‘Go upstairs and wait for Rayámina,’ Kráytos said once they were inside the foyer.
Nick climbed the stairs ahead of Cal, his rage burning hotter with each step. As soon as they were both in the kitchen, Nick rounded on Cal.
‘What did you do that for? I promised – promised – not to tell anyone about you just yesterday! And then you go and pull that stunt!’
Cal looked ashen. The blood had dried on his cheek in long red tears and he gripped his shirt together in one white-knuckled fist to keep his tattoo covered. Nick strode forwards and slapped his hand down.
‘Don’t hide it, Cal! It’s what you wanted everyone to see, isn’t it?’
He yanked off his own shirt and tossed it at Cal’s feet.
‘And my brand, too! Don’t forget that!’
Cal still didn’t say anything.
‘The person I just saw on the training field is not even remotely like you. It was an act. Why, Cal? Why did you do it?’
‘I had to,’ Cal replied, his voice hoarse.
Nick threw out his arms. ‘You what? You had to? Why would you have to unless—?’ He froze. ‘Wait. Did someone put you up to it?’
Cal dropped his gaze.
‘Shit. Who was it? Valerius?’
‘No.’
‘Julian?’
Cal’s jaw clenched.
‘It was Julian? You did this for him?’
Cal’s stare flicked up, hard with anger. He pointed to the bruises on his stomach. ‘Does it look like I had a choice?’
Nick winced. ‘So he threatened you.’
‘Of course he threatened me! Do you think I would’ve done that otherwise?’
‘What did he say he’d do?’
Cal ran his fingers through his hair. ‘He said...he said he’d kill you and blame it on Artemis. I couldn’t let that happen.’
‘Oh. Right,’ Nick murmured, and slumped onto a chair before his knees gave way.
The kitchen door opened. Cal snatched his shirt closed as Amaránta hobbled in clutching an armful of firewood. After Nick had helped her stack the logs in the wood basket, she pointed to the coffee pot in a silent question.
‘Yes, please, Amaránta. Coffee would be great.’
She gave him a shy smile and set about brewing some coffee. Nick put two cups on the table then realised he was ravenous so he piled fresh sourdough and cured kangaroo meat onto a plate while Amaránta filled the cups to the brim.
‘Thanks,’ Nick said.
She backed out of the room and shut the door.
Nick swigged his coffee. ‘Cal, I seriously thought the recruits were going to rip your insides out.’
Cal sat down and let out a long breath. ‘I needed you to believe they would.’
The admission left a bitter taste in Nick’s mouth. He gazed out the window, watching the swollen storm clouds flash and flare as they reared above the mountain peaks.
‘You knew I wouldn’t let them go that far. You knew what I’d have to do to stop them.’ Nick shook his head. ‘You know me better than I know myself.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘About the recruits? I don’t know. David can sort it out.’
‘No, I mean about...me.’
Nick regarded him for a long while. Cal sat in silence, his chest exposed and a harrowed look on his face as if he expected to be handed a death sentence. It struck Nick that Cal may genuinely be anticipating something like this, and that Nick might just have the power to deliver it.
Nick cleared his throat. ‘Nothing.’
‘What?’
‘I won’t do anything about you, Cal. Julian forced you into this. I’ll back you up, whatever happens.’ Nick huffed. ‘But don’t scare me like that again, yeah? And don’t punch me again either. It really hurts.’
Cal blinked. ‘That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?’
‘Uh-huh.’ Nick took a big gulp of coffee, enjoying the sweet warmth of it. He contemplated Cal’s tattoo and asked, ‘Why are our marks different? You and Artemis have a horizon line under your sundisc, but mine doesn’t have that.’
‘That’s because we’re mileskúlos. Slave soldiers.’
Nick stared. ‘Slaves?’
Lifting his shoulders in a half-shrug, Cal replied, ‘There are different classes of slaves in Korelios. Some of us are trained as Arai. We’re considered the lucky ones.’ He scowled. ‘Not all of us see it that way, though.’
‘You were a slave?’ Nick still couldn’t wrap his head around the concept. ‘You were forced to join the Arai?’
Cal leaned against the wall, studying Nick for a moment. ‘I’ve been a slave my whole life. Until I came to Auremos, anyway. My people – and yours too – were brought as slaves by the Korelians when they first arrived here.’
‘But that was ages ago.’ He peered at Cal. ‘There are still slaves in Korelios? Today? Right now?’
Cal nodded. ‘Yes. Lots.’
Leaning back in his chair, he recalled something that Miles had said and asked, ‘Is that what ‘peaker’ means? Slave?’
Cal’s expression darkened. ‘Close enough. It’s another name for a Highlander. Someone from the mountains. The peaks.’
‘It’s an insult?’
‘It is the way Miles uses it.’ Cal gripped his coffee cup. ‘The Highlands fall under Korelian control, but the Arai can’t police that region easily. It’s got a reputation as a haven for raiders, fugitives and runners. I’m a Highlander, so people take one look at me and assume I’ll steal everything they own.’
Cal had just voiced what Nick had felt his whole life. It was a feeling he’d forgotten since being in Auremos.
‘I know what that feels like,’ he muttered.
‘You? You’re Nicholas Kári. How could you know what that’s like?’
‘Because I didn’t grow up here, remember? It’s different on the other side of the song gates.’
Cal raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Centuries ago, when the Korelians began mining gold, there were rumours that the Highlander slaves – my people – swallowed the gold they were forced to mine so that their masters couldn’t use it as tribute to their sun god. The Korelians believed the amber in our eyes proved there was gold in our veins, so they sacrificed Highlanders instead.’
Nick tore off a chunk of sourdough and stuffed a slice of meat into the centre. ‘That’s barbaric,’ he said.
Cal didn’t touch the food, just watched Nick bite off a mouthful.
‘Help yourself,’ Nick mumbled past a crunchy bit of crust.
Cal selected a small portion but didn’t eat. ‘Thanos is a Highlander,’ he murmured.
Nick stopped chewing. ‘Have you seen him? What does he look like?’
‘He’s a bit taller than me. Black hair, amber eyes. He’s got a long scar on his neck.’ Cal traced a line from his left ear to his right collarbone. ‘Artemis reckons he doesn’t have a pulse. No pulse, no heart.’
A breeze swept down the chimney, breathing air onto the smouldering embers till they burst into flame.
‘You both really hate him, don’t you?’ Nick asked.
‘Yes. He’s destroying Korelios and its people. He has to go.’
The front door crashed open. Nick scooped his shirt off the floor and tossed it to Cal.
‘Put that on.’
Cal yanked the shirt over his head and leapt to attention as David burst into the kitchen.
‘Explain,’ David said, his voice low and dangerous, ‘why every recruit on the training field is talking about a fight between Kári and a mileskúlos deserter.’
‘We were sparring,’ Nick said, thinking fast. ‘They recognised Cal’s combat style and picked him for an Arai recruit. They got angry and I thought they were going to hurt him, so I sort of...distracted them.’
David’s eyes bulged. ‘You thought you’d distract them? Well, you certainly managed that! By this time next week, word will have reached the outer fringes of Yándemar!’
‘So w
hat? Everyone’s going to find out sooner or later.’
‘That’s not the point.’
Nick spread his arms, waiting for the point to come.
David released a frustrated sigh. ‘That sparring match could’ve got you both killed!’
‘It was my fault, sir,’ Cal said. ‘I started it.’
Nick nudged him in the ribs. If David found out that Julian had blackmailed Cal, he might take it the wrong way and throw Cal in the vaults. Or worse.
‘Is this true, Nick?’ David asked. ‘Is Cal responsible?’
‘Well...Cal might’ve started it, but I didn’t back down. It’s my fault the Bandála know who I am. I’m the one who told them.’
David’s thunderous glare turned to Cal. ‘The Bandála is going to demand to know why I’ve let you stay. I can tell them that you’ve defected, but you’ll have to prove it by joining us.’
‘You’d let me do that, sir?’ Cal asked.
‘I don’t have a choice. Now go home. Stick to the main roads, and don’t leave your apartment until I send someone around. You’ll have to let Artemis know what’s going on. She’ll need to be initiated with you. I can’t afford to have another defector found out like that.’
‘Yes, sir.’
As Nick followed Cal to the front door, David barked, ‘Nick, where do you think you’re going?’
‘Um...’
David was still in Rayámina mode, so Nick decided not to push his luck.
‘Nowhere, sir.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
Cal stepped onto the landing and said in a low voice, ‘Julian’s planning something. I don’t know what, but it won’t be good for you or the Bandála.’
Nick nodded. ‘I’ll see what I can find out. You just concentrate on watching your back. If anyone gives you or Artemis any trouble, come straight here. Alright?’
‘Alright.’ Cal leaned closer. ‘You be careful too. Julian’s not working alone. Don’t go anywhere without someone you trust to protect you.’
Jinx raced up the stairs and stopped on the landing, panting and stricken, her gaze swinging between Nick and Cal as if not sure who to speak to first.
‘Cal, are you okay? Nick, I’m so sorry I let slip that we were cousins. They didn’t hurt you too much, Cal, did they? Oh, gods, I’m so glad you’re alright.’
She burst into tears. Nick and Cal glanced at one another.
‘I’m fine, Jinx,’ Cal said. ‘Really.’
She gave him a tight hug, making him wince, then she ran into her room and shut the door.
‘Um, right then,’ Nick said, turning back to Cal. ‘I guess I’ll see you later.’
Cal slipped down the stairs and out of sight.
Nick went to his bedroom. As he gazed out his window towards the dome of the council chamber roof, an idea formed in his mind, and he smiled.
CAL PLUNGED HIS HANDS into a fountain, doused his hair, and washed the blood off his cheek. He shivered. The water was icy.
He leaned on the stone rim, feeling queasy and light-headed. He hadn’t expected Nick to protect him from Rayámina, especially after he’d found out that Julian was involved. No one had ever shown Cal that kind of loyalty before. It felt strange, and exhilarating.
He took his time getting back to his apartment. As he padded down the hallway, he could hear a knife cleaving dense vegetables then something meaty being slapped onto the table. Even before he saw Artemis, he could tell from the force she was using that she was furious. He reached the doorway in time to see her decapitate a dead possum. The head skittered off the table and landed at Cal’s feet. He picked it up by one ear.
‘Care to explain what happened at training today?’ she asked.
He placed the possum head on the edge of the table and said, ‘Nick and I were sparring. Miles recognised my...style.’
A sharp edge entered her voice. ‘Why did you challenge Nick to a match?’
‘Look, Artemis, this is not what you think it is.’
Her grip tightened on the knife hilt. ‘You set that whole situation up. You deliberately put yourself in danger, knowing what he’d have to do to protect you. You cornered him. You forced him to reveal his identity. Who are you working for?’
Cal backed into the corridor. ‘I didn’t have a choice. Julian said he would—’
‘Julian?’ Artemis sprang at him. He darted into his bedroom, slammed the door and bolted it.
‘You snake!’ she cried from the hall. ‘You’ve sold us out! How long have you been an informant for Julian?’
‘I’m not his informant!’ Cal yelled back.
‘Liar!’
Something rammed against the door. Cal spun around, searching for an escape, but there was just the window. It was a sheer drop to the street and he couldn’t reach the roof even if he stood on the windowsill. All he had in his room was a straw mattress, a blanket and a spare Bandála uniform, none of which was adequate protection. The door shuddered again. The wood around the hinges cracked. Cal often forgot that Artemis was much stronger than she appeared.
His bedroom door crashed open. With the kitchen knife still in her grasp, Artemis strode forwards.
‘What did Julian offer you? Indemnity?’
Cal backed up. He’d never seen this wild, ferocious side to Artemis before.
‘He’s offered me nothing. He grabbed me the other night and...and said he’d kill me if I didn’t do what he wanted.’
‘So it was Julian who gave you those bruises?’
‘Yes. Him and some others.’
‘And you risked Nick’s life – Nick’s – to save your own?’
‘It wasn’t like that.’
‘Then what was it like?’
Even if Cal did manage to wrest the knife off her, Artemis had the skills—and also the rage—to do some serious damage before he disarmed her.
‘Tell me the truth right now, Cal.’
Cal gritted his teeth. ‘Alright. Julian threatened to hang Nick on the banks of the Defender’s River and blame it on you.’
Artemis’s fury turned to shock. ‘Skata.’ She lowered the knife. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I just...couldn’t.’
‘Does Rayámina know about Julian’s threat?’
‘I was going to tell him after initiation.’ Cal scratched his head. ‘And, uh, by the way, we have to join the Bandála with Nick.’
She took a step forward. ‘Rayámina’s agreed to this?’
‘Yeah. It’s the only way we’re going to prove that we’re trustworthy.’
Tears washed across her eyes. ‘That’s...Cal, do you know what this means?’
‘Um...’ He glanced at the knife, wondering if it was a trick question. ‘We’ll be members of the Bandála?’
‘We won’t have to hide anymore.’
‘Oh. So...you’re okay with this?’
She dropped the knife, sank to her knees, and cried into her hands. Cal nudged the weapon away with his toe and knelt in front of her.
‘Artemis, I’m sorry.’
He winced as she hugged him and pressed against his bruises.
‘So am I,’ she sobbed.
With a silent sigh of relief, he shut his eyes and let his fear rush out of him.
Chapter 30: Meeting at Blackrock Falls
Nick crouched in a laneway behind the council chamber, waiting for a cloud to slide across the moon. He hadn’t sneaked out the drain in the downstairs bathroom since first arriving in Auremos, but he had to find some evidence before he could tell anyone that Julian had blackmailed Cal. If he didn’t have evidence, it would be Cal’s word against Julian’s. Cal was an exceptional fighter, but Nick doubted he could hold his own before the Auremos Council. It wasn’t a trial that concerned Nick the most, though. It was the knowledge that Julian had the power and means to make Cal disappear for good.
The moonlight vanished, throwing the plaza into muted shades of grey and brown. Nick sprinted to Valerius’ office window, slipped his belt buck
le into the gap, and flipped the latch. This time, he was wearing a uniform that fit, so he didn’t have to contend with pants that threatened to fall down. He pulled himself over the sill, dropped onto the carpet, shut the window, and went to the room Julian had taken him to on his first night in Auremos.
Outside the office, he paused. Someone was inside. He could hear quiet footsteps on the stones and saw faint candlelight seeping beneath the door. With bated breath, he peered through the keyhole. A Bandála soldier was bent over the desk and scrutinising its surface. Nick didn’t need to see past the straight brown hair to know who it was. Grinning, he pushed the door open. Artemis whipped around, drawing a knife from her belt.
‘God, Nick. You scared me half to death.’
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked, shutting the door.
She returned her knife to its sheath. ‘Looking for evidence to use against Julian.’
‘That’s why I’m here too.’
Her intense gaze searched his face. ‘Aren’t you angry with Cal?’
‘I was, for about half an hour. But Julian didn’t give him much of a choice.’
‘You are so...’ She tilted her head. ‘Unpredictable.’ He caught a trace of her jasmine scent as she brushed past him and ducked beneath the desk.
‘I think I might be onto something,’ she said. He heard a soft click and a section of the wooden surface lifted to reveal a hidden compartment.
‘Wow. Good job, Artemis.’
She beamed at him, and for a moment all he could do was stare.
‘This is interesting,’ she said, lifting out a leather-bound document. She scanned the writing. ‘It’s a Bandála reassignment order for the aqueducts, dated two weeks ago and signed by Rayámina. I wonder why Julian would keep it hidden.’
Footsteps echoed across the chamber. Artemis shoved the reassignment order back into the secret compartment, Nick blew out the candle, then they both dived under the desk. Firelight lit up the room, this time from a flaming torch. A large shadow loomed up the wall. Nick heard a book slide from a shelf and fingers thumb the pages. Parchment rustled as it was unfolded.
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