‘As I mentioned yesterday,’ she said, sitting at the head of the table, ‘we are moving our search from the Southern Cape and Dun Khatar up to Kinell, starting with Kin Dai. You will be looking for a demigod with vision powers. If you sense him, you must inform me immediately.’
They began at once, their eyes glazing over, and Belinda sat back and watched them. She had been pondering the problems she faced, looking for a compromise that might prevail. She knew the leadership of the City of Pella – surely a peaceful negotiation with them could provide the salve that Implacatus desired. A plan had started to take root in her mind, a plan that would involve no one being killed. Furthermore, if it succeeded, then she would receive the plaudits for restoring the supply of the precious mineral, and Arete and Leksandr would be discredited. That was what queens did, she thought; they found solutions. Implacatus would never cease their search for salve, but if she could guarantee its supply without any need for a military occupation of Pella, then everyone would win.
Two hours passed, then a demigod blinked.
‘Your Majesty,’ he said, his eyes lowered.
‘Yes?’
‘I think I have detected a faint vision signal emanating from the city of Kin Dai, by the river estuary. It appears to be coming from a river boat.’
She went into his mind, and saw the location he had pinpointed.
‘Everyone,’ she said, breaking into the thoughts of the others; ‘that will be all for tonight. Say nothing of this to anyone.’
The gods and demigods rose from their seats, bowed, and left the room. When they had gone, she sent her own vision out into the night sky. She crossed the fertile plains of Tordue, then soared over the mountains where the wild dragons lived and entered Kinell. It looked similar to Tordue, but its farms and fields were less organised, and its villages held free people rather than the indentured slaves of Tordue. That was another thing she would change if she gained power – there would be no more slavery.
Her vision raced north-eastwards until she reached the coast of the ocean, then she turned north until she found the city of Kin Dai. Using the image she had taken from the mind of the demigod, she focussed on the river boats that crowded the muddy estuary. Her vision landed on the vessel that the demigod had identified, and she went inside, guiding her sight down from the deck. She came to a narrow galley kitchen, with a table where four men were sitting. She smiled when she saw Corthie, then noticed that he was drunk. Next to him sat Van and Sohul, and Naxor was at the other end of the table. She scowled at the sight of him, her hatred bubbling back to the surface after being suppressed for so long. She longed to talk to Corthie, but his mind was shielded, and besides, only Naxor had the information she needed.
She entered the demigod’s mind, and began rifling through his memories as quickly as she was able; searching for the last time he had used a Quadrant to travel to the salve world. She found it. It was a memory that she herself was in; the time Naxor had fled from her, Karalyn and Sable when they had first arrived in the Falls of Iron. She memorised his hand movements over the copper-coloured device, then paused. She had done what she had come to do, but she still needed to warn them, not for Naxor’s sake, but for the others.
He stopped talking, as if noticing something, then blinked.
‘So,’ he went on, ‘it was faint, but I think it might have been Amalia. The powers flickered for a moment, then ceased, and I could find no trace of her after that.’
‘But if it was Amalia,’ said Van, ‘then clearly Kelsey couldn’t have been with her. How do you explain that?’
‘I can’t,’ said Naxor; ‘I’m merely reporting what I sensed.’
‘And it was up north?’ said Sohul.
‘Yes, in one of the ancient fortress towns along the coast – the Forted Shore, I believe it’s called.’
‘We should go, tomorrow,’ said Corthie.
Naxor, said Belinda.
He froze. He recognised her voice, she could feel it.
‘Are you alright?’ said Van. ‘Corthie’s suggestion wasn’t that crazy; this is the first clue we’ve gained about their possible location.’
Make your excuses and go to your cabin.
‘I’m fine,’ he spluttered; ‘fine. Yes, I’m, eh… I just need to pop into my room for a moment.’ He got up as the others frowned at him. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
He hurried across the galley and into a tiny cabin, then closed the door. He sat on his bed, his hands trembling.
Belinda?
Yes.
I, uh, I…
I’m not here to hurt you, although you deserve it for what you did to me.
I can explain!
Shut up and listen. The use of your powers is endangering Corthie. The Ascendants believe he is dead, and I wish it to stay that way.
How did you find us?
The Ascendants have a team of gods and demigods who have been searching for Kelsey Holdfast. They found you instead. Right now, I am the only hope you have of surviving this. I know I can’t trust you, but I’m sure you are perfectly capable of acting in your own interests.
But…
Be quiet, Naxor. I need you to cease using your vision powers, immediately, and move to a different location, tonight if possible; if not, then first thing tomorrow. If you don’t, then the Ascendants will discover where you are.
Why are you helping us?
I am doing this for Corthie, Van and Sohul. Hide.
Are the Ascendants still in Alea Tanton?
Yes. They have no idea how to use the Sextant.
Then the City is safe? And Corthie’s world too?
For now they are, and I have a plan that will hopefully keep it that way.
A plan? What plan?’
Never mind that, Naxor. Just do as I say. And tell Corthie I love him.
She
