by C. R. Daems
“Can you really get rid of those tattoos?” both mothers asked.
“Yes,” Emmund said as he melted forward. “We’ve been tracking the High Priest Sechael through three empires. He’s paying assassins to kill leaders in each government. I need your daughter and Zeph for a little while longer. The priest’s plan will start soon. Nothing’s more important than stopping them.”
“But they’re so young,” Liada’s mother said, her voice rising in alarm. “She could be killed!”
“That’s true, Mistress. I can’t guarantee her safety or Zeph’s. I wish she wasn’t involved.” He looked at her with his head tilted, but with the same bland expression. “I do wish that, but the First Ones trust only her. Without her, we’ll fail and the priests will rule all three empires. Imagine a world under the exclusive control of the Roganista Priests. And deaths spread across all the country to achieve it.”
“That’s troubling—more than troubling,” Docury said. Her father nodded.
“You can all stay here—while you’re in Ostono,” her mother said as she used her apron to wipe the tears off her face. “Can’t you? We could give…Emmund a room at the Inn, and Zeph could stay with his family. Please.”
Emmund rubbed his chin and stared into the distance. Liada hoped he said yes. She hadn’t been home for so long, and she missed her family, even her pesky brother and sister.
“It may work. I’m a guest from Gorlack. Liada has been apprenticing in Sporish, and Zeph has been apprenticing with his uncle in Kenttol. Both are on a short vacation and planning to go back,” Emmund said.
“Thank you,” Dori said, giving Zeph another hug.
“Gorlack has been watching the priests?” Docury asked.
“Yes. We in Gorlack have curtailed their activity and power for some years. We had rumors they were planning something so we decided to investigate. I found indications the rumor was true but we didn’t know their plans, so I was sent to Ostono to investigate. That’s where I met Liada.”
“Gorlack has a security group?” her father asked. “Why?”
“We are a check and balance on our leaders. We keep them honest and investigate major criminal activity.”
“Seems like a good idea for Ostono,” Docury said, narrowing his eyes.
“Before we go, can you remove those disgusting tattoos?” Dori said.
“Sit down, Zeph.” Liada pointed to a chair. “Tali. Do you have enough energy to do both of us?”
“Yes. I will be tired but with a night’s rest I will be fine.”
Zeph rolled up his sleeve to show both tattoos. As everyone watched, for a half-hour a glow worked its way up his wrist and the tattoo faded to nothing. Next, Liada took his place, turned her face for easy access, and rolled up her sleeve to show both tattoos. There was a gasp of breath as the owl was exposed.
She didn’t move as the warmth spread from her cheek to her arm. She hadn’t wanted the tattoos, but would miss the owl and maybe the others. When she got up, Zeph’s mother was examining his arm.
“It’s like they were never there. I’d heard they couldn’t come off,” she said, still turning his arm as if they’d moved.
“Liada, we need to know when Sechael arrived and where he goes,” Emmund said into the lull.
“I’ll send Tali in the morning.”
Emmund nodded.
Her father took Emmund off to show him to a room. Her father was sure to have more questions and a stern warning to keep his daughter out of harm’s way. Zeph left with his parents, giving her a small wave and a sheepish grin. It felt like being back in the nursery, as much as she loved them.
She and her mother walked together, her mother’s arm around her shoulder, through the yard to the cottage. Tybes and Kesti had been by the hearth with a snack of milk and sweet cakes. Since that was an unusual treat, Liada knew it was a safe way to keep them out of the way. But when they saw her, they both jumped up.
“Liada,” they both screamed and threw themselves at her. Somehow she thought they looked younger—or maybe she’d grown older.
* * * *
The next morning, she sent Tali to the docks to watch for Sechael and to follow him. Then she joined her mother in the kitchen. She offered to prepare one of the dishes she’d learned in Sporish and Gorlack. Her mother agreed to a fish dish. An hour later, she’d finished and her mother broke off a small piece and put it into her mouth with a thoughtful look.
“That’s delicious. Where did you learn how to make it?”
“From Girta, the cook at the Whaler Inn. She didn’t have many recipes but the ones she did were all good.”
It had been a relaxing and wonderful time with her mother. Just like old times—well, not quite. Back then, cooking seemed boring and more of a chore. Today it was fun. She was creating meals rather than following her mother’s directions.
And her mother was learning from her, instead of the other way around. Her mother gave her an odd look.
Afterward, she decided to visit the market to see what had changed. Besides, she could use a couple of dresses. She bought two and couldn’t help bargaining but she couldn’t really care if she got a good deal or not. She kept worrying about Tali and Sechael. His Quag had died, but could he get a new one? She had no way of knowing. She got home early and spent time with Tybes and Kesti.
They clamored to know where she’d been. She told them the story Emmund had made up. She talked about her time with chef Herad, the people of Sporish, and the boat ride. She left out the fact that the boat ride wasn’t from Stonecross.
* * * *
The next morning Tali landed on her favorite spot, Liada’s shoulder.
“Good morning,” Liada said.
“Good morning. Sechael arrived late yesterday afternoon. He got in a carriage that took him to Imorla’s home. I went in with him. He is planning to go to Kenttol. I think Kenttol may be the first town in their plan. He will leave in five days. He is going to meet with a member of the House of Laws. She has a list and gold, and is just waiting for Sechael to start.”
Liada decided she would show up at Emmund’s room for a change. She knocked but got no response. She listened and couldn’t hear anything inside. Liada found the cleaning girl to open the door for her, telling the girl that she needed to check something for her mother.
When Emmund arrived an hour later, she was sitting in his chair. She could hardly keep from smiling. She had finally gotten to pull the same trick on him.
Emmund laughed. “Did that make you feel good?” He closed the door.
“Actually, yes.” She chuckled. “The difference is that I actually knocked first. Have you ever knocked on anyone’s door?”
“Spies aren’t allowed to knock. That would mean they didn’t know whether the person was in the room. I’d be a poor spy then.” Emmund smiled. He almost looked like a regular person rather than the cloaked assassin waiting in the shadows he used to seem. Of course, she was only fond of him—like a big brother. She frowned and decided not to think about that right now.
“Tali’s back. Sechael is going to Kenttol in five days. Tali thinks they’ll start there. He’ll be meeting with a woman named Isianna.”
“We leave in four days. We have to try to stop whatever they are planning. I’d like you to try to see one or two of the people on the list and warn them. I doubt they’ll believe you. However, when the killing starts, they might and take action. There isn’t any middle in this. Either we win or they do. And if they do, we won’t be alive.”
* * * *
Liada told her parents and Zeph that they would be leaving in four days. It looked like the priests were beginning their plan in Kenttol.
“Tali, do you remember the names?”
“Yes, Iadain, Samdyn, Mathy, Maray…” There were eight. Liada decided to try the first four. She had to assume that if they were on the list they weren’t friendly towards the priest.
She found Iadain’s house easily. It was on Lower Terrace Street west of Drumm Road.
It was a large two-story brick house inside a fenced off yard. Off to one side were small stables with three horses and a carriage. She went to the front door and knocked. After a few minutes, a maid answered the door.
“Yes, can I help you?”
“I need to see council member Iadain.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but I have information…that affects his position in the House of Laws.” She couldn’t give the real reason or they would dismiss her as a crank, yet it had to get his interest.
“Just a minute.” The maid closed the door. Liada waited, hoping what she said would, at least, get her inside. Several minutes later, the maid returned and led Liada to a study. The walls of the room were a light wood and one side was filled with books. A thin clean-shaven man sat behind a large dark wood desk. The maid closed the door as she left.
“You said you have information affecting my position. Well, what is it?” he asked, only briefly looking in Liada’s direction then back to what he was reading.
I guess I need to get his attention.
“You are on a list of people, mostly members of the House of Laws, to be assassinated.”
His head shot up, and he gave her a scowl.
“What list? How do you know this? Why should I believe you?”
She had his attention but how to proceed? He wasn’t going to believe her. Grownups seldom believed young people on anything of importance.
“A list given to the priest at their request. A list I’ve seen. And I don’t expect you to believe me.”
“If you don’t expect me to believe me, why are you telling me?” He was smiling now as he leaned back in his large leather chair. She felt like a bug under scrutiny.
“You won’t believe me because I’m young and the story sounds ridiculous. But when people on the list begin to die, you’ll believe me.” She frowned. “If you aren’t one of the first.”
“When?”
“Within the next two to three sixdays. It’ll start in Kenttol, then Osshaft, and then Stonecross. After that, it won’t matter to those on the list.”
“And you say the priests asked for the list?” He was no longer smiling.
“The priests plan to seize power by blaming your assassinations on the First Ones. That way they’ll gain power and get rid of the people who oppose them.”
“And where did you get this information?”
This question would be the hardest to answer. “Working with a man from Gorlack security.”
“Gorlack doesn’t like the priests. Maybe they are trying to overthrow the priests,” he said.
Liada thought he was more thinking aloud then talking to her.
“All I can do is warn you.”
“Are you from Gorlack?” Liada rolled up both sleeves to show her bare arms.
“I’m from Ostono.”
“What’s your name? How can I get hold of you?” he asked.
She wasn’t sure why he wanted to know. She guessed a little of Emmund had rubbed off on her.
“That doesn’t matter. I told you everything I know. The only other thing I can tell you is the other names on the list. I’ll try to see them but they may not talk to me. I’m sorry. Please talk to the others on the list, but it’d be best if you don’t talk to anyone else. Some of the people who made the list are in the House of Laws, too.”
When Liada left, she kept looking over her shoulder. No one followed her.
She tried everyone on the list and it was dark by the time she finished. She had managed to reach five of the eight. One threw her out after hearing only half of what she had to say. But on the way out, she did manage to name those on the list. The other three were polite and listened to everything she had to say. She doubted any of them believed her now but maybe when the killing started the survivors could take action before they all died. Well, she’d done everything she could.
“What do you think, my friends?”
“A couple dismissed you as an overly imaginative young girl. One dismissed you as playing a joke on him. And two tended to think what you said made sense. But there is little they can do until something happens. Neither you nor they have any real proof,” Tali said. She was again sitting on Liada’s ear, leaving room for Aliy.
“I agree with Tali. I think that maybe the two who thought you were overly imaginative may, when they have time to think about it, talk it over with others on the list just to get their reaction.”
Liada smiled as she visualized how people would react if they could see Tali, the perfect little woman and Aliy with her scarlet thin feathers and white head sitting on her shoulders. And Kaim tickling her with its delicate leaf-like wing and dragon head next to her other ear as if she couldn’t hear it.
“I agree. I think even the one who dismissed you will have second thoughts especially if the others discuss it among themselves. Everyone will be more alert as the two sixdays approaches,” Kaim said.
If they were right, maybe it was worth the effort.
“Would you check to be sure I’m not followed?”
She took the long way home, but apparently no one had considered her important enough to send anyone after her.
The kitchen was already dark and quiet when she came in through the back door. She had a quick cold meal of bread and cheese before she retired to bed.
* * * *
The next morning, she helped her mother cook, showing her another recipe she’d learned in Gorlack. She loved being back and having her mother’s company. She was even happy helping her brother and sister with their studies. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her family and how being away had changed her feelings about cooking and her life. Maybe the experiences had matured her. Maybe the little Owl had gotten a little wisdom. She giggled. She missed her tattoo. She wondered if her mother would be terribly upset if she got another one. It might be worth it. And Emmund would like that—not that it mattered.
* * * *
Last time she’d left home without saying anything. That had been hard, but not nearly as hard as saying goodbye. Her mother cried. Her father told her in a hoarse voice that he was there if she needed him. Much to her surprise, her brother and sister begged her to stay.
Emmund sat in his usual spot in the driver’s seat. Zeph showed up about the same time as she opened the carriage door.
“How did it go?” she asked.
Zeph looked as sad as she felt. “Mother cried and tried to talk me out of it. She didn’t think I could help, and she’s afraid I’ll get hurt. Kept saying she didn’t care whether the priests were in charge.” He laughed suddenly, his face clearing. “Father said I’d be able to help, and he did care if the priests were in charge.”
Zeph waited until she was inside and climbed in after her. Emmund slapped the reins and they started down Lansee road. Her heart was pounding—fear or excitement?
Maybe both, she thought.
Chapter 17
Ostono: Kenttol
The rutted road had Liada bumping up and down all of the way. Zeph just gave her a miserable look and shrugged. She supposed it wasn’t traveled much as they only passed two riders, both going in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, it was going to take two, maybe three, days to reach Kenttol. Days of bouncing around until Liada was convinced her bottom was bruised. There wasn’t much else to see because tall, dense pines covered both sides of the road. Towards the end of the first day, they stopped at a small Inn, the first building she’d seen since leaving Stonecross. The rooms were small and smelled musty. The furniture was made out of logs and the blanket a rough wool. The meal was hot at least but didn’t have much flavor. After dinner she and Zeph followed Emmund to his room, which was slightly bigger than hers.
“What do you think is going to happen in Kenttol?” Liada asked as she sat down.
“It’ll start with killing. That I’m sure of,” Emmund said with a tight look on his face. “They’ll try to make it look like the First Ones did it.”
“
Do you think they’ll use the Quag to make it look that way?” Liada asked.
“No, there were too many contacts with assassins. Somehow, the assassins are going to make it look like it could be a First One. Ask your friends what a killing would look like if they did it.”
“Well?” Liada asked.
“He’s right. The Quag are too unpredictable. There would be no telling what they might burn. If I did a killing...” Tali sounded distressed, “...I’d strike with lightning. The person and the area would be burnt to a crisp.”
“I would create a wind tunnel. It would tear the person apart but also the surrounding area,” Kaim shouted.
“I’d blast them with fire. Everything around them would go up in flames, too,” Aliy said loudly.
“In other words, they’d all leave destruction in the area.” Emmund stared at the wall with a thoughtful look. “But then who would know that except the First Ones and probably the Quag?”
“But people will be suspicious—no one seeing anything and a lot of important people killed,” Zeph said.
Emmund shook his head. “No, the priests and their friends will start rumors. The rumors will spread and change until someone claims he talked to someone who saw it happen and there were hundreds of First Ones flying all over the place. That’s the nature of rumors.”
“So, you suspect they’ll be killed using all three, fire, wind, and lightning. How are they going to do that?” Liada didn’t see how they were going to make it look real.
“It doesn’t have to be real. It only has to appear real. Fire’s the easiest. A fall from a high place could look like wind. And, hitting someone and then burning the spot may make a people believe it was lightning.”
* * * *
It took two more days to reach Kenttol, a small town about the size of Llunris. The road from Stonecross became Center Street. To Liada’s delight, the Inn was located close to the market. The Inn looked at least a hundred years old, built from logs, which wasn’t too surprising as the town was surrounded by forest. It seemed to be popular, and the stable yard was crowded when they drove in.