“My understanding is that you did everything according to the rules,” Emir said. “Outside of ‘losing’ the young lady in your custody, of course, but incompetence is not grounds for expulsion. I would expect a demotion, however. Do you have your second star?”
“And a third,” Jason said, “but I’m wondering how much of that was to keep me distracted. I imagine I’ll be left with just the one when this is over.”
“I think, perhaps, it is coming on time to put Greenstone behind you, Mr Asano. Has Rufus broached the idea of joining him when he returns to Vitesse?”
“He has,” Jason said. “That said, he still has work to do here.”
“Yes, he does. I will be here a little while, and he should be returning with me. Allow me to extend that invitation to you and the young women taking sanctuary here. I believe a new city, far away, is exactly what they need.”
“From what they’ve been willing to tell me, that was very much the plan. Until I intervened. I did have another thought about how to keep Miss Wexler out of Lucian Lamprey’s grasp.”
“Oh?”
“Elspeth Arella can hand Lamprey a thief and no one will care less. If she tried to hand over an adventurer, though…”
“You want to make this girl an adventurer?”
“Why not? She a lot more ready for it than I was. She’s probably more ready than I am now. I’ve pooled together money enough that I can afford some low-rarity essences at auction. There’s one in a few days, and I’m hoping the absentees let me get a good price.”
“Finding the essences is not the largest obstacle to that course of action.”
“But it is an obstacle. You go through walls one at a time, Mr Bahadir.”
“You mean over walls.”
“I use my words with care, Mr Bahadir.
Emir laughed.
“You certainly run full-speed at a problem, Mr Asano. The perspective of youth.”
At a glance, Emir didn’t look to be more than thirty years old. There was an agelessness to him, however, that Jason had seen to a lesser degree in Danielle Geller and Thalia Mercer. Most of Greenstone’s other silver-rankers showed more of their age.
“I would hold off on that auction,” Emir suggested. “With patience, opportunity may find you.”
“That’s right,” Jason said, remembering something. “Farrah told me not to rush to pick up my last awakening stones. I got the impression it was something to do with what sent them here in the first place, but they wouldn’t tell me more. I assume that’s why you’re here as well.”
“Indeed I am. I’ve been looking for something for some time, across seas and continents. It’s what I do. People know that something exists, somewhere, and they pay me to find it. And they pay well. Usually it’s long-time gold or even diamond-rankers. The interests of those who live for centuries are far-reaching, sophisticated and esoteric.”
“You work for diamond rankers?”
“I do. Not many people have met so many as I, let alone be given the chance to perform a service. They pay in more exotic currency that mundane coins.”
“Like castles made out of clouds?”
“Exactly like that. You know, Mr Asano, if your attempts to convince people to kill you don’t pan out, I think I can find some work for you, once you rank up once or twice.”
“I’m not sure I’m willing to wait around for months while you check false leads. Rufus and his team are convinced what you’re looking for is here. Presumably somewhere more intact than that complex out in the swamps.”
“Yes, it was disappointingly empty of content. Did you happen to take anything?”
“We took some combat dummy parts. My friend wanted to reassemble them.”
“Did he?”
“Not yet. So what is this mysterious event you have coming up? Another complex, like I found, but more intact? I imagine going untouched for centuries would mean a good chance at essences and the like, with no one wandering through to nab them. Clive said we were unlucky not to come across any in our find.”
“I really shouldn’t say more at this point, but you are on the right track. There are some unusual nuances to the exploration that mean I will require local assistance, which should be lucrative for everyone involved. From what I’ve been able to put together, anyway.”
“Tantalising,” Jason said. “You’re certain I can’t tease more out of you?”
“I’ve said more than I should already. After all, don’t they say the anticipation is better than the meal?”
“Only if all the cooks they know are terrible.”
One of Emir’s staff approached them. From Jason’s limited experience, Emir’s people were an eclectic and casual bunch, but that did not extend to his chief of staff, Constance. The silver-ranker was Emir’s right hand, and exuded professionalism each time Jason encountered her.
“Sir. Elspeth Arella is at the entrance and has asked to see you.”
“She’s here personally? Not a messenger?”
“In person, sir, yes.”
“I’ll be right down, then.”
Constance nodded and left, Emir wistfully watching her depart.
“I’m rather desperately in love with that woman,” he said wistfully. “She wants nothing to do with me, of course. She’s seen me at my worst.”
“She’s aware of your affections?”
“Oh, yes.”
“She’s still willing to work for you, which is a good sign. I imagine she would have no problem making her way in the world outside of your employ.”
“Very much so; I have no idea why she stays with me. Except for the pay. And the travel. And the accommodations.”
He sighed.
“I’d best go see to the branch director,” he said. “Care to come along? You haven’t seen her since before you absconded here, have you?”
“I haven’t,” Jason said. “I don’t see the problem with tagging along.”
Sophie and Belinda were in an opulent, two-bedroom guest suite. The entire wall in front of them had turned into mist allowing them to look out over the ocean as they relaxed in plush cloud chairs.
“I don’t understand what’s happening anymore,” Belinda said. “Those cloud beds. I’ve never slept like that in my life. A week ago we were wondering if we’d still be alive right now, and look at this.”
“It’s nice,” Sophie said, “but what is Asano’s goal? What does he get out of bringing us here?”
“Maybe he really is just trying to help us,” Belinda said.
That drew a flat look from Sophie.
“Yeah,” Belinda said. “It sounded stupid as I was saying it.”
Constance was waiting for Emir and Jason at the palace exit that connected to the shore by a cloud path. Emir marched across the walkway with Constance and Jason flanking him. Elspeth Arella waited on shore, alone.
“If your goal is to convince me to disgorge my guests,” Emir said without preamble, “then I’m afraid you’re wasting your time.”
“That can wait,” Arella said, not sparing Jason so much as a glance. “The expedition your fellow Vitesse adventurers are on. There’s been a problem.”
“What kind of problem?” Emir asked.
“Less than an hour ago, its members started dying. All we have is their tracking stones, so we don’t know anything else, but we’ve lost a silver ranker, multiple bronze-rankers and a slew of irons. Everyone we could use to send support in time is already on the expedition, so I’m here to ask if you or your people can help.”
Emir frowned unhappily, Jason matching his expression.
“Constance?” Emir asked.
“Hester has been to a number of areas in the region. I can see how close she can get us.”
“Do it, and ready the field team,” Emir ordered. The usual undertone of casual amusement was absent from his voice. Constance immediately marched back towards the palace.