– Take cover!
Sonea heard Akkarin's voice ring loudly in her head through the blood gem, as if he had shouted into her ear. She leapt behind an abandoned vegetable cart and strengthened her shield in an instant; the next split second, an explosion of magical power lit the sky around her and smashed the front of the cart into splinters.
As she emerged from her hiding spot, she felt relief wash over her. Where the Ichani had stood was now scorched earth, the body consumed utterly by the power that was inside him when five Thieves had successfully launched their coordinated attack.
Luring the Ichani into the alleyway as planned, they had cut loose a hammock above him. Sonea had earlier levitated a massive rock into the hammock. As the Ichani had chased a young boy down the alleyway, a feral grin on his face and his jewelled dagger in hand, the hammock had looked like any one of the many pieces of fabric stretched over the alley for shade. He hadn't realised he was about to be crushed until it was too late.
– Return to our position, came Akkarin's next command via the blood gem he had made for Sonea that morning. Sonea hesitated. She desperately wanted to see if Enka and the boys had protected themselves from the blast of power. But the alleyway was empty, and she couldn't run into the buildings opposite without being in full view. If I could just…
– Sonea, NOW, Akkarin repeated, the blood gem reverberating with anger.
This bloody blood gem, Sonea thought, even though she knew Akkarin probably heard her. She reluctantly tore her eyes away from the alleyway and ran in the opposite direction. To save power, she didn't cloak herself in a full sight shield, but used a much easier method that blurred the details of her appearance as she ran.
A piercing scream of rage shattered the air. Sonea stumbled and managed to duck behind a doorway just in time. A female Ichani had arrived on the scene and spotted the scorched earth. The jewelled dagger of the dead Ichani gave away the spot where he had died.
"Ichiko!" The woman screamed. Her long, black hair was tied back in a thick, waist length braid. Her mahogany skin glinted with sweat in the warm Kyralian summer's day. She looked around the alley ferociously, eyes darting fire, her own jewelled dagger in hand. "Come out, you murderous whore! I know you're here somewhere!"
Sonea's heart beat frantically in terror.
– Stay there. I'm coming to you, Akkarin's voice echoed in her head.
– No! Don't leave the Thieves Road. I will wait for her to leave then come back to base, Sonea sent back frantically via the blood gem.
– Kivara's strength is second only to Kariko's. We cannot confront her openly yet.
– Which is why you should stay put and I should wait this out, Sonea replied, more firmly this time. She sensed Akkarin's pained and reluctant agreement through the blood gem.
Turning her identity-blurring shield into a full sight shield that rendered her almost invisible, Sonea crouched down silently just behind the doorway she was in, and waited. It's worth spending my power on right now, she thought to herself.
Kivara approached the scene of the kill and picked up Ichiko's dagger, placing it into the sheath at her belt. She straightened and began looking behind the carts and the stalls that dotted the empty alleyway. "Come out, Akkarin's whore! I might just let you live if you'll fetch a good bedslave price in Sachaka," she called out, anger dripping from her voice.
Sonea slowed her breathing down as much as possible, until even she could barely hear her own inhales and exhales. Don't rise to the bait.
She winced as she heard Kivara send jets of power at the buildings and stalls near her, splintering the wood and stone in massive clouds of dust. After a while, she realised the sounds of things blasting and shattering was beginning to move away. Kivara was walking down the alley away from Sonea's hiding spot, angrily destroying objects in her path as she headed towards the gates of the Inner Circle.
Sonea waited another full five minutes until she dared emerged from the doorway, her sight shield still tight around her. Breaking into a run in the opposite direction, towards the outskirts of the Outer Circle, she eventually reached a trapdoor near the stables of an old inn that led into the Thieves' Road.
Down in the dark, cool tunnels, she let out the breath she was holding and slowed to a swift walk. Her heart was pounding madly and it felt like the run had knocked the wind out of her. She leaned onto her hand as she felt the walls for the hidden door handle. She had barely touched it when the secret door yanked open and a rush of warm and dry air hit her face. In the next instant, she felt strong hands grip her shoulders and pull her inside, and the secret door shut silently and swiftly behind her.
The strong hands on her shoulders moved onto her waist and enveloped her tightly. "Thank the Eye," she heard Akkarin mutter in her ear, and Sonea's racing mind finally registered that she was safe. Then her legs gave out from under her like jelly.
–––
The next thing she knew, she was in a soft bed, wrapped in a rough blanket that smelled like home home – like Jonna's carefully mended, homespun old quilts. Remembering what had just happened, Sonea suddenly sat up with a gasp.
"Shhh," came a soothing voice from her bedside. For a blurry, disoriented moment, Sonea thought it was actually Jonna, but it was a stranger. The old woman looked like a typical dwell, and watched her with stern, crinkly eyes. "Rest, girl," she said.
"Have you seen a black-robed magician?" Sonea tried to keep her voice calm, but the absence of any sense of presence from the blood gem was putting her on edge.
"Your man will return soon," the old woman said, and went back to the knitting she had placed on her lap. Sonea felt her face heat a little and looked around the candlelit room; it was somewhat familiar. She had glanced the small bedroom through a doorway when Cery had led them to this underground set of Thieves' rooms that morning – is it still the same day? – to use as their base in the Outer Circle as the ambushes started.
"I said rest –" the old woman protested as Sonea flung the blanket off and stepped into her boots. She cracked open the door of the bedroom and saw the sitting room beyond it was empty. Suddenly realising how thirsty she was when she saw the jug of water on the table, she helped herself to gulps of the cool liquid with gratitude.
When she saw Akkarin's black robes draped over a chair, she tensed. He's out somewhere in dwell clothes. He could be meeting Cery. He wouldn't go out and confront an Ichani alone… She tried to reason with the scenarios in her head as she sat down on a chair to wait. Sonea heard the old woman tutt impatiently in the bedroom, and the click-click sound told her she had returned to her knitting.
Time seemed to move at a snail's pace, but finally, she heard faint footsteps beyond the secret door. She heard four light taps in a particular combination, the safe signal, then the door opened softly. Akkarin and Cery stepped through, both dressed in long, threadbare cloaks. Sonea sighed in relief and leaped to her feet, only to step back with a muffled cry of fear. Kivara! The woman stepped through the door behind the two men, and shut it behind her.
After a heartbeat, Sonea realised it wasn't the Ichani woman. It was a Sachakan woman, clearly, given how similar her features were to Kivara's. But her almond-shaped eyes were green, and the small smile and friendly nod she gave Sonea rendered her face infinitely more beautiful than the sneer of hate that twisted Kivara's.
Akkarin stepped towards Sonea and grasped her forearms. "How are you feeling?" He asked, black eyes glinting with concern as they bore into hers.
"I'm fine," Sonea replied, looking down. She felt a bit sheepish about having passed out earlier.
"It was a harrowing experience. Anyone would have been exhausted," Akkarin replied quietly, reading her thoughts. "But it was worth it. And everyone got back to the Thieves' Road safely," he added, knowing Sonea was about to ask after Enka and the young men who set up the ambush.
Sonea closed her eyes in relief, returning the pressure of Akkarin's grasp by holding his forearms.
– As much as I want to kiss you right now, we have company, Akkarin's voice rang in her head through their blood gem. Sonea gave him a small smile, relieved to have the comforting connection back.
She turned to Cery and the Sachakan woman, who were speaking quietly in hushed tones, leaning towards each other with smirks on their faces as if one of them had just said something teasing.
– It doesn't look like that will deter those two, though, she sent Akkarin, amused.
– War does away with many inhibitions, he replied, his lips curling up into a half-smile.
Before Sonea could ask who this mysterious woman was, she looked up at her and smiled, stepping forward.
"Hello, Sonea. It's good to finally meet you in person. I'm Savara," she said in a deep, melodic voice. "I'm sure you have many questions, but I'm afraid I am not at liberty to say much. I have been in Imardin for some time, sent by my people in Sachaka. Suffice to say I am from a faction hated by both the Ashaki landowners and the outcast Ichani – making the enemy of my enemies my friends," she gave Sonea a crooked smile.
"Good to meet you… Lady Savara," Sonea replied with a half bow. She could sense the magic emanating from this woman, who was clearly a powerful magician.
Savara waved a hand. "No bowing, please. The women of my people do not bow to anyone." At that, Sonea's eyebrows raised slightly, but she smiled at the stranger's words.
At that moment, Takan quietly entered the room with a tray of cutlery, glasses, and a decanter of wine, and the old woman who had watched over Sonea followed him inside with a pot that smelled delicious. When they had left, Savara gestured towards the table. "Let's talk on full stomachs," she said.
Sonea looked at Akkarin, who gave her the slightest of nods. It seemed he had already met this Savara, and clearly trusted her. Feeling a little more comfortable, Sonea made her way to the table, suddenly realising how hungry she was. But something nagged at her.
"Do we have time for this?" She asked all at the table quietly. "Every hour they are out there is a danger to others…"
Cery caught Sonea's gaze and held it, knowing she was thinking of all the innocents in the city. His eyes were full of understanding. "Almost all the dwells are either in the Marina, or safe in our dens along the Thieves' Road," he said. "My kin say that the three remaining Ichani are regrouping in the Inner Circle. We gotta take a moment to rest too, eh? Or we'll be no good to anyone."
Sonea nodded, grateful that her old friend knew what she was thinking. She felt Akkarin's hand on her own and he gently squeezed it in reassurance. They all dived in to the simple stew and the watery wine gratefully, as if it was a feast.
Savara, in particular, was all smiles. "I've finally been fed some proper food ever since Takan came down here. Your Kyralian fare is… well, let's just say there's a lot you can learn about flavour from Sachakans."
—-
After the meal, they all poured themselves more glasses of wine. Akkarin locked his dark gaze onto Savara, his eyes serious but respectful. He stood up and gestured for Savara to follow him to the armchairs at the other end of the room. "Might I have a word?"
Savara nodded and stood, taking her glass with her. Cery shrugged and stayed at the table. Sonea frowned. She was about to stand and follow them when she heard Akkarin's voice, surprisingly gentle, through their blood gem link.
– I need to speak to her alone. I promise I won't keep anything from you that you need to know, Sonea.
– I'm not sure you get to decide what I should and should not know. This war concerns all of us, Sonea replied, a little more tersely than she had intended.
Akkarin paused, frowning. – I met her people during my travels many years ago. There are some secrets that are not mine to tell. I will share with you anything we discuss that is related to the present danger.
Sonea paused, then gave a slight nod and turned back to the table, still feeling slightly hurt. Had she not proven herself his equal accomplice time and time again? Had she not risked everything by deciding to learn black magic, to help him and the Guild?
– This has nothing to do with my trust in you, Akkarin added with a tone of finality, then took off his ring. Sonea sighed. The downsides of the blood gems, as Akkarin had explained, really did include having to keep a tight hold on your own thoughts.
Savara was sitting languidly in the plusher one of the two armchairs, sipping her wine and watching them both with glinting green eyes, clearly understanding an unheard mental conversation was taking place. When Cery and Sonea struck up their own conversation at the table, Akkarin took the chair opposite Savara and created a sound shield around the both of them.
"I know that there is… an unsettled debt between myself and your people. I cannot undo what has been done, but if the Guild falls, so does any chance to make amends," Akkarin said, holding Savara's gaze steadily. Her eyes betrayed a simmering anger that she was keeping in check. When she spoke, her low voice was polite, but cold.
"You had six years, High Lord. My Queen still hopes you will uphold your promise, but her council does not look kindly on what you did," she leaned back and traced the rim of her wine glass with a finger. "Meanwhile, my people have been dying preventable deaths since. You promised to teach her healing. But then you ran back to Kyralia when you had the chance."
Akkarin threw the other end of the room a quick glance to check Cery and Sonea were still deep in conversation. "I had no choice," his voice came out in an icy whisper. "You cannot know – you have never been enslaved."
"Don't speak to me of slavery, High Lord. What was it for you, five years? My people live under the threat of the Ashaki and the Ichani every day. We have saved women who have known nothing but slavery," she hissed.
Akkarin looked at her silently. Then Savara seemed to collect herself and cleared her throat, her voice getting business-like. "Either way, it does not inspire trust that you speak of your debt only now, when you need our help to stop the Ichani," Savara replied.
Akkarin leaned forward, setting aside his glass. "What is at stake is far bigger than the mistake I made in my youth. Does Zarala wish to see Imardin in the hands of Kariko? What will it mean for your people when the Ichani have Kyralia to bargain with? The Ashaki will grudgingly ally with them, and they will together root out your people first."
"Then my people will be ready for them," Savara said stonily.
Sighing, Akkarin cast about for another way to go about this conversation. "Is my broken promise the only reason you will not get involved?"
"Why help a second time someone who broke faith the first time?"
"I have no answer to that," Akkarin said softly. "Except to repeat that I don't ask this for myself, but for the Guild and my people. Defending what one loves at whatever cost is something you can understand."
They remained in silence for some time. Savara's face had softened a little. She threw a quick glance towards the table where their companions sat with their backs to them.
"She is quick and strong. Puts others first," Savara said, her eyes on the back of Sonea's head. "She would have risen high in respect had she been born among my people."
She turned her green eyes back onto Akkarin, whose own eyes were still on Sonea. "I have no interest in saving your King and the cowards of the Kyralian nobility," Savara continued. "But in the time I've spent here, I have also seen the plight of the people in this city – the people she comes from. They do not deserve the fate the Ichani have in store for them," she sighed, conflicted.
Akkarin returned his gaze to Savara. "They do not," he said quietly, his deep voice sincere.
After another moment of silence, Savara drained the last of her wine and leaned forward. "I will give you and her my power every night, starting tonight, until this is over. I cannot reveal my presence to the Guild, but I can give my strength to your battles. You'll still have to fight them yourselves, however."
They stood up and shook hands. "Thank you," Akkarin said, his black eyes piercing into hers. "We will not forget this."
"This time, I hope you won't, High Lord," Savara said saucily, the tone lightening. She removed Akkarin's sound shield.
Sonea raised an eyebrow at the half-smile Akkarin wore when they both rejoined them. "Everything alright?"
"More than alright," Akkarin replied, glancing at Savara. "The tables may have turned."
Savara gave a gentle snort, but a smile danced at her full lips. "Well, Sonea, I assume you know higher magic, yes? Come. You can draw my power first. The High Lord gets the leftovers."
Sonea's eyes widened in surprise as she looked between the two of them.
It was Akkarin's turn to snort softly. "I'd forgotten how uniquely arrogant your people can be," he muttered. But the corner of his lips were curled up into that half-smile.