furniture, a chamber-pot chair.
Oh, my Lady! Are we really going to that extreme?
Mandy and two other Daggers stood inside her door, blocking the way out. Mandy was watching her and chuckled, noticing what she was looking at.
“No, you don’t have to use that. There’s a privy and bath nearby. Still, someone thought ahead,” Mandy said lightly.
She felt odd with them standing there watching her. “Are you three going to stand there all night?”
Scanning the room, Mandy said, “Aren’t any chairs. Was planning a three-way rotation; meaning yes. The plan is three inside and three outside.”
Electra had a sinking feeling and caught herself petting the jewelry case. She glanced up and saw that all three Daggers were watching her closely.
I can’t slip on the neural band with them watching, can I? An idea came. If I don’t explain, it could pass for magic. In fact, it really is Imperial magic, just of a different type.
Placing the jewelry box on her bed, she stood, stepping in front of all three Daggers. She placed her hands on Mandy’s shoulders and stared into her eyes.
“Do you swear you are a loyal servant of Duianna?”
Confusion danced in Mandy’s expression for an instant. But she put her hand on her Dagger hilt, standing as tall as she could and meeting Electra’s glare.
“I am Mandy Gurlan of Gare Town, Dagger in service to the Duianna Alliance. I swear I’ll die before I betray the Alliance.”
The rock hard resolve in Mandy’s eyes told Electra everything she needed to know. Electra repeated the question with the other two Daggers, making them swear to die before betraying the Alliance.
Satisfied, Electra went back to the bed and touched the box’s lock. Keeping her fingers in just the right places she concentrated on her memory of the Neyon valley wheat fields, her home. The memory evoked a longing in her to once again walk through the fields of golden grain, letting the plants tickle her palms. A slight tingle passed through her fingers as the box’s systems confirmed her biological signature and brain-wave pattern, which together made an unduplicatable key for the lock. The box clicked open by itself.
Mandy raised her eyebrow, moving closer. “That isn’t a jewelry box, is it?” she said conspiratorially, a slight waver in her voice.
Electra gave Mandy a friendly smirk. “This is an Imperial secret of the highest order. If anything happens to me, you’re to put everything back into this and close the lock. Once sealed, even the Gods would have difficulties opening this box.” She recalled Vesta’s undersea worker crabs that labored to keep the merchant channels clear and safe. It took willpower not to smile too much. “Then, if you can, throw it into the deepest part of the Loren Sound you can reach.”
The other two Daggers had also come forward. Electra glanced at each in turn, and they all nodded to indicate that they understood the orders.
She lifted the lid, revealing the slim leather journal with gold filigree bindings, and the other compartments containing the technological treasures Vesta had given her to ensure their secrecy. She lifted a device that looked like an ornate silver plate normally used for holding small jewelry parts while the lady applied her makeup or prepared for the evening. She connected the plate to the box by an intricate rod that lifted out. Once the plate was in place, standing above the box on its rod, she activated the box. Although nothing appeared to happen, she knew that Vesta’s security systems had been engaged to block and scramble any signals trying to trace the transmissions from the device.
/> Pointing to the journal, Mandy said, “That’s a royal archive. I’ve seen one in the throne room of Gracia.”
Ah, good. That will reinforce the idea this is Imperial magic and not to be spoken of.
“Correct.”
She lifted the silver band from its compartment. “Now, I’m going to lie down and put this on my head. I will seem to be sleeping. I am not. If you need me, touch my arm. It might take a minute for me to know where I am. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take this off my head without giving me a minute to return.”
“Return from where?” Mandy asked.
Oh no, I shouldn’t have phrased it that way. Electra felt her cheeks and ears heating up as she blushed at her mistake. What should I say? She recalled something her grandfather said often to junior courtiers when they made some inappropriate disclosure. ‘When you slip you don’t have to slide, just take the fall and you won’t lose as much ground.’
“That I cannot tell you. Now, I need to find out what’s going on.”
Mandy was smart — she had to be, in her position — and she jumped to a semi-correct conclusion. “You’re going to communicate with the Alliance. I see why that’s such a secret.”
As Electra lay down on the bed, Mandy and her two Daggers took their guard positions. With a last glance at them, she slipped on the silver band and closed her eyes, letting her head drop onto the pillow.
After cycles of working with Vesta, Electra was no longer scared as she felt her mind connecting to the city’s network. She was able to travel the networks, taking control of many of the devices and systems at will.
Vesta had introduced her to the idea of programming, and Electra had taken up the skills as if born to them. Arkady, the artificial sentient who lived in Gracia, believed her talents were inherited from her family through extra-natural means. Electra’s ancestor Muriel Neyon-Banaschel was the architect of the Imperial security overrides that had broken the assembly’s and Duke’s best coded locks, waking both Vesta and Arkady from their 5,000-year imposed slumber. Even Vesta and Arkady had so far been unable to determine exactly how Muriel’s releases worked. Muriel had been a genius systems engineer with a rare talent for complex systems, and Electra was proving to have comparable talents with the ancient systems.
Thread Skein (Golden Threads Trilogy Book 3) Page 5