Extending his senses, Lorkin tried again to hear his mother’s surface thoughts. What he picked up seemed too out of character, however. He must be imagining it. Though... it was also odd that he would imagine his mother thinking such a string of curse words.
“They will be safe,” Savara said in reply to whatever had been asked while he was distracted. “The individual who attacked Lorkin did so out of a desire to bring Healing to my people that many sympathise with. But few would use illegal means to achieve it. Hiring Healers to work for us is another way to do so. Did Lorkin tell you of the promise Lord Akkarin made?”
“Yes. Akkarin never told me of it.”
“There was much that was concealed in that agreement. Queen Zarala also made a promise that she did not fulfil, though she worked towards doing so all her life.”
Lorkin looked at Savara, remembering the former queen referring to such a promise. “
“What was that?” his mother asked.
Savara’s expression was serious as she answered. “To do what the Guild failed to do seven centuries ago: destroy the Ashaki and end slavery in Sachaka.”
As Tayend entered the Master’s Room, Dannyl frowned. “Achati may wish to speak to me alone.”
“Too bad. Like it or not, the king’s actions have a bearing on Sachakan relations with all Allied Lands,” the Elyne said. “
Dannyl sighed. “Of course.” But his resistance was mostly habit. In truth, he was grateful for Tayend’s company. Having a common cause, working together, and Tayend’s approval of Achati had changed something. They were no longer at odds. The resentment at their parting was gone, or at least a thing of the past. He felt as if he could call Tayend a friend now and it wouldn’t be an insult.
Having Tayend there would keep the meeting formal, too, which might make it easier to ignore his more personal feelings toward Achati.
“Lorkin is with Sonea,” Dannyl murmured. “I was communicating with Osen when Kai reported Achati’s arrival.”
Tayend’s eyebrows rose. “Good news.”
At a sound from the corridor, they turned to face the visitor. Tav, the door slave, arrived first and threw himself on the floor. Achati walked in after him, smiling.
“Welcome Ashaki Achati,” Dannyl said. “As always, you seem immune to the disfavour that association with the Guild House seems to engender.”
Achati spread his hands. “An advantage of my position, Ambassador Dannyl.” He nodded to Tayend. “Ambassador Tayend. It is good to visit the Guild House in more pleasant circumstances than the last time.”
“If you mean in the company of the king’s spies, then I’d say the circumstances are likely to be much the same.”
Achati nodded sympathetically. “The king has far fewer scruples about such things than you expected.”
“It is generally good manners to at least
Achati shook his head. “Really? Kyralians do have odd ideas about manners. But this is not what I came to talk to you about.”
Dannyl crossed his arms. “And that is?”
“I came to explain why I told the king of my part in Lorkin’s escape.”
“I think we have guessed,” Tayend told him. “You saw an opportunity to gain information from Lorkin.”
Achati nodded. “One that did not involve abduction, imprisonment, or worse. I took a risk that he would not keep to his word, however. The king thought it reckless, but was eventually persuaded that it was the best course of action.” He took a few steps closer. “You do understand that anything I do against the king’s wishes would eventually be discovered.”
Dannyl nodded. “Next time you wore his blood ring.”
“Yes. Initiative is a tricky issue for a king. When does it end and disobedience begin? There’s always the danger that knowing what the king needs is interpreted as presuming what the king wants.”
“Did the king get what he wanted?”
Achati’s shoulder’s lifted. “No. He got what he needed. Not everything Lorkin knew, but enough.”
“Lorkin betrayed the Traitors?” Tayend shook his head in disbelief.
“He didn’t think he had, I suspect.” Achati’s smile was thin. “He thought he had tricked us, but he told us a lot more than he realised.”
“What did he say?” Dannyl did not expect the Ashaki to answer. If the information was so important that the king had let Lorkin go...
“He told us where the Traitor home is, just as he said he would.”
Tayend narrowed his eyes. “He said something vague, like ‘in the mountains’?”
“No. He said ‘Sachaka’.”
Achati watched expectantly as Tayend turned to frown at Dannyl. Returning the Elyne’s gaze, Dannyl nodded in understanding.
“He revealed that the Traitors consider the whole country their rightful home,” he explained. “Which means their hope isn’t to remain hidden or become a separate people.” He turned to regard Achati. “Their hope is to, one day, rule Sachaka.”
“Ah,” Tayend said. “But that might not happen for years. And they may not win.”
“They won’t win,” Achati said firmly. “There can’t be as many of them living in the mountains as there are Sachakans in the lowlands. We are, by far, the greater force. Which is why their usual means of meddling in our affairs is through spying and assassination.” His expression became serious. “And that is why we have our own spies everywhere, including the Guild House – though we did not have many here before Lorkin’s abduction because we didn’t think the Traitors would be interested in Kyralians.”
Dannyl frowned at the open admission of spies in the Guild House.
“They are here for your safety,” Achati assured him. “Lorkin was a different matter, of course, but that’s over now. The king does not wish you harm. He does want good relations between the Allied Lands and Sachaka. As do I, since I enjoy your company.” He looked from Dannyl to Tayend, to indicate he included both of them. “I consider you both my friends.”
Tayend looked at Dannyl. His eyebrows rose slightly, then lowered as he smiled. There was a hint of mischief in his gaze. He turned back to Achati.
“Well then,” he said. “Would you like to stay for an evening drink? I don’t know about Dannyl, but I’d like to know more about your plans to thwart a Traitor uprising.”
Surprised, Dannyl could only nod to show he approved of the idea. What was Tayend up to? Was he gathering information, or planning to look for holes in Achati’s story, or test his declaration of friendship?
Though Dannyl knew he ought to do the same, he had to admit his heart was not in it.
Architecture was a subject that all novices learned, though most only received a basic training. Lilia had always thought it was a grand term for what was mostly a menial task for magicians. Few magicians designed buildings, and since the Ichani Invasion the popularity of buildings that relied on magic to stay up had diminished. Most magicians only used what they learned in architecture classes to safely fix structures or speed the
