‘How are they replicating raw power?’ Aya demanded.
Hyacinth shook her head. ‘He has not confessed to their methods.’
‘Cleo will question him further,’ Gianna cut in. ‘Perhaps he’ll be forthcoming on how far their experiments have gotten with the right … motivation.’
Will braced his elbows on the table as he looked to the queen. ‘I’m more than capable of handling the questioning,’ he said. Gianna’s brows rose. ‘Majesty,’ he added.
‘I need you three searching for the supplier,’ she replied tersely. ‘I want to ensure that shipment does not fall into their hands, and that anyone who is willing to work with Kakos is imprisoned immediately. We cannot allow the Southern Kingdom to build their weapons supply.’
Will didn’t fail to notice that she was cutting him out at every turn.
Careful. He’d have to be careful. Gianna wasn’t a fool – if anything, she was far more cunning than most gave her credit for. And his goals hadn’t changed; not truly.
Find the supplier. Find the supplier, and make your next move.
‘They’re not one and the same?’ Aya asked, her eyes darting between Gianna and the priestess. The queen shook her head.
Cleo must have garnered that during her questioning.
Gianna’s attention shifted back to Will. ‘I’m moving up your trip to Rinnia to meet with King Dominic. You’ll leave at the end of the week at the latest. While you’re there, I want absolute assurance that they had nothing to do with the two tradesmen, and I want their commitment to aid. War is coming, and we will not survive without them.’
Will shifted in his seat. Dominic would not take kindly to Gianna’s further interference. The king was partial to neutrality. Will doubted he would risk Trahir’s wealth to aid in a struggle so far from his isolated lands, allies or not.
Gianna continued, as if reading his thoughts. ‘Tread carefully. I know Dominic; one Diaforaté with unstable power will likely not be enough to convince him of a significant threat. Our partnership is delicate. Bide your time. Use your status on our Council to appeal to him, and use the trade negotiations as a starting point. Be mindful: we cannot afford to lose them.’
Tova opened her mouth, likely to argue against the slow approach, but Gianna held up a hand, her eyes still fixed on Will. ‘I’ve sent word that you will be arriving earlier than anticipated. They’re prepared to welcome you for a prolonged stay. Make it count.’
‘Tova,’ she continued, facing her general, ‘I want you to begin recruiting subtly for our forces. We’ll need numbers, especially if Trahir does not lend their support. Look for thefighters – those who can be trained. In the meantime, I want all three of you searching the docks before Will leaves.’ Gianna’s eyes scanned Aya. Perhaps she noted the blood too, because her voice softened as she said, ‘I’m sorry we cannot afford more time to rest.’
She looked ready to say more, but Will tugged a hand through his hair, his voice a mere rasp as he interjected. ‘We should get started now. If the supplier is still in the city, the news of this man’s capture will likely cause them to flee.’
He couldn’t very well afford that.
Gianna nodded, her exhale steady as she looked at each of them in turn. ‘I know you will not fail me.’ As one, they raised their left fists to their chests.
Will could feel his fingers brush the thin ridge of the scar on his palm. A reminder of all he had done to get here. Of all he would lose should he fail.
‘By my blood,’ they murmured in unison.
17
The docks were bustling when Aya, Will, and Tova arrived. The late-afternoon sun flashed off the water as dockworkers unloaded goods from the foreign kingdoms. Those seeking early pleasure wove through the workers, shouting to one another about where they could score the latest deal and which tables were hot as they made their way toward the gambling halls of the Rouline.
This part of the town never slept. And it continued to flood with people as the three of them made their way through each establishment, searching for more information on the supplier.
‘I hate the Rouline,’ Tova grumbled, eyeing a boisterous group of travelers with disgust. She’d nearly torn the head off a man who’d bumped into her a few blocks back, and she became more irritable the further they wandered, stopping every so often at bars and brothels to see if anyone had a story to tell. Aya couldn’t blame her. They’d been at it for hours, it was cold, and they’d learned nothing. Aya could feel a headache coming on.
She looped an arm through her friend’s, gently tugging her away from the group she was still glaring at. The last thing they needed was Tova drawing a sword on a bunch of tourists.
Will stalked on ahead of the two women, leading the way through the groups of travelers clustered along the main road lining the docks. Besides snapping at her to wash the blood from her hair before they’d left the palace, and murmuring a few questions to club-owners, restaurateurs, andmadams, he hadn’t said a word. But his body was as taut as a bowstring, his lips pressed in a thin line as they moved from place to place.
‘He’s a real charmer today, isn’t he?’ Tova muttered, watching as he ducked into another bar without a backward glance. ‘Make this one fast. I’m tired of standing here and waiting for nothing. It’s cold and I’m hungry.’
‘And cranky,’ Aya said, nudging her side. ‘You could come in, you know.’
‘And leave your backs unguarded? Where is your battle sense, Aya?’
Aya rolled her eyes. ‘You just hate dives.’
