1 State of Grace

by John Phythyon

  (Twenty Hours, Thirty-six Minutes before Revelation Day)

  Kenderbrick looked positively apoplectic. Her pale skin was so red Wolf feared she might faint.

  “Let me see if I have this straight,” she said, her tone accusatory. “You said hardly anything all night, and, when you did speak, you insulted every single person in the government, threw an Urlish official out of the negotiations, and then left with no explanation or without attempting to smooth over any ruffled feathers.”

  “Well,” Wolf said, “you’re making it sound a little harsh.”

  “A little harsh!” Kenderbrick practically turned purple. “You behaved like a jackass! You may have set talks back months!”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Wolf said. “The president reacted very favorably. She’s interested in starting things anew tomorrow morning.”

  “For God’s sake, Shadow Six,” Kenderbrick shouted, “I told you the president was the least influential member of the government. She can say whatever she likes, but she still has to get support from the conservative faction, and you deliberately pissed them off.”

  Wolf was tired and frustrated. He was about to bark back at Kenderbrick, when Honeyflower stepped in.

  “Ms. Kenderbrick, if I may,” she said. “What Mr. Dasher said was impolitic, but it was also very true. In fact, I think it may be exactly what was needed. Everyone at the table was shocked by his outburst, but I observed numerous officials nodding in agreement to his statements. I could be wrong, but I think a number of officials will be much readier to talk – even emboldened to try new ideas – now that this has been said. If enough of them support Mr. Dasher’s thoughts, it could effectively nullify the conservatives. He did things in a very unorthodox way, but I think Mr. Dasher caused a breakthrough tonight.”

  Kenderbrick sighed. Her shoulders slumped, and her skin became less flushed.

  “Shadow Six,” she said, “you do understand that your cover on this mission is as a diplomat, right? You can’t just go crashing around like some sort of enraged bull and expect to get results. At the very least, you will blow your cover. At the worst, you’ll do serious damage to our position in Alfar. The risk you took may have paid off this time, but the next one may backfire. You’ve got to start being more careful.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

  He was still irritated. He wasn’t a diplomat. This cover was next to impossible, and he had something else he was supposed to be doing here. Speaking of which ...

  “Have you learned anything on what I gave you,” he asked.

  “I have,” she said, hesitating. She flicked her eyes at Honeyflower.

  “Please continue,” he said. “I brought her here, because I think we need to share information.”

  Kenderbrick sighed again. Wolf had the impression she wasn’t used to Shadows who went outside the lines as much as he did. He shrugged. He got results. If she didn’t like how he did it, that was her problem.

  “All right, here’s what I know,” she said. “Yevgeni Tupelov is a hard-line Phrygian general. He’s bloodthirsty, rash, and has openly fought the politburo on multiple foreign policy issues. He’s currently in charge of all forward divisions in Pushkingrad. He’s made no statements we know regarding Jifan or Alfar. However, his hatred of Urland and desire to move from a cold war to a real one is well documented. The consensus among our observers is the Phrygians stationed him on their border with Jifan because they don’t think he can cause any trouble there.”

  “Excuse me,” Honeyflower said, “but what has this to do with your investigation of Ambassador Silverleaf?”

  “While I was at Silverleaf’s villa two nights ago, I discovered a communiqué from General Tupelov,” Wolf explained. “It asked for a meeting. Silverleaf’s mistress told me the two met on several occasions.

  “What about Ravager,” he asked, returning his attention to Kenderbrick.

  “Everything is largely as you report it,” she said. “So far as we know, he has only one Shadow ability, but it is a devastating one. He is capable of creating, for lack of a better phrase, Shadow creatures of varying size. These monsters all have ravening mouths that tear the flesh from any living thing they contact. His profile suggests he is a sadist and most likely a psychopath. At the very least, he seems to enjoy killing.

  “There is some discrepancy on his current assignment. He is officially assigned to Major Boris Davidov, the section head of the PDB in Pushkingrad, but he has not been seen there for some time, nor does he seem to have a controller. He is most often in the company of Silverleaf, but he has also been spotted in Jifan with General Tupelov.”

  “Silverleaf claimed he was a defector,” Wolf said. “Is there any truth to that?”

  “There doesn’t appear to be,” Kenderbrick said. “I suppose it might be possible, but the latest intelligence from the PDB suggests he is still listed as an active agent. To be sure, Phrygia isn’t going to openly admit any of its Shadows defected, but it would be unusual to keep his status as active.”

  Wolf thought for a moment. Everything Kenderbrick told him appeared to damn Silverleaf further, but it still didn’t create a picture he could understand. It seemed Silverleaf was working with a mad Phrygian general, a psychotic Shadow, and a Jifani terrorist. However, there was still no evidence of what he was doing.

  “What does it all mean?” Honeyflower said, as though she had read Wolf’s mind.

  “I wish I knew,” Kenderbrick answered.

  “Did you find out anything else about Silverleaf’s background,” Wolf asked. “Maybe there’s a clue there.”

  “Yes and no,” Kenderbrick said. “What I learned was that every single one of Silverleaf’s wartime compatriots has been arrested and accused of treason.”

  “What?” Honeyflower said. “How did I not know this?”

  “And how did he become ambassador if everyone he worked with was accused of treason?” Wolf added.

  “Because,” Kenderbrick said, “it was Silverleaf who had them arrested.”

  Honeyflower looked astonished. Wolf was alarmed by the implications of Silverleaf’s actions and the fact that the chief of security in Alfar didn’t know about them.

  “I still don’t understand how I could not have known this,” Honeyflower said.

  “I’m not surprised, Captain Honeyflower,” Kenderbrick said. “Silverleaf’s been very careful. He’s had other people issue the orders or call in the tips. In fact, you personally arrested three of the suspects. But in every case, the accusations can be traced back to Silverleaf.”

  No one said anything for a minute. Wolf chewed on the thought.

  “There’s only one reason for Silverleaf to do that,” he said. “Clearly, these people know something about him he doesn’t want others to learn, particularly the other members of the coalition government. In fact, it’s highly likely if whatever these people knew got out, he wouldn’t have gotten his appointment to ambassador, or he could have it stripped from him now.”

  “But what could it be,” Honeyflower wondered. “The ambassador has always acted in the best interests of Alfar.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true, Captain,” Wolf said. “But regardless, we need to consult with these people. Kenderbrick, where can they be found?”

  “Well, that’s another problem,” she said. “Most of them are dead. Executed.”

  “Treason is the only crime in Alfar that carries the death penalty,” Honeyflower mused. “Elves consider killing barbaric, and capital punishment is an horrendous idea to us. Betraying our people, though, is seen as worse.”

  “So Silverleaf accuses his former colleagues of the only crime that can get them executed, so they won’t be able to talk,” Wolf said.

  “So it would appear,” Honeyflower said. Wolf turned his attention to Kenderbrick again.

  “Kenderbrick, you said ‘most’ of them were dead,” he said. “How many are still alive?”

  “Only one,” she answered. “Hosni Nightshade. He’s impr
isoned in Hammerdown Prison in the heart of Al-Adan. He’s awaiting execution.”

  “We need to talk to him before that happens,” Wolf said. “Arrange an appointment for me.”

  “What? How?” she exclaimed.

  “I don’t know,” he said, exasperated. “I’m an important foreign official. There must be some way to swing it.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Honeyflower said. “But I am the captain of the Elite Guard. I can arrange for interviews with prisoners.”

  “Do it,” Wolf said. “We need to talk to this guy before he takes his secrets to the grave.”

  “I will,” Honeyflower said.

  “In the meantime,” Kenderbrick said, “you need to get some rest, Shadow Six. You have negotiations tomorrow. I want you as fresh as possible, so you can be effective.”

  “But I have other matters—”

  “That can wait,” Kenderbrick interrupted. “Captain Honeyflower will arrange an interview for you. Until that happens, there is nothing else you can do. That means you need to keep to your cover.”

  “I am afraid, Ms. Kenderbrick is correct, Wolf,” Honeyflower said. “I will arrange the meeting for you, and I will keep an eye on Ambassador Silverleaf when he is not in the meetings. Perhaps I can learn something useful. I’ll apprise you of whatever I learn as soon as I am able.”

  Now it was Wolf’s turn to sigh. Both women were right. There was nothing more he could do.

  “All right,” he said. “We’ll do it your way. It’s late anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow, Captain.”

  “Good night, Wolf,” Honeyflower said. “We’ll speak again tomorrow.”

  So saying, she left. Wolf looked at Kenderbrick. For the first time, she looked at him sympathetically.

  “I know Sara was a friend of yours,” she said. “I know you want to bring her killer to justice. You’ll get the chance. I promise you.

  “Get some sleep, Shadow Six. You’re going to need your wits about you at the negotiating table, and you’ll want to be rested when there’s a break in the case, so you can act.”

  He nodded. Disconsolately, he went to bed.

  Chapter 26: Clandestine Meeting

  (Nine Days before Revelation Day)

  Svetlana Markova sat quietly at the Bear Claw, the small tavern in Pushkingrad where she had arranged to meet Boris Davidov. They both agreed at their last meeting that it was too dangerous for her to continue to report to him in his office. Tupelov was watching them, and they couldn’t afford to be seen together in any official capacity. Thus, they decided to meet covertly.

  The Bear Claw wasn’t much. Svetlana thought it was little more than a shack with a bar. It wasn’t large, had only five tables, and sold a very small and very poor selection of vodka. She wasn’t sure how the owner was able to afford to keep it open. Only one of the other tables was occupied, and it was by a man who had passed out awhile ago.

  Svetlana nursed a beer as she waited for Major Davidov. She was out of uniform. In fact, to make doubly sure she wasn’t followed she had stashed clothes nearby and come in her cat form. When she was a block from the Bear Claw, she resumed her human form in a nearby alley and dressed.

  She wore peasant clothes, and she’d been certain to wear a babushka over her blonde hair to further disguise herself. Davidov was late. She was getting nervous, when she saw him walk in. He went to the bar, ordered a bottle of vodka and two glasses, and then brought them to the table in the dark corner she’d chosen.

  He too was in disguise. He had on rough, woolen clothing, looking like a farmer or perhaps a smith. If anyone paid attention, they would most likely assume the two were there for a different kind of clandestine meeting. Svetlana wished that were the case. She’d found her feelings for her superior warming as they worked this mystery together. As he came forward, looking all business, she sighed a little sadly. If only he weren’t such a stickler for regulations.

  “Good evening,” he said as he arrived. He set the bottle and glasses on the table and seated himself.

  “Good evening, Comrade,” she replied.

  He quickly poured each of them a shot. Then he raised his glass.

  “Nosdroviya,” he said as he tossed his back. She slammed hers as well.

  “I have discovered new information,” she said as he poured each of them another drink.

  “Go ahead,” he said.

  “Over the last eight months, General Tupelov has replaced all of the frontline commanders here in Pushkingrad with hard-liners, most of whom served with him in the past. This was done slowly, presumably so as to avoid detection.”

  “Just like everything else with Operation: Hammerfall,” Davidov commented. He drank his second shot.

  “Yes,” she said. “There is more. He has also arranged visas for approximately one hundred soldiers – all of them decorated veterans who specialize in work behind enemy lines.”

  “And these soldiers were granted visas to Jifan,” he said.

  “No,” she replied. “To Alfar.”

  Davidov’s eyebrows raised. Svetlana drank her second shot. He refilled their glasses.

  “Why Alfar?” he said.

  “I do not know,” she replied. “But I think it must be in support of Ravager’s mission there, whatever it is. He has been seen most often in Al-Adan attached to Ambassador Silverleaf, when the ambassador is in-country.”

  “And when he is not?”

  “His movements have been varied. He appears to be meeting with someone, but we have not been able to determine with whom.”

  She watched as Davidov turned the possibilities over in his mind. He sipped his drink absently.

  “How long were these visas to last,” he asked.

  “Indefinitely,” she replied.

  Davidov thought some more. She waited patiently for him to ask for more information.

  “I can’t imagine what Tupelov is doing,” he said at last. “He has agents in Al-Adan, which is far from here. But he also is making sure he has commanders loyal to him on the Jifani border. What does it all mean?”

  “I am uncertain, sir,” she said. “But it seems to me that Operation: Hammerfall is aimed at both Alfar and Jifan, particularly with this unnamed government sympathizer in Al-Adan. I think it is safe to assume Ambassador Silverleaf is the government official in question.”

  “But how could the ambassador to Urland be useful to him?”

  “If Silverleaf is disloyal, he could be funneling key intelligence to Tupelov through Ravager.”

  “That doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Davidov commented. “Ravager is not the sort of Shadow one uses to acquire and send information. He’s an assassin. His personality makes him ill-suited to other kinds of work.”

  Svetlana hesitated. She fully intended to tell her superior the next piece of information she had. She just knew it would alarm him, and she hated upsetting him.

  “There is something else,” she said. “An Urlish Shadow was murdered a few days ago. The method of death strongly suggests Ravager was the killer.”

  “Damn,” Davidov said. He poured himself another drink and threw it back quickly. “There can only be one explanation for that.”

  “The Urlander discovered what he or Silverleaf was doing,” Svetlana finished.

  Davidov nodded. A look of profound worry came over his face.

  “Whom did he kill?”

  “Sara Wensley-James,” Svetlana answered.

  “Shadow Five,” Davidov said. “Damn. The Urlanders won’t let that rest.”

  “Certainly not,” Svetlana agreed.

  “That raises the stakes, Shadowcat,” he said. “The Urlanders will send someone to investigate, and it will be one of their best agents. We can only hope they don’t have anyone appropriate stationed nearby. Regardless, that may cause Tupelov to accelerate his timetable. Where is Silverleaf now?”

  “On his way back from Urland,” she replied. “The Queen has appointed a new ambassador to Alfar, who is en route. Silverleaf is a few days
ahead of him.”

  “But his return to Alfar puts all of Tupelov’s players in place,” Davidov said.

  “So it would appear.”

  Davidov thought some more. He would make a decision about how to act, she knew. He just needed a moment to choose his options.

  “Shadowcat, I want you to put together a PDB strike team,” he ordered. “Screen them carefully. Make sure they are absolutely loyal. Rule out anyone who has had any sort of contact with General Tupelov. Then I want you to watch the general. We need to know what he’s doing at all times.”

  “Are you sure it is wise for me to watch him?” she said. “He is onto me and to you. I could compromise the mission.”

  She wasn’t afraid. She was pleased he asked her. She just wasn’t sure it was the wisest strategy.

  “There is no one else I can trust,” he said. “I would need to put someone else in the picture, and that’s too risky. You are going to have to be extremely careful.”

  “Da, Comrade Major,” she said.

  “If something is amiss, do not confront the general on your own,” he instructed. “Summon the strike team and me. We’re going to need all our resources to defeat General Tupelov.”

  “Da, Comrade Major,” she said again.

  “If nothing happens beforehand, we’ll meet here again in one week. You can brief me on any new developments. Otherwise, only contact me if it appears the general is about to make his move.”

  She nodded. She didn’t like these orders. She wanted to be by his side. She wanted to move on General Tupelov now. They had enough evidence to prove his actions were malfeasant. He could be arrested and stripped of his rank.

  But she understood what Davidov was doing. There was more at stake here than one rogue general. They still didn’t know or understand the breadth and scope of Operation: Hammerfall. Until they knew more or Tupelov made his move, they had to wait. Major Davidov didn’t want to let this plot, whatever it was, survive. He wanted to smash the whole operation. That required more intelligence, and he was right – Svetlana was the only one he could trust.

  He startled her out of her thoughts by reaching across the table and taking her hand in his.