‘What kind of appearance?’ Druss asked.
‘Onyx hasn’t given details,’ I said. ‘However, from some hints he’s let slip, and from some additional information gathered by Council intelligence, it seems probable that it involves the adept defence association we’ve been hearing about. Mage Drakh apparently has been due to speak at one of their gatherings for some time. It seems likely that this is how Onyx is planning to track Drakh down.’
‘You think he’s going to be there?’ Druss asked.
‘I think it’s plausible,’ I said. ‘Exactly when he’ll be there, and whether Onyx will be informed enough to know, is another question.’
Bahamus cleared his throat. ‘Onyx’s information, in this regard at least, seems accurate. We’ve cross-checked the other details he’s supplied, and all have been corroborated.’
‘How do we know he’s not setting us up?’ Sal Sarque demanded.
‘We don’t,’ I said. ‘Council intelligence is reasonably sure that Onyx and Drakh are not working together. How-ever, Onyx could still be planning something of his own.’
‘You think he is?’ Druss asked.
‘Personally?’ I said. ‘No. I think Onyx intends to set two of his enemies against one another. He doesn’t need to betray us. From his perspective, no matter whether we beat Drakh or Drakh beats us, he comes out ahead.’
Druss gave a slow nod, and from out of the corner of my eye, I could see that even Alma and Sarque looked grudgingly convinced. I’d noticed over the past months that the fastest way to sell the Council something was to tell them that people were acting out of self-interest.
‘How many of these adepts are there?’ Sal Sarque asked. ‘We going to have enough to deal with them?’
‘The Keepers are planning to deploy additional security forces,’ Bahamus said. ‘The adepts should not be a concern.’
‘The majority of the adepts are not aligned with— Drakh.’ I said. I caught myself from saying ‘Richard’ just in time. ‘I don’t believe an aggressive approach is necessary.’
‘Yes, Verus, your feelings on the subject of adepts are well known,’ Alma said dryly. ‘The Council will decide how to deal with the issue in due course.’
I set my teeth but didn’t answer. Alma glanced to one side. ‘Levistus?’
‘The plan seems … potentially workable,’ Levistus said. His eyes rested upon me, considering. ‘Depending on whether this associate of Verus can deliver on his promises.’
‘Onyx is not my associate,’ I said sharply. ‘And I most certainly would not count on him to deliver on anything.’
‘Regardless,’ Levistus said, looking at Bahamus, ‘I must still question the price.’
An argument started over the terms, and how many imbued items they should be paying. I hid my irritation as they second-guessed my performance in the negotiations.
‘Any amount of imbued items is too many,’ Sal Sarque said for at least the third time. ‘It sets a bad precedent—’
‘And you think having Drakh running around with more than fifty is better?’ Druss asked.
‘I don’t see why—’
‘If I may,’ a new voice said, ‘I have a question for Verus.’
The other members of the Senior Council turned to look at the man who had just spoken. He was tall and thin, and wore a suit with a red silk scarf knotted loosely around his neck. This was Spire, one of the swing votes of the Council. I’d only seen him in the Star Chamber four or five times.
‘Well?’ Alma said when Spire didn’t go on.
Spire turned to me. ‘What do you think of this plan?’
‘I’m … not quite sure what you mean.’
‘It’s quite simple,’ Spire said. ‘You’ve answered many questions as to the technical details of this operation. However, you have been silent as to whether, in your personal opinion, this plan is likely to work.’
‘That would be a decision for the Senior Council,’ I said.
‘Indeed,’ Spire said. ‘And as a member of the Junior Council, you have the right to advise.’
‘Come on, Verus,’ Druss said impatiently. ‘Stop dancing.’
I hesitated. ‘I don’t have full access to the operational intelligence involved.’
‘We understand this,’ Spire said. ‘Go on.’
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. Bahamus’s gaze was especially sharp and I chose my words carefully. ‘As I said, my access is limited. However, based only on the information available to me, then my best guess would be no.’
Several of the Council frowned. ‘Excuse me?’ Alma said.
‘You just said Onyx was going to hold up his end,’ Sal Sarque said.
‘No, I said I didn’t think he was intending to sell us out,’ I said. ‘But it’s not Onyx’s intentions I’d be worried about.’
‘Then what should we be worrying about?’ Druss asked.
‘About Onyx screwing things up,’ I said. ‘I really don’t trust him to carry out this kind of plot without botching it somehow. That’s problem number one. Problem number two is that within an hour of returning from our meeting with Onyx, my aide and I were attacked by a group of mages and adepts.’
‘And this is relevant because … ?’ Alma asked.
‘I think we can safely assume the timing was not a coincidence.’
‘I fail to grasp your reasoning,’ Levistus said. ‘Are you implying that you were attacked by Drakh?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘I don’t think those men were sent by Drakh.’ I carefully didn’t look at Sal Sarque; I knew damn well where those men had come from. ‘However, they knew about our negotiations. And if they could find out, so can others.’
Alma frowned. ‘This seems speculative—’
I cut her off. ‘It’s well established that Richard Drakh has an effective intelligence network. The Keepers have been trying to get him for years and he’s always managed to evade them. If one group has caught wind of this, then I think it’s likely that Richard Drakh has too, and if he hasn’t he will soon. He may not know the details, but he’d only need to hear a rumour of me meeting with Onyx to become suspicious, and once he starts investigating it won’t take him long to find out more.’
I was about to keep going, but Alma raised a hand. ‘Thank you, Verus. Your opinion is noted.’ She glanced around. ‘Regardless of whether we accept the specific terms, I think it would be appropriate to vote on whether to move forward with the plan.’
I sat back; my part was over. ‘I agree,’ Bahamus said. ‘I vote in favour.’
‘I vote in favour as well,’ Sal Sarque said. ‘Though I’m noting my reservations about the way in which we were notified and the people we’re going to be working with.’ It was obvious from the glance he shot me that he wasn’t only talking about Onyx.
‘Well, I vote against,’ Druss said. ‘Sorry, Bahamus, but this whole thing smells dodgy. Relying on someone like Onyx? Bad idea.’
There was a silence. Heads turned to look at Undaaris, who hunched slightly under the gazes. ‘Well,’ he said. ‘There are many issues to consider …’
‘Today, please,’ Alma said.
‘I … I’ll abstain.’
I saw Levistus shoot a glance at Undaaris. Levistus sensed my gaze and flicked his eyes to me, and for an instant it felt as though we shared the same thought. I may hate you, and you may hate me, but I’ll at least give you credit for deserving more respect than Undaaris.
‘I also abstain,’ Spire said.
Two to one, I thought. Everyone turned to look at Alma and Levistus.
Alma tapped her fingers on the table. ‘A risk, but worth the attempt,’ she said at last. ‘I vote in favour.’
I felt rather than heard several of the mages around the table let out a breath. The secretary’s pen scratched. And that’s it, I thought with a sense of foreboding. The decision was made.