“I suppose that’s fair,” Alexander said, pacing for a few moments, deep in thought. “If this alliance is going to work, I’ll need a few things from you, starting with the recall of your assassins.”
The Babachenko chuckled again almost wistfully. “Of course, of course … my mentor, the previous Babachenko, taught me many things, but the most important lesson of all was this: Any man will be reasonable and accommodating if you simply figure out what he really wants and find a way to give it to him.”
“Words of wisdom,” Alexander said.
“I think we finally understand each other, Alexander, or should I call you Lord Reishi?”
“Only in public,” Alexander said.
“Of course,” the Babachenko said, chuckling. “I’ve always found titles cumbersome. Consider the contract on your sister cancelled. Now, we should discuss tactics, since we still have Nero to deal with and it wouldn’t do for him to learn of our alliance.”
“Agreed,” Alexander said. “In fact, it’s probably best if I stay in this cage until we figure out how to manage him.”
“You don’t really trust him, do you, My Love?” Chloe asked in his mind.
“Not for a second, Little One, but his colors are sincere, so either his offer’s genuine or he’s figured out how to lie with his colors. Either way, this is an opportunity I can’t afford to pass up.”
The Babachenko continued, “I’m glad you suggested that. I feel it’s necessary but was hesitant to bring it up.”
“I could do without the collar though,” Alexander said, tapping the thin metal ring around his neck.
The Babachenko smiled tightly, pausing just a moment too long before nodding, a faint ripple of uncertainty flickering through his colors. He touched his ring and the collar popped open with a click.
“Thank you,” Alexander said, setting the collar on the bed and rubbing his neck. “Those things chafe.”
“I imagine they do. Shall we discuss Nero?”
“We should kill him,” Alexander said with an offhanded shrug. “Also, we should put an end to the fighting in Ruatha as quickly as possible; we’re going to need those troops before this is over.”
“I’ll see to the Ruatha situation at once. As for Nero, while I understand the appeal of his demise, he is a dangerous enemy. A single misstep could be … ruinous.”
“Give me a sword and call him in here.”
The Babachenko slowly shook his head in near disbelief. “That would be suicide. He would kill us both.”
“You don’t have to be here when he arrives. You can leave as soon as you send for him; that way, if he kills me, you can claim ignorance.”
“It’s most gracious of you to think of my interests, but I would be remiss as an ally if I allowed you to take such an unnecessary risk. Surely, there must be another way.”
“I’m open to suggestions,” Alexander said with his hands held wide.
“Perhaps a ruse? We could tell him that you escaped. Send him to track you. When he returns empty-handed, we can always blame him for failing to apprehend you.”
“Nero is a suspicious one,” Alexander said, shaking his head. “He’ll start his search right here and there’s nowhere in this palace that he can’t get to.”
They both fell silent for a moment.
“We tell him that you’re playing me to buy some time,” Alexander said, schooling his expression.
“I don’t understand.”
“Tell Nero that you offered me an alliance to gain my trust and you need more time to get the Stone.”
The Babachenko blinked, pausing for several moments. “He would certainly believe that,” he said, swallowing involuntarily.
“It’s what he wants to believe,” Alexander said.
“He will expect swift action to recover the Sovereign Stone.”
“We’ll leave at dawn,” Alexander said, nodding agreement.
“That … that certainly is swift. Are you sure about this? Perhaps we should assemble a task force to accompany you. There are many stakeholders in Mithel Dour and they must be accommodated. Several factions will wish to send personal representatives on such an historic undertaking. Perhaps three days would make for a more prepared venture.”
“If you insist, but I thought speed would be more desirable. The sooner we get the Stone, the sooner we can start building an army of wizards. I would much prefer a lightning fast ride that brings us back to the safety of Mithel Dour as quickly as possible. Your city is perfectly suited to our purposes since Phane can’t see within. He won’t know what we’re doing until it’s far too late for him to counter us.
“But all of that absolutely depends on secrecy, and you can’t trust a large group of people with a secret … ever.”
“Your logic is irrefutable,” the Babachenko said. “I will see to the arrangements.” He started to get up, his colors steady and genuine.
“If we’re going to make it look like I believe we’re allies, I’m going to need nicer accommodations … and a sword.”
The Babachenko twitched ever so slightly.
***
Alexander wanted to laugh when the door closed behind him. The chambers were nothing short of palatial-guest quarters fit for a king with plenty of servants hovering around and guards at every entrance.
He had finally retired for the night, bolting the door behind himself and leaning his sword up against the nightstand. He drew a magic circle on the floor with a piece of charred wood from the hearth and sat down to meditate. The firmament came almost spontaneously.
He appeared in front of Jack, who was sitting at a table in an entirely different house than his public residence. He was writing by lamplight.
“Oh … you startled me, again.”
“Sorry … weren’t you supposed to be leaving town?”
“You suggested that; I was never convinced that leaving town without you was a good idea. Besides, I got word that we’re expecting guests.”
“Jataan?”
“Yes, but there’s more. Anja is with them and she’s back to being a girl again.”
Alexander snorted, shaking his head. “She’s persistent, I’ll give her that. How far out are they?”
“A few days.”
“Not soon enough,” Alexander said. “I need you to get two fast horses and leave town right now. Get to Jataan as quickly as possible, then head for the Stone. I’ll let him know you’re coming.”
“What’s happened?”
“The Babachenko and I are tangled in a web of lies-we’re both playing the other and we both know it.”
“So, politics then,” Jack said.
“Right up until one of us has the chance to strike, then it’s back to war. We’re leaving tomorrow morning to recover the Stone. I expect my escort will be highly dangerous.”
“I’ll leave at once,” Jack said, gathering his notebook and quill.
“Chloe will find you when we get close,” Alexander said, vanishing from his room and reappearing a moment later in the middle of the road leading from the western province to Mithel Dour. Jataan, Anja, and Lita reined in the giant Rhone steeds each was riding, stopping a few feet before him.
“Lord Reishi,” Jataan said, nodding deferentially.
“I got help,” Anja said.
“I see that,” Alexander said. “I also see that you managed to become a girl again.”
“I got help with that, too,” she said with an impudent shrug. “You didn’t really think I was going to leave you there, did you?”
“You’d be safer if you’d gone home.”
“I know.”
“Commander, Jack is coming to you and I won’t be far behind him. Hold here until he arrives. He knows where you’ll be going. Marshal what forces you can but stay out of sight until you hear from me.”
“Understood, Lord Reishi.”
“No, it’s not,” Anja said. “Why aren’t we coming to get you?”
“Politics,” Alexander said, fading out of sight and returning to his body.
He slept like the dead, waking with a thousand questions swirling in his mind. A few moments after he woke, servants descended on him, sweeping him up and whisking him smoothly through a hasty morning routine that ultimately deposited him on the battlements of the palace with a small group of very dangerous men all standing behind the Babachenko.