The Traitor Queen

Saral dismounted and handed the reins of her horse to Temi, then indicated that Sonea and Regin should do the same.

“We need to check the house,” she said in a low voice. “Looks like the slaves have gone, but there’s always a chance a few ones loyal to their master have stayed. While the Ashaki has most likely joined the king’s army, he too may have stayed behind, or might return for something, or may have sent a friend to watch over his house. Stay here.”

Sonea nodded. “Need help?”

“No.”

Saral straightened and looked at Temi, then stalked away toward a nearby door. It was unlocked, and she disappeared inside. Sonea looked around. It made sense to stand with Temi. If they were attacked it would be easier to protect everyone under one shield. But as she started towards him she saw that he was holding up a small object. She sensed a faint vibration in the air and realised that he, and the horses, were already within a shield. The object must be a magical gemstone.

So, it’s up to us to shield ourselves now. Why waste power that could be needed in battle on a couple of uninvited foreigners? Well, I suppose they are about to go into battle, and we can look after ourselves. Sighing, she veered away and headed for the shadow of a wall nearby. In the protection of darkness, she extended her barrier around Regin. He glanced at her and moved closer, but said nothing.

A long wait followed. Temi said nothing, but his anxiety was plain to see. The horses were quiet, heads hanging wearily. They’d been ridden with few pauses all day. Longer and faster than we travelled before. I wonder... are we in the city now? Low walls and houses set within fields had been replaced by high walls protecting buildings much closer to the road. Most structures were single storey, but the occasional one – as in the country – had a small tower protruding above the roof. She hadn’t been able to see if fields were hidden behind them, or how large the estates were. Even now, all she could see was the courtyard they stood within. There could be sprawling fields on the other side of the buildings, or another mansion.

It doesn’t sound like a city, though. It’s too quiet.

Regin shifted his weight from one leg to the other, and his shoulder brushed against her own, leaving an impression of warmth. She felt a shock go through her, not entirely unpleasant.

Stop it, she told herself.

A door opened to their left and her heart skipped a beat. Then a globe light appeared and she was relieved to see it was Saral returning.

“Empty,” she told them. “The stables are over there.” Temi nodded and led the horses in the direction she’d pointed. Saral looked at Sonea. “Come inside.”

They entered the mansion by the door Saral had first used. As with so many Sachakan homes, a short corridor led to a bigger room. Corridors led off on either side to suites of rooms, a bathhouse, and the kitchens and other service areas.

“If you use these later,” Saral said of the baths, “don’t take too long. If Tovira does return, you won’t want to be caught there.”

“No,” Sonea agreed. “It would be rather disconcerting having to fight an Ashaki while naked.”

In the corner of her eye, she saw Regin cover his mouth. Saral hesitated, then looked away. “And it has only one entrance,” she said.

Sonea could not see if the woman was smiling, or hear amusement in her voice. Too close to battle to maintain a sense of humour. They went to the kitchen next, where Saral helped herself to food and told Sonea and Regin to do the same.

“You’re not worried the slaves might have poisoned it in the hope of weakening the Ashaki?”

Saral shook her head. “If they had, they’d have left a warning. A glyph our spies use. Now, I’m going up to the tower. You can stay here if you like.”

“I’ll come with you,” Sonea said firmly. “I want to see where we are.”

Saral looked as if she might argue, then shook her head. “Follow me, then.”

A short journey followed. The tower was reached through what must have been the Ashaki’s suite of rooms. Sonea noted female clothing along with male.

“I wonder where his wife is.”

“Sent away somewhere safer, most likely,” Saral replied. “We are on the outskirts. A more central location would be easier to defend.”

The outskirts, Sonea mused. So we have reached the city.

At the top of a spiral staircase was a small, round room.

“Stay to one side of the windows so nobody out there will see your shape,” Saral instructed. She approached one from the left, peering around the edge. Sonea looked out from the other side. Rooftops spread before her. Somewhere several hundred paces to the left a building was on fire. A greater number of two-storey buildings stood directly ahead, and what looked like domes rose behind them.

“Welcome to Arvice,” Saral said. “Savara has communicated orders that we stay here until she summons us. Unless, of course, we are forced to leave. What are your orders?”

Nothing so specific, Sonea thought. But since she had the courtesy to ask... “I will check.”

Reaching into her robe pocket, she drew out Osen’s ring and slipped it on her finger.

—Osen?

—Sonea.

—We’ve arrived at the city and are hiding in an empty estate belonging to Ashaki Tovira, who is most likely in the king’s army. Our Traitor escort says we must stay here until Queen Savara summons us.

—No doubt they want to ensure you don’t interfere.

—What should we do?

—What she says.

—I won’t be able to see the fighting from here. Which meant she would not see what happened to Lorkin, or be able to help him.

—Hmm. If you and Dannyl both wear my blood rings, you may be able to see what he communicates to me. Though I have told him to stay in the Guild House. Maybe I should ask him to find a vantage point from which to watch the battle instead.

—So long as he doesn’t put himself at risk doing so.

—There is always risk, being close to a magical battle. The Guild needs to know what the outcome is. Our Healer volunteers left this morning. We don’t want them walking into a dangerous situation.

—Are you sure you want us to stay put?

—Yes. As a figure of greater authority than Dannyl, and as a black magician, you are more likely to be seen as a threat by both sides. If it weren’t for Lorkin, we would have ordered you home.

—Ah. Well. I’m grateful that you didn’t.

—Those of us in favour of you remaining in Sachaka argued that, when the conflict is over, you may persuade Lorkin to return or at least ensure the Traitors uphold their side of the exchange.

—Let’s hope they don’t use up all their stones in the battle, then. I must go. Saral is waiting for my answer.

—Take care, Sonea.

—I will. Sonea slipped off the ring and pocketed it.

“We’re to stay here for now,” she told Saral.

The woman nodded, then led the way back down to the kitchen. Temi had arrived and was chatting to Regin. Seeing the two men together, their differences were more obvious. Regin was taller, Temi was leaner. But Temi was not much darker than Regin. The Traitor’s skin tone was lighter than the usual Sachakan, and Regin had gained a tan while travelling. It suits him. They fell silent as Sonea and Saral entered the room. When Temi offered to keep a watch for the first half of the night, Regin offered to keep him company.

“No,” Saral said. “I will take the first watch. Alone.”