Jalia Prevails (Book 5)

by John Booth

  It was a strange question as they had talked of it many times. Sometimes Daniel thought Jalia liked to rub his nose in how much better educated she was.

  “Of course, don’t tell me those fruits are one of the ingredient for exploding powder. My ears didn’t stop ringing for a week after you blew up the bridge at Taybee.” Daniel stepped back from the bed as if it might explode without warning.

  “Daniel.” Jalia stood with her legs apart and hands clasped on her hips. “I spent four years training as an alchemist, doing Marco’s experiments for him and writing his reports. There is a lot more to alchemy than a mix of ingredients to make a big bang.”

  “So what do you plan to use them for, making varnish for tables?”

  Jalia sighed. Sometimes Daniel’s sense of humor could be a little wearing. She opened a drawer of the cupboard next to her bed and retrieved four rolled up sheets of paper.

  “Do you remember these?” she asked.

  “The blank sheets of paper you stole from Gally Sorn’s room while I was unconscious?”

  “They are not really blank, Daniel. I’m sure there are messages written on them in invisible ink.”

  Daniel took the sheets from Jalia dubiously and held them up to the light. As far as he could tell, they were completely clear of any writing. In fact, the paper looked brand new.

  “I’d never heard of invisible ink before you mentioned it,” he said as he handed the sheets back to her.

  “Why would you? Traders wandering the Golden Triangle with their donkeys laden with fork handles and spades have little need of writing, let alone the secret sort.” Jalia sat down on her bunk and her face took on a dreamy kind of look as she remembered happy times from her childhood.

  “Alchemists have been making invisible inks since before the rise of the Magician Kings. They sell well among the political classes. Some people trade in nothing but secrets and don’t want to lose the value of what they know. There are many kinds of invisible inks that have been developed over the centuries. Did you see any marks of heating on the paper when you looked at the sheets?”

  “No, should I have done?”

  “The simpler forms of invisible inks become visible when the paper is heated. This is usually a one-way process. Once the paper has been heated, the ink stays visible long after the paper has cooled.”

  “So either these papers have never been read or their author used some other form of invisible ink?” Daniel asked as he followed her logic.

  “Gally Sorn has read these messages. I am sure of it.”

  “She could be acting as a courier for her father,” Daniel suggested.

  “This is Gally Sorn we’re talking about. Do you think she could resist finding out what was in those messages if she didn’t know?”

  “She could have written them herself to deliver in Slarn.”

  “Why bother when she could simply tell the person when she returns home? These messages were written to Gally Sorn and they were so important that she kept them locked within her puzzle box, which was further hidden within a pillow. And I want to know why.”

  “So why haven’t you used your vast knowledge to read them then?”

  “Because there were no alchemists in Wegnar or Bratin. I asked the crew of the Dragon and the locals when we arrived. The substance I need to reveal such messages is contained within the juice of the balbub fruit and that only grows in Akbar Arout.”

  “Balbub fruit is bright yellow. Those things are green,” Daniel pointed out.

  “When you learn to become an alchemist you distil the essence of things and then you taste them so you will recognize them when you find them,” Jalia explained.

  “Isn’t that sometimes fatal?” Daniel asked as he had a vision of Jalia chewing on a rock. The rock was coming off worst in the encounter.

  Jalia laughed, “Sometimes. But alchemy students are told which ones to avoid. Alchemy grows strong on the bodies of dead alchemists who kept meticulous records of their experiments. We were taught to keep detailed records of everything we did for just that reason.”

  “And the point of all this wonderful information is?”

  “These green fruit have the same underlying taste as the ingredient in Balbub that reveals the ink. All we need now is a scent spray.”

  “I think you smell pretty good the way you are.”

  “Idiot,” Jalia said good-humoredly and thumped Daniel on the shoulder. “We need to spray the liquid as a fine mist; otherwise it will end up making the writing unreadable because wet ink smudges very easily. As the paper dries out the writing will fade again.”

  “And where do you plan to obtain a scent spray from, my genius alchemist?”

  “I intend to pick it up from the same place I will retrieve my ring and your dagger,” Jalia said triumphantly.

  “But you have already searched Gally Sorn’s suite from top to bottom.”

  “Not from Gally suite. I will get our things and the scent bottle from Sala Rotiln’s suite,” Jalia explained. “She is working with Gally, but that fact has been kept secret. She is the only the person Gally would entrust the dagger and ring to.”

  “Even if you’re right, won’t stealing something so obvious alert her to the theft of the ring and the dagger?” Daniel asked. “Wouldn’t it be safer to steal a scent bottle from someone else? As soon as Sala spots the bottle missing she will check on the dagger and ring.”

  “I am tired of skulking around and letting Gally Sorn think she is so clever. Let them confront us if they think they can get them back. I want to rub Gally’s nose in our triumph before we go on to destroy her.”

  “Just so long as you are not doing this for petty personal gratification,” Daniel said and laughed.

  Jalia leapt up and put her arms around Daniel, kissing him on the nose. “That’s why I sometimes let you into my bed. Because you so understanding of a woman’s needs.”

  “Do we have the time to satisfy your other needs, or do you have to run off about your thieving?”

  “We have more than the five minutes you take.” Jalia giggled. “Besides, I plan for you to distract Lady Rotiln at dinner tonight while I carry out a serious investigation of her rooms.”

  “Well then, if I am to distract a woman later I must be completely relaxed beforehand. Do you know of anything you might do to help me?”

  “I might be able to put my hand on something.”

  “Oh, I want far more than just your hand.”

  Daniel lifted Jalia off her feet and carried her to his bunk.

  Daniel and Jalia arrived early at the dining room; catching Lady Rotiln and Halad al’Faran as they sat down to eat. Since the Steam Dragon had left Wegnar, they had been eating early, usually leaving before Jalia’s and her friends arrived. Jalia walked over to the table to Lady Rotiln’s evident discomfiture.

  “Lady Sala, I believe you have been avoiding Daniel and me. We have hardly seen you in days.”

  “We have taken to eating early, my dear. How is that delightful little girl of yours? She has been much less visible than I have,” Lady Rotiln said as Halad stood as a mark of respect.

  “Hala has found a boy who needed looking after. The mothering instinct is very strong in women, is it not?”

  “I would not know,” Lady Rotiln admitted with a sad smile. “I have never felt the urge to procreate, though I have always found the act of trying enjoyable. I thank the gods for Gintel leaves as they have spared me such problems.”

  “Perhaps we might join you for your meal?” Jalia suggested. “We are nearing Slarn and I am sure you know many things that would be of great assistance to us. As does Halad; I am equally sure.”

  “We would be delighted, my dear. Perhaps you should call your man over. He is looking rather lost.”

  Daniel was indeed looking lost, as he had decided his best strategy was to let Jalia talk to Lady Rotiln while he stayed away. It is, however, hard to look dignified while standing pointlessly in the center of a room filled with empty tables. D
aniel found it difficult to know where to put his hands. Rolf Waner walked past him several times as he laid the tables; giving Daniel puzzled looks, which didn’t help Daniel at all.

  “Daniel, get over here,” Jalia called sharply and he trotted to her side.

  “You train your man rather well, my dear,” Lady Rotiln said with a broad smile on her face. “Perhaps you could give me some pointers on how to get Halad fully under control.”

  Halad and Daniel gave each other pained looks as Daniel held out a chair for Jalia so she could sit at the table.

  The conversation between courses went well as Sala and Halad competed with each other to name places that Jalia and Daniel just had to visit while they were in Slarn. It appeared that Slarn was a city with more than its fair share of notable buildings, museums, parks, statues and the like.

  “I suppose there are so many places to visit because each of the Triums competes against the others,” Daniel remarked.

  Lady Rotiln gave him a dark look. “There is no competition. Tallis has always been the superior Trium.”

  “Sala is correct,” Halad said quickly. “Tallis has always enjoyed better leadership and under the late King Grissom, Slarn enjoyed many years of unparalleled prosperity.”

  “I did hear from someone that Maximus Tallis will replace King Grissom as King since Kalenda Jenver is unacceptable as Queen,” Jalia offered.

  “Maximus is unsuited to be king of anywhere and whoever is spreading these malicious rumors is a liar,” Lady Rotiln retorted angrily. “However, it is true that we do not have Queens ruling Slarn, though the Triums sometimes have queens. It is an ancient and honorable tradition that the city is ruled by a man. And that man should certainly be King Oto.”

  “I see you have strong feelings on the matter,” Daniel said calmingly. “Perhaps you could tell us more about King Oto? What kind of a king is he?”

  Before Lady Rotiln could answer, Jalia clasped at her tummy and doubled over.

  “Is something a matter, my dear?” Lady Rotiln asked.

  “I think I had rather too much fruit in the Greenhouse,” Jalia confessed with her hands pressed tight to her guts. “I’m afraid I must take my leave of you urgently. But do continue to tell Daniel about King Oto and then he can tell me all about him later.”

  Jalia rose from the table and staggered out of the room, running in to Hala and Nin as she walked into the corridor beyond.

  “Are you all right?” Hala asked in concern as she saw Jalia bent double.

  “I’m fine,” Jalia said, winking at her and Nin while remaining doubled over. “You two go to our usual table. Daniel is keeping Lady Rotiln occupied. Perhaps you could visit their table first and tell them I was heading for my cabin and you hope that I make it in time.”

  “Be careful, Jalia,” Hala cautioned as Jalia staggered off.

  “What was that about?” Nin asked.

  “Just be sure you don’t give Jalia’s game away when we go and talk to Lady Rotiln. The pain relief you might get from me tonight is dependent upon it.”

  Jalia stopped bending over as soon as she reached the end of the corridor. She made her way up to Lady Rotiln’s suite, which was one deck below that of Gally’s apartment. Jalia stood in front of the door to the suite and looked carefully both ways down the corridor. There was neither sight nor sound of anybody so Jalia dropped to her knees to flip the lock open. After a few seconds effort she realized the door was already unlocked.

  Jalia got up swiftly and considered her options. The only people who she knew had access to the suite were safely engaged in conversation in the dining room with Daniel. Jalia couldn’t believe that Lady Rotiln would have given Gally Sorn a key so there were two possible explanations, either Lady Rotiln had forgotten to lock the door or someone else had beaten her into the apartment and was in the process of searching it.

  The corridor was still empty and Jalia made a decision. Turning the door handle, Jalia opened the door and stepped into the room as quietly as a ghost.

  A familiar cloaked and hooded figure was engaged in ransacking the room. He had pulled out the drawers of the cupboards and was searching through them. Jalia was sure he had not heard her enter because he continued his search unabated.

  Jalia drew her sword and said “Boo!” before stepping swiftly to one side.

  The man reacted virtually instantaneously, turning and throwing his dagger in one smooth motion. The dagger ended up vibrating noisily, stuck deep into the door. Jalia noted with approval the speed and the accuracy of his aim. He had not turned around far enough to see her. She assumed he would turn clockwise and had moved to his left. To let him know she was there she prodded his cloak lightly with the tip of her sword.

  “Now that was a mite unfriendly, Jak. I don’t remember trying to gut you at our last encounter.”

  Jak Venjer pulled his hood from his head with his left hand while stepping back and drawing his sword.

  “Jalia al’Dare. What an unpleasant surprise to find you here. The last time I saw you, you were dining with Sala Rotiln and her boyfriend. Does that mean that I am about to be unmasked as a burglar?” Jak’s friendly tone belied his predicament. Jalia noted that his eyes kept flicking to the door, probably expecting others to enter the room at any moment.

  “No, it just means that you took advantage of my plan to search this room by searching it yourself,” Jalia explained. “You may leave just as soon as you empty out your pockets.”

  Jak’s eyes narrowed and Jalia knew he was not planning to accept her offer.

  “Perhaps I just need to test if you are as good with a sword as is claimed.” Jak raised his sword in a flamboyant salute.

  “If you must, I suppose you must,” Jalia said wearily. Jak launched a flurry of attacks, testing her guard. She repelled them easily without exerting any effort.

  “I must say, you are rather good,” Jak said lightly before beginning his attack again, this time in earnest. He used his sword expertly and forced Jalia back towards the wall. His superior strength was the main factor in the contest, but Jalia conceded that he was very good with a sword.

  Within moments, he had pushed her back onto the wall with their blades locked between them. He was close enough for Jalia to feel his breath on her face as he pressed home his tactical advantage.

  “Do you yield my lady, for I have certainly won.”

  “I hardly think so,” Jalia said through gritted teeth as she poked him in the side with the tip of the dagger held in her left hand. She could have killed him then, but neither of them had been fighting with killing strokes and she would far sooner he just left the room. Leaving a body for Lady Rotiln to find seemed so unrefined.

  Jak spun back, pushing her left arm away so she could not strike him. When he stepped far enough away to be safe, he saluted her again.

  “The Lady Jalia, you certainly deserve your reputation for cunning, but can you fight with a sword alone?” Jalia sheathed her knife without saying a word.

  This time he attacked her grimly. Neither spoke as their swords clashed repeatedly against each other, sending sparks flying. Jak thought that he might even be winning before he found his sword twisted from his grasp in the move Jalia had taught Cara a few days before.

  Jak bowed to Jalia again. “I am considered by many to be a great swordsman. But you were trained by someone better than me and will I admit that I have been bested. May I enquire where you learnt that particular move?”

  “I was taught by Hal al’Haja in Bagdor. He had been a Captain in the King’s Guard, but when he trained me, he was a mercenary for hire. He had been trained in turn by David al’Degar of Delbon,” Jalia said with more than a hint of pride in her voice.

  “I have heard of him,” Jak said thoughtfully, “That is an interesting coincidence of names, given who you travel with.”

  “His father,” Jalia replied. “And before you ask, Daniel is indeed a better swordsman than either of us, but he doesn’t fight as dirty as I do.”

 
“May I pick up my sword my lady? Merely to return it to its scabbard, I might add.”

  Jalia nodded her approval, but didn’t relax her guard as Jak stooped and retrieved his sword.

  “It occurs to me that there is a trick involving throwing a sword from the floor that I could have just used,” Jak pointed out almost apologetically.

  “I am aware of it. Had you used it, I’m afraid I would have had to kill you.”

  “That was my judgment as well, my lady. Well then, what now? You have me. Do you plan to give me up to the good Captain Toren?”

  Jalia sighed, “Time is getting on and I don’t have the time for all this fancy talk. You can leave, but only after I have checked that you don’t have the items I came in search of.”

  “And they would be?” Jak asked with a bare face cheek. Jalia found herself smiling. Even standing defeated, he was still trying to pump her for information.

  “Just empty your pockets,” Jalia said briskly. “And be quick about it. It will serve neither of our interests if Lady Rotiln returns while we spar with each other.”

  “Having been beaten at the physical kind of sparring, you will not even let me attempt the verbal kind? You are a cruel woman,” Jak said with a sad smile on his lips. However, he started emptying his pockets, not wanting to push Jalia too far. It was soon clear he had neither the ring nor the dagger.

  “What were you searching these rooms for anyway?” Jalia asked as she let him refill his pockets. Jak simply turned his head to one side and looked at her wryly in silent reproval that she should even ask.

  “You want to know how Gally Sorn is going to get the swords off the ship,” Jalia said suddenly. The shock in Jak’s eyes confirmed her suspicions, even though he masked it almost immediately.

  “There are some people that should not be allowed to possess such a large number of swords.”

  “Lady Rotiln believes she is taking the swords to King Oto of Tallis,” Jalia said, watching Jak’s face as she spoke. It was a waste of time; the gaunt man had put on a perfect mask and his face revealed nothing of what he might be thinking.

  “Your words suggest that you suspect they are going somewhere else?” Jak queried. “If the swords ended up with the kings or queen of the Triums, it would not necessarily be a bad thing. They are sensible rulers and Slarn would continue at peace.”