Chapter 12
Roksana
The atmosphere within the Chapter House was eerily subdued.
Whether caused by the winter chill or by Boyan’s worsening health, an oppressive atmosphere permeated the dark hallways.
I raised my chin in defiance. Here, where vulnerability meant death, I hid mine beneath an emotionless and cold, disdainful glare.
It made me wonder who I really was. Am I the Brotherhood’s Nightshade? Reynard’s Viper? A vivamancer? One of the countless labels whispered in dark corners by my enemies?
No, I am a shadow mage – a title that embodies them all.
Before I realised, I was standing in front of Boyan’s quarters.
I shook my head. This wasn’t the time to reflect on the past. I had work to do, and I wasn’t looking forward to convincing the Grand Master to allow me to carry out my plan.
I knocked, walking into stifling heat and the overpowering scent of herbs. My fists tightened as I slowly inhaled.
Damn stubborn men and their pride, I thought, recognising the concoction I’d made to help him breathe. It certainly helped as my nose cleared at the first whiff of peppermint oil.
Boyan sat by the fire, turning slowly at the sound of my footsteps. ‘Sana, it’s good to see you. Are you well?’ My father shifted on the chair. ‘I heard about the incident at the university. Before you ask, the novices are already briefed and searching for those void cubes.’
‘Thank you,’ I murmured as I knelt before him and took his hands. ‘You should have called for me. My help is more effective than herbs.’ I discreetly checked Boyan’s pulse, finding it weaker and more erratic than before.
‘Stop it. You’re my daughter, not my carer. And I’m still alive,’ he said, his lips twitching as he pulled away. With an exasperated snort, my father patted my head, then brushed away the melting snow in my hair.
‘And I’ll make sure you stay that way, so… no grumbling when I check on you.’
Boyan’s eyes crinkled at my little jibe, the smile that he’d always hidden spreading on his lips. He liked my fussing, and with the little time we had left together, I wasn’t wasting a moment pretending I didn’t care.
‘Why are you really here? The Observers told me you spoke with the regent before heading straight to the Chapter House.’
It was my turn to roll my eyes. ‘Gods, sometimes I think you’re more spider than man, locked in your den but still pulling all the threads.’ This time, he laughed openly, and I sensed it was a good time to ask. ‘I need to do something that might affect the Brotherhood.’
‘And you think I won’t approve,’ he finished for me with a deep sigh that shifted into a rattling cough. ‘Don’t deny it, child. I see that look in your eyes.’
‘I need the Blades’ help. I have a list of royal council members plotting against the king, and it’s time for them to change their ways, or their heirs.
’ I went straight for the throat. Boyan’s eyebrows rose abruptly.
My hand shook a little when he didn’t answer.
Without his agreement, the Blades wouldn’t lift a finger, let alone a dagger.
Determined to convince him, I pulled the parchment from my pocket and placed it on his lap.
Boyan studied it with a frown before looking at me. ‘That’s a lot of dead nobles. This will cause an uproar.’
‘Oh, I’m not going to kill them…’ I might be Boyan’s only daughter, but he wouldn’t indulge my every whim, so I had to choose my words carefully. ‘Well, I probably won’t. I simply want to show them a better way.’
‘If your king doesn’t support you on this, my head will decorate the city gates.
’ Boyan’s fingers tapped on the armrest before a flash of amusement lit his tired eyes.
‘Fine, talk to Irsha. If my head ends up on a pike, he can deal with the consequences.’ He gestured for me to rise.
‘Just promise me you won’t force him, Sana.
No means no. He has more than your friendship to care about now. ’
‘The regent approved it,’ I added for his sake.
Boyan’s hand trembled when he grabbed the poker to stoke the fire.
‘My daughter, the Vila. You’re just like your mother, with the gift of wrapping men around your finger,’ he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
His eyes danced as the charred wood sent pine scent and sparks into the air.
‘Sana, promise me that after I’m gone, you’ll plant an oak tree on my grave. That way, my Dobra can always find me.’
‘I will, and I’ll make it grow and keep its leaves even when winter comes.’ I hid my tears and leaned over, kissing his cheek. ‘She will find you.’
His throat bobbed before he waved me off. ‘Go on with you; handle your affairs,’ he said. I glanced at him before closing the door. He sat there, pressing a small figurine to his chest as he watched the fire, and I wondered what he saw in the dancing flames.
Armed with the Grand Master’s permission, I strolled to the Blades’ domain to convince my friend to draw blood for the sake of the kingdom.
Irsha’s office was my first destination, but I was prepared to head to the House of Lillies if it was empty. When I knocked on the door, he answered, but looked so serious that I nearly turned and left.
His hair, normally tied loosely at the back, was now neatly gathered into a topknot, revealing a face pinched in a frown as he studied a letter. He was in his work clothes, the soft, flexible fabric now crumpled and covered with bloodstains.
‘What’s going on? That from Brotherhood business or Lily’s?’ I asked, pointing at the stains. Only a threat to those two things could cause this stone-cold look.
‘Lily’s fine. Her soon-to-be-dead husband won’t lay a finger on her. I have men positioned in and around the House of Lillies to eliminate any threat.’
‘She asked us not to intervene, remember?’ I said, sitting on the corner of his desk.
‘I haven’t. Yet.’ Anger narrowed his eyes. ‘Jagon was spotted in the city. An Observer saw him near your house again. When you mentioned his little visit, you forgot to mention him threatening you.’
‘Well, it wasn’t really a threat, just Jagon being Jagon.’ My attempt to downplay the threat failed miserably.
Irsha closed his eyes, the page crumpling in his hands. ‘That fucker had the audacity to say that neither he nor his supporters will recognise me as Grand Master if I don’t give you up.’
I snorted with bitter laughter. ‘Yeah, like anyone can hand me over like a sack of turnips. When did the letter arrive?’
‘Roksana, I need to know everything that’s going on. I need… How the fuck can I protect you and Lilliana when you both hide things from me?’ He was so distraught that my amusement instantly died.
‘Come on, Blade. I’m a grown woman who can look after herself. You have enough on your plate without me adding to your troubles.’ The irony in my words dawned on me when I remembered why I’d sought him out in the first place.
Irsha walked out from behind the desk, towering over me. ‘That’s not the point. I know you can look after yourself, but we’re family, and families talk to each other. Jagon’s… We both know what he’s capable of, so you can’t leave me in the dark.’
I deserved this scolding. I looked up to apologise to him, but before I could utter a sound, my world disappeared in his embrace.
‘Trouble, you have your king, your magic, and the dwarf who took my place by your side. You don’t need me, but I need you. I need to have one person in this whole rotten world I can trust unconditionally.’
That was a punch in the gut, and one that hurt a lot.
I wrapped my arms around him, letting the heat of his body and the scent of burnt caramel soothe the tension between us.
‘I’ll do better,’ I murmured, and meant it.
Years of steadfast friendship, forged where trust was more precious than gold, had made him my rock.
I wouldn’t let this friendship be eroded by the storm raging through my life.
After a few moments, I patted his back, and his arms unfolded, releasing me back to the world. ‘So, why are you really here? Do I sense trouble?’ he asked, his body returning to its natural, relaxed stance.
‘Just a smidge. This is a list of men we need to visit tonight.’ Irsha’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t take the parchment, so I waved it in front of his face.
‘By we, I mean…’ I pointed at us both. ‘And your men. I have several little pills that need forcing down some nobles’ throats, instilling the fear of death in their hearts,’ I said, and Irsha’s brow lifted so high it almost touched his hairline.
‘Oh come on, say something. These arseholes plan on betraying Reynard. I won’t allow that. ’
‘That will put us in a difficult position. Does the king even know you’re planning to poison the members of his council?’ he asked, and I tilted my head.
‘What do you think?’
‘And Boyan sanctioned this?’
‘Kind of; he left the decision to you,’ I answered, swallowing hard at the protracted silence.
‘I’m assuming your standard terms apply – no children involved, killing only the target and so on.’ He stopped, waiting for my confirmation.
‘As always,’ I said, grinning.
‘A hundred gold for each name on the list,’ Irsha said finally. ‘I’ll send the bill to Reynard. If your king ever questions tonight’s events, I’ll take full responsibility.’
The seriousness of this bargain washed away any pretence or teasing. ‘Why?’ I was going to agree. The price was reasonable, but the last condition piqued my curiosity.
‘Because you’re the only one he’d never hurt, no matter the circumstances, and I’m the perfect scapegoat,’ he answered with a shrug. ‘He’ll spare my life at the hint of your tears.’