Belinda took a sip of wine as she sat on the long couch in the Ascendant’s private rooms. ‘I have been searching for a suitable Quadrant, as you commanded,’ she said. ‘I am determined to find one for you. I need to prove myself, I understand that.’
Leksandr glanced at her, then gave a slight nod.
‘This evening,’ she went on, ‘I intend to keep working. I will revisit Fordamere, and try to retrace the steps of those who fled before your arrival.’
‘Why?’
‘There were some demigods from the salve world there; companions of Corthie Holdfast. It is possible that one of them might have used a Quadrant.’
‘Are these the same demigods who were related to Count Irno of the Falls of Iron?’
‘Yes.’
Leksandr nodded again, and she wondered if he believed her. She wanted to check, to enter his mind to see what he really thought of her, but he would know as soon as she tried. It was true that lying was coming easier to her, but was she giving too much away?
‘Were they also your friends?’ he said after a pause.
‘No. They were not my friends.’
‘Off you go, then,’ he said, ‘and good luck.’
She got up from the couch, bowed her head, and left his rooms, her head spinning. She had almost told him more than she had meant to, her desire to assuage his doubts nearly overcoming her need to keep certain things secret. She knew perfectly well that Naxor had used a Quadrant to get to and from the City of Pella many times and, although she despised him, if he were caught then the location of the salve world would be discovered. Her memory was good, but she could easily be tangled up in the lies and half-truths she had espoused and if that happened, then they would know for sure that she was working against them.
She hurried to her own quarters, dismissed the prying servants, and threw up in the toilet, her stomach coiled tightly. Her heart was pounding as she crouched on the floor of the bathroom, and she began to feel that Leksandr could see through her fabrications and denials. He knew; he must, and was playing with her, using Arete to make her think that he was on her side, when all along the two Ascendants were in complete agreement. If that were true, then they were waiting for her to make a mistake that would lead them to Naxor, or to the God-Queen’s Quadrant. Paranoia and doubts filled her, and she realised she was afraid.
Her thoughts went to Silva. It had been four days since she had dismissed the demigod from her service, and not a single person in the Governor’s residence had commented on the fact that she was no longer around. Perhaps she had been taken into custody, and was being questioned, or tortured in the basement of the residence. Belinda washed her face and lay down on her bed, wanting to curl up into a ball and hide, or fall asleep and never wake up. Instead, she forced herself into a sitting position, and sent her vision through the half-closed shutters.
* * *
It took her over three hours to find her great granddaughter. The demigod was on the back of a wagon, heading south-east along a dusty road that led from Tordue to the Four Counties and the Fordian Wastes. There was a gap in the ring of mountains that almost enclosed Tordue, and her wagon was a few miles from a large earthen embankment that stretched across it. The demigod was sitting amid piles of luggage and goods, and a couple of other passengers were resting next to her.
Belinda almost cried out in relief when she saw her, and she dived into her mind without any hesitation.
Silva!
The demigod nearly jumped in surprise.
Silva, it’s me.
Your Majesty?
Yes. O, Silva, I’m so sorry about sending you away like that; I’m sorry about everything. I’ve made so many mistakes, but please know that I love you, and I didn’t want you to think that I had dismissed you because I was unhappy with you, I…
Her rushed tumble of thoughts trailed off as tears spilled down her face.
Your Majesty, please, slow down. What do you mean?
Corthie’s alive, Silva. I revived him after Arete and Leksandr killed him. They don’t know, and I couldn’t tell you; I knew they would read it from your mind. I’m trying my best to work against them, even though everyone thinks I’m on their side now, but it’s hard, so hard, and I don’t know how long I can keep it up.
Silva quietened, and Belinda could sense her sympathy, and the turmoil in her mind. She looked into the demigod’s memories, and could clearly see the feelings of betrayal and hurt that she had caused her great granddaughter.
Do you mean, Silva said after a while, that you tricked me into going away? Am I still in your service, your Majesty?
If you’ll have me, Silva.
Your Majesty, never doubt that, never. This makes me so happy… I must try to be calm, so that no one else on the wagon can see how I’m feeling right now, but I’m worried that I might start crying at any moment. Please, tell me what you need me to do.
I’m not sure. Part of me just wanted to have an honest conversation with you, and this was the only way I could think of that would work. I’ve missed you; I feel so alone. Arete suspects me, but Leksandr is acting as though he trusts me. I think he’s lying, but I can’t tell without going into his head, and then he would know. What should I do?
You’re asking for my advice, your Majesty?
I am.
To answer that, your Majesty, I must first know what it is that you want.
Belinda hesitated. What did she want?
I want to defeat the Ascendants. I want to
