“That’s a bit more plausible, though still unlikely. He has to know how difficult it would be to kill the king. It’s far more likely that he would send his very best … and I seriously doubt that his best would wind up here wearing a slave collar.”
“Like I said, he’s sent others, probably more than just the other assassins I’m competing with. And keep in mind, Andalia isn’t his only concern. As for winding up here, it seemed like a good plan-get close to a powerful noble and leverage his access to infiltrate the palace.”
Grant’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Alexander skeptically.
“Come now, Lord Grant,” Alexander said. “What do you think that show with Tyr was really all about? I paid him handsomely to take an interest in me, knowing full well that his interest would pique yours.”
“You played me,” Grant said.
“Perhaps a little too well,” Alexander said, gesturing to the magic circle he was standing in.
“That still doesn’t explain the Babachenko,” Grant said. “Why would he spare you?”
Alexander frowned, looking away in feigned frustration. “I don’t know and I’m a bit concerned about it.”
“You should be,” Grant said, starting to pace, then stopping abruptly to face Alexander again. “Fifty thousand silver crowns, no more.”
“What about everything else?”
“Done, but you need to be ready tonight. The king is very well protected, so access is difficult and limited. Fortunately, the crown princess must be mourned, tradition demands it. There will be a banquet in her honor tonight at the palace. You and your sister will accompany Joss and me as our personal servants. That’s the best access I can give you.”
“Good enough,” Alexander said, tapping the collar around his neck.
“It has to stay on if you’re going into the palace,” Grant said, shaking his head. “Powerful wards guard the inner chambers where the king lives-wards that can detect a slave collar. If you try to enter with a fake collar, the palace guard will be alerted immediately.”
“That wasn’t part of the deal,” Alexander said.
“I can either take your collar off or give you access,” Grant said with a helpless shrug.
“If you take it off, can you put it back on?”
“Of course.”
“Then take it off for the day and put it back on before we go to the palace. I need time to prepare and this gets in the way.”
“So you’re a wizard then,” Grant said, nodding thoughtfully. “As soon as I put the collar back on, your magic will be useless.”
“Not entirely,” Alexander said. “I have a number of very useful spells that last for quite some time. Once I cast them, their effects will remain even with the collar blocking my access to the firmament.”
Grant hesitated.
“This was your idea. If you want it to work, then this is how it has to be.”
“Very well, but you’ll understand if I ask you not to leave the grounds.”
“I don’t intend to,” Alexander said. “In fact, I don’t plan on leaving this room, although I would appreciate it if you’d send down some breakfast.”
Grant chuckled as he touched his ring and closed his eyes. A moment later, Alexander’s collar popped open and he handed it over, rubbing his neck.
Chapter 12
The firmament came easily. Always before, it took an effort … calming his body, clearing his mind, entertaining thoughts just to acknowledge them so that he could dismiss them one by one. It had been weeks since he’d been able to touch the firmament and it seemed closer than ever.
He thought of Isabel and the world flashed past him.
She was alive. For several moments he simply looked at her, marveling at her beauty and wondering at her courage. She was in an overly decorated room, sitting at a table with an older man cloaked in the colors of a wizard. Of far greater concern were Isabel’s colors. The Wraith Queen’s grip was tightening.
“It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Isabel said.
“But it’s so simple!” the wizard said, throwing up his hands.
“Maybe for you, but you’ve been studying magic for years,” Isabel shot back. “I just went through the mana fast less than a year ago.”
“These are the most basic concepts. You should have learned them before even attempting the mana fast.”
“Yeah, well, it didn’t work out that way,” Isabel said, walking away from the table.
Wren came in from the balcony as if she lived there. Surprising, since the last he knew, she was imprisoned in the hold of a ship.
“Is it time to eat yet?” she asked.
“Perhaps a break would be in order,” the wizard said, collecting his hat and staff before leaving.
“You’re a lifesaver, Wren. I don’t know how much longer I can play dumb with that man.”
Alexander materialized, laughing.
“Oh! Thank the Maker, you’re alive,” she said, stepping toward him with tears welling up in her eyes, both hands covering her mouth.
“So are you,” Alexander said. “I wish I could touch you.”
She nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“I don’t have much time … I just needed to know that you’re safe.”
“Phane told me you were dead,” she said, wiping her cheeks. “He said he couldn’t find you with his magic and that could only mean one thing.”
“He’s a liar,” Alexander whispered.
“I got a knife into his gut, but it wasn’t enough,” she said, struggling to collect her emotions. “So much has happened. Phane has me and Wren. He’s trying to make me use the darkness … I’m fighting it, but I’m terrified that it’s only a matter of time before I lose control.”
“I believe in you, Isabel. You can do this.”
“There’s another problem,” Isabel said. “Phane just sent an expedition to retrieve the Goiri’s remains. I sent Slyder to find Ayela in the hopes that she can stop Phane’s people, but she’s nowhere to be found.”
“I’ll deliver the message,” Alexander said. “I’m coming for you, Isabel, just as soon as I can.”
“I know … I love you.”
“I love you,” Alexander said, fading back into the firmament. He turned his thoughts to Ayela and found himself in an underground room, where she and Severine Karth were sharing a meal.
“Hello, Ayela.”
“Lord Reishi?” she said, standing in a rush. “Phane has Isabel.”
“I know,” Alexander said. He turned to Severine, who was staring at him like he’d seen a ghost. “Forgive me, Lord Severine, I would prefer a less dramatic introduction, but circumstances are forcing my hand. Phane has sent an expedition to retrieve the rest of the Goiri bones. If he succeeds, he’ll win this war.”
“But how? How are you even here?” Severine asked.
“Magic, Father,” Ayela said, “but that’s not important. We must stop Phane, and we will, Lord Reishi, but there’s something else. My brother Trajan has a Goiri bone and I fear that it’s driving him mad. He’s fled into the jungle and we can’t find him.”
Alexander nodded thoughtfully. “I won’t be able to find him as long as he has that bone. Fortunately, neither will Phane, at least not with his magic.”
She sat back down, deflated. “I understand. We’ll do everything we can to stop Phane from getting the bones.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Alexander said with a bow as he vanished, slipping back into the firmament and then appearing on the battlements of Fellenden City right next to Abigail and Anatoly.
Abigail did a double take. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
“It’s good to see you too, Abby. I’m on Andalia … and I’m planning to assassinate their king tonight.”
“Are ya now?” Anatoly said, leaning over the railing to look around Abigail.
“Believe it or not, I didn’t go looking for this particular fight … they dragged me to it.”
“So you and Jack are just going to stroll into the Andalian palace and kill the king while his royal guard watches?” Abigail said.