Catalyst (The Second Cycle Book 1)

by Solstice Locke

  CHAPTER SIX

  NOT AS ADVERTISED

  1

  Even the Vacuan prisons were fancy. Jade had spent a night or two—or seven—in prisons and cages. A few memories she would rather repress were of captivity as a prisoner, slave, she honestly didn’t know what the proper term would be—dog? A childhood alone on Montressor spit out worse than her, but no one left without dragging some serious scars with them—emotional and physical.

  Montressor was Harrowind’s main island. The hub of all its activity and the only one with a Glint mine. At one point, Montressor had been the most thriving of the Islands. The center of trade throughout Liore. Its wealth had allowed the main city to grow and expand to a size no longer sustainable now that airships negated the need for water travel. Montressor was a broken monolith. Stone buildings rose high above the horizon and docks spanned most of the shoreline. Jade, through no fault of hers, had been more on that wretched island. Or, at least, she assumed she was born there since that is where her memories started. Memories of cages.

  This place was positively swank in comparison. The walls and floors were matte white stone, polished and buffed. She’d run her hands over the bars to check for rust, but there was no catch of flaking metal on her fingers. The meals they served here were better than feasts she’d had back home. Even after fleeing Montressor, she’d rarely had a meal that was hot, let alone seasoned.

  “If this is how you treat your prisoners, I might be inclined to prolong my stay,” she mentioned to a passing guard. He ignored her.

  After wailing for half a day, they had returned her book to her so she could pass time in her cell. Once tempers had settled over her actions with their beloved ‘captain.’ Her spine still ached from the knee digging into her back on the Peregrine’s deck. Still. It was worth it.

  The book she had asked for was inconsequential to anyone but her, anyway. Its cover was a disaster, wearing the years spent in her care in tears and dog-eared corners. It had a spine streaked with creases of love, for she had read it more times than she could count. The Sovereign's Thief held a place in Jade’s heart that very few could reach. She laid back so her hair spilled over the edge of her thin mattress and her legs were extended up the wall, holding her book open above her face.

  Jade was reading quietly when a soldier arrived. A man in stately dress followed the soldier and she was ordered to her feet. With a sigh, she rearranged herself. She knew who the stately man was, anyway, and he was late.

  “Thank you, sir, I can find my own way from here.” Alexi Stanislav was the type of figure more at home in dark studies with mahogany wood, leather books, and possibly a pipe. He was out of place amongst the minimalist Legion decor. He wore black, on grey, on black. The materials were no finer than her own, for all the status he held as Harrowind’s Ambassador to Vacua.

  The soldier hesitated, but Alexi tapped the official, shiny badge pinned to his jacket and the soldier stifled his protest. Once he was gone, Alexi set both hands on the top of his cane, a silver stick with a silver ball on top. It was the most colorful thing he owned.

  Jade sauntered to the bars and threaded her arms through. She leaned with poor posture and Alexi stood as straight as his cane.

  “What’s the word, boss?” She started, but judging by his firm stare and the now thinner line of his lips, he was unamused.

  “Don’t refer to me as ‘boss.’ Especially not here. Have you no sense at all?” He glanced in the direction of the soldier, neck creaking. Jade had tried to guess how old he was, but he wouldn’t affirm her attempts. Less than 60 but older than 30. Wrinkles had just begun to form around his eyes, but his flaxen white hair was beginning to dull at the temples to an ash color.

  “Aye, sir.” Jade saluted.

  Alexi’s eyes narrowed further and he scrutinized her with a look that suggested he was reconsidering his faith in her.

  “Your friend, the one that hovers at your elbow, I’ve made sure you are both given the proper sentencing,” Alexi started. Jade wrinkled her nose. Had he not bothered to remember their names? “Which means Kannan will be speaking with both of you. She insists on handling every transfer personally. I don’t want to leave anything to chance, not with that woman involved.”

  Jade knew the name ‘Kannan’ from somewhere. “So?”

  Alexi’s grip tightened on his cane. “General Vika Kannan is very much a concern.”

  “General.” Jade snapped her fingers. “That’s where I heard the name. It was going to bug me.”

  “This is not a joke.” He tucked the cane under his arm and leered at her. “Kannan is my biggest obstacle. For you and all my efforts in this country. Lately, she’s been sniffing out my...selected associates. I fear she is growing suspicious, but I can’t be certain. You two are not the first I’ve smuggled into her army. And you...you look born and bred in Harrowind.”

  So do you, but I pull it off, she thought, with a haughty rise of her chin. She said, “Then isn’t it a bit...obvious for the Ambassador of Harrowind to be visiting?”

  He shook his head, his brow creasing. “Of course, which is why I am using my Vanguard’s name.”

  “That’s a dick move. Then he’s arrested instead of you if this goes to shit?”

  Alexi’s nostrils flared, his faded eyes smoldering. He was stood very still and very straight. “Not that it is any concern of yours, but my Vanguard is in full knowledge of everything I’m doing. And he is happy to lend his name to the service of Harrowind, as is expected of a Harrowind soldier.”

  “Ah, yes, I forgot. I’m here as a patriot,” Jade added with a sing-song inflection to drive home the irony of her statement.

  “You’re here as a thief and smuggler.”

  “And my services to my country will be properly rewarded, right? I’ll get a trophy with my name on it? I expect a medal and a personal thanks from the Chancellor, at the very least.” His confidence in her was dwindling. She could see it in his eyes. She saw the words ‘Why did I recruit this idiot to steal from the Legion on Harrowind’s behalf?’ She relented and said, “Alright, what is it you want me to do?”

  “I have secured a man to your case, or rather, to all the cases that will be presented to Kannan tomorrow. Jonas Avery will be your lawyer for the trial and he will do what is necessary to persuade Kannan. I need you to repeat what I tell you so he knows you’re one of mine.” Alexi’s brooding stoicism had returned. She didn’t envy him. Emissary of Harrowind in one of the more thriving of the five nations. That had to suck. He wore it, too, in wrinkles born of worry and thought. The fading imprint of a wedding band. That terrible outfit. Jade had the fleeting image of his soul pouring out sideways, eeking out through the cracks in his pride.

  “I can work with a script.”

  “It is vital that you do.” He eyed her, but she met his stare evenly. “You’re one to let impulse rule you, see that you quell that flaw when talking with Kannan.”

  “I’ll do my utmost.”

  He went through his secret code twice, making her repeat after him, and then triple checked. Jade assured him she would be on her best behavior. She had winked for good measure. He had, again, not found her amusing.

  “When you are through with training and properly assigned to the Legion, I will set up a correspondence based on your placement. The transfer of goods can be handled at that time, when I can more appropriately assess the situation.”

  Jade agreed with a silent nod. She had no intention of following through on any of his requests once she was in the Legion. Loyalty to a country that bore her nothing but misery was difficult to conjure. Jade was loyal to people and so far, very few had made the cut and one of them was back in Stone Harbor, dying. The Legion was a way to get some proper medication home, as well as a ticket out. Two birds, one stone.

  “Now. Your friend was harder to locate. I asked for the most annoying woman in custody and was lead straight to you.”

  “Maybe if you knew his name…” she prompted.

  A
lexi didn’t rise to her bait. If he cared about forgetting Liam’s name, it didn’t show. “I do not have a lot of time to spare in Legion prisons, so if you’ll refrain from jokes and tell me his name I can return to my real work.”

  “Is this not real work? Sure gets me in the mood for a coffee break.”

  How long before she shattered his faith completely? She was willing to bet she could to it in five more minutes.

  Jade sighed. He wasn’t playing along anymore. There was no fun in it now. “His name is Liam.”

  “Liam what? What is his surname?”

  “He doesn’t have one.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Jade pressed her face to the bars, whispering, “Do not mention the last name thing to him. He is really sensitive about it.”

  Alexi paused. Then he let out an exasperated, “I don’t have time for this,” and left.

  “Trust me! Don’t ask him about the last name. It’s just Liam,” she tried to call after him, but he wasn’t stopping.

  Her warning went unacknowledged. Joking aside, she hoped Alexi remembered not to comment on Liam’s lack of surname. His family name dredged up painful memories. She could picture the exact shift to his features at the mention of his father. If only to spare Liam, let that arrogant politician be tactful.

  2

  Dian Faer had climbed the stairs to Legion Headquarters thousands of times. As a boy, each step had taken his entire stride to clear while he tried to keep pace with his father. As a Warrant Officer, twenty years old and fresh from Oxbridge, he thought nothing of the climb except that it was marble under his boots and a one way path into a career. Now, on his way to the promotion ceremony, each step weighed him down.

  Three years ahead of his schedule. His steps should have felt lighter.

  Amir Jesiah waited under the portico in the shadow of a column. He was in full dress uniform. White jacket, double-breasted buttons, black pants. Dian wore the same except with a few more ribbons. Jesiah clapped his shoulder with affection.

  “Ready?”

  Dian straightened his shoulders, adjusted the starched collar of his jacket, tried to answer him without lying.

  “Faer? Feeling alright?”

  Dian tapped his fingers against the hilt of his sword. He was crossing off personal goals faster than planned. Pouring himself into his career. He had come so far and had worked his ass off to get there. He looked out at Azlemaine and asked, “Did you always want to join the Legion?”

  Jesiah shrugged. “I wanted a good job with decent pay. I’ve got a lot of people depending on me at home. The Legion offers the best benefits for them.”

  Of course. Dian knew that. “How’s your mother doing?”

  “Fine. Tired. Still keeps a lock of my hair under her pillow for luck, since my career is so dangerous and prays for me every night. Why are you stalling, Faer?”

  Dian grew up in the country. A small mountain town that had more natural wildlife than people. Where trees were taller than buildings. He still had a home there, with his mother and sister. They were provided for, his father had seen to their security after his death. Dian should visit, but more powerful than his fond nostalgia were the years of demands and constant training for a life he didn’t want.

  The air in Azlemaine was too thick with enchantments. That floral, sweet smell was cloying in such quantities. And it was freezing more often than not.

  Why am I stalling?

  Dian turned to Jesiah, smiling. “I needed a moment. Let’s go.”

  The promotion ceremony was held inside the auditorium. A room that was currently vacant except for necessary personnel and a few wrangled non-commissioned soldiers pulled from their menial tasks to be placeholders in the audience. So it would appear like people cared. Jesiah was the only attendee who had no obligation to be there. Though, Dian’s mother would have come. If she knew.

  General Vika Kannan made a brief appearance. She offered a few encouraging words, a stiff handshake, and then made her exit. Dian was handed his new rank insignia and a purely ceremonial certificate. Then everyone left. It was all over in ten minutes.

  Jesiah met him outside, grinning. “How does it feel, Major Faer?” Jesiah didn’t share Dian’s ambition. He’d been happy to plateau early, collect his paycheck, and send those benefits to his six younger siblings and overworked mother.

  “Not as good as Commander is going to feel.” Dian rolled up his certificate. He would file it with the others later. “I’m going to finish some paperwork while I’m here—”

  “Don’t you get a few days off?”

  “Yes.”

  Jesiah shook his head. “Take a day. Eat something nice. Go out. Relax. Read a manual. I assume reading manuals is something you find relaxing? Or perhaps the official Legion handbook.”

  Dian smiled. “I’ll take leave after I get my assignment.”

  “Man, I am not looking forward to you being my boss.”

  “I already submitted your name.”

  “Then I hope it’s not approved.” Jesiah waved goodbye, leaving Dian to his task.

  Tall windows let in slants of sunlight along the spacious hallways. Dian paced his walk to fit two steps into each square of stone as he headed for the offices of his former Kestrel unit. A tunneling effect carried a light breeze up and down the corridors of HQ until he crossed into the far interior of the building.

  Dian was the type of soldier that melded with the uniform. It didn’t simply rest on his shoulders until the work day ended; it stayed with him in every moment of his day. He was a natural. A born legionnaire. He’d been molded to be such since infancy. The Colonel had been a strict mentor, a rigid disciplinarian, and occasionally a stern father. It was vaguely frustrating how easily Dian had assimilated into the life. He had a knack for it that, along with his determination and ambition, would have him surpassing the Colonel’s legacy much younger than the Colonel himself. Arthas Faer would either be proud of his son or furious over being eclipsed. Dian would never know which.

  3

  Jade was escorted from her cell by two guards. They cuffed her and guided her down a hallway of cells, most occupied.

  “I’m truly going to miss it here,” she said, “Some of the best meals of my entire life.”

  The Legion base was airy. High ceilings and large windows, with so much negative space it looked wasteful. Jade was led out to the paved lot in the back, where prisoners were being lined up for sentencing. The raid on the pirate airship, even when interrupted by Free Chanters, had created a lot of prisoners. Jade recognized some of the faces. She attempted a friendly wave, but was met with nothing but malice.

  Not all of her former crewmen would get the option of joining the Legion. They had been tallying up offenses for years, to a degree and variety that paled next to Jade’s charges of piracy, theft, and kidnapping. The former first-mate would finally see justice for the heinous crime of not showering.

  Jade continued to scan the faces around her while men with guns and clipboards looked busy, but she couldn’t find Liam. Their separation had always been a risk. They were criminals, after all.

  Her head craned and her body twisted, but still no sign of him.

  Two relics were waiting to transport all of them to where the official sentencing would take place. They were the large models that showed their age in their bulky design. No one used vehicles with wheels anymore, not when lift and flight enchantments could be manufactured so easily. The two loud, horrible transports did not match with the rest of the Legion’s decor, but rather stood as rusted, frugal monstrosities.

  Jade was on her tiptoes to see over heads. No messy black hair. No short, scowling bundle of apathy. She was starting to fidget.

  They began to march the lines toward the relics. One at a time, checking off names, sending prisoners to either relic 1 or relic 2. Jade walked slowly, holding up her line. Her thoughts were swimming. She couldn’t do this alone.

  Seconds from calling out for him, Jade saw Liam’s bored, pa
le face sticking out of the line to glare at her. She nearly squealed aloud.

  She let people pass her until they were together again and affection bloomed in her chest to replace her fear. She hadn’t expected to miss him that much. They had never been apart long enough. It was impossible to hug him properly with her hands cuffed so she kissed the side of his head with a resounding ‘pop’ of suction.

  Liam bristled. He wiped the spot with the back of his hand.

  Despite the size, inside the relic was fairly cramped. Jade squeezed into a seat beside Liam. Since he refused to trade spots, she leaned over him to look out the window as the relics started up, enchantments rumbling and growling. They were going to Vacua’s capital and Jade was excited to see it again.

  To the west, mountains dominated the view. Azlemaine’s skyline broke the eastern horizon as they traveled down a dusty road. The city looked grand and regal from this distance, outlines of tall buildings jutting toward the heavens. Domed roofs and spires created elegant curves in the silhouette. The city was built into the incline of a mountain and it’s streets and buildings rose in tiers because of it. The highest point was the Royal Court where the Queen lived. From here, Jade could see the white stones offset by greenery; outdoor gardens and terraces broke the otherwise rectangle outline with large windows catching the sunlight.

  “You can’t deny it’s impressive,” Jade said, her voice wistful.

  “I didn’t,” Liam replied. He peered around her to take in the view for himself. There was no obvious sign of wonder in his eyes, but his lack of derision was something. “We can’t stay here, Jade.”

  “Don’t do that.” She fell back into her seat. “I’m fully aware.”

  “You looked like you were getting your hopes up.”

  “So what if I was?”

  He shrugged. “I hate that face you make when you’re disappointed, that’s all.”

  She crossed her arms and slumped backward. They sat in silence for a time. Vacua couldn’t be their home, that was true, but no force in Liore could make her return to Harrowind. “What do you think about Rosewall? Their weather is nice and I’ve heard they have cities built into waterfalls.”