The Ambassador''s Mission

  Cery shrugged. “Change goes on all the time. You lose something and you gain something else.”

  One of Skellin’s elegant eyebrows rose. “Do the gains outweigh the losses?”

  “More for some than others. I’ve not had much profit from the split, but I still have a few understandings with other Thieves.”

  “That is good to hear. Do you think there is a chance we might come to an understanding?”

  “There’s always a chance.” Cery smiled. “It depends on what you’re suggesting we understand.”

  Skellin nodded. “Of course.” He paused and his expression grew serious. “There are two offers I’d like to make to you. The first is one I’ve made to several other Thieves, and they have all agreed to it.”

  Cery felt a thrill of interest. All of them? But then, he doesn’t say how many “several” is.

  “You have heard of the Thief Hunter?” Skellin asked.

  “Who hasn’t?”

  “I believe he is real.”

  “One person killed all those Thieves?” Cery raised his eyebrows, not bothering to conceal his disbelief.

  “Yes,” Skellin said firmly, holding Cery’s gaze. “If you ask around – ask the people who saw something – there are similarities in the murders.”

  I’ll have to have Gol look into it again, Cery mused. Then a possibility occurred to him. I hope Skellin doesn’t think that my helping High Lord Akkarin to find the Sachakan spies back before the Ichani Invasion means I can find this Thief Hunter for him. They were easy to spot, once you knew what to look for. The Thief Hunter is something else.

  “So … what you want to do about him?”

  “I’d like your agreement that if you hear anything about the Thief Hunter you will tell me. I understand that many Thieves aren’t talking to each other, so I offer myself as a recipient of information about the Thief Hunter instead. Perhaps, with everyone’s cooperation, I’ll get rid of him for you all. Or, at the least, be able to warn anyone if they are going to be attacked.”

  Cery smiled. “That last bit is a touch optimistic.”

  Skellin shrugged. “Yes, there is always the chance a Thief won’t pass on a warning if he knows the Thief Hunter is going to kill a rival. But remember that every Thief removed is one less source of information that could lead to us getting rid of the Hunter and ensuring our own safety.”

  “They’d be replaced quick enough.”

  Skellin frowned. “By someone who might not know as much as their predecessor.”

  “Don’t worry.” Cery shook his head. “There’s nobody I hate enough to do that to, right now.”

  The other man smiled. “So are we in agreement?”

  Cery considered. Though he did not like the sort of trade Skellin was in, it would be silly to turn down this offer. The only information the man wanted related to the Thief Hunter, nothing more. And he was not asking for a pact or promise – if Cery was unable to pass on information because it would compromise his safety or business, nobody could say he’d broken his word.

  “Yes,” he replied. “I can do that.”

  “We have an understanding,” Skellin said, his smile broadening. “Now let me see if I can make that two.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m sure you know the main product that I import and sell.”

  Not bothering to hide his distaste, Cery nodded. “Roet. Or ‘rot’, as some call it. Not something I’m interested in. And I hear you have it well in hand.”

  Skellin nodded. “I do. When Faren died he left me a shrinking territory. I needed a way to establish myself and strengthen my control. I tried different trades. Roet supply was new and untested. I was amazed at how quickly Kyralians took to it. It has proven to be very profitable, and not just for me. The Houses are making a nice little income from the rent on the brazier houses.” Skellin paused. “You could be gaining from this little industry, too, Cery of Northside.”

  “Just call me Cery.” Cery let his expression grow serious. “I am flattered, but Northside is home to people mostly too poor to pay for roet. It’s a habit for the rich.”

  “But Northside is growing more prosperous, thanks to your efforts, and roet is getting cheaper as more becomes available.”

  Cery resisted a cynical smile at the flattery.

  “Not quite enough yet. It would stop growing if roet was brought in too soon and too fast.” And if I could manage it, we’d have no rot at all. He’d seen what it did to men and women caught up in the pleasure of it – forgetting to eat or drink, or to feed their children except to dose them with the drug to stop their complaints of hunger. But I’m not foolish enough to think I can keep it away forever. If I don’t provide it, someone else will. I will have to find a way to do so without causing too much damage. “There will be a right time to bring roet to Northside,” Cery said. “And when that time comes I’ll know who to come to.”

  “Don’t leave it too long, Cery,” Skellin warned. “Roet is popular because it is new and fashionable, but eventually it will be like bol – just another vice of the city, grown and prepared by anybody. I’m hoping that by then I’ll have established new trades to support myself with.” He paused and looked away. “One of the old, honourable Thief trades. Or perhaps even something legitimate.”

  He turned back and smiled, but there was a hint of sadness and dissatisfaction in his expression. Perhaps there’s an honest man in there, Cery thought. If he didn’t expect roet to spread so fast, maybe he didn’t expect it to cause so much damage … but that isn’t going to convince me to get into the trade myself.

  Skellin’s smile faded and was replaced by an earnest frown. “There are people out there who would like to take your place, Cery. Roet may be your best defence against them, as it was for me.”

  “There are always people out there who want me gone,” Cery said. “I’ll go when I’m ready.”

  The other Thief looked amused. “You truly believe you’ll get to choose the time and place?”

  “Yes.”

  “And your successor?”

  “Yes.”

  Skellin chuckled. “I like your confidence. Faren was as sure of himself, too. He was half right: he got to choose his successor.”

  “He was a clever man.”

  “He told me much about you.” Skellin’s gaze became curious. “How you didn’t become a Thief by the usual ways. That the infamous High Lord Akkarin arranged it.”

  Cery resisted the urge to look at the statue. “All Thieves gain power through favours with powerful people. I happened to exchange favours with a very powerful one.”

  Skellin’s eyebrows rose. “Did he ever teach you magic?”

  A laugh escaped Cery. “If only!”

  “But you grew up with Black Magician Sonea and gained your position with help from the former High Lord. Surely you would have picked up something.”

  “Magic isn’t like that,” Cery explained. But surely he knows that. “You have to have the talent, and be taught to control and use it. You can’t pick it up by watching someone.”

  Skellin put a finger to his chin and regarded Cery thoughtfully. “You do still have connections in the Guild, though, don’t you?”

  Cery shook his head. “I haven’t seen Sonea in years.”

  “How disappointing, after all you did – all the Thieves did – to help them.” Skellin smiled crookedly. “I’m afraid your reputation as a friend of magicians is nowhere near as exciting as the reality, Cery.”

  “That’s the way with reputations. Usually.”

  Skellin nodded. “So it is. Well, I have enjoyed our chat and made my offers. We have come to one understanding, at least. I hope we will come to another in time.” He stood up. “Thank you for meeting with me, Cery of Northside.”

  “Thank you for the invitation. Good luck in catching the Thief Hunter.”

  Skellin smiled, nodded politely, then turned and strolled back the way he had come. Cery watched him for a moment, then gave the statue another quick glance. It really wasn’
t a good likeness.

  “How did it go?” Gol murmured as Cery joined him.

  “As I expected,” Cery replied. “Except …”

  “Except?” Gol repeated when Cery didn’t finish.

  “We agreed to share information on the Thief Hunter.”

  “He’s real then?”

  “So Skellin believes.” Cery shrugged. They crossed the road and began striding back toward Wildways. “That wasn’t the oddest thing, though.”

  “Oh?”

  “He asked if Akkarin taught me magic.”

  Gol paused. “That isn’t that odd, though. Faren did hide Sonea before he handed her over to the Guild, in the hopes she would do magic for him. Skellin must have heard all about it.”

  “Do you think he’d like to have his own pet magician?”

  “Sure. Though he obviously wouldn’t want to hire you, seeing as you’re a Thief. Perhaps he thinks he can ask favours of the Guild through you.”

  “I told him I hadn’t seen Sonea in years.” Cery chuckled. “Next time I see her, I might ask if she’ll help out one of my Thief friends, just to see the look on her face.”

  A figure appeared in the alley ahead, hurrying toward them. Cery noted the possible exits and hiding places around them.

  “You should tell her Skellin was making enquiries,” Gol advised. “He might try to recruit someone else. And it might work. Not all magicians are as incorruptible as Sonea.” Gol slowed. “That’s … That’s Neg.”

  Relief that it wasn’t another attacker was followed by concern. Neg had been guarding Cery’s main hideout. He preferred it to roaming the streets, as open spaces made him jittery.

  The guard had seen them. Neg was panting as he reached them. Something on his face caught the light, and Cery felt his heart drop somewhere far below the level of the street. A bandage.

  “What is it?” Cery asked, in a voice he barely recognised as his.

  “S … sorry,” Neg panted. “Bad news.” He drew in a deep breath, then let it out explosively and shook his head. “Don’t know how to tell you.”

  “Say it,” Cery ordered.

  “They’re dead. All of them. Selia. The boys. Never saw who. Got past everything. Don’t know how. No lock broken. When I came to …” As Neg babbled on, apologising and explaining, words running over themselves, a rushing sound filled Cery’s ears. His mind tried to find some other explanation for a moment. He must be mistaken. He’s hit his head and is delusional. He dreamed it.

  But he made himself face the likely truth. What he had dreaded – had nightmares over – for years had happened.

  Someone had made it past all the locks and guards and protections, and murdered his family.

  CHAPTER 2

  QUESTIONABLE CONNECTIONS

  It was much earlier than her usual waking time. Dawn was still some hours away. Sonea blinked in the darkness and wondered what had woken her. A dream? Or had something real brought her to this state of sudden alertness in the middle of the night?

  Then she heard a sound, faint but undeniable, in the next room.

  Heart beating fast, the skin of her scalp tingling, she rose and silently moved to the bedroom door. She heard a footfall beyond, then another. Taking hold of the handle, she drew magic, threw up a shield and took a deep breath.

  The handle turned silently. She pulled the door inward slightly and looked beyond. In the faint moonlight filtering through the window screens she saw a figure pacing the guestroom. Male, short of stature, and instantly familiar. Relief flooded through her.

  “Cery,” she said, pulling the door open. “Who else would dare sneak into my rooms in the middle of the night?”

  He turned to face her. “Sonea …” He drew in a deep breath, but said nothing more. A long pause followed and she frowned. It was not like him to hesitate. Had he come to ask a favour he knew she would not like?

  She concentrated and created a small globe light, enough to fill the room with a soft glow. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment. His face was so lined. The years of danger and worry living as a Thief had aged him faster than anyone else she knew.

  I’m wearing plenty of signs of my years, she thought, but the battles for me were only the petty squabbling of magicians, not surviving in the uncompromising and often cruel underworld.

  “So … what brings you to the Guild in the middle of the night?” she asked, stepping into the guest room.

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “You never ask me how I get here without being noticed.”

  “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to risk anyone else finding out, in the unlikely event that I must allow someone to read my mind.”

  He nodded. “Ah. How are things going here?”

  She shrugged. “The same. Rich and poor novices squabbling. And now that some of the formerly poor novices have graduated and become magicians, we have squabbling on a new level. One we have to take seriously. In a few days we’ll be meeting to consider a petition to abolish the rule against novices and magicians associating with criminals or people of low repute. If it’s successful then I will no longer be breaking a rule talking to you.”

  “I can walk in the front gate and formally seek an audience?”

  “Yes. Now that’s a scenario to give the Higher Magicians a few sleepless nights. I bet they wish they’d never allowed the lower classes to enter the Guild.”

  “We always knew they would regret it,” Cery said. He sighed and looked away. “I’ve come to wish the Purge hadn’t ended.”

  Sonea frowned and crossed her arms, feeling a stab of anger and disbelief. “Surely not.”

  “Everything has changed for the worse.” He moved to a window and parted one of the screens, revealing nothing but darkness beyond.

  “And that’s because the Purge was stopped?” She narrowed her eyes at his back. “Nothing to do with a certain new vice ruining the lives of so many Imardians, rich and poor?”

  “Roet?”

  “Yes. The Purge killed hundreds, but roet has taken thousands – and enslaved more.” Every day she saw the victims in her hospices. Not just those caught up in the drug’s seductions, but their desperate parents, spouses, siblings, offspring and friends.

  And for all I know, Cery’s one of the Thieves importing and selling it, she couldn’t help thinking, and not for the first time.

  “They say it stops you caring,” Cery said quietly, turning to face her. “No more worries or concerns. No fear. No … grief.”

  His voice caught on the last word and suddenly Sonea felt all her senses grow sharper.

  “What is it, Cery? Why did you come here?”

  He drew in a deep breath. Let it out slowly. “My family,” he said, “were murdered tonight.”

  Sonea rocked back on her heels. The edge of a terrible pain stabbed her, reminding her that some losses can never be forgotten – and should never be. But she held it back. She would be of no help to Cery if she let it consume her. He looked lost. In his eyes was an unshielded shock and agony. She strode to him and drew him into her arms. He stiffened for a moment, then slumped against her.

  “It’s part of being a Thief,” he said. “You do all you can to protect your people, but there is always danger. Vesta left me because she couldn’t live with it. Couldn’t stand being locked away. Selia was stronger. Braver. After all she’d put up with, she didn’t deserve to … and the boys …”

  Vesta had been Cery’s first wife. She’d been smart, but prickly and prone to temper tantrums. Selia had been a much better match for him, calm and with the quiet wisdom of someone who watched the world with open, yet forgiving eyes. Sonea held him as he shook with sobs, feeling tears in her own eyes. Can I imagine what it must be like to lose a child? I know the fear of losing them, but not the pain of actual loss. I think it would be worse than I can ever imagine. To know one’s children will never grow up … except … what of his other child? Though she must be all grown up by now.

  “Is Anyi okay?” she asked.

>   Cery stilled, then drew away. His expression was taut with indecision. “I don’t know. I’ve let people think that I didn’t care about Vesta and Anyi after they left, for their own protection – though I’ve occasionally arranged for Anyi and I to cross each other’s paths so she would at least continue to recognise me.” He shook his head. “Whoever did this, got past the best locks money can buy, and people I trusted completely. They did their research. They might know about her. Or they know, but they don’t know her location. If I check on her I might lead them to her.”

  “Can you get a warning to her?”

  He frowned. “Yes. Perhaps …” He sighed. “I have to try.”

  “What will you tell her to do?”

  “Hide.”

  “Then it won’t matter if you lead them to her or not, will it? She’ll have to go into hiding either way.”

  He looked thoughtful. “I suppose so.”

  Sonea smiled as a look of determination hardened his face. His entire body was now tense. He looked at her and his expression became apologetic.

  “Go on,” she said. “And next time don’t wait so long to visit me.”

  He managed a faint smile. “I won’t. Oh. Also, there’s something else. It’s just a niggle, but I reckon one of the new Thieves, Skellin, fancies having his own magician. He’s a rot supplier, so you better hope none of your magicians has a weakness for the stuff.”

  “They’re not my magicians, Cery,” she reminded him, not for the first time.

  Instead of his usual grin, he responded with a grimace. “Yes. Anyway. Unless you want to know how I get in and out of here, you better leave the room.”

  Sonea rolled her eyes, then walked to the bedroom door. She turned back before closing it. “Good night, Cery. I’m so sorry about your family and I hope Anyi is alive and not in any danger.”

  He nodded, then swallowed. “I do, too.”

  Then she closed the door behind her and waited. There were a few faint thuds from the guest room, then silence. She counted to a hundred then opened the door again. The room was unoccupied. She could see no sign of his entrance and exit.

  The darkness between the window screens was not so impenetrable now. It had gained a greyish tone, a hint of shape and form just discernible in the early morning light. She took a step toward it and stopped. Was that the square bulk of the High Lord’s Residence, or was she imagining it? Either way, the suggestion sent a shiver down her spine.