The Royal Throne, a collection of the highest nobility advising the king, decided that this once peaceful plain was where the living would make their stand. As this predated the formation of Candelux, no priests were present on the battlefield. The Whisper guild had done their best to ensure all fighters kept a clear conscience, lest they die and join the demon ranks. And so, watchers, paladins, and scorchers from across the kingdom had charged into battle, following Prince Verago.
Eriph yawned and stretched. They had left at dawn to reach Memorial City before noon, taking a roundabout route across the plains instead of going directly north. The aim was to remain as covert as possible on this scouting mission and avoid watcher patrols. Though Candelux had reestablished communication with the Death Gods, the relationship had seen little progress. For this reason, the four riders approached the west side of the city where a Para Paya encampment of a few hundred tents, known as the Azapaar, would serve as their base of operations. The Azapaar was not only where the Para Paya lived, but also a marketplace to sell trinkets, handmade clothing, and even fortune-telling. It was one of the rare places in the kingdom these pacifists could be found outside the Frozen Coast.
Dolore pulled her reins and held up her hand, and all the horses halted. "War, Iva, staggered entrance. Find Blackleaf and change your clothes. Eriph and I will be along shortly."
The two riders split into different directions at different speeds.
"Eriph, thank you for coming with us," Dolore said.
"Of course. You all accepted me as one of your own so quickly, this is the least I could do."
"Ever since Deimor Outpost, we've stayed out of the kingdom, more or less. Is there anything you can tell me about Memorial City that may have changed in the last few years?"
"Nothing worth noting. Once we're inside, though, I can track down my friends and they can help us. They were pretty excited when I gave them the Brotherhood list a few weeks ago. I'd say they owe us a little favor."
Dolore nodded. "That's good. I also have a contact in the city. Between him and your friends, we should be able to get the information we need. So, what are their names?"
"Don Pike and Don Dorman. Shouldn't be too hard to find once we get to the rectory."
"No. That's too risky. We need to minimize our exposure in the city. Candelux and the Brotherhood should have no idea we're here. For now, stay clear of the rectory."
"Then how will I make contact?"
"Don't worry, we'll get them a message. Tell me. How much do you trust your friends?" Dolore asked.
"I've known them both since I was a little boy. We all grew up in the north part of Light's Haven. I trust Pike completely. He was one of only a handful of people in the kingdom who knew I was training with Brahawee last year."
"And Don Dorman?"
Eriph groaned. "Dorman, I trust, but it's complicated. He wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his relationship with his mother. How she views him means the world to him."
"And his mother?"
"Head Archdon Kyara."
Dolore mused. "Figures. Leave Dorman out of it for now. Last thing we need is Kyara on our trail."
"As you wish."
"All right, have you ever been in the Azapaar before?"
"No, never had an interest."
"Don't worry, it's not that big. You're going to follow this path straight in. You'll pass a dozen or so tents before you reach a fork. Take the left one until you find a dark-gray tent. Warbison and Iva should be changed and waiting for us. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good. Get going. I'll follow shortly."
Eriph tapped his heels on the sides of his horse and flicked the reins. The horse trotted down the road and approached the encampment. People leisurely walked about with the west wall of Memorial City as their backdrop. Once past the first set of tents, Eriph followed Dolore's instructions to the dark-gray tent off to the side. Eriph recognized one of the men he'd ridden with standing outside with his arms across his chest. He had changed from his standard leather outfit to a cloth robe with vivid colors and patterns, standard apparel for the Para Paya.
When Eriph dismounted, the tall, muscular man extended his hand. "I'm afraid the celerity of our departure did not permit a proper introduction. I am Warbison."
"Eriph," he said, giving a firm handshake. "You're a lemniscate, aren't you?"
"Your observation is accurate. I see you've learned much, considering the brevity of your residence in Alovajj. Enter freely. I will tend to your steed." Warbison pulled back the flap that served as the door.
Stepping into the tent, Eriph surveyed the interior. It was a decent size, bigger than his bedroom in the palace, and included a large octagonal table with benches outlining each side. Ivochna had already found her seat.
From the right, a new face topped with slicked back hair moved in to greet Eriph. "You must be the new guy. I'm Blackleaf, your host during your stay in Memorial City."
"Eriph. Pleased to meet you."
The host held out a folded-up Para Paya robe. "This is for you while you're in the Azapaar."
Eriph removed the shield from his back and lowered it to the ground. He graciously accepted the robe and pulled it over his plain clothes. The sleeves were a tad long, but overall, it fit nicely. "Thank you."
Dolore entered the tent, accompanied by Warbison. "Looks good on you. Thank you, Blackleaf. We have everything we need."
The host bowed and departed the tent.
"Please be seated." Dolore hid her dark garments under her own colorful robe before joining the rest at the table. "I'm sorry we didn't have time for formal introductions and strategy layout back in Alovajj, but it was of the utmost importance that we get here as quickly as possible. Have you both met Eriph?"
"Indeed, just moments ago," Warbison said.
"We've crossed paths," Iva added.
Dolore clasped her hands. "Good, then let's get right to it. One of our scouts is missing. We hired Aksilacarn to keep an eye on Don Millan during the ambassadors' trip to Alovajj. Yesterday evening, just before dinner, was the last time he reported in, while the caravan was stopped in Zazima."
"What compels you to believe he's been ushered to our current location?" Warbison asked.
"We don't know for sure yet if he's been brought to Memorial City. This is why we're going to do some digging. But it would stand to reason they would either bring him here or take him back to Light's Haven. You may have heard in the past few weeks we've been looking into a new player in the Brotherhood named Kolokajja, who seems to operate within both Memorial City and the Frozen Coast."
"A demon moniker."
"Right. Given the connection to a city in the kingdom, we think he's more likely a human using an alias, as opposed to an actual demon, but that's still not confirmed. We also believe he's responsible for the deathroot that's been popping up lately, possibly using it to gain stature within the Brotherhood and claim the title of Grand Overseer. A couple of days ago, we had our first hit in Light's Haven when they gave it to Don Millan. Thanks to Aksil, we caught it early on, and Candelux was able to purify it. But we suspect if Don Millan was a target before, the Brotherhood will keep going after him. And if they figured out Aksil was watching over him, maybe interfering with their plan, they might bring Aksil here if he's been captured. At least, that's the running theory."
"And we still don't know what exactly deathroot does?" Eriph asked.
Dolore shook her head. "We're mostly in the dark on this. All we know is that from the time it's ingested, it messes with your head. We don't know if that's the intention or just a side effect. As with most seeds, there's a window of a few hours where you can purify it with holy light and reverse the effects, but that's all we have at the moment."
"Any idea why Millan would be a target?"
"Not yet. But he did spend three days in the presence of the demon lord and left unscathed. I imagine even Verago would be interested in having a word with him."
"And what
of this rabble-rouser, Kolokajja?" Warbison asked. "Is there no hint to his true appellation?"
"His what?" Eriph asked.
"His real identity," Dolore answered. "And no. Could be someone we already have on our list. Could be someone completely new like Shinigami was back in the day. For all we know, he could be a woman. Any information we can gather would be valuable, but please remember, Kolokajja is not a priority. We're here to find Aksil. So, here's the plan. War, you're our connection to the people in the Azapaar. See what you can find, and make sure our cover isn't compromised."
"With earnest," Warbison responded.
"Iva, work with Eriph to make contact with Don Pike and set up a meeting. No one in that rectory should know about it."
"They won't," Iva said.
"Eriph, I'd like you to stay out of the city, at least for today. There's always an off chance someone might recognize you, and at this point, it'd be an unnecessary risk. Any questions?" Dolore paused. "Good. Rendezvous back here by five strikes. Now, let's go find our man."
Eriph approached Ivochna as they gathered by the flap of the tent. "So, I guess we need to come up with a plan together."
Her face was blank. "Mm-hmm."
Warbison wrapped his arms around the two of them. "Come now, Iva. Display for us a joyous expression and consider the wondrous adventures!"
The scout raised her eyebrow. "If you're expecting Blackleaf to help you, you better hurry up before he becomes too preoccupied with that fortune-teller he's so fond of."
"Who? Rosethorn?"
"No, her daughter."
Warbison laughed heartily. "Ah, Ruby. Indeed, she is quite enthralling."
✽✽✽
"Rise and shine, fangling weasel." A swift slap to the face brought the thief to consciousness.
Aksilacarn winced in pain as the sting from his cheek lingered.
"Get a good night's rest?"
"Absolutely delightful. Do you treat all your guests like this?"
Greggor gripped a tuft of Aksil's hair and wrenched his head back. "Always with a clever quip. Typical."
Aksil wiggled his arms and legs, but the restraints on his ankles and wrists kept him securely in the chair. "I'm not sure where all this anger is coming from."
"Really? You don't? Maybe this will jog your memory." Greggor released Aksil's hair and struck the thief's face with the back of his hand.
Aksil grimaced as he fought back the pain. When he lifted his head, he smiled. "Oh, wait a minute. Is this because I tricked your underlings and saved Don Millan from you?"
Greggor pointed at his son. "You know, I knew you were lying about the job. But honestly, I didn't care. Millan was a much better prize. What I didn't count on was you actually knowing who he was. He said he'd only just met you."
"Did he? After all those years of friendship, he said we only just met? The nerve of that guy."
"Yeah, keep talking, but I figured it out. You're working for the Death Gods."
Aksil rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Look, anyone could've seen the kid was clearly in need of help. I wasn't going to just let you mess with him."
"Maybe. Maybe you did meet him outside the Laughing Demon, and it was a complete coincidence. Maybe. Or, maybe you were following him, keeping an eye on him for your Death God buddies. How's Shinigami doing anyway? Betrayed you guys yet?"
"Wow, praise the angels! I'm sitting in the presence of a bona fide genius. How honored am I to have sprung from his loins. Look, I don't talk to the Death Gods, and I've certainly never spoken to Shinigami. Although, I wish I did, so I could tell him how low the Brotherhood's fallen since his departure."
"Betrayal," Greggor said between his teeth.
"Sweet angel of mercy, let it go. It's been sixteen fangling years. Move on! You didn't even stay angry at Mom for this long when she left you."
"What did you say?"
"Talk about a woman who knew what she wanted. It's funny. She could handle you being in Anoctis, but the Brotherhood? Ha! She was out of there so fast."
Greggor balled his hand into a fist. "Shut up."
"I got to give you credit, though. You really handled it like a man. All those man tears."
"I said shut up!" Greggor pulled back his arm to deliver a crushing haymaker. As the fist soared through the air, Aksil pushed against the ground with his toes, tipping his chair backward to dodge the strike. The old man whiffed and lost his balance from the momentum of his attack. The two fell together, and the impact caused the chair's right arm to break.
Slipping his hand out from the restraint, Aksil wrapped his arm around his father's neck. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you, because then you'd just come back as a fangling demon and continue to be a pain in my ass."
The door to the room burst open, and three people rushed in.
"Let him go, Aksil."
The thief fought to keep his choke hold, but he was finally separated from his father.
Greggor held his throat and gasped for air. "Fangling rat."
Aksil's chair was lifted upright, which brought him face-to-face with a woman in a brown robe and a black scarf. The thief feigned surprise. "What? Don Layola? You're one of them?"
Layola examined his chair. "The arm's broken. I guess we'll have to tie your right hand to the other side for now."
"Oh, you can trust me. I'm not going to hurt you."
Layola fetched some rope from the table. "We'll work on trust later. For now, be a good boy and place your hand over here. Don't make me call Jugjug."
Aksil immediately placed his right wrist over his left. "You know, that ogre of a man gives the best bear hugs, but I think I'm all hugged out from last night."
"I thought you might be."
"Or was it this morning? How long were we riding before we reached this place?"
Layola smirked. "Cute. As if figuring out where you are will make any difference for you at this point."
"So then I guess you should just tell me."
The priest finished her knot and stepped back. "It seems like we're both looking for some answers. Maybe we can help each other."
"Ah, a little tit for tat. I'm intrigued."
"Why are the Death Gods interested in Don Millan?"
Aksil grunted. "Intrigue lost. You guys are really barking up the wrong tree here."
Layola glanced at Greggor, who yelled, "He's obviously lying!"
"Wait," Aksil said. "Is that it? Greggor's your source? Let me save you some time. This guy and me. We got a history. The family kind. And let me tell you, he is obsessed, driven by jealousy and spite. Not only did I become a better thief than him, but I also declined his generous invitation to your little club here. No offense, though, Layola. If I had known you were part of it, I would've given it a second thought. Maybe even a third."
"Charming," the priest said. "Gentlemen, would you kindly leave the room?"
"What?" Greggor nearly shouted. "No, I want to be here for this."
Layola shot him a sideways look. "It's clear your presence really isn't helping. Let me talk to him alone."
Greggor snarled and stormed out of the room, followed by the two others who had entered with Layola.
"Look, I'm flattered," Aksil said after the door closed. "But I just ran into my ex recently, and I think there's a chance we may—"
"You can stop talking nonsense now." Layola fetched a chair from the wall and positioned it in front of the thief. "I don't hang out in the slums with the douters like your father does. I'd only met him once before last night, but you were the only thing he talked about. You and your botched assassination attempt."
Aksil growled. "You mean, my father's botched—"
Layola held up her hand. "Not important right now. But imagine my surprise when Greggor showed up in Zazima and pointed you out in the crowd. Then he tells me this story, which I think is pretty important, where you and Don Millan are having lunch in the slums. Ring any bells?"
"All right. I can explain that. It was simply a coincide
nce. I just happened to come across him. He wasn't feeling well. I thought I'd help him out."
"After which you alerted Candelux."
"Well of course. You don't know that guy out there. Greggor's a sick man. I was genuinely afraid for Millan's life."
"But he wasn't wearing his robe. How did you know he was a priest?"
Aksil reflected on the question. "I didn't know until he told me his name. Yeah, he went on about some fake story because he was scared, but who in Light's Haven doesn't know about Don Millan? He escaped from the demon lord after only three days."
"I wasn't aware that was public knowledge."
"Oh yeah. Word spreads fast about stuff like that. He's practically a hero."
"I see," Layola said. "And then the next day, you just happened to get on the watcher detail for the ambassador caravan?"
Aksil shrugged. "Hey, watcher by day, thief by night. I had no idea Millan was going to be an ambassador. Another coincidence."
"Too many, if you ask me."
"Look, I can see how you might suspect something, but there's nothing there, honestly. They're probably wondering where we are. Just let me go, and we'll pretend none of this ever happened. I'll even pretend I wasn't nearly squeezed to death by a three-hundred-pound man last night. Or this morning. You know, they didn't even ask me any questions? I mean, torture with no interrogation? Who does that?"
"You might be right. Maybe it's all just been one big coincidence, and you just happened to be in the middle of it. And you know, I might just be able to accept that if it wasn't for one small detail."
Aksil raised his eyebrows at the pause. "Oh, you got me at the edge of my seat. Well, not the edge because I'm strapped in pretty tight here, but you know what I mean. Don't leave me in suspense."
Layola caressed her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. "I know it was you who took the star off me last night."
"What? What star?"
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