‘The relic contains a Precursor artifact. I want you to retrieve it.’
‘Contains?’ I managed to keep my voice only mildly curious.
‘The relic is a storage device. The artifact is within.’
In the sphere below, the globes of light clashed, manoeuvring for position. One spun away, winking out as it left the sphere, and the crowd applauded silently. ‘I think,’ I said, ‘if I’m going to be retrieving this item, I’d like to know a little more about it.’
‘That is not your concern.’
‘I’m sorry, Councillor,’ I said. ‘I’m not going to take this job unless I know exactly what this thing does.’
Levistus turned to look at me. Up close, I could see that his eyes were colourless, a pale grey, revealing nothing. I held my breath, feeling my muscles tingling. The futures ahead of me flickered and changed.
Levistus opened his mouth and one future eclipsed the others, becoming real. ‘The artifact is an item known as a fateweaver,’ he said. ‘It has the ability to alter chance and outcomes. In appearance it is a wand of ivory, unmarked, approximately twelve inches long.’
‘I’m sure you could lay hands on a dozen chance mages who could alter outcomes, Councillor.’
Levistus made an irritated brushing motion, as if to say he didn’t have time for flattery. It had been a long time since I’d spoken with a Council mage, but the conversation wasn’t going how I’d expected. High-level mages tend to be full of their own importance, expecting compliments and ceremony. Levistus was all business. It made him easier to talk to, but also more dangerous. ‘Fateweavers are spoken of in the histor ies. Commanders in the Dark Wars carried them, and there are references to them changing the course of entire battles. This is the first opportunity to see one recovered intact. It is essential it does not fall into the hands of a Dark mage.’
I nodded slowly, remembering. The Dark Wars had ended the Precursor civilisation. Records of that time were fragmentary, but it was well known that the weapons employed had been devastating. If this artifact was one of them, it was clear why everyone wanted it so badly.
Another burst of silent applause came from the crowd below. The globes were interlinked, now, both mages manoeuvring for position. ‘I believe that answers your question,’ Levistus said.
It didn’t, but it was clear that was all he was going to tell me. I didn’t want to push further so I switched to a safer subject. ‘What about payment?’
‘You will have the favour of a member of the High Council.’ Levistus turned to look at me with his grey eyes. ‘I would consider that payment enough.’
‘I appreciate the offer, Councillor, but I’d prefer something more tangible.’
‘The prospect of keeping this item out of Dark hands doesn’t appeal to you?’
Damn, this guy was good. He knew about my past, and he was using it. And he was right: if this thing really was a weapon from the Dark Wars, there was no way I’d want someone like Cinder in control of it.
But that didn’t mean I trusted the Council with it, either. And I had the sudden feeling that Levistus was testing me. He obviously knew I had no love for Dark mages or the Council. But he probably didn’t know whether I was an idealist or a cynic. Depending on how I answered … Seconds ticked away.
‘I don’t think it’s my business whose hands it ends up in,’ I said at last.
Levistus was watching me with those blank, colourless eyes. ‘A mercenary, then?’
I looked back at him. ‘Yes.’
There was a moment’s silence, then Levistus nodded slightly, and I felt the futures ahead of us shift as something fell into place. ‘The service I require from you is a simple one. You will assist the investigation team in gaining entry to the relic, and you will make your way through the relic’s defences to retrieve the fateweaver. In return, you will have your pick of the other items within.’
‘How do I know there
‘I can arrange payment in other terms if you wish. But –’ Levistus tilted his head slightly, ‘– the chance for first pick of an undisturbed Precursor relic? I doubt you truly intend to pass that up.’
A beat, then I nodded. Down below at the arena, the crowd had thickened, and all of them now seemed to be watching intently. A group of globes arced around, and another round of applause broke out, the men in their suits and the women in their elaborate dresses clapping silently behind the crystal.
‘And once you have the fateweaver, you will bring it to me.’
‘Wouldn’t the leader of the team be responsible for that?’
‘The leader is not your concern,’ Levistus said. ‘I am employing you to retrieve the item. That is what you are being rewarded for.’
‘Doesn’t the Arrancar ruling …?’
‘The Arrancar ruling states that archaeological finds must be submitted to the Council.’ Levistus spoke without heat or emphasis. ‘I am a member of the Council; therefore, you will submit it to me. The item’s destination is a Council secret. You will reveal the terms of your employment to no one, not even authorised Council representatives. Should any of the mages on site attempt to take the artifact for themselves, they are to be considered Dark agents and neutralised in any manner necessary.’
My heart stopped beating for an instant, then sped up. What Levistus was asking me to do was just one step away from treason. And keeping it secret … ‘Does the team know about this?’
‘As I said, you are to reveal the terms of your employment to no one.’ Levistus’ eyes rested on me, steady and incurious. ‘I believe it is time you gave me your answer, Mr Verus. Do you agree to the terms of this contract? Yes or no?’
I needed time to think. ‘You’re asking for a lot.’
‘Which is why you are being paid so handsomely. As I said: yes or no?’
