Emergence (Book 2) (28 page)

"And to the unholies with yourself?" That got both brows up. He started to say something, but Ciara didn't give him the chance. "Then what becomes of me when you throw yourself to the wolves on my behalf? Did you ever consider that?"

"I have a duty--"

Ciara bit back a scream. "By the Goddess, I'm so tired of hearing that. You hide behind it like...like..." She made a noise in her throat that came out as a
frustrated growl. She turned and put space between them, flexing her hands at her sides. When he came up behind her she waggled her shoulders before he could reach for her. "Don't touch me." She whirled back on him and thrust a finger into his chest, grimacing when it scrunched against the mail under his tabard. "I am
not
your duty."

She glowered up at him, unable to read his expression which only irked her more.

"You've been spending too much time with Nialyne," he said, his tone gentle. "Regardless of what you both seem to think, I'm not all that keen on recklessly throwing my life away."

"But you won't hesitate to do so if your misguided sense of honor dictates it."

He tipped his head. "My
misguided
sense of honor?"

Ciara flinched at the sudden ice in his voice. "I didn't mean it like that. I just ..." She gave her head a shake. "I don't think I could handle it if I lost you, too. And it would be even worse if I was the cause."

Bolin lifted his head and looked past her. He frowned at something, and Ciara glanced over her shoulder to see Garek heading their way. The Commander caught Bolin's eye and stopped a respectful distance away, waiting.

Ciara laid a hand on Bolin's arm to pull his focus back to her. "I'm sorry. For what I just said, for every little bit of trouble I've ever caused, for everything I can possibly be sorry for. But those men who died on the wall, died because of me. You can try and tell me they didn't, but we both know better. I don't want any more blood on my hands. Especially not yours. If I have to enlist Nialyne and Garek's help, I will. I'll tie you up and sling you over Sandeen's back, just as you threatened to do to me."

The corners of his mouth twitched, and Ciara thought she saw the glint of humor in his eyes. She scowled at him. "Did I say something funny?"

He shook his head and his mouth drew into a hard line but the light in his eyes remained. "Not at all." Voices across the yard drew his attention. "I have to go."

"You need to get some rest," Ciara said.

"I suspect that's why Garek has hunted me down. Seems I have no dearth of mothers these days."

"I've no desire to be your mother." Ciara reached up and brushed a kiss across his lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"Why do you deny me?"

Wind whipped across the barren landscape, pushing crystals of snow before it to pepper Bolin's exposed flesh. Even in the ethereal world of dreams he couldn't escape the bitter chill clinging to the heights.

A hulking shape, barely visible behind the screen of white, settled around him.

"What do you want?" Bolin asked.

"You ask a question to which you already know the answer."

A gust of warm air coursed across Bolin's neck, chasing a shiver down his spine. "I will never claim you."

"What of the woman?"

Bolin's breath frosted the air.

"You want her. All can see it, though you would deny that as well. All your life you have bowed to the wishes of others, never taking for yourself what is your due even when it is offered. You will lose her to another."

"Why did you bring me here?" Bolin asked, his voice sharp.

"Do you fear me?"

"No."

"You fear what we would become." Andrakaos moved around him, and in the circle of his body the wind calmed, and the snow drifted down in gentle flakes. He lowered his head level with Bolin's. "There is little you can hide from us."

"And so I ask again, why did you bring me here?"

"It is you who called us."

Bolin shook his head. "No."

Andrakaos gusted out a breath and canted his head as though to scent the air. "He waits for us."

A different chill worked through him. "Donovan? Where?"

Andrakaos stared at him. "He will try to take us. We will need you." Andrakaos shifted, and the snow swirled around Bolin once again. "You will need us."

***

They left Broadhead by the River Gate wrapped in the gloom of false dawn. Even though four garrison soldiers padded their ranks, Bolin opted to stay off the road for the better part of the day, keeping out two scouts at all times. They rode in uneasy silence, everyone alert to the slightest sound. Bolin hoped to reach The Splintered Oak, an inn a bit less than a day's ride from Nisair, by dark. Before his visit of the night before, he had thought to press on and camp beneath the stars. The inn wouldn't offer much by way of protection, but better than being caught in the open if Donovan truly did wait for them.

They rode single file, Bolin on point, Garek bringing up the rear, Ciara and Nialyne tucked in the middle of the column. Each time the scouts returned and gave their all-clear report, the tension around them
eased. By mid-day, when Sully and one of Rothel's men returned without anything to report, spirits rose considerably more. All save Bolin's, because each step toward Nisair took Ciara that much closer to Donovan.

He waits for us.

The words echoed in his mind. That Donovan waited was a given. Where, and what he had planned, remained the great unknowns that chewed at Bolin like a dog gnawing a bone. Surely Donovan wouldn't try anything within the walls of the city? Not even he could be arrogant enough to think he could stand before the Emperor and the Imperial Mages. But he'd failed to take Ciara on the road. Twice. Never coming himself, which seemed far enough out of character to add yet another layer of worry to Bolin's already extensive list. Donovan did nothing without purpose. If he meant to wear them down, he'd succeeded. Now he waited between Broadhead and Nisair, like a spider in a web. Bolin would rather face another marauder attack. At least marauders were straight forward, their intentions clear.

Sandeen twitched an ear back, alerting Bolin to Garek's approach or he never would have noticed. Goddess above, the point rider needed to be far more aware than that.

"Still thinking of pressing on tonight?" Garek asked, matching his horse's pace to Sandeen's.

Bolin shook his head. "We'll stay at the Oak." He glanced behind him. Two riders filled the space between them and Ciara. She caught his eye, and her face crinkled into a questioning frown as though she could feel the weight of his thoughts from there. Likely she could.

"And it appears I'm talking to myself."

Bolin jerked his head toward Garek, and his friend's sharp eyes drilled into him.

"What's it this time?" he asked. "We're damn near to the gates. Can't we get a moment's peace?"

"Donovan's waiting for us."

"Where?"

"I wish I knew."

"So this is just a hunch? Or do you have real cause to believe it?"

"Let's just say I had a premonition." He gave Garek a meaningful look.

Garek pursed his lips. "Ah." He shifted in the saddle, casting a look ahead and to both sides. "Right. And you're planning to do what about it?"

Turn tail and run would have been the preferable answer. No shame in retreat, and Bolin had never felt more like doing just that. Not that any place existed to run
to where Ciara would be safe. Except Galys Auld, and that would only draw Donovan there. In time the Greensward would become a battlefield, something Bolin would never allow.

Although...if he sent Ciara back with Nialyne, he could deal with Donovan on his own.

"No," Garek said. "Whatever just went through your head that you think is a good idea, isn't."

There were times when the fact Garek knew Bolin better than most proved more of a hindrance than anything. "What would you suggest, then?"

"Something you're no good at," Garek said. "Trust that whatever he's got planned, we can get past it and safely to Nisair. Once inside the city, he won't be a threat. The city is warded against magic other than that sanctioned by the Emperor. Yes?"

"In theory."

"Theory?" Garek snorted. "I think it's a bit more than that. You know I've never claimed to understand even a tiny bit of what you all have, or what you can do with it. Quite frankly it makes my skin crawl. I may not know much of magic, but I have studied a bit of history. Nisair is pretty much hallowed ground. Always has been so. Ever since the city was built, no one's been able to breach her wards. No one. And it's been tried. Whatever magic lies in her heart is controlled by the Emperor and the mages. You don't honestly think he'd try a move against them?"

"I don't know," Bolin said.
"That's the problem."

"We have our orders."

Sandeen tossed his head and fidgeted beneath him, reacting to Bolin's sudden flash of anger. "You need worry only about your own orders. I believe they had to do with ensuring I return to Nisair. That's something I now have every intention of doing."

"
With
Ciara."

"That remains to be seen."

"It's not negotiable, Bolin." Garek scratched his beard. "Look, if it makes you feel better we can send one of the lads ahead, drag our feet a bit, apprise Dain of the situation and get some reinforcements."

"Or, I can ride ahead, and you can drag your feet." When Garek opened his mouth to object Bolin held up a hand. "Let's not forget, Commander, I outrank you. From what you've divulged of your orders, they would be partly satisfied by my arrival in Nisair
, with or without you. Do you intend to disobey a direct order from me?"

"You know, I'd rather not," Garek said. "Especially not from you. But you should also know I've been given the authority to do so."

Bolin raised a brow. "Promoted, then?"

"Only temporarily."

They rode a bit without further discourse. It would be a risk, leaving Ciara behind to go ahead and try to draw Donovan out.

"I'd have no problem with it," Garek said, "if I believed you'd seek Dain's counsel first. But you've made it clear you want Donovan dead at any cost. It doesn't matter if I think you're right or not, I can't allow you to go hunting him."

"So who exactly gave you your orders, then?"

Garek went still, and Bolin instantly regretted the words. The big man swiveled his attention forward, his focus on the trail ahead, his jaw working.

"Because of the company we're in, I won't draw on you for that, though I'm sorely tempted," Garek said, his voice tight. "Given enough time I may even forgive the fact you just called my loyalty into question. If it happens again, I won't be as generous."

He
spun his horse and cantered back down the line.

***

The late afternoon sun danced off the river like glistening jewels casting flickering reflections against Nisair's whitewashed walls. Donovan would reach the gates well before dark. No doubt much had changed in the decades since he had last visited the Imperial capital. For one, a different man wore the crown these days. Donovan did not know him, and were the Emperor not in the General's pocket, Donovan would have entertained the idea of exercising his rights and privileges as a Lord of the Empire and taking up residence in the Lord's Wing of the castle. More than likely, such an attempt would get him thrown in the dungeons.

If he did not exercise care, that possibility still existed. If Donovan had to guess, Nisair would be the last place the General would think to find him. Some would consider his entering the city an act of foolishness, or perhaps the last effort of a desperate man. Donovan liked to think
he was neither of those things.

What he
would hold himself out to be, to those who took notice of him at all, would be nothing more than a travelling scholar. By now, Colm should have secured a secluded residence near the inner wall. Close enough to the castle gates to be privy to comings and goings, but not so close as to risk detection. A gamble, perhaps, but necessary.

Donovan glanced sidelong at the priestess as she
trotted up beside him.

"Once again, you disappoint," he said by way of greeting.

She slowed her horse to a walk, matching his pace. "And once again, you kept information from me that may have proved useful."

"Did you accomplish even one of the tasks I laid before you?"

"You wanted them delayed. I have done so."

"And the girl?"

"Girl?" The priestess snorted. "She remains in the hands of her guardians. She could have killed me."

"Any of the three you faced could have killed you. Do not expect me to mourn when that inevitability occurs."

"If you so badly want me dead, why did you bind me?"

"Your magic serves a purpose."

She glowered at him, then hunched her shoulders and slowed her mount until she could fall in behind him. He could feel her brooding. He knew she entertained the idea of killing him, or of turning traitor and throwing in with his enemies. She lived with the regret of not slitting his throat when he had been too weak to fend her off. That opportunity would never present itself again. It rankled her to be bound to anyone. To be bound to him ate at her much the same way her poisonous magic ate at the General. It had taken Donovan some time to realize the potential in her indiscretion. Another vulnerability in a man who had far too few.

***

The Imperial Castle dominated the entire northern end of Nisair. Situated on a slight rise to allow the Emperor and his retinue to look down their noses upon the masses, it provided both luxury and safety to those enjoying the Emperor's hospitality. Its placement and fortified wall system shimmered with wards for those who had the eyes to see them, further insuring no foe would ever take it. The city may fall at its feet, but the home of the Emperor would persevere.

The unremarkable, two-story house Colm had secured for Donovan nestled at the end of a road, two rows down from the inner wall
, and well off the main avenue. That made it easy to find, yet out of anyone's eye. The lower level consisted of a kitchen, a servant's room, and the main parlor. The upper floor housed several bedrooms. Colm had seen to all the details including provisioning and staffing, which allowed Donovan plenty of time to settle in before a knock on the door announced the arrival of his guest.

"Ah, the great overseer of the Order of
Imperial Mages himself." Donovan dipped his head in greeting but did not rise as Colm ushered Lord Arnok into the parlor.