UNINVITED COMPANY

Sachaka traded mainly with lands to its north and east, across the Aduna Sea, and this was more apparent at the docks than anywhere else in the city. Dannyl was startled by the size of the exotic ships moored there, and the sheer number of them. Masts waved like a great leafless forest, stretching from the shore out into the broad bay of Arvice.

The Guild House slaves were unlashing travelling trunks from the back of the carriage and lifting them down with the help of Achati’s two personal slaves. Dannyl noticed how Achati was following the procedure closely. A Kyralian magician would have moved the trunks with magic, but Sachakans did not lower themselves to such menial work. The slaves were using ropes and a winch built into the back of the vehicle for the purpose, but from the way the four thin men were having little trouble lifting the heavy trunks, Dannyl suspected they were getting magical help from their master anyway.

Achati’s trunk required two men to carry it. Tayend’s was of about the same size. Dannyl’s was considerably smaller. Sometimes having to wear a uniform for most of your life has its advantages, Dannyl thought. But he had also brought an additional trunk – more like a large box – containing writing implements, notebooks, and space for any records or objects he might acquire.

A sigh drew Dannyl’s attention away. He glanced at Merria, whose scowl softened only slightly as she met his gaze. His assistant was still angry at being left behind. She had barely spoken to him since learning that Tayend was going on the research trip as well.

He resisted the urge to look at Tayend. The Elyne Ambassador was standing beside Dannyl, rocking gently in his elaborate, expensive shoes. Dannyl had barely spoken to Tayend after returning from Achati’s house and asking his former lover why he wanted to travel with them.

“Oh, as Ambassador I really ought to learn as much as I can about this country,” Tayend had replied. “I’ve seen plenty of Arvice. Time to see something beyond the city walls.”

Dannyl hadn’t heard Tayend and Merria conversing, either. With most of its occupants not talking to each other, the Guild House had been very quiet.

He considered Tayend’s excuse. Was that all there was to it? I doubt he’s coming because he’s interested in my research. Or is he? If he knows about the storestone he might be as concerned as Achati and I are about the possibility another may exist or be created. But how could he know about the storestone? I haven’t told him. Surely Achati hasn’t …

Maybe there’s another reason Tayend wanted to accompany them. He had already shown he was aware of Achati’s personal interest in Dannyl. Was he trying to ensure Dannyl and Achati did not become lovers?

Dannyl frowned. Why would he do that? Jealousy? No. Tayend was the one to point out that he and I are no longer a couple. He never said he wanted to change that.

Beside him, Tayend cleared his throat. He paused, then drew in a breath to speak.

“Ambassador?”

Dannyl reluctantly turned to look at him.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me coming along?”

“Of course not,” Dannyl replied.

He returned to watching the slaves. Achati’s pair were not the same two as those who had accompanied him on the search for Lorkin. Dannyl wondered what had happened to Varn. Then his thoughts slipped back to his companions as he sensed that Merria was staring at him. He turned to look at her, and she smiled. This struck him as odd. There was amusement in the smile, and he couldn’t help feeling it was at his expense.

“Here is the captain,” Achati announced. He waved at the ship the slaves were carrying the trunks toward. It was smaller than the exotic trading vessels surrounding it, intended to transport only passengers – important passengers. On its cabin had been carved the name Inava, inlaid with gold that sparkled in the sun. A Sachakan dressed in all the finery Dannyl would expect of an Ashaki was standing on the deck, waiting for them to come aboard along the narrow bridge strung between wharf and ship. The slaves carried the trunks toward a second bridge further down the vessel. “Time to say your goodbyes,” Achati added.

Dannyl and Tayend turned to Merria. She smiled brightly.

“Have a good trip, Ambassadors, Ashaki,” she said, nodding politely. Then a knowing, slightly smug look entered her eyes. “I hope you don’t get on each other’s nerves.”

So that’s what she’s finding so amusing, Dannyl mused. “Goodbye, Lady Merria,” he replied. “I know I am leaving the Guild House in capable hands.”

Her smile faded to a resigned look. “Thanks.” She backed toward the carriage and made a shooing motion. “Don’t keep the captain waiting.”

Turning away, Dannyl followed Achati to the bridge, and across it onto the ship’s deck. Introductions were made, and the captain welcomed them to his vessel.

“Are you ready to set sail?” he asked of Achati.

“I am. Is there any need to delay?” Achati replied.

“Not at all,” the captain assured him. He walked away, calling out orders to the slaves. Achati led Dannyl and Tayend to a safe position from which to watch proceedings.

“This will be a nice change from city life,” Achati said as the ship moved away from the wharf.

Dannyl nodded. “It’s been too long since I’ve travelled on a ship.”

“Yes. An adventure for all of us,” Tayend said, his voice a little strained. Dannyl noted that his former lover was already looking a little pale.

Achati smiled at the Elyne Ambassador. It was an indulgent smile. Almost a fond one. Suddenly the possibility that Achati wanted Tayend with them occurred to Dannyl. He had assumed the Ashaki had been politically and socially cornered by Tayend. He turned to the Elyne.

“Let me know if you need any assistance,” he offered.

Tayend nodded in thanks. “I have the cures Achati recommended.”

“As your guide, I am obliged to ensure your journey isn’t too onerous,” Achati told him. “But remember: they may have other effects.”

Tayend inclined his head. “I haven’t forgotten. I … I think I will sit down now.”

He moved to a bench a few steps away. Dannyl resisted the urge to look at Achati and search for any signs of … he wasn’t sure what.

Maybe he’s interested in being more than friends with Tayend, too.

Maybe they already are. Maybe Tayend’s warning about Achati was spurred by jealousy …

Oh, don’t be ridiculous!

As the ship moved further from shore, Dannyl found himself wishing that Achati – or even Tayend – would strike up a conversation so that he had a distraction from the suspicions his mind was conjuring up. When neither spoke, he considered what subject he could raise himself.

He knew what he’d like to talk about, but with Tayend present he couldn’t speak of what he hoped to learn on this journey in case the Elyne didn’t know of the storestone.

Then Achati gestured toward the shore.

“See that building? That’s one of the few mansions over two hundred years old not built in the Sachakan style. It was built by …”

Dannyl let out a silent sigh of relief. Thank you, Achati, he thought. Though I think you’ve just condemned yourself to filling in silences with facts and history for the rest of the trip, at least it’s a solution to days of awkward silence.

Lilia had always assumed that imprisonment was meant to, among other things, give someone nothing to do but think about their crime.

I don’t think it’s working for me, she mused. Oh, I’ve spent plenty of time regretting learning black magic and feeling a fool about it. But I’ve spent a lot more thinking about Naki, and that feels a lot worse.

Even when she tried to think of something else, in particular whether Lord Leiden’s murderer had been found yet, she knew she was really worrying about Naki.

Since the Guild had not found any proof that she had killed Leiden, she had decided that she couldn’t have. She hoped, for Naki’s sake, that someone discovered who had. If Leiden’s murderer is found, surely someone will come and tell me. It wouldn’t make any difference to her punishment, since that was for learning black magic, but at least Naki would stop hating her. Black Magician Sonea would tell me, she thought. It would be even better if Naki did. Maybe she’ll make regular visits … no, best not get my hopes up. Ten years is a long time. But if she loves me like I love her, surely she’ll visit.

She’d tried to turn her thoughts to happier ones, but something always turned them sour. It was like when they were at the brazier house and she’d imagined someone was looking at them. Her mind always managed to shift to gloomier matters.

At times she sought distraction, and walked around the room, putting her ear to the side door. Occasionally, she could hear the other woman, humming to herself.

Returning once more to the window, beside which she’d pulled up a chair, she leaned on the sill. At least the view outside changed occasionally, even if it was just a bird flying over the treetops, or the angle of the shadows as the hours slowly passed. She was growing increasingly sick of the sight of her room.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. She sat up straight and turned to stare at the main door. She could see part of a face in the window, then it vanished. The lock clattered. The door opened.

Welor entered carrying a tray. But I’m not even hungry …

“A good evening to you, Lady Lilia,” he said, placing the tray on the dining table. “Your meal – and I have something else I promised.”

He took two hard rectangular objects out from where they were wedged between his arm and his side. Her heart leapt as she recognised what they were. Books!

She was on her feet and hurrying forward before she realised it. He grinned as she took them from him.

“They’re from the Guards’ library,” Welor told her. “Maybe not as interesting as books on magic, but there are some exciting stories in them.”

She read the titles and felt her heart sink a little. Battles of the Vin Fleet before the Alliance was imprinted in tiny letters across one cover, and Strategies for Effective Control of Crowds During Processions and Events was surrounded by an elaborately decorated frame on the other. She looked up at Welor, saw that he was watching her expectantly, and hoped her dis appointment didn’t show.

“Thank you,” she said.

“It’s all I could get my hands on,” he explained. “Until I have a day off.”

“It’s more than I should ever expect,” she told him, looking down.

“Well … we are supposed to make sure you’re comfortable.” He shrugged. “If you like those, I can get more. Or maybe … my wife likes those romantic adventures. I don’t know if they’re to your taste, but I’m sure she’d let you borrow them.”

Lilia smiled. “I could give them a try. If she thinks they’re good.”

He grinned. “She likes them a lot.” He stood a little straighter. “Well, best eat before it gets cold.”

He made a sketchy bow and left.

Since there was nobody to offend by reading at dinner, Lilia examined the first book as she ate. The introduction was long and dry, and the first chapter not much better. She wasn’t sure whether to be impressed that Welor had read and enjoyed such a challenging book, or not. Not all men who joined the Guard could read, and those of the classes who could afford an education but resorted to a career in the Guard usually did so because they weren’t smart enough for higher-paid jobs.

Perhaps Welor is an exception. Perhaps he likes being in the Guard. She pursed her lips in thought. But how then did he end up with the lowly job of prison guard?

It was a mystery she would have to unravel. Or maybe it wasn’t much of a mystery; maybe being reduced to living in a smaller world only made it seem so.

Finishing the meal, she picked up the books and headed toward the window, but as she passed the side door she heard three sharp taps.

She froze, then turned to look at the door. Her heart beat four … five times, and then the taps came again.

This is crazy. The slightest sound from outside and I’m all jumpy. Moving toward the door, she bent and put her ear to it.

“Don’t be fooled by what he says about the wife. He likes you.”

Lilia leapt backwards and stared at the door. She felt a flash of anger and moved back again.

“You think he’s lying? That he hasn’t got a wife?”

A low noise, muffled by the door, came from the other room. Possibly a chuckle.

“Maybe not. Or maybe he’s telling you about her to make you trust him.”

“Surely he’d tell me about her to make sure I didn’t get the wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea about what?”

“About him doing favours for me. Being nice.”

“Maybe. But you watch out. If he starts telling you how lonely he is, don’t be surprised if he wants something in return for those favours.”

Lilia pulled away from the door a little. Did this woman have something to gain from Lilia not trusting Welor?

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Just trying to help. You’re young. You’ve never been a prisoner before. You want to feel safe, but you shouldn’t let that desire blind you to the dangers of your situation.”

Lilia considered that. Though it made her feel uneasy, what the woman had said made sense. I’ve already got too comfortable in this place, and it’s only been two days!

“My name is Lorandra,” the voice said.

Leaning forward, Lilia rested her head on the door. “Mine is Lilia.”

“I’m here because foreign magicians have to join the Guild or not use magic,” Lorandra said. “I didn’t see why I should have to join if I didn’t want to.”

Though Lilia already knew why the woman was locked away, suddenly it seemed a little unfair. Why should a foreign magician have to join the Guild? Maybe if this woman hadn’t been forced to choose between the Guild and hiding, she would not have got mixed up with Thieves.

“Why are you here?” Lorandra asked. “If you don’t mind telling.”

“I’m here because I learned black magic – but we were just being silly and I didn’t expect what I was doing to work.”

The woman didn’t speak for a long moment.

“That is the magic the ones in black use?”

“Yes.” Lilia found herself nodding, despite knowing Lorandra couldn’t see her, and made herself stop. “Black Magicians Sonea and Kallen.”

“They bound your powers, too?”

“Yes.”

“And you say you didn’t expect what you were doing to work. Do you mean trying to learn it?”

“Yes. They told us we couldn’t learn unless a black magician taught us, so I thought what I was doing was safe.”

“So they were wrong. That doesn’t sound very fair.”

“Trying to learn it is forbidden, too.”

“Ah. So why did you try?”

Lilia regarded the door thoughtfully. She probably shouldn’t be talking to this woman. But who else was there to talk to? And so long as she didn’t describe how she learned black magic – and she kept her desire for Naki to herself, too – she wouldn’t be telling Lorandra anything she shouldn’t. And it wasn’t as if Lorandra was going to be able to use or pass on any information Lilia told her.

Taking a deep breath, she began to explain.

Lorkin wasn’t sure why he hadn’t simply walked out of the Care Room and gone to bed, or at least ignored Kalia’s order to start early. Kalia had kept him back so late he’d had less than four hours’ sleep on average over the last two nights.

She was, no doubt, punishing him for managing to Heal with magic without generating disapproval among the Traitors, instead generating some for her. It was very likely she was also trying to stop him visiting and Healing the young man sick with chill fever.

But she couldn’t keep him working all night, and eventually she’d had to let him go. He hadn’t been surprised when he was waylaid again on the way to the men’s room, and taken to see the sick young man. Already struggling, due to lack of sleep, to recover properly from the first Healing session, he was left almost staggering with exhaustion after a second. He had no magic left to Heal away the tiredness.

Tomorrow I will ignore Kalia’s early start. In fact, I may not have much choice. Once I’m asleep I suspect it’ll take an advancing army to wake me.

He turned a corner and forced his legs to carry him onwards. It wasn’t far to the men’s room now. Just another hundred paces – or two …

Something settled against his cheek. He reached up to brush it away and realised, simultaneously, that he couldn’t see any more, that there was a dry vegetable smell in the air, and that something was wrapping itself firmly around his shoulders.

A sack? Yes. It’s a sack. He tried to push it back off his head but something smashed against his back and knocked him to the ground. He instinctively reached for magic. Ah, but I have none. Strong hands took hold of his arms and forced them behind his back, and he knew there was nothing he could do.

How did they know? Or was this deliberate? Kalia wasn’t just keeping me back late to punish me, was she?

To his surprise, the sacking covering his face lifted, though not far enough that he could see anything beyond the floor and two pairs of legs. He took in a deep breath of clean air.

But that was a mistake. Something was pressed over his mouth and nose, and a familiar smell filled his nostrils. Though he caught and held his breath, enough of the drug had entered his body to set his senses reeling. He gasped and began to pass out.

The last thing he heard was a low, hoarse voice, laced with disgust and satisfaction.

“Too easy,” it said. “Pick him up. Follow me.”