Page 61 of Queen Demon
“Bashasa, just tell me.” While Kai had been imprisoned in the Cageling Court, he had assumed the demons who were taken from it had died, their Saredi bodies discarded and their consciousness drifting untethered, unable to return to the underearth with the passage closed. He had thought that would happen to him. But from what the other hostages had seen, the missing demons had been tortured into submission and forced to serve the Hierarchs. That it was the whole point of the Cageling Court’s existence, not just cruelty and amusement for the servant-nobles.
Bashasa said plainly, “The indications were true. A number of demons were put onto ships and sent to Dashar. They arrived there some ten days ago.”
Kai swallowed in a tight throat. He had known since the Summer Halls that he could end up facing enslaved demons in battle. That if the plan worked and they were able to join with the Enalin for a sweep to the southwest, that it would end in fighting demons acting as flesh shields for expositors and legionaries. But he just hadn’t wanted to think about it. “Do we know why?”
“They will be used to defend the fort and maintain its control over Descar-arik’s harbor, while the bulk of the legionaries stationed there will board the ships and be sent along the coast to Nibet. The Hierarchs obviously know of the Tescai-lin’s efforts there to raise the Enalin forces. They mean to subdue Enalin and kill or recapture the Tescai-lin.”
Kai took that in. This had to be the response to the drowning of the Summer Halls, the retaliation they had been expecting. The Hierarchs had decided to direct it strategically, against the places they knew were raising forces against them.
Bashasa continued, “Once the demons are established at Dashar and the legionaries are ready to take ship, a Hierarch will arrive. To use the Voice on Renitl-arik and then in Nibet and Enalin.The Tescai-lin’s advisors have made it clear their troops will not leave their land undefended, with certain knowledge of legions on the way.” He ran a hand through his already disordered curls. “We must attack the fort at Dashar now, without the Enalin.”
Kai agreed. It was the only way forward. “When do we leave?”
“In one day’s time.” He hesitated. “We know Renitl-arik has not been attacked yet but…”
Kai saw it too. “They’ll expect us to hit them there. To try to protect the city.”
A flash of pain crossed Bashasa’s expression. “And we cannot play into their hands, no matter how many we lose. It would be the death of the east, west, and north. We have to attack Dashar and eliminate the forces there before the Hierarch arrives.”
What was left of the east and north, the west was already dead. It was easier for Kai, who knew Renitl-arik only as symbols on a map, to possibly sacrifice it for the rest of the world, when everyone he cared about who still lived was in this encampment. But he knew what that choice would feel like for Bashasa and all the other Arike. Like choosing to cut off an arm to save the body it was attached to. He said, “I’ll think of something. How to kill the Doyen and make the dustwitches fight for us. Against the demons.”
Bashasa seemed more concerned than relieved. He said, “The demons will be given the same choice to surrender that we give to the legionaries. Though whatever was done to make them serve the Hierarchs… Surely if they are offered an opportunity for freedom…” He hesitated, and Kai knew he was unwilling to make false promises, when they had no idea what kept the demons enslaved, if it was possible to free them at all.
“I know,” Kai said. “And I knew this would happen, I’d have to fight them eventually. But I won’t hesitate. If I have to kill them, I will.”
“Kai, that wasn’t what concerned me. I know the depth of your loyalty and commitment to our cause, to…” Bashasa hesitatedand shook his head, for once unable to find words. “I would… If you…” A cadre soldier strode into the hall with an air of urgency and stopped, uncertain at seeing Bashasa occupied. Bashasa grimaced and said, “I should go. Come to me, or send to me, if you need anything.” He squeezed Kai’s shoulder again and walked away.
Kai left the caravanserai for the cool dawn over the hills and fields. He walked a little distance out into the grass to let the sweat on his face dry, and wondered what in all the wide bowl of the sky he was going to do, how to fulfil his vow.
Two familiar figures approached from the direction of the outguard camp. It was Ziede and Tahren, walking slowly along the path, either talking or just tired. As they drew close, he could see their expressions in the gray light. They both looked worried enough that Kai didn’t have to ask if they knew. Tahren said, “Did Bashasa tell you about the demons from Palm?”
“Yes.” Kai put both hands in his dusty hair, ensnaring his fingers in the curly tangles. As highly motivated as he was to kill the Doyen, there was still the problem of gaining the loyalty or at least the cooperation of the dustwitches. A group who had gone against every tenet of the Saredi treaty between the underearth and the mortal world, everything important and sacred to the blood of Witches. But he couldn’t help the Arike fight troops of legionaries and enslaved demons without them. “He was right from the beginning, we’re going to need the dustwitches.”
Ziede’s expression of resignation and disgust told him she agreed. She said grimly, “Pity, I just washed my hair.”
Tahren’s quiet snort was clearly a repressed laugh. Ziede narrowed her eyes at her. Tahren didn’t shy from the glare. “You meant it to be funny,” she said pointedly.
“Tahren, please don’t laugh at Ziede’s jokes, she doesn’t like it,” Kai said absently. He was thinking of what Mother Hiraga hadtold him, that this was a turning point and none of the trails led to safety, all fell into the dark. He thought he understood that now. At least, if the portent applied to him. He hoped it didn’t apply to anyone else.
“The plan was always to kill the dustwitches’ leader, if she seemed likely to continue her attacks.” Tahren’s brow furrowed, as she realized there was something she didn’t entirely understand. “And to try to get the others to join the fight. Wasn’t it?”
“It was.” Ziede watched Kai with concern. “But we thought we would be fighting legionaries and expositors.”
“If we can get the dustwitches to join us,” Kai said, “I’m going to have to teach them how to kill demons.”
“Ah.” Tahren looked away into the distance, as if the conversation had turned too personal. As if she wanted to give him some privacy for this moment, as if watching his expression was too intimate. “Are you willing to do that?”
The question might have been provoking, distrustful, coming from one of the Prince-heirs or officers. From Tahren, who had turned against her own people, she knew exactly what she was asking. Kai said, “Yes.”
He thought there might be a little fanatic in him, too, it was just that Bashasa hadn’t seen it. Yet.
Seven
When Kai walked back inside to the Belith scholars’ workroom, it felt more crowded, even with the Enalin warriors standing against the walls to keep out of the way. The Tescai-lin had taken Chancellor Domtellan aside to talk, and Kai went over to where Ziede and Tahren stood with Tenes. Dahin was still over by the table with Sura and the other scholars. Sanja was beside him now, looking curiously at the artifacts. A couple of the younger Doorkeepers had joined the group. Kai said softly, “The Tescai-lin won’t stop Ramad from going, but they’ll make sure I go too. And Dahin and you two, if there’s room.”
“Good,” Ziede said. She glanced at Tahren, concern furrowing her brow. Tahren watched Dahin with an air of consternation.
Tenes touched Kai’s arm and signed,I would go too, if possible.
