Blood of Innocents (Book Two of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) (9 page)

Soldiers she was sure were loyal to the emperor commanded their troops to lay down their weapons. Soon after, the traitors were all found dead, killed by their own hands, which was… curious.

The door leading into the hold creaked open, and a man cursed, squeezing between obstacles on his way toward her. She rubbed tired eyes and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her clothes were crumpled and sweat-stained, and she reeked like a sailor who had been at sea too long. Over the last few days, she’d had a lot on her mind and hadn’t bothered with some necessities. She ran her tongue over furry teeth, vowing to take some time soon to freshen up—once a few things were out of the way.

Avigdor appeared from around a pile of crates, looking almost as bad as she felt. He smiled at her, the brief, thin smile of a man with nothing to smile about. Drops of perspiration ran down his face.

She sighed and ran a hand through her oily hair. Her usual braids had come undone long ago, and she hadn’t had time to redo them. At least she hadn’t lost her earrings.

He stopped in front of her and frowned.

“Out with it,” she said.

“I’ve received news through my friend Izak.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve met him. Continue.”

“One of his informants, Bees, claims to have fled the city after the invasion with a number of people. One of these people we have both met: the apprentice Protector, Caldan. Caldan asked him to deliver some information to us.”

Felice shot Avigdor a sharp look, searching for signs he was joking. The young man who’d defeated her at Dominion, and who had declined Avigdor’s invitation to join them, with good reason, though. He was also someone she wanted to keep close because of his curious
trinket
. His fleeing the city might be because of the invasion, or… it could be due to him having something to hide. But she didn’t think he would want someone to contact Avigdor unless the information was valuable.

“This Bees escaped the city then came back?”

Avigdor nodded.

“Then he must have a way in and out.”

“Or access to people that do.”

“We can make use of this.”

“My thoughts as well.”

She waved at him to continue.

“Caldan claims the invaders, the Indryallans, are sorcerers of great power, and they used unknown sorcery to destroy the Sorcerers’ Guild and the Protectors.”

“Unknown?”

“His words. Izak said Bees was very specific.”

Felice scoffed. “Unknown,” she repeated. “No ideas, no theories from such a bright young man?”

With a shrug, Avigdor met her eye. “Odd, is it not?”

“More than odd. Decidedly suspicious. The sorcerers that survived have a hundred theories as to how the Indryallans created the flames on the walls, but none of them will state they could replicate them for certain; and the Protectors, well… we haven’t found one yet.”

“Yes. Caldan’s explanation is brief and, dare I say it… suspect.”

Felice rubbed her pockmarked cheeks then her eyes. “I agree. He knows about the ‘unknown’ sorcery but offers no explanation. From what I gauged of the man, if he didn’t know, he would have some theories and want to let us know.”

“Which means he gained some knowledge he isn’t sharing, or he already knew and is hiding it.”

“I would say the latter.”

“So would I.” Avigdor hesitated. “As I told you, he did mention he was an apprentice Protector, which… I found strange.”

“Indeed. I think we can both see where this is going.” She took a breath. “The Protectors knew about this sorcery. Perhaps it was only recent knowledge, but I doubt it. The Indryallans targeted them, knowing they would be the only ones able to offer resistance, then went after the other sorcerers for good measure.”

“Just in case they knew something, or the Protectors had contingencies in place.”

“It’s what I would do. But the invaders’ sorcery prevailed, and the Protectors and Sorcerers were decimated. Judging from the lack of resistance by the emperor’s soldiers, something went wrong there as well.” She gave Avigdor a stern look.

“We’re still working on that. Information is scarce, as you know. It still looks like most soldiers’ commanders were either misinformed about the attack or surrendered quickly.”

Felice nodded. “Which doesn’t imply this ‘unknown’ sorcery was used in this case.”

“Probably not.”

“What else did Bees have to say?”

“Just that the Protectors were all dead, and we should try to warn Protectors in other cities, if we can, and that the invaders must want something in Anasoma.”

“They must want something… well that’s obvious,” she said dryly. “Still, Caldan gave away more information than he wanted to; perhaps we would have been wrong to recruit him.”

“There isn’t much deception in him; he’s an honest sort. If he’s holding back it must have to do with the Protectors.”

“And we should warn others then, if we can, when he knew the Protectors in Anasoma were all dead?”

“He did send Bees to deliver his message. And Bees has a way through the blockade.”

Felice smiled. “True. So, Caldan thought ahead that far, at least, knowing you would see the possibilities.”

With a nod, Avigdor said, “Using Bees, we can at least send messages to other cities and any outposts close by. Though anywhere close would already know the city is barricaded, what with traders and farmers and whatnot being turned from the gates.”

“But they don’t have specific information, which we can provide. So… get together twenty of our men and women, split them into pairs, and decide on ten cities and outposts we should warn. They can take it from there, warn whoever they need to. We have other priorities, once that’s done.”

Avigdor frowned. “Other priorities?”

“We need to hit the invaders where we can. I’m not sitting back and doing nothing until help arrives. Let’s meet with Izak and see what else he knows from Bees—though not here; we need to keep this place hidden. If they can take out the sorcerers and Protectors, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance. Somewhere in Dockside will be fine; just make sure he comes alone.”

“We should find out more about this sorcery. Perhaps questioning a prisoner would be enlightening? But we need to be careful, our people are being killed, or just disappearing, at a rapid rate.”

Felice nodded bleakly. “I know. I don’t like torture, but… if you can get your hands on a few of the invaders, do what you have to. We need to know more about what we are dealing with. Knowing some facts, no matter how trivial, will be better than complete ignorance.” She stood, leaving the hammock swaying. “Let’s get moving, then.”

•

Felice sat on the sheets covering the bed, back against the headboard, and closed her eyes. The room screamed opulence and bad taste, as she imagined all of the high-end brothels in the city must have done.

Murals and erotic scenes adorned the walls. The furniture was of good quality, though the prevailing deep red color scheme of the material was giving her a headache. It reminded her of blood and the recent questioning of two of the Indryallans they had captured. Not pleasant memories, and she hoped they would fade in time. She hadn’t learned much from the Indryallans, which was a pity. They were under the delusion they were here to liberate the citizens of the empire, but neither of them knew anything about sorcery. Perhaps she needed to capture one of their sorcerers.

She breathed deeply, trying to relax. Avigdor should be back soon with Izak. He had chosen the place for its discretion, where a clandestine meeting between a woman and two men would be unremarked upon, and she had to admit he had made a good choice. Although, she hoped no one recognized her and her reputation remained intact. She’d need it after all this was over.

There was a knock at the door, and she drew herself up to sit cross-legged, still leaning against the headboard. A key rattled in the lock, and the door opened to reveal Avigdor followed by Izak.

Izak was dressed impeccably, as usual: expensive clothes with small silver buttons up the front of his shirt, his graying goatee recently trimmed. In contrast her own appearance was scruffy and unkempt. She ran a hand over her hair and patted down some loose strands.

Avigdor and Izak were chatting amiably, while Avigdor closed and locked the door behind them. With a gesture to Izak, Avigdor ushered him over to a padded chair. Izak turned and stopped in shock when he saw Felice.

“My lady,” exclaimed Izak as he bowed from the waist. He strode forward, and before she could react took her hand in his and touched his lips to the back of it. “As lovely as ever.”

She inclined her head at him. “Please, sit.”

Izak did so, boots scuffing the rugs on the floor. Earlier, she had arranged the chairs to face the bed, and Izak avoided her gaze and shifted uncomfortably. The decor of the room, and meeting in a brothel, unnerved him, which was another reason Avigdor had chosen it as a meeting place.

“Forgive the surroundings,” Felice said. “But we thought it best to keep this meeting discreet, and the out of the way location made this place ideal, though hard to find.”

“Oh, I know it well. No bother.” Izak hesitated, then his face went pale as he realized what he’d said.

Avigdor covered his mouth with a hand, hiding a smile.

“What I mean…” began Izak, pausing to clear his throat. “My lady, if I may—”

“You may not,” Felice interrupted.

Izak stopped, stunned at being cut off so abruptly.

She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She hadn’t meant to start this way, but she was so very tired. Maybe this could work to her advantage. “Forgive my outburst. I’m sure we’re all under some stress due to recent events. I called this meeting to discuss what we are going to do about the invasion.”

“Do?” asked Izak. He looked at Avigdor, who shrugged.

“Yes, do. In case you hadn’t noticed, we are at war, and we need to do something about it. We know you have connections and we need to make use of them. So, as of now, I officially draft you into the resistance.”

Izak spluttered and rose to his feet. He glanced at Avigdor, who spread his hands in apology.

“Sorry,” Avigdor said, without much feeling.

Izak turned a glare on Felice. “What resistance? And what could I possibly hope to contribute? I might have condemned myself just by meeting with you.”

“Calm down,” said Felice. “And sit. Please.” She waited while Izak fumed for a few moments then plonked himself back down. “Good. I’m sure we can all agree there’s been an invasion, and that, disturbingly, the Quivers have been somewhat… ineffective.”

“Yes,” said Izak. “It was hard to miss, what with the blue flames erupting from the walls, and the announcements the Indryallans have made, and the fighting in the streets.”

Felice smiled thinly. “Which is why we need to bring more people into the cause. Especially those who can help us gather information.”

“Now look here!” exclaimed Izak. “I’m keeping my head down until this blows over. I’ll keep out of harm’s way before more of the emperors Quivers arrive.”

“You can take advantage of the position you’re in to gather information for us. You’re well known with the nobles, and in quite a few of the bureaucrats’ circles. That’s how you make most of your ducats, from information they let slip that you can profit from.”

“I… well… everyone has to make a living.”

“I’m not concerned with how you make your ducats. What we need is someone on the inside. The Indryallans need the bureaucrats to keep the system running smoothly with minimal disruptions. So, you can continue doing whatever you do while keeping an ear out for us.”

Izak frowned and shifted in his chair. “It doesn’t sound too bad. I suppose we will need code words, secret places for me to drop letters, that sort of thing?”

“No. Just pass any information along to Avigdor.”

“Oh. I thought you wanted to… er… never mind. I’ll do it. Only because of what Bees told me they did to Miranda, Caldan’s friend.”

Felice sat up straighter and shot Avigdor a look. “What do you mean?”

“Their sorcery, you know.” Izak waved a hand. “They blew apart the tunnel under the walls they used, and somehow they tore apart the poor girl’s mind.”

“Start from the beginning. What exactly did Bees say happened?”

“You must know about their sorcery? I mean… I assumed you would.”

“Pretend we have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“When Caldan, Elpidia, and the others were escaping, sorcerers came after them.”

“Sorcerers?”

“Yes. Two Indryallans.”

“Really?” Felice narrowed her eyes at Avigdor, who blushed.

“I didn’t think to question him further,” Avigdor said. “Once he told me about Caldan and what he had to say, I brought the information straight to you.”

She turned her gaze back to Izak. “Continue.”

“Caldan managed to ward off the sorcerers attacks. They ripped apart the building covering the entrance to the tunnels, but Caldan delayed them so they could escape. Caldan shielded himself from their sorcery. Apparently it was quite the sight: lightning flying around, clouds of dust—” He waved his hands in the air. “—deafening sounds like thunder. Bees was in awe of what happened. Caldan lived through it, but his girl, Miranda, wasn’t so lucky. They did something to her mind. She could barely speak afterwards, or walk. Before that, she was fine.”

Felice exchanged glances with Avigdor. This didn’t tie in with what she knew of sorcery. It was a good chance this was the unknown sorcery Caldan had mentioned.

“He managed to kill one of the sorcerers and capture the other,” continued Izak, “a woman. The one who died was called Keys—that’s what Bees said anyway. I think they were… lovers or related. She was very upset Keys died.”

Again, Felice shot Avigdor a scathing glance. He dropped his gaze to the floor. “It seems you have a lot more information than I was at first led to believe. Could you please elaborate on this fight, and who this sorcerer is, the one who was captured.”

“Bees said she called herself Bells. I think it was an affectation, as she had a lot of crafted bells woven into her hair. He said she was dangerous. He could tell from how she acted and what she said after she was captured. There was a confidence and arrogance to her. Who wouldn’t be if they could throw sorcery around like that.” Izak waggled his fingers. “Thunder and lightning. It gives me the chills.”