"I take it you didn't rescue your scout."
"How could I? You never confirmed his location. Not to mention, once Layola and Pike returned to the safety of the rectory, Kyara was not so willing to help anymore."
Rithwic rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry. There was no way for me to contact you. Hable's garment shop. As of last night, Aksil was still being held in the basement. I doubt they would risk moving him if they think Candelux is no longer helping you."
"Even if they do, I've been keeping an eye on the place. What else can you tell me about the inside?"
"Two stories. Living quarters upstairs. The main floor has the garment shop in the front and a small kitchen and dining area behind it. Hable seems to spend most of his day there. In the back on the left side, you'll find the staircase leading to the basement. There's always a guard at the bottom of those stairs. Other than that, there are typically half a dozen Brothers hanging about at any given time, trying to earn favor with their leader."
"Any other access to the basement besides those stairs?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
Dolore grunted. Her ideal plan to rescue Aksil involved infiltration and extraction with the least amount of disturbance. Even if she could stage a diversion for Hable and the others, it seemed unlikely the basement guard would abandon his post.
"Listen," Rithwic said. "There's one other factor you need to be aware of. The butcher next door."
"The big guy?"
"That's the one. They call him Jugjug. He's been torturing Aksil to get him to talk. Doesn't sound like he was too successful, though."
"Good to know."
"Any sign Hable's in trouble, he'll come running to help."
"Anyone else noteworthy?" Dolore asked.
"No one comes to mind. I've only just started getting into Hable's circle. Which reminds me, forget about me for a while. Don't visit me. Don't try to break me out. Don't convince Candelux to free me."
"You want to be with Gladdak so badly?"
Rithwic smirked. "Funny, but no. I have a plan in place with Hable. With the information I'm giving to the watchers, I should be out of here in a week or two."
"You're seriously going to trust him?"
"Look, I know it's risky."
"You don't find it ironic that he's the reason both you and Gladdak are in jail?"
"I get that, but Hable's all about advancement. I'm here to help him and prove my loyalty so I can get close to him. If he gets me out, then maybe I can convince him to get Gladdak out too. You know, right one of his mistakes."
"And if he denies it? Or refuses to help?"
Rithwic shrugged. "Then maybe you and I can work something out. But until then, I can't risk being seen with you. Hable's going to be watching me, if he's not already."
"I understand." Dolore had to honor his request or risk losing a valuable informant. If she wouldn't be able to talk with Rithwic for some time, she needed to get as much out of him as she could. "I heard Greggor was the other Brother who got arrested. Is Hable getting him freed as well?"
"No. I was given key details about Hable's competition that I'm to confess while I plead my innocence. Greggor knows nothing. He's the scapegoat. He's in interrogation right now, and like a good Brother, I'm sure he's not saying a word."
"He has no idea Hable's going to let him rot?"
"Not a clue. Hable wants him locked up. He's concerned about his loose lips when he drinks."
Dolore mused. "Won't Greggor's cell in Light's Haven be less than pleased?"
"They probably won't find out for some time. Plus, this is all part of Hable's play for overseer. While my information focuses the watchers' attention on the other two cell leaders in the north of this city, Hable will make an alliance with Layola's cell in an effort to reunite the Brotherhood under Kolokajja. With two leaders from two different cities pledging their loyalties, it only gives them that much more legitimacy."
"Hmm. I had heard Layola was a Brother, but why was she given deathroot then?"
Rithwic clasped his hands together. "It was actually my idea."
"Yours?"
"We knew she'd be rescued almost immediately, and so I convinced Hable it would add to the illusion of her being a captive. Honestly, though, it was the only thing I could think of to keep the deathroot away from Aksil. You're welcome."
"That's actually pretty clever. Candelux has no suspicions about her whatsoever. It'll certainly make things more difficult in the long run, but I suppose I should thank you for keeping Aksil clear. Thanks."
"I know it doesn't help you to have Layola back with the ambassadors, especially if they plan on going to Alovajj."
"It's fine. She's just one more spy the Brotherhood has in Candelux that I have to worry about." Dolore walked to the bars and wondered how much time she had left. "So, what's the deal with Don Pike? Is he a Brother or not?"
"In some capacity, yes, he's certainly helping us, but I don't know the details. It sounds like he no longer needs to take deathroot, but I don't know if he's taken the binding seed."
"So, then the goal of the deathroot treatment is mind control? Subservience?"
"No clue. In Pike's case, he definitely seems open to suggestion, but I don't know the exact spell. Maybe it's as simple as that, or maybe the seed affects people differently. What are you going to do about Aksil?"
The gate to the prison opened, and the guard shouted, "Time's up!"
"I'm glad you're all right," Dolore said. "I'll visit again soon."
The bars swung open, and she sauntered out. As the guard escorted her back to the lobby of the watcher headquarters, she quietly considered Rithwic's question. Her options were dwindling. Thanks to Rithwic, Aksil had been spared from deathroot for one night, but there was no telling when Hable would have access to another seed. Dolore abhorred rushing into situations, but she wasn't left with much choice. The Death Gods had spent enough time gathering information, and with Rithwic in prison, there wouldn't be much more to find. The best course of action would be a raid on the garment shop after sunset.
Chapter 34
"Ninety-one, Ninety-five, one hundred!" Flinch lifted his head from the tree. As he spun around, he reeled back at the sight of Alejjir. "Fangle me, Marksy. You scared the depths out of me."
The Marksman tilted his head. "What exactly are you doing? And, have you forgotten how to count?"
"I'm playing hide-and-seek with Erynion's daughter. You want to help?"
"Why not? You clearly don't have an issue with cheating."
Flinch laughed sarcastically. "You want to talk about cheaters? That girl has broken every rule she came up with."
"Right. She's what? Seven? How old are you?"
The jester growled. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"I was just out for a walk when I heard you counting, so I thought I'd see what you were up to. I didn't realize you were playing babysitter."
"I'm just trying to help out. I'm pretty sure Erynion wanted to speak in private with his wife. I think he's going to use her to kill Batar."
"Oh? What makes you think that?" the Marksman asked.
Flinch walked forward, making a casual effort to spot his hidden adversary. "Just a hunch. Without conquering Light's Haven, there's no way he can get to his brother. He needs someone he trusts who can get close. Any idea why Verago is so intent on killing Batar?"
"All I know is Verago and Batar had a deal, and Batar tried to renege on it. The Devil's not keen on betrayal."
"You'd think everyone would know that by now."
Alejjir came alongside the jester. "Right? But aside from that, I don't know what Verago's interest in Batar might be or why he made a deal with him in the first place."
Flinch went up on his tippy-toes and craned his neck as he searched for the little girl. "You think he could be another demon lord?"
"Batar? Maybe. If his brother can be one, I don't see why he couldn't. Why don't you just climb the tree and look for her?"
"Beca
use after the first time I did it, she said it was against the rules, and I couldn't do it anymore. But she never said anything about someone else accidentally finding her and giving up her position."
"And that's me?"
"Now you're catching on. You just go that way, and I'll go this way. If you spot her, just shout. And remember, pretend you found her by accident."
Alejjir rolled his eyes and walked into the brush.
The jester scampered the opposite way, and after a few moments, stopped to listen. Not a sound. He gingerly walked through the forest, keeping his ears perked for a signal from the Marksman. The game was becoming irritating, but Flinch knew it was important to Erynion for his daughter to be comfortable around demons. He remembered the initial look of horror on her face, and how it had changed with his antics. He snickered at the thought of Erynion falling from the tree branch, but a distant sound quickly silenced him. Flinch strained his ears and concentrated. A smile spread across his lips. It was the laughter of a little girl.
As the jester tiptoed toward the sound, the trees thinned and a small pond came into view. His eyes darted about until he finally spotted Sereyna by the edge of the water, and he froze in terror. Beside the little girl knelt a figure. The red dress and the long black hair were all too familiar to the jester.
Reclaiming control of his body, Flinch hopped behind the closest tree and peered out. The Seductress stroked the girl's hair. What was she doing here? Why wasn't she on the Coast? The conclusion he reached was frightening. She must not be weak anymore. Flinch knew he couldn't stay hidden. He had sworn to protect Erynion's daughter, and that's exactly what he needed to do. The jester took a deep breath and walked out to join them.
"Flinch!" Sereyna waved him over. "Look who I met. Isn't she the most beautiful woman you've ever seen?"
The jester cautiously approached the little girl, who kept talking.
"I don't know her name. I think there's something wrong with her throat."
The Seductress locked eyes with Flinch. "She doesn't understand us, does she?"
"Oh! You can talk!" Sereyna exclaimed, but the pair ignored her.
"No, she doesn't," Flinch said.
"Pity." Agalia smirked. "I guess that means you can't warn her."
Flinch's claw trembled as he offered it to the young girl. "Please, come with me."
The Seductress blocked the path with her arm. "Maligus said you lost an arm. Are you looking to lose another?"
The jester lowered his claw. "You don't have to hurt her. She's just a little girl."
"When have you ever known that to matter to me? The princess I killed during the Assault couldn't have been much older than this one. And her name was Sereyna, too. It's like déjà vu."
"What are you two talking about?" Sereyna asked.
Agalia glared at the young girl. "Shh. Stay still."
Sereyna straightened up and gazed blankly at the forest.
Flinch watched silently as his heart thumped away. The Curse of Submission temporarily gave Agalia control of Sereyna's body, but the good news was the spell alone was harmless. The jester decided he had to keep the Seductress occupied until help arrived. It was the only thing he could think of to keep the little girl from suffering a worse fate, like Agalia's tail piercing her neck.
"What's the matter?" the Seductress asked. "It's not like you to be so quiet. Feel guilty about betraying me?"
"No. My only regret that night was that I couldn't save Sonojj. But stopping Maligus from helping you? I would do it every time."
"Even if it costs this innocent child her life?"
The jester's jaw locked.
"Speaking of Sonojj, I ran into him on the Coast."
Flinch's eyes widened. "He's back on the Surface?"
"He was the last time I saw him. He actually helped me regain most of my strength. He and Maligus."
"I know Sonojj better than you. He would never help you after what you've done."
"Well, I didn't say he helped me willingly. I drained him while he suffered the agony."
"The agony?" Flinch asked. Sonojj always had a similar energy to the jester, and he had never experienced the mental torture. "How?"
"Oh, that wonderful Devil of yours sent Sonojj after me with too much energy. I imagine he was supposed to purge once he found me. Tragic, really. You know, he didn't even have the decency to give your cat friend his eyes back."
"You're lying."
Agalia tittered. "I missed you, Flinch. I really did." She rose to her feet and manifested her weapon, a glaive with a hook at the bottom of the handle. The metal glistened in the late afternoon sun. "It's such a shame I have to gut you."
The jester stepped back and pulled out his daggers. He had no doubt the Seductress was much more powerful than he was, but he had to make every effort to save Sereyna. He needed to draw Agalia away from the child.
The Seductress wasted no time, her blade whistling through the air as it careened for the jester's neck. Quick reflexes allowed Flinch to easily deflect the first attack, but a second strike soon followed, and then a third. Each subsequent attack became more difficult to defend against as the time between them grew shorter. Flinch frantically flailed his daggers as he retreated in an attempt to survive the onslaught, but despair was settling in. The fight had just started, and he was already on the verge of losing. He needed to find an advantage quickly.
The jester rolled toward a tree and used the trunk as a barrier. But Agalia circled around from the other side and thrust her glaive at him. Her blade grazed his ribs before she withdrew it for another stab. Desperate for a free moment, Flinch flung one of his daggers at Agalia. Without even checking to see if it landed, he sprinted up the side of the tree and quickly climbed to get out of range. When he thought he was safe, if only for a few moments, he paused and struggled to catch his breath. Patting his injured side, his claw had splotches of dark blood, but it wasn't bad.
"That wasn't very nice, Flinch."
He heard her voice somewhere below him, but he couldn't see her.
"Not very smart either. You're down a dagger. I'll tell you what. If you come down, I'll give it back."
The jester caught a glimpse of the red dress, but it soon disappeared. "That's all right. You can keep it. It's a gift."
"Just doesn't feel right. It's not fair, you know. I think you should take it back."
Flinch did his best to steady his breathing. She was circling him like a predator, moving in and out of his vision. He needed to stay quiet while he figured out his options.
"And don't think about running off," Agalia warned. "I'm sure you realize our little tussle is the only thing keeping the girl alive."
The jester stretched his neck in an effort to spot his opponent when an object struck him in the head. Flinch lost his balance and tumbled to the ground, breaking a couple of branches on the way. Dazed and weaponless, he scrambled to his feet and staggered toward another tree.
"Where are you going?" She giggled. "I was trying to give you back your dagger."
Flinch ignored her. He needed to get off the ground. He leaped up for the branch, but a sharp pain pierced his calf and stopped his jump midair. Flinch shrieked as he slammed back into the dirt. He felt a twist in his leg, and the pain forced him to flip onto his back.
Agalia slid the hook out from his leg and towered over him. "There was a place for you, you know."
"What?"
"In my kingdom. I had a place for you. For Sonojj. You could've picked your own city."
"My own city?" The jester shook his head. "How little you know me."
The Seductress pointed the glaive at his throat. "A fact of little importance now. Final words? A joke perhaps?"
"Wait! Wait, wait, wait. Uh, you can't kill me. You'd be making a huge mistake."
"Oh?" Agalia raised her eyebrow. "Do tell."
Flinch searched for a reason. "Well…I…if you kill me, I'll be dead. And, if I'm dead, that means…that means I'll be back in the Depths…with Ve
rago. Yeah, that's right. I'll be with Verago, and I'll tell him what you're doing. And then, he'll tell the Denhauli, and they'll tell Erynion. They'll be here before you can even turn around, and you can't beat them all."
The Seductress smiled. "Take it from someone who died not too long ago. By the time you find the Devil, it'll be too late. Enjoy the Depths."
As Agalia pulled back the blade in preparation to strike, Flinch held up his hands to protect himself. But before her attack could land, an arrow pierced her shoulder, forcing her to stumble back. She lifted her left arm, and a second arrow pierced it.
"You!" the Seductress roared. Black smoke, pouring from her sleeves and mouth, quickly surrounded her. Her growl was still audible as she vanished in the haze of her Corruption spell.
Flinch stared across the pond and breathed a sigh of relief. With an arrow drawn to full tension and aimed at the cloud, Alejjir cautiously circled the water.
"Get the girl out of here!" Flinch instructed.
As the Marksman approached Sereyna, the jester struggled to his feet. Holding his injured leg, Flinch searched the area for his daggers but couldn't spot them. Charging blindly into Agalia's Corruption without a weapon would be foolish. She'd likely cut him down in an instant. Flinch limped toward the little girl.
With arrow still drawn, Alejjir nudged Sereyna with his elbow.
Her body remained frozen as she turned her head to him. "What are you doing?"
The Marksman was fixated on the black cloud. "We're saving you. Not that you understand what I'm saying anyway."
"Oh, I understand everything," Sereyna shot back. "I can't believe you would do this. After all we've been through."
Flinch paused. He had forgotten about the Curse of Submission.
Alejjir furrowed his brow as his eyes shifted to the little girl. "What are you talking about?"
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