“I don’t think I want to find out,” Drake replied. “If it’s Xavier, he’ll be able to watch every way into the city. Of course, I have no idea what other enemies you might have made over the years. Can you think of anyone who would want you dead?”
Salazar laughed. “Only about half of all the noble families. You know how they are. But perhaps I can narrow it down to just a few.” He glanced over to Drake, and his laughter ceased. “I’m sorry. I forget sometimes what a difficult life you must have led during your exile. I always believed in your innocence. So did Father.”
Drake shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. What happened, happened. Nothing can change that now.”
“Perhaps. It was insensitive of me, all the same.” He paused. “But there is one thing you will be pleased to know. Lenora never stopped talking about you. Particularly to Xavier. I think she delights in how insecure it makes him to hear your name.”
Drake could not prevent a smile from forming. “It will be good to be home again.”
“You lived in Troi?” Linx chipped in.
“Young lady,” said Salazar. “You are looking at a man who was quite possibly the best royal guard ever to wear the uniform.”
“Royal guard? Are you serious? One step away from execution, and I’m riding with a member of the royal guard?”
“I was exiled,” explained Drake. “Years ago.”
“Well, at least that explains how you were able to get out of Exodus alive.”
The prince cast Linx a curious look. “You were to be executed? That is hard to believe. I didn’t think they put people so young to death.”
“I’m older than I look,” she told him, then went on to explain what had happened and why she was to be executed.
Salazar shook his head. “That’s terrible. Once I am back in the palace, you have my word that justice will be served appropriately. Young women should not have to fear such men.”
“A lot worse than that happens out in the provinces,” she said.
“Such as?”
Linx shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not like anything will change. People living in Troi don’t care what happens outside the city.”
“Linx!” Drake snapped. “That’s enough.”
“No,” said Salazar. “She’s right. People don’t care. And I am as guilty as any other. We’ve lived cut off from the tragedy that is Vale for far too long. We refuse to admit that while we live in luxury and safety, the rest of our people are dying by the hundreds. Our bellies are full while others starve. But I swear to you that I will ignore it no longer. This suffering must end.”
“I wish I could believe you,” Linx told him. “I want to. But the truth is…”
“I know. The truth is that you’ve heard this before. Vague promises of how Troi is working to cure the sickness that plagues our world. But I say we are not doing enough. Not even close.” He looked over to Drake. “That’s why I left. And how I ended up in the clutches of those Exodus monsters.”
“I shouldn’t be hearing this,” Drake said. “The reasons you and your father fought are between the two of you.”
Salazar slapped him on the shoulder. “Always the cautious one. And I understand that well enough. If I had lived the life you have been forced to, I wouldn’t want anything to jeopardize my chance to go home again. But know this: I genuinely do intend to honor my promise. Life in Vale will get better for all those who live within the barrier.”
They drove until dawn before finding a small town where they could purchase fresh clothing for the prince and some decent food. After they had eaten, Drake sent Linx off to find them a room where they could rest and figure out their next move. Once she was gone, he and the prince sat down on a bench in front of the eatery.
“Not the best fare,” Salazar remarked. “But better than the bile Exodus fed me.”
“You’ll be home soon. Then you can leave all this behind.”
“No,” he retorted. “I can’t. I meant what I said. Things must change. I see that now more clearly than ever.” He cast his eyes over the broken buildings and ragged people walking about. “Look at this. People should not be forced to endure such conditions.”
“Begging your pardon, Your Highness, but you’ve always known what it’s like out here. What’s changed?”
“I have. After you were exiled, I spent most of my time lost in drink. I was miserable without you.” He lowered his head and chuckled softly. “What a selfish child I was. Here you were, living in misery, and I was the one feeling sorry for myself.” His eyes were welling with tears. “You were like a brother to me. I hope you know that. It tore me apart to know what had become of you.”
Drake placed his hand on Salazar’s shoulder. “I thought of you in the same way. But none of it was your fault.”
“Wasn’t it? I knew the evidence was false. So did my father. And yet we did nothing.”
“Your father spared my life,” said Drake. “And because of that, I get to go home.”
“Say what you like, the fact remains that we were both cowards unwilling to stand up to the other noble houses.” The prince wiped his eyes and leaned back in the bench. “I sent men out to look for you so I would know how you were faring. They reported back that you had become a hawker. I could hardly believe it. You, of all people – a hunter of men and a paid killer. It was then that true realization dawned. If this world could cause a man of your strength and quality to sink so low, what must it be doing to the rest of the people in Vale?” He paused to look Drake in the eye. “Please forgive the insult. I know you only did what you had to in order to survive.”
Drake was not insulted. “I appreciate what you are saying, Your Highness. But what can you do? There is only so much food to go around. The land is still sick. Nothing can change that.”
Salazar’s face hardened. “You are wrong. There is something I can do. I have found a way to help the people.”
“Really? How?”
“You will see. I’ll explain in full once we’re safely back in Troi.” He smiled warmly. “And with you to aid me, I know we can do it.”
Linx bounded up a few minutes later and led them to a small boarding house where they were able to bathe and get some rest. The prince fell asleep on the bed almost the moment his head struck the pillow. Linx decided to lie down on the floor, while Drake kicked his feet over the arm of the only chair in the room and slumped down. Though his wounds still ached terribly, they were healing and no longer a major concern.
The final thought before sleep took him was: How the hell were they going to get into Troi without being seen?
* * * * *
When he woke, his neck was stiff from sleeping in an awkward position. Though it was still dark, he could see could Linx curled up in her blanket nearby. She was mumbling softly in her sleep. His eyes then shifted over to the bed. It was empty. He scrambled up to his feet.
“I’m here,” said the prince.
Only then did Drake see his silhouette in the window. “Are you all right, Your Highness?” he asked.
“When we were children, you called me Salazar.”
“As I recall, your mother did not approve.”
The prince laughed quietly. “She was always a bit too proper for my taste.”
“Maybe. But if not for her, you would have been running around the streets of Troi with me instead of learning your lessons.”
“I think I might have been better off with you,” he said, his tone distant and filled with regret. “What has it all achieved?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
He sighed. “I’ve spent my life learning about the politics of Troi. Yet I know nothing of Vale. If I am to be king one day, I must look to the good of all. My father…” His shoulders sagged.
“Your father is a good man, and a wise ruler. If you see what needs to be done, speak with him. I’m sure he’ll listen to you.”
“I have tried. I know you love him, Drake. But my father is too weak to do what is
needed. And I fear that when my time comes to rule, it will already be too late.”
Drake creased his brow. “What are you saying?”
Salazar looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Nothing, my friend. Take no notice of me. You should go back to sleep. I am just unsettled right now. So much has happened, and I am not as strong as you. Tomorrow is a new day. I’m sure I will be myself again by then.”
He turned and crossed over to the bed, pausing to place a hand on Drake’s shoulder.
Drake returned to his chair and settled back down. But sleep was now elusive. There had been a time when he could practically read the prince’s thoughts. Something was disturbing him…deeply. And it went well beyond his captivity. It was as if a shroud had been placed over Salazar’s heart and he was struggling to find a way to remove it.
Drake watched his childhood friend until his breathing was steady. Dawn would come soon, and they needed a plan. The key was the magistrate’s office in lower Troi, he felt. If the prince could make it that far, then there would be no hiding his presence from the king. Even if somehow the magistrate were in on the scheming, there would be no way for her to keep the prince’s arrival a secret. One thing was certain: should it be Xavier who was behind all of this, he would do everything possible to stop them from reaching it.
Then, of course, there was Bane. How could he have not seen through the man’s lies? Drake swore to settle with him in due course. Fisk too. And whoever else was involved.
As the first light began filtering through the window, he still had no idea how to get Salazar into Troi unseen. But one thing was clear: they could not stay here for much longer. Even battered and bruised, someone was bound to recognize the prince sooner or later.
He heard Linx stir.
“Didn’t you sleep?” She yawned, her eyes peeling open. She smacked her lips and crinkled her nose, blowing a breath into her palm.
“I’ve only been up for a short while,” he told her.
She stretched and rubbed the back of her neck. “You figure out what to do yet?”
Drake shrugged. “I’m working on it.”
Pushing herself up, she retrieved a toothbrush and paste from her pack. “Well, I know how I’d do it.”
“And how is that?”
“The train from Antwerp, of course. There are only a few guards there. They don’t even check you getting on, and it takes you right inside Troi.” She paused before entering the restroom. “Much easier than storming the gates, don’t you think?”
Drake thought about it. It was actually a good idea. Very few people rode the subterranean rails. And she was right – you were only security-checked as you got off. They could board the train without being challenged at all. If they could somehow then get through the checkpoint after arriving, they would be home free. It certainly wouldn’t be possible to make it to upper Troi from there, but that wasn’t the objective. Nothing after that was in place to prevent them from entering lower Troi.
Even so, getting through the checkpoint would not be as simple as all that. The fact that only a few guards manned it was mainly due to the lack of traffic coming in from Antwerp. Everyone arriving still had no choice but to show their identification. Drake had one, although Xavier would likely be notified the moment he used it. And that didn’t get either the prince or Linx safely in.
Salazar awoke a short time later, and Drake informed him of Linx’s idea.
“How many men guard the entrance?” was the first thing he asked.
“No more than three.”
“And will they be magistrate officers or royal guard?”
“Magistrate,” Drake told him. “Usually new recruits. Though occasionally the royal guard does send someone there for a short spell as a punishment. It’s hot, and there’s nowhere to sit. Just a booth for checking identifications. There’s a parking garage just beyond that, which should be helpful. I’m afraid we’ll need to steal a vehicle.” He hated the thought of leaving Cal in Antwerp, but he would come back for her as soon as possible.
“And you’re sure we couldn’t make it through the main highway into Troi?”
Drake spread his hands. “If I knew who to trust, it would be possible. But remember, doing it that way would let them know very early on that I’d found you.”
Linx, who had been listening silently to the pair of them, suddenly spoke. “I think I can get us through the checkpoint.” She rummaged through her pack and pulled out a small cloth. Inside were three blank ID cards.
“Those won’t get us in,” said Drake. “They’ll know they’re fake the second they’re scanned.”
“They’re not fake,” she insisted. “They’re blank. All I need is a minute at the station console in Antwerp, and ta-da!”
Drake raised an eyebrow. “You’ve done this before?”
“Once.”
“Did it work?” asked Salazar, looking equally skeptical.
Linx shifted on her feet. “Well…not exactly. But I know what went wrong, so it’ll definitely work this time.”
“The problem would be getting access to a terminal.”
“Oh, that’ll be easy,” she countered. “Just knock the guard out. It only has to last long enough for us to get into Troi, right?”
“It’s a five-hour ride,” Drake informed her. “We’d have to kill them.”
“Is that a problem?” asked Salazar.
“No, Your Highness, I suppose not. But you should be aware that the guards minding the Antwerp end of the rail are usually very young. Not to mention, the magistrate might not be involved at all. Killing one of their officers is probably not the best way to enlist their help.”
He couldn’t help but be bothered that the prince was so willing to take a life. The bastards at Exodus were one thing, but killing like this was something else completely. The person minding the platform was there simply to help people. They didn’t even check identifications. The mana terminal was mostly used to help visitors find the best spots to camp or fish.
“I suppose I could stay behind,” offered Linx. “I’ll keep the guard prisoner. But you have to promise to send for me once everything is sorted out.”
Drake looked at Salazar, who nodded his approval.
“You haven’t promised yet,” Linx told him in a stern tone.
The prince smiled and bowed. “You have my word, dear lady. Moreover, once I send for you, you can remain in Troi for as long as you wish as reward for your assistance.”
“Will I get my own apartment and everything?”
The prince laughed. “Of course. I think that would be a most fitting reward for your service to me.”
A tiny smile crept up from the corners of her mouth. “What about Cal?”
“If something happens to me, she’s yours,” said Drake.
“Then what are we waiting for? It’s a long way to Antwerp.” She handed the prince one of the blank ID cards.
Salazar watched as Linx began shoving her things into her pack. “I value loyalty above all else, young lady,” he told her, flicking the card with his thumb. “Do well, and your future is assured.”
Drake was unsure if he could count on Linx being able to pull it off. Falsifying identification was extremely difficult. Each card was infused with a tiny piece of mana linked to a specific person. The records were stored in an immense chamber within the power station itself. To add a name to the records, one needed to be a level six officer of the magistrate. The person watching the train platform would be level one – two at best. But Linx seemed confident. And without a better alternative, her plan was worth a try.
After a quick breakfast, they started out. Seeing Cal in daylight brought a heavy frown to Drake’s face. The damage to her door was bad, and on starting her up, he thought he could hear a slight tick in the engine. A pity he couldn’t take her to Dorn.
He wondered if the old man knew just what a bastard his son was. He liked to think that Dorn was completely unaware of what had happened. But even if that were true, Ba
ne was still his son. And it would be wrong to do business with the father of a man whom you intended to kill. That said, he would likely have to get to him before the prince did. Salazar was indeed a man who prized loyalty; he always had been. But he was also a man who held a grudge like no other.
Bane’s days were definitely numbered.
Chapter Thirteen
Salazar and Linx spent hours talking along the way. Mostly the prince asked about her life in the provinces and seemed highly impressed with how she had managed to survive. Drake could tell that something was going on in his old friend’s mind, and whatever that was, it was weighing heavily on him. Each time Linx told him about some atrocity or injustice, his eyes would close for a moment as if having some heated debate with himself.
Salazar mostly told stories about his childhood with Drake.
“Drake always says that we met by accident,” he told her. “But I say it was fate. His father was demonstrating some new gadget he had invented. For the life of me, I can’t remember what it was. Something to do with uniforms, I think.”
“It was a projectile resistant cloth,” Drake told him. “They still use it for magistrate officer uniforms.”
Salazar rolled his eyes. “Well, of course, you would remember.” He gave Linx a playful grin. “He was always so proud of his father’s work. You should have seen him as a child, constantly boasting, as if his parent had created mana itself.”
“He was a brilliant man. Besides, your father was the king. I had to brag about something.”
Salazar blew out a long breath. “Don’t let him lie, Linx. He was genuinely proud of his father’s accomplishments. And to be honest, the man was indeed brilliant. The best researcher in Vale, according to my father….and Drake.”
“The king allowed the two of you to be friends?”
“Allowed? He insisted upon it. Drake was with his father at the demonstration. Did I mention it was in the magistrate’s training facility? Well, that’s where it was. I was playing with some other children – nobles, and spoiled rotten, the lot of them. We were up on the balcony while the adults were below on the training floor. When I heard gunfire, I went to see what was happening.”
The Vale: Behind The Vale Page 17