The Traitor Queen

“Then you don’t know it won’t work.” He took a step toward her, then another. It’s time to decide. Give him everything he wants, try to kill him with Healing, or try my plan. She flinched as he reached out, but made herself stand still. Looking over his shoulder, she met Anyi’s frightened, angry gaze and hoped she did not look as uncertain as she felt.

This had better work...

Chapter 27 Old Battles, New Weapons

Being dressed all in black had been an advantage when Sonea had slipped out of the mansion in the early hours of the morning, but now that the sun was up she was all too visible against the pale walls of the Sachakan capital.

At least I’m closer to the centre of the city.

As dawn had arrived, she’d chosen another mansion with a tower to hide in. The side door she’d slipped through hadn’t been locked, but she’d discovered the building wasn’t completely empty when she’d heard voices from somewhere inside. When she’d tried to leave, a quick check of the outside revealed a group of men hurrying along the street, so she’d crept back through the house as silently as she could. She’d found the stairs and ascended to the tower, telling herself that if she heard anyone coming up she would climb out of one of the tower windows and escape across the rooftop outside.

Hours had passed and the only sound she’d heard below had been distant and muffled. The tower windows were open, perhaps to let in the cool morning breeze. From the street below she’d heard footsteps and more voices, but the city was mostly quiet.

The windows looked onto the furthest side of the street below and a sea of rooftops. It’s tempting to slip out and find a better vantage point. But the risk of being seen isn’t worth it. I don’t know where the fight is going to be. Once it started there should be noises and lights to tell her where it was located. I’ll be able to move closer then. Perhaps go across the rooftops, like Cery and I used to do, back when we were children of the slums...

“The view’s no better here,” a voice said behind her.

She jumped and spun around. Regin stood near the top of the stairs, arms crossed. Embarrassment at being found, then a selfish relief that he was here, was followed by a flash of concern and annoyance.

“Regin!” she hissed. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged and uncrossed his arms. “I followed you, of course, though I got stuck downstairs for the last few hours, hiding from the people down there. They just left, by the way.”

“You told me you wouldn’t come with me. We had an agreement.”

“I lied.” He shrugged again and continued up the stairs. “I knew you wouldn’t take my power if I didn’t agree to stay behind. Besides, you lied too. You told the Traitors you would stay put.”

“That’s different. I should be able to trust another Guild magician to keep his word. And they left without telling us.”

“I think the Guild would disapprove more of you risking making the Traitors an enemy than of me ignoring you. I’m only trying to protect you.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “You can’t. If we’re attacked, I will have to protect you. All you are is another person I have to worry about. You could get us both killed.”

He smiled, not bothered by her brutal honesty and she found herself wondering if she was attracted to him because he wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her. “Protecting one person won’t take more power than protecting two.” His gaze moved to the window, and she could not help following it. “Is Dannyl in place yet?”

Sonea reached into her robe for Osen’s ring. “I don’t know.”

“You haven’t contacted Osen yet?”

“I did earlier. Nothing was happening. I didn’t want to keep the ring on in case someone came up the stairs and I was too distracted to notice.”

“No need to worry about that now. I can keep watch.” He chuckled. “See? You do need me.”

Biting back a retort, she felt her fingers close on the ring. She drew it out, slipped it on her finger and sought Osen and Dannyl’s minds.

* * *

Peering around the corner of the building, Dannyl searched the street and was relieved to see it was empty. Beckoning to Tayend and Merria, he stepped out and hurried forward. Their footsteps and breathing told him they followed close behind.

So far the only people they’d seen roaming the city were slaves and a carriage driven by a man too well dressed to be a slave. All had been in a hurry. All had been moving away from the centre of the city, whereas Dannyl and his companions were moving inward.

Unfortunately, what made Ashaki’s home attractive also made it dangerous: its proximity to the wide parade leading to the palace. Getting close enough to see the battle also meant getting close to the very people he’d been warned to stay away from.

But we should be fine, once we get there. Once we’re inside and out of sight.

He’d always been aware of the prestigious location of Achati’s house, but had never been in any rooms on the parade side. Master’s Rooms and private suites were usually central, and did not have windows. Sachakans preferred privacy and to be away from the heat of the summer sun over nice views.

He reached a larger thoroughfare – one that joined to the parade. Achati’s house was on the corner. After checking that the street was empty, he led the others around the corner. Keeping close to the wall on one side, he tried to walk softly and quickly. Even so, the rap of his and Merria’s boots echoed in the street.

Tayend’s shoes made little more than a soft tap, he noted. As if to make up for that, the buttons and clasps of his elaborate courtier garb clinked and chimed as he moved. The noise would normally be unnoticeable, but in the eerie quiet it sounded like... He frowned as he tried to think of a comparable racket. Like the rattle of roughly handled cutlery.

A door across the street opened and he froze. He heard Merria stop and out of the corner of his eye he saw Tayend casting about for somewhere to hide, but it was too late. A man emerged, looked up and, as he saw them, he stopped.

Ashaki. Dannyl’s heart pounded. The man stared at them, then he straightened and started toward them.

“Run?” Merria asked quietly.

Dannyl shook his head. To run would make them look guilty. To show fear would make it obvious they had reason to. Warrior lessons from long ago repeated in his mind. You can’t tell how strong another magician is, nor he you. A confident attitude will give your adversary reason to doubt he is stronger, even if all evidence points to him being so. Following the other man’s lead, he straightened his back and walked forward to meet him.

The man was about sixty, Dannyl estimated. Grey streaked his hair and the typical Sachakan broadness was well softened by fat.

“You are the Ambassadors from the Guild House?” the man asked briskly. He was tense, Dannyl noticed. In a hurry. Perhaps I can use that to my advantage.

“We are,” Dannyl said slowly and with formality. “I am Guild Ambassador Dannyl.” He gestured to Tayend. “This is Elyne Ambassador Tayend. And this—” he turned to Merria.

The man cut him off. “Why are you not at the Guild House? You do know what is about to occur? You may be heading toward a magical battle.”

“I have been appraised of the situation,” Dannyl assured him. “I assure you, we do not intend to get in the