ARC: Assassin Queen (19 page)

Absorbed in these thoughts he barely caught the moment when the trees in front of them opened like doors swinging ajar, letting their group into a large glade. Suffused light filtering through the leaves overhead made the giant space look like a cathedral, its walls lined evenly with tall tree trunks, its arched ceiling woven from intertwined branches. The trees behind them closed in as soon as they stepped through, leaving them trapped in the large space with no visible exit.

Mai shifted from foot to foot restlessly, his eyes darting around the dense tree line.
“
What now?
”

“Now, we wait.” Garnald said.

“
Of course,
”
Mai muttered under his breath.
“
What else?
”

The wait did not last long before the trees on the other side parted again. A whirl of mist wafted through, pooling over the grass to form a small cloud. It took Kyth a moment to see the tall, slender woman walking inside it. Leaf-filtered sunlight briefly outlined her shape, then receded to play on the surface of the mist that folded around her densely, cladding her like an exquisitely tailored dress.

She stopped in front of the group and ran a slow glance over everyone in turn.
“
I know why you are here. All of you.
”
She paused her eyes on Alder, giving him a quick smile, then on Kyth, and finally on Magister Egey Bashi. She did not look at Mai at all.
“
You need my help to defeat the Kaddim.
”

What about Kara?
Kyth
’
s heart raced with worry. Given the invitation relayed by Garnald, he had expected Mai to be the target of the conversation, and Kara to be the first topic of the discussion. He supposed he should be feeling relieved that Ayalla came straight to the point of their entire campaign, even if it left too many open questions for his liking.

“We do,” Egey Bashi said. “
Will you help?
”

She regarded him calmly, her face showing no emotion at all.
“
It depends.
”

“
On what?
”

“
Many things. The offer I have for you is not the one you came to seek. But before I decide if it is even on the table, I must speak to your leader.
”
She finally turned to Mai.
“Isn
’
t this what you consider yourself to be?
”

Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the Majat with a slow appraisal, as if deciding whether to kill him on the spot or give him a chance to speak. Her face contorted for a brief moment, making her look savage.

Mai seemed undisturbed as he kept her gaze.
“
Only when it comes to military operations.
”

Her lips twitched.
“
A better answer than I expected from you. Come.
”

“
Where?
”

“
Does it matter?
”

“
I suppose not.
”
Mai glanced around their group before following her.

Kyth couldn
’
t tell for sure, but it seemed that despite his calm demeanor Mai was looking a bit deflated. And of course, separating him from the rest of the group meant that if the Majat messed up
–
a very likely possibility in Kyth
’
s mind
–
there would be no one around at all to come to his aid. Kyth tried to tell himself that it was Mai
’
s own grave to dig, but with Kara
’
s well-being on the line, with their campaign at risk, he just couldn
’
t feel convinced.

Ayalla paused again as she reached the edge of the glade.
“
The rest of you should make yourselves comfortable. This may take a while. And you,
”
she turned back to Mai.
“
You were allowed to choose one person to accompany you. You may bring this person along.
”

Mai turned to Ellah.
“
I have no idea what I am asking you to do, or how dangerous this is. Given this uncertainty, you should feel free to stay behind.
”
His smile was disarming, suddenly making him look very young. While this was probably pretense for Ellah
’
s sake, Kyth couldn
’
t help the worry steering up in his heart. He had no idea what awaited Mai, but he didn
’
t envy the Diamond for having to walk unaided into Ayalla
’s lair.

Ellah showed no hesitation as she stepped forward to his side.
“
Of course I
’
ll come with you. If I cannot offer any help, at least I can be there for support.
”

Ayalla
’
s eyes lit up with quiet interest.
“
The truthseer? Are you hoping she will detect if I am telling the truth?
”

Mai eyed her levelly.
“
This was my original reason for choosing her, yes. I can now see that I was being na
ï
ve. Am I endangering her by asking her to come?
”

“
What if you are?
”

“
I will not let Ellah follow me into danger.
”

Ayalla
’
s gaze became thoughtful.
“
Another good answer. We may yet be able to speak to each other, Majat. And no, Ellah will not face the kind of danger you are in. In fact, whatever happens to you, I promise to return her to her friends unharmed.
”

She turned and stepped through the parting tree trunks onto a path ahead. Kyth marveled at the way Mai didn
’
t falter even for an instant as he followed. His own heart raced with worry as he watched Ellah stand still for a moment and then rush after them.

He supposed that Mai
’
s Diamond ranking had to come with this ability to make instant decisions to risk your life without even flinching. Yet, it had to be infinitely more frightening when it came to dealing with beings of Ayalla
’
s powers, especially after her explicit threats to Mai, and no one else in the group. The way Mai still followed her without any hesitation made Kyth see him in a new light. Despite all the resentment he felt, he knew this was one of the things for which he would always admire his rival.

19

Negotiation

Ellah followed Mai down the narrow forest path. Without his weapons, he looked vulnerable, stirring a deep compassion in her heart. She had to remind herself that this was a ruthless warrior who commanded an invincible army and was trained to kill with no more than a casual flick of a hand. But it also occurred to her that here in Ayalla
’
s realm Mai
’
s power and deadly skills were all but useless. Kara was no less ruthless or capable, yet Ayalla whisked her away without even raising an alarm.

When Mai singled Ellah out as the person he wanted to bring along into Ayalla
’
s realm, it took her by surprise. She rarely spoke to Mai at all, even if on the occasions they did he was usually friendly and courteous, at least when Kyth wasn
’
t around. Like most, she admired Mai for many of his qualities, even aside from his dazzling looks, but she was also aware of his other, frightening side that drove his deadly Majat skill. She also saw the way he and Kyth were always at odds, and she found their constant rivalry troublesome to say the least. It was as if the two men ignited the worst in each other, an effect greatly compounded by the fact that their complementary skills forced them to stay side by side all the time.

It felt almost like a comfort that in the upcoming meeting with Ayalla she had to play only a passive role, powerless to affect things in any way. She couldn
’
t even begin to understand the reasons that prompted Ayalla to take Mai away for a separate conversation, and she didn
’
t want to venture any guesses into what was going to come down when they reached the place they were headed for. She knew that Mai, used to being in charge and feeling powerful in every situation, must be lost here where he had no power at all. Whatever his reasons for choosing her to accompany him, she hoped she wouldn
’
t let him down.

Ayalla led them to a small clearing, with a small brook running on the other side, and gestured to two grass mounds fashioned like piles of soft cushions. Mai lowered onto one of them, natural as if he was sinking into a comfortable chair. Ellah followed suit, feeling far less graceful as she settled by his side.

Ayalla remained standing, looking like a teacher about to address a class.

“
I am aware of your nature,
”
she said to Mai.
“
You kill. This is the only thing you know how to do, especially when driven to the edge. In this place, you will control yourself at all times
–
or die instantly.
”
She glanced into the shadows.

Ellah’
s stomach clenched as she watched a group of large spiders emerge and form a circle around Mai, thankfully staying clear of her own seat. She marveled at the way Mai didn
’
t move a muscle. He must be scared, for surely even the Diamond Majat were not immune to fear, but he wasn
’
t showing it in any way.

She lifted her chin. Since she was, for whatever reason, included into this meeting, she couldn
’
t possibly sit quietly when she felt things were being unfair.

“
With due respect, I don
’
t believe you are right about Mai, Lady Ayalla,
”
she said.
“
He knows a lot more than killing. He is a kind and compassionate man. In fact, even when he must kill, he always goes out of his way to spare as many lives as he possibly can. He is known for that, even among the Majat.
”

She was aware how both Ayalla and Mai were staring at her in surprise. In fact, she felt surprised herself at the force with which she spoke these words. She knew this to be true. But under ordinary circumstances she would never be caught saying something like that.

Ayalla
raised her eyebrows
.
“
You feel the need to speak in his defense?
”

Ella kept her gaze. “
I am here because Mai asked me to come along. I see my part as speaking on his behalf in matters he would not talk about. And, what I said is true. You can ask anyone.
”

She didn
’
t look at Mai as she spoke, but she could tell he was still staring at her. The spiders around him started to move, as if wondering if they should target Ellah too. But she did not care.

Ayalla turned to Mai.
“
Did she speak the truth?
”

Mai
shrugged
.
“
This is the first time anyone ever asked me to make this kind of a call on a truthseer.
”

Ayalla
’
s eyes narrowed.
“
If you avoid my questions, it won
’
t go well for you, Majat.
”

Mai went still as the spiders around him raised their legs threateningly.
“
Yes, Lady Ayalla. To the best of my knowledge, Ellah believes what she said. Beyond that, I cannot attest to the truth of her words. I never thought of myself as kind or compassionate. Our training greatly discourages these qualities. But it
’
s true that I do try to spare lives whenever I can
–
not that it is of any relevance here.
”

Ayalla
’
s lips twitched.
“
If you really believe so, it is fortunate that you brought your friend along.
”

“
Yes, indeed.
”
Mai shot Ellah a quick smile. He was holding very still, as if not to disturb the spiders. The thought that he might die in agony in front of her eyes if he made a wrong move made her feel nauseated.

“
Are the spiders really necessary, Lady Ayalla?
”
Ellah asked.

The Forest Woman surveyed her with a thoughtful glance.
“
You are an impressionable young thing, far too innocent and kind to keep company with the likes of him. Have you fallen for his charms?
”

Ellah’
s cheeks warmed up with a blush.
“
No. I mean, not in that way.
”
Well, perhaps a little bit in that way, but she was damned if she was going to admit it. She hoped that one day she may earn the right to call Mai a friend. But with the way Mai looked at Kara she knew how utterly unavailable he was for any other kind of relationship.

“
Very well then,
” Ayalla said. “
On with our conversation.
”
She turned to Mai.
“
My spiders can sense fear. They can also sense lies
–
just like your friend here. So, you must pay very close attention to what you say.
”

“
Is Kara all right?
” Mai asked.

Ayalla
’
s eyes flared. “
I will be the one asking questions.
”

Mai receded slightly, and once again Ellah felt a pang of pity at how defenseless he looked. Yet, even in his trapped state he exuded a sense of power. She hoped he could pass Ayalla
’
s test, whatever the Forest Woman had in store for him.

“
I am aware,
” Ayalla said, “
that in your war with the Kaddim my spiders have become an important tool that can help you achieve your victory.
”

“
Yes. Even though it was never part of my plan to ask you for this in person.
”

“
Why?
”

Mai briefly glanced at the spiders.
“
I am aware how
…
incompatible we are.
”

“
And yet, you hope for my help?
”

Mai shook his head.
“
Not I, personally. The Kaddim threaten everyone. The only reason I
’
m in charge is that, like it or not, the Majat have been the only force able to resist them so far
–
apart from your spiders.
”

She held still for a moment, then slowly inclined her head.
“
You show no fear when you speak to me. At least, my spiders don
’
t sense any.
”

“
I have nothing to fear from you, Lady Ayalla,
” Mai said. “
If you choose to kill me, I can hardly do anything about it. Being afraid won
’
t help, would it?
”

“
Not many would say this when facing certain death.
”

“
Probably not. But I don
’
t believe I
’
m facing certain death either. Am I?
”

“
If you make a wrong move.
”

He smiled.
“
In this case I just have to make sure I don
’
t.”

She folded her arms over her chest, the movement disturbing the mists around her to briefly bare her shoulders.
“
So, why do you think I should help you, Majat?
”

“
Because I hope our goals are aligned, even if our ways may be different. This is what alliances are all about.
”

“
Last time I heard, the Majat Guild didn
’
t form alliances at all.
”

“
Not the ones that are ever recorded in written history, no.
”

“
What makes you think our goals are aligned?
” Ayalla asked.

“Don
’
t you want to see the Kaddim destroyed?
”

Ayalla spread her hands.
“
The Kaddim cannot reach me here. As for whatever goes on outside my realm, it
’
s none of my concern.
”

Mai shifted in his seat and froze as the spiders raised their legs threateningly.

“
With respect, Lady Ayalla, I don
’
t need the powers of a truthseer to tell that you are not being entirely honest right now.
”

Her eyes widened.
“
No one ever said something like this to me.
”

“I
’
m not surprised.
”
Mai glanced at the spiders again.

She slowly relaxed her shoulders.
“
Why do you think so, Majat?
”

He leaned back, a half-smile playing on his lips.
“
My name is Mai.
”

“Mai.”
To Ellah
’
s amazement, the Forest Woman seemed to recede, as if she was considering Mai a worthy opponent.

“
You are a giver of life,
” Mai said. “
The Kaddim are threatening all life in existence. They serve the Cursed Destroyer. They stand for everything you oppose. Even if they cannot reach you in your Forest, I doubt you would wish to see them succeed.
”

She looked at him silently, as if making a decision.

“
I don’
t think we are that different,
”
Mai went on.
“
My training is to kill, but to achieve my Majat rank I have to be much more than a killer. By killing a few, we maintain peace in the entire realm. Without the Majat, people would die by thousands in senseless wars that never have a chance to erupt when our Guild is in control. As a result, we bring balance to the world.
”

Ayalla slowly let out a sigh.
“
That
’
s one way to put it.
”

Mai
’
s smile widened.
“
I can also put it in another way, my lady. You send your spiders to kill on command. I assume they are going to kill me if this conversation doesn
’
t go your way
–
and my death in this case would be far worse than that from a blade. This makes the spiders your weapons, even if you use your thoughts, rather than your hands, to wield them. How does this make us any different from each other?
”

Ayalla held a pause for a while longer, then sat down opposite him onto a thick grass mound that, Ellah could swear, wasn
’
t there just moments ago. The mist of Ayalla
’
s dress twirled around her to rearrange itself, covering her curves evenly, like real cloth.

“You
’
ve surprised me.
”
Ayalla held a pause.
“Mai.”
She pronounced his name slowly, as if tasting it.
“
I can understand now what people see in you. And yes, in a way, you are correct. We are similar, and we do have the same goal. I will help you.
”
She briefly inclined her head, and the spiders around Mai receded, disappearing into the shadows.