The wine was one of Shirin’s favorites from a Tuvistian vineyard her father subsidized from his personal coffers. She’d convinced him it wouldn’t go amiss if he supplied the Temple with a few bottles every now and again, and he’d agreed. The deep burgundy was full-bodied and opaque, and she swirled it around and sipped before setting her glass next to her plate. “It was something one of the men said.” She cut a piece of chicken and slipped it into her mouth. After swallowing, she decided she was hungry enough she needed to eat before finishing her report.

  Sábria ate a few bites and then couldn’t wait any longer. “Talk between bites, Shirin. Manners are one thing, but you can’t just say something like that and then stuff food into your mouth so you can’t talk. I don’t even care if you talk with your mouth full, just chew quickly and answer the question, please. And…” she rubbed her temple with her fingers, “…and I apologize in advance for my foul mood. A good meal and several candlemarks sleep should set me right in the morning, but for now, don’t expect kid gloves, okay?”

  Shirin grinned as she took another sip of wine. “Sorry. I’m starving. Anyway, I recognized the man as one of the sell swords who hire out to merchants to protect their caravans. I asked him why he was working for Quariss, and he shrugged and said it’s a steady income, and since Hunters rarely come to Sarlogne, it’s been free riels every four sevendays. I think he thought I knew what was going on.”

  “Did he say who pays him?”

  “No. I asked who Quariss was, and he shrugged and said, ‘Fowk if I ken. Big fowkin’ nob showed up at me door, said it were time to collect, so I got me sword and went.’ That was what I got from all the locals.”

  Her peasant accent was so perfect, Sábria chuckled. “What about the warriors? Did they have anything interesting to say?”

  “Not a single one. I even took Banin aside to speak to her alone.” She pointed to a dark spot on her tunic. “She spat on me. There’s real hatred there for the Blades. I have difficulty believing Xyda would encourage that kind of animosity toward Elyon’s warriors. When you asked her if she trusted you, she said she trusted Elyon, implying she didn’t trust you. So, whether you’re in her good graces or not, she still considers herself one of the Goddess’s warriors. I don’t believe she’d do anything to hurt one of her Blades.” Her brows came down low, “You’re not going to like what I did find out from her, though.”

  Sábria sat all the way back in her chair and let her head fall back. “Do you have any good news? Or do we just need to go from bad to worse?”

  “Bad to worse, I’m afraid.”

  Sábria picked up the wine bottle and poured a second glass for them both. With a flourish, she picked up her glass and held it up. “To a day when the only bad thing that happens is Ailith having sex with Lady Knight Farryn.”

  Shirin grinned and clinked her glass to Sábria’s.

  “Okay, what is it I’m not going to like?”

  “Banin said an ex-Blade told her that you’d killed the ex-Blade’s lover, Khaldo, because Khaldo disagreed with one of your orders.”

  Now, Sábria brought her head forward and rested it on her fingers. “Oumar.”

  “Couldn’t be anyone else. It makes me wonder what dissension Khaldo’s other followers are spreading around.”

  “Well, we know they didn’t start the rift between Hunters and Blades because it sounds like that’s been going on for a while, maybe even for a couple of turns. We’ll know better tomorrow after I question Xyda. That being said, we know at least Oumar is involved with beating at least one Hunter. I need to send out messengers in the morning to every Temple that has one of Khaldo’s followers. I want all communications between her followers to cease. I also want Oumar brought back here where we can keep our eyes on her. I intend to alert the High Priestesses in every Temple about the rift with the Hunters. I want the ones responsible for the beatings stripped of their Blade status and brought here to be sentenced by Master Fiyori. I intend to send a powerful message to any other Blades who feel it’s their duty to punish the Hunters for doing their jobs. Then, after I speak with Xyda and we find those five men, you and I are going to meet with every Hunter and try to regain their trust.”

  Shirin rubbed her eyes. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

  “There are fifteen Hunters. Hopefully, I can get Xyda on our side and she’ll help us find them all.” Lost in her thoughts, Sábria ate some more, drank her wine, and thought about everything that had happened that day. “I’m also concerned we didn’t get all of Quariss’s followers. I want you to set⁠—”

  “Already done. I have rotating contingents of twenty archers on the allure and had Dina lower the portcullis for the night. Geller assigned Ailith, Jenx, Arane, and Terro to patrol outside the Temple. Ailith and Jenx will work the rooftops and Arane and Terro will be street level.”

  “Excellent.”

  “We need to find out who Quariss is.” Shirin always tried to clarify things with Sábria whenever she didn’t fully understand her reasons for making certain decisions. They’d discovered long ago that open communication was crucial to the efficient running of the Temple. “Why did you go easy on her? I expected you to order us to arrest her as soon as she threatened the Temple with those archers. For that matter, I expected Elyon to blast them all off that rooftop when she pulled that stunt.”

  Sábria had anticipated the question and was ready with her answer. “That took a lot of guts to try to bluff us with those flaming arrows.”

  “You think she was bluffing.”

  “I do. She honestly believes we’d hurt Xyda. Her attempts were misplaced but honest. Her only intention was to protect one of my Blades. How can I fault her for that? As for Elyon, well, Quariss, or whatever her name is, is one of the Goddess’s followers. Elyon loves Xyda, Shirin, and she knows Quariss does, too.

  Shirin wasn’t so sure the arrows had been a bluff, but whenever Sábria spoke about Elyon and her motives, she was almost always spot on. “I suppose so. How long do you plan to keep them locked up?”

  There was quiet humor in Sábria’s eyes when she glanced up at her second. “You’re the one who had them locked up, Shirin. What did you charge them with?”

  A mischievous look came into Shirin’s eyes. “Well, the archers and Quariss were easy. They threatened to burn down the Temple, so I charged them with attempted murder since the Temple is full of Blades.”

  Sábria huffed, “They didn’t attempt murder. They only threatened it.”

  Shirin scratched her head and sheepishly squinted at Sábria. “I know. I figured we could work out the details later.”

  “That should be interesting when they go before Master Fiyori. I’ll have to talk to her beforehand and tell her what actually happened and what’s coming up. It probably wouldn’t help me convince Xyda we care about her if we locked her lover up for several turns for something she didn’t actually do.”

  “Her lover? You think they’re lovers?”

  “I do.”

  “I must have missed that part. Well, I was tired, and I couldn’t think of any other charges on the spur of the moment.”

  “And the others?”

  “Luckily, there weren’t any nobles among them. They were fully armed, and I found out they’d threatened some of the merchants who were trying to move them away from their shops while the warriors were waiting for orders from Quariss. I charged them with public disorder and threats. I didn’t put them in with the general population, and I separated the men out from the women.”

  Sábria stabbed several green beans and shrugged. “Of course, that’s protocol.”

  “It is, but they were very insistent, demanding to be kept together in one of the larger cells. Since that sounded like trouble to me, I denied the request and separated them into the four-person cells. Can I assume you intend for them to stay locked up until they’re brought before Master Fiyori? That might be problematic with Quariss since she’s a noblewoman. It’ll be more difficult to keep her locked up. That was partially why I charged her with attempted murder.”

  Sábria glanced at Shirin over the rim of her wineglass and winked. “I, for one, don’t know if she’s a noblewoman since she’s refused to identify herself. For all I know, she’s an escaped slave who was taught to speak correctly around her lord’s children.”

  The raised brow said Shirin couldn’t argue the point.

  “For right now, yes, I’d like to keep them locked up so I can talk to Xyda without interference.” Instead of sipping her wine as she was wont to do during her meals, Sábria drained her glass, and set it on the table. After wiping her mouth with her cloth napkin, she pushed off the chair and stood. “I’m sorry, Shirin. I can barely keep my eyes open. Feel free to finish your meal and take whatever else you’d like. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Shirin watched her disappear into the bedroom and decided sleep would be her best bet as well. She finished what was left on her plate, grabbed one of the rolls from beneath the third silver dome, and slathered butter on both sides. After replacing the domes over the plates she set the tray outside the door so that one of the Blades, or perhaps a servant, would take it back to the kitchens while they slept. Pitifully glad the day was finally drawing to an end, she let herself into her own apartment and headed to bed.

  CHAPTER 11

  The first thing Sábria noticed was light streaming through her window. The second was the knocking that had awoken her moments before. Judging by how muzzy her mind felt, sleep must have taken her quickly, and she’d fallen into a heavy, dreamless slumber. She lay quietly a moment, hoping Shirin would let her sleep a bit longer. The longer they slept, the longer she’d have before she’d have to deal with Xyda and her associated problems. As her thoughts turned to the Hunter, she lightly felt the other side of the bed to make sure the knocking hadn’t awoken her guest. Her eyes flew open when her hand encountered nothing but soft, silky sheets.

  The knocking sounded again, and Sábria realized it had come from the outer door leading into the hallway instead of the one into her bedroom. She jumped out of bed, grabbed her silk bathrobe, and hurried to the door. As she moved through the sitting room, she glanced around, hoping to see Xyda either eating breakfast, reading, or possibly just waiting for her to awaken. No such luck.

  She pulled open the door and found a red-faced Jenx with her fist lifted, ready to knock again. Before Sábria could say anything, Jenx blurted out, “I’m going to strangle that mule-headed, ró múgromin shiv, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.” She angrily paced down the hallway a few steps, turned around, and came back. “She’s going to wonder what evil demon spawn took over her handler’s body when I get my hands around her skinny⁠—”

  Sábria held up her hand, “Jenx. I just woke up and need a few moments to gather myself. Besides, you know as well as I do that the first report is to the Commander and not directly to me.” When Jenx’s words finally registered, Sábria’s blue eyes locked with hers. “What do you mean when you get your hands on her?” She’d only just realized Ailith wasn’t with her handler. “Where is she?

  Jenx’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry I didn’t go directly to the Commander. I thought you’d want to know we saw Xyda running down a back alley. She’s fast, My Lady, and since Ailith knew she was supposed to be staying here in the Temple, she took off after her. I tried to keep up and when I started to fall behind, I yelled for Ailith to stop.”

  Every muscle in Sábria’s body tensed. “Let me guess. She ignored you.”

  Jenx spoke through clenched teeth, “Oh, by the Goddess, she did. I searched for a while, and when I ran into Arane and Terro, they said they’d try to follow and sent me to report to you about what happened.” She ran her hand up into her hair and pulled hard enough that her knuckles turned white. “I swear, My Lady, I thought she’d turned the corner. She’s been better about listening to me and asking me questions before doing something harebrained, and then off she goes running after a Hunter who, from what I hear, hates the Blades and might just⁠—”

  Sábria held up a hand to silence her. “First, Ailith running off is not a reflection on you, and second, Xyda is not a danger to her. Of that, I’m absolutely certain.”

  Even though she was still livid at her shiv for disobeying her shouted command, some of the tension drained from Jenx’s body. Obviously, she’d been frightened that a Hunter as powerful and skilled as Xyda might hurt Ailith in order to get away, but if Sábria wasn’t worried about it, she’d tamp down her fears. “I hope you’re right, My Lady. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to that knot-headed shiv of mine simply because I’m not the fastest runner in the Temple. I never have been, but Ailith and that Hunter were fast…” She shook her head. “Maybe you should put one of the faster runners in charge of Ailith, My Lady, if only to…”

  Her words trailed off as Sábria held up her hand and growled, “Don’t go there again, Jenx,” before retreating back into her apartment.

  Further down the hall, the Commander’s door opened, and Shirin stepped out fully dressed. “I thought I heard you out here. Since when do you report to the Arch Priestess before coming to me?”

  Thunder clouds were brewing in the Commander’s dark eyes, and out of habit, Jenx came to attention and brought her fist to her chest. Everyone knew that when the Commander was in one of her moods, no amount of explanation would soothe her temper.

  Irritated at one of her senior handlers circumventing protocol and waking Sábria when she’d so obviously needed her rest, Shirin barked, “Report.”

  By the time Jenx had explained what was happening, Sábria emerged from her room fully dressed except for her sword, which was still in a cradle next to the door. She grabbed it and buckled it on, and when she glanced up at Jenx, there was no question that she was just as angry as the Commander. Those icy blue eyes focused on Shirin. “Are you ready to track?”

  Shirin looked at Jenx. “Run down and ring the bell for Sábria’s honor guard.”

  Sábria waved away the order. “No. Too many people will slow us up. If the three of us can’t protect ourselves from danger, then we don’t belong in the Blades. Let’s go.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and hurried down the stairs.

  Shirin hesitated and then turned and glared at Jenx. She needed a moment to get her temper fully under control before she said or did something she’d later come to regret. The sound of the door closing at the bottom of the stairs was enough to finally get her moving. The two women hurried after Sábria, and by the time they strode through the Sanctum’s garden, she was already striding purposefully through the archway into the outer bailey.

  When they fell in beside her, Sábria asked, “Where did you last see them?” She nodded to the gate guard as they passed beneath the portcullis and continued through the grassy plaza and out onto the street.

  “They were on the east edge of town, headed north through the fields leading to the forest. I knew there was no way I’d catch them, and by the time I stopped, Xyda had disappeared into the forest. Ailith was already three-quarters of the way through the field, and I couldn’t catch her before she disappeared into the trees. While I’ve done a little bit of training,” she turned and nodded to Shirin, who’d taught the tracking classes she’d attended, “I’m practical enough to realize there was no way I could follow their trail through the forest. Ailith is better at stealth movement and tracking than I’ll ever be, and if she doesn’t want me following her, then it’s not going to happen.”

  Jenx dodged a man backing into her path as he was tugging a cart out of a pothole. “That, plus Xyda’s skills must eclipse hers by at least a factor of ten. I mean, tracking and stealth movement is what she’s done for the last, I don’t know how many turns. She’s the best of the best, My Lady, so I’m not even sure Ailith will be able to follow her. At least I know that Ailith won’t get lost, and if she can’t find Xyda, she’ll turn back around and follow their trail back into the city.” Realizing her anxiety levels had her prattling on about information no one had asked for, she quickly shut her mouth.

  Sábria stopped a moment to tie her scabbard to her thigh, and the other two followed suit. That done, she increased her pace as they moved through the Merchant’s Quarter.

  Shirin spotted Geller speaking with Prime Osstendler. The initial surprise reflected in their faces was quickly replaced by concern as they watched Sábria, Shirin, and Jenx walking with a purpose towards the edge of town with no bodyguards in sight.

  They hurried to follow, and when they fell in behind, Sábria stopped and pointed to Osstendler. “I want you to go find Calit. Let her know I’m leaving her in charge. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, hopefully not long, but you never know. And let her know that I want the prisoners to remain locked up in Magistrate’s Court until I return and they’re not to be tried until I speak to her. She’ll need to go talk to Master Fiyori this morning. Make sure she lets Fiyori know the request is coming directly from me.”

  Osstendler brought her fist to her chest. “Yes, My Lady.”

  Sábria looked at Geller. She’d rather just the three of them went after Ailith and Xyda, but she also knew Shirin would be much more comfortable with Geller along. “Ursuna, I know you’re just now getting off shift, but you’re with us.”

  Geller simply nodded, and when Sábria started off again, she took up a position slightly behind the group to protect from an attack from the rear. While speed had never been the Prime’s forte, she could maintain a steady pace with the best of them.

  When they reached the edge of the forest, Sábria stopped and looked at Jenx. “Do you know where they entered the forest?”

  Jenx studied the timberline. “Yes. I took note of the specific tree in case we needed to follow.” The treeline was varied. Tall spires rose above the round-topped canopies that were still tall enough for climbers to move through—some nearly the height of eight to ten men standing on one another’s shoulders. It took a moment, but she finally spotted a spreading canopy that had the top third of its leaves burned away, probably from a lightning strike. “There, beneath that burnt tree. That’s exactly where they went in.”