“He wields the argument!”
“Posh! Many won’t consider it enough. Despite sentiment, the AOE will have no choice but to try for execution against the boy, and the Archatians will rouse the rabble because they are being left out of a policy decision. To add to it, he was brought in by a scheming ryle, who now tries to change our laws after making himself the hero. The least he could do was wait a year. This much change, so quickly, will tear the city apart.”
“Right, therefore the Quoratota.”
“Do you think having a huge debate will clear anything up? It will only aggravate everyone involved! Have you ever walked through a plaza? Nothing is ever solved.”
Martin threw his voice. “What about the Caspians?”
The two were silent for a moment. “Who was that? Marcus of the Hands, asking about the Caspians?”
“He’s right though. This smacks of that snake. I bet she groomed this Caspian to behave differently. Her venom is on every ear—her prophetic verse whispered in dark corners.”
“What if he’s in league with the ryle? What if this is all a show to distract us? You’ve heard the stories about fighting in the sewers.”
“I don’t know—there are too many pieces. Why send her students? It only shows her involvement and gets our attention up. I don’t think they are directly connected.”
“But a few of them slipped their leads this morning. We only have two of the five now.”
“This morning?”
“Yes! Isn’t that a coincidence?”
“Is it the popular two we still have?”
“Yes. They are still quartered in the visitor’s wing, when they should be behind bars.”
Martin rolled his invisible eyes at how obvious the answer was.
The visitor’s wing.
He quietly left the whisperers to their fearful gossiping.
After finding a floor map painted on a wall in the main foyer, Martin had finally made his way to the visitor’s wing. He saw a guard sitting idly at the end of the hall.
It looks like there is no way out, save past this guard. There are three turns and two doors from here to the general safety of a small plaza outside. It shouldn’t be too much hassle to get them free.
Martin slipped past the guard, careful of his breathing, and checked room after room before finally finding a young boy and girl sitting on a couch next to each other. Both looked distressed.
“We never should have come—” the boy mumbled.
Martin stepped inside and closed the door. They both looked up.
He released the tension on his feathers.
The girl screamed.
“No, no! I’m here to rescue you! Please be quiet.”
Martin heard footsteps coming up the hall.
The boy and girl gave him apologetic looks and almost showered him with questions, but Martin raised a hand for silence. He tensed his feathers again and disappeared.
“Amazing,” the girl said, right as the door burst open.
“What’s the fuss in here?” The guard asked, stepping inside and looking around. “You two are the good ones; don’t go changing that now.”
Martin clasped his hands around the guard’s neck and jolted him into unconsciousness.
The children reared in fright, but they stayed quiet.
Martin slowly lowered the guard to the floor, careful not to clatter his armor.
Reappearing, he spoke, “Get your things, we are leaving immediately.”
“Who are—” the girl started.
“No time for questions—I’m with Letty. We know where Lysander is.”
The two had gotten to their feet, but they stopped in shock.
“Where is he?” Dean sputtered.
“Somewhere in this building; now hurry!”
They piled as many bags onto their shoulders as they could, yet there was still more.
“What the hell did you bring? Supplies for a siege?” Martin asked.
“These arrived for us a few hours ago,” Emma said, pointing at the large bundle. “The Elazene have repaired our suits and delivered them.”
“We didn’t get to talk to them, but the guards let us keep the suits.”
“Suits?” Martin said, confused.
“Brutox plates, made into armor,” Dean replied.
“Ah, Elazene armor. Well, we can’t leave it,” Martin said, lifting the bundle over his shoulder and moving towards the door. “God be with us.”
In calmer times, Elazene arriving with gifts would have been a source of gossip for weeks.
They approached the first turn and ignored the sounds of racing footsteps at Martin’s order. They went through the door and noticed an empty stool. Turning the corner, they went unnoticed by a dozen guards, fresh from the riots outside, huffing and puffing in their armor. Martin and the surfacers slipped through the second door with a score of other Secular staff. They finally thanked a guard who politely held the exit open for a stream of Exegesuits rushing out. Martin, Dean, and Emma filed in with the people and went unseen.
Martin felt his feathers flexing in fear. He knew his color wasn’t solid, but he was too frightened to control it. He counted the seconds as they walked away from the door, waiting for a shout.
None came.
“Carrying the cargo legitimized us,” Dean said, noticing Martin’s surprise.
They slipped into the crowd.
“Why all this junk?” a heavy voice asked.
Martin nearly jumped. He saw Clang and a few dozen goblins, all in good spirits after their tussles in the crowds.
“Here,” Martin said, dropping the bundle on a few goblins. “These belong to our new allies; do not lose them. Surfacers, this is Clang: Mastery Surgeon of the Broken Teeth.”
Dean and Emma were nonplussed.
“They are a goblin mercenary band. You don’t know it yet, but our two groups are working together,” Martin said, looking back at the Secular.
“We’ll mind humans. Are you set for another sneak?” Clang asked.
“Indeed, another sneak,” Martin said, turning. “Take them to the others!”
Clang waved Martin’s concern away.
“Find Blue! He’s with the Archatians in the plaza!” Martin shivered at all the unknowns. He felt his feathers tense, telling him they were suffering from fatigue.
He slipped into an alcove near a shop front and disappeared before heading back towards the Secular.
They’re holding Andy in the reliquary.
Chapter 10
Final Moves
Andy’s head lay against the gauntlets that covered his hands. A small part of himself wanted to inspect the room they had put him in, but all he could think about was seeing Letty again.
Though he had no reason to believe, the look on her face said it all. She had come to save him. He knew this should have been a joyous meeting, that he should feel relief, or something, anything positive, but all he felt was guilt.
She’s in the city and that was Staza and Quill with her. They saw everything.
Andy felt the urge to cry but nothing would come.
I wish she’d never seen me like this. I wish they thought I was dead and never came.
Andy heard the door open. He looked up and had to narrow his eyes. The room was painted in gold leaf and the furniture glittered in the light from dozens of lamps. He looked for the source of the noise but saw nothing.
“Just checking in on me? I’m not going anywhere,” Andy said. “Is it dinner time? My old warden used to give me treats for good behavior.”
He tried to laugh but only felt numb.
A moment later, he heard the door open again.
“I haven’t gone anywhere!” Andy yelled, brushing his face against his shoulder.
A figure in the red robes of The Blood approached Andy’s cage and stood in silence.
“No dinner? Maybe some questions or torture?”
“Who are you?” the figure asked.
Andy scoffed. “Loos
en these chains a bit and I’ll show you.”
“Why didn’t you take the Cogito?”
Andy rattled his chains. “You could never understand the Voice of God.”
Andy heard a low, scraping laugh. It was familiar.
The figure pulled back its hood. Andy recognized Ziesqe. “Very good, Lysander. I see that you are keeping to our arrangement.”
Andy was silent.
“I’ve brought you a gift, since you’ve done so well,” Ziesqe said, producing a cage.
“Titus!” Andy cried, pulling against his chains.
The mouse was hunched and withered.
Ziesqe unlocked the cage and motioned for Titus to hop out. The mouse refused to move.
“Despondent?” Ziesqe asked, reaching in and grabbing the mouse. “Your friend here does a great thing. Please, noble builder, take your place at his side, and aid him.” Ziesqe implored, reaching through the bars of the cage and placing Titus on Andy’s shoulder.
“Titus, I’m sorry,” Andy said.
“A cage and the chains,” Ziesqe mused. “Excessive for anyone but you, and that old barbarian.”
“How is Thrag? And Ithmene?” Andy asked.
“Thrag’s body will never die, though his mind will always be broken. He is enchained as well, not far from your young bride. She will be released tomorrow, no matter the outcome. Thrag, however, will be taken by ravager and then by cutter to another scape altogether, before I release him on some old friends.”
“What do you mean, ‘No matter the outcome?’”
Ziesqe gave Andy an appraising glance. “Right to the point, I see. I was hoping to have some words with you, maybe learn what you have been up to. Ithmene hasn’t been talkative on the subject.”
Andy tensed.
“I haven’t hurt her, though my curiosity can overstep bounds, it hasn’t yet. But, since you were in such a rush, I’ll get to the crux. Those manic Archatians forced this. There will be a farce tomorrow—a massive debate and then a vote. Step by misstep, we must dance to the summit, despite all turns of fate and fortune. I intend to defeat the Archatians handily, as regards the ryle ban, but on the second matter, that of your execution—” Ziesqe paused.
Andy stayed silent, but Titus leaped to his feet.
“Stay your venom, mouse; I keep to a deal you know nothing about. I will press for execution. It must be done, so the rag-bound inquisitors of The Heart never get their hands on you. Be grateful they are only questioning you now and not applying the screw. The Exegesuits want you looking presentable tomorrow.”
“Andy!” Titus pleaded. “Tell me execution wasn’t part of this!”
“It is only a farce, dear mouse.” Ziesqe leaned in and whispered. “None of the Archatians will argue strongly against execution for fear of The Heart. You must suffer that sentence, as long as you continue to act the part. I have already purchased the loyalty of the city executioner. To the audience, it will appear to be a genuine death, but you will be secreted away, back to your home on the surface.”
“Of course, he’s lying!” Titus spat. “How could he fake a public execution?”
Andy took a heavy breath.
“You aren’t obliged to do any of this, you know,” Ziesqe said, to Titus’s surprise. “This mouse might find a way to release you from your chains. You might speak tomorrow and throw my work into chaos. You have other friends in the city; they might also succeed. But keep in mind—tomorrow at noon, the invasion will begin.”
Andy looked up at Ziesqe.
“Yes. The only way it will stop is if Viqx walks into the city unhindered, to greet me at the gate. If I am debating endlessly by the time noon strikes, the attack will commence. If you have trained with the blade, as I expect you have, you might kill me, you might kill the other ryle, but you will not kill us all. You do not have the ability to stop the invasion. If Caspian still whispers into your ear and you give over to him, who knows what might happen?”
Andy considered this.
“You can take the night to think it over, but I already have. Almost every path before you leads to ruin and death. Only one will bring you home. Do as I have said; perhaps you might even enjoy the tears and fanfare, knowing the world will be a better place after Caspian is defeated in the eyes of these people. They might finally move on.”
Andy spotted a shifting in the air behind Ziesqe. A sudden burst of sparks flared and there were a pair of hands wrapped around Ziesqe’s neck.
“Martin!” Andy cried out.
Ziesqe bent and twisted away from Martin’s grasp, a sheen of purple armor appearing over his body. Andy saw the nerves and muscles articulating in Ziesqe’s arm as he spun about.
“No!” Andy screamed, pulling against his chains and hopelessly trying to clench his own fist.
The purple blade flashed into Martin’s stomach for only a moment before Ziesqe released it.
Martin crumbled to the floor, his feathers immediately becoming visible. Andy grasped against the gauntlets as hard as he could, trying to make a fist, but only a faint glow appeared about his hands.
Guards rushed into the room.
“Clear this up, please,” Ziesqe said.
The guards complied without hesitation.
Andy screamed at the sight of his friend on the floor.
Ziesqe stood while the guards removed Martin. After they left, he reached through the cage and grabbed Andy by his scalp, pulling him up to the bars. Titus bit down on the clawed hand, but Ziesqe didn’t flinch.
“You have come far and done so well; we’re almost there. And remember,” he said, moving aside and forcing Andy to watch Martin being pulled through the doors, “this image of someone near to you, bleeding across the floor. Let no more of your friends die, Lysander.”
Chapter 11
Accredited
Letty rubbed her raw eyes and everything from the day before returned.
Andy.
She rolled over and felt the panic bloom.
I can’t cry, they’re going to kill him. I have to do something.
Letty sat up and crawled out of her bag. It looked like she was in a basement. She was surprised to see their luggage sitting in a pile nearby.
She scanned the room and saw tattered, white banners painted with broken teeth. On the floor, she spotted Emma and Dean, lying not far from the Caspians. She didn’t recall them returning, or even getting inside her own sleeping bag.
Letty didn’t dare sort through her memories of the day before; she was ashamed of how she behaved. The image of Andy in the cage tried to creep back into her thoughts, but she shook her head and stepped carefully over the goblins and her friends to the door. A few beady eyes looked up at her.
She climbed the steps and found herself in an abandoned tavern. Clang was sleeping in a chair by a large dining table, and Blue snored sharply in a teacup, sat by a large makeshift map on that table. Clang stirred as Letty approached.
“Up, I see. Are you tame?” Clang asked.
“Yes. I’m tame now,” Letty replied.
“Good,” Blue said, stretching and wincing at a pain in his back. “Your Argument is on the counter.”
Letty approached the bar and saw a burlap sack. She reached in and found the Argument. Touching the orb made her realize how empty she had felt. The Argument was soothing, and she felt her determination sharpen.
“Today isn’t going to be easy,” Blue said.
Clang nodded. “We fear. Martin rescued surfacers, but is not returning from cathedral. Captured—maybe worse.”
Blue shook his head. “We barely spoke before he went and disappeared.”
“Was he trying to rescue Andy as well?” Letty asked.
Blue nodded. “It was a stupid notion. There was no way to get that boy out of there. He must certainly be under heavy guard.”
Not wanting to wallow any further, Letty approached the table and considered their map. “What have you planned?”
Blue huffed and swiped pieces off the map. “
It’s just as stupid! There is no way we can fight our way to Andy and then escape the city! Even with your blade!”
“The sewers!” Clang retorted.
“Are full of the enemy! There is no way!”
“The Martin would know where to find victory,” Clang muttered.
Letty looked at the map, and saw the word: Panforum, scrawled across the top. It featured a massive open-air theater. She looked at their notes, scrawled on a few pages nearby.
“What’s this?” Letty asked. “Quoratota. What does that mean?”
“It’s the chance,” Clang said.
Blue sighed. “The Archatians have challenged the Exegesuits. I don’t understand the rules; it goes back to the pact and the union. Laws this big can’t just be changed by one part of the city—both sides must have a say, and that is the Quoratota. They are going to decide whether to repeal the ryle ban and—” Blue paused.
“Tell her,” Clang said.
“What? Tell me what?”
Blue shrank away and hid his face behind a bent ear. “They are also deciding if Caspian—Andy, is to be executed.”
Letty stared; she felt the urge to scream but bit down on her cheeks. Clang and Blue leaned away, as if expecting a storm.
I need to stay calm. This won’t help.
Letty felt the Argument. It was warm and reassuring. She stared at it for a long moment before speaking, “What are we going to do?”
Clang and Blue shared a look. “The Greeks and the Braids are going to fight the repealing, but I couldn’t convince them that the invasion was a credible threat; it has relented over the last week. We expect that Ziesqe’s forces have only pressed in as far as he needs. Considering this, the Archatians are not compelled to save Andy. They are afraid of the Exegesuits and have only promised to move that his execution be softened to life imprisonment, for strategic purposes.”
Clang shook his head. “We prepared sneak-attack on stage in case words fail.”
“We prepared nothing! There is no—” Blue broke off, tired of arguing.
Letty looked at the map.
“Who gets to speak, on the stage I mean?”
The Immortal of Degoskirke Page 20