Deadly Games

“Well, maybe we could look into things alittle. You gotta swear not to say anything to anyone though.Maldynado and Books wouldn’t get on this locomotive.”

Agreed. You make same promise?

“Oh, I’m not saying a word.”

As they left the side of the tent and thetables full of happily chattering people, Basilard wondered if hehad taken the first step down a path that would result in hisdeath. The idea of death terrified him, especially since thatpriestess had confirmed he had no chance of avoiding eternity inEthor, but shouldn’t he at least go out striking a blow of justicefor his people?

Amaranthe nibbled on a fingernail. She hid inthe shadows behind a street vendor’s cart while she waited forMaldynado. Almost a half an hour had passed since he disappearedinto the busy market. She needed to get back before the Mancrestsleft the Gazette building.

Though twilight had settled in, the throng ofshoppers had yet to wane. Gas lamps shone light onto the vegetablestands, smoked meat carts, and tables displaying candles, soaps,and flower bundles. Across the street from Amaranthe, a man andwoman were selling freshly roasted walnuts and almonds doused incinnamon and sugar. Her mouth watered, reminding her it had been along time since breakfast.

Maldynado ambled into view with bulgingcanvas bags draped over both arms.

Amaranthe stared at the sizable haul. “Youwere just supposed to get flatbread and cheese,” she said when hejoined her. “Maybe a cheap jug of applejack.”

“You do not know how to prepare aromantic dinner.” He poked through his bags. “I got you red wine,Anduvian rolls, quiche, fresh herbs and greens, carrots, parsnips,cider vinegar, and walnut oil-you can make a lovely salad. Oh, andcedar-wood scented candles. Those promote stamina.” He wiggled hisbrows.

“First off, I’m not romancing the man. Hetried to turn me over to the army tonight. Second, how did you getall that? I only gave you five ranmyas.”

“That’s right, you did.” Maldynado rearrangedthe bags, fished in a pocket, and pulled out a five-ranmya bill.“Here’s your change. I got it all for free. Samples, you see, onaccount of the lavish spread my mother is planning. If she likeswhat she tries, she’ll put in a huge order for her annual summertea party.”

“This is the mother who hasn’t spoken to youin a year?” Amaranthe asked.

“Closer to two.” Maldynado winked and startedloading bags onto her arms, but paused midway through. “Maybe Ishould go with you and help set things up. You’re a capable womanin general, but I’m not convinced you have the necessary experienceto seduce a man.”

“I’m not seducing anyone.” She tookthe remaining bags from him. “I’m just trying to talk him intolistening to my story and publishing the truth about ouradventures.”

“I got you today’s copy of TheGazette, too. You might want to see if he’s got an article init. Then you can talk to him about it. Men love it when you’reinterested in their work. And sports. Do you know anything aboutthe athletes entering the wrestling? You could-”

“Thank you, Maldynado.” Amaranthe didnot quite manage to keep the exasperation out of her voice. “I’vegot to get back before he leaves the office.”

“You’re certain you don’t want me tocome?”

“I’m certain.”

“At the least, I feel I should go along andpunch him in the nose a couple of times for betraying me and tryingto ensnare you. That’s not a gentlemanly thing to do.”

“No need. Go check on the others. Books willbe bored without you.” Amaranthe strode away at a brisk pace beforehe could burble more.

“That is true,” was the last thing sheheard him say.

With the bags in hand, she headed toward thecanal where she had left Sicarius watching the Gazettebuilding. Though she appreciated Maldynado’s enthusiasm forplanning her evening-sort of-his shopping trip had taken her awayfor longer than expected. If Lord Mancrest left before shereturned, Sicarius was supposed to follow him and find out where helived, but Amaranthe worried that sending Sicarius off after a manhe loathed might not be wise.

Deepening twilight made it easier to travelwithout worry of being recognized, and she was almost jogging bythe time she reached the canal. Lamps brightened the streetparalleling the waterway, but shadows obscured the alcoves andalleys. She headed for the niche where she had left Sicarius, but afigure stepped out of a doorway before she reached it.

Two figures. One threw back the hood of alantern with a clank, and light flared.

Amaranthe squinted and stepped back.

Two enforcers stood before her, one asergeant holding a sword and the lantern, and the other a youngprivate aiming a repeating crossbow at her chest.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” she asked, hopingthey had not identified her for certain yet. Across the canal, thewindows of the Gazette building were dark. If the Mancrestshad left, Sicarius would be gone, too, following Deret home. Nochance for help.

“Former Corporal Amaranthe Lokdon,” thesergeant said.

So much for not being identified.

“We were told you might be in the areatonight.”

Idiot, she cursed herself. She should haveassumed Mancrest would tip off the enforcers as well as his brotherin the army.

“Who?” Amaranthe asked innocently. “You musthave the wrong person.” It was worth a try. She hefted the shoppingbags. “I’m heading home to prepare a dinner for the young man who’scourting me.”

Footsteps sounded behind her. Steel rasped-asword being drawn-followed by the thunk of a crossbow lever beingset. She peeked behind her, verifying that two more enforcers stoodless than ten paces away. One she recognized, Corporal Riek, a manshe had worked with before. Not good.

The sergeant snorted. “Who’s courting you?Sicarius?”

“We know who you are Lokdon,” the crossbowmanin front of her said. “You worked with us until you turnedtraitor.”

Right, no chance of convincing them they hadthe wrong person.

“Do it,” the sergeant told thecrossbowman.

The weapon came up, quarrel aiming atAmaranthe’s chest, and the meaning of “do it” became clear.

“Sicarius,” Amaranthe blurted.

“What?” The crossbowman and the sergeantlooked around.

Amaranthe might have taken the moment to runand fling herself into the canal, but it was a dozen paces away,and the two men behind her surely had her targeted.

“Sicarius is in the neighborhood,” shesaid. “And he’s more of a reward than I am, isn’t he?”

The sergeant scowled at her. “We’re not inthis for a reward. Taking down criminals is our job, a jobyou once shared.”

“I know you wouldn’t be granted a monetaryreward,” Amaranthe said, glad she had him talking. Talking to herwas far superior to shooting her. “But surely promotions have beenoffered.” She remembered how much the promise of a promotion hadmeant to her once-it was the reward Hollowcrest had dangled to gether to go after Sicarius all those months ago.

The men exchanged glances. Soft murmurs camefrom the enforcers behind her.

“Out of curiosity, has a promotion beenoffered for me?” Amaranthe said.

“Killing you, or bringing you in, is worth apositive commendation,” the sergeant said.

“And Sicarius?”

“A promotion to captain.”

If not for the bags in Amaranthe’s hands shewould have propped her fists on her hips. “I’m only worth apositive mark in your record, and getting him can leapfrogyou straight to captain?”

The crossbowman laughed. “Jealous?”

The sergeant glared at him, and he forced hisfeatures into a more professional expression. That’s right,Amaranthe thought, chat with me, laugh at me, and think I’m afriend and not someone you want to kill….