Markan Throne by Nicholas A. Rose
"An impressive entrance," said Marcus, almost sourly. "You must be the mysterious Sandev."
Sandev and Marcus eyed each other, and both seemed to like what they saw. Belaika stared openmouthed from one to the other, wondering why Marcus didn't seem surprised by their arrival. Deciding it was safe, Jenn folded her legs and made herself comfortable at Marcus's feet again.
"I have seen Siranva's Gift at work before," continued Marcus. "I believe that it is born into people, yes? Or do you practice sorcery?"
Sandev tossed her mouse-brown hair. "I possess Siranva's Gift, but it wasn't born into me. Marcus Vintner, I am glad to meet you at last."
"Although I'm always pleased to meet my supporters from the city, I gather this is not why you are here?"
"I'm here to discuss a possible way forward with Kelanus. Like all things worth doing, it carries considerable risk."
Marcus stared. "You believe he is innocent? I can't see what alternative there is other than to follow the law." He glanced quickly at Belaika and Jenn. "My sylphs tell me he is innocent, so he is innocent."
Sandev nodded. "Rare for a human to believe a sylph's instinct."
"I come from a sylph breeding family," replied Marcus. "Not the largest stud, or even the best pedigrees, but you get a feel for sylphs when you spend most of your life around them. When I was younger, my mother sent me to the scullery. She believed such work was good for the soul and taught humility. I befriended sylphs there and learned much more about them than many others ever do." He leaned down and ruffled Jenn's hair. "What they didn't teach me, Jenn did." The infertile sylph twisted around to give her owner an adoring look. "If a sylph is certain of a thing, nothing will shift him." He smiled at Belaika, who blinked but remained silent.
"You were fortunate to have a wise mother."
"And good sylphs to serve me."
Belaika and Jenn blushed a brighter blue from the praise.
"What can we do for Kelanus?" continued Marcus.
Sandev took a breath. "I intend to break him out of prison, out of the city and away from here. There is work for him. He must find evidence against the real murderer."
"Who is?"
"That we do not yet know. I must warn you that many in the Senate and Supreme Council will hold you responsible when Kelanus escapes. It will do your claim no good."
Jenn stared from her owner to Sandev and back again.
Marcus stroked his chin. "Can I involve Verdin in this?"
"The fewer who know the better." Sandev quickly sounded caution.
"If those who used to serve Branad believe that I'm responsible for breaking his murderer from jail, you may have a pitched battle immediately outside your city walls." Marcus shook his head. "There will be killing enough when Hingast arrives."
"You know he is on the move?"
Marcus gave Sandev an incredulous look. "I have extensive intelligence networks, built up over generations. Hingast has an advisor always urging direct action in support of his claim. Which is why you have problems with raiders who seem to know exactly where and when to strike to avoid your patrols."
Sandev considered, then nodded her assent. "You may discuss this with Verdin. But be careful; if he proves untrustworthy, Kelanus will end up dead."
"As you say, all things worth doing carry considerable risk." Marcus turned to Belaika.
Without a word said by anyone, the scout inclined his head and left the tent. Jenn rose to her feet at a gesture from her owner and followed Belaika.
"Those are very good sylphs. You must be proud of them."
Marcus smiled again. "My best two."
"Favorites?"
"You could put it that way. I've sent Jenn to brew alovak; she should be back soon."
"Alovak will be most welcome. I'm surprised Zandra is not here."
Marcus laughed. "There's barely room for me in here, never mind the family as well. Besides, she's no fan of tents, so she's taken rooms in the city. Took Branad's wives with her, trying to build bridges. And probably calling on Senators' wives to introduce herself."
The guard called from outside. "Verdin Vintner and Belaika-y-Marcus."
"Let them pass," replied Marcus.
"You wanted to see me?" Verdin Vintner stood before Marcus.
"Yes. Please take a seat."
Verdin took the chair indicated and crossed his legs. He gave Sandev a neutral look.
Marcus met the younger man's gaze. "This is Sandev. A woman with some power, I believe."
Verdin started. "You might say that." His eyes narrowed as he stared in awe. "This is Sandev!"
"You have heard of me?" Sandev seemed surprised and disappointed.
"One of the Ten." A multitude of emotions flickered across Verdin's face. Awe, fear, respect, worry, envy.
Marcus half started up and Belaika looked frightened all over again. "One of the Ten?" demanded Marcus.
Sandev smiled gently. "I don't boast. Not all of us stayed loyal to the Father. Everybody knowing who I am could prove dangerous."
"How?"
"I suspect the advisor to Hingast you mentioned is a man named Dervra."
Verdin groaned. "Another of the Ten. He turned against Siranva and rejected civilization. He worships some demon named... something."
"Andromech," replied Sandev. "A long story, but everything we do is part of an ongoing battle for the Ilvenworld, whether it remains controlled by the Benefic Sephiroth, or falls to the Malefic. A battle that has raged for longer than humans have been here. One that may never end."
"All right, enough." Marcus held up his hands. He could see that this talk frightened Belaika and was pleased that Jenn had not yet returned. "Kelanus is our immediate concern."
Verdin went very still. "Kelanus," he hissed. "Go on."
Marcus sighed and leaned back. "You might not agree, but I do not believe that Kelanus is the murderer."
"Nor do I," added Sandev.
"Or even that he had anything to do with it," continued Marcus.
Verdin stared, blue eyes wide. "I appreciate that you and he were friends, but we were friends, too. Like brothers. I looked up to him and loved him as I would an older brother." He shook his head. "I cannot believe it, either, but the evidence is strong."
Jenn slipped back into the tent, carrying an alovak can. A scowl furrowed her brow when she saw an additional human in the tent and rummaged about for an extra mug. She then poured the alovak and served it, before sitting cross-legged at Marcus's feet again. The three humans spent a few moments inhaling the aroma of the drink.
"This evidence is what I want to talk to you about." Marcus paused again. "Belaika is convinced that Kelanus is innocent. When a sylph says he knows something, then he knows it. He says that despite appearances, the person he saw was definitely not Kelanus."
Verdin looked across the tent at the scout. For his part, Belaika looked directly back, his earpoints slanted forward in determination.
"And I agree with him," added Sandev. "When I went to your father's tent, it reeked of sorcery and, as I now know, that is power Kelanus does not possess. Whoever murdered your father used enough sorcery to be sensed for days. I can still feel the residue of it from here."
"I was taught that sorcery can be hidden," countered Verdin.
"By a few," agreed Sandev. "But that's a rare skill. And it cannot be hidden from sylphs, even if they do not know what it is they sense."
Verdin arched an eyebrow. "Sylphs are not Gifted."
"As far as we know."
Marcus and Verdin looked at the sylphs, who wilted a little under the intense scrutiny. Belaika shrugged and Jenn shook her head in denial.
"One well skilled in the Gift can sense power in others," continued Sandev. "We certainly know when we get close enough when that power has been used. It was used in your father's tent. I also know those who do not possess the Gift or sorcery when I get close enough. Kelanus does not have the Gift and he has not learned sorcery. That I can swear to."
"The
"It wasn't Kelanus," insisted Marcus.
"What do you intend to do about it?" Verdin stared at Marcus and Sandev.
"We don't know yet. But I will force Kelanus's release if I must."
"That would not make you very popular."
"Better that than see an innocent man swing for a crime he did not commit." Marcus shrugged. "I've been unpopular before; one gets used to it."
"I see. And if we start killing each other again? Over a man who is probably guilty as charged?"
"He is innocent," interrupted Belaika.
Unused to sylphs joining in the conversations of their betters, Verdin frowned at the scout, who refused to be stared down and silently dared the human to name him liar.
"Are you prepared to consider the possibility that Kelanus is innocent?" Sandev looked at the young man. "I believe he is. And as you can see, Belaika is convinced of it."
"A possibility." Verdin snorted. "Hearing that Kelanus murdered my father surprised me. If Ranallic lay dead, nothing would convince me he is innocent, no matter how insistent this boy is to the contrary. But a man's mind sometimes works in odd directions, as my mother would say."
Marcus nodded. "I can't guarantee Kelanus's innocence, but I'm prepared to take his word and Belaika's together as pretty strong evidence for it. Kelanus would not risk destroying my chances of recognition just for personal revenge. Of course, the Supreme Council and Senate may try to pressure you into taking the Throne. If Kelanus hated your father – and he certainly never hinted to me in two years that he did – it would better serve his hatred for your father to see me chosen over him. Ranallic's position is – or was – more at risk from that. If you're chosen now, Ranallic still stands above him."
"If you cannot bring yourself to believe in Kelanus's innocence, are you prepared to trust Marcus's judgment?" pressed Sandev. "Belaika's judgment?"
Verdin sighed. He stared at his feet and muttered under his breath before looking up again. "Very well," he said. "I don't know how many will believe Belaika. What he claims is incredible and – sorry, but this must be said – he is only a sylph. I will trust you, Sandev." He tried to ignore Belaika's wry look.
Sandev nodded her thanks and turned to Marcus. "Kelanus said there are two soldiers he could trust with his life. Both unmarried. Balnus and Neptarik."
"Neptarik is a sylph, not a soldier," corrected Marcus.
Sandev nodded. "Just so. Will you send Belaika to bring them before us, please?"
Marcus nodded his assent.
***
The streets of Marka were dark. The moon had gone and only starlight glistened on damp cobblestones. A red glow on the far side of the city came from the light crystal atop the pyramid. Though the main thoroughfares had light crystals, few other streets were lit. The city was silent and almost deserted, but for two shapes that flitted from building to building, hoping not to be seen. Patrolling watchmen carried pole lanterns to help them see where they were going, which also made them easy to spot. The two shapes had no need for lanterns, for one of them could see in the dark and he guided the one who could not.
Thieves had finished their work for the night and they had only a slight risk of disturbing a beggar. Once the inns and taverns had turned out, there were few people about, so most of the night beggars then scavenged from refuse heaps, hoping to find a little more food or carelessly discarded valuables.
Thieves, scavengers and the two furtive shapes lay low whenever a watchman passed.
Balnus – one of those furtive shapes – waited for Neptarik's signal before moving from cover. The sylph passed an arm across his faintly glowing silvery gray eyes to signal whenever close to his owner, or gave a whistle pitched for human ears if they were further apart. The soldier hurried to join his sylph, before the lad dashed away again, halting at the next corner and repeating his signal if safe. Their destination eventually lay before them: the east gate.
This gate and its western twin in the industrial quarter were always locked at night, perhaps one reason why the Markan authorities held Kelanus here. Conveniently out of the way for them. Conveniently out of the way for Balnus and Neptarik, also.
"Sandev said the guardhouse door is always unlocked," whispered Balnus. He fumbled with the bundle of clothes he carried. "Can't see a damned thing," he muttered.
Neptarik nodded and hummed a quick bar of Running Free. "Might be easier if you sort those when you get inside," he suggested. "Bring mine out after you have found yours."
"All right. The guards should be asleep by now." Balnus carried a club just in case they weren't, but he hoped to have no need for it. If Kelanus was innocent, the guards were doubly so. And he had no idea how many would be in there.
Neptarik covered his eyes with his hands and looked away to preserve night vision as Balnus opened the door. The human disappeared inside, while the sylph crouched on his heels, ready to sound a warning if anything went wrong. Neptarik pushed the door to and stood ready to close it if someone came. He kept his eyes averted from the small pool of light spilling out. Difficult enough to see, thanks to the walls and windows of the surrounding buildings, so he had no wish to make his life harder unnecessarily. He much preferred open countryside to cities as the light always seemed better.
He wondered what the wild sylphs thought of the city. Many had entered, but few stayed within the walls for long. Probably as awed by the city as other newcomers. And the pyramid! He stiffened as footsteps approached. He tensed, ready to shut the door, but whoever it was quickly faded away. Probably a watchman. He glanced towards the pool of light and wished his owner would get a move on.
The moment Balnus entered the guardhouse, he heaved a sigh of relief. The Watch Sergeant and his assistant were fast asleep. Sandev had assured him no poison would be used, only a simple sleeping drug added to their food. Getting Kelanus out of here would be easy, but escaping the city might be more difficult.
He more than half wished that Sandev would simply use her gift, or whatever it was, to magick them all outside the city. He understood that they risked having an investigator sniffing at the air and saying that either sorcery or something similar had been used to spring Kelanus. It would do Kelanus's case no good, but Balnus suspected there might be a deeper reason. Cowardice had occurred to him, though Sandev did not strike him as being a coward.
She had explained that they must leave a trail to explain how they got out of the city. It must look like a straightforward escape. There could be no hint of the authorities' involvement and no hint of the Gift or sorcery.
He hurried down the short stair to the cells and set his bundle on the table beside another sleeping guardsman. The man breathed evenly and did not move. He glanced down the corridor, dimly lit by shuttered light crystals. He had enough light to see, but he picked up a light crystal lantern anyway.
"There are no keys," explained Sandev. "Every cell is bolted top, middle and bottom. Nothing more has been needed before."
"Third cell on left," muttered Balnus, striding down the corridor. Taking a deep breath, he stooped to release the bottom bolt, followed by the top and finally the middle. He pulled the door open.
"Am I glad to see you, Balnus." Kelanus's bass rumble came out of the darkness.
"I suggest we keep the pleasantries until we're outside the city, Sir," Balnus whispered back. "Has Sandev explained the plan to you?"
Kelanus stepped out and shielded his eyes against the relative brightness after the darkness of his cell. Beard bristled his chin and cheeks. "That's a good idea, soldier. And yes she has. Neptarik outside, is he?"
"Of course."
"Lead me out of here."
Balnus paused at the table, both to set down the light crystal lantern and open his package, easier to deal with now he had light to see. "Put this on."
The two men pulled the robes about them, pulling cowls up to hide their faces. B
"Neptarik?"
"Still clear," replied the sylph, in little more than a whisper.
As Kelanus and Balnus left the building, Neptarik inclined his head. After Balnus passed the spare robe to the scout, he swung the guardhouse door shut and ignored Neptarik's grumbles about the scratchiness of the woolen robe.
"Now for the South Gate," whispered Balnus.
Kelanus nodded.
Again, Neptarik flitted from corner to corner, beckoning the night-blind humans on once he checked the way ahead. As they neared the South Gate, they joined the main thoroughfare, lit enough for all three to see clearly.
"Cowls up!" hissed Balnus. "We can be seen now."
It was difficult to walk towards the gate in the company of a man suspected of committing the most heinous of crimes. Even Kelanus felt like skulking in the shadows. Hearing their approach, the guard detached himself from shadow and walked into the lit area, taking a light crystal lantern from its hook.
"You three had better have your papers in order," growled the guard, "or I'll lock you up until daybreak. Why you religious freaks can't wait until then anyway is beyond me."
Balnus proffered three pieces of paper. "Our passes," he said, calmly, "and may Siranva forgive you your unkind words." The set of his shoulders suggested that he would rather plant a knife in the guard's ribs for his rudeness.
The guard snorted as he quickly scanned the papers. His eyes widened slightly as he saw Captain Crallin's signature on the passes, but he frowned at the signature in place for the perimeter guards. "Best of luck with the guards at the perimeter," he said. "I'm surprised any of those country bumpkins can even bloody read. Signed by General Ranallic, whoever he is." The guard unlocked the sallyport. "Go on with you; piss off."
"Pleasant fellow," remarked Kelanus, once the sallyport slammed shut after them.
"We're not out of it yet," warned Balnus. "Marcus has groups camped on every road, to remind everybody that he is really here. We'll be challenged again."
"This Tahena should be with the horses on the hillock beyond the southernmost guard." Kelanus gave a low chuckle. "Ranallic signed those passes? The man who would see me dead has signed my pass to freedom. Sandev has a sense of irony."