Arkady stopped and stared at her. “How many would you have me kill without just warrant?”
Electra wagged her finger at him. “Oh, no, you don’t! I will not get dragged into that fallacious argument! You are the Defense Minister of the Empire, just as Duke is the Field Marshal. You can take action, if you decide to. Yes, you will be called to account for it, as Duke is right now for what he did here. But if it is the right action, you know you will be granted the right retroactively!”
Arkady looked hard at her and then over at Vesta. “She’s annoying.”
“Only because she is right, and you know you cannot ignore what she is saying.”
Arkady sighed. “Let’s gather more intelligence, and see if we can come up with some plans.” He looked back and forth between the two of them. “If we can confirm they plan to attack Gracia or the Assembly, I agree to a preemptive strike. Besides, we need to determine what we can do about Hisuru Amajoo. It is far larger than we expected. Its location makes it almost impregnable, even if we could attack it openly. As it is, it will be nearly impossible to strike at it without revealing ourselves.”
We have another cycle before the Assembly meeting. I know the Nhia-Samri are going to strike the Assembly the moment it decides. That is in line with what Shar-Lumen is known for. He likes dramatic events with surprising victories.
Electra paced and thought. “We have to act in no less than three weeks.”
Vesta examined a data pad. “Yes, that will give us time to clean up any evidence of our involvement, before it can be discovered.”
Arkady’s tone was one of partial defeat. “Agreed. On the intelligence side, how are we doing with the new species?”
Vesta handed him the data pad she had been examining, which flowed smoothly between them.
Oh, Arkady must have established that higher bandwidth link he was working on. We can share data faster now.
Arkady looked at the data. “Another two weeks? That is cutting it kind of tight.”
Vesta shrugged. “They are killing every delivery bug and dragonfly I send. I have only been able to get some intelligence-programmed nanobots into the scouts.”
- - -
Dohma had risen early, cleaned and dressed in his best. The special light armor provided by Orahda that lay hidden in all of his clothes was barely noticeable. The day before, all of his party had trimmed their hair and beards. This was the day they would arrive in Gracia, the great star of the Duianna Empire and the first city of all the realms. He had made sure to be in a perfect place, near the bow of the ship, to both be seen and to see the coming spectacle.
As the sun started to come up over the horizon, the captain ordered clean standards raised. Above him, he knew the flags of the Alliance and Aelargo were flying. Below those was the flag of the secretary of the Alliance, whose ship this was. Even the sailors wanted to make a good impression, having spent their prior day scrubbing the ship and themselves. Dohma stood proudly as the great city came into view.
All of their preparations seemed a waste. Dohma felt smaller and more rustic the closer they got to the grand city, until he stood open-mouthed, staring at the wonder before him. The white pillars of the sea gate rose three hundred feet, from the water line into the air. A filigree-carved vine entwined around them from the base to the ornate, arched mantle that spanned the two hundred feet between them. Two polished silver gates stood wide open, allowing hundreds of ships to pass in and out of the city docks daily. The walls of the capital of the founding empire were the same pure white as those of Llino, except these sparkled in the sunlight. The vast capital city, surrounded by its large walls, sprawled away into the distance, rising in a series of tiers, until encountering the granite pillar at its center.
That pillar is almost four miles away, and yet, it looks close. I know it is a full mile in diameter. The top of it was leveled for the palace complex.
Atop the granite pillar, a hundred feet above the roof line of its city, sat the grand palace of the Emperor of Duianna. From the spires of the palace could be seen the eight standards of the Alliance members surrounding two other standards flown higher: that of the Alliance, and above all of them, the standard of the Duianna Empire.
Those must be enormous flags to be so clearly seen at this distance.
Behind him, Orahda harrumphed, “This place is too full of itself.”
Dohma turned around, looking at his arms master. Is he joking?
The look on Orahda’s face was one of scorn.
That is the same look he gives to students who are trying to show off, before he takes them down several pegs.
“Llino doesn’t even compare to this fine city. How can you say that?”
Orahda bowed to him. “My apologies. No offense intended, but I prefer the simpler elegance of our home, my Lord.”
He has gone formal.
His other Dagger guards were all standing at attention, Cundia in the lead. Cundia also bowed to him. “It won’t happen again, Milord.”
Are we already so closely observed?
Orahda made eye contact with him, and then glanced upward to the side of the gate. Turning back around, Dohma again looked on the marvel, except then he was wary. He assessed the flashes of light from atop the walls that were more than sparkling crystals in the walls.
Those are field glasses, inspecting all of the ships. We are being observed, and I was standing there with my mouth open.
He schooled his looks to be bored and leaned against the rails while he continued to marvel at all he saw.
A port navigator met them as they passed through the sea gates. In little time, the ship had been moored at a central dock that communicated with a long road that stretched straight, off into the distance, towards the palace. Two large carriages and a clean baggage trap were waiting as the plank was lowered. Porters ran up the ramp and dove into the luggage holds, disturbing a group of seagulls that had been resting on the pier. A pure white seagull cried a complaint as it jumped out of the way. It flew to the top of a nearby post and then watched them reproachfully.
The captain escorted Dohma down the ramp. At the base of the ramp, surrounded by assistants and servants, was a regal-looking gentleman dressed in a military-looking green silk coat. On his chest were five rows of military ribbons and medals. Gold bars rested on his shoulders with the customary golden rope loops dangling down his arm and shoulders. On the stiff collar were four gold stars in a circle.
A senior general is meeting me. I hope this is as much a sign of respect as I feel it is.
The captain stood tall before the general and saluted him. The general returned the salute and looked at Dohma.
The captain motioned. “Your Most Honorable Lord General Edugan Dumelu Neyon, Count of Waylisia, Imperial General of the Cavalry of the Duianna Empire, it my distinct pleasure to introduce His Excellency, Lord Dohma Uriosal, Chief Regent of Aelargo.”
The general came to attention and saluted. “SIR.”
The blood rushed from his head and he felt a sudden knot in his stomache.
My Lord, this is Electra’s grandfather!
For a moment, he forgot he was supposed to acknowledge the salute, but the blood flowed and he came to attention and saluted back. “Count Neyon, thank you for the honor.”
The general finished his salute.
I think I can make this friendlier.
He stepped towards the general, extending his hand. “I am pleased to meet you, Sir. I didn’t realize Countess Electra was married! She is very efficient, and I would not be here without her prompt attention to detail.”
It worked. He saw the pride glisten in the general’s eyes and the slight straightening of his back.
A double compliment well received, both that his granddaughter is efficient and that he looks young enough to be her husband, rather than her grandfather.
The general’s face cracked like the granite pillar behind him, removing the frown. “Ah, I am married, and only have one son. You speak of my grandda
ughter. Thank you, Sir. She makes this old soldier very proud, as her father does. I have abdicated my role as Count of Waylisia in favor of my son. However, as you know, the title remains emeritus. Please call me Edugan or General Neyon in formal company.”
Dohma kept his tone one of sudden understanding. “Ah, I see. A natural misunderstanding, I am sure.” He then half turned to face both the general and his party behind him. “Allow me to introduce my party. These are my trusted advisors and guards. First is the Most Honorable Lady Cundia Santalg, of Cawli, Dagger in service to Aelargo, head of my personal guard, and my privy councilor.” The general and Cundia exchanged curt soldier nods.
“This is her second, the Most Honorable Lord Orahda Ima of Carda, my second privy councilor.”
The general looked at him. Dohma saw the look of recognition and shock in the general’s expression.
Of course. You met him before, during the war.
The general coughed. “Orahda, is it? Well, a pleasure to meet you.”
Orahda didn’t show any unusual sign and bowed to the general. “My pleasure, General.”
“The other four are Kyra, Arford, Tenby, and Thenia, my personal guards and Daggers in service to Aelargo.”
The general looked over the seven of them and nodded. “Very impressive, using Daggers for both guards and councilors. I have a lot of respect for Daggers. Now,” he said, gesturing to the carriage, “allow me to escort you to the palace.”
- - -
Electra wiggled in excitement as she watched the carriages being loaded while Lord Dohma, Lady Cundia, and Lord Orahda spoke with her grandfather at the docks. Her body didn’t want to sit still, she was so happy. She spun around in the chair, jumping out of it to do a little dance, hopping from one foot to the other and giggling.
Vesta looked over from the monitors and controls she was working on. “The meeting between your grandfather and Lord Dohma went well?”
Electra spun in a circle. “I can’t believe it! My grandfather smiled at him—well, as close to a smile as he gives anyone in public. Oh, that is a good sign.”
“Your grandfather’s opinion matters that much to you?”
Electra stopped spinning. “Yes. He isn’t the most agreeable man to live with, but he has a good heart and is an excellent judge of character. I don’t know why I am so attracted to Lord Dohma, but if my grandfather likes him, it makes my heart all the lighter.”
“Yes, but this isn’t a fair meeting, is it? Dohma knew who your grandfather was, but your grandfather couldn’t know who Lord Dohma really is.”
That gave her pause. She stopped spinning and frowned. Thinking out loud was easier than thinking silently, so she thought out loud. “Yes, well, my grandfather would have started off with a bad opinion of him, and he would have had to climb up out of that hole. Now, he starts off even-footed and my grandfather’s opinion will go up or down over the next few weeks. My father will form his own opinion as well, but my father often looks to my grandfather for advice on people. Lord Dohma will be observed, even when he doesn’t know it. My grandfather and father will be watching everything he, and all the other Alliance representatives, do. I think that will result in a fair assessment. Only this has a better chance, because my father won’t be judging him as a possible son-in-law. That will come later.” That seemed to make it all clear, and she nodded once to underscore her sound reasoning.
Vesta chuckled and then turned back to the complex work she was doing, creating some new support creatures. But then she looked back at the monitors behind Electra.
Vesta stood and shouted, “ARKADY!”
Electra spun around to see what disaster could have alarmed Vesta so. All that was there was the palace guardsman closing the carriage door. She could see her grandfather and Lord Dohma were seated, facing front.
Arkady appeared, looking worried. “Why did you use that signal?”
Vesta pointed at the monitors, and Arkady turned to look. The display shifted to a still image of Lord Orahda stepping into the carriage.
Arkady’s hand went to his beard and gave it a hard tug, his eyes narrowing. “Impossible! He’s dead!”
- - -
Lebuin pulled the cloak tighter around him. He had shields once again, but he still felt vulnerable, especially considering where they were heading.
I never thought I’d be voluntarily walking into the Night Market!
His heart was racing and his feet were cold as ice. He glanced at Ticca, who was strolling next to him.
How can she look so calm, walking into this place? She, better than anyone, should know how dangerous this is. She has been watching the activities here for weeks.
Ticca whispered, “Lebuin, straighten up and get control. You’re supposed to be the rich buyer here. I’m just the hired protection. Right now, you look like you’re about to die of fright.”
He concentrated, seeking comfort in his mage training. Calming his system, he forced his breathing to be slow and regular. He pushed the fear away and found he could hold at an almost trance-like state that kept his emotions in check. “Is this better?”
Ticca’s head snapped around and she looked at him. “Wow, that was perfect. You sound cold and uncaring.”
“I am cold and uncaring.”
She looked at him, her eyes narrowed.
“I’m using my training to suppress my feelings.”
She nodded. “It’s working better than you know.”
The sun was already gone from the sky as they approached the entrance to the Night Market. It was a gateless, arched opening in a tall wall that surrounded the market area with no other entrances. The archway was just large enough to allow a carriage through on either side of a statue, which stood in the center of the entry.
That statue looks familiar.
As he examined it, it moved. In spite of his tight control, his heart skipped a beat. The statue had shifted from a maiden in a summer dress, holding a shopping basket in the crook of her right arm, her left hand held out as if inviting people in; to holding the basket tightly to her chest, her hand held up as if warning people off.
What is that about?
Ticca ignored it and kept moving towards the entrance, so he followed her lead and kept moving. As they got closer, he realized why it looked familiar.
Lords and Ladies, that is Kliasa!
He shifted to mage sight and examined the statue. It was magical. In fact, it was infused with an even distribution of magic.
This is identical to the small statue in Magus Vestul’s workshop. He made this statue and put it here. Why?
Grabbing Ticca’s arm, he stopped her. Maintaining his cold lack of emotion was helping a lot. He could feel his emotions would be running more wild, if he hadn’t been using the semi-trance state to hold them in check. “Ticca, that is Kliasa.”
Ticca’s eyes narrowed at him, and then she turned to look at the statue again. “You’re right! I haven’t given it much thought since I learned what she looked like.”
“Do you think we should proceed?”
She motioned with her eyes toward the shadowy guard just inside the entrance. “We should not turn and walk away now.”
He looked at the lurking figure. “Very well.” He adjusted his hood so his face was in the dark, except for his chin and mouth, then stepped towards the entrance. The sun had set, so he activated his enhanced vision incantation. The world snapped into sharp clarity as the incantation allowed him to see as well as an owl and hawk combined. There were a lot more people than he thought in the Night Market area, almost all of them moving and hiding in the shadows. Ticca followed him in the proper hired guard position.
As he walked past the statue, the shadowy figure spoke out, his voice gritty like the street. “Yer new. Who are ya?”
He stopped and looked at the figure. “None of your business.”
I’m surprised that this state affects me so much. My tone would scare almost anyone.
“Right ya are, gov. I jus’ wanted ta
let ya know da rules.”
Lebuin sneered. “I know them.”
Time to be dismissive, I think. He stepped past the guard and walked on without looking back. This is going to give me nightmares, I’m sure of it.
Once inside, he looked around.
Ticca said any information merchants–or ‘confidences Hands,’ as they are called–will be very well-dressed.
None of the Hands present were dressed well enough, so he walked to a vacant, dark spot a short distance inside the gate, where they could wait for the right kind of Hand to arrive.
Ticca hung close to him. “There should be one coming soon, sir.”
Lebuin didn’t acknowledge her chatter, as if it was below him. Instead, he stood with the air of someone you should not approach.
Nonetheless, someone came at him from behind, breaking his detection circle. He spun to face the attacker. Ticca was already on the move; she had two knives out and kicked the person hard enough that he fell backwards. She started to move in to slice the assailant’s throat.
No, I don’t want to kill people. How can I stop her? Inspiration came.
Lebuin held up his hand. “No need for that right now. I’m not paying for random assassinations.”
Ticca looked at the fallen man a second with steely eyes before sheathing her knives.
“You’re paying,” she spat out, as if disappointed.
Turning, Ticca sauntered back to her original position, seeming to pay absolutely no attention to the assailant, who scurried away as fast as a cockroach caught in the light.
He scanned the nearby area with his enhanced vision to confirm they were alone before whispering, “Are we established now?”
Ticca whispered back, “Somewhat. There will be another attack if we wait much longer without doing any business. Thank you for that masterful stop order.”
“Would you really have slit his throat?”
“If I didn’t, we would be marked, and it would be a hard fight to clear.”
It felt like an eternity, to stand waiting for what they sought. A dignified Hand strode through the entrance as if he owned the whole place. He was wearing a red, velvet-lined, black cape over a well-tailored doublet which looked like an embroidered dark green silk in the light of the torches by the entrance. The torches’ flames danced on his highly shined leather boots with silver buckles. The gold chain with fob in his doublet pockets completed the look.
Thread Strands (Golden Threads Trilogy) Page 35