The Ambassador's Mission

the people in the room in the hope of learning what he could before he was returned to the windowless cell.

There were many couples sitting on the stairs, he noted, but all others were women. Those standing around the walls were mostly male, however. The clothing of all was simple. Some of the Traitors were dressed in practical trousers and tunics, while others wore long belted shifts in finer cloth. He was surprised to see that both women and men wore these long shifts.

The colour of the cloth ranged from undyed to deep colours, but none were vivid or bright. He guessed it was hard to bring dyes into the city, and with limited space to grow crops, priority would be given to plants that produced food.

Though he tried to keep his attention focused on the audience, he could not help glancing at Tyvara from time to time. Every time he did so, he found her watching him. She did not smile again, however. She looked thoughtful. And worried.

Finally, Riaya’s voice rose over the noise in the room.

“We have finished deliberations,” she announced.

The room quietened. Riaya looked at the other women at the table, then turned to regard Tyvara.

“You offered to allow Speaker Halana to read your mind. We have explored all other avenues as required by law, but I can see no other way to confirm your claims. Please come forward and remove the mind block.”

From the audience came low voices and whispers. Lorkin thought back to a snippet of conversation between Chari and Tyvara, from the journey into the mountains. Tyvara had said she would let the Traitors read her mind. Chari had been shocked. “You can’t,” she had hissed. “You promised...”

Promised what? To who? Lorkin watched as the woman who had saved his life walked with head high to stand before her leaders. He felt his heart lighten with a rush of sudden, giddy affection. She is so proud. So beautiful. Then he felt a familiar doubt and annoyance spoil the moment. I wish I knew whether Chari is right or not about Tyvara’s regard for me. If she is wrong I don’t want to make a fool of myself trying to win over Tyvara. But if she is right... if Tyvara likes me... but makes a habit of pushing away those who admire her... do I have the determination to keep pursuing her?

Every part of him was sure he did.

Stopping in front of the Table, Tyvara held out her left hand. She paused, then grimaced. Lorkin blinked in surprise and horror as blood began to drip from her palm. She kneaded the base of her thumb, then held up something too tiny for him to see. She let it drop on the table.

I was right, he thought. The mind block is an object similar to a blood gem.

The leaders wore expressions of grim sympathy. He watched Halana stand up and reach out to Tyvara, who bent forward a little. The older woman took hold of Tyvara’s head and closed her eyes.

A long pause followed in which all watched the pair expectantly. When Halana drew her hands away at last, she said nothing. She sat down. Tyvara picked up the mind block and backed away from the table.

“What have you learned?” Riaya asked.

“Everything Tyvara has told us is true,” Halana said.

A collective sigh went through the room. Riaya placed her hands on the table.

“Then it is time to cast our votes.” She looked at Tyvara, then the audience. “We have concluded that Tyvara did not need to kill Riva. She should have pushed Riva away from Lorkin, or otherwise separated them. But we also acknowledge that there was no time, upon discovery of the crime taking place, for deliberation. Tyvara acted in order to ensure the wishes of the queen were met, and to prevent a situation that might lead to a threat to Sanctuary and increased danger to our people in Sachaka.” She paused and looked at the Speakers. “Should Tyvara be executed for the murder of Riva?”

Of the six women sitting behind the table, two held their hands up. The rest held their hands out, palm facing downward. Lorkin assumed that since Kalia had her hand up, that signal was for the affirmative.

“Four against, two for,” Riaya said. She looked at the audience. To Lorkin’s surprise, they were making one or the other gesture. “The majority against,” Riaya declared. She looked to the queen, who now held out her hand, palm down. “The answer is ‘no’.”

Hands dropped. Riaya looked pleased, Lorkin noted.

“The death of a fellow Traitor is a serious matter,” she continued. “And no matter the reason for it, penalties must be applied. Tyvara must remain in Sanctuary for the next three years, after which she may take a position as scout or watcher and work to regain the responsibilities she had before. During those three years she is to dedicate one day of each six to the benefit of Riva’s family.” Riaya’s gaze returned to Tyvara. “Do you accept this judgement?”

“Yes.”

“Then it is decided. You are free to go. This trial is concluded and the laws of Sanctuary upheld. May the stones keep singing.”

“May the stones keep singing,” the audience replied.

The room filled with movement as all rose to their feet. Lorkin watched Tyvara. She was looking at the floor. She gave a little shake of her head, then looked up at Savara. The older woman smiled with approval. Then one of her eyebrows rose in query and her gaze shifted to Lorkin. He blinked, then saw Tyvara roll her eyes, turn and stride to the door at the far side of the room. He could see Chari standing there. The young woman was grinning. She looked across to him and winked.

Someone tugged at his sleeve. The guide smiled at him.

“I’m to take you to your quarters next.” Her smile widened. “Your new quarters.”

He felt his heart, in the process of sinking, lighten. “It wouldn’t happen to have a window, would it?”

She gestured for him to follow her. “No. But you’ll have some company, and you’re free to come and go as you please – so long as you don’t leave Sanctuary, of course. I’m Vytra, by the way.”

“Pleased to meet you, Vytra.”

She chuckled. “You Kyralians have funny ways,” she said. “So polite.”

“I can be rude if you want.”

She laughed. “That would be a shame. Now, on the way I should give you a few tips on how to get along with people here.”

Listening carefully, Lorkin followed the woman out into the city.

Cery watched his daughter thoughtfully. She wasn’t doing well in her lessons today, but then Gol had also made some uncharacteristic blunders. Both were still too wound up from their morning visit to the Guild to focus fully on the training session.

They shouldn’t be letting that affect their concentration, he thought. I guess I’m going to have to make sure I can protect myself, if my bodyguards are ever treated to a glimpse of the life of the rich and powerful again.

A knock at the door drew everyone’s attention. They were back at the Grinder Bolhouse, and Cery’s people had been sent out to inform those who had requested a meeting with him that they could see him now.

At a nod from Cery, Gol strode to the door and opened it a crack, before pulling it open. The man standing in the corridor outside had the same awed look on his face that Anyi and Gol had worn for hours after their visit to the Guild.

“Black Magician Sonea, Lord Regin, two women and two children to see you,” he said.

“Send them up.”

The man nodded and hurried away. Anyi and Gol stood and grinned at each other.

“Well, come on. Take your places,” Cery ordered.

They hurried over to stand on either side of his chair. Gol struck a pose that looked more ridiculous than imposing. Anyi flexed her fingers as she always did when nervous. Shaking his head, Cery sighed and waited.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, then the room seemed to fill with magicians’ robes. Sonea’s black ones first, then Regin’s red. Following the pair and looking very plain and meek came Forlie and a younger woman. The latter was carrying a small girl in one arm, and a slightly older boy clung to her other hand.

Anyi and Gol bowed awkwardly, but with enthusiasm.