Awakening Page 6

  She went to work on the other hinge and soon the whole right shutter swung down to hang lopsidedly from the lock, revealing the window behind it. Unhooking the latch she pushed it open and, levering herself up and over the sill, jumped out. The drop was greater than she expected and she had to stop herself from crying out as she landed awkwardly on her side, sharp points of some plant jabbing into her belly and legs. She’d landed in a garden bed.

  The ground was damp and all around her rose the astringent scent of herbs. Sticks cracked as she tried to right herself. Yellow light streamed out from the room above her head and from somewhere close by she heard the murmur of voices coming from another room. Crouching, she surveyed the landscape.

  She was in a large courtyard garden. A number of raised garden beds interspersed with paths were laid out in a square pattern and she could just make out the shadowy bulk of a high wall enclosing it all. Further to her right, another window – the source of the voices – was open, throwing a square block of light over the herbs planted below. Pushing herself up she stepped out of the garden bed and, in a half crouch, ran silently along a path, ducking around and between the other beds. She was opposite the open window, when the sound of a voice made her stumble. She squatted down suddenly in the earth behind a raised bed of flowers as Tuon’s voice came clearly from the open window. ‘Will the Seer be all right, Advisor?’

  Shaan’s heart skipped a beat and she leaned against the low wall, listening.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ A man answered. ‘The Sisters will look after Veila. But are you well, Tuon? You look tired, has he been working you hard?’

  Tuon snorted and Shaan heard the bitterness in her voice. ‘I have hardly seen him. This is the first time he has requested my presence for many weeks. Although of course I . . .’ She stopped suddenly.

  ‘What?’ The man said.

  ‘Nothing Morfessa, it doesn’t matter.’

  Shaan was shocked. Tuon was talking to the Guardian’s Advisor. And in a way that said she knew him well. She peered out from behind the wall, but could only see the edge of a desk, an empty chair facing it, and the top half of a door. She gripped the smooth wall of the garden bed. She should be running. The Sister would have found a Hunter by now and they would be coming for her. But she couldn’t seem to get up. She stayed, staring at the room, listening.

  And as she watched, the door opened and the Commander walked in.

  ‘Rorc,’ Morfessa said. Tuon came into view, standing with her back to the window. Right at that moment Shaan felt someone behind her. Her stomach dropped and she leaped to her feet, but a hard hand fell on her arm and a voice spoke near her ear.

  ‘Told you I’d find you,’ the young Hunter said and pulled her to her feet.

  7

  Shaan struggled in the Hunter’s grip as he dragged her down the hallway past Sister Lyria who sneered at her and called out that the Faithful knew how to deal with troublemakers.

  So much for the Sisters’ reputation as understanding healers, Shaan thought sourly, and cursed herself for being so stupid. Why hadn’t she just run when she had the chance?

  ‘Come on.’ The Hunter propelled her up to a door and knocked sharply on the wood calling out, ‘Commander Rorc!’

  A moment later a voice answered for them to enter and he dragged her inside. ‘Commander, I found this girl sneaking around the temple.’ He pushed her forward.

  ‘I wasn’t sneaking, I was lost.’ Shaan retorted then swallowed as she saw where she was. Before her was the dark-haired man she’d seen just a moment ago through the courtyard window. He was more intimidating than he’d appeared from a distance.

  He looked her up and down. ‘What is your name?’

  Behind him, Tuon stared at her with shocked anxious eyes and an older man, who had to be Morfessa, frowned at her.

  ‘Well?’ He raised an eyebrow.

  Shaan pressed her lips together. If she gave her real name it wouldn’t be long before he found out where she lived and her connection to Tuon. He might even think Tuon had known she was here. Regardless of the secrets she seemed to be keeping from her Shaan didn’t want her to be in trouble with the Faithful.

  ‘It’s Raikah.’ Again she gave the name of a woman who used to work at the yards.

  The Commander didn’t move. ‘Raikah? And what are you doing here? And I warn you it will do you no good to lie. All I have to do is bring a Seducer in. He will soon find out all I need to know, and it can be painful if you don’t co-operate.’

  Shaan’s mouth went dry. She’d never seen a Seducer strip someone’s mind, but she’d heard about it. ‘I was only curious,’ she said.

  ‘I don’t believe you.’ He looked over her head to the Hunter. ‘Bring me a Seducer.’

  ‘No, wait!’ Tuon sprang forward putting a hand on his forearm. ‘I know her, you don’t need to do that. Please, Rorc.’

  The Commander levelled his green gaze at Tuon. ‘You know her?’

  ‘Yes, and it’s my fault she’s here.’

  ‘No!’ Shaan exclaimed, but Rorc ignored her.

  ‘What are you saying?’ he said.

  ‘She must have followed me when I left the inn this evening. I thought I heard her calling, but I didn’t check.’ She lifted her chin. ‘But you don’t need to worry, she’s no threat to you.’

  Rorc turned back to Shaan. ‘What is your real name then?’

  Shaan hesitated.

  ‘It’s all right,’ Tuon nodded at her. ‘Her name’s Shaan. She works at the yards, nothing more, please just let her go. I can tell you all you need to know about her.’

  ‘I would prefer to hear it from her,’ Rorc replied.

  ‘Fine.’ Tuon crossed her arms. ‘But I tell you she is no threat to the Faithful.’

  Rorc didn’t look at her. ‘Take her to the Primate’s end room,’ he said to the Hunter. ‘I’ll be there soon.’

  Tuon glared at Rorc as the door shut behind them.

  ‘I told you she’s no threat, Rorc. I’ve known her since she was a child. You don’t need to do this.’

  ‘I won’t hurt her.’ He went over to the desk and picked up his wine glass. ‘But I cannot let people wander about the temple like that. Although I am impressed she got past the Hunters.’ He appeared thoughtful and, alarmed, Tuon said, ‘Leave her alone. You don’t need her.’

  He looked at her over the rim of his glass. ‘Why? Has your agreement with the Faithful been that bad?’

  ‘This is different.’ She met his look. ‘What happened to me is nothing like this.’

  ‘There is something about her though,’ Morfessa interrupted them.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Rorc said.

  ‘I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I guess. It was odd, there was something familiar about her, although I’ve never seen her before.’

  Tuon didn’t like the way this was going, or the look on Rorc’s face. ‘Perhaps she just reminded you of someone,’ she said quickly. ‘Her dark hair and colouring is like those of the Serpent Isles. She has said her father may have come from there.’

  ‘Maybe.’ Morfessa looked thoughtful. ‘Although those eyes, such a dark blue, I’ve seen eyes that colour somewhere . . .’ He shook his head and steepled his hands together. ‘No. It was something else, someone else. I know but I can’t . . .’ He stared at the wall.

  ‘I’m sure it will come to you,’ Rorc said.

  ‘Hmm, what?’ Morfessa turned to him. ‘Yes, well.’ His eyes seemed to focus again and he drew in a quick breath. ‘Oh yes, you wanted to talk to Tuon. I’ll leave you to it.’ He left the room, a distracted look settling once more on his features as he departed.

  As soon as he’d left Tuon’s nerves rose. The silence in the room seemed thicker. Feeling suddenly vulnerable she went to the window.

  ‘The old man has made me curious,’ Rorc said quietly.

  ‘Morfessa often says fey things about many people. Are you curious about all of them?’ she replied coldly.

  ‘Only those w
ho interest me.’

  She turned to look at him. ‘Shaan is a simple young woman without family, nothing more. She would be of no interest to you.’

  ‘Some would say you are nothing more than that either.’ He looked at her over the rim of his glass. Her heart gave a treacherous leap and she struggled to keep her expression cool.

  ‘I know I am of little interest to you beyond what I can bring to you.’

  ‘I never said that.’ He put his glass down and his green eyes looked into hers so closely she felt suddenly hemmed in. She moved deliberately away to sit in the chair on the other side of the desk. ‘What do you want to know about Shaan?’

  ‘Everything.’

  She let out a breath; there would be no dissuading him. He was like a street dog with a bone.

  She settled back in the chair. ‘I don’t know where she was born but she came to Salmut with her mother when she was a baby from somewhere north of here, on the coast I think. Her mother took to crist and died of it by the time she was five. Shaan ran with the street packs from then on until she was eleven.’

  ‘She was a thief then?’

  ‘Yes.’ Tuon looked up at him, arching an eyebrow. ‘May I continue?’

  He nodded with a slight smile.

  ‘Torg found her in the cells; she’d been caught stealing. He was looking for another pair of hands at the inn, so he paid the guards and brought her to the Red Pepino. She worked for him in the kitchen and now she also serves ale. A few years ago she started working at the yards to make some extra coin, and that’s it.’ She shrugged. ‘That’s all.’

  ‘And why did she follow you here?’

  ‘I don’t know. She was probably worried about me. She’s not stupid, Rorc. Everyone knows not to mess with the Faithful. The gods only know I’ve told her that often enough myself. Why can’t you just let her go?’

  He was silent a moment before he spoke. ‘These are dangerous times, Tuon. You were at the meeting tonight, you heard what was said. There are some who believe the Fallen one walks the land once more, and the attack by one of our own serpents on the market has made that belief stronger. The Seer spoke of another she has felt in the Void, one who may be linked to the Fallen, or a catalyst to bring him out into the world again. I cannot treat anyone as beneath suspicion.’

  ‘Shaan is not in league with the Fallen,’ Tuon said, disturbed by his tone.

  ‘Most likely not, and yet Morfessa is unsettled by her. I cannot throw his feelings lightly aside. He is not a seer, but he has spent most of his years since his wife died searching for clues to the whereabouts of the Birthstone. He knows things.’

  Tuon grew cold. ‘But not everything. And the Birthstone is a myth, a legend. Has he actually found anything?’

  ‘Are you questioning the wisdom of the Guardian’s Advisor?’ Rorc said and she hesitated.

  ‘Of course not. I only seek to protect Shaan, she is like a sister to me. Please, Rorc, just let her go.’

  He was silent a moment and then a frown appeared between his eyes, a look of great weariness settling over his features. Letting out a long breath he sat down in the chair beside her. Tuon clasped her hands together tight in her lap, unsettled by his nearness.

  None of this was going as she’d planned. She had come here tonight with the intention of telling him that their bargain was off, that she did not want to work with the Faithful anymore. But as always he had stolen her will. Words she had come to say would not rise to her lips. Seeing him now, the frown between his eyes and the weight of weariness on his face, how could she abandon him? He who had saved her life.

  ‘I cannot just release her without questioning her.’ Rorc spoke into the silence. ‘But I promise you that I won’t hurt her, or keep her here.’ He looked at her and she met his gaze, allowing herself to hold his eyes in hers for a moment.

  ‘Thank you.’ She took a breath. ‘Why did you want to see me?’

  ‘I have a job for you.’

  ‘A man?’

  ‘Yes. One of the Council of Nine, Lorgon, is holding a small banquet and will be hiring some . . . entertainment. I have arranged for you to be one of them. I need you to get close to him, find out anything you can. He will have some of his closest allies with him.’

  Tuon’s heart sank. She had dealt with Councillor Lorgon before and knew just what his likes were. She swallowed the sudden bitterness that rose. ‘When?’

  ‘Tomorrow.’

  ‘Why Lorgon? What do you suspect?’

  He frowned. ‘You know I won’t tell you that.’

  ‘How bad is it?’ She pressed him, suddenly wanting to have something, some reason for this latest order.

  He hesitated.

  ‘Just tell me. You know you can trust me, Rorc. I risk my life doing this. If he discovers me . . .’ She let it hang. His lips thinned as he said, ‘The Guardian has not been well lately, that is all. I am only . . . checking.’

  ‘You suspect Lorgon?’

  ‘I suspect nothing,’ he said quickly. ‘Just do this and report back to me. And don’t worry, I would not risk your life. If it came to that you would not be alone.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  He sighed. ‘Just do this for me Tuon, and trust me.’

  She looked at him and then away again, afraid he would see what was in her heart. ‘I will trust you.’

  The Hunter took Shaan down a hallway and through a large study, leaving her in a small windowless room lined floor to ceiling with shelves containing scrolls, bound sheaves of parchment, and a lot of dusty boxes. The only place to sit was on a small, double-sided wooden ladder and she perched on the top of it, leaning against the shelves, and wondered how long she would be there.

  She worried about Tuon. What was she risking for her? And what would happen to her now the Commander knew she had followed her here? She stared at the floor. It was dark in the room, the only light coming from the crack under the door. She could do nothing but stare at the fine layer of dust on the tile and watch the shifting shadow of the Hunter standing guard on the other side.

  Eventually she heard voices and footsteps and the door swung open. Squinting in the sudden light she put up a hand to try to block it.

  ‘Out with you.’ It was Commander Rorc. She rose slowly and went out into the room. ‘Sit down,’ he said.

  The Hunter had gone. Crossing a brightly patterned rug, she sat down on a long couch. Rorc remained standing, his back to a large desk, his shadow huge on the shutters behind him. He watched her a moment and she said nothing, staring at his boots.

  ‘Tuon has asked me to let you go,’ he said eventually. ‘She is worried about you, and she has good reason. It was a stupid thing you did, sneaking in here. Spying on the Faithful is not taken lightly.’

  ‘I was not spying.’ Shaan looked up.

  ‘No?’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘And yet you were caught listening at a window. What is that if not spying?’

  Shaan’s stomach clenched. ‘I was only concerned for Tuon. I heard nothing.’ She tried to hold his gaze, but he stared back at her with such intense scrutiny she had to drop her own.

  He was silent for a long moment before he spoke. ‘You want to know what Tuon is doing here? I understand that. You’re worried for her. But the more you know, the greater risk there is to her.’

  ‘You risk her life?’ Shaan said.

  ‘No. You risk it by following her.’ His lips tightened. ‘Tuon is safe. I would not let harm come to her.’

  ‘She is a spy for you then.’ Shaan guessed and Rorc looked at her, the light from the lamp slanting across his jaw, his eyes in shadow.

  ‘She is safe and that is the end of it. You will not follow her, or question her, for doing so will endanger her and I will not allow it. Do you understand?’

  Shaan nodded.

  ‘Good.’ he seemed to relax. ‘Now what interests me, is that Morfessa thought he recognised you.’

  Shaan shrugged. ‘I have never seen him before.’

  ‘That i
s also what he said about you.’ His gaze became contemplative. ‘Shaan, you managed to get past my Hunters and into the temple. Not very far, but you got past, and that interests me.’ He leaned back against the desk crossing his arms. ‘Tuon said you work in the yards. How much does that pay?’

  ‘Enough,’ she answered edgily.

  ‘You used to be a street thief didn’t you? A child of the packs?’

  ‘What of it?’

  ‘Were you any good?’

  ‘It was years ago,’ she said suspecting a trap. ‘I only stole to survive, we all did.’

  ‘I’m not interested in your past crimes, only your abilities. I can use many different abilities in the Faithful. Not all are Hunters or Seducers. Some have other talents.’

  ‘Like Tuon?’ Shaan said and his face darkened.

  ‘It is only due to her that you are not in a cell. I could very easily put you in one.’

  ‘What is it you want from me then?’

  He smiled, his teeth white against his dark stubble. ‘To offer you a choice, an opportunity. I sometimes have need of people with different . . . talents. They are always paid well, more than a worker in the yards makes in a month.’

  ‘I don’t want to work for the Faithful.’ Shaan clenched her hands.

  ‘But you don’t want to work against us either,’ Rorc said softly. ‘Think about it.’

  She drew a breath. ‘Can I go?’

  He became very still. ‘I’m offering you more than you understand,’ he said.

  ‘I have my own plans.’ She rose. ‘Will you let me go now?’

  He eyed her for a moment, and she felt like a twig facing a storm, but she refused to let him bully her.

  ‘I will let you go because I promised Tuon I would,’ he said. ‘But do not leave here thinking I will forget about you. I will remember your face. Hunter!’ He raised his voice and the door to the study opened, admitting the young man who had captured her earlier. ‘Escort this woman to the street.’

  ‘Commander.’ The Hunter came into the room and took her arm.