The door swung open and Arete strode into the room.
‘Leksandr,’ she cried, not seeming to even notice Belinda; ‘get up.’
Belinda turned, her arm dropping to her side.
‘What are you doing here?’ said Arete, her eyes beginning to narrow. ‘What were you up to just now?’
Belinda frowned. ‘I’m waiting for Leksandr; he summoned me.’
‘Why didn’t you just wake him?’
‘I didn’t want to interrupt his meditation, or whatever he’s doing.’
Arete rolled her eyes, then stepped forward and shook Leksandr’s shoulder. ‘Wake up.’
The Sixth Ascendant’s eyes opened, and he glanced around the room. ‘Yes?’
Arete frowned. ‘Bastion’s here.’
Leksandr face fell. ‘When?’
‘Just now. He appeared in the residence’s main reception hall.’
‘Did he come alone?’
‘Yes. He wants to see us.’
‘I’m sure he does.’ He shook his head. ‘I suppose we should get it over with.’
‘Who’s Bastion?’ said Belinda.
Arete stared at her. ‘He particularly wants to see you.’
‘He’s an Ancient,’ said Leksandr. ‘The Blessed Second Ascendant’s emissary.’
‘That’s one word for it,’ said Arete.
‘If he’s here,’ said Leksandr, ‘then he will be acting with the full authority of the Second Ascendant behind him; and anything you say or do will be reported back to Implacatus; in fact, he might well decide to take you back with him.’
A surge of panic swept through Belinda, but she kept her appearance calm.
‘We need to decide what we’re going to tell him,’ said Arete.
Leksandr smiled and got to his feet. ‘He’s probably listening to us as we speak.’
‘Why are you acting as if you’re scared of him?’ said Belinda. ‘He is an Ancient; you are Ascendants.’
‘He is the Blessed Second Ascendant’s sword, fist and shield; his most trusted advisor and lieutenant. He is also almost as old as the Ascendants. It would be wise for you to understand that his word will always be taken over ours.’
‘Wise indeed,’ said a low voice from the door.
The others turned. A man in a simple black cloak and sandals was standing in the doorway. He was unarmed, and carrying nothing apart from a small shoulder bag. He walked into the room.
‘Lord Bastion,’ said Leksandr, bowing; ‘I was just explaining who you were to the Third Ascendant.’
‘I know. I heard.’
Arete also had her head bowed, but Belinda kept her chin up as Bastion approached her. He stopped when he was inches from her face and stared, his dark eyes boring into her. He nodded, then turned and walked over to the Sextant.
‘Explain,’ he said, his eyes fixed on the device.
‘Well, my lord,’ said Leksandr. ‘We seized the Sextant in a successful operation some…’
‘I know what occurred. Explain why you haven’t returned to Implacatus.’
Belinda glanced at him. ‘How do you know what occurred?’
Bastion said nothing, his eyes on the device.
‘The Third Ascendant,’ said Leksandr, ‘has, as you may know, lost her memory, and she doesn’t yet understand the correct etiquette for these, uh, situations. She didn’t mean any offence by her question, you see, she…’
‘I’m still waiting for your explanation,’ said Bastion.
‘Of course, my lord; yes. Well, the Seventh Ascendant and I decided that we would remain here to complete all of our objectives. The Sextant was only one, and there is still work to be done here on Lostwell. There is the matter of the Holdfasts, a family of mortals who are also in possession of god-like powers. We have slain one, but the others have so far eluded our detection. And the Sextant itself, of course, requires further examination in order to get it operational.’
‘You had one objective,’ said Bastion. ‘Secure the supply of salve. Why have you failed?’
‘The Holdfasts have frustrated us at every turn.’
‘That’s what Lord Renko said, and you know what happened to him.’
‘With all respect to you and the Blessed Second Ascendant, I’m not sure you fully grasp the importance of these mortals. They are completely impervious to our powers, and have powers of their own. What’s more, they come from a world where a significant proportion of mortals have powers. Nathaniel created it; it was his last act, I believe.’
Bastion paused for a second as if taken aback. ‘Do you have proof of this?’
Leksandr pointed at Belinda. ‘The Third Ascendant has been to this world.’
‘Has she, indeed?’ said Bastion. He drew his eyes from the Sextant and turned them towards Belinda. ‘Is this so, Third Ascendant?’
‘It is.’
‘How did you come to be shielded? I cannot penetrate your mind.’
‘One of the Holdfasts did it.’
‘Why?’
‘To protect me.’
‘They were your friends?’
‘Yes.’
‘And now?’
‘Now, I have knelt and sworn allegiance to the Second Ascendant.’
A hint of a smile crept across Bastion’s lips. ‘My master is minded to dismiss the Sixth and Seventh Ascendants from their positions of authority on this operation, and place you in charge in their stead.’
‘My lord,’ said Arete, her voice strained; ‘we cannot be sure of her loyalty. She should be removed from Lostwell and interrogated by the Blessed Second Ascendant himself.’
Bastion glanced at her for a moment. ‘I shall take neither course. The Third Ascendant will remain here, and Leksandr shall continue in his position as the leader of this operation. Fulfil your primary objective, or you shall be punished.’ His eyes tightened. ‘A world of mortals with powers? I must learn more and return with this information to Implacatus. Belinda, come with me.’
* * *
Bastion’s questioning of Belinda lasted several hours and, under his unblinking eyes, she heard herself give away more than she had ever told Leksandr and Arete about the world of the Holdfasts, and her expedition to the City of Pella. He said almost nothing, letting her talk, and her words filled the awkward gaps as if silence was unbearable. With an effort, she managed to rein herself in once the questions had returned to events on Lostwell,
