Shadow Magic, page 55
‘Let us make it quick then, for the family. Her execution will be tomorrow.’
Idris felt as though all his insides had been sucked out. ‘E-excut...tion...?’
Salamah’s mouth was set in a hard line. ‘She attacked my son, shadow magic or no, there is only one response to such an act.’
Idris didn’t say anything for what felt like a long time. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it again.
‘I am surprised at you, Idris.’
‘Sir...?’
‘What message would I be sending if I let such a thing stand unpunished?’
‘You would...’ he spoke quietly, ‘you would be setting a terrible precedent, you would be saying there is an excuse for harming your family, that any might use... ’
‘So, you understand.’
‘Y..yes...I...’
‘Do you know this woman, Idris?’
‘I... once we were... engaged.’ Idris realised he shouldn’t have said that as soon as it was out of his mouth. Perhaps trying to speak for her had been enough to seal his fate.
When he was dismissed Idris headed down to the dungeon. The men let him pass. Elira sat in the far corner, her hands around her knees. She looked up. When she saw him fragile hope bloomed in her eyes.
‘Idris...’
‘Elira, what happened?’ he asked tiredly. ‘Why were you even speaking to him?’
Elira shook her head. ‘I don’t... I don’t know... I just knew I had too...’ she frowned. ‘I just knew I had too...I had to wait for you too.’
‘What?’
‘I don’t know!’ she cried, her hands going to her head. ‘I don’t know!’
‘What sort of plot is this... to make you wait for me?’ To stop you? He wondered. To protect you, or Amiri? He shuddered to think what would have happened to her if he hadn’t been there, if guards had come across her...
‘It was a shadow mage, Elira, I am certain. You have become another piece in this war...’
‘But why? Why me?’
‘I don’t know...why you? Do you... do you know who it was? Does any name come to you?’
‘Idris, what’s going to happen to me?’
When he didn’t respond she said, ‘Idris, please, answer me!’
‘I...’
‘Idris!’ she sobbed.
‘I... I tried...’
Idris watched her, unable to say or do anything. Later, he walked away, back to his room. He sat down on his bed, utterly drained of energy. I tried... there was nothing he could do. Not when she had attacked an Imperial Prince.
His hand went to his candle. Such awful power. He looked down at his amulet, his hand tightening around it as a thought occurred to him. Could the shadow mages save her? He couldn’t. Elira was beyond his power. But the shadow mages?
But what would make them help her? How could I even ask? Because it would have to be a Manunian shadow mage, he had no way to ask a Lakashan one.
Is this it? He wondered, holding the candle up to his eye. If I ask nicely, somehow call them to me, would they help her? If I take my candle off and let them look around inside my head?
That couldn’t have been the plan, could it? Was that why it was Elira? Why she’d had to wait for him, so no guard could kill her?
What an awful, unlikely plan! How could they even know I would want to save her?
Perhaps they were just guessing with Elira’s life... hoping her feelings for him were returned? I wonder what she does feel for me. What a ridiculous plan.
It couldn’t be here. There were too many candles in the palace. He’d have to go into the city somewhere and wait and hope that if he thought hard enough about Blaise Autin he would come to him.
CHAPTER 84
2 Jorlaff, 1353
Two days after arriving in Kurak a man came and found them at the inn common room. In a surprisingly normal voice he talked to Bo in Lakashan. The others listened and continued eating their breakfast. When he was gone, Bo, his surprise clear, said, ‘he wants to offer us work. They’re always looking for guards and servants in Arcos, so he’ll take us across and get us a job on the outer wall. You two,’ and he pointed to Asmara and Julietta, ‘are also to work...’ he frowned.
‘Just like that?’ Dorian asked, amazed.
‘One of the others must have done something to him.’ Asmara murmured. ‘Maybe he was already looking for workers and Linette or one of the others gave him the idea to ask you, Bo.’
Watching her, Julietta thought Asmara looked uncomfortable.
‘What sort of work are we going to do?’ Julietta asked.
‘They need a lot of women in Arcos. The details were hazy. I don’t like that.’ Bo said. ‘I suppose its just a cover though.’
‘I don’t like going in so unprepared. We’re relying completely on the shadow mages.’ Dorian said. ‘And we’re going somewhere they can’t help us.’
They all looked towards Asmara. She was always the one who took care of preparations in Sontmor, pouring over plans and maps.
‘When is he leaving, Bo?’ Asmara asked.
‘Tomorrow morning. The trip to Arcos will take three days, as long as nothing untoward happens.’
‘Untoward?’
‘You know, bandits, snowstorms... that kind of thing.’
Dorian rubbed at his eyes. ‘You just fill me with confidence, Bo.’
‘They don’t set out when it looks like a storm is coming, too dangerous, so we shouldn’t have to worry about that. Bandits are unlikely too, in this place. Arcos is under heavy imperial guard, and this is the only supply route they have.’
‘That’s much better than bandits.’
‘We should bring enough supplies to get us there and back.’ Bo said seriously. ‘We might need to leave in a hurry. Dorian, what do you want to do about Nameless? We won’t be taking her to Arcos, perhaps I should sell her for you.’
‘I’ll sell her.’ Dorian replied defensively.
‘You don’t speak Lakashan-’
‘I’ll come with you.’ he said. ‘If we’re leaving tomorrow we should take care of her today.’
Hiding his amusement, Bo relented.
The next day, they set out for Arcos.
The train moved slowly. The road to Arcos was carved through the banks of snow. The path consisted of rough pebbles, and snow kept gusting over it. The snow banks only came up waist high, and were packed tightly. Even if they did collapse, it was unlikely they would injure the travellers.
The wagon train was pulled by a shaggy type of oxen bred for the climate. The drivers carried shovels. Occasionally they would stop and shovel snow out of the way. Mostly though, the road was clear.
They travelled during the day. Julietta had to carefully wrap a scarf around her head to protect her eyes from the sun. The sky was often clear, and sunlight bounced across sparkling snow into her eyes. At least with the walking she didn’t feel too cold during the day. At night she shivered in her tent and carefully summoned magic to warm her. She didn’t call too much lest she call attention to herself.
Frozen eyes glinted from within the sparkling snow. Julietta could pick out the frozen water spirits from the snow by the magic they emanated, but the non-mages had difficulty seeing them. Whenever a clump of snow fell from the snowbank Julietta would whip around and stare, expecting to see a silent spirit.
Julietta desperately wanted to stop and examine them, she’d only ever seen frozen spirits in Sontmor, but she couldn’t. Nor could she bring out her lenses and examine them while they walked. She had to content herself with squinting at them. The frozen variety were stiller than their liquid cousins. They didn’t seem to move at all, at least not when she was watching.
‘Do you see?’ she whispered in Manunian to Dorian.
‘Do I see what?’ he said, his eyes on the path ahead.
‘The water spirits, look there-’
‘Oh, yeah. They’re everywhere. There were some in Kurak too.’
Julietta was mildly disappointed. Whether it was because Dorian already knew about them, or that he didn’t growl at her, she didn’t know.
She slowed her pace to fall in beside Bo and had the same conversation.
‘Ah...’ he peered at the snow. ‘I don’t think so. Asme?’
Asmara, who had been walking even further behind replied, ‘oh yeah, I see them.’
‘Bo, look there.’ Dorian said, stopping and pointing. ‘Can you see the eyes?’
‘Now I see! They’re just watching us? Unsettling!’
The group fell into silence. Julietta glanced back at Asmara. She couldn’t see her face beneath her mask. She wondered if she’d really seen them, or was just pretending.
Arcos, visible from Kurak, slowly came into focus. By the second day the fortress perched atop the mountain was clear. The mountain was wider and taller than Dartham, though the similarities were striking.
‘I have to wonder why my people like putting things on top of mountains.’ Bo said to her. ‘It’s quite inconvenient!’
Julietta considered the question. Her head was pounding from the glaring sun. She carefully drew on some magic to quiet her headache, and protect her eyes.
‘Julietta?’
‘Ashdo mountain has spiritual significance...’ she said finally, ‘and I suppose it makes it hard to attack.’
‘Julietta-’
‘As for why Arcos is atop a mountain, perhaps in a cold desert with snow everywhere atop a mountain is the easiest place to build... although the plain is meant to be rocky, it ought to provide a solid foundation. I imagine it provides an excellent view of the land though, and is difficult to attack... As for why Dartham is atop the spire...’
‘Julietta!’
‘I would imagine that has to do with the mining within the spire. The town grew originally from a mining camp.’
Bo laughed a little. ‘That answers my question. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Julietta said primly, suspecting he wasn’t thankful at all.
‘I see you still haven’t learned the difference between a question and an observation.’ Dorian added, amused.
Julietta hadn’t realised he was listening and was momentarily caught off guard.
‘One day Julietta I’m going to ask you a question you can’t answer.’ Bo said, with a laugh, ‘perhaps about the mating habits of earth worms, or the diet of some little, unknown, bird species...’
‘Well, I certainly don’t know everything.’ she said, and I certainly don’t know about the mating habits of earthworms! ‘My area of expertise is magic.’
‘That’s a little worrying, since you know so much about pretty much everything else.’ Dorian said.
‘I have a good memory.’
‘Maybe you’re just making it all up.’ Bo said, ‘and taking advantage of our ignorance!’
‘What?’ Julietta exclaimed, ‘no!’
Dorian laughed, ‘that makes sense! She must have more imagination than I gave her credit!’
‘No!’ Julietta cried as the two men continued joking at her expense.
Despite her strident objections, Julietta was happy. Her eyes drifted towards Asmara up ahead. Asmara hadn’t talked much. She walked alright and seemed ok. Still, it irked Julietta. Theories, none of which were very pleasant, swirled in her mind.
CHAPTER 85
2 Jorlaff, 1353
It was a strange feeling. For a moment, he was not himself and he was aware of other thoughts and feelings, other memories. After, he tried hard to remember, but they slipped away, like a dream. That didn’t stop him trying though, and thoughts bubbled up occasionally.
He remembered enough to know what to do on the day Elira was executed.
I don’t think it was Blaise Autin, he thought, as he stood before the hastily erected podium in the square before the palace gates. No, I think... he wanted to say Guy. He knew there was a shadow mage called Guy Marcoux. Perhaps we were giving too much credit to Blaise Autin.
He could have been up on a palace balcony with the emperor. But that would have left Elira alone. He stood with the citizens of Iskerashdo. There were so many. They spilled out of the square and down the stairs leading up to the Imperial Palace.
Elira’s eyes remained locked on his throughout, pleading. He couldn’t say anything to her. He wasn’t even sure...
He’d left the palace and taken a room at an inn in a seedy part of town, somewhere no one would bother him. He’d lain on the bed, taken off his candle, and waited.
If I was a more patriotic man I wouldn’t have tried.
Elira never said a word. Her eyes said enough. Please.
Jacques Dulère wouldn’t have taken off his candle. Not for a woman.
She was executed in the style befitting her position. He’d watched. He’d watched and he’d remained standing. He hadn’t said a word. Time was of the essence, he knew. The body, the pieces of her body had to be removed somewhere private, somewhere the shadow mage could...
Guy was going to help him... he was going to help him...
It wasn’t difficult to make things happen quickly; Salamah had no wish to drag out the suffering of her family. They hadn’t yet arrived, but they would hear about it.
Elira Mer Kouri was beheaded and Idris Mer Haider arranged for her immediate removal to a temple in the city where her body could be prepared for burial. It was, he informed everyone, her favourite temple. It was also home to a mage with a particular skill for healing.
Idris could not remember Elira ever visiting a temple.
He wasn’t sure of the details after that. He had to arrange transport, resources for her, everything she needed once the world believed she was dead. She’d need resources, she’d need more than a hole in the ground, because somehow, the shadow mages were going to help him. He just wasn’t sure how.
As Idris packed his bags, he wondered how he would ever sleep again. When I see her, he thought, when I see she is safe and whole.
He wondered about the plan. They’d wanted something from him. He’d felt a sense of purpose. But how had they known? How did they know they’d get the information they needed from his mind? How had Blaise Autin known who he was, so long ago in that kitchen? How had they known he would take off his candle for Elira?
He glanced out the window. The night was dark and cloudy. Perfect. He would sneak out, and meet Elira (because Guy had helped him, he had helped him) at the place he’d arranged. Then they’d leave together. He didn’t really have a choice in the matter. No one would guess she’d survived (because she had, right?), but he’d spoken in her favour to Salamah. The injuries he’d sustained trying to save Salamah’s family had gone some way to helping the Emperor forgive his failures. But speaking for Elira, the would-be murderer of his son? He wouldn’t have been surprised to find himself executed for something or other, it wouldn’t matter what. At best, he could hope to be shuffled off quietly to some position where he could do no harm. Another time, he might have relished the challenge of rising above the disfavour he was about to fall into, but Elira was waiting, and he could not have both, not anymore. With only four people in the world knowing who I am, it’s easy to replace me. He smiled at that. Slowly, his smile faded.
Only four people in the world, all who wear candles. So how? Elira... she’d guessed, he’d known. She’d never said it outright, but she’d guessed. While the shadow mages were flitting through the minds of the people in the palace, looking for something useful, had they come across Elira?
He froze, that thought resonating through his mind. That perceptive woman, always sticking her nose in my business. Slowly, Idris sat back down on the bed. It wasn’t her fault. She just knew him too well, she was just too damned intelligent. He could forgive her for putting him in this position by attacking Amiri, it wasn’t her fault. If it was anyone’s fault it was his for not giving her a damned candle. But to forgive her for knowing who he was? For letting the enemy know even though she hadn’t said a word?
It wasn’t her fault. Not at all. She was just too difficult.
Idris began unpacking his bag. He could forgive everything else, but this...
He would go to her. He would check she was still alive. But he would not go with her and he would not speak to her.
Salamah will still try to replace me... it is a challenge I will just have to face.
CHAPTER 86
6 Jorlaff, 1353
They arrived at Arcos as the sun was setting. They walked up a narrow switchback to a dark gate carved in the mountain. Julietta was relieved to see the path was inscribed to keep it free of ice and snow. The gate at the top led into a dark, chilly tunnel, lit at intervals by lamps. Without the wind the tunnel wasn’t as cold as outside, but it was by no means warm. At the end of the tunnel a unit of guardsman were waiting. The carriage was inspected. They asked the leader of the group for details on everyone he had employed.
Everything went smoothly, perhaps because the leader truly believed he’d chosen his workers carefully. One of the guards called Bo over. They talked in Lakashan. Julietta’s heart was in her mouth the entire time. When Bo laughed, she relaxed.
Bo turned and gestured Dorian over. There was more talking. Then they were led away, and the rest of the group went through the doors. They emerged into a dim courtyard. Lamps cast fitful shadows across the flagstones. Above the shadow cast by the fortress she could see orange streaking the clouds as the sun set.
People began unpacking the carriages. Mostly, it was food. The group leader gestured for Asmara and Julietta to go and speak with a woman who was overseeing the unpacking. The leader and the lady spoke quickly in Lakashan. Julietta could only pick up a few words. Julietta was glad her candle was hidden by her robes, but she wondered about Asmara. Surely the candles would pick up on a shadow mage? Or maybe if she never uses it, and with so many shadow mages here already...
Julietta and Asmara were led into the building by the lady. She looked them up and down. And then she spoke slowly in Lakashan. It was enough that Julietta could understand what she was saying.
Idris felt as though all his insides had been sucked out. ‘E-excut...tion...?’
Salamah’s mouth was set in a hard line. ‘She attacked my son, shadow magic or no, there is only one response to such an act.’
Idris didn’t say anything for what felt like a long time. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it again.
‘I am surprised at you, Idris.’
‘Sir...?’
‘What message would I be sending if I let such a thing stand unpunished?’
‘You would...’ he spoke quietly, ‘you would be setting a terrible precedent, you would be saying there is an excuse for harming your family, that any might use... ’
‘So, you understand.’
‘Y..yes...I...’
‘Do you know this woman, Idris?’
‘I... once we were... engaged.’ Idris realised he shouldn’t have said that as soon as it was out of his mouth. Perhaps trying to speak for her had been enough to seal his fate.
When he was dismissed Idris headed down to the dungeon. The men let him pass. Elira sat in the far corner, her hands around her knees. She looked up. When she saw him fragile hope bloomed in her eyes.
‘Idris...’
‘Elira, what happened?’ he asked tiredly. ‘Why were you even speaking to him?’
Elira shook her head. ‘I don’t... I don’t know... I just knew I had too...’ she frowned. ‘I just knew I had too...I had to wait for you too.’
‘What?’
‘I don’t know!’ she cried, her hands going to her head. ‘I don’t know!’
‘What sort of plot is this... to make you wait for me?’ To stop you? He wondered. To protect you, or Amiri? He shuddered to think what would have happened to her if he hadn’t been there, if guards had come across her...
‘It was a shadow mage, Elira, I am certain. You have become another piece in this war...’
‘But why? Why me?’
‘I don’t know...why you? Do you... do you know who it was? Does any name come to you?’
‘Idris, what’s going to happen to me?’
When he didn’t respond she said, ‘Idris, please, answer me!’
‘I...’
‘Idris!’ she sobbed.
‘I... I tried...’
Idris watched her, unable to say or do anything. Later, he walked away, back to his room. He sat down on his bed, utterly drained of energy. I tried... there was nothing he could do. Not when she had attacked an Imperial Prince.
His hand went to his candle. Such awful power. He looked down at his amulet, his hand tightening around it as a thought occurred to him. Could the shadow mages save her? He couldn’t. Elira was beyond his power. But the shadow mages?
But what would make them help her? How could I even ask? Because it would have to be a Manunian shadow mage, he had no way to ask a Lakashan one.
Is this it? He wondered, holding the candle up to his eye. If I ask nicely, somehow call them to me, would they help her? If I take my candle off and let them look around inside my head?
That couldn’t have been the plan, could it? Was that why it was Elira? Why she’d had to wait for him, so no guard could kill her?
What an awful, unlikely plan! How could they even know I would want to save her?
Perhaps they were just guessing with Elira’s life... hoping her feelings for him were returned? I wonder what she does feel for me. What a ridiculous plan.
It couldn’t be here. There were too many candles in the palace. He’d have to go into the city somewhere and wait and hope that if he thought hard enough about Blaise Autin he would come to him.
CHAPTER 84
2 Jorlaff, 1353
Two days after arriving in Kurak a man came and found them at the inn common room. In a surprisingly normal voice he talked to Bo in Lakashan. The others listened and continued eating their breakfast. When he was gone, Bo, his surprise clear, said, ‘he wants to offer us work. They’re always looking for guards and servants in Arcos, so he’ll take us across and get us a job on the outer wall. You two,’ and he pointed to Asmara and Julietta, ‘are also to work...’ he frowned.
‘Just like that?’ Dorian asked, amazed.
‘One of the others must have done something to him.’ Asmara murmured. ‘Maybe he was already looking for workers and Linette or one of the others gave him the idea to ask you, Bo.’
Watching her, Julietta thought Asmara looked uncomfortable.
‘What sort of work are we going to do?’ Julietta asked.
‘They need a lot of women in Arcos. The details were hazy. I don’t like that.’ Bo said. ‘I suppose its just a cover though.’
‘I don’t like going in so unprepared. We’re relying completely on the shadow mages.’ Dorian said. ‘And we’re going somewhere they can’t help us.’
They all looked towards Asmara. She was always the one who took care of preparations in Sontmor, pouring over plans and maps.
‘When is he leaving, Bo?’ Asmara asked.
‘Tomorrow morning. The trip to Arcos will take three days, as long as nothing untoward happens.’
‘Untoward?’
‘You know, bandits, snowstorms... that kind of thing.’
Dorian rubbed at his eyes. ‘You just fill me with confidence, Bo.’
‘They don’t set out when it looks like a storm is coming, too dangerous, so we shouldn’t have to worry about that. Bandits are unlikely too, in this place. Arcos is under heavy imperial guard, and this is the only supply route they have.’
‘That’s much better than bandits.’
‘We should bring enough supplies to get us there and back.’ Bo said seriously. ‘We might need to leave in a hurry. Dorian, what do you want to do about Nameless? We won’t be taking her to Arcos, perhaps I should sell her for you.’
‘I’ll sell her.’ Dorian replied defensively.
‘You don’t speak Lakashan-’
‘I’ll come with you.’ he said. ‘If we’re leaving tomorrow we should take care of her today.’
Hiding his amusement, Bo relented.
The next day, they set out for Arcos.
The train moved slowly. The road to Arcos was carved through the banks of snow. The path consisted of rough pebbles, and snow kept gusting over it. The snow banks only came up waist high, and were packed tightly. Even if they did collapse, it was unlikely they would injure the travellers.
The wagon train was pulled by a shaggy type of oxen bred for the climate. The drivers carried shovels. Occasionally they would stop and shovel snow out of the way. Mostly though, the road was clear.
They travelled during the day. Julietta had to carefully wrap a scarf around her head to protect her eyes from the sun. The sky was often clear, and sunlight bounced across sparkling snow into her eyes. At least with the walking she didn’t feel too cold during the day. At night she shivered in her tent and carefully summoned magic to warm her. She didn’t call too much lest she call attention to herself.
Frozen eyes glinted from within the sparkling snow. Julietta could pick out the frozen water spirits from the snow by the magic they emanated, but the non-mages had difficulty seeing them. Whenever a clump of snow fell from the snowbank Julietta would whip around and stare, expecting to see a silent spirit.
Julietta desperately wanted to stop and examine them, she’d only ever seen frozen spirits in Sontmor, but she couldn’t. Nor could she bring out her lenses and examine them while they walked. She had to content herself with squinting at them. The frozen variety were stiller than their liquid cousins. They didn’t seem to move at all, at least not when she was watching.
‘Do you see?’ she whispered in Manunian to Dorian.
‘Do I see what?’ he said, his eyes on the path ahead.
‘The water spirits, look there-’
‘Oh, yeah. They’re everywhere. There were some in Kurak too.’
Julietta was mildly disappointed. Whether it was because Dorian already knew about them, or that he didn’t growl at her, she didn’t know.
She slowed her pace to fall in beside Bo and had the same conversation.
‘Ah...’ he peered at the snow. ‘I don’t think so. Asme?’
Asmara, who had been walking even further behind replied, ‘oh yeah, I see them.’
‘Bo, look there.’ Dorian said, stopping and pointing. ‘Can you see the eyes?’
‘Now I see! They’re just watching us? Unsettling!’
The group fell into silence. Julietta glanced back at Asmara. She couldn’t see her face beneath her mask. She wondered if she’d really seen them, or was just pretending.
Arcos, visible from Kurak, slowly came into focus. By the second day the fortress perched atop the mountain was clear. The mountain was wider and taller than Dartham, though the similarities were striking.
‘I have to wonder why my people like putting things on top of mountains.’ Bo said to her. ‘It’s quite inconvenient!’
Julietta considered the question. Her head was pounding from the glaring sun. She carefully drew on some magic to quiet her headache, and protect her eyes.
‘Julietta?’
‘Ashdo mountain has spiritual significance...’ she said finally, ‘and I suppose it makes it hard to attack.’
‘Julietta-’
‘As for why Arcos is atop a mountain, perhaps in a cold desert with snow everywhere atop a mountain is the easiest place to build... although the plain is meant to be rocky, it ought to provide a solid foundation. I imagine it provides an excellent view of the land though, and is difficult to attack... As for why Dartham is atop the spire...’
‘Julietta!’
‘I would imagine that has to do with the mining within the spire. The town grew originally from a mining camp.’
Bo laughed a little. ‘That answers my question. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Julietta said primly, suspecting he wasn’t thankful at all.
‘I see you still haven’t learned the difference between a question and an observation.’ Dorian added, amused.
Julietta hadn’t realised he was listening and was momentarily caught off guard.
‘One day Julietta I’m going to ask you a question you can’t answer.’ Bo said, with a laugh, ‘perhaps about the mating habits of earth worms, or the diet of some little, unknown, bird species...’
‘Well, I certainly don’t know everything.’ she said, and I certainly don’t know about the mating habits of earthworms! ‘My area of expertise is magic.’
‘That’s a little worrying, since you know so much about pretty much everything else.’ Dorian said.
‘I have a good memory.’
‘Maybe you’re just making it all up.’ Bo said, ‘and taking advantage of our ignorance!’
‘What?’ Julietta exclaimed, ‘no!’
Dorian laughed, ‘that makes sense! She must have more imagination than I gave her credit!’
‘No!’ Julietta cried as the two men continued joking at her expense.
Despite her strident objections, Julietta was happy. Her eyes drifted towards Asmara up ahead. Asmara hadn’t talked much. She walked alright and seemed ok. Still, it irked Julietta. Theories, none of which were very pleasant, swirled in her mind.
CHAPTER 85
2 Jorlaff, 1353
It was a strange feeling. For a moment, he was not himself and he was aware of other thoughts and feelings, other memories. After, he tried hard to remember, but they slipped away, like a dream. That didn’t stop him trying though, and thoughts bubbled up occasionally.
He remembered enough to know what to do on the day Elira was executed.
I don’t think it was Blaise Autin, he thought, as he stood before the hastily erected podium in the square before the palace gates. No, I think... he wanted to say Guy. He knew there was a shadow mage called Guy Marcoux. Perhaps we were giving too much credit to Blaise Autin.
He could have been up on a palace balcony with the emperor. But that would have left Elira alone. He stood with the citizens of Iskerashdo. There were so many. They spilled out of the square and down the stairs leading up to the Imperial Palace.
Elira’s eyes remained locked on his throughout, pleading. He couldn’t say anything to her. He wasn’t even sure...
He’d left the palace and taken a room at an inn in a seedy part of town, somewhere no one would bother him. He’d lain on the bed, taken off his candle, and waited.
If I was a more patriotic man I wouldn’t have tried.
Elira never said a word. Her eyes said enough. Please.
Jacques Dulère wouldn’t have taken off his candle. Not for a woman.
She was executed in the style befitting her position. He’d watched. He’d watched and he’d remained standing. He hadn’t said a word. Time was of the essence, he knew. The body, the pieces of her body had to be removed somewhere private, somewhere the shadow mage could...
Guy was going to help him... he was going to help him...
It wasn’t difficult to make things happen quickly; Salamah had no wish to drag out the suffering of her family. They hadn’t yet arrived, but they would hear about it.
Elira Mer Kouri was beheaded and Idris Mer Haider arranged for her immediate removal to a temple in the city where her body could be prepared for burial. It was, he informed everyone, her favourite temple. It was also home to a mage with a particular skill for healing.
Idris could not remember Elira ever visiting a temple.
He wasn’t sure of the details after that. He had to arrange transport, resources for her, everything she needed once the world believed she was dead. She’d need resources, she’d need more than a hole in the ground, because somehow, the shadow mages were going to help him. He just wasn’t sure how.
As Idris packed his bags, he wondered how he would ever sleep again. When I see her, he thought, when I see she is safe and whole.
He wondered about the plan. They’d wanted something from him. He’d felt a sense of purpose. But how had they known? How did they know they’d get the information they needed from his mind? How had Blaise Autin known who he was, so long ago in that kitchen? How had they known he would take off his candle for Elira?
He glanced out the window. The night was dark and cloudy. Perfect. He would sneak out, and meet Elira (because Guy had helped him, he had helped him) at the place he’d arranged. Then they’d leave together. He didn’t really have a choice in the matter. No one would guess she’d survived (because she had, right?), but he’d spoken in her favour to Salamah. The injuries he’d sustained trying to save Salamah’s family had gone some way to helping the Emperor forgive his failures. But speaking for Elira, the would-be murderer of his son? He wouldn’t have been surprised to find himself executed for something or other, it wouldn’t matter what. At best, he could hope to be shuffled off quietly to some position where he could do no harm. Another time, he might have relished the challenge of rising above the disfavour he was about to fall into, but Elira was waiting, and he could not have both, not anymore. With only four people in the world knowing who I am, it’s easy to replace me. He smiled at that. Slowly, his smile faded.
Only four people in the world, all who wear candles. So how? Elira... she’d guessed, he’d known. She’d never said it outright, but she’d guessed. While the shadow mages were flitting through the minds of the people in the palace, looking for something useful, had they come across Elira?
He froze, that thought resonating through his mind. That perceptive woman, always sticking her nose in my business. Slowly, Idris sat back down on the bed. It wasn’t her fault. She just knew him too well, she was just too damned intelligent. He could forgive her for putting him in this position by attacking Amiri, it wasn’t her fault. If it was anyone’s fault it was his for not giving her a damned candle. But to forgive her for knowing who he was? For letting the enemy know even though she hadn’t said a word?
It wasn’t her fault. Not at all. She was just too difficult.
Idris began unpacking his bag. He could forgive everything else, but this...
He would go to her. He would check she was still alive. But he would not go with her and he would not speak to her.
Salamah will still try to replace me... it is a challenge I will just have to face.
CHAPTER 86
6 Jorlaff, 1353
They arrived at Arcos as the sun was setting. They walked up a narrow switchback to a dark gate carved in the mountain. Julietta was relieved to see the path was inscribed to keep it free of ice and snow. The gate at the top led into a dark, chilly tunnel, lit at intervals by lamps. Without the wind the tunnel wasn’t as cold as outside, but it was by no means warm. At the end of the tunnel a unit of guardsman were waiting. The carriage was inspected. They asked the leader of the group for details on everyone he had employed.
Everything went smoothly, perhaps because the leader truly believed he’d chosen his workers carefully. One of the guards called Bo over. They talked in Lakashan. Julietta’s heart was in her mouth the entire time. When Bo laughed, she relaxed.
Bo turned and gestured Dorian over. There was more talking. Then they were led away, and the rest of the group went through the doors. They emerged into a dim courtyard. Lamps cast fitful shadows across the flagstones. Above the shadow cast by the fortress she could see orange streaking the clouds as the sun set.
People began unpacking the carriages. Mostly, it was food. The group leader gestured for Asmara and Julietta to go and speak with a woman who was overseeing the unpacking. The leader and the lady spoke quickly in Lakashan. Julietta could only pick up a few words. Julietta was glad her candle was hidden by her robes, but she wondered about Asmara. Surely the candles would pick up on a shadow mage? Or maybe if she never uses it, and with so many shadow mages here already...
Julietta and Asmara were led into the building by the lady. She looked them up and down. And then she spoke slowly in Lakashan. It was enough that Julietta could understand what she was saying.
