The Nemesis Blade (17 page)

“There’s
enough food in this kitchen to feed a small army, relax, and he
told me to make myself at home. Sit, it won’t be long, and start
talking.”

Chaim perched
on a high stool on the other side of the counter and watched her.
She was deft in the cooking department. “I may have a lead on the
resistance army.”

“It exists?
It’s not all smoke and mirrors?”

“No. Seems we
are onto something big.”

“Where did you
hear … oh, never mind; I know you and your sources. Go on.”

“Major
quantities of weapons are being smuggled into Lax.”

“Dear god, you
want me to go into Lax.”

“You are the
only one who can, Jimini.”

She gave a wry
face. “Terrible for me.”

“Are you free
now?”

“At a decided
loose end. Teighlar saw through me. I was sent packing.”

“Torrullin
used you to trick the Emperor?” Chaim was aghast.

She stared at
him. “It didn’t work, so I can’t tell you more.”

“What is going
on in that head, I wonder?”

“Chaim, leave
it.” Jimini slammed a plate before him and shed chopped bacon and
onion from the pan into it. “Help yourself to bread and salad.
We’ll have coffee after.” She took another plate and dished up for
herself and then sat on a stool opposite him. “So tell me how you
want me to appear on Lax.”

“You will do
it?”

“Better than
sitting here with my thoughts.”

“I am thinking
you should go in with illegal guns as if to sell to the highest
bidder. You heard folk on Lax were in the market; the Xenian
smugglers have big mouths and so forth. Hold out for the real
player, the head honcho.”

“That requires
more leverage than a few illegal guns.”

“Right.” Chaim
gave it some thought and then, “You know of a big cache on Ymir and
the contact is family. If the big boy on Lax is interested, he can
only go through you.”

“It needs
finessing. Must I go in as an Ymirian, then? The family connection
thing? No way is the underground of Ymir tolerant of
strangers.”

“This is
another reason I need you - you think like a spy.”

“Gee, great.
Male or female?”

“What do you
think?”

Jimini chewed
for a while and then, “Female. Easier to sustain, appears less
threatening, and we all know Ymirian females can be as bent as the
males.”

“Agreed.”

“Where do we
get the guns?”

“Xen. I have a
source there.” Chaim looked away.

“Criminal?”

“Quite the
opposite, and he will help with glee if it means we trap the
smugglers ring also.”

Jimini got up
to find mugs and poured coffee. “Why are you shy about this
source?”

“He does this
passing on without Dalrish
official
consent.”

Jimini glared
at him. “Chaim, you know that’s looking for trouble.”

“The red tape
is boggling and by the time it is done everyone will know who the
informant is. We cannot take the risk.”

They ate in
silence, each weighing options and then cleared the kitchen
together.

Jimini
squashed her misgivings and two minutes later they were on their
way to Xen III.

Xen III

It was
mid-afternoon when Tristan blinked in the sunshine outside the
enclave.

Beside him was
Rose, the woman who would cause problems merely because she was
Rose, and behind him, blinking owlishly, were Teroux and
Tianoman.

Before him was
an irate Daisy.

“You can’t
take her with you!”

“Daisy,” Rose
pacified, “I must. Caballa said so.”

“It’s a huge,
dangerous universe, Rose!”

“I know,
sweetie, but I’m only going as far as Valaris and I’ll be under
Valla protection.” She dimpled.

“That’s what
I’m worried about.”

Tristan
clasped the man’s bony shoulder. “The Elders will be there, friend,
and if it really concerns you this much, I shall arrange for a
suitable chaperon.”

It was, in
fact, a brilliant idea, Tristan thought. He would see to it the
moment they were back on Valaris.

Rose did not
like it. “I do not need a chaperon.”

“Yet you will
be assigned one,” Tristan said. Behind, his cousins groaned. “Hear
that, Rose? That is why I am giving Daisy my word on this.”

Daisy beamed.
“Thank you, my Lord.” He bent a stern eye on Rose. “Now you behave,
hear? You are an ambassador for our farspeakers.”

“I will
behave. You old worry-shoe, I’ll be fine.” She gave him a hug and
then looked up at Tristan. “Are we going direct to Valaris?”

“First our
thanks to Peacekeeper Le Maximillian.”

They took
their leave of Daisy and the enclave and transported to the Palace
in Shanghai Metrop with Tianoman toting a heavy bag on Rose’s
behalf.

Her eyes were
round with awe when they were before the Dalrish Peacekeeper and he
was as taken with her as were the Valla heirs.

Daisy would
have been displeased.

Reel was
surprised to see Chaim again, but when the infiltration of Lax was
presented to him, he sprang into action, doing so with tact and
stealth.

By morning he
would have everything in place.

As an added
measure he checked on arrivals to Lax and informed his fellow
spies, “A Ymirian docks late tomorrow. That should fit your cover.
I know someone who can alter the passenger manifest in the event
someone sees fit to check thoroughly.” He went on, fine with the
subterfuge, “Jimini, you need a name and it had better fit with
known malcontents on Ymir.”

“I shall
contact someone on Ymir,” Chaim murmured.

“Well, that’s
it then,” Reel grinned. “Listen, my wife is visiting her mother, so
my house is available tonight, and gives us a chance to polish the
cover, what say you?”

The Dome

Two ogives
chimed and Belun swore foully.

He jerked
around to face the intruders. “Not now!”

Prima walked
in and from the other side came Declan with a firm hold on
Sabian.

“We need talk,
Belun,” Declan said. “It may not be the brightest idea to take the
Dome down to Sanctuary. Is Torrullin still in Grinwallin?”

“He’s off the
scopes, I think inside the mountain. Who is this?”

“This is
Sabian, master historian and trouble-shooter for Titania.”

In silent
agreement Prima and Declan headed for the Dome before Grinwallin,
first to give Belun forewarning and second, to present Sabian to
the console of lights. If anything were amiss with the man the
lights would unmask him.

“Well met,
Sabian,” Belun murmured and then focused on Prima. “Sorry, but it
explains nothing.”

Prima watched
as Declan closed in on the console, gesturing Sabian over.

Belun
understood and watched also.

“Sabian,
forgive me, but would you place your hand here?”

Sabian looked
from the Siric to the blinking lights. “Why?”

“It proves
what you are,” Declan said, and waited. If the man refused he
proved himself and would be dealt with. If the lights remained lit
he would not be harmed, but if one of the lights muted he could
count his remaining time in mere seconds.

Sabian gave a
disbelieving laugh and placed his hand on the console firmly. The
lights continued blinking.

Both Prima and
Declan visibly relaxed. “Good. Welcome to the Dome,” Declan
smiled.

Sabian
shrugged and removed his hand. “I assume I passed.”

Belun’s hair
rose. This man was trouble. “What is your claim to fame,
Sabian?”

“Much study.
My field of expertise is ancient cultures and I have dabbled in
foretelling.”

Convenient
. “And you came to the attention of my friends
here.”

“They found
me. Who might you be?”

“Belun of the
Centuar, and Dome leader.”

A pleased grin
appeared on the fair man’s face. “I have heard of you, but you are
not in Centuar form?”

“Too large and
unwieldy for the work here.”

“You can hold
that form long?”

“Indefinitely.” Belun shook his head. Neat, how he changed the
focus.

“Fantastic.”
Sabian was thoughtful. “I read a telling about Centuars not long
ago. Tell me, is it true you were created by a wizard?”

Belun stilled.
“It is.”

“Made immortal
and with souls?”

“Yes. What is
your point?”

Sabian glanced
at Declan, at Prima, and back at Belun. “Forgive me, but I should
not say more.”

Declan gripped
the man’s shoulder. “Friend, tell us, or tell Elixir; your
choice.”

Sabian stared
into the colourless eyes beside him. “Very well.” He faced Belun.
“There is an unfulfilled prophecy about two Centuars who fell on
the field of battle … returning.”

Belun
blanched.

“Say what?”
Prima demanded.

“They were
treated foul and had not made their peace, they were not ready to
pass on and it was not their time to go,” Sabian said, and closed
his eyes. It was immediately evident he was quoting. “’
In the
battle of hair and staff, two created souls of man to horse were
taken before reward due; the balances require return, in the time
of time.’
” He opened his eyes. “Penned twelve standard
centuries ago by Anchor Mor of Yltri.”

Belun sat down
hard. “Hair and staff - Dinor and Warlock. Assint and Mahler died
there, taken foully, unprepared. Dear gods.”

Prima pursed
his lips and then, “Time of time? They could be where Lowen is,
when Elixir goes back.”

Belun swung
large, hopeful eyes on the tall man. “You think so?”

“I do not
know, Belun. I merely speculate.”

“And
speculation isn’t truth,” Declan said. “Belun, we will discuss this
with Torrullin, but for now …”

“Damn it,
Siric, two of my race!”

Declan nodded
expressionlessly. “Yes, I know, for I would give my wings to have
just one other Siric in the universe with me, but you cannot allow
this to cloud your present.”

The Centuar
rose. He eyeballed Sabian. “You and I are to talk at length soon,
hear?” He drew breath, straightened and asked, “Now what is this
danger to the Dome going down to Sanctuary?”

“Apparently
the Three Kingdoms are of Sanctuary. It could be foolishness to
take the Dome to the site of prophecy,” Prima stated.

Belun stared
at him. “That isn’t enough to halt my task. Go tell Torrullin, if
you must, and leave me to go on.” He turned moodily away.

“If Torrullin
is in the mountain we cannot interfere,” Declan said to Prima. “And
Belun is right. We do not have sufficient evidence. I suggest we
find a quiet place to talk to Sabian first.”

“Sanctuary?”

“Good idea?
Thibis?”

Prima nodded.
“Head for the university. I am right behind you.”

Titania

In the library
the three Kaval continued working, going without food and
drink.

By turns
exclamations sounded, of amazement, of horror, of awe and
disbelief. Sometimes there was no talk and only the sound of pages
turning or keys tapping. At other times everyone spoke at once and
twice a guard had been around to quiet them.

It was
astonishing how Luvan history melded with Sanctuary’s past and how
inundations changed the course of all.

Ignatius,
Galarth and Shenendo realised they stumbled upon something
huge.

Valaris

They left
Valaris only that morning and now felt as if they were away
long.

They went to
the Palace on Valla Island first, hoping to discuss their plans
before going their separate ways.

They did not
reason in the ire of the council of Elders.

As the three
heirs appeared in the Throne-room at ground level, Tristan holding
onto Rose for her transport, they discovered the Elders awaiting
them.

“Aw, shit,”
Teroux mumbled.

Tianoman drew
himself up to appear taller.

Tristan
released Rose and called a nearby retainer over. “Please take our
guest upstairs and see to her comfort. Rose, stay in your suite for
now. This here will get hairy.”

She dimpled at
him and followed the manservant up the curving stairs. All eyes
watched and when both were out of sight, the Elders exploded.

There were
fourteen of them, four for each Valla heir, as advisors, and two
charged with overview. Together with the Elders of Luvanor they
ruled the Valleur nation until a Valla stepped onto the dais again
before the Throne.

Sirlasin,
Tianoman’s first advisor, shouted, “Tianoman, you subverted a
sacred site! How could you do this terrible thing?”

“You went
along with that, Teroux?” Prester shouted.

“We expected
more from you, Tristan!” Atkir added his voice.

“Do you have
any idea the panic you caused?” Selenten demanded. Selenten was of
Luvanor, but moved to Valaris to take a position on the advisory
council when Kismet passed on.

“We were
forced to deep cloak!” Assari, on Tristan’s four, added.

Tristan held a
hand aloft and waited for silence. When it was given, he spoke, “We
went to find Caballa …”

Sirlasin
shouted, “Noble of you, but your methods …”

“Please allow
me to speak,” Tristan said.

Silence was
given again.

“Yesterday
morning the three of us spoke with Torrullin about the rumour the
Beaconite repeated.” The Elders nodded, aware of the situation, and
also that two Kaval had been after the same thing this day. “It
occurred to us after seeing him, Caballa has the talent to unearth
these rumour mongers, but we knew she does not want to be
found.”

“She is on
Nemisin’s world,” Atkir murmured.