Tevi led the way down a side street. Jemeryl trailed after, battling with misgivings. Should she have kept out of it? She could have waited at the infirmary for Tevi’s return. She did not want to play any part in hunting down Sefriall, so why was she there? But the turmoil on the streets provided her answer. Supposing Tevi did not return? For Jemeryl to say she would never forgive herself was the most absurd understatement.
One on one, Tevi was more than equal to any warrior in Kradja. Even odds of two to one would present little challenge, but Tevi was not invincible. She could not fight a mob single-handed. She could be stabbed in the back. Jemeryl looked at her lover walking in front of her. No matter how events might turn out, Jemeryl knew that she was there, and always would be, to watch Tevi’s back.
The streets they passed through had been getting both shabbier and quieter. Before long, the buildings were made of simple mud brick with foul-smelling refuse piled in corners. The activity had gone from frenzied to nothing. When they turned the next corner, the only living things in sight were a stray dog sniffing at rubbish and three white birds perched on a rooftop. However, the quiet conveyed no air of safety. It was the false stillness before an ambush. Jemeryl could feel eyes tracking them from windows.
Tevi stopped by a door and thumped on it. There was no answer. She thumped again. “Open the door, or I’ll smash it down.”
When this produced no response, Tevi took three steps back and then charged the door with her shoulder. The frame shook and Jemeryl heard the sound of snapping wood. Before Tevi could take another run, the door opened a crack.
“The shop’s closed. Ain’t you heard? The Cov—”
The speaker got no further. Tevi kicked the door fully open and strode in. Jemeryl followed more cautiously. The shop was clearly a bakery. The smell of yeast and flour was unmistakable, and a few unsold loaves were on the table. A teenage boy lay on the floor, scrabbling away from Tevi, who stood with her arms folded. He had clearly fallen when the door was forced open and not yet regained his feet.
The boy reached a wall and started to lever himself up. “What do you want?”
“The owner of this place. Her name, is it Ashla, Aslie, Aisel…something like that?”
“Aslie.”
“Right. I want to talk to Aslie.”
“She’s not here.”
“Really? Well, I’ll just have a look around.” Tevi moved towards a passage at the rear.
“Why do you want to see her?”
“I’ve got a few questions to ask.”
“She’s n—” The boy stopped, then took a deep breath and raised his voice. “Aunt Aslie, there’s someone who wants to talk to you.”
After a few seconds of silence, Jemeryl heard the sound of footsteps descending stairs. A woman appeared in the passageway. She was in early middle age, plump, with the deeply tanned skin of the local townsfolk. “What is it?”
Tevi’s smile held no trace of friendliness. “Your brother Parrash. I want to find him.”
“How should I know where he is?”
“Because you and him work together. That’s why you let him use your cellar to infiltrate the old priests. They’re mostly dead now.” Tevi’s expression wavered. “Darjain died a short while ago. He was a good man, a friend of mine, and you helped betray him to Sefriall. I want revenge.”
“I wouldn’t have done nothing against Darjain. He’s…” Aslie’s eyes darted between Tevi and Jemeryl.
“You played your part, but Sefriall’s the guilty one. It’s her I most want to find. Unfortunately, she’s skipped town. I think your brother is either with her, or he knows where she’s gone. I also think he’d have called by here first, or sent a note. After all, he owes you, after you got your business ruined helping him.”
“I don’t know where he is.” Aslie’s assertion was too quick and too bland. Jemeryl did not need magic to know she was lying.
“You sure?” Judging by Tevi’s cynical tone, she was equally unconvinced.
Resting against the corner behind Tevi was one of the long-handled iron shovels used for taking bread from the ovens. Tevi picked it up and hefted it thoughtfully. The threat of violence was clear. Aslie’s eyes widened although she said nothing.
Tevi held the shovel horizontally in both hands, like a quarterstaff. “I’d have to say I don’t believe you.”
Aslie cowered back, but Tevi made no move to strike her. Instead, without any sign of effort, Tevi bent the thick metal pole into a knot. The display of unnatural strength produced an immediate response.
Aslie’s mouth sagged open. “You’re sorcerers.”
“My friend is. I’m something else.”
Up until now, both Aslie and the boy had ignored Jemeryl. Now their heads simultaneously jerked in her direction. At their terror-stricken expressions, Jemeryl felt obliged to offer reassurance. “I’m not here to hurt you. Ignore the rumours. No sorcerers are on their way. Why should there be? The Coven has no interest in Kradja now it’s not threatening the Protectorate.”
Neither looked to be taking any comfort from her words. Aslie retreated towards the passage.
Tevi stepped forward, blocking her exit. “Come on now. You know you can’t run away.”
“Please, I don’t…”
Tevi slipped the largest loop of the mangled shovel handle over Aslie’s head, as if it were an oversized necklace. “What Jem said is quite true. The Coven has no interest in hurting anyone in Kradja. But I’ve got a personal score to settle with Sefriall. So, if you know where she is, why don’t you tell me? Then we’ll go. Or you can tell me where your brother is. If he answers me nicely, I won’t even hurt him.” As she spoke, Tevi pulled on the handle, tightening the loop.
Aslie’s eyes bulged in terror. “Sefriall wanted him to go with her, but he knew the Coven would be after her. He thought he’d do better on his own. He came by here this morning, to pick up some things he’d need. Now he’s hiding.”
“Where?”
“Some friends of his. They own the Wayfarer House, on the east side of town. They’ve got a secret room in their attic. He’s there.”
Chapter Sixteen—The Last Tear
The Wayfarer Inn obviously catered for a wealthier class of traveller than the Four Winds House. The two-storey stone building had glazed windows and a paved forecourt. The tops of palm trees peeking over the tiled roof indicated that there was an enclosed garden courtyard for the guests’ use. The owners also had the money to protect their property in times of trouble. A pair of surly-looking guards stood outside the door.
Jemeryl eyed them anxiously, anticipating a confrontation. She and Tevi had changed out of their stolen uniforms at the infirmary, but this meant they were now dressed like destitute pilgrims. She could not imagine the guards would let them enter without a challenge.
She was right.
“Where do you think you’re going?” One of the guards moved to block the entrance when they were still some way off, but clearly did not take them seriously enough to tighten her grip on the cudgel. She merely tapped it gently against her calf, just to remind them it was there.
Tevi did not falter. “We’re going to start by talking to the owner.”
“Clear off.”
“Get out of my way.”
“I’m warning you.”
“Same here.” Tevi was less than ten yards from the door, still striding forward.
Jemeryl was a few steps behind. Although she could not see directly, from the way Tevi’s arms and shoulders moved, she deduced that Tevi was pulling back her outer robe and reaching inside. The guards had been watching with belligerent disdain, which shaded into surprise when their attempts at intimidation had so little effect. Now they responded with shock.
“Shit. She’s got a sword.”
Both raised their cudgels. The woman held hers in a defensive block, but the man lunged out, swinging wildly. Presumably, his intention was to get to Tevi before she had a chance to draw her sword. In this, he was successf
ul, but it did not help him. Tevi ducked under the poorly timed swipe and kneed the man in the stomach with enough force that his feet left the ground. He stumbled back into his companion, who was then too busy fending him off to duck the punch Tevi threw at her jaw. The two guards hit first the wall and then the ground.
“I did warn you.” Tevi stepped over their feet.
Jemeryl paused in the entrance. The lobby was cool and dark. Marble statues of nymphs and satyrs stood in the corners. Doors opened on both sides and an archway at the end gave access to a central courtyard where bright sunlight fell on a lush display of exotic plants.
Tevi stood in the middle of the tiled mosaic floor, looking around, clearly deliberating about where to start her search. However, sounds of the brief scuffle had not gone unnoticed. A pair of elderly, well-dressed women appeared in the archway, dithering nervously, and then a younger man spilled through a doorway on the right.
“What’s going on? Where’s—”
Tevi cut him off. “Are you the owner?”
“Who are you?”
“I asked first.”
The man turned towards the entrance. “Trai? Zenis? What are you doing?”
“If they’re your doormen, I’ve just flattened them. I’ll do the same to you if you don’t answer me. Are you the owner?”
He looked back at Tevi. “What do you want?”
“Some answers. Don’t make me ask again.”
The man drew himself up. “Yes. I’m one of the owners. I don’t know what y—”
“I want to talk to Parrash.”
“Who? There’s no one of that name staying here.”
“His sister told me he was in your attic.”
Jemeryl heard moans and the sounds of movement behind her. The two guards would soon be back on their feet. Would they try to tackle Tevi again? Jemeryl shifted away from the door to get out of their path. She would only intervene if Tevi looked to be in danger. The owner glanced in her direction, as if noticing her for the first time, and then turned back to Tevi.
“I don’t know anything about the woman who told you that, but she’s lying.”
Tevi sighed. “I don’t have time for this.”
She walked to the nearest statue, put her foot on the nymph’s thigh, and gave a hard shove. The marble hit the tiles and cracked in two at the waist. The nymph also lost an arm and her nose. At the same moment, the bloodied guards stumbled in, breathing heavily. Anyone could see that they had just been on the losing side of a fight. The two women, presumably guests, had been watching with increasing agitation. They retreated into the courtyard and disappeared amidst the foliage.
The innkeeper’s eyes were shifting in disbelief between the smashed statue and his battered employees. Finally he fixed on Tevi. “You can’t—”
“I can.” Tevi reached into her robes and drew her sword. “Take me to Parrash.”
“The sentinels will—”
“The sentinels are currently having some problems, but I think, once the dust has settled, what’s left of them will be very interested to know Parrash is hiding here. Do you really want to get them involved?”
The innkeeper took a half-step towards his guards, but they were clearly in a poor state to eject an intruder, especially one who had already defeated them. Abruptly, the fight left the innkeeper. He signalled for the guards to go, then pointed at the door he had arrived by. “This way.”
The room they reached, at the top of the inn, had to be the servants’ quarters. Even with the current state of overcrowding in Kradja, Jemeryl was certain guests who could afford the Wayfarer Inn would not be sleeping on straw-stuffed pallets, six to a room. Clothes and other personal effects were scattered around, but nobody, including Parrash, was currently in the room.
“Where is he?” Tevi was implacable.
“In here.” The innkeeper pulled on a wall-mounted candleholder.
Jemeryl heard a faint click and saw movement. A waist-high section of wall swung open.
“What is it, Kas?” a voice called from inside.
“Some people want to talk to you. I’m sorry. They were…they knew you were here. Your sister told them.”
“Who—”
The voice died as Tevi ducked under the opening. She glanced back at the innkeeper. “You can go.” Her tone made it clear this was not just a suggestion.
“I’m sorry, Pash.” The innkeeper retreated.
Jemeryl followed Tevi into the secret chamber. Parrash was backed in a corner, staring at them in terror.
Tevi advanced until she was standing over him. “I suspect you haven’t heard the news. Darjain died an hour ago.”
“I…I didn’t know.” Parrash’s voice cracked in panic. “I didn’t do anything. I wouldn’t have hurt Darjain. He was a good man.”
“You betrayed him, and the rest of your colleagues, to Sefriall. You’ve been working for her.”
“I haven’t.”
“Do you want to deny putting the poison in the wine as well and framing me?”
“I’m sorry about that. I was just trying to kill Ciamon.”
“On Sefriall’s orders. I bet she had plans to get called away so she wouldn’t drink the wine.”
“I wasn’t working for her.”
“How about Ciamon? Do you know anything about what happened to him?”
“No. I wasn’t—”
Tevi’s hand shot out. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled his face to within inches of her own. “You’re lying. I was there, right under your feet. We’d been hiding under the steps when you rode in with the sentinels. I saw you standing by Sefriall as she stuck the knife in his heart. I heard what she said to you. Every single word of it.”
“It was Sefriall. She’s mad. She’d have killed me if I ha—”
Tevi shoved him away. “You haven’t been formally introduced to my partner, have you?”
Jemeryl frowned, certain that social etiquette was not Tevi’s intent. Parrash merely stared.
“But with your spying at peepholes, you must know she’s a Coven sorcerer. You’ve probably heard the ability to work magic has returned.”
His eyes opened wider.
“I don’t want to waste time with more lies. So there are two ways we can do this. Either you answer all my questions as fully and as truthfully as you know how, or Jem will go through your head with her spells and rip the information from your thoughts. You’ll be insane by the end…” Tevi shrugged. “But it’s your choice.”
Jemeryl opened her mouth, about to assert that she would do nothing of the sort. However, Parrash did not give her the chance to speak. “Anything. I’ll tell you anything.”
Tevi gave a grim smile. “Good. First question. The big one. Where’s Sefriall gone?”
Parrash swallowed, breathing deeply. “South. She’s heading for Lijoni. There’s another big Cyclian temple there.”
“How many people has she got with her?”
“Just a few. No more than three.” Parrash licked his lips, and then the words tumbled out in a rush. “She wanted to get away as quickly as she could. She wasn’t going to wait to get everything together. She left that for me. I’m supposed to get sentinels, supplies, and things and meet her at Qualeisi Oasis. But I’m not going to. That’s why I’m hiding here. I’ve had enough. Like I said, she’s mad. The Coven will be after her and I don’t want—”
“You don’t want to be anywhere near her when the hundred sorcerers turn up, riding on dragons?” Tevi suggested. “You’re a coward and you’ve run out on her when she not winning anymore. You know, strange to say, but I find that totally believable.”
Parrash clamped his mouth shut and swallowed nervously, his eyes still locked on Tevi.
“This Qualeisi Oasis, where is it?”
“Southwest. It’s easy to find without a guide. That’s why she picked it to meet at. It’s the furthest south of the oases, the last tear of Yalaish.”
“How do I find it?”
“Go due south
out of Kradja until you see a line of mountains on the horizon. It’s about a day and a half. When you see the mountains, bear west, towards the tallest one. There’s a long gorge, like a dried-up river valley. It cuts across your path. You can’t miss it. Get to the bottom and head south again. After another day, the valley drops down and the oasis is at the bottom. Takes about three days in all.”
“Three days. Is that on foot? On horseback? With a wagon?”
“Horse or mule.”
Tevi took a step back and crossed her arms. “Anything else you’d like to tell me?”
Parrash shook his head.
“You wouldn’t be so stupid as to lie, would you? Because we’ll both be very annoyed if we go all the way to Qualeisi and Sefriall isn’t there. You know you can’t hide from a Coven sorcerer. We’ll find you again, if we need to. Count on it.”
“It’s true. I swear. She’ll be there, waiting for me.”
“I’ll pass on your best wishes.” Tevi turned away. “Come on, Jem. We need to find some horses.”
On the stairs down, Jemeryl caught Tevi’s shoulder and pulled her around. “Even if I approved of this hunt, there’s no way I’d have used magic to probe his mind.”
“I know that, but he didn’t. People are always ready to believe the worst of sorcerers.”
Tevi’s grin only increased Jemeryl’s irritation. “It doesn’t help when we’re used for making wild threats.”
“You’re annoyed?”
“I want no part in this. I’m just tagging along to make sure you don’t get hurt.”
Tevi’s lips tightened in a thin line, but then softened. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave you out of it from now on.”
Jemeryl released her grip. “Where are you going to get horses?”
“I’m sure there’ll be a few in the stable here.”
“They aren’t ours.”
“We’ve got enough gold to buy ten dozen. Someone will sell.”
The innkeeper was loitering in the lobby when they returned. Tevi marched over to him. “Your stables, where are they?”
“Parrash?” He said the name as a question.
“He’s fine. He may have pissed himself, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a good wash. Now, your stables.”
The High Priest and the Idol Page 32