The Traitor Queen

Her shoulders lifted. “I couldn’t see. I shuttered the lamp so they wouldn’t notice the light and came straight here. I didn’t hear anything, though.”

Cery looked at Gol. His bodyguard stared back, his face full of concern.

“I think you should get Lilia,” Gol said.

“She’ll be in class. I can’t just—”

“Go to Sonea’s room,” Cery said firmly. “Tell Jonna to fetch Lilia.”

“You should come with me. Hide in Sonea’s room.”

“If we hear anything, we’ll follow you,” Cery told her. “Now go.”

She paused, biting her lip, then hurried away. Gol didn’t even wait until her footsteps had faded. He dove for the drill and all but attacked the wall with it. Cery tipped the fruit out of the box and carried it over to his friend. Four more tubes of minefire lay in the base. Gol’s words repeated in his mind even as he listened, straining his ears, for any sound in the passages.

“Safer if it’s in the wall, than in the room with us.”

He wasn’t sure if his heart was racing more from anticipation or fear. Was Skellin approaching? Would they get to spring their trap at last? Would it create a big hole in the Gardens and expose the Rogue to the Guild, as they’d planned? Or would Skellin, not expecting the blast, die?

Whatever happens, at least Anyi is out of the way. I have no intention of dying along with Skellin, but the fewer of us around the less chance that one of us will be hurt.

Chapter 22 An Old Enemy

Squinting at the dark smudge on the road ahead, Lorkin wasn’t able to make out much more than the impression of movement. Looks like a group of people on horseback. He glanced at Savara. The queen’s attention was on the road so she could not have missed them, yet she did not look concerned.

He turned to Tyvara, riding beside him, catching her shifting her weight in the saddle and grimacing. Seeing him notice, she smiled. “Only been a few hours and I’m chafing already.”

Ex-slaves had given them horses at one of the estates they’d freed that morning. “Freed” simply meant walking in and executing the Ashaki owners and his magician brethren. Often the men had no more warning of an imminent attack than their slaves suddenly disappearing. Though they all put up a fight, most of them obviously weren’t in the habit of keeping their store of magic well boosted. Why would they? They’re not Ichani, constantly under threat from other black magicians. They probably only stock up on power when they need it for a particular task. It made their death seem less like casualties of war. More like murders.

It feels like we’re breaking into these people’s homes and killing husbands, sons and fathers, not waging a war. If we faced them in a unified front we’d still be killing husbands, sons and fathers, but it would seem justified. Yet the Traitors weren’t triumphant victors, casually or vengefully killing off the families, looting and torturing. If they had been, Lorkin might have regretted his decision to join them. Instead they were merciful and efficient.

But ruthless.

He thought of the gemstone his mother had given him.

He reminded himself that his father had extracted a promise from Zarala that the Traitors would end slavery. His father had wanted this to happen. Every time Lorkin doubted, or lost courage, he looked to the newly freed slaves, and told himself this was all for a good cause.

He had expected the Traitors would encounter better-prepared Ashaki once the invasion began, but it was clear each was surprised by the attack. Perhaps those killed earlier were too occupied in their own defence to send a warning to others. Perhaps they relied on slaves to send messages, but the slaves who supported the Traitors ensured that those loyal to their masters did not leave to warn others.

Eventually a warning would get through, Lorkin knew. Maybe an Ashaki would mentally send a warning, either broadcasting it or communicating through a blood ring. Even if Savara’s team managed to kill them before they got the chance, other teams might not. Once the news got ahead of the advancing Traitors, nothing would stop it spreading to the city. When it did, the Traitors would not be attacking one or two magicians at each estate, but an army of them. Which was why the shadow on the road ahead had set his heart racing.

He focused on Tyvara’s mind and sensed eager expectation, with only a small pang of worry. No more Traitors have died, he caught. But it won’t be long... She noticed him frowning at her, and smiled.

“Don’t worry. It’s just another team. As we all get closer to the city, teams will meet and join up.”

Relieved, he turned to watch as the other Traitors approached. Shadows resolved into figures on horseback. Riders became women and men. Faces became recognisable. He heard Tyvara curse at the same time as he realised one face was familiar.

“What is she doing here?” he muttered.

Tyvara sighed. “Kalia’s punishment was suspended for the duration of the invasion,” she told him. “As was mine. It would be unfortunate if we lost, but for the power of two magicians.”

He watched as Kalia’s eyes moved over Savara’s group, then her expression turned sour as she saw him and Tyvara.

“We are all on the same side,” Tyvara said. “But I do wish Kalia had been put in a team attacking the opposite side of the city,” she added in a lower tone.

Savara turned to look at them both. “I will be keeping an eye on her. And an ear.” She looked back at the approaching team and urged her horse forward to meet them. To Lorkin’s relief, the woman who came to meet her was not Kalia. It was Speaker Halana, leader of the stone-makers.

“At least she’s not leading the team,” he said.

Tyvara chuckled. “We aren’t that stupid.”

Halana placed a hand over her heart briefly, then took hold of the reins again to guide her horse to a stop next to Savara’s mount.

“Any news?” Savara asked.

“We’ve lost Vilanya and Sarva,” Halana replied. “They were ambushed.”

“So the Ashaki are warned.”

“Most likely. Any trouble?”

“A few slaves getting a little too eager,” Savara replied. She sighed. “Those in one estate killed an entire family and the head slave, who was one of our allies. I told them this isn’t our intention, but I don’t think they were listening.”

Halana nodded. “There will be more trouble of that kind. I have been hinting that we want to deal with the families ourselves, later.”

“That might work, so long as they don’t take on the role of jailor too enthusiastically.” Savara looked around. “Let’s continue.”

The two groups mingled to become one. Lorkin noted that Kalia positioned herself so that Savara and Halana were between her and Tyvara. The two leaders discussed what they would do if freed slaves were unable to provide the Traitors with food. Not long had passed when Savara suddenly spoke loud enough for all to hear.

“What is this problem you are discussing, Kalia?”

Lorkin looked over to see the woman glance at him, then back at the queen. Her back straightened.

“We have a non-Traitor among us. I was merely advising Cyria that she be careful.”

“Cyria need not be wary of anybody here. We are all Traitors.”

“Lorkin is Kyralian.”

“Kyralian born. Now a Traitor. There are ex-slaves and women who were formerly wives and sisters of the Ashaki among us. All chose to join us. All are needed.”

“But he is a Guild magician, and a man.”