Markan Throne

  Belaika's hand strayed onto his wife's stomach more than once and he felt the child inside kick. Definitely only one: a boy. He rolled onto his back and stared into the cloudless sky, thinking of what he could do with his son and what he would teach him. So much could only be shared between father and son.

  Despite these quiet moments of relaxation, the real world still intruded. Every now and again, shouts reached his ears as soldiers drilled, or some food clung desperately to life as long as possible before being slaughtered for the cooks. The army surrounded half the city, but Belaika did not want to leave the safety of the armed ring, which meant there were few quiet spots to be found. He had a sudden feeling of unease.

  Eleka started up and dug her hand into her husband's ribs.

  "Do not fear," said a melodic voice, "I will not harm you."

  Belaika sat up to see the woman with speedwell eyes he remembered from the courtroom. She smiled at him now.

  "Who are you? What do you want?" He hoped fear did not sound in his voice. Bad enough with his earpoints lying backwards to shout his fear to the world. "How did you get here?"

  "I walked here. I mean you no harm, Belaika-y-Marcus. I am Sandev."

  "Sandev-ya." Belaika nodded in acknowledgment, but Eleka just stared in awe.

  "I wanted to speak with you," continued Sandev. "About Kelanus. Not many are as certain he is innocent of murder."

  The scout stared and felt compelled to speak. "He is innocent. There was something... wrong... about the man in the tent."

  "Like this?" asked Sandev.

  Belaika almost squealed and rubbed his arms as if suddenly cold. The woman before him didn't change, but something terrifying emanated from her. "Yes! Now I do not feel it." His eyes were wide.

  Eleka rubbed her arms.

  "Don't be afraid." Sandev tried and failed to reassure the sylphs. "What you feel is the Father's Gift. Sorcery is similar and sylphs are sensitive to it. I am certain Kelanus is no sorcerer and neither is he blessed with the Gift. Whoever murdered Branad and his guard held power."

  "So why not feel who it is all the time? Seeing you this morning, I knew you had power, but not like... like you just did." Belaika somehow knew that this woman had great age, but he thought it might be rude to say so.

  "Perhaps he can hide it, invert it somehow. A few can. Or perhaps he does not fully believe what he is capable of."

  Belaika shook his head. "At least I am not losing my mind. Only the scouts and Jenn believe me."

  "And me," put in Eleka, quickly.

  Belaika squeezed her hand as if to say of course and you.

  "Two of the most powerful people in Marka believe you," countered Sandev. "One is on the Supreme Council."

  "What are these powerful people going to do about it?" Belaika's attitude suddenly changed. "Forgive me, donanya, but my owner encourages me to speak freely."

  Sandev smiled again. "You may speak as you wish. My own sylph speaks her mind freely. As to your question, these powerful people will move to help Kelanus before his trial. But you both must keep silent about it and tell nobody other than your master. Belaika, I will be indebted to you if you will arrange for me to see Marcus. I will meet you here tomorrow evening and we can go to see your owner together, should he wish. Just him and me. And you, of course. Will you do this?"

  The scout inclined his head. "Se bata."

  Belaika and Eleka were suddenly alone.

  Eleka's eyes were wide. "She frightened me," she complained.

  "And me," admitted Belaika.

  ***

  Neptarik-y-Balnus, lucky scarf in place to still his ears, scanned the five cards quickly, trying to decide whether to call for a sixth or not. His owner Balnus had been luckier than usual: he was still in. He hummed a snatch of 'A Boy's Life is a Good Life'.

  "Card," said Balnus.

  Ean, again acting as banker, pushed a card across the table.

  Both Callen, turning his face to show off his fresh scar to best advantage, and Nazan pushed their piles of copper partas to the center of the table. Erras pushed his coins out. Balnus followed suit.

  "Neptarik?" Erras pointed to the pile of coins.

  The sylph, silent as always, nodded and pushed his coins to join the rest.

  "Eighteen," declared Callen.

  "Seventeen." Balnus looked disgusted with himself.

  "Twenty." Nazan grinned.

  Erras stared at Neptarik. "You first."

  The sylph stared back and turned his cards over.

  "Sixteen!" Erras could barely hide his glee. "Twenty-two!" he declared, reaching out to scoop the coins in his direction.

  While Ean dealt, Erras turned back to Neptarik. "There has been much talk about Branad's murder. How can Belaika claim it wasn't Kelanus?"

  "If he says it was not Kelanus, then it was not," growled Neptarik.

  "All the scouts agree on that," added Ean.

  "When you people talk, you like to gang up on someone," laughed Erras, surprised that the usually silent sylphs had said anything. "Those of us who served under Kelanus before he went to Marcus can't believe it, either. That does not make it truth, however."

  "If you do not like the answer," said Neptarik, "then do not ask the question."

  "Kelanus had the motive," said Callen. "Everybody knows that."

  Balnus tapped the table. "I believe that Kelanus is innocent. Why would he decide to screw everything up now? It's not done Marcus Vintner any good, has it?"

  "Verdin Vintner is devastated," continued Erras. "Most of the men – in our camp anyway – are too. Branad was a good leader."

  "Can we sleep safe?" asked Nazan. "I thought yesterday that we'd be fighting each other again."

  "I think most of the men agree Marcus Vintner had nothing to do with it. At least now they do." Erras twisted his mouth. "But they do not think the same about Kelanus." He raised his voice a little before Neptarik had a chance to interrupt. "Innocent or guilty, that's the way it is. There's nobody in this camp who looks anything like Kelanus, so how could it be anybody but? Simple logic."

  "Why would Kelanus try and destabilize the army? It makes no sense." Balnus looked around at everybody.

  "He did not try anything; it was not him," protested Neptarik.

  Ean tapped the table, unusually assertive. His silver eyes stared around the table. "Are you placing bets tonight, or after the guard is changed?"

  The men laughed. Neptarik and Ean exchanged glances. They knew everybody was on edge. The piles of copper partas were pushed to the center of the table. Eyes went down to the cards and the serious business of winning and losing money began all over again. Everything in life was a gamble and risks must be assessed before taking every step.

  But who had gambled with all their lives?

  ***

  Chapter 7

  Escape

  Kelanus paced his cell. He had never before witnessed the inside of a prison, not even after Ranallic made his vile accusations. Kelanus paused. That had happened when he still commanded Branad's army. Just two years ago, it seemed a world away now.

  That world had shrunk somewhat. The sparse cell had an uncomfortable bed and an equally uncomfortable wooden chair. His light came from a small barred window high in one wall, or through the grille set in the heavy oak door. The only fresh air came from the window and Siranva knew that this place needed as much fresh air as it could get.

  Turning again, Kelanus saw he now had company.

  "Ranva's eyes, who are you?" he demanded. He had not heard the door and he had definitely not blacked out. "How did you get in here?"

  "A friend," replied the stranger, whose sapphire-blue eyes sparkled in the poor light. "My name is Sandev. I am here to help you."

  Kelanus, more off balance than he dared admit even to himself, stared angrily back. "I never heard you come in. You have come to mock me? If what they say about me is true, I could easily kill you before the guards could get here."

  Sandev smiled. "If you tried to ki
ll me, Kelanus Butros, rest assured you would live to regret it. I am not here to mock you, but because I believe you are innocent."

  Kelanus's eyes narrowed. "You are here to mock me."

  "I know sylphs better than most people alive. Belaika overcame his natural deference to humans in court yesterday and insisted on speaking the truth. Sylphs rarely stand up to humans like that, even when they are certain, which means he is convinced. Marcus Vintner doesn't believe you are guilty and also at least one member of the Supreme Council believes the same. Together, you have some powerful friends."

  "If you're going to sit, I recommend you take the chair." Kelanus gestured helplessly. "I think the bed's alive."

  Sandev smiled and took the chair.

  "It isn't just because of Belaika that you believe I'm innocent, is it?"

  "Mostly him, but partly you."

  "Partly me? I've hardly been civil toward you so far."

  "I'm close enough to know neither the Gift nor sorcery flows in you. I visited Branad's tent, which stank of sorcery. Sylphs can sense sorcery, even if they fail to recognize it. Belaika sensed its use and that caused his unease. It's why he's certain that, despite appearances, he wasn't looking at you."

  Sandev paused. "Sylphs often see more than they let on. Whoever murdered Branad and his guard used enough sorcery to scare the ears off any sylph, no matter how courageous."

  Kelanus stared. "There aren't many who would believe you."

  "That is true." Sandev nodded. "But with one exception, none of them were in the tent with Belaika and Branad. Who do you think murdered him?"

  "Were you there all the way through the inquiry?"

  "For the evidence yes, but please answer my question."

  Kelanus's mouth twisted. "Then you heard why I left Branad's army."

  "Answer my question, please."

  "I will. Everybody asks who stood to gain by Branad's murder, or what motive anyone else could have."

  Sandev rested her hands in her lap and crossed her legs. Her eyes were intent on Kelanus's face. "Go on."

  "They should ask who stands to gain by having me out of the way. Who gained most when I lost my last command and who stands to gain most now?"

  Sandev suspected she had underestimated this man. "Marcus has put General Ranallic in command of the combined army. Ranallic replaced you then and he's replaced you now."

  "I believe he is responsible for Branad's murder. Either by his hand or his command."

  "The timing is wrong for your theory to stand up."

  "The timing is exactly right," countered Kelanus. "Branad announced to all that he'd dropped his claim. The murder happened when it did because Ranallic knew there were enough witnesses to support Marcus when he said that he stood to gain nothing. Any argument that Marcus murdered Branad is built on feeble foundations. That could only stand if he acted before Branad's intentions were known. The timing couldn't be better." The prisoner forced a smile. "It fits my theory."

  "Marcus might have ordered the murder before Branad renounced his claim."

  "And Marcus had almost two days to rescind those orders after he renounced it," said Kelanus.

  "Perhaps Branad's son is to blame," said Sandev. "A squandered birthright."

  "Verdin would also have moved before the renunciation of the claim, immediately after Branad told us he intended going before the Senate. The timing is wrong for Verdin to be responsible. And patricide is not his style, I think. But Ranallic would not move while Branad still had a chance of becoming Emperor."

  "Why do you say that?

  Kelanus smiled. "Ambition. Obviously, he does not want the Throne himself, but he does want to stand a step below whoever wins it. As Branad renounced his claim, Ranallic would want to replace me as Marcus's commander. That's my theory. I just need the evidence for it."

  "How astute of you." Sandev sounded impressed.

  "Cut the flattery," growled Kelanus. "Is your question fully answered? I believe Ranallic is responsible for the murder because he knew who would be blamed. Just as he was responsible for the accusations against me two years ago. He stood to gain most by having me out of the way. I lost the most then and again now."

  "It might be a mistake to believe you."

  Kelanus shrugged. "If I was guilty, do you think I would be so foolish as to leave witnesses to identify me?"

  "Not once, but twice." Sandev nodded. "Several have commented on that."

  Kelanus decided to change the subject. "How are you going to get me out?"

  "Leave that to me. What do you intend to do with your freedom? I trust you won't fritter it away in some vengeance attack on Ranallic?"

  Kelanus smiled. "That is exactly what I plan to do. No, no, I'm not going to challenge him, not immediately anyway. I need to travel south and try to find his homeland. I believe he's from about as far south as it's possible to get. I must learn about his early life. I have to get all the evidence I can."

  Sandev leaned forward. "May I touch your forehead?"

  Kelanus stooped and stood still as Sandev leaned her hand against his head. It felt cool to the touch.

  "The best way for you to travel will be by sea," said Sandev. She sat back and broke the contact. "A party of four, I think. Yourself, one of my old students, and two friends from the army."

  "The easiest port to get to is Cadister," muttered Kelanus.

  "When you reach Cadister, find the Portmaster, a friend of mine. His name is Repp. Just tell him that Sandev sent you and you're looking for a ship to sail as far south as possible."

  "Who is your old student?" asked Kelanus.

  "Her name is Tahena." A smile flitted across Sandev's face. "A southerner, but I'm sure you won't hold that against her. An excellent student and very gifted."

  "When?" Kelanus stared harder at Sandev. "When do I escape?"

  "Soon. I must speak with Marcus Vintner. Before I go, another question for you. Do you know anyone in the army who is unmarried and owns an unmarried male sylph?"

  "Balnus and Neptarik are the two you want. I'd trust both of them."

  "Then I will see them, also."

  "Do you know everybody?" asked Kelanus, quietly.

  She smiled. "In a way, yes I do."

  ***

  Sandev did not like coming to this place. Though less dangerous than ethereal projection, that did not make it safe. As far as she knew, her soul, her essence, remained in her body and she had projected only part of her mind. Here, she was as close to being nothing as she could possibly be. She had no eyes here, yet she could see: countless centillions of lights, flowing toward a vast luminous pool that would consume all the smaller lights rushing toward it. Even as she watched, new lights flickered into existence in the far distance.

  The pool never grew or shrank, the number of lights never increased or diminished. She had no way of measuring or counting, she just knew. She had the impression of equilibrium and perfect balance, as things ought to be.

  The lights represented all of life. Strange to think the light of her essence flowed here somewhere, so she could theoretically meet herself. Not that she could possibly recognize anything even if she managed to identify her light.

  Despite being as nothing, danger lurked here. All life was here and much of it dangerous; surviving either by wit alone, or else predaceous. Benefic and malefic ilven were here, together with those heavenly or infernal spirits ranked with them. The ranked gods and demons of the Sephiroths were also present, suggesting a line of thought that frightened even her. Plants had a presence here and probably other things too. To be alive was the only qualification.

  She did not know where or what here was, only that she used this place to fill gaps in her knowledge. Without knowing what she did, she cast... something… towards the river of lights. Pointless trying to reach those already in the pool – she had never managed to find a way into that – but she freely rummaged through those still picking the way to their inevitable destiny.

  Her casting caused confus
ion and alarm.

  What are you?

  Why are you here?

  GO AWAY!

  Ranallic Eydren, she sent. Speech was not it, for she had nothing to speak with, only her consciousness sent out among the endless awarenesses here. Kelanus Arus Butros. Best to be sure about him, too. Replies rarely came quickly; sometimes she must return more than once.

  Slowly, reluctantly, answers came and some surprised even her.

  ***

  Belaika paced up and down beside the stream, where he had promised to meet Sandev. He now wished he had agreed a specific time with the woman. Evening covered a wide range, from after eating to nightfall. Worse, his master waited patiently in his tent, having canceled his other appointments. He wondered how Sandev would get to Marcus's tent from here without half the camp seeing her.

  He sighed and turned towards the stream. A sudden sense of unease caused a shiver and he was no longer alone.

  "How did you do that?" he demanded, earpoints bolt upright.

  Sandev smiled. "And a good evening to you, Belaika-y-Marcus."

  The scout gave an unimpressed sniff while trying not to rub his arms. His question remained unanswered. Some humans were like that, thinking sylphs were easily fobbed off. But Sandev was different. For one thing, her face had no condescending look.

  "My master has agreed to meet," he said. "We can meet in his tent. He took some persuading, as he has never heard of you."

  "You succeeded."

  Belaika nodded. "But how can I get you to his tent without anyone seeing? You wanted secrecy."

  "We'll get to his tent the same way I came here without you noticing. I'm sure this small demonstration will also answer your question." Sandev's smile broadened and she gave the sylph a knowing look. "Close your eyes and give me your hand. It won't hurt."

  The sylph obeyed and felt Sandev take his blue hand in her own. A sudden jolt and the fear he had felt the night of Branad's murder surged, gone almost before he recognized it. He no longer felt grass under his bare feet, but a rug. Opening his eyes, he almost squeaked in surprise.

  He wasn't the only surprised sylph. Jenn, sat at Marcus's feet, shot upright the moment they appeared. Her earpoints poked up through her hair and determination mixed with fear on her face as she stood between Sandev and her owner. Recovering with impressive speed, her earpoints slanted forward determinedly. Fear ebbed away, replaced by quickly masked irritation.