“Huh,” said Scorio, sitting back.
“What?” Alain looked from Naomi back to Scorio. “You sensing a conspiracy?”
“I didn’t say that,” said Scorio. “Just learning how it all works. And if we wanted to get past the Titans to continue exploring?”
“Continue exploring… the magma tunnels?”
“Right,” said Scorio. “We love seeing new sights.”
“Then…” Alain scratched his chin. “If the Titans down there are blocking you, you’d need get the Iron Tyrant to tell Queen Xandera to tell them to back off. Which he might. But he’d probably use it against you somehow. A favor for a favor, kind of thing. He’s really good at parlaying those kinds of interactions to his advantage.”
“I thought so,” said Scorio. “And if we, you know, just asked Xandera directly?”
“Ha!” Alain grinned and scooped up another spoonful of mush. “Right!”
Scorio and Naomi held his gaze.
“Wait.” His spoon dipped. “You’re being serious?”
“We don’t know,” said Naomi. “Maybe. We’re new around here.”
“Oh. Well.” Alain sat back again. “You’d have to be really sneaky. The Iron Tyrant doesn’t like folks talking with the queen unsupervised. She’s normally under a type of nominal guard. And his rooms are right next to hers.”
“We know,” said Naomi dryly. “We were given the tour.”
“How does she communicate with the blazeborns?” asked Scorio. “Telepathy?”
“Telepathy,” nodded Alain, then filled his mouth with mush. “Limited range, but coversh the spiresh.”
Scorio and Naomi exchanged a look.
“What?” Alain darted his gaze back and forth. “You want to get underground that badly? Why?”
Scorio hesitated.
Alain set his spoon down. “It’s alright, I understand. Why should you tell me? I’m the Iron Tyrant’s spy master, after all. How about this: I’ll get you in to see Xandera, if you then tell me what you’re trying to accomplish.”
“You could just tell Bravurn after, anyway,” said Naomi.
“True. I could. But I won’t. Because this is a fantastic way to prove I can be your best friend.” Alain considered. “Or the first step on that road.”
“Why are you so hung up on becoming friends with us?” asked Naomi.
“Really. Haven’t you gotten a sense of what being around her is like?” asked Scorio in turn.
Naomi stared at him. “Funny.”
“No, that is funny.” Alain grinned around his mouthful of mush. “Nobody’s funny around here. Or worse, they think they’re funny. Doesn’t matter. Look, like I said, I’ve heard all the talk about you two, and saw how you trounced Jaks and her friends. You’re both going places. Exciting, scary, dangerous places, sure, but I know you take care of your own, and really, I want to get out of the Fury Spires, and not by going solo into the depths of hell. So why wouldn’t I want to team up with you both? Fame, glory, you know, adventure stuff… and I can be pretty useful, too. Really useful.” Alain nodded seriously. “Scouting, listening in on our enemies’ plans, helping in fights by backstabbing our enemies when they’re focused on you, plus I’m funny, like, incredibly witty, and -”
“Oh, by the gods, make him stop,” groaned Naomi.
“Let me prove it to you,” said Alain. “I’ll get you in to see Xandera. Then… then you can decide if you tell me or not. There. That’s a pretty amazing offer, right?”
“Not bad,” allowed Scorio. “How would you do it?”
“How would I…?” Alain paused, brow crinkling. “I’d… uh… if you can give me a day or two, I’m pretty good at manufacturing a sudden crisis that’ll pull someone away from their post. Just involves listening in a bit and then improvising. I’ll give you a head’s up about when it’s time.”
“A day,” said Scorio.
“You two are really serious about sightseeing, huh? But fine. A day. I’ll get to work on it right now. And oh!” Alain clapped his palm to his brow. “I was meant to tell you. Moira’s extended an official invitation for you both to visit her quarters. She’s…”
Alain winced.
“What, Alain?” Noami’s tone turned dark. “She’s what?”
“She was hoping you’d join her for dinner.”
Scorio looked at this empty bowl and then sighed. “You mean the dinner we just had?”
“You’re a growing young man, right? I’m sure you can eat more.” Alain smiled and jumped to his feet. “There, message delivered! Now, I’m going to go work on that task you gave me. I’ll catch up with you both soon!”
“Wait,” said Scorio. “Which way to Moira’s?”
Alain pointed out a tunnel. “Through there, third on your left, up the ramp on the right, second door on the right. Can’t miss it! Alright, see you soon!”
And he took off at a run.
Naomi shook her head. “I say no.”
“To Moira or Alain?”
“Need it be only one?”
“Come on,” said Scorio with a smile, rising to his feet. “Ravenna will be with Moira, and she really did help me out in the Fiery Shoals. We should at least see what she wants.”
Naomi let out a dolorous sigh. “I rue the day I allowed you to follow me around.”
Scorio laughed as he took up their bowls. “It won’t be that bad. Just remember not to let her touch you under any circumstances.”
“See?” Naomi followed him out of the refectory, shaking her head. “You can’t say things like that and expect me to cheer up.
Chapter 13
Moira’s quarters were simply a cluster like everyone else’s. For some reason, Scorio had expected something grander. He ducked his head inside the entrance tunnel and called out a hello. “Anybody home?”
Ravenna stepped into view. Her gaze was as piercing as ever, shockingly blue under her dark brows, her black hair still worn jaw length, and cut in a rough fringe above her eyes. She’d halfheartedly daubed something crimson on her lips so that their center was burnished cherry-red, while the corners gradated to paleness. Slender and clad in functional brown robes, she froze at the sight of Scorio, eyes widening.
“Hello.” He took a step into the tunnel. “May we come in?”
“Scorio. Yes, of course.” She half-turned, gestured. “Come in. Hello, Naomi.”
“Accardi,” said Naomi, following Scorio into the common room.
“Moira stepped out. She’ll be back shortly.” Ravenna hesitated. “Can I get you something to drink? Have you eaten?”
“Alain told us after we’d finished eating that Moira had invited us to dinner.” Scorio smiled apologetically. “But a glass of water would be welcome. I’m always sweating in this place.”
“Strange, isn’t it?” Ravenna took three swift steps to a shelf on which an iron tank stood beside a half-dozen small glasses. “At the Fiery Shoals everything seemed to be surrounded by lava everywhere, but the hallways were cool. Here there’s no lava anywhere, and it feels like an oven.”
Naomi hopped down into the sunken rotunda and stretched her arms out on either side. “How’s working with Moira?”
Ravenna paused, mid-pour, and smirked. “What a wonderfully artless question. No, it’s refreshing. Moira’s mind is always working on multiple levels, and everyone that comes to speak to her tries to do the same.”
“I am nothing if not savagely direct,” drawled Naomi. “Comes from having been raised feral in the ruins.”
“Right,” said Ravenna, handing a glass to Scorio, then crouching to hand one to Naomi. “Try that on someone that doesn’t know you.”
“You don’t,” said Naomi simply, eyeing the water suspiciously.
“Not personally, but enough. Moira’s been giving me lessons.”
“Lessons?” prompted Scorio.