“Nothing. Not... as young... as I used to be,” Cery panted. He returned to his chair. “I should get out more often. Any sign of our rogue?”
“No.”
“Anyone pay much attention to the neighbourly exchange downstairs?”
“Not much.”
“Good. One of us needs to go to the Freeday market tomorrow. To the spice sellers.”
“Oh?”
“Our rogue apparently visits them regularly.”
“That’s Skellin’s territory.”
Cery cursed. Gol was right. While some Thieves did not mind others doing a little snooping around in their territory without permission – so long as the snooping wasn’t on their operations – others definitely did. Cery would wager that Skellin was the latter kind.
“I doubt he’d deny you permission,” Gol said.
“Yes, but to get permission I’d have to explain what I’m doing. And then he’d know I didn’t seek his help in finding someone I thought might be the Thief Hunter, when I said I would.”
“Just tell him the truth: you’re not sure it is, and you didn’t want to bother him until you had proof.”
“If he thinks there’s a chance I’m right, he’ll want to help us search for her,” Cery pointed out.
“We could do with the help,” Gol replied.
Cery sighed. “We could. But what will Sonea think of us involving another Thief?”
Gol gave him a serious look. “She won’t care, so long as the rogue is caught.”
“What will Skellin think of having to work with the Guild?”
“He won’t have any choice.” Gol smiled. “And from what you said about his interest in magicians, he might be thrilled at the chance.”
Cery regarded his friend thoughtfully. “You want me to ask for Skellin’s help, don’t you?”
Gol shrugged. “If this woman is the Thief Hunter, I want her caught quick. The sooner she’s gone the safer you’ll be.”
“And you.”
The big man spread his hands. “Is it wrong to want that?”
“Hmph.” Cery looked outside and saw the first of the lamp-lighters stride into sight. It was growing dark already. “Not at all. Once Skellin learns the Thief Hunter might be a magician, he’ll realise he has no choice but to work with the Guild. He’s not going to be able to catch or kill her himself.”
“So you’ll go see him?”
Cery sighed. “I guess I have to.”
Since Achati had not told Ashaki Tikako of his intention to visit his country estate, as it would have meant pointing out the humiliating fact that the man had not read his slave’s mind properly, he did not want to impose further by staying there for the night. Instead, he and Dannyl travelled further down the road to another estate, owned by an elderly Ashaki, and requested a meal and beds in the name of the king.
The old man and his wife were clearly unused to company and played host and hostess reluctantly. But custom dictated that they could not refuse the king’s representative. Achati took pity on them, eating sparingly and quickly, and the couple were happy to oblige when he indicated that both he and Dannyl were tired and would appreciate an early night.
Once settled in the guest rooms, they did not go to bed straightaway, but sat and discussed what they had learned.
“If the Traitors want us to find Lorkin, we’ll find him,” Achati said.
“You believe they have that much power and influence?”
The Sachakan grimaced as he nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. They have evaded us for centuries. Many previous kings have tried to flush them out, or find their base, but the Traitors have only grown better at what they do. King Amakira has said to me we could be better off leaving them alone, as they may grow weaker if they have nothing to strive against.”
Dannyl chuckled. “He may be right, but I doubt it.”
“Why is that?”
“Without conflict killing them off and taking up their time, they will raise families. They may grow weaker in fighting skills, but greater in numbers.”
Achati frowned thoughtfully. “Eventually there will be too many mouths to feed. They will starve.” He smiled. “So maybe the king is right after all.”
“Only if the Traitors remain hidden.”
“You think they’ll be forced to come out? To come begging for food?”
“Or they’ll choose to reveal themselves in other ways. How strong is your army?”
Achati snorted derisively. “Most likely a hundred times bigger and stronger than theirs. We know their base is in the mountains, where the land is harsh and infertile. They could not feed a population to match the rest of the country, so I doubt their army is the same size or larger than ours.”
Dannyl nodded in agreement. “Which is why they use cunning, secretive methods. I wonder... do you think they could overthrow the country merely by assassinating and manipulating the right people?”
Achati’s expression became serious. “It is possible, but if they could have done it before now, surely they would have.”
“The perfect opportunity may not have presented itself yet. It may require some new and extraordinary factor.”
Achati’s eyebrows rose. “Like the chance to abduct the son of a powerful Guild magician?”
“Do you think that would be extraordinary enough?”
“No.” He shook his head and smiled. “Manipulating Kyralia and Sachaka into a war would be too risky. What if Kyralia won? What if we resisted their manipulations, joined forces and attacked the Traitors together? The Guild may prove better at hunting them than we are.” He paused. “Which reminds me. Has the Guild responded to the news of Lorkin’s abduction yet?”
“No,” Dannyl looked away.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Achati rose. “It’s late and I should get some rest. Tell me what they say in the morning.”
“I will.”
As the door to the Sachakan’s room closed, Dannyl reached into his robe and drew out Administrator Osen’s blood ring. He stared at it, running through his mind all the ways he’d considered phrasing the bad news, and choosing what he hoped was the best.
Then he slipped on the ring.
As Sonea opened the door to her rooms, she was surprised to find Administrator Osen standing outside with one hand raised ready to knock. The startled look on his face faded and he straightened.
“Black Magician Sonea,” he said. “I must speak with you.”
“It’s lucky we caught you before you left for the hospices,” another voice added.
She turned to see Rothen standing behind and to one side of the Administrator. At once she felt her stomach sink and her heart start to race.
“Come in,” she said, stepping back and beckoning impatiently.
Osen strode inside, followed by Rothen. She closed the door and turned to stare at the Administrator expectantly. He regarded her soberly.
“I must inform you that your son has...” Osen paused and frowned. “I’m not sure what to call it. It appears Lorkin has been abducted.”
Sonea’s legs lost all strength and she felt herself sway a little. Rothen took a step toward her, but she
