Page 86 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

“If we are all agreed, then it’s time to make a plan.”

“Let me follow him,” Voski said coldly. “If he knows I’m watching—and knows that I know what he is—he’ll step very carefully.” The man smiled quietly. “I was one of his trainers in stealth. He is skilled—and has undoubtedly improved even more in the field. But I’m better.”

“I’ll just follow the fucker,” Gil said quietly. “He’ll get sick of the sight of me.”

“No.” As much as I wanted to see Ruin shaken out of his confidence, we couldn’t risk him going back underground. “I don’t want to scare him off. He has very few ties remaining to keep him under my eyes, and I can’t give him a reason to flee.”

“We won’t be that obvious,” Gil said, smiling. “Just show up often enough to add pressure. If he’s true to the purpose of this mission, he has something to prove. And if he’s not, then he’ll just sweat.”

Voski didn’t reply. He watched my face, his own unreadable.

I considered the picture they painted, and knew what they aimed for. Ruin enjoyed freedom just now. I was far too public a figure to truly surveil him. Bren wasn’t skilled enough. And he had the alliance of Hanson. He was kept as a guest here. Trusted. It increased his confidence.

To know he was being watched—even just the occasional glimpse of men that he knew were aware of his crimes—it would keep him off balance.

And if he had reason to remain in this court, I’d encourage it. It was under that kind of pressure that men made mistakes.

But under these circumstances?

I shook my head. “He’ll just disappear,” I growled. “There’s no requirement for him to stay in Fyrehold. The king believes he came because he received word I was here. He’s befriended Hanson, and so the king keeps him as a guest. But he is free to leave. And if I were him, I’d remove myself from that level of scrutiny.”

“Let’s not forget this is Ruin,” Voski interjected. “He believes in himself utterly, and likes to win. I think fleeing would seem like a loss to him.”

“I don’t deny it. But he’s also grown since he’s been on mission, and I see a more measured approach in him now. No, I can’t risk that he’ll simply disappear—we already know they have some kind of plan for the end of the Festival. We’re already short on time, which is why I called for you. Until I’m clearer about why he’s here, and what he’s doing, I don’t want him knowing you’re here. Keep your heads down, use your hoods. If anyone sees you and enquires, I’ll dismiss you as backup, called in to help with the dragons. Stay visible around the stable, and keep away from as many eyes as possible here in the castle. You’ll have to bunk in servants quarters—I’m sorry. But I want to keep the king from growing curious as well.”

Neither man was bothered by that, though their expressions hardened in the frustration of not being able to confront Ruin, so I tossed them a small bone.

“When the time comes that I want to apply pressure, I will unleash you both on him. You have my word. And if we can’t do that here, then you’ll stand with me before the king to call for his judgment in Vosgaarde. For now… we have only a few days to position Bren with Hanson and undermine him—hopefully, to finally determine precisely what he’s up to. So, no… for now, you stay out of eyesight.”

Both men nodded, and we moved on, issuing instructions for where they should bunk, arranging for Bren to lead them—and re-introduce them to Benji. Now that he knew our purpose extended beyond herd management, he needed to know they could be trusted as well.

We arranged signals, permissions for when and how they might reach us here in the castle, and under what circumstances I’d allow them to follow Ruin.

I gave Voski permission to enter Ruin’s chambers if he found an opening—but only under complete secrecy. He wasn’t to cajole his way with servants. He was to focus on the festival events, when the nobles and their servants were focused on the activities elsewhere in the castle.

“The moment you learn anything important, you find a servant and get a message to me—you do not let yourself be identified by the court yet. Are we clear?”

Voski nodded.

I smiled grimly. “Good, then let me fill you in: Benji and I attempted to visit the dragons this afternoon while Bren was retrieving you, but Kgosi sensed the herds growing unsettled before we even drew close. He wasn’t sure if Ruin was there, or if something else had them on edge, but it wasn’t the time for him to intervene. We’ll try again tomorrow. In the meantime, Voski, I want you making an attempt on Ruin’s chamber tonight. We’re looking specifically for any communications or reports, anything that would offer more insight on how Ruin’s coding his missives—and why he’s sending so often…”

~ BREN ~

It was a strange experience, standing there in our personal chamber with my brothers present and receiving orders. But, I was warmed by their presence, and their insistence that they could handle Ruin. And also glad that Donavyn had found a grip on his own anger, and was able to guide my brothers to do the same. I couldn’t handle three of them on a vengeance warpath.

My mind skittered back to Ruin, just for a glimpse. A whisper of a memory. And I pushed it away.

I was growing better at doing that, too.

It still made a sick pit in my stomach every time I saw Ruin. Still made my hands shake if he stood close. But I wasn’t panicking in his presence anymore. And I found myself thrilled by the idea of uncovering his subterfuge and seeing him called to justice. Whether it was for me, or betrayal of the kingdom, I didn’t really care. As long as people came to know what he really was, and he was punished appropriately.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

Watching Donavyn discuss the most likely times for Ruin to be out of his chamber with my brothers left me teetering on the edge between fear and thrill.

“…Take no risks. Yet. If you’re risking discovery, get out. We still hope to receive another message through the eyes and ears—don’t jeopardize the entire mission for the sake of a moment. We still have three days. The time for walking the line hasn’t yet arrived…”

As Donavyn continued to lay out their orders and they discussed strategies, both men nodded and leaned in. Even in their weariness, it was obvious they were itching to start.