With shock in her eyes, Mandy said, “Traitor? But I thought this was good intel. Why would I be a traitor?”
“I can’t tell you that. The less you know, the more insulated you might be from accountability if we’re found out. I know everything; I’ll be named a traitor if discovered, and the penalty is death by quartering. But I swear, I’m acting for the right side, for the Alliance.”
Mandy eyes examined the floor for a few seconds, considering the gravity of the situation, and then she raised her gaze to Electra’s. “I’ll kill you myself if I find out you’ve lied. But.... I don’t know. There’s something about you that makes me want to trust you. When can the truth come out?”
Electra felt a twinge of guilt. “Probably not for the rest of our lives, and possibly our children’s lives, too.”
Mandy took a step back, her face going white. “This isn’t about the war?”
“No. The war may be part of this. But this started before the war, and will likely take hundreds of years more to end, if it ever does.”
“Can I just promise to do this one thing for you? After I see how that comes out, I’ll tell you if I will help more. But this I promise: so long as I never find out this was an evil deed, I’ll keep your secret.”
A soft chime sounded in Electra’s ear, followed by Vesta’s voice. “You can offer her the same two days’ memory wipe I offered you.”
“Mandy, I can do better than that. I have a magic that can completely erase your memories for a specific period. If after we do this one thing, you decide you don’t want to continue, I can remove all memories back to entering this room.”
Vesta’s voice sounded a little annoyed when she said, “That isn’t the same deal I offered you.”
Electra ignored her.
“I presume this will mean a long-term contract with your family?”
Electra laughed. “Lifelong, if you stay.”
“Okay, let’s see how this plays out. What do I need to do?”
“The Nhia-Samri mage we’re seeking is in a second-story room at the Lion’s Gate Inn two blocks north of the palace.”
“You don’t mess around.” Mandy paced a few steps and then snapped her fingers. “I’ll take care of this. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back after it’s been passed on.”
After Electra nodded her acceptance, Mandy ran to the inner doors, pulling them open and revealing her two Daggers standing guard there. “You two, do NOT leave her side, no matter what. I’ll be back.” Mandy rushed past them without another word. They walked back into the room to stand with Electra.
Electra turned and opened the doors that led into the throne room, walking past her other three Daggers there.
Once back in the throng of war preparations, Electra tried to pay attention, but between worrying about what Mandy was doing and thinking about Dalpha’s death, she was glad she wasn’t critical for any task.
Time seemed to slow down and then speed up. The attacking force was going to arrive at the city’s perimeter just after dawn, but a sizable force was already blockading the main gates. None of the guards or Daggers were sent out to fight them; everyone considered that a suicidal tactic.
Electra wasn’t sure when, but she fell asleep in a side chair.
She heard Vesta say, “Wake up, Electra. Mumble ‘what time is it?’ so I know you’re awake.”
“Huh?”
She sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to focus on the room. A young servant brought a platter over to her with a selection of finger foods. After putting the tray down on the side table next to her, he went and got her a cup of hot arit. Taking a bite of food started her mind moving, and the hot arit was nice and bitter.
“Mmm, what time is it?” she mumbled.
One of the Daggers answered, “Just past three-thirty, m’Lady.”
“Mandy is a smart one,” Vesta said. “There are fifteen mages surrounding the inn, with thirty-two Daggers and another thirty guards. They’re moving in now.”
Electra wished she was in the control room, where she could watch everything that was going on. Instead, she munched on the food and drank the arit, getting her body back into motion while Vesta gave her a play-by-play.
“Four mages with six Daggers each are going in, half in the front and the rest in the back. The remaining mages have begun some kind of spell. It’s pretty — a giant glowing sphere around the whole inn. That sphere is interfering with my connection to my dragonflies inside. The mage either wasn’t asleep, or maybe had some kind of alarm. She’s throwing lightning out her window at the mages outside.
“Hang on. I’m boosting my signal to a dragonfly inside. The mages and Daggers inside are sneaking up the stairs. Outside, it looks like the Nhia-Samri mage has managed to break through the barrier in one spot. She’s wounded two Guild mages.
“And the door to her room is blown apart by the mages inside. Three of the mages in the hall are shooting her with what appear to be a series of pulse attacks. Explosions are pounding her. Wait, I think...yes, her shielding’s failed. She’s been blown out the window.
“Oh, I thought she was going to hit the ground. They want to take her alive. The mages have caught her with some kind of magical bands. The Daggers are running back out, surrounding her, and four are slapping and punching her as she hangs in front of the inn.
“A really huge mage, and I mean huge, has run up behind her. He’s four hands taller than all the rest, with rolling muscles. I can’t get his vitals, but I’d swear he’s a Zielat. There shouldn’t be any of them on Niya-Yur. He’s pointing, and a blue light is pulsing from his fingers to the back of her neck.
“Oh, that’s interesting. They removed one of those necklaces from her, like the one we pulled off of Hiri-Rula. That seems to be about it. The Nhia-Samri mage is unconscious and being taken off in magical restraints by the Guild mages. It looks like the guards are being left to clean things up with the innkeeper.”
Electra wasn’t surprised when only five minutes later, Mandy walked up to her and smiled. Ten minutes later, a guard came in with a report that the Nhia-Samri mage had been taken into custody of the Guild. A number of people clapped before they got back to preparations for the coming day.
I’m not doing anything useful. I think I’ll get some real sleep.
She started walking for the door that led to the halls where her new room was. As she approached the door, Lord Bayion intercepted her.
Walking close to her, he leaned in. “We’ve received a report — Gracia has repelled the first attack. My brother lives and is apparently a hero.” His voice held a small hint of jealousy, mixed with a lot of pride.
Electra stopped and looked at him. “Why haven’t you announced this?”
“It’s an early report. There’s disturbing news with it we desire to confirm. I thought you’d rest better hearing it before you retire.”
“You’re more than kind, m’Lord. Tell me, will Llino’s defenses hold?”
Bayion scanned the area. “We’ve reviewed the city’s ancient defenses. Unfortunately, none of the commands in the city archives appear to work. If the Nhia-Samri can breach the protective fields we have, it will fall to our warriors with sword and blood. Our guards are expert soldiers, trained by the best, and we have many Daggers. I must admit, we’re slightly outnumbered, and honestly, it isn’t a fair one-to-one comparison of skills.”
Vesta spoke into her ear. “Tell him your family records speak of things called Imperial enforcer sentinels in Gracia. Ask him if there are any here.”
Bayion was about to leave when she touched his elbow. “My Lord, I spent time reading my family journals from the early Empire. They spoke of something called Imperial enforcer sentinels protecting the Empire’s cities. Do you know what those were? Are there any here in Llino?”
Bayion looked back
at her, his eyes squinting as he thought. “I do recall a mention of such in an ancient text. I must check this. Thank you, Lady Neyon. Please rest well, while you may.” He hurried off to the other end of the throne room. Electra watched him as he went to a tapestry hanging to the side of the throne dais and pulled it aside, revealing a vault door. Turning the handles, he pulled the door open and slipped into the room, closing it behind him.
A number of nobles, as well as his sister, Ellua, noticed Bayion’s rapid departure and exchanged quizzical glances. Ellua excused herself and followed Bayion. After she had closed the door, the discussions broke into many pieces as everyone grouped up to review their critical areas.
Mandy asked, “What’s behind that door?”
“Knowledge. That’s the royal archives. Each kingdom has one. Legend and all attempts to date indicate that only the royal line or their regents may enter the royal archives.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of those. I didn’t expect them to be so...” Mandy looked up, trying to find a word. Giving up, she shrugged and continued, “...well, obviously vault-like. Have you seen inside one?”
Electra felt a little rush of joy as Dohma’s face flashed through her mind. “No, but if Lord Dohma returns, I might. Come, we need to rest.”
Back in her room, she prepared for bed as the Dagger guards also organized themselves to rest and guard the door. Electra climbed into bed, and Mandy turned the lantern down low. Wiggling around, she found a comfortable position, and the blankets warmed. As she stared at the dark ceiling, the day’s events spun through her head.
She wrangled her lists of things to do for the next day into enough order that her mind quieted. Closing her eyes, she felt herself falling into the gardens of her dreams when Vesta’s soft voice came to her. “Bayion has managed to break the system locks on the Imperial enforcer sentinels. They’re already flying a patrol pattern. Llino should be safe for a while.”
Try as she might, all she could say was, “Mmm-hmm,” before sleep took her.
Ticca
Ticca rubbed her healing shoulder to loosen it up as she rode through the trees. It had been a few days since they’d left Llino, and thanks to Kliasa’s boots, she was almost healed, although there was a small ache that wouldn’t stop.
They’d decided to stay off the main roads and moved into the forests instead, heading generally southwest. The energy source Lebuin had identified was about 250 miles southwest from Algan. The woods of Aelargo weren’t dense like the ones in the far north and south of the continent. On horseback, they could move in a direct line and only lose a few days’ travel overall.
As she led the team through the forest, she paid careful attention to their surroundings. The forest made it difficult to stay on course at times, but she felt good about their progress. Her mind started to relax a bit as she enjoyed the woodland sounds and air. They’d been moving carefully, using every trick known in the team to hide their tracks. She felt it would take a miracle for the Nhia-Samri to find them now.
Then the hairs on the back of her neck tingled and stood so straight they almost hurt. Turning, Ticca ignored the pull in her shoulder from the knife wound.
The sun filtered through the trees, forming a configuration of light rays with insects and dust dancing intricate patterns. Everything appeared normal, but Ticca’s instincts were screaming a warning. She signaled an alert to the team, who silently drew weapons and started scanning the woods.
Lebuin ducked low on his horse, patting it, but Ticca could see his eyes had that golden tone they took on when he used magic. As he scrutinized the area, his expression was difficult to read. Naturally, he was the first to see the danger. He signaled that there was an enemy party spread out on their right side, approaching.
Ticca couldn’t see them yet, but she could feel them getting closer.
So much for being beyond their tracking abilities. This isn’t a good place. If we have to fight here it’ll be hazardous at best, and there’s no fallback.
The decision was easy. She squeezed her horse to turn it slightly so her path would angle away from the encroaching danger. Signaling to run, she waited only long enough to be sure everyone was reacting.
With a tiny change in her stance, her warhorse leapt seven feet, landing at a dead run. Everyone else was right behind her, holding tight to his or her horse and leaning down low to avoid branches.
A guttural scream came from behind, followed by the battle cry of many warriors filling the forest. The screams were echoed by birds startled into flight. They all heard the sounds of their pursuers, Ticca tried to count them, but couldn’t be sure — there were more than ten.
“We spoiled their plans. I hear twenty at least! Aieee!” Ditani’s voice oscillated like a wolf calling out a challenge. The challenged cry was picked up by Risy and Nigan.
Ignoring the taunting calls of the boys Ticca considered the situation. Lords, how did they find us?
Letting her well-trained horse decide on its own path, she scanned for a way to survive. Ditani pushed his mount ahead, expertly guiding it between the trees, and continued his whooping challenge calls. Her horse followed in line and Ticca realized Ditani was leading them down a game trail.
How did he spot that at this speed?
They sped through the dense woods for more than fifteen minutes, with the enemy close behind. They weren’t getting away, but the attackers weren’t gaining ground, either. We can’t keep this up.
The light ahead grew brighter. Ditani vanished through a wall of brush. Before she could stop her horse it followed, barreling through the brush, out of the edge of the woods, and into wide grassy plains with rolling hills. In the distance stood the dark cliffs of Cawli. Ticca turned her horse to avoid Ditani, who’d stopped and was looking at the open valley. He turned his horse and launched back into a gallop following her lead; they moved parallel to the tree line as she took in the tactical situation.
The cliffs cut a rough southeasterly slash through the northern quarter of Aelargo from Cawli, where they stood a thousand feet tall, until near Sharri Town, where they petered out entirely. For most of their span they weren’t tall, but there were precious few places to easily climb them. The top of the crags were a yellow-green line against the bluish sky. The landscape looked as though it had once been a series of farms, long since abandoned. The plains’ shallow hills and banks of brush were cut into sections.
Do we make a break for it in the open, or try to face them?
Ditani was reading her mind. “If we find a path up the cliffs we’ll have the superior position,” he called. She glanced back to see him standing bent-knee in the stirrups, looking like a romance story description of the lone-wolf Karakian tribesman racing over the plains.
The rest of the team burst out of the tree line ahead or behind, all turning to follow their lead and looking to her for direction. Lebuin’s eyes were still golden as he glanced back at the woods.
“They’re only a few minutes behind; five at most,” he yelled over the thundering hooves.
Ticca slowed her horse to run next to Lebuin. “Is there anything dangerous ahead? We might be able to make a stand if we find a way to climb those cliffs.”
Lebuin turned and gazed at them, his reins loose trusting his horse.
“There’s a narrow trail from near that clump of trees to the top.” He scanned the rest of the area. “I don’t see anything else. I think we’re about in the middle of the range. They’re not as tall here as they are near the Loren Sound at Cawli.” His head turned to the south as his brows creased. “I can’t see another trail up them in either direction.”
Ticca adjusted her horse’s path, turning slowly so the whole group was able to follow her change in direction. “Good, make for that trail. Risy, Epton, and Persa, rear guard. DO NOT ENGAGE! Stay with us. Sabri, Coedy, take point. Find us a defensible po
int on that trail, or at the top of it.”
Sabri and Coedy nodded, turning their horses and kicking their lighter mounts to full speed. The two of them raced for the crags, chunks of sod flying into the air behind them.
They’re like the wind.
Ticca forced herself to stop chewing her lower lip as she continued to stare at the magnificent animals.
Ignoring a small pang of envy, she brought her eyes back to the rest of the group. “We try for the cliffs. If we get caught, form a defensive circle and we’ll make the best of it. With me!”
The group rode together, the fresh air filled with the rich smell of the yur and grass rushing past, whipping her hair and cloak out behind her. Even as fast as the main group was riding, Sabri and Coedy far outpaced them, disappearing at last over a hill.
The sight of long fallow fields brought back Ticca’s memories of her father and farming their lands in Rhini Wood.
A small tingle of warning at the base of her neck made her turn to look behind. The pursuing enemy was pouring from the forest. She breathed a sigh of relief — they all rode large, strong, but surely slower horses.
We can at least make the cliffs.
There was no doubt they were Nhia-Samri. Each warrior wore bright enameled armor in an array of colors. Ticca cursed as her count topped fifty warriors. We don’t have a chance, unless there’s a remarkably defensible position ahead.
The Nhia-Samri took the time to form up into clean ranks and then charged after them. There were three groups, each with a particular set of colors. Although not matching perfectly, the themes were red, blue, and orange. Each group also had a banner bearer.
They’ve sent a full platoon after us. I wish Duke had succeeded at making enough noise in the north that they wouldn’t think of us.
Lebuin’s mouth was tense inside of a scrunched face. He shouted at her, “Ticca, that’s not a scouting party!”
Thread Skein (Golden Threads Trilogy Book 3) Page 9