Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) (63 page)

She passed through the city gates and through the castle gates with no one taking more than a casual glance at her. The reason became immediate when she saw other cloaked women and men moving quietly about with baskets or buckets. A castle never slept, not completely. There were always servants going about some task or another, ready to jump should someone need something even in the middle of the night.

As one man walked past her in the inner courtyard, Azurynn caught his arm and pulled him into the deeply pooled shadows. She thrust a weave into his head, digging for the information on Kalila’s whereabouts. When she let go, he slumped to the ground, his eyes glazed and face slack. He would never recover, which was regrettable but it had been the most expedient and silent way of getting what she wanted. After dropping the basket next to him, she walked toward the towering walls of the castle.

Outside Kalila’s chambers, a group of ten stood guard. Perhaps she could be more careful with them. A quick, strong weave dropped them to the floor. They would have massive headaches when they woke, but at least they would live.

She slipped through the door and shut it quietly behind her. Kalila sat at a desk in one corner, her scarred face lit by several candles as she focused on the sheaf of papers in front of her. Azurynn glanced at the open doorway on the other side of the room where the steady breathing of people sleeping filtered through.

Dropping the weave that disguised her, she stepped farther into the room. Kalila looked up, startled. She rose slowly from her chair, her lips parted. Fear rolled off her. Kalila cut her eyes toward the doorway at the same time Azurynn sensed her embrace her magic.

“Don’t—unless you want to see them die. In the same vein, I suggest you release your magic. You will be dead before you can even form a weave. I didn’t come here for that.”

“Where…where are my guards?”

Azurynn raised an eyebrow at the sincere concern she sensed in Kalila. The woman wasn’t just curious whether or not she still had protection at this moment. She was truly worried about their well-being. “They live, however, I’m afraid they will be unable to perform their duties until late tomorrow, perhaps even the next day.”

Kalila swallowed, released her magic, and placed her hands palm down on the desk then looked Azurynn in the eye. “Why did you come here? Are you here to do what my sister could not?”

“Your sister is no longer an issue to worry over. Sadira is dead.”

“Dead?” Relief washed over Kalila’s features. “In the recent battle?”

“No.” Azurynn walked farther into the room. “I killed her this night when she finally crossed me too far.”

Kalila stared in silence before clearing her throat. “You…killed her.”

Azurynn nodded, and she sensed Kalila’s acceptance.

“And now you are here to do the same to me.”

“I already told you that isn’t why I’m here.” She gazed out the window behind Kalila before speaking again. “After this, I will leave. Not just Markene but the Kormai as well.”

Azurynn shifted her eyes back to Kalila. “Sadira’s mind revealed much including some secrets about this castle of which you are likely unaware. Beneath this structure are several tunnels, forgotten and abandoned. The entrance is in an unused room piled with furniture. There are three entrances that lead beyond the walls of this castle. When the next attack comes, and it will be soon, make use of them. Call the one who commands the Boromari army and show her. She will know what to do with them.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Kalila clasped her hands tightly together, uncertainty radiating from her.

“This isn’t my war. The Fates have woven my thread another way. I get flashes of future events. Like that Silver Rider you know, Maleena is it? I’ve seen enough to know the Shadow Riders cannot be allowed to win this war. Hanover and Turindar will move against you from the south, as Trilene and every Kojen the Shadow Riders have will move in from the east.” Azurynn pinned her with a hard stare. “If Markene falls, all will fall. Do
not
let Markene fall. Make use of the tunnels. They will be the key to your victory against Turindar and Hanover.

“One other thing,” she said, continuing to hold Kalila’s gaze. “There are two shadow spies in your ranks. One of them, I gather, is very close to you. A woman.” Taking the last steps that separated her from the desk, she held out her hand. “There is only one way I know to show you the image of this woman and the man that also hides among you. It won’t be painless, for that I do apologize.”

Kalila flinched when Azurynn’s finger touched her temple, then her breath sucked in and a low moan escaped her lips. It only took a moment, and then Azurynn stepped away. “Those are the traitors that reside among you. I sense that you recognize the woman. Get rid of her. Find the man and dispose of him as well. Then get to work.”

Kalila swallowed hard as a flicker of fear and anger flashed in her eyes. “How much time do we have?”

“Less than a fortnight. Make your preparations, Queen.” She started toward the door then paused. “In those tunnels, you will also find the remains of your missing sister. Sadira’s first victim.” Azurynn brought the weave up once more, disguising herself as a servant, then swept through the door.

K
alila stood in stunned silence, her mind racing. A Shadow Rider warning and helping her? A Shadow Rider who wasn’t a Shadow Rider anymore? She rubbed her temples in an attempt to relieve the lingering ache from Azurynn’s weave. It didn’t help. Standing there wasn’t getting anything done either.

“Awake!” Her shout echoed off the stone walls of the room and through the open door of her chamber. She reached over and pulled the cord near the desk several times. The only way to find out if the tunnels were real was to search for them and then try to determine if this was some sort of trap.

The mages stumbled from their sleeping chambers with blurry-eyed worry. Lalani cast a look around the room. She scowled when her gaze landed on the fallen guards in the hallway. Several seconds later a servant appeared, stepping over the men and women lying outside the door with fear in her eyes.

Kalila walked around the desk. “There has been a visitor, or possibly intruder, this night. I can’t be certain at this point. I want Adilynn, Commander of the Ten Fingers, brought to me. I also want a fresh guard assembled and these men and women seen to their beds so that they might sleep off whatever was done to them.

“Assemble the guard first. Tell them to collect my personal maid, Malida, on their way here. She is to be brought to me under arrest for treason.”

The servant’s eyes grew wider, and she lifted her skirts and hurried from the room. Kalila waited until the servant made it out the door before shooting a sharp glance at Lalani. “Follow her. Try to keep hidden and watch her every move. I want to see if she tries to warn Malida before she gets to the guards.”

As Lalani flowed into the hall, Kalila turned to the senior Weather mage. “Katian, if you would please make sure the alarm bells are sounded.”

After she too left, Kalila leaned against the desk to wait. Soon, it would be obvious whether or not Azurynn had been lying. If not, then she had to decipher if she told the truth to help, or whether she was setting Markene up.

The tower bells along the walls began to toll, the resonating sounds echoing over the castle and the city. Soon after, the newly assembled Defenders arrived with Arryn Warrick at their command and Malida in their midst. Kalila shot a quick glance at the Spirit mage that followed them in. Lalani gave a small shake of her head.

At least that was a relief. She didn’t need any more traitors than the two already in her ranks. Kalila leveled a hard look at Malida. “I believe you have something you need to tell me.”

“I have nothing to say,” Malida growled, her lips pulling back over her teeth in a feral smile. “I have failed in my duty to Sadira, and my death will be dealt whether at your hands or hers. I care nothing for what you want or need.” She spat at Kalila but it landed short.

“As you wish,” Kalila said calmly, refusing to acknowledge the insult. “Your death will be at my order, since your mistress is dead.”

Malida’s face turned ashen. “Sadira is dead?”

“Yes. As you will be by sunrise.” Kalila turned her attention to the Defenders. “Lock her up tight and put as many guards as possible on her door. I will see to the execution within the hour. There is also another that needs to be found. I need a sketcher so that I may give you an accurate description.”

Warrick nodded. “We will have one brought as soon as this
thing
is secured,” he said at the same time he gave Malida’s arm a jerk.

Nordhas and Belynn slipped into the room with Sehlas on their heels as soon as the Defenders left. Belynn swept the room with a searching look before turning her gaze on Kalila. “Why are the alarm bells sounding?”

“Azurynn was here. Perhaps it might be best if you called whoever can come from Galdrilene. Markene isn’t in immediate danger though it soon will be, and it will be easier to explain to everyone at once rather than repeating the information.” Kalila placed a hand on Sehlas’ arm. “The Heads of Houses will need to be informed as well, please gather them, they can hear at the same time as everyone else.”

Sehlas nodded and strode through the door.

“Farynn has alerted the other dragons. As many as are able will be here shortly,” Belynn informed Kalila.

Kalila nodded. She leaned against the desk again to wait.

Kellinar glared at the spot in the unbroken string of trees and shrubs that covered the entrance to the tunnel. It was too convenient. A Shadow Rider showing up and revealing secrets that would aid the Guardians? There had to be a catch. It was probably a bag of fake jewels masquerading as a treasure.

Adilynn, Commander of the Ten Fingers, stepped out of the tunnel. The sunlight glinted off the red-blonde braid that hung to the back of her thighs. Several other Boromari warriors flowed silently out after her. She stopped next to where Kellinar and Kalila stood surrounded by a mix of Defenders and more Boromari warriors. She studied the landscape around them. Kellinar watched her gaze travel across the vertical stone incline that rose over fifty paces in the air. At the top, the wall of the castle perched almost at the very edge.

“The tunnels appear to all be interconnected. There are actually nine, not three, that lead out. Five of them lead out here though the scrub growing along the base of the rock grows so thick that two of them are virtually impassable,” Adilynn said. “The other four let out about six lengths of a dragon that way.” She pointed south. “Their exits are also covered in a tangle of growth. That said, I think the Boromari can make good use of them. Especially those that let out to the south.”