The bells of the Cathedral of the Gods chimed three times as Zandrue made her way through the crowded street in front of the grand building. Physically, it looked unchanged from when she’d last seen it, but there was a different air to it, much like there was a different air to Arnor City itself. The physical structure of the city was fine, but the people moved about with sullenness, eyes mostly down, but occasionally looking up to avoid the patrols of Bloods.

In the case of the Cathedral of the Gods, it was the larger presence of armed guards. There were four at the end of the walkway leading to the main entrance, and half a dozen or more at the main entrance itself. They weren’t Bloods, thankfully, and they did not bear the sigil of Plavin-Tyl either. They also didn’t bear the Arnorin sigil, but instead the four-pointed star of the Universal Religion.

This should be interesting.

Two of the guards moved immediately to block her as she approached.

She gave a little wave. “Hi.”

“The Cathedral is closed to the public right now,” one said. “You can attend worship services every Moonday at any of the six other churches in the city. If you’re in search of religious guidance—”

“Actually, I’d like to speak to the Patriarch.”

The second guard in front of her gave a light grunt of a laugh.

The first said, “I’m sorry, that’s not possible. The Patriarch isn’t seeing anyone.”

“He’ll see me.”

The second one laughed louder.

“Even in better days,” the first said, “the Patriarch doesn’t see just any random person who walks up. He’s a busy man who—”

“He’ll see me.”

The second stopped laughing, and his hand went to his sword hilt. The two standing farther back also reached for their swords.

“I think you should leave,” the first said.

“Tell him Lady Zandromeda Armida is here, but…” She made a point of exaggeratedly looking around, then leaned in and spoke softly. “Don’t spread it around. I don’t want the Bloods knowing.”

The second drew his sword, but one of the two behind, released his grip on his own sword, and came forward, placing a hand on the second’s shoulder. He motioned to the first and spoke in a whisper to them both. It was hard to hear everything he said, but the word name was definitely prominent. Then the third turned, and walked along the path to the main entrance.

The first turned back to look at Zandrue, while the second sheathed his sword. “Wait here,” the first said, “but if this is any kind of deception…” Both he and the second gripped their sword hilts.

Zandrue smiled broadly at them both. “Don’t worry, I fully understand the consequences.”

It was a bit of a wait, long enough that she found her smile drooping as continuing to force it was becoming too much effort. She spent more and more time looking around, and paying particular attention to any Blood patrols. The likelihood of anyone recognising her was remote, but after having already been recognised once today, combined with surviving a dragon encounter, she was feeling a little paranoid.

She had gotten Felitïa secured in the ruins of an old guard post on the Palace grounds near the south gate. She had hoped to have Felitïa with her for this trip, but…

“I’m too exhausted,” Felitïa had said. “Even if I wasn’t, a trip into Arnor City would be a bad idea. You don’t know how difficult it was for me in the Palace. There’ll be so many more people in the city. It would be a disaster waiting to happen.”

They had discussed what Zandrue should say to Ardon, and had gone over how she might approach Ulises, though Felitïa had been adamant Ardon was the greater priority. As curious as Zandrue was about Ulises, she had to agree, so that was why she had come here first.

“What about Rudiger?” she’d asked Felitïa.

“I got an idea of where he’s headed when I was in Koreen’s head. He and Lidda are going to a monastery in Singea to find out about Slay. I don’t know the specifics of the location, but I figure we can get some assistance from Miana. Don’t worry. We’ll find him, Zandrue.”

Zandrue nodded. “I know. I’ll be off. If I’m not back by morning, come find me.”

“You know I will.”

It had been an easy trip into the city, if a muddy one from all the melting snow. The first Blood patrol she’d passed had surprised her a little, though in retrospect, it shouldn’t have. Of course there were Bloods here. The odd part was that there hadn’t seemed to be any at the Palace. Perhaps it was simply because it took all their numbers to patrol the city.

“They rarely come close,” the first guard said when she was watching a pair of Bloods in the distance. “They know better than that.”

The second grunted, and the first went silent again.

Eventually, there was activity at the main entrance. A guard came out accompanying another person. It might have been the same guard that had gone in earlier, but it was hard to tell the guards apart as their helmets obscured their faces, and this one was too far back to distinguish by height, build, or scent.

But the other individual was the more interesting one. She was fairly short and wore heavy clerical robes. A winter shawl covered most of her hair, but several strands of golden-brown curls hung down over her face.

Zandrue smiled and waved as they got closer. “Marna!”

After they got a little closer still, Marna nodded to the guard with her and said something. It was too far to hear, but based on her mouth movements, it was something like, “It’s her.”

Marna paused, while the guard with her continued forward. “Her story checks out. His Grace wants to see her.”

The first and second guards both released their grips on their swords, and stepped aside.

Zandrue moved forward, waving to the two as she passed them. “Later, guys. It’s been fun.”

When she reached Marna, she spread her arms wide, and they hugged. There was the smell of incense on the girl.

“It’s good to see you,” Marna said.

“Likewise, though…” Zandrue gave a light tug on the sleeve of the girl’s robe. “This is quite the change.”

Marna beamed. “I’m studying for the priesthood now.” She motioned along the path, and the two of them headed towards the entrance, two of the guards following. “Ardon says I have great promise and might even make Matriarch one day.”

“Really?” Zandrue said.

Marna beamed.

“You know he told that to Felitïa once.”

Marna looked up at her. “Yes, I know. Are you suggesting he’s lying to me or that he says that to everyone?”

Zandrue shook her head. “Not at all. I have no idea how many people he’s said that to. I’m just saying that, if you follow in Felitïa’s footsteps, you’ve got a bright future ahead of you. Just maybe not in the priesthood.”

Marna laughed. “How is Felitïa?”

“She’s good.”

“I enjoyed working for her. She was always nice to me.”

They entered the Cathedral and headed through the nave, then into the areas at the back of the building behind the chancel, making some polite conversation on the way. Eventually, Marna led Zandrue up to the third floor and through a door into a room.

Marna curtsied as they entered. “Lady Armida, your Grace.”

“Thank you, Marna. You may leave us. Close the door on your way out.”

Marna curtsied again, and backed out of the room, closing the door as asked.

It was a cosy room, similar in many ways to the “cabinet” they used to regularly meet in in the Palace, only missing the spiral staircase. Ardon sat at a desk not unlike the one in the Palace cabinet, several wine decanters in front of him, along with two glasses. There was a single small window at the far side of the room, looking out over the east side of the building.

“Smaller than I expected,” Zandrue said. “I would have thought you’d have a big, fancy, rich room.”

“This isn’t the Royal Palace. Plus, I find large, cavernous rooms so impersonal. They work for large groups of people, but I like something more intimate for one-on-one meetings.” Ardon raised one of the wine decanters and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

Zandrue grabbed a chair and pulled it up in front of the desk across from him. “You know me too well.”

He pulled the stopper out and started pouring. “It’s a new vintage I only recently came across. I know you like sweet wines, and this is by far, the sweetest wine I have ever encountered. Much too sweet for me, I must confess, but for you…” He held out the glass to her.

Smiling, Zandrue took the glass and sniffed it. Amongst its several scents, there was one particularly sweet one. “Is that…?” She took a sip. It was sweet. Not human sweet. Actually sweet. “Holy shit.” She glanced at Ardon. “Sorry.”

“I’m told it’s sweetened with an extract from the leaf of a candyleaf plant. I confess I’d never heard of the plant before, but I’m told it’s many, many times sweeter than sugarcane. Careful, you’re spilling yours.”

Her hand was shaking, and she took a moment to steady herself, still staring at Ardon.

The old dog knew. She had often wondered if he somehow knew what she really was. This pretty much confirmed it.

Ardon held up a different decanter. “If you don’t mind, I will be partaking of a different vintage.” He removed the stopper and started to pour.

Zandrue took another sip. Gods, it was good! “How the hell did you get this?”

Ardon replaced the stopper and put the decanter aside. Then he put a finger to his lips. “My little secret, but I will say it was not without great difficulty.” He took a sip of his wine and sighed. “Ah. Now this one is a sweet vintage from a small vineyard in the mountains of Singea. It’s also new to me, but I am very impressed. Not as sweet as yours, of course, but what I consider near perfection.” He gently swished his glass, then brought it close to his nose. “Hmm, hints of raspberry.” He took a sip, and sighed contentedly. “Now then, perhaps you can tell me how it is I have very reliable reports that, as of less than a week ago, you were still in Quorge, yet now you’re somehow in Arnor City?”

Zandrue grinned. “You haven’t figured that one out?”

Ardon chuckled. “I would say, either my reports are wrong…” He took another sip of wine.

“And, let me guess, your reports are never wrong.”

He shook his head. “Not at all. They’re frequently wrong. Part of the trick of my job is, learning to determine what is information, what is misinformation, and what is disinformation. That said, I’m quite certain, in this case, there’s no error in my information. Thus, I would have to conclude you’ve figured out how to use the Pearl.”

Zandrue raised her glass and clinked it with his.

“And now you’ve come to Arnor City in search of your remaining friends?”

“Got it in one.” Zandrue took a long drink of her wine. It was definitely a Volganth vintage. How the hell had he acquired it?

“I must confess, I don’t know where they are. I cannot even confirm that Quilla is alive. There is every chance she’s dead. As for Rudiger, I can confirm he was alive as of twelve days ago, after which, he disappeared on some mission for Lidda Plavin.”

Zandrue nodded. “I know. I actually already figured that out, but thanks.” She hid her smile behind another sip of wine. It was always nice getting one up on Ardon.

“Then why have you come to me?”

“Something even you probably haven’t had time to learn yet. Lidda Plavin—or rather, the woman pretending to be her—is dead. She killed herself a few hours ago.”

Ardon raised an eyebrow. “The woman pretending to be her? Interesting.”

“Did you know?”

He shook his head. “Not entirely. I knew something odd was up. She’s been hiding away somewhat for the last twelve days, making only brief appearances. Perhaps not coincidentally, the same amount of time since Rudiger departed on his mission.”

“Rudiger’s with the real one,” Zandrue said.

“Considering the other information, that doesn’t surprise me.”

“So you still have people in the Palace?”

Ardon chuckled. “Ironically, it’s easier now than it was before to get someone in. So many people died or fled in Plavin’s initial attack, she’s desperate to replace them. They aren’t being vetted anywhere near as well as they used to be.”

“Now that the double is dead, Felitïa thinks the word needs to get out that Lidda isn’t in the Palace.”

“Agreed.” Ardon placed his glass on the desk, picked up a small bell, and rang it.

A moment later, the door open, and Marna curtsied. “Your Grace?”

“Marna, fetch Julyard for me. I want to speak to him as soon as I’m done with Lady Armida.”

Marna curtsied and closed the doors again.

“Who’s Julyard?” Zandrue asked.

With a smile, Ardon picked his glass up once more. “Someone very skilled at spreading gossip. What else does Felitïa think about the situation?”

“She wants you to get word to Cerus. Tell him to press his attack as soon as possible before Lidda gets back. If he’s worried about the dragon, tell him, that as long as you can get word to her, Felitïa will be there to assist.”

“And she thinks her presence will turn the tide against the beast? Her Highness is a talented person, but she perhaps gives herself too much credit there.”

“She stood against it just a few hours ago. Sent it running. It tired her out—which is why she isn’t here in person—but she prevailed.”

Ardon eyed her for several seconds, his glass at his lips. Finally, he lowered the glass and shrugged. “It seems I may have misspoken. If you’re confident she can do it…” He eyed her again.

Zandrue rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’m not actually. When I said it tired her out, what I meant was it exhausted her and nearly killed her. However, she did send it running. With her and an army working together, they might just be able to kill it.”

Ardon frowned and swirled his wine. “Yes, unfortunately, times like this demand we take risks.” He took a sip and smiled. “Cerus will have the message by nightfall. Getting word to Felitïa when the time is right, however, will be more difficult. With the destruction of the cathedral in Quorge, I can no longer send or receive messages from there.”

“Tell us where you can send a message and we can make frequent trips there. We’ll have to travel there normally the first time, but after that, we can go every day, even multiple times per day if necessary.”

“You could just come here every day.”

Zandrue nodded. “I could, but I don’t want to take the chance of someone recognising us and realising we can travel so quickly. It’s better if it’s somewhere close to Quorge.”

Ardon nodded. “Cromda.”

“Perfect. I’ve been there before. I can use the Pearl to get there already.” She drank down the rest of her wine and handed the glass to Ardon with a nod to the still mostly full decanter.

As he started to refill the glass, he said, “Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

Zandrue smiled. He knew full well there was. She would never have asked for more wine if she was done. “One more question.”

He looked at her expectantly.

“What do you know about a man named Ulises Quinton?”

* * * * *

The Emporium looked pretty much exactly as Zandrue remembered it. Sure, some of the specific items—weapons, jewellery, headdresses, masks, wigs, dresses—were probably different, but she had no doubt many of them were the same. This place had so much inventory, there was no way it sold all of it. There just weren’t enough nobles to buy so much. Which, of course, might make one wonder how it stayed in business. But Zandrue had a pretty good idea about that.

Ulises looked exactly the same, except this time he wore a sparkling red cape over his black silk doublet. He gave her a sweeping bow. “Lady Armida.” He then reached out, took her hands, and they kissed cheeks. He stepped back and looked her over. “A true lady this time, if not dressed as one.”

“I’m going for incognito.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “No need to explain. I completely understand. Though I must say, you look much better off than a couple of other visitors I had a while back. Smell much better too.”

Zandrue just raised an eyebrow and looked at him coldly.

“But we can discuss that somewhere more comfortable. Please, come with me.” He motioned for her to go ahead, but she stayed still, waiting for him to take the lead instead. Eventually, he did.

He led her through the maze of aisles and stacks into a larger storeroom filled with much the same as the showroom, only even less organised. Past that, he took her to an opulent office, where he sat in a high-backed chair behind a desk. “Please, close the door and have a seat.” He motioned to one of several cushioned chairs in the room.

Zandrue glanced at the door, then gave him her best “Are kidding me?” glare. Then she went over to one of the display cases beside the door and made a show of looking at the items there. On the top shelf, above rows of pottery and carvings, were several thin, jewelled daggers. “Is this where you sold Laänne the stilettos she tried to kill me with?” She didn’t turn to look at him, but relied on his distorted reflection in the glass of the case.

“If it’s any consolation,” he said, “I didn’t know she was going to use them on you.”

“It’s really not.”

“I’m sorry nevertheless. Mister Aderman did not want you killed. Laänne Friaz was working on orders from Lidda Plavin, who betrayed Mister Aderman.”

“I really don’t give a shit.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

There was awkward silence after that, which Zandrue allowed to fester. She wanted him writhing.

“I take it you got my message,” he said eventually.

She turned and gave him a “fuck you” smile. She indicated the portrait on the wall behind him. “Nice likeness.”

“Thank you.”

“I have to wonder what kind of man has a portrait of himself hanging behind him.”

“You disapprove?”

She shrugged. “Perhaps a little, but there are many things I disapprove of more.”

“Really?”

She walked up to the desk and leaned her hands on it. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Ulises. I know what you are.”

He leaned forward, looking her in the eye, his face close enough she could feel his breath. “I suspect you don’t know enough. Otherwise, you’d know better than to behave as you are.”

She breathed in deeply, taking in his scent. There was a touch of fear in it. He was nervous, even if he was hiding it.

Standing back up straight, she laughed. “Or I just don’t think you’re that impressive.”

“Then you’re an idiot, my Lady.”

Zandrue put her hands on her hips. “Let’s put it to the test then. You’re going to tell me why you wanted to see me, and you’re going to answer my questions. Then I’m going to leave unharmed.”

“You think, if I don’t want you to, you’ll be able to just walk out of here?”

“Yes.”

Ulises laughed. “I admire your bravado, Lady Armida. I really do. But if I give the word, you won’t make it out of here alive.”

“Then my friend will come looking for me.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, perhaps you’ve heard of her. What do you call her again? Mind Master? Will-Maker? Will...something.”

“Will-Breaker?”

Zandrue snapped her fingers. “Yes! That’s it. Will-Breaker! She’ll come for me, and if I’m a prisoner or, worse, not alive, she’ll be pretty angry.”

He took a deep breath. “And I should be frightened of her?”

Zandrue sneered at him. “She just bested a fucking dragon. You should be scared shitless.”

Ulises gulped and sat back. He stared at her, and she just glared. “You lie.”

She leaned on the desk again. “Maybe, but do you really want to find out?”

He continued to stare at her.

“He’s a fence and smuggler,” Ardon had said. “A powerful one, too. His shop is a front for one of the largest smuggling exercises in Arnor. He’s used to getting his way and for everyone around him to snap to attention out of fear. I’m told his greatest weakness is other people’s confidence. Show no fear around him, and you’ll befuddle him. Make him think he’s lost control. Be warned though. He won’t make idle threats against you.”

With a snarl, Zandrue shoved the desk back into his chest, and he gasped. “I said, do you really want to find out?”

With a cough, he pushed his chair back into the wall and stood up.

“Sir, is everything all right?” a voice from the door said.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Zandrue yelled without looking back.

“It’s all right, Jona,” Ulises said. “A minor misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about. Please close the door.”

When the door clicked closed, Zandrue stood up straight, and gave Ulises a quizzical look.

He raised his hands. “Believe me, Zandrue—may I call you Zandrue?”

“No.”

“Believe me, Lady Armida, I don’t want a conflict with you. I didn’t have any intention of stopping you from leaving once we’d had our meeting, and I wasn’t lying when I said I was impressed by your bravado. It’s interesting news that the Will-Breaker bested the dragon.”

“You believe me now, then?”

“I believe you believe it, and I see no reason to think you’re delusional. Foolish perhaps, but not delusional.” He indicated the desk. “I don’t suppose you’ll help me move this back?”

She shook her head.

He sighed. “Of course not. I’ll get some of my people to do it later. Can I interest you in some refreshment? Wine perhaps?”

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself. Do you mind if I—?”

“Let’s just get to why you wanted to see me, shall we?”

He cleared his throat. “Of course. I wanted to give you something.” He bent over and tried to open a drawer in the desk. However, the desk was now too close to the wall for the drawer to open more than a crack. He looked up at Zandrue, who just gave him a bemused look. With a sigh, he pushed the desk back a little.

Gods, this guy was too used to people doing everything he said if moving a desk was such an affront to him.

Ulises opened the drawer and pulled out a small jewellery case. He place it on the table, opened it, and pulled out a small gold, heart-shaped locket on a chain.

Zandrue’s eyes widened, and she quickly did her best to wipe the surprise from her face. She hoped he hadn’t noticed. “Is that Quilla’s locket?”

He held it out to her, and she took it.

She held it up and sniffed. Quilla’s scent was there, prominent but old. There were hints of several newer scents as well, including Ulises’s. She opened the locket. Inside was a small portrait of Quilla and Garet. “How the fuck did you get this?”

“Laänne had it.”

Zandrue closed the locket, then closed her fist around it. “Laänne. How’d she get it?”

“Honestly, no idea. My people found it in her belongings after you killed her. I thought it important to keep here.”

“Why?”

“To return it to Mister Aderman, or to her.”

“Do you know where she is?”

“No and yes.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

He sat back in his chair, and again tried to indicate one of the other chairs in the room. “Why don’t we sit and discuss it?”

“Fine.” Zandrue grabbed one of the chairs and pulled it up to the desk. “Now, get to the point.”

“Lady Steranovist and Princess Annai came through here a couple months ago.”

“So, Annai’s alive?”

“At the time, yes.”

“And now?”

“I don’t know. Not for certain, but I suspect it.”

“Why’d they come here?”

“They were trying to get out of the city. There was an embargo at the time, and her Highness, in her naïveté, thought I could be entrusted to get them out.”

Zandrue leaned forward and sneered at him again. “What did you do?”

He smiled. “Arranged to get them out, of course. However, not in quite the way they wanted. They wanted to go to Quorge. I arranged to transport them to Collogia instead.”

“Why?”

“There is to be a gathering of the Servants of Sunset there. The Dusk Supreme’s time is nearing an end. When he’s gone, the people there will choose a new one.”

“Why would you want Quilla there? Or Annai for that matter?”

He chuckled. “I don’t need her Highness there. However, I sent Quilla there because that’s where Mister Aderman would want her.”

Zandrue sighed. “Right, of course.” Should she tell him Dyle was dead? It was definitely tempting, though it might be best not to. “Wait a minute.” She opened her fist and looked at the locket. “If Quilla was here and you had this, why didn’t you give it to her then?”

“I wanted to give it to Mister Aderman so he could give it to her. Make him look a little more the hero in her eyes.”

Zandrue rolled her eyes. “Never gonna happen.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps so.”

“So why give it to me now?”

He slumped his shoulders slightly and sighed. “Because I fear Mister Aderman is dead.” He looked across at her. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Oh, what the hell. Maybe she could gain some more leverage this way. “Yes, he’s dead. I killed him.” He didn’t need to know it was probably more Gabby who’d killed Dyle.

Ulises buried his head in his hands. “Alas. I will mourn him.” He looked up. “Please don’t spread this around yet. It could cause a lot of chaos.”

“Maybe I want that,” Zandrue said.

“Believe me, you don’t. You want the help I can bring you.”

Zandrue laughed. “Why would I want your help?”

“You’re here for it now, aren’t you? Plus, the enemy of my enemy and all that.”

Zandrue leaned forward and looked him in the eye. “Is still my fucking enemy.” She sat back again. “So, you sent Quilla and Annai to Collogia. What happened?”

“I sent trustworthy people with them as guards and escorts. Unfortunately, we were betrayed. Agents of the current Dusk Supreme caught them and turned them over to the Volgs.”

Zandrue groaned. “Fuck.”

“Oh, they escaped. The people I sent with them are very good. However, they ended up on the run, and I have no idea what’s happened to them since. Hopefully, they’re on their way to Collogia.”

“Why? With Dyle dead, he can’t be Dusk Supreme anymore. What point is there to sending Quilla there now? He won’t be there to appreciate it.”

“There are other reasons.”

“Such as?”

He leaned forward and spoke more quietly. “You must understand, I was completely loyal to Mister Aderman. I believed he was destined to be Dusk Supreme, just as he believed it, but we were both deceived by that treacherous bastard, Lamaën.”

Lamaën. That was hardly surprising. He seemed to be behind everything.

“Shortly before Quilla came here, one of the people I sent with her showed me a passage in the Collogaän I was previously unaware of. Dyle was not destined to be Dusk Supreme. Someone else is.”

“Who?”

“I’m sworn to secrecy.”

“Fuck your oath. Who?”

“Lady Quilla Steranovist. Now you see why—”

Zandrue burst out laughing.

“I’m serious.”

Zandrue allowed herself to laugh a bit longer, then looked him in the eye. There was conviction there. He wasn’t being duplicitous. “I believe you are, but it’s still ridiculous. You’re an idiot, Ulises. You’ve been duped, just like you were duped about Dyle.”

Ulises shrugged. “Perhaps. I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.”

Zandrue shook her head. “Yeah, you’ll find out how wrong you are, because Felitïa and I are going to go to Collogia and get her and Annai. We’ll probably shut down this whole Darker gathering while we’re at it.”

“You’ll never survive such an attempt.”

Zandrue stood up. “I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. I’m going to leave now, and you’re not going to stop me.”

Ulises nodded. “I won’t stop you, though I will ask you one more time to trust me and accept my assistance.”

“Hmm.” Zandrue stood there a moment and pretended to think it over. “No. Goodbye.”

Then she walked out the door, past a woman who stared daggers at her—probably the one Ulises had called Jona—back through the storeroom and showroom, and outside.

With a smile, she stuffed Quilla’s locket into her pack and started back to the Palace.

That had gone well.