Dynasty of Rogues

by Jane Fletcher

  “This was not a—”

  Isabel interrupted the Colonel, beckoning Riki forward to stand before Chief Consultant Bakara. “Please. Allow me to introduce my assistant. This is Marlena Azid. Maybe you remember her aunt, Jean Azid, who also used to work for me, before she had her unfortunate accident. Marlena will be taking on many of her aunt’s roles for me.”

  The furrows on Bakara’s forehead vanished. “Ah, yes. Of course.”

  “No child could—”

  This time the Chief Consultant interrupted Zelenski. “It’s all right, Colonel. I understand where the mix-up was. There’s no problem.”

  Zelenski stepped back, clearly stunned into silence by the instant acceptance of Isabel’s ludicrously weak explanation.

  Bakara went on. “And before you leave today, Madam Coppelli, I’ll give you a new warrant for Marlena. Just in case you...er...have difficulty finding the original warrant when you return home.”

  Isabel gave a gracious nod. “Thank you. That’s most kind. I’m sorry about the mistake. I should have introduced Marlena to you earlier.”

  “It’s no problem.” Chief Consultant Bakara looked across the room at the furious Intelligence Corps colonel. “Thank you for bringing this to my notice, Colonel Zelenski. But everything is under control. If you could wait outside, we’ll have our weekly briefing session, just as soon as I’ve sorted out the warrant for Marlena Azid.”

  Colonel Zelenski glared around in frustrated disbelief, then gave a sharp formal salute to Bakara, a scowl to Isabel Coppelli, and stomped out of the room.

  *

  From the window of her room, Landfall was at a safe enough distance for Tanya not to feel overwhelmed by it. She leaned against the wall and stared through the bars. The sheer scale of the city was astounding. That women’s hands could build something so vast, brick upon brick, was incredible. That anybody would want to live in the result after it was finished was incomprehensible.

  The sound of the door made Tanya look round. Riki sauntered past the Sister on duty. At the sight of her, Tanya felt her insides kick in a rush of contrasting emotions, too raw and overwhelming to separate and identify. The intensity of the response confused her. She had not realized quite how desperate she was to see Riki again, to reassure herself that she had not imagined their meeting the day before. But after her experience in the Corps dungeon, was it surprising if she was a little volatile emotionally?

  Tanya pulled out a chair and dropped into it, trying to mask her eagerness, and waited until Riki was also seated before speaking.

  “How did it go yesterday?” Tanya had heard nothing after her grandmother had been summoned away by a surly Guard.

  “Completely to script. Your grandmother’s amazing. She knew Zelenski’s routine to the second, and she knew just how everyone was going to react. She was pulling all the strings without them knowing it.”

  “I shouldn’t have doubted her. Mom always said she was the most manipulative bitch under the sun.”

  “Did she mean that as a compliment?”

  “I shouldn’t think so. They didn’t have a good relationship. Grandma’s been fine with me, though. Maybe she’s mellowed with age.”

  “Or maybe you’re not as sharp-tempered as your mother.”

  “I can lose my temper. I thought I’d proved that to you.”

  “I’m a special case. I can infuriate anyone.” Riki gave an ironic laugh. “And I’m hard to get rid of. I bet you thought you were safe from me here.”

  “No, believe me, I’m very pleased to see you.” Tanya looked down, feeling suddenly very awkward.

  Tanya still had no idea why Riki was in Landfall, but she had to be genuine. There was no way she could be part of an Intelligence Corps trick. Riki proved that Isabel really was her grandmother and that the Chief Consultant really had ordered the Corps to hand her over. Riki’s presence was what allowed Tanya to believe that she truly had escaped from the Corps torture room and would not be going back. And Riki alone gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, she would see Westernfort again.

  Tanya wanted to reach out and touch her, to reassure herself that Riki was real. Yet, of all the women from Westernfort, surely Riki was the one least amenable to being grabbed by her. Asking for a hug was out of the question. Tanya clasped her hands together under the table to stop them from moving of their own accord.

  They were not friends. Tanya had to remember that. She knew her reactions were purely a result of what she had been through. The woman sitting opposite had not experienced the same nightmare and would not be feeling anything close to the same emotions. Tanya had to keep a grip on herself. She had no idea why Riki was in Landfall working to free her, but she was absolutely certain that it owed nothing to any concern for her welfare.

  She needed some answers. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve brought you some clean clothes, but the Sisters are inspecting them before they let you have them. I’m not sure whether it’s to look for files sewn in the hem or to check that nobody has embroidered slogans like Screw Celaeno on the collar.”

  The new clothes would be welcome. Tanya was still wearing the uniform she had been captured in. The humor was even more welcome. Already, Riki had got under her guard. Tanya leaned forward over the desk, stifling a laugh, even as she wondered if this was the first time they had shared a joke. “I meant, why aren’t you back in Westernfort?”

  “Your mother was going to kill me.”

  Tanya grinned, thinking that Riki was joking again. “What did you do to upset her?”

  “I meant it literally. I was going to be hanged. She thought I was the one who handed you over to the Guards.”

  Tanya’s smile faded. She looked at Riki in shock. “But it wasn’t you. It was Loke Stevenson.”

  “Yeah, I’ve worked that one out. But I wasn’t able to convince anyone else. Loke did a good job of framing me.”

  “You were sentenced to death? Did they hold a trial?”

  “I escaped the night before. But there was no way I wasn’t going to hang. Everyone was convinced I was guilty. Loke switched cloaks with me, so I was wearing the one that had been dragged through the bramble by where you were ambushed.”

  “Just that?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Mom wouldn’t convict you on such weak evidence.”

  “She was leading the lynch mob.”

  “She wouldn’t—”

  “Oh, she would. We had a private talk before I escaped. She kicked the shit out of me. I’m being a bit less literal there, but not much. The bruises have only just gone, else I could show you.” Riki tipped her head toward the watching Sister. “Although I’m not sure what our chaperone would make of it if I started stripping off my clothes.”

  Tanya slipped down in her chair, feeling appalled, and unsure what to say. “I...I’m sorry. I know Mom...but she shouldn’t have. It—”

  “It’s okay. If I’d done what she thought I’d done, I’d have deserved it and more. In the circumstances, she was quite restrained. It’s Loke I want to get even with, not you or your mother.”

  Tanya stared in surprise. She would have thought Riki was the sort of person to hold a grudge. “It’s good of you to look at it that way. I don’t know if I would, in your place.”

  “It’s not completely forgive and forget on my part. I’m looking forward to hearing your mother say she’s sorry when we get back. Maybe grovel a bit. But that’s why I’ve got to have you with me, to tell everyone the truth about Loke.”

  Of course. Tanya had known Riki’s motives would not spring from altruism. “You could stay here in Landfall. It would be easier than trying to free me.”

  If Riki detected the bitter edge to Tanya’s voice, she showed no sign. Her eyes were locked on the table, as if she were trying to stare through it. “I must go back. There’s something I have to do.”

  “What?”

  Riki pouted and twitched her head in a sharp movement, indicating that she was not willing t
o answer.

  “What’s so important?” Tanya pressed.

  “Nothing much.”

  Tanya raised her eyes to the ceiling. Nothing much, but it was worth Riki risking her life over. Tanya felt a surge of anger. If Riki was refusing to answer, then it was probably something illegal or immoral—maybe both. It was all part of some stupid game.

  “I guess I’m just lucky, then.”

  At last the sarcastic tone got through. Riki looked up, frowning. “For what?”

  “That you stand to benefit in some way from me going home. I’d wondered why you were risking your neck to get me out. It’s not the sort of thing I’d expect from someone like you.”

  Riki’s expression flitted through a series of reactions before settling on a taunting grin. “You didn’t think I was doing it for your sake, did you?”

  “No. I never thought that for a moment.”

  “Good. We understand each other.” Riki stood up. “And I’ve stayed long enough. It’s your tough luck that you’ll have to see me again tomorrow.”

  Riki turned and marched out through the doorway. Tanya watched her go, fighting the impulse to call her back. Riki’s presence was stirring up a whirlpool of emotions. The woman was a complete pain in the ass, but Tanya just wanted to cling on to her and not let go.

  Chapter Ten—Dealing Out Mistrust

  The junior Sister announced Madam Coppelli and withdrew. Isabel advanced a few steps into the room. The surroundings were familiar. It was where the Chief Consultant generally conducted private meetings with secular visitors. Clear glass windows on one side commanded an impressive view over Landfall. The floor was lacquered wood. The walls were plain white plaster, hung with images from The Book of the Elder-Ones. The desk and chair were unadorned, but large and well made. Everything projected the sense of firm austerity, of power without self-indulgence.

  The only other item of furniture was the small candlelit shrine at the rear, where Bakara was currently kneeling, hands clasped piously together. The musky tang of incense drifted down the room. While waiting patiently for Bakara to conclude her prayers, Isabel reviewed her opinion of the leader of the Sisterhood.

  Chief Consultant Bakara was not stupid. She would not have risen to her present position if she were. The Sisters’ hierarchy was as vicious and unforgiving as any other power game in Landfall. Yet she was far too linearly minded, which made her easy to outmaneuver. On a personal level, Isabel rather liked Bakara and was happy that the current plotting would not harm her beyond the loss of a few nights’ sleep. Although for the sake of the family, Isabel would not have held back, whatever the consequences for the Sisterhood.

  After a few more stanzas of prayer, Bakara rose and came to greet her visitor. “Madam Coppelli, you wished to see me?”

  “Yes, I...” Isabel let her voice tail away while her forehead creased in a worried frown.

  Bakara picked up on the expression at once. “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure. But it might be very bad news. I came to see you as soon as I heard.”

  “What?”

  Isabel stared at the floor as if marshalling her thoughts. She drew a breath and then began speaking cautiously. “Last night, someone broke into Jean Azid’s family home and made off with some of her papers.”

  “Which papers?”

  “That’s just it. We don’t know for certain, because they aren’t there anymore.”

  “Have you any idea what they might be about?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. From a few other clues, I suspect they relate to Consultant Joannou’s fall from grace.”

  “What! Why was Azid hanging on to such material? I thought they were supposed to be destroyed.”

  “They were.” Isabel let a hint of irritation creep into her voice. “Jean Azid was a trustworthy employee, but I guess all women in her line of work like to hedge their bets. It’s against their nature to let go of any potential weapon, regardless of whether they have any intention of using it.”

  Bakara lifted her hand to rub her forehead. She stared straight ahead without focusing, her thought clearly moving on. “Do you have any idea who might have taken it?”

  “One name tops my list.” Isabel spoke tersely.

  “Who?”

  “You’re not going to like it.”

  “Who?”

  “Jean Azid had lots of enemies and emulators. But she died nearly a year ago. Why wait all this time? If there was anything in her rooms that someone wanted, they’d have stolen it months ago.”

  “So?”

  “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this robbery was a mere three days after Colonel Zelenski first heard Azid’s name mentioned.”

  “You think it was the Intelligence Corps?” Bakara sounded incredulous.

  “Yes.”

  “Trying to find out about me?”

  Isabel shook her head. “No. About me. We both know Zelenski is furious over my granddaughter. With that awkward incident over the warrant she heard me talk about Azid. I suspect she did some digging. Maybe looked into Marlena as well. She found out what Jean Azid used to do for me and sent her agents to see if they could find any incriminating documents. Maybe she was hoping she could blackmail me into letting her take Tanya back. And instead, what they got was...” Isabel shrugged irritably.

  “But this is guesswork?”

  “Yes. It’s a question of how much you want to trust my guesses. But one thing I would suggest is”—Isabel paused, chewing her lip—“keep an eye on Zelenski. Watch to see if her manner changes. She may drop hints, or even threats.”

  “You think she’d dare threaten me?”

  “It depends what she has in her hand.”

  “She’s true to the faith.”

  “I’d never question it. And that can make her more dangerous. If she thinks your righteousness is in question, she might feel she’s carrying out the will of the Goddess in working against you. She’d feel justified in whatever actions she took. She might even try to arrange your removal.”

  “I don’t know...” Bakara sounded anxious and unsure.

  “And I could be wrong.” Isabel made her tone conciliatory rather than convincing. “There may have been no papers left in Azid’s possession to start with. All I’m saying is, keep an eye on Zelenski.”

  *

  Riki walked past the blank-faced Guards and entered Tanya’s room. The Sister on duty had Tanya cornered near the window and was haranguing her earnestly. “Do you not feel the emptiness in your life? Denying the love of the Goddess is like—”

  The Sister looked around at the sound of the door. Only her eyes were visible, so it was hard to judge her expression. Tanya however, looked relieved. A wide, welcoming smile flashed across her face, before settling into something more subdued.

  Not speaking another word, the Sister toddled back to her seat by the door. Tanya collapsed onto a chair at the table with a sigh. Riki sat opposite and laid out the sheets of paper, pen and ink that she had brought.

  “Your grandmother has arranged permission for you to write to her.”

  Tanya pulled a wry grin. “Do you mind if I take a long time? I need a break from Sister Patel.”

  “Take as long as you want.” Riki leaned forward and dropped her voice slightly. “There’s something else you have to do, though. On the third sheet are two faint boxes at the bottom of the page. You need to put prints from your index fingers in them, and don’t make any other mark on the paper. When you’re ready, let me know and I’ll distract the Sister. But there’s no rush.”

  Tanya gave a nod to show she understood and picked up the pen. Riki watched her open the bottle of ink and start writing. Tanya’s expression was one of studious concentration. Light from the window accentuated the clean lines of her cheek and jaw. She was looking better, Riki thought. The new clothes had helped, but beyond that, her manner was more relaxed. Unlike the first time Riki had seen her in the temple, she no longer gave the impression of consciously working to keep pani
c at bay.

  Compared to how she had been at Westernfort, Tanya somehow seemed both stronger and more vulnerable. Was it surprising, given what she had been through? Tanya was still the captain’s daughter, an offshoot of a powerful family, and everyone’s darling, but she was also in a tough spot and needed help. Furthermore, she was not bleating like a pathetic waste of space. Riki appreciated her composure, and that she did not need to be told anything more than once, as with the fingerprints.

  Although Tanya had accused Riki of being the sort of woman who would abandon a comrade to rot in a dungeon, Riki knew, were their positions reversed, she would be able to count on Tanya. She had guts and she was not stupid. All things considered, Tanya was not such a bad choice for corporal. It was a shame that she clearly still thought of Riki as a first-class bitch.

  Tanya reached the bottom of the page and moved the paper aside to start a new pile. She flipped through the remaining blank sheets pensively and then slipped the top one up to reveal the faint outlines on the page beneath. When next she dipped her pen in the bottle, a slight flick of the nib sent a single drop of ink landing on the tabletop.

  Tanya raised her eyes to Riki’s. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

  Riki pushed away from the table and strolled over to the Sister at the door. “Excuse me, Sister, but when I leave here, I was hoping to pray to the Elder-One Richard Turner, but I’ve been unable to find her statue. Where is she in the temple?”

  “She’s on the left, behind the northernmost column on the inner ring. She often gets overlooked.”

  “So if I was facing the eternal flame, she’d be...” Riki turned roughly north and gestured vaguely to her left.

  “Oh, no, no. You need to...”

  The Sister spent the next five minutes giving directions to Richard Turner, as well as several more Elder-Ones whom she clearly felt did not get their fair share of worshippers. The list kept growing, but at last Riki was able to thank her and escape.

  “She does go on a bit,” Riki said as she sat back at the table.