Firebrand

Chapter 442: Shifting Alliances

Shifting Alliances

For the next three days, the city and its inhabitants left Martel in peace, until Solday arrived. He had been on his final outing with Mistress Rana beyond the walls to the marshlands, gathering herbs and plants. As they approached the Lyceum, she spoke for the first time in hours.

"That should be enough for now. My stores are full – at least of any plant we can collect within walking distance. Next Solday, we'll resume your training in the laboratory. There's still a handful of simple recipes you should learn, especially concerning diseases."

"Very well, mistress." The days were getting cold, and autumn rains could be expected; as much as Martel had enjoyed leaving the city, he did not regret this change. Next month, trudging around the wetlands would not be amusing.

"You've shown adequate knowledge of herblore, at least for someone with only basic skill in alchemy," she continued, and Martel tried to determine if it was a compliment. "If you were a member of the alchemist's guild, I might recommend you as a journeyman. Someone skilled enough to be trusted with making potions without a master's supervision."

That was undoubtedly a compliment; Martel smiled. "Thank you, mistress."

"Your work has made it so. Now return the animal to its stable while I get our bounty inside." While she gathered the saddlebags with their contents, Martel grabbed the reins of the donkey and led it away. He had not gotten far before he noticed that the city was no longer content to leave him alone; leaning against the corner of a house, Ruby waited for him.

"I've done my part," Martel said as soon as she sidled up next to him. "I went as the Friar demanded. The failure of the other night, and any consequences thereof, have nothing to do with me." So far, the inquisitors did not seem to suspect him; he had no desire to draw their attention by continuing his association with these people.

"Will you at least allow me to talk before you dismiss me?"

He avoided looking at her, knowing that her face only distracted him and softened his resolve. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Martel!" She grabbed his arm, and the concern in her voice seemed real. "Please. Just give me a few moments."

He looked up from her hand to her worried expression and sighed. "Alright. I'll listen."

***

His errand handled, Martel followed Ruby to a nearby tavern, buying a cup of the local swill for a copper. "What is it?" he asked, sounding perhaps more brusque than intended.

"I think the Pact is falling apart, and the Nine Lords will wage war against each other."

An ominous declaration, but if criminals wanted to fight other criminals, Martel would not get in the way.

"Someone betrayed us," Ruby continued when Martel did not speak. "Another Ninth Lord would be my guess, eager to see us fail."

"It could just be Duke Cheval with a spy in your midst. He is rather crafty," Martel admitted; he had experienced that first-hand.

"It's more than that," she argued. "So few knew the details of our plan. He would not just need a spy, but intimate knowledge of our respective organisations – who could be turned, and who it would be worth turning. For all his power, I doubt the duke would gather such extensive intelligence. No, this smells of another Ninth Lord meddling."

It did make sense, Martel admitted. It would let the duke keep his hands clean, working with a crime lord – or lady. "I'm guessing you want to find out?"

"Yes. I doubt it's anyone from the bridge district, as I'm the only one who knew. Of course, there could still be spies, which is why I'm here. You're the only person familiar with the situation I can trust."

A desperate admission, given Martel had no reason nor inclination to help her.

"I suspect this particular traitor is either Kerra's ilk or Khivan, but they won't be keen on letting me search around. They'll probably do their own investigation, but I doubt they'll share their findings. Admitting that one of your own turned spy is admitting weakness."

"Does it matter? If they plug the leak, shouldn't you be satisfied? Focus on scrutinising your own people?"

"Finding the spy will reveal who paid them," Ruby argued. "I meant what I said at first. I think the Pact will be broken. My mistress needs to know who stands against her."

That explained why so many of these Nine Lords had banded together to help the Khivans. It was a test or early sign of an alliance, Martel figured. With rather poor results. "Aren't you tired of this? The constant fear and suspicion. Always on the brink of disaster."

She took a deep breath and drank from her cup for the first time. "Lady Pearl gave me a home, skills, and safety. The other girls there, they're my sisters," she finally said. "I'll protect them as long as it's necessary, no matter how tiresome."

That, at least, was a sentiment that Martel understood. But he had no such obligations. "In that case, I wish you well. But I want no part of this."

She looked him straight in the eye. "I saved you the other night. Does that count for nothing when I need your help?"

"Is that why you did it? Because you figured I'd be worth something in your pocket?"

"No." She shook her head. "Alliances may shift quickly in my world, but that night, we were on the same side. I helped you because I expected you'd do the same."

Despite his misgivings, Martel believed her. Still, he had no desire to feel indebted to Ruby when he had only taken part to clear his debt to the Friar. "I would. But to build on what you said, we might have been allies that night, which doesn't mean we are now. Last time I got involved with your world, I was used as bait. By somebody serving your mistress, no less. And I got stabbed on the street."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I didn't know what Flora intended to do."

"You used me as a distraction. Perhaps not with deadly intent, but you understand why I'm hesitant to trust your good intentions."

Ruby chewed on her red lips, which distracted him more than it should. "I did. I've met a few wizards before you. Acting superior to others, us ordinary folk. I thought you were the same – that I better use you before you used me. I didn't know you were different."

It seemed to be a day for half-hearted compliments.

"I'm afraid, Martel. Lady Pearl is under pressure. If she falls, I don't think there'll be any safe place for me anywhere in the city."

Martel had never heard Ruby speak so earnestly before. She meant it.

"I understand how you feel about Flora, but if she had died the other night, we'd be deprived of an ally we badly need. The old weathermage wasn’t so lucky," the young woman revealed. "Inquisitors cut him down on the street."

Although Martel had no relation to him, he felt sorry for any victim of the mage hunters; if only it had been Flora, it would not have bothered him.

"I don't expect you to run around town investigating turncoats with me," she continued. "Just that if I need help from someone I can trust, that you'll consider it."

She stared at him with wide eyes, and Martel found it hard to deny her honest plea. This was a far cry from the self-assured rogue that she normally appeared to be. "I'll consider it," he finally assented.

"Thanks. I should get going. I have people to stalk, suspects to question. I'll be in touch." She gave him a smile that seemed more genuine than any she had previously graced him with.

Aware that he could never trust her, yet still considering that he might give her another chance, Martel simply nodded in farewell.