“That narrows it down quite a bit. Then there’s the Babachenko. He would kill a slave just as soon as look at one, and yet he stopped me from killing you, even though you’d seen something of the utmost importance to the war effort. You’re clearly a security risk. As a slave, that means a quick death, no question.
“Yet here you stand … and I want to know why.”
Alexander faced him silently, relaxed and poised, ready to act should the attack come … but it didn’t.
“Perhaps we could help one another,” Grant mused. “If I had to guess, I’d say you’re one of the pretender’s agents come to take the Lancers out of the war. Eliminate the Crown … or the king … and the force lances lose their magic. Andalia’s greatest vulnerability. What if you and I wanted the same thing?”
Alexander wished to the Maker that he could see this man’s colors.
“I’m a merchant,” Grant continued. “All my life, the Lancers have ruled the roads with unchallenged authority, exacting bribes when and how they please, dispensing justice at their whim. The Lancers have no authority within the cities where countless factions vie for power and wealth, but trade requires transport over the roads.
“When the war started, the king sent the bulk of the Lancers to Ruatha, where they’re laying waste as we speak,” he said, watching Alexander carefully.
Alexander schooled his expression, hoping with all his might that Grant was lying, yet knowing full well that he wasn’t.
“Since most of the Lancers shipped out, my profits are up dramatically. I can get shipments through for a fraction of the cost. That got me to wondering about what might be possible if the Lancers were gone forever.”
“You speak treason,” Alexander said.
“Treason for me, war for you. We both get what we want.”
“I’m not at war, My Lord,” Alexander said. “I don’t know why Lord Tyr wanted to buy me, and I’m not sure he knew why either, only that he did and that he couldn’t get his way. And I don’t know why the Babachenko stayed my execution, though I’m grateful that he did.”
Grant stared at him, clenching his jaw, openly appraising Alexander like a piece of meat. Alexander looked at the ground, but he was watching Grant closely with his all around sight.
“I could pay you.”
Alexander looked up. “Pay me for what?”
“Killing the king,” Grant said.
“How would I do that? I’m just a ranch hand.”
“Pity, I was hoping we could work together,” Grant said. “I guess the best I can do is turn you in to the Acuna as a spy. I hear they draw the end out as long as possible. You’ll stay here tonight. I’ll send for them in the morning.”
Alexander waited until he left, extinguishing the lamps and plunging the room into darkness, before testing the boundary of the magic circle. He quickly stepped back inside when his collar began to constrict. Then he sat down in the center of the circle reached out to Chloe.
“Lead Jack and Anja here if you can, Little One.”
More than an hour later, Jack slipped into the room, shrouded by his cloak but clear as day from his colors. Anja showed up soon after.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Alexander said, once they were all seated within the circle. Chloe buzzed into existence and floated to the floor in front of Alexander. “Why don’t you start, Jack.”
“All right … on the way to the city, I left the caravan and obtained some official papers, then went straight to the Minstrels Guild once we arrived. It took me a day to learn the requisite song lyrics, really a pathetic set of pandering blather set to ancient music. Didn’t take long to get my chit after that. I’ve used that cover to gather quite a bit of background information about Mithel Dour.
“In truth, this place is like nothing I’ve ever seen. There’s a strict class system, with a very definite hierarchy. Privileges flow from rank; law is applied not based on the crime committed but upon a combination of the crime and the ranks of the criminal and the victim. Bribes are common and even expected.
“For me, the most frightening aspect of this city is the total lack of thought people put into the claims made by the government. For well over half of the people, if the government says it’s so, then it’s so, even if their own eyes tell them otherwise.
“In many ways, a bard is a propagandist, a teller of stories who mixes truth with fantasy to create a version of reality that makes an argument. And in all my life, I’ve never seen a people so unskeptical, so unquestioning, and so pliable as these people.
“I can only guess that they’ve been conditioned to believe the authorities and trained to avoid thinking about any subject with a critical eye. That leaves the rest of the people, self-interested criminals all, to take advantage of the sheep without challenge.”
“No wonder this place is so broken,” Alexander said.
“From an operational perspective, I’ve obtained lease to two residences and a bakery with a basement that accesses one of the underground passage networks. I have modest stockpiles of food and water, so you both have a place to hide when you decide to move.”
“Nice.”
“Spending time entertaining the nobility has given me the opportunity to gather some potentially useful information. It seems that General Talia has launched a rather effective insurgency within the western province where you were captured. They have begun to coordinate attacks against the slave camps and caravans while avoiding or ambushing the Lancers in the forest. There are also stories that the rebels have magical support … as well as reports of dragons. As I understand it, the Babachenko isn’t pleased with this development.”
“What do you mean, dragons?” Anja asked.
“I’m certain people are mistaking wyverns for dragons,” Jack said.
“They wouldn’t if they’d ever seen a real dragon.”
“You’re probably right,” Alexander said. “Anything else, Jack?”
“This character Nightshade is a frequent subject of hushed conversations in the upper circles. He’s been stealing shipments of silver bound for the shipyards along the northern coast. The effect has been to financially weaken the Andalian Cartage Company as well as the Cartage Guild, precipitate a work stoppage in the ports backed by the Shipwrights Guild, and undermine confidence in the Lancers and therefore in the king’s ability to protect trade routes. I presume the stolen silver is an added bonus. We might consider reaching out to him. Some of his goals seem to coincide with our own.”
“The thought crossed my mind,” Alexander said. “Anja, what have you learned?”
“Only that Lady Grant was really unhappy about the death of the crown princess, but when I asked how long she’d known her, she said they’d never met. It didn’t make sense. Other than that, I’ve been a servant … and I’m getting tired of it.”
“There’s more to the death of the crown princess,” Jack said. “The word on the street is that the king impregnated his sister, which is the long tradition of the Andalian royal line so as to maximize the purity of the bloodline. Apparently the Acuna is very concerned about the viability of the Crown. In fact, it’s a common theme of some of their more stock propaganda.
“The interesting thing is, Joss Grant is a cousin of the king.”
“And you think she’s afraid the king will claim her to produce a pure blood heir.”
“I know she’s terrified of it because she brought it up to me,” Jack said.
“Interesting,” Alexander said. “Considering Grant’s recent activities, I wouldn’t be surprised if her fear isn’t well founded. These people have a maddeningly complex array of rules and laws that seem more designed to control than protect, but they do respect them … at least the more prominent citizens do.”
“Seems only natural,” Jack said. “The rules provide them with their wealth and power, and the more complex they can make them, the harder it is for people of lesser means to understand and therefore comply. That way, powerful people can always find some leg
al justification for persecuting those of lesser rank. Large numbers of complex rules also enables corruption to thrive.”
“Corruption is certainly alive and well here,” Alexander said. “I think it’s time for us to move. Titus Grant just tried to make a deal with me. He said he thinks I’m one of the pretender’s agents sent to stir up trouble. He wants me to kill the king so he can make more money … trouble is, I can’t see his colors. I can see him with my all around sight like I can see anyone else, but he just doesn’t have any colors, so I don’t know what to think about him.”
“Don’t trust him,” Jack said.
“No, but he might be useful.”
“If he doesn’t have colors, he’s dangerous.”
“There’s more. He can make people not see him … or those with him.”
Anja and Jack looked around the room.
“I don’t think he’s here,” Alexander said.
“So he has something like my cloak?”
“No, he can make people not even perceive that he’s there, like he’s reaching into their minds and blocking out his very existence from their awareness.”
“That makes for a very short fight,” Jack said.
“True, but I think it might be worth the risk, especially if he really does want the king dead. Either way, he’s going to force the issue. If I don’t agree to work with him, I’ll have to kill him, and that could be a problem given his rather unique talents.”
Jack and Anja both nodded reluctantly.
“There’s a lot more …” Alexander spent nearly an hour explaining the mine, the crystals, the Babachenko, and Tyr, briefing Jack and Anja about everything that had transpired and warning them to be prepared to move quickly. Finally, he outlined his plan and objectives.
After they left, Alexander sat in the middle of the circle and brought himself to the edge of the firmament, then held himself there, focusing his mind and freeing himself of all thought at the same time. He balanced on that edge until it felt natural, sitting in that state when Grant entered the following morning.
He wasn’t in the firmament, yet his all around sight was perfect, clear with vibrant detail, reaching out farther than ever before. He was sitting quietly, his mind poised on the very edge of the collar’s control, at the precipice of the firmament, yet still present in his own mind, and the moment felt like he owned it, as if he could bend it to his will with a thought.
He opened his eyes and focused on Titus Grant with his entire awareness.
“Decision time,” Grant said.
Alexander stood up slowly, settling into a stance that was at once relaxed yet tense, and faced Grant very deliberately.
“I have terms.”
“I’m listening.”
“Remove the collars from me and my sister, give me a thousand silver crowns and papers for us both, plus a hundred thousand silver crowns once the king is dead. Oh, and I’ll need your help in gaining access to the palace.” Alexander stopped talking and held his breath.
Grant stared at Alexander as if thinking through his options. “That’s quite a change of heart.”
Alexander shrugged, “You forced my hand.”
“Perhaps you’re just telling me what I want to hear. I mean, I’m good at reading people, but not that good. I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t another explanation for you being here—one that I haven’t considered.”
“Oh, you were close. I was sent by Lord Reishi but I’m not one of his agents; I’m a hired assassin.”
“Would he really entrust such an important task to one with such fickle loyalty? Doubtful.”
“That’s assuming I’m the only assassin he’s hired for the job,” Alexander said. “There are twelve others. The one who returns with the Andalian Crown gets paid, the rest get nothing. I’ve already killed two of them, but I’m afraid a few the others are getting close and I have no intention of letting them collect my reward.”
“That’s a bit more plausible, though still unlikely. He has to know how difficult it would be to kill the king. It’s far more likely that he would send his very best … and I seriously doubt that his best would wind up here wearing a slave collar.”
“Like I said, he’s sent others, probably more than just the other assassins I’m competing with. And keep in mind, Andalia isn’t his only concern. As for winding up here, it seemed like a good plan—get close to a powerful noble and leverage his access to infiltrate the palace.”
Grant’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Alexander skeptically.
“Come now, Lord Grant,” Alexander said. “What do you think that show with Tyr was really all about? I paid him handsomely to take an interest in me, knowing full well that his interest would pique yours.”
“You played me,” Grant said.
“Perhaps a little too well,” Alexander said, gesturing to the magic circle he was standing in.
“That still doesn’t explain the Babachenko,” Grant said. “Why would he spare you?”
Alexander frowned, looking away in feigned frustration. “I don’t know and I’m a bit concerned about it.”
“You should be,” Grant said, starting to pace, then stopping abruptly to face Alexander again. “Fifty thousand silver crowns, no more.”
“What about everything else?”
“Done, but you need to be ready tonight. The king is very well protected, so access is difficult and limited. Fortunately, the crown princess must be mourned, tradition demands it. There will be a banquet in her honor tonight at the palace. You and your sister will accompany Joss and me as our personal servants. That’s the best access I can give you.”
“Good enough,” Alexander said, tapping the collar around his neck.
“It has to stay on if you’re going into the palace,” Grant said, shaking his head. “Powerful wards guard the inner chambers where the king lives—wards that can detect a slave collar. If you try to enter with a fake collar, the palace guard will be alerted immediately.”
“That wasn’t part of the deal,” Alexander said.
“I can either take your collar off or give you access,” Grant said with a helpless shrug.
“If you take it off, can you put it back on?”
“Of course.”
“Then take it off for the day and put it back on before we go to the palace. I need time to prepare and this gets in the way.”
“So you’re a wizard then,” Grant said, nodding thoughtfully. “As soon as I put the collar back on, your magic will be useless.”
“Not entirely,” Alexander said. “I have a number of very useful spells that last for quite some time. Once I cast them, their effects will remain even with the collar blocking my access to the firmament.”
Grant hesitated.
“This was your idea. If you want it to work, then this is how it has to be.”
“Very well, but you’ll understand if I ask you not to leave the grounds.”
“I don’t intend to,” Alexander said. “In fact, I don’t plan on leaving this room, although I would appreciate it if you’d send down some breakfast.”
Grant chuckled as he touched his ring and closed his eyes. A moment later, Alexander’s collar popped open and he handed it over, rubbing his neck.
Chapter 12
The firmament came easily. Always before, it took an effort … calming his body, clearing his mind, entertaining thoughts just to acknowledge them so that he could dismiss them one by one. It had been weeks since he’d been able to touch the firmament and it seemed closer than ever.
He thought of Isabel and the world flashed past him.
She was alive. For several moments he simply looked at her, marveling at her beauty and wondering at her courage. She was in an overly decorated room, sitting at a table with an older man cloaked in the colors of a wizard. Of far greater concern were Isabel’s colors. The Wraith Queen’s grip was tightening.
“It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Isabel said.
“But it’s so simple!” the wiza
rd said, throwing up his hands.
“Maybe for you, but you’ve been studying magic for years,” Isabel shot back. “I just went through the mana fast less than a year ago.”
“These are the most basic concepts. You should have learned them before even attempting the mana fast.”
“Yeah, well, it didn’t work out that way,” Isabel said, walking away from the table.
Wren came in from the balcony as if she lived there. Surprising, since the last he knew, she was imprisoned in the hold of a ship.
“Is it time to eat yet?” she asked.
“Perhaps a break would be in order,” the wizard said, collecting his hat and staff before leaving.
“You’re a lifesaver, Wren. I don’t know how much longer I can play dumb with that man.”
Alexander materialized, laughing.
“Oh! Thank the Maker, you’re alive,” she said, stepping toward him with tears welling up in her eyes, both hands covering her mouth.
“So are you,” Alexander said. “I wish I could touch you.”
She nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“I don’t have much time … I just needed to know that you’re safe.”
“Phane told me you were dead,” she said, wiping her cheeks. “He said he couldn’t find you with his magic and that could only mean one thing.”
“He’s a liar,” Alexander whispered.
“I got a knife into his gut, but it wasn’t enough,” she said, struggling to collect her emotions. “So much has happened. Phane has me and Wren. He’s trying to make me use the darkness … I’m fighting it, but I’m terrified that it’s only a matter of time before I lose control.”
“I believe in you, Isabel. You can do this.”
“There’s another problem,” Isabel said. “Phane just sent an expedition to retrieve the Goiri’s remains. I sent Slyder to find Ayela in the hopes that she can stop Phane’s people, but she’s nowhere to be found.”
Linkershim (Sovereign of the Seven Isles: Book Six) Page 15