As if reading her mind, David grabbed her arm. “You won’t find peace by running away.” She shot him an angry look, but he refused to let go.
She clenched her teeth in frustration. “What do you know?” she snapped at him.
He released her arm. “About losing someone we love? More than you can possibly imagine.”
His face dropped and she sat back down on the bed. Without a word, she cupped his face and met his lips. With a soft sigh, she let her body sink back into the soft mattress.
October 307
Chamber of Justice, The Capital
Teo
Knuckles rapped again on the door.
“Come,” Teo said without taking his eyes off the e-lib in his hands. No one had seen Satori, either in Jonia or the Capital. How could someone disappear without leaving a trace? Is everyone useless around here?
The door opened softly and a clerk’s head popped in. “The Head Priest is here to see you.”
Teo motioned the man to let Alexander in and leaned back on his chair. Preparing an army for invasion was not an easy task, and there was a ton of things to do. The initial excitement at the thought of conquering Anthea had given way to endless mundane tasks, like overseeing the construction of the ships to carry them across the sea and authorizing payments to an ever increasing army of people, from shipbuilders to blacksmiths and metalworkers. He had also authorized the training of engineers and medical personnel, for the first time in decades, perhaps even centuries. How can we conquer the world without knowledge? What were my predecessors thinking? He rubbed his bleary eyes. Perhaps the man had some news that would take his mind away from it all.
Alexander stormed into the room, barely able to contain his glee. He waited patiently for Teo to address him, then sat down when motioned to.
Teo hid a satisfied half smile. “Speak.”
“I have exciting news,” Alexander started.
I’d guessed as much, you idiot. Themis, everyone’s such a buffoon!
When Alexander’s statement failed to elicit a response, he continued with slightly subdued mirth. “We now know where they are. Cyrus, I mean. And his sister.”
Teo dropped the e-lib on the desk and jumped to his feet. “Where?”
“They went to see some First oracle. The Old Woman, they call her.”
Teo paced the room, hands behind his back. “I’ve heard of her. They say Crusoe consulted her before invading.”
“Then we have nothing to fear,” Alexander said and cackled.
A wide grin appeared on Teo’s face. “How did they escape? Have your priests found out?”
The mirth evaporated from Alexander’s face. “A barge. It had a second wall. We’ve got the captain and its crew in our hands.”
“How will that help? We already know where they are.”
“Shouldn’t they be punished?”
Teo pursed his lips. He had no stomach for Alexander’s brand of punishment. “I’ll see to it. Deliver them to the authorities. I’ll judge them personally.”
Disappointment crossed the priest’s face for a moment. “Of course, my Lord.”
“So, your priests delivered after all. Who found them?”
Alexander shifted his weight on his seat. “It… The jailer’s wife.”
Teo paused his pacing. “She found them?”
“She came to us. Said she was forced to go with them. Asked if there was a reward for capturing them.”
Teo laughed at this. “So, in the end it was not your priests nor my armies that found them. It was a greedy woman.” He shook his head. “And people ask me why I don’t trust anyone.”
Alexander forced an uneasy smile on his lips. “Yes, my Lord. What should I do with her?”
“She knows that Cyrus is freely following them? That he’s not their prisoner?”
“Yes, she made it clear that he had not been abducted. She probably thought that would make it more likely to win her a reward.”
“Stupid woman…” Teo sighed his displeasure. “She’s your responsibility. Just make sure no one hears her story.”
Alexander’s eyes flashed with pleasure. “I personally questioned her. No one else’s been allowed to talk to her.”
Teo’s stomach felt queasy at the man’s eagerness. He made his way back behind the large desk. “On second thought, wait. Bring her here. We may find a use for her yet.”
Alexander barely tried to hide his disappointment as he opened the door to give a Guardian the order. He plonked himself onto the chair, crossing his arms like a child whose tantrums had cost him dessert.
Teo directed his attention back to his e-lib, ignoring the sulking man. When the Guardian knocked on the door, he almost let out a sigh of relief. “Come!” The black-clad guard brought a dishevelled woman into the room and shot his master a questioning look. “Go.” Teo emerged from behind the table to take the woman’s hand and guide her into a chair. “Thank you for coming, my dear.”
“Hecate.” She cracked a nervous smile, the fine worry lines on her face betraying a life of hardship. Pushing behind her ear a strand of yellow hair, peppered with grey, she sat upright to meet his eyes.
He read in them everything he expected – apprehension, tainted with fear, awe and slavish respect – but there was something else, too. A glint he recognized only too well, for he possessed it, too: wild ambition. He felt comfortable around her, and allowed himself to relax. She was trash, but trash has its uses. He knew how to handle this.
“I’m told you were of great assistance to us,” he started.
She cast her gaze downwards, in a vain attempt to appear timid. “Thank you, milord” she whispered.
“You will find me very grateful towards those who help me,” he continued, ignoring Alexander’s annoyed scowl.
“It’s an honour to serve you.” Her eyes darted up to his, her face beaming. “Any way I can,” she hastened to add, coyly crossing her hands on her lap.
He felt a familiar tugging in his loins, and decided that Alexander would have to wait to enjoy her. “I’ll keep it in mind,” he said, letting the smile on his mouth reach his eyes. “But for now I just wanted to meet the hero of the day.”
She gasped and brought a hand to her face. Teo noticed a fainting bruise next to her eye. He shot a warning glance at Alexander, who raised his shoulders. “I hope it was not one of my men who did this,” Teo said and gently caressed her face with his fingers. She closed her eyes and pushed her face to his hand. Teo half-expected her to purr with pleasure.
“Just my husband,” she muttered.
Teo grimaced. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” her mouth said, but her eyes flashed like a cat that had its prey in its reach, in eager anticipation of the kill. “He’s not always like that.”
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to,” Teo promised and reluctantly withdrew his hand. She cast him a pensive glance, but said nothing. “Will you now leave us for a moment? I need to make sure Alexander knows how precious you are.”
“Thank you, milord!” She cooed in delight and did a funny little curtsey before sauntering out the door.
Teo waited until she had disappeared, the heavy door closing behind her. “Alexander, I’d like to dine with her tonight. Can you bring her over to my room?”
“Of course, my Lord,” the head priest said with a smirk.
“And next time I see you smirk like that,” Teo continued calmly, “I’ll do to you what you wanted to do to her.”
The blood left Alexander’s face and he took a reverent bow. Teo waved dismissively and the man hurried out of the door. “My Lord,” he said to Teo’s back before disappearing into the corridor.
Teo did not bother acknowledging him. Now that Cyrus had reached the First, it would be even harder to remove the greatest threat to his dominion. He sat down and fished a key out of his pocket, to unlock an inconspicuous panel on his desk. He pulled out an e-lib, dressed in a soft grey cloth, b
efore unwrapping it with affection.
This is where his rise had started; when the strange grey man had appeared out of thin air to offer him proof of Gella’s deception. He wished he could contact the man again, ask for his much needed help. After all, they seemed to have common enemies. He switched on the device and watched again the evidence of David’s continued existence, in the form of short videos and snapshots. He turned the e-lib around, looking for any strange buttons or indentations, but found none. Just as he was about to switch it off, he noticed a small, almost transparent icon with a photo of the grey man himself. His brow creased in his effort to remember the man’s unfamiliar name. “Pratin, wasn’t it?” he murmured.
The image of the strange man flickered into existence for a split second, before disappearing again. He placed his index finger where the photo had appeared, not taking his eyes off the device. “Pratin,” he said, this time louder. The image reappeared and his finger stubbed the screen. The device turned black. His heart skipped a beat at the thought he had broken it. Then, he heard a voice from the e-lib, as a ghostly image of the grey man materialized.
“Master Altman. It’s good to hear from you.”
“Pratin. I just wanted to thank you for your help.”
“It was time the Capital had the leader it deserved. But the boy has escaped, hasn’t he?”
How did he know? “He’s reached someone called the Old Woman. Have you ever heard of her?”
There was a brief pause. “Yes.”
“Good. What can you tell me about her?”
“It seems that our interests are once again aligned. Why don’t you tell me everything?”
Teo relayed what he had found out from Xhi’s wife.
When he finished, Pratin pondered for a moment. “Do you trust this Hecate?”
“She’s greedy and ambitious. I trust my understanding of her.”
“Then, send her back.”
Teo felt a surprising ache at the thought. “Why?”
“Where is a spy more useful? With you or with the enemy?”
“She’s not a spy. Even if she finds out something, how will she contact us?”
“Leave that to me. With her help, maybe all our problems can be solved.”
Relief washed over Teo. “Thank you.” He frowned, knowing better than to assume Pratin’s help would be costless. “If there’s anything I can do to repay you…”
“It’s an honour to serve the Capital.”
Teo fought a sigh. In other words, the payment will come down the line. Probably some favour. He hated the thought of not knowing what that entailed. Then again, I don’t have to oblige him. The thought cheered him up again. “Thank you, my friend. In that case, may I ask for your help with another matter?” Pratin stayed silent, waiting for Teo to continue. “I need to find Satori.”
“Satori? Paul Gauld’s daughter? Why, yes, I believe I can help you there.” Pratin studied Teo for a moment. “There is one small thing I need you to do for me, first, though.”
Teo flashed a grin. “Of course.”
“I’ll have something delivered to you. Give it to Hecate. If I’m right about this, a friend of mine will need it.”
“How will you—”
Pratin lifted his hand to stop him. “Satori’s with Sol at Anthea, playing soldier.”
Teo’s jaw slackened. With Sol, of course! I should have known! No wonder no one had seen her. Before he could ask another question, the screen switched off by itself. Teo tapped in vain the device a couple of times. “Pratin,” he said, twice, but nothing happened.
He plonked the e-lib on the desk, stared at it for a moment, then picked it up again and opened the panel. He jolted back in surprise. Inside the previously empty compartment, there was a small cylinder, filled with a yellow liquid. A handwritten note lay beside it. For Hecate.
Anthea
Sol
Sol loved to watch Satori sleep. The soft dawn light painted her skin with golden hues. She raised the sheet to cover Satori’s shoulders; the nights had got chillier with the progression of autumn. Resting her head on one hand, Sol ran the other through Satori’s ebony hair, her fingers enjoying the silky feel. After her ordeal in the hands of Teo Altman, the girl had cropped them to shoulder length. Sol hoped it would not be too long before they cascaded down her back, like the first time they had met, a lifetime ago. That was back when Jonia was seeking Anthea’s help, of course. Before Paul Gauld’s betrayal.
A part of Sol admired Altman’s ruthlessness. How he had exploited his friend’s sole weakness – his love for his daughter – to trick him into betraying everything he stood for. Freedom. Independence. Liberty. Now Paul had lost it all; not only because Jonia had surrendered, but because Altman had ordered him to the Capital. Part of Sol admired that, too. Teo knew Paul would be seething, and preferred to keep his enemies close.
She could see the toll the war – and her father’s betrayal – had had on Satori, and her heart ached for it. Something had broken inside the once vibrant, charming young woman as she watched her father’s ships abandon the Jonian fleet to its fate, damning it to ruin, along with Jonia’s plans for independence. The woman who had fled to Anthea seeking asylum was no longer driven solely by love of freedom. She now had a burning desire for revenge. Against Altman or her father, Sol could not say. She hoped it was the former. She could understand a father who did everything to save his daughter. Altman, however, she detested with a hatred equal to Satori’s.
Was this why she had readily taken her into her bed and her life? Because of their common loathing against the man who had taken what was most precious to them? Even after all this time, Sol felt the edges of her eyes moisten at the thought of her ill-fated brother, who had died instead of her. She was more convinced than ever that Altman lay behind the assassination attempt. And yet, she hoped it was more than hatred that had brought her and Satori together. She loved the charming woman, seeing a reflection of her younger self in her. Her youthful energy could not help but fill up the previously empty house. Even now, everyone’s head turned whenever she sashayed gracefully into a room.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her reverie. Her brow creased as she swivelled off the bed, draping herself with a soft robe. What could be so urgent to disturb her at this hour?
“Who’s that?” Satori murmured behind her, rubbing her eyes.
“Shh, go back to sleep. It’s nothing.”
Sol exited the room, closing the door softly behind her, to face one of the house servants, his face a mix of irritation and embarrassment. His sleepy eyes betrayed it was too early for him, too. “I’m terribly sorry to wake you up so early,” he started.
“It’s okay, I was awake.”
“David and Gella wish to see you. They say it’s urgent. That you’re waiting for them.” He looked like he half-expected her to send them away. A task he would enjoy, to judge by his sour expression.
“Take them to the study. I’ll be there right away.”
He almost managed to hide his disappointment. “Very well.” She snuck back into the room, careful not to further disturb Satori.
“Is everything all right?” the half-asleep woman asked her.
Sol considered for a moment to ask her to join them, then decided against it. Despite Sol’s efforts, Satori was still furious at Gella for her part in Ephia’s fall, and Sol needed no distractions when she met with them. “Fine. My day started a little earlier, that’s all.”
Satori mumbled something and covered her head with a pillow. Unlike Sol, she was not a morning person and would probably not get up until much later. Sol dressed up and traced Satori’s exposed shoulder with light fingers, then snuck back out and headed for the study.
The servant was already pouring hot tea for David and Gella, who stood up as soon as they saw her. “Sol, it’s good to see you.”
They looked exhausted from the journey, and one look told her everything she needed to know. She motioned the servant to pour her a cup, too, an
d sat down. David and Gella followed suit, waiting for her to speak. She took a sip and smacked her lips, the hot liquid burning her tongue and melting away the morning fog from her mind. She blew on the liquid to cool it somewhat, before slurping the second sip. “What happened?”
They told her everything, starting from Gella’s unceremonious exile from Scorpio, years ago. Sol knew that, of course; she had already checked her out, and the story had been big news back then. She did not interrupt them, however, nodding them on until they reached the trial. She chuckled, imagining the scene, when Gella explained how David had used his recording device to prove Lycus’ guilt.
“I wish I had been there,” Sol said. She had met Cleomen a couple of times, and respected him well enough, although they hardly saw eye to eye when it came to their city policies towards their neighbours. Scorpio fought one war after another, ruling over the rest of the cities with an iron fist. Sol much preferred soft influence to the bloody kind. She motioned them to continue.
David picked up the story, to describe how Gella disarmed Lycus. His face beamed with… pride? Yes, Sol detected pride and, perhaps, something more in his words. What had happened during their trip?
“But they won’t help,” Gella concluded, when the narration reached the trial’s decision. “They have to wait until the two moons are full.”
Of course. They don’t want to commit until they know who will win this.
“Cleomen did reinstate Gella, though,” David added – a bit too anxiously, perhaps, confirming Sol’s suspicion. The two of them had developed a relationship of some sort. She paid closer attention to them, while they expanded on Cleomen’s decision. David exhibited a strange need to protect Gella. Sol knew better than to think Gella needed protection, especially by a young suitor, but the fact that Gella did not seem to mind meant that she reciprocated the feeling, whether she knew it or not. Men like nothing more than to feel needed, she knew, and it is a sure sign of interest when a strong woman allows a man to feel that way. She took another sip of her now cooler tea, wondering how that affected her offer to Gella.
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