Page 95 of The Lost Reliquary
Nolan sits up straighter, scowling. “A letter. From one of the ports theSquiddocked at.”
“I’m sorry…” Frustrated disbelief rises. “Please explain this to me likeI’mthe idiot here. After how he treated us, you decided to invite him along to Cyprene for… for fun?”
“I didn’t invite him anywhere. But after… after the Renderers… after you told me about the cleric you encountered…” He exhales defeatedly. “Lumerisneededto be informed. The local clergy couldn’t be trusted, but Caius is Chosen. I had no question where his loyalty lay.”
Of course not.
“I sent him a coded letter with the instructions to go to Lumeris himself and inform Prior Yiorgo about Prior Fedic and the Renderers in Sethane. And that we were on a ship named theSquid’s Shadow, continuing on our mission.”
“Great. So, instead of going to Lumeris, he came here,” I snap. “You remember this was asecretmission, right?”
“Caius was already suspicious.”
“Exactly. Enough to track down theSquid,figure out its destination, and pack enough muscle to practically shut the city down.” It was clever, I have to give him that. Caius didn’t need an army to take Cyprene, just enough soldiers to take the cannon towers, giving them the power to sink any boat that might try to make a run for it.
“I thought he’d jump at the chance to make the report, distinguish himself. I… I underestimated his ambition.”
“And his ego, and his obedience…” I throw my hands up. “Me, you read like a book, but Caius is impossible to predict?”
Nolan’s frown deepens. “He still doesn’t know where we are, or what we’re doing. Right now, I’m more concerned about Marzela and her Salt Sect. You’re sure they won’t find the Renderers’ abominations?”
“Not this year, or next, most likely.” It took a little convincing for Nolan to accept I’ve hidden our best leverage away. Even more to keep him ignorant of where it is. But not as much as I would have expected a few days ago.
“Then we’ll have to rely on their desire for that to overcome any further interest in harming us. And stall long enough for Avery to convince the heretics to deal.”
Right. Avery. Vexation squeezes tighter. There was nothing waiting for us upon returning. How long will a response take? A day? A week? Having removed my jacket to tend to Hiram (my own blood barely rinsed out), I slip it back on and grab my sickles.
Nolan eyes me. “Going somewhere?”
“To let Rion know it’s safe. Better than sitting around here twiddling my thumbs.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.”
I begin to protest, but he’s right about that too. Surprises have been in abundant supply lately.
Even with the Salt priests held temporarily at bay, we take care as we make our way through the streets. We’re not the only ones. In a matter of hours, Cyprene has shifted into an entirely different place. There are fewer people out, and those that are huddle in tight groups or in doorways, glancing around with faces full of suspicion, anger… and fear. All because of one Arbiter.
Then again, after seeing the show Caius put on in Belspire, I can’t blame them. This city might be filled with heretics, but they’re also normal people, simply trying tolive.
We reach the shop, which is dark and locked, as expected. No sign of Rion—also expected—but some part of me wanted him to be here,so I could reassure myself the Salt priests hadn’t nabbed him after he left us at the baths. But he’s not, which means all I’ve got is the hope that wherever he’s gone to hole up, it’s safe. Thrown by Caius’s arrival, I didn’t think to write a note, but there’s a mud puddle in front of the shop. I think, then dip a finger in and draw one of the Shadow Cult symbols near the base of the door.
Nolan watches. “What, exactly, is that?”
“Rion will understand.” I straighten.
Nolan grabs my arm.
When I turn, I find we’re no longer alone. Avery stands in an arched doorway, waiting for our attention to turn his way.
He waves us over. “We need to speak.”
“Are your associates satisfied with the sample?” Nolan pours the eagerness on, only some of which is affected.
“Yes.” Avery frowns. “But there won’t be any deal.”
“What?” says Nolan. “Why?”
“The Arbiter.” Avery practically whispers the word, as if afraid to summon Caius by speaking it aloud. “He’s closed the port, with no explanation as to why he’s here. But Cyprene has a long memory. When the Chosen come to the city, nothing good follows. We can’t take any unnecessary risks.” He looks directly at me. “Or make any deals.”
