Hagger snarled, snatched up a discarded shirt from the floor—part of a Dogs’ uniform—then stormed forward, brushing past the two in the doorway.
“What now?” the younger of the two asked.
“Now, we find Daedallen and ask for one of the Hounds.”
“Ah, Baron Leethe, I see that you’ve decided to join me.”
Daedallen noted the simmering anger that flashed through Leethe’s eyes before he forced a smile and began walking across the expanse of the meeting room toward where Arent sat behind his massive wooden desk. Daedallen fell in behind the Baron of Tumbor as they passed between the two tables that contained the maps of Erenthrall’s districts and the ley system spread across the continent and beyond.
“I’m afraid that your captain of the Dogs insisted,” Baron Leethe said, coming to a halt a few paces before the desk, the sound of his footfalls dampening when he reached the rug. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, glinting off the amber floor and the various knickknacks littering the desk’s surface. Daedallen was forced to squint to make out Arent himself. “You can understand why I was hesitant to come to the Amber Tower. After what happened at the Baronial Meeting, I no longer know where it is safe within Erenthrall.”
Daedallen’s hackles rose at the looks the two traded and he shifted quietly into position to one side.
Baron Arent motioned to a chair, but Leethe shook his head. “I don’t intend to stay long, Baron Arent. Why did you summon me here?”
Arent stood, fingers steepled on the front of his desk. “The Dogs have been looking into what happened at the Baronial Meeting. Many of the guests report that you departed immediately after the first explosion, before the second sealed off escape by the stairwell. How did you know to leave then? Your timing was . . . impeccable.”
Leethe grinned. “It was, wasn’t it?” The smile vanished in the blink of an eye. “But I assure you, I knew nothing of the second explosion. I was simply fortunate to escape before it occurred. My enforcers rushed me out of the Great Hall before I even knew what had happened.”
Arent’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t believe you,” he said softly.
Leethe snorted. “I don’t care what you believe.”
“Tell me what you know of the Kormanley. I know you are working with them.”
“Even if I were, why would I tell you now? Especially after what happened last night. If they were behind the attack, then they have hurt you. They have proven that you are not in control—of the ley, of the Baronies, not even of your own city. Baron Ranit paid for that lack of control with his life. The other Barons must be reevaluating their loyalties as we speak, rethinking the treaty they signed yesterday, as I am.”
Arent smirked. “I’ve already spoken to the other Barons. They are understandably shaken, but I have solidified their loyalties. They will not renege on the treaty. And neither will you.” He pushed back from the desk. “If you had anything to do with the Kormanley and the attack, confess to me now. I will find out if you were complicit. I have unleashed the Hounds.”
Leethe could not hide the spike of fear that blanched his face, his skin sagging around his cheeks, his jaw. For a moment, he appeared twenty years older, his eyes trapped in long suppressed memories.
But he recovered quickly, one hand tightening into a fist, his jaw set. “I assume you will use the Hounds with suitable restraint. We wouldn’t want the Baronies to return to the bloody civil war ended decades ago.” His voice carried more threat than concern.
“Not unless that becomes necessary,” Baron Arent said.
The two Barons glared at each other. A long, tense moment, broken by Baron Leethe.
“Was there something else?”
Arent frowned. “No.”
“Then I will take my leave . . . of you and this city.”
Baron Leethe shot a cold glance in Daedallen’s direction, then retreated toward the door, where the captain of his enforcers waited.
As soon as they’d moved out of sight, Arent turned to Daedallen. “What do we know of the attack?”
“The Hounds are following numerous leads, but there were nearly a thousand people in attendance last night. It will take a while for them to sort out any of the Kormanley tracks from the regular servants, lords, and ladies who were here. We have interviewed nearly everyone we detained overnight and released them. A few of those questioned showed promise and we have Hounds following their scents now.
“The Dogs and city watch have hit the streets. News of the attack is spreading rapidly and they are arresting anyone who shows any sign of support for the Kormanley and bringing them here to the Tower for questioning. Violence has broken out in three districts over the arrests, but the Dogs remain in control. We’re continuing to watch major plazas, marketplaces, and gathering places in force.”
“What of the executions scheduled for tomorrow?”
“Arrangements are progressing without any problems. We have nine confirmed Kormanley already in custody, all of those who survived the interrogation after the raid on Lord Gatterly’s estate. The first execution is scheduled in Grass in Seeley Park for midmorning.”
“Very well. I’ll attend Lord Gatterly’s execution myself. Inform Augustus that I want him in attendance to reassure the people of Erenthrall that at no time was the Nexus or the ley system at risk.”
Daedallen grimaced, but couldn’t ignore the tone of dismissal in Arent’s voice. “As you command.”
As he reached the outer doors, Arent already seated at his desk, poring over his papers, Daedallen noted Terrence waiting and snapped, “Report.”
“We’ve brought in four more possible conspirators in the last hour, and three arrested for protests in the streets. They’re secure in the Tower below. Also, Hagger has returned and has a request.”
Daedallen’s eyebrows rose. “Where is he?”
Terrence nodded toward the far end of the hall. “He’s waiting for you now.”
Daedallen frowned as he approached. The Dog was pacing back and forth across the breadth of the corridor, his anger palpable. Daedallen could practically taste it on the air. The elder Dog halted when he saw his captain approaching, but his hands still twitched.
“You have a request?”
“Yes, Captain. I went to find my partner, Allan Garrett, as you instructed. He was not in his apartment in Hedge. Neither was his daughter. The wet nurse who looked after her has also gone missing.”
“And you believe . . . ?”
“I believe,” Hagger snarled, “that he was working with the Kormanley and that he’s fled our retribution after the failure of the bombing last night. We need to capture him, make him pay for his betrayal.” Hagger’s fingers were clenching and unclenching, as if he had Allan’s throat in his grip already and was strangling him.
“That’s a serious allegation,” Daedallen said, his voice laced with doubt. “Are you certain? Wasn’t it Allan who led us to Lord Gatterly? Didn’t he figure out how the Kormanley were communicating? And in the Great Hall, wasn’t he the one who warned us about the carts? Why would he allow his wife to work in the Great Hall if he knew how dangerous that would be?”
Hagger’s hatred didn’t falter. “Lord Gatterly said the Kormanley had infiltrated the Dogs, didn’t he? Don’t you find it convenient that he warned us about the carts when it was too late to do anything about them?”
Daedallen frowned. “What is your request?”
Hagger’s shoulders straightened. “I want one of the Hounds to follow his scent and bring him down.”
Everyone in the corridor fell silent, Daedallen’s neck prickling as a chill slid down his back. “You want to send a Hound after a Dog.”
“If he’s Kormanley, he was never a Dog to begin with.”
Troubled, Daedallen turned to Terrence. “Bring one of the Hounds to Hagger. Use the one th
at worked with him before, the one that found Gatterly.”
As Terrence left, he considered Hagger again. “Bring Allan in for questioning. I want to speak with him myself. If he did work with the Kormanley, then he’ll answer to me.”
Hagger grimaced in disappointment, but nodded and said, “As you command, Alpha.”
Allan stepped onto the deck of the ley barge, through the open doors, and scanned those inside before setting down the trunk and motioning Janis forward. The wet nurse held Morrell’s body close as she found a seat. Allan stood before her, his eyes flicking between all of the passengers even after the barge jolted and began to surge forward with a noticeable shudder. None of them were paying the two any particular attention though—most casting curious or annoyed glances at the recalcitrant barge—so when Morrell began to fuss, he relaxed.
“What’s wrong?”
Janis looked up, her rounded face open, her eyes calm. She’d begun rocking Morrell back and forth. “Nothing’s wrong. She’s just upset because we’re jostling her around so much. But that can’t be helped. Unless you think we can stop for a moment to rest.”
“No, that’s not possible.”
“I didn’t think so.” She tickled Morrell’s nose, his daughter responding with gurgling noises.
Allan took a moment to study her, realizing he knew little about Janis. Moira—his heart clenched, but he shoved the sensation aside—had been the one to find her, as soon as she realized they couldn’t live off of the errens he earned as pay. Dogs weren’t expected to support a wife and child; their money was intended for only one. So Moira had looked for a wet nurse so she could return to her work at the Tower. Janis lived in the same building, had raised two of her own children. Her husband was dead, and after a brief scrutiny to make certain she didn’t trigger any of Allan’s alarms, he’d agreed to let her look after Morrell. But now. . . .
“What is it?” she asked, without taking her attention away from the baby. “You’re watching me with a suspicious look on your face. Reconsidering taking me along?”
“You’re handling this well.”
“What? Abandoning my home? Leaving most of my things behind?” She snorted. “What was there left for me? I’d been considering leaving for the Hollow since my husband died.”
“You mentioned the Hollow before.”
Now she did turn to him, her expression taut. “The place I told you about, where the Baron won’t be able to find you. Or Morrell.” She sighed. “I was ready to leave when your wife came to me about looking after the baby. I refused at first. I’ve already raised two children. I wasn’t even certain I could produce milk anymore. And then there was you.”
Allan couldn’t hide his surprise. “Me?”
Janis turned a caustic eye on him. “Yes, you. You were a Dog.” She spat to one side. “I have no love for the Dogs. Not many people do. You serve the Baron, supposedly to protect the people, but really to protect his interests, and his interests serve the people only when serving otherwise would cause him trouble.”
“Then what changed your mind? Why did you stay?”
“Moira,” she said bluntly. “She convinced me that you were different. And I see now, by what you are doing, by what you have done, that she was right. I didn’t want to be associated with you in any way, but I was wrong. It’s the Baron I despise, not you.”
Allan stiffened, a thrill of fear jerking his hand toward his blade. “Are you Kormanley?” The accusation was barely a whisper. He didn’t want to draw any attention. He’d changed out of his Dogs’ uniform in Copper, after arranging for the pullcart to meet them in the Field District along the western road at nightfall. As far as the passengers on the barge knew, they were simply fellow citizens.
Janis snorted, but the barge lurched as they pulled into Arrow’s station and both of them fell silent, watching the doors as people disembarked and others came aboard.
As soon as they started moving again, she said, “I don’t have to be Kormanley to hate the Baron. There are plenty of citizens of Erenthrall who despise him; their anger just isn’t enough to make them do anything about it. But that may change.”
“What do you mean?”
“Haven’t you been listening?” She shifted Morrell from one cradled arm to the other, flicked her gaze around the passengers nearby. “They’re all talking about what happened at the Amber Tower last night . . . and what the Dogs have been doing today. Seizing people off the street, for nothing more than rumor. Turning violent at any sign of resistance. They beat a man to death in Leeds for trying to stay their hand when they attacked a woman in the market.” She shook her head. “The people’s anger is growing. Haven’t you noticed?”
He grunted. “I have. And I have been listening.” He hesitated a moment, then added softly, “It’s only going to get worse.”
Janis’ eyebrows rose. “All the more reason for me to leave Erenthrall, wouldn’t you say?”
“Hagger, the Hound is here.”
“Where?” Hagger spun, searching, eyes settling finally on where the Hound stood in a far corner of the main room of the Dogs’ lair. Most of the Dogs in the room had just returned from the streets of Erenthrall, exhausted, their faces haggard. The patrols had grown steadily more dangerous as the day progressed. The prisoners’ cells on this level and below were packed. Hagger felt most of those arrested weren’t serious dissidents, but the orders were to hold them until after the executions tomorrow.
His eyes narrowed as he moved toward the boy. “How long have you been there?”
The Hound said nothing, simply waited.
Hagger scowled, hiding his discomfort by moving to one of the numerous desks and digging out the shirt he’d taken from Allan’s apartment. He could feel the rest of the Dogs near him watching, their gazes prickling along his skin, knew he couldn’t hesitate. Weakness now would be noted, and it galled him that he felt weakened without Allan at his side.
He thrust the shirt into the Hound’s hands. “Seek,” he ordered, recalling Daedallen’s words. “Do not kill. Find the traitorous Kormanley bastard and bring him here.”
The Hound stared at him long enough he finally took a step backward, uncertain why. Then the Hound’s nostrils flared and he breathed in the scent of the shirt. The boy’s brow furrowed as he scanned the room.
Then he was gone, as if he’d simply turned and vanished.
Hagger swore. But a moment later, he smiled. A dark, vicious smile.
Within a day, maybe two, Allan would be his.
Fifteen
AS SOON AS KARA and Marcus entered the main chamber of the node at the end of their daily run across Eld, Kyle asked, “Have you heard?”
Wiping a sheen of sweat from her brow—the sun had turned brutal—Kara answered, “Heard what?”
The red-haired Wielder rolled his eyes. “About the attack at the Amber Tower last night.”
“Of course we’ve heard,” Marcus scoffed. “It’s all over the streets.”
Those Wielders within hearing shifted toward them, including Katrina and Timmons, the senior Wielder at Eld. Tall and thin, with a meticulously trimmed goatee, he approached with a concerned look. “What are the streets like? We’ve heard reports of some altercations, even riots.”
Marcus shook his head. “No riots, not in Eld anyway. But the Dogs are everywhere.”
“They flooded the streets around midday,” Kara added. “They seem to be sticking close to the main public areas—the marketplace, Minstrel’s Park, Collier Street—although there are pairs of them roaming the back streets. They’re arresting anyone who even looks at them funny.” She couldn’t keep her distaste out of her voice. Images of the Kormanley priest she’d seen being beaten and arrested four years ago kept surfacing in her mind’s eye, his blood-splattered white robes, his split lip and broken nose.
“They’re only after the ones who attacked the Baron,�
� Katrina said defensively. “The Kormanley.”
“I don’t think the woman they kicked so hard she vomited was Kormanley,” Kara muttered darkly. “She only protested because they kicked over her potter’s cart and shattered most of her wares.”
Katrina frowned uncertainly. “They must have had a reason.”
Kara snorted.
“They’re also erecting a platform in the square,” Marcus cut in. “They’re planning some kind of execution tomorrow.”
All of the Wielders shifted uncomfortably, even Katrina.
Timmons cleared his throat. “Is it safe to continue our runs?”
Marcus straightened. “Do we have any choice? The Primes want us searching for the distortions, right?” He shook his head. “It’s safe enough, I think. But everyone should stay clear of the Dogs, whether you’re on patrol or not. They’re itching for a fight.”
“You heard him,” Timmons said, raising his voice, although by this time nearly everyone in the hall had drifted over to listen in. “Spread the word. I want all of the Wielders to keep out of the Dogs’ path. Focus on the ley, nothing else.”
The group broke up, Kyle snagging Katrina’s arm and motioning toward the outer door—they were replacing Marcus and Kara—the rest drifting back to whatever they’d been doing before their arrival. Conversations were low and tense with worry.
“Come on,” Marcus said, catching her attention. “We had a rough run. We need a break.”
He headed toward the back of the hall, where the heavy iron door to the ley pit remained closed to protect everyone in the rest of the node from any surges in the ley. But he bypassed the door, moving instead to a small corridor to one side that Kara had never noticed before. It was narrow, her shoulders nearly touching on both sides, and led to stairs spiraling up around the pit itself. It was built between the outer wall of the pit and the barracks and rooms that surrounded the central chamber.
Shattering the Ley Page 27