The Chronicles of Ixia
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Sneaking into Wirral and helping the Bloodrose Clan win their freedom was more appealing than sifting through all the files. However, years of experience had taught Valek that golden nuggets of information resided within these piles. He’d just have to dig through them one at a time.
Hours later, a light knocking on his door jolted him from a detailed description of the Hunecker quarry operations in MD-4.
“Yes?” he called, grasping the handle of his sword with his right hand and palming a dagger with his left.
A guard entered slowly.
Smart man.
“Commander Ambrose has retired for the evening, sir.”
Valek studied the man’s face, committing the guard’s features to memory. “Thank you...?”
He straightened. “Sergeant Gerik, sir.”
“You’re new. How long have you been with the Commander’s security detail?”
“Three seasons, sir. I was assigned by Adviser Maren.”
Ah. “Has anyone else been promoted in my absence?”
“No, sir.”
“Thank you, Gerik. You’re dismissed.”
Gerik did an about-face and left. Valek added the man’s name to the list he’d written of items he needed to follow up on. New personnel in the Commander’s detail were not unheard-of, but Valek performed a complete background check on each candidate before he or she was assigned. Perhaps the paperwork for Gerik waited in one of the stacks he had yet to peruse. Those would take another couple of days to complete.
At least Valek had found a few clues that might lead them to uncovering the new smuggling routes. And, even better, he had an action plan to report to the Commander.
Valek swept up a few files, extinguished the lanterns and candles, and locked his office door. The three complex locks prevented most intruders from gaining entry. However, a professional could pop them in minutes.
Heading to the Commander’s suite, Valek passed a few servants and soldiers, recognizing them all. He nodded at those who met his gaze. A few returned the gesture while others kept their gazes on the floor.
Two massive wooden doors guarded by two soldiers Valek knew well blocked the entrance to what had once been the King’s royal apartments. The guards opened the doors, allowing Valek to pass into a short hallway.
When the Commander’s forces took control of Ixia about twenty-three years ago, Ambrose divided the King’s expansive rooms into two suites, one for him and one for Valek. The hall had only two doors opposite each other. Valek knocked on the one on the left and waited.
A faint “come in” sounded. Valek entered the Commander’s main living room. The Commander’s living space matched the rest of the castle. In a word, utilitarian. After the takeover, Ambrose had stripped the castle of all its opulent decorations. Paintings were removed, tapestries shredded and statues crushed. If it didn’t have a specific or useful purpose, it didn’t stay.
Instead of sitting in his favorite armchair near the fireplace, the Commander sat behind his desk facing the entrance. He still wore his uniform. A bad sign. Valek approached.
“Sit.” The Commander gestured to a hard chair with his quill. “Report.”
Valek perched on the edge. “Ari and Janco are going to sniff around the markets tomorrow and see if they can get a lead on the suppliers of the illegal goods. Once we’ve identified them, we’ll follow them and see where they cross back into Sitia.”
“A good start. Anything else?”
“No, but—”
“You’re dismissed.” The Commander returned to his work.
Valek didn’t move.
The Commander ignored him. Valek studied his boss. Thin, clean-shaven despite the late hour, and with a couple more wrinkles than the last time Valek’d been in Ixia. They’d been working together for the past twenty-four years. Cold fury emanated from Ambrose, and Valek wasn’t going to leave until he discovered why.
The top of the desk resembled the rest of the room: neat, spartan, and no ink stained the wood. However, a single decoration stood out amid the starkness. A ylang-ylang flower crafted from small multicolored stones glued together. Probably a gift from Yelena. Her clan, the Zaltanas, had a number of artists who created those figurines.
“You’re disobeying a direct order, Valek. Do I need to call for the guards and have you arrested?”
“Permission to speak freely, sir?” Valek asked.
“And if I say no?”
“Then you’ll need to call the guards.”
The Commander set down his quill. “You have one minute.”
“Spit it out, Ambrose. Why are you so upset with me?”
The silence stretched.
Valek waved a hand, indicating the two of them. “This isn’t going to work. If we no longer have an open rapport with us batting ideas back and forth, then fire me or arrest me.”
Nothing.
Last try. “Our relationship has always been based on complete trust and—”
“And I trusted you to tell me everything.”
Ah. There it was. Valek had kept one thing from the Commander. He reported all his adventures in Sitia, and obtained permission to render aid, but he had failed to inform Ambrose about the disturbing fact that a null-shield bubble could trap him. The reason? Initially to keep the knowledge from spreading. But in omitting the Commander from the list of those in the know, Valek acted as if he didn’t trust the Commander, which wasn’t true at all. So why didn’t he tell him?
“I’m sorry.”
How did the Commander find out? Who did know? Those fighting in the Bloodrose revolt—Opal, Devlen, Ari, Janco, Quinn, Kade, Heli, Nic and Eve. Quite the list. Who had opportunity? Anyone could have sent a message, but why would they? Only three people had been in Ixia since then: Ari, Janco and Kade.
“Not good enough, Valek.”
“You’re right.” He stood. “I’ll go collect—”
“Sit down.”
Valek resumed his seat.
The Commander studied Valek. The force of his gaze had broken many people, rendering them into a quivering mess as they begged forgiveness or confessed to every crime. It was impressive. And Valek suspected the Commander used a form of magic even though Valek had never felt it. To him, magic pushed against his skin like molasses. The stronger the power, the thicker the air around him. The Commander’s appraisal certainly held enough weight. The C-shaped scar on his chest burned in response.
“Why?” Ambrose asked.
Digging deep within himself, Valek considered the question. His immunity to magic was not only a part of him, but a protection. Years of practice had honed his fighting skills, and experience with spies, criminals and schemers had given him a sharp mind. To be trapped in a null-shield bubble and encased within an invisible force field of magic galled him. A silly thing to have such dire circumstances. But his weakness meant he could no longer be... What? Invincible? Did he have that huge of an ego? Or was it another thing altogether...?
“Fear,” Valek said into the silence. “That once you found out, you’d no longer need me. I am getting older, and Ari and Janco could—”
“Drive me insane. No, thank you. Do you really think I’d replace you because of one drawback? Actually, two.”
“Two?”
“Yelena.”
“I think she’s an asset.”
“Until her life is compromised. That would be the easiest way to hurt you. Or influence you.”
True. “I guess I just need more time to...adjust to my predicament.”
“Time is an excellent way to gain perspective. I trust this won’t happen again.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Commander pushed away from his desk and swiped a decanter of brandy before settling into the cerulean suede armchair. He waved Valek into the other chair and poured two drinks.
Valek sipped the spicy liquid. Blackberry. A pleasant warmth spread into his stomach and he smiled, remembering when he’d taught Yelena how to detect poisons in various flavors of brandy. She’d gotten drunk at the General’s brandy meeting and tried to seduce him. Talk about self-control. Valek had deposited her in her bedroom and bolted before he ravished her. Worry had trumped desire. She might have regretted it when she sobered, and he’d wanted more from her than a drunken one-night stand.
With the tension between him and the Commander gone, Valek asked how he’d found out about the null shields.
“Janco mentioned it before you arrived. He’d assumed I knew and I didn’t correct him. And during his monologue of prattle, he remarked that he has a certain sensitivity to magic. Is that true?”
“Yes, he’s pretty good at seeing through magical illusions.”
“Useful. What about Opal Cowan? After all that training, is she going to join your corps?”
“Not quite.” Valek swallowed a mouthful of brandy. “She offered to assist us if we need her.” He set his glass down. “And she sent you a present.”
“One of her glass animals?”
“No. She no longer is able to make her magical messengers, but what she can now do is far more useful to us.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll be right back.” Valek dashed across the hall and grabbed the package from his saddlebags that had been delivered as promised. He returned and handed it to the Commander.
Unwrapping the cloth, Ambrose uncovered a lifelike glass snow cat. He examined the hand-sized statue. “Her artistic skill has improved, but it doesn’t glow with an inner fire.” He raised a slender eyebrow, inviting Valek to explain.
“That fire was her magic trapped inside.” And only visible to magicians and the Commander. “What’s inside that snow cat is a bit of her immunity. What you’re holding is a magic detector. When a magician uses magic near that cat, it will flash with light, alerting you to its presence.”
“Clever. Is she mass-producing these for the Sitians?”
“The Councilors all have one for protection, and in case a rogue magician tries to use magic to influence them. Regarding mass production, I don’t know what Opal plans. The Sitian Council wishes to be in charge of the distribution, but Opal won’t give them control. I think she’s letting her father handle the allocation of the detectors.”
“Wise.” The Commander tapped a finger on the glass. “And our spies can purchase more of these for us, evening the playing field a little between Ixia and Sitia.”
“They still have those super messengers.”
Ambrose frowned. “Those put us at an extreme disadvantage.”
Valek agreed. The messenger was a glass cube with a magic-charged black diamond at its heart. The cube allowed magicians to communicate over vast distances instantly. An indispensable tool, and one that would give Sitia a big advantage during warfare.
“We can hire magicians and they would no longer have the upper hand,” Valek said despite the Commander’s deepening scowl. “You know how versatile magicians are and how many ways they could aid Ixia.”
“Better to stop the Sitians from making the super messengers. If we assassinate Quinn Bloodrose, Sitia couldn’t produce any more.”
The thought of killing Quinn didn’t sit well with Valek. “Not quite. They could still charge the blacks with magic and encase them in glass, but once the magic is gone, it’d be useless. Quinn’s the only one who can recharge them without cracking the diamond.”
“Then we need to steal the diamonds and sabotage their mining operations.”
Once they’d won their freedom, the Bloodrose Clan kept dredging the sand for the black diamonds, going deeper into the sea with each sweep. Soon they’d have to use boats.
“It would be difficult.” His stomach soured.
“Look into it after you find the new smuggling route.” The Commander finished his drink. “I need to write a note to General Rasmussen and have him check his beaches for black diamonds.” He returned to his desk.
Valek held up his glass. The light from the fire reflected off the amber liquid. An odd shuffle-step sounded behind him. He jumped to his feet, yanked out his dagger and spun in one fluid motion.
A figure dressed from head to toe in black pressed a knife to the Commander’s throat.
5
YELENA
“Other than needing a full night’s rest, you’re healthy,” Healer Hayes said. He’d examined me using both his magic and a mundane physical check. Opening a file with my name on it, he jotted a few notes.
How could good news be bad? I sat up, clutching the sheet to my chest. “Are you sure you didn’t detect a poison?”
“All your body systems are working properly. I didn’t sense any taint or rot or infection. I’m very sorry.”
Frustration grew. “Do you know or have you heard of any substance that would cause my problem?”
I’d explained the entire story to him when I’d arrived at his office in the infirmary an hour ago. Hayes had listened without interruption, then led me to an examination room. Located on the ground floor of the administration building, the infirmary had a number of private rooms for recovering patients as well as an open area of beds for those who needed only a few hours. Unfortunately, I’d spent more time under Healer Hayes’s care than most.
“No. I can read through my medical books and see if there is a mention of such a substance. It’s a long shot, Yelena. If someone had discovered this poison before, it would have caused trouble and been reported by now.”
“Unless it had been forgotten like Curare. That had been mentioned in a history book about the Sandseed Clan and, combined with the knowledge from a Sandseed healer, my father had been able to find it in the jungle.” I gasped then groaned over my own stupidity. “My father. He’s discovered many medicines and substances in the Illiais Jungle. He might know about this magic blocker.”
“A good idea.”
I hopped off the table.
“Before you rush off, I need to update your file.”
As I dressed, he asked a bunch of questions.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven.” Although most people assumed I was younger because of my five-foot-four-inch height. I twisted my long black hair into a bun and used one of my sets of lock picks to keep it in place. Despite being in the Keep, I couldn’t let my guard down. Especially not now.
“When was your last blood cycle?”
I paused and glanced at him. He kept his gaze trained on the file in front of him.
“And this is relevant how?”
“Your last dose of Moon potion was close to a year ago. You’re due for another, but the timing is critical.”
Oh. Since Valek and I hadn’t even discussed marriage let alone a child, I needed to take the Moon potion. I thought back. “Twenty days ago or so.”
“Here.” He handed me a vial full of a white liquid. “Drink this right after your next cycle.”
“All right.” I put the potion in my backpack and left the infirmary. Disappointment over his prognosis stabbed. While I hadn’t thought Healer Hayes would have the cure, I’d hoped for more. At least I still had other avenues to explore.
Perhaps my father had heard of the poison. Esau had given me a field guide to help me identify plants to use in healing. After I discovered my healing powers, I no longer needed it, but I’d kept it. I would read through it tonight.
Hungry for the first time in days, I headed to the dining hall located right behind the administration building. Remembering what Irys had said about not interacting with the students, I grabbed a couple of sandwiches and bolted, nodding at a few people I recognized on my way out.
I found a quiet sunny spot in the gardens—the green center of the Keep—to eat my dinner. The two apprentice wings bracketed the gardens to the east and west. From the top of Irys’s tower, the buildings resembled parentheses. I considered my next move.
Bain wished for an investigation into the identity of the assassin who’d attacked me. I needed to talk to my brother and Fisk. Also Leif had helped our father with his jungle research, and he might know about the poison. I could search for Leif or I could ask the one person who would know where Leif was—his wife, Mara.
When I finished my meal, I strode northeast through the campus. A few students milled about and others dashed between buildings. The sunlight warmed the air and in a few months color would invade the Keep along with the warm season, and the gardeners would plant flowers with vicious delight.
As the manager of the glass workshop, Mara would no doubt be overseeing the student magicians who learned how to work with glass. I wondered if Quinn charged the black diamonds used for the super messengers here or in his rooms. Since he was an older student who’d already learned how to use his magic, he’d been assigned to the apprentice wing just like I had been six years ago.
Any glass artist could encase the diamond in glass, but only Quinn could charge them with his magic. He was in the same position Opal had been when she’d manufactured her animal-shaped messengers—one of a kind and vital to Sitia. Loads of pressure for the young man to bear. That intensity had almost crushed Opal, but she proved to be as strong and versatile as the glass she loved and now she easily bore the responsibility of being the only person able to create those magic detectors.
If I couldn’t reclaim my magic, I’d need to purchase a detector in defense. Lovely. What else would I need? Chain mail and body armor? Bodyguards? I rolled my stiff shoulder. My magic hadn’t saved me from the assassin’s arrow. Small comfort.
White smoke billowed from the stack atop the glass workshop. When I entered, the heat pushed against my skin like a wet wool blanket. The roar of the kilns rumbled deep in my chest and through the soles of my boots. Students sat at gaffer benches, spinning their iron rods to shape the molten glass gathered on the end. Others blew into pipes and the glass expanded into bubbles.
I scanned the activity, seeking a familiar face. In the center of the bustle stood Mara, instructing a student. A beautiful woman with a heart-shaped face and the sweetest soul. My brother had done plenty of stupid, annoying and crazy things, but marrying Mara had been the smartest thing he’d ever done.
Her tawny-colored eyes lit when she spotted me. A kerchief tied back her golden-brown hair. Dirt smudged her cheek and her apron had seen better days. She gestured to her office and held up two fingers.
Understanding the signal, I wove through the glassmaking equipment and entered the relative coolness of her office. Glass vases, paperweights, bowls and tumblers littered the room. Student efforts or Mara’s, I couldn’t tell. Did my sister-in-law even have time to produce her own work? The Council hoped another magician would develop an affinity with glass like Mara’s sister, Opal, and Quinn, so a steady stream of first years arrived for their mandatory glass lessons. Those who enjoyed it continued to study the art during the rest of their five-year stay at the Keep.
I settled in the chair next to her desk, considering how much had changed since Opal’s glass magic had been discovered. It gave me a bit of comfort. Despite Bain’s lifelong quest to learn about magic and magicians, he’d never heard of Opal’s particular skills. Therefore, there was no reason to panic because he hadn’t heard of a magic-blocking poison.
Mara bustled in with a swish of skirts and I stood.
She embraced me. “Yelena! What a wonderful surprise. I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Then she pulled away and frowned. “Is something—”
“Nothing’s wrong. Valek had to leave early. The Commander’s patience had finally run out.”
“Oh dear, I hope he’s not in trouble.”
“In trouble? No. Causing trouble? Always.”
Her musical laugh warmed me.
She closed the door to her office, reducing the noise of the kilns and ensuring privacy. “Would you like some tea?” Mara lifted a glass teapot by its handle.
“Yes, please.”
She poured two steaming cups and then sat down.
“Is that—”
“One of Quinn’s hot glass pieces? Yes. It stays hot for days. A marvel! He’s a darling boy and gave it to me when I cleared two hours each evening just for him. Poor boy doesn’t like working with a crowd drooling over his shoulder. Who would?” Mara sipped from her cup. “And I had to ban the kitchen staff, too. They love his hot and cold glass and had been pestering him for more pieces. Who knew keeping meat cold keeps it from spoiling longer?” Wonder touched her voice.
“Has he discovered any other glass abilities since coming here?”
“He’s been concentrating on the messengers and the temperature glass. Opal told me he could attach a null shield to glass and other...” Mara swept her arms out as if searching for the right word. “Emotions. But between his classes and his work, the poor boy hasn’t had time to experiment.”
Interesting about the null shield. “He’s here every night?”
“Except for one night a week.”
Keeping my tone neutral, I asked, “Which night?”
Mara gazed at me. “Why? Is it important?”
Shoot. She’d been spending too much time with Leif.
“Just curious.”
“Uh-huh.” She waited.
“Oh all right. I want to talk to him.”
“Better. Let’s see...” Mara checked a ledger on her desk. “He was here the last couple of nights... His night off was four days ago.”
The timing matched the night of the attack. My heart thumped. “What does he do on his nights off?”
“He has riding lessons.”
Oh. Still, he could have missed his lesson. I needed to talk to the Stable Master.
“Is that the reason you stopped by?” Mara asked.
“No, I was looking for Leif.” Only after I said it did I realize how it must have sounded. “And to visit you.” Weak.
“How nice.” Her tone didn’t match her words.
“Sorry. It’s just...something came up and I haven’t been sleeping...” Weaker.
Concern softened the hard lines around her mouth. “And it’s probably some political problem that you can’t tell me. Between Leif and Opal, I’m used to being in the dark.”
From the way her shoulders drooped, I knew she was far from used to the idea, yet she put on a brave front. I drank my tea and reflected. Leif and Mara hadn’t even been married a year yet. It had been a lovely wedding and she had glowed with pure joy. She was part of my family. Kidnapped from Sitia at age six, I’d grown up in Ixia believing I had no family. Dreams of a fictional loving family had helped me through the dark times. And now I planned to enlist Leif’s help, taking his time away from Mara. Not very nice.
“The reason I need to talk to my brother is...” I filled her in on what had happened.
Mara clutched her apron, gathering the fabric into a tight bunch, but she didn’t say a word. When I finished, she slid off her chair and hugged me.
“Oh, Yelena, that’s terrible.” She squeezed tight then let go. “What can I do to help?”
“Help?” I hadn’t thought about it.
“Of course. I’m sure you have a plan of attack. And don’t tell me to keep it quiet. I’m not an idiot.”
True. “Can you find out if any of the students are able to siphon magic? Opal had done it with glass, but perhaps there is another magician who can do it with another object.”
She brightened. “I can. I know all the students and they like to brag about who can do what.” She held up her hand. Burn scars marked her fingers and wrist. “Don’t worry. I’ll be discreet. Are you going to talk to Opal? She might have some ideas.”
I groaned. Another possible avenue that I’d missed. “I will.”
“Good. Now go get some sleep. Leif’s at the Council Hall this morning, but he’ll be in the training yard later this afternoon, helping Marrok teach the juniors how to defend against a machete.”
“Thanks.”
She escorted me out the door and then remained on the workshop’s steps, ensuring I headed in the right direction. Another knot in my stomach eased as I skirted the pasture that occupied the space between the glass shop and the stables. Telling Mara had been the right thing to do.
When I entered the large wooden barn, Kiki whinnied a welcome. She looked over the Stable Master’s broad shoulder as he bent to clean dirt from her hooves. Her copper coat shone, her mane had been brushed and her whiskers were trimmed. Oh no.