It’s time to find out what the Domitus are really up to. First, two of them appear in The Shallows, entering into a staring contest with four young wizards minding their own business; then there’s the use of curses to tame Silverbacks. In Conrad’s words, if they want a duel, they can have one — not that it’s going to distract us from finding out if more surveillance is needed in Drandok.
The Domitus seem unintelligent and predictable, down to their mannerisms, dress code and crude forms of intimidation, and if they thought drawing us here was going to make us weaken at the knees, they’ve misjudged us. Whoever the leader is, he’s going to need more than muscles to explain his way out of a taming ritual that uses curses.
A group of kids has just proven they’re unnecessary, so unless he wants a flood of a different kind, in the form of a colossal army of Society soldiers descending on Drandok, he better start talking.
“Impressive, Miss Grayling,” he offers with a sneer which soon falters when I put him straight.
“It’s Guppy and I’m no Miss.”
“Of course. And you must be Conrad: the boy gifted with flight.”
“And who are you?” Conrad asks, touching the Quivven that continues to glow in his neck.
“Orgev.”
“Well, Orgev, do you mind explaining why you’re using curses to tame Silverbacks?”
“It’s the most effective way for lasting results.”
“Lasting meaning what?” Lucy asks, stepping forward to make sure she’s noticed.
Her slight demeanour makes people misjudge her, although I think Orgev’s getting the point; we’re not leaving until we get answers.
“Taming is a process of steps … the Niavak curse used mildly in the final phase.”
“Why…?” Noah challenges, pulling the top off a vial of orange liquid: Srynx Serum for mild wounds, applied to the small burns he’s acquired from using the fire charm.
“Because the Riadek needs to be diminished for its powers to be permanently altered. Everything we do is authorised by the Society. The Orium Circle visit regularly to carry out checks.”
“And do The Orium Circle know some of your soldiers are riding around The Society Sphere on Silverbacks…?” I ask. “Like those two who are hiding back there.”
“There’s no law against this,” Orgev replies, the smug smile returning.
“And is there a law against duels?” Conrad prompts, “because something tells me your comrades tracked us to The Shallows, looking for something.”
“And what would that be?”
“A challenge,” Conrad replies with increased intent. “I mean, it must get boring out here, firing curses at creatures in chains. Not much of a challenge, is it?”
Orgev’s smug smile fades, replaced with the emotionless glare we were faced with in Poridian Parlour. “We should remember we are on the same side, Conrad, sacrificing many things for peace.”
Conrad takes a step closer, studying the muscle-men surrounding Orgev. “That’s funny,” he begins, “because I get the feeling you’re up to something out here, making me wonder if you’re the people Alice Aradel is hiding from. After all, the evening witch has lost her powers, relying on desperate trades to keep her going. All of a sudden, she risks capture to get her hands on a few Zombuls…?”
“False accusation is a serious offence, Conrad.”
“And so is abuse of power, Orgev, so you’ll let us look around or we’ll come back with an army.”
“And you think you have that power?”
I step alongside Conrad, holding Orgev’s smug gaze before adding, “Well, we know a man who does … Casper Renn … who’s watching all of this in The Cendryll.”
That changes things, Orgev faltering at the sound of Casper Renn’s name: a man who’s fought and defeated every threat in recent history. I’m sure he’s studying us now, watching as we stare down the group who realise they’ve got a decision to make: truth or dare.
16
Cursed Flight
The mild tension in the air eases as Orgev offers us another smile, this one a little more genuine.
“So, what would you like to see?” he asks, gesturing around him to the mountain walls framing the taming range. “We can take you closer to the cells, offering you reassurance that cruelty is not the aim of our taming procedures. We can also give you a more general tour within the mountains, where we live when based here. Otherwise, we can show you Drandok from the skies.”
Conrad doesn’t bite at the obvious bait — his desire to test himself against the Domitus currently under control.
“Maybe, the grand tour later,” I say, replying before male ego gets out of hand. “What about showing us inside to give us a sense of the place? Then we could watch a taming procedure from start to finish, giving us the reassurances we need.”
“As you wish, Guppy,” Orgev replies, buttoning the top of his loose grey shirt in a gesture of odd formality. He’s either patronising us with his sudden desire to please or there’s more to it: a leader possibly worrying about what could be revealed.
I haven’t got Conrad’s sense about the place yet, whistling for Laieya to hover close by as we head towards the mountain crevice in the east wall. Unlike the Silverbacks caged in their stone cells, our Williynx can shape shift into any form, making them an unpredictable threat to those on the wrong end of their fury.
The Domitus know the Williynx well, the frequent glances from Orgev and his crew a sign of their wariness. After all, one blast of ice from a Williynx can shatter a body beyond recognition. We’re not here to start an argument — as much as Conrad would like to — but to get clarity on the intent of two figures who appeared in Poridian Parlour.
Whatever the reason, we’re about to find out more as we follow Orgev’s crew through the mountain crevice, leading us into a labyrinth of spaces housing a strange silence. The spaces appear at the end of a winding walkway, the mountain crevice
