Wilfred looked straight ahead, apparently fixing his gaze on a tree near the bench they were sitting on.
Kate waited.
Wilfred would give in. He always did. He couldn’t match her in pure stubbornness. He’d see that she was correct.
Neither of them moved but for the flicking of Kate’s eyes to Wilfred and then away again. He was still sitting there, motionless as a stone. Unflinching.
After nearly ten minutes, Kate had enough. “Oh fine!” she said, so loudly that Wilfred jumped. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “We’re trying to find out who is manipulating the Order, like you said.”
“I knew it.” His face was the same old Wilfred again, with no trace of the intractable boulder he had been a moment before. “What can I do?”
Kate shook her head silently. “You’ve gotten quite good at that.”
Wilfred smiled widely.
Kate chuckled. “Fine, maybe you can keep your eyes open for any suspicious behavior. If you see anything, come and tell me immediately. Don’t follow anyone or try to get more information. Is that clear?”
“Of course,” he scoffed. “I’ll come straight to you. I’m no hero. I am not about to go chasing after someone.”
“Wilfred.”
“I will come and tell you,” he said sheepishly. “I’ll admit that maybe I would be curious about following someone, but I won’t. I’ll come and get you.”
“Okay,” Kate said, her gaze still locked on his eyes, looking for any type of deception. She realized what she was doing and stopped herself. Things were bad enough. She couldn’t start mistrusting her closest friends.
Kate and the others busied themselves with their self-imposed assignments. Though she would have liked for Captain Achard to have taken command and given them assignments, he didn’t.
She knew he had taken the demotion hard, but he always appeared calm and content. It was too much to hope that he would lead them, however. Phrixus Achard was nothing if not a man of honor and integrity. He would not act with authority he did not see he had.
As the days went by, some of the others reported strange things. Not information they had gathered, but situations that occurred to them personally.
“…and Travada told me that it seemed I lacked a meaningful assignment,” Benedict said, “and so he gave me the duty of guarding the latrine. From inside it!”
“Quit yer caterwaulin’, boy,” Koren griped. “That bastard made me his personal errand boy. I’m to stand outside his office in case he needs me for something. I’ve brought food and drink from the mess, carried messages to others for him, and even shined three pairs of his boots.”
“That’s strange,” Kate said. They were all sitting in the secret section of the library, once of the few places they could speak freely. “He’s giving both of you horrible assignments? I wonder why?”
“For the same reason I am now on guard duty for one of the lantern poles on the edge of the city. You know, just in case some nefarious person decides they want to sneak up and put it out.”
This time, it was Visimar speaking. He seemed as irritated at the other two. She understood. All of those assignments seemed like…
“Punishments. You are all being punished.”
“Oh, hello Molara,” Kate said.
“Hello yourself.” The Purple gave Kate a glib smile as her eyes danced. Turning to the men, she continued, “It’s definitely punishment. Did you do anything deserving, or has Travada figured out that you’re digging into things some wouldn’t want you digging into?”
The three men remained silent.
“I was afraid something like this would happen,” Molara said. “Whoever is hiding in the shadows knows we’re looking for them. They are trying to dissuade us from doing so.”
“So then, what, we quit?” Benedict snapped.
Kate jumped in. “No, Ben. No one is saying we should quit. We’ll just have to figure out how to deal with it, maybe how to do our investigations in a more subtle way. No one is blaming anyone. It’s obvious our enemies were on the watch for anything we did. After all, they tried to get me to spy on the captain.”
“What?” Koren had a look on his face Kate had never seen. It wasn’t quite fear—she didn’t think anyone knew how that emotion looked on the grizzled veteran—but it could have been apprehension. “If they’re trying to spy on Phrixus, then we’re in trouble.”
“Not so fast,” Molara said. “They can’t know everything. If they did, they wouldn’t have asked Kate to spy on him. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
They discussed the problem for several minutes, agreeing to think on it individually and meet again later to go over whatever each of them came up with. Soothed, the Blacks who had been given the punishment assignments left.
“Now, Kate,” Molara said. “Peiros and I have some information for you. We have been able to translate a small bit of one of the books you brought back from Hell. As far as I know, it’s the first time anyone has ever translated any of the demons’ runic writing.”
Kate sat up straighter, her interest piqued. “That’s wonderful, Mole.”
“Molara and I work well together in this task,” Peiros said. “She has a natural ability for recognizing sequences and for breaking codes, and with my knowledge of the demon language, we have made modest gains in our understanding.”
“‘Modest gains,’ he says.” Molara scoffed. “We have succeeded in translating a few passages of one of the books. I don’t have to tell you that for every line—even every word—we translate, it makes translating more text less burdensome.”
“That’s fantastic,” Kate said. “Don’t keep me waiting. What have you translated?”
“It’s really difficult to translate a language when you don’t have anything to base the translation on. I mean, if we had a copy of something recognizable, or something we also had a copy of in our language, it would be much easier.”
“I understand. So, what passages have you figured out?”
“I just want you to understand that it is a difficult process.”
“I do, Molara. I really do. Tell me. What have you translated?”
“Okay, what we have translated so far is scattered over several pages. It might not make much sense.”
Kate looked to Peiros, who stared back at her emotionlessly. “Would you rather tell me about it after you have translated a little more? You don’t sound so sure about what you’ve got.”
“That won’t be necessary. Here, I’ll tell you now.” Molara made a show of putting her finger on the book in front of her, as if she needed to keep her place, and flashed a smug look at Kate.
Kate’s face started forming a glare at her friend. “Oh, for the sake of all that is good and honorable, would you just tell me?”
“Of course,” the Purple said. “I wanted to prepare you. Here is what we have so far. ‘And in the’ something, something, something, ‘the victory will be complete over the enemy,’ something, something, ‘will overwhelm the world of light.’ That’s the gist of it.”
Kate wasn’t sure if Molara was joking with her, so she remained silent.
More than a minute passed, Molara and Peiros both looking at Kate, no one speaking.
Finally, Kate couldn’t tolerate any more. “Is that it, then?”
Molara’s eyes dropped to her hands, which were loosely clasped on her lap. “Essentially, yes. I told you translating was tough, but what we have is helping us with other parts of the book.”
“I see,” Kate said. “So, it’s talking about some kind of battle?”
Molara squirmed like she was trying to get comfortable. “We think so. There are parts in there about a timeframe, we’re pretty sure. There are also more details, but we haven’t translated those yet. But it is definitely talking about beating us, those from ‘the world of light,’ and overwhelming our world. These passages seem like the easiest way to figure out what the words of the one we’re really interested in mean.”
“That is…interesting,” Kate said.
Peiros cleared his throat. “Kate, we believe it is important information. More work will be required, as is obvious, in order to make sense of it, but we think this information will be valuable.”
“I do not doubt it,” she said. “Perhaps it’s that I don’t understand it. It’s very exciting that you have translated some of the book, though. I’m sure you will get a better grasp of it as time goes on.”
“Tell her the name,” Molara said to Peiros. “Tell her.”
Kate got the distinct impression that Peiros wanted to roll his eyes, but his outward appearance remained as it always was: respectful and calm.
“There is a term, perhaps a name, that appears in several locations. We are unable to translate it, but it is clear that it is important.”
“What is the term?” Kate asked.
“Kellmanach xurki,” Peiros said.
“I see. And you have no idea what it means?”
The Salornumese flicked his eyes to Molara and then back to Kate. “Nothing definite. It could be unfamiliar forms of root words I already know, but we cannot confirm that as yet.”
Kate was not impressed with the amount of information they had given her to this point. She figured she might as well ask. “What is your best guess right now about what the term means?”
Peiros shrugged. “Glory of Darkness.”
13
The three discussed the strange term for nearly an hour, trying to decide whether it referred to an era, some type of secret weapon, or if it was a demon prophecy. With no further information on the subject than the sparse lines Molara had read to Kate, it seemed a worthless discussion for the moment.
As their conversation was winding down, Bernar Giron burst into the secret section of the library.
“Efrem Zema is dead,” the hero of the Black declared.
“What?” Peiros had taken the word directly from Kate’s mind. “What has happened?”
“They found him at the base of the wall. He had fallen close to fifty feet from the top. The examiners are claiming he slipped, or he was drunk and stumbled off the edge.”
“That’s nonsense!” Kate exclaimed. “I have never met anyone with better balance and poise than Efrem.”
“Of course it’s nonsense,” Bernar said. “They killed him.”
“Who?” Molara asked.
“Our enemies. The ones we are investigating. They’re obviously warning us to back off. First it was the punishments and undesirable duties, and now that those things have not worked, they will begin attacking us.”
“We need to have a meeting, all of us. We need to figure out what we’ll do.” She put her head in her hands. “Poor Efrem. Killed in the line of duty, but it will go on record as an accident.”
“Maybe we should rethink the Infirium?” Molara said. “Is what we’re doing important enough to risk death?”
Kate blinked at her friend. “Are you saying we should quit? That we should give up because our enemy is fighting back?”
Molara put her hands up and locked her eyes on Kate’s. “No, Kate, not at all. I do believe that we should think again about how we are doing what we are doing, maybe come up with another way. If we are carrying out our tasks in such a manner that the enemy knows who we are and what we’re doing, we need a little change.”
Kate couldn’t continue to meet the Purple’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Mole. I misunderstood you. It’s a shock, is all.”
“No apology necessary. I know I’m not Black, but I do understand dangerous missions. As far as I’m concerned, the escalating danger simply means we have struck a nerve. We must be on the right track.”
“That’s…that’s right,” Kate said. “As unfortunate as it is, the situation is proof that we’re heading in the right direction.”
“I, for one, plan on continuing,” Peiros said, “though perhaps in a more circumspect manner.”
“I’m with you,” Kate said.
“And I,” Bernar Giron added.
By the time all the other Black had made their appearance and declared their intentions, the Infirium had twenty-seven operatives dedicated to solving the mystery of the identity of the enemies of the Order. That was exactly one less than they had before Efrem was murdered.
“It’s obvious we made a mistake,” Phrixus said. “We revealed ourselves by being a bit too aggressive, slightly too apparent in our activities. We can’t keep doing the same thing.” He looked at everyone gathered in the largest area of the secret library. “We not only need to be careful not to become victims ourselves, but we need to make them think we have given up, that Efrem’s death has scared us away.
“We need to be stealthier about our activities. And we need to be more coordinated. I think Molara, Kate, and Peiros should direct all activity more strictly. If that is acceptable to you three?” He turned toward the three, standing together near the edge of the group.
“Why don’t you take command?” Kate asked, and several people nodded.
“I…am too high profile to do so. It would be too obvious if the others were seen with me too often. I would be followed every second of the day—it’s almost that bad now—and it would jeopardize the entire operation. No, I’m much better as a distraction while you three run the show. Besides, there are other issues with me being in charge, ones we’ll not discuss at this time. I’m still trying to see the Supreme Commander, but so far all my efforts have been rebuffed. If only I could talk to Berart…”
There wasn’t much the three friends could say. It seemed evident that they were now responsible for directing Infirium. For better or worse.
A few days later, Kate settled in for her weekly meeting with Major Aedmund Travada. His pinched face hadn’t changed a bit in all the time she had been dealing with him. If anything, it had become even more discomfited, as if his frustration was reflected in the very structure of his body. She wondered if it had anything to do with her or the Infirium. She hoped it did.
“And Phrixus hasn’t said anything at all about fighting against the Order?” he asked her again.
“No. I have never heard the captain—”
“Lieutenant,” Travada corrected.
“—say anything that even remotely sounds as if he would fight against the Order. I think he loves the Order. It’s his life.”
“I do not need your commentary, Courtenay. What has he been doing with all the time he now has? He commands no one and has no real assignments.”
Kate paused as if to ponder the question. “I’m really not sure, Major. He seems to spend a fair amount of time in the library.” It wasn’t a lie. The base of operations for the Infirium was in the library, in the secret section. Achard was often in there. “I didn’t know he was such a scholar.”
“What is he researching?” Travada asked.
“Researching? I’m not sure. I thought he was just catching up on his reading.”
The major glared at her. “Are you toying with me, Courtenay?”
“Sir, I would never—”
“Listen to me,” he said with barely contained rage. “If I get proof that you are trying to play games with me, there will be dire consequences. I have given you a chance to do the right thing, to support the Order in the particular way you can accomplish. Do not mistake my charity for mercy. I will crush you and any of your friends who try to subvert the Order of the Fire. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, then from now on you will take detailed notes of where Phrixus Achard is every moment of the day.”
“But sir, how will I fulfill the responsibilities of my duties if I spend my full time keeping track of him?”
“I am changing your duties. From now on, he is your sole duty, until further notice.”
“Yes, sir,” Kate said.
“Get out of my office.”
Kate didn’t argue. She got up immediately and left the room. She couldn’t wait to tell Molara and the captain about this development.
She burst through the door to the secret section of the library, didn’t see anyone around, and continued toward Molara’s area at a run. Kate stopped so quickly she skidded a half dozen feet before coming to a stop.
A man she had never seen was sitting across from Molara at one of her study tables.
What had she interrupted?
The Purple’s face lit up and she hopped to her feet. “Perfect timing, even if a bit dramatic.” She threw her hair over one shoulder as she said it.
The man, who had been facing Molara, also rose, turning toward Kate as he did so. “Ah, Kate Courtenay. At last, I have a chance to meet you.” He had a hint of an accent, though Kate couldn’t place it with so few words. Icirus, maybe?
He was not someone she had ever seen, but he almost seemed familiar. He was several inches shorter than her, though not nearly as diminutive as Molara, and his crystal blue eyes seemed to crackle with power. The green streaks shooting through the blue of his irises pulled her in and held her for a moment. She shook her head and blinked several times before she lost herself.
The man was handsome enough, though older, but it wasn’t his physical appearance that had befuddled Kate. It was the obvious air of power around him. It reminded her of…“You’re Purple, too,” she said before she realized it was probably impolite.
The man laughed, his tanned skin creasing and his brown hair swaying with the movement of his head. “Excellent. You are as smart as Molara has told me.”
“I’m sorry…?” Kate said.
“Ah, no, my apologies. Valerio Fiola, at your service. I’ve been wanting to meet the newest Black, the newest hero of the Black, at that. It is my privilege to meet you, Kate.”
He reached his hand out and she took it in her own. He had a firm grip, unlike what she would expect from a Purple. Now that she thought of it, he seemed to be as fit as many of the soldiers she knew.
“Kate, Valerio is my superior,” Molara said.
“Your…superior? Molara, you told me there were only five Purple and that you had no rank within your command. The only…oh, no.” Kate immediately went to attention and snapped a salute toward Valerio.
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