Page 19 of The Study of Fire
Good question. “I’ll wait for you before I leave. And you can lock the door while you’re inside cleaning. Do you know how to defend yourself?”
More color leaked from Brede’s round face. “Uh…I took that self-defense class all the kids living in the castle had to take.”
“You should attend a refresher course. Ask Kenda, she’ll find you an instructor.”
“Uh…yes, sir.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed.
Ah hell. Valek had spooked him. “Come on, I’ll escort you back.”
When they returned, Brede immediately picked up his rag and attacked a layer of dust on a book cover.
“I know this place needs a great deal of work,” Valek said. “Don’t spend hours and hours here. A few hours each night is fine.”
“But it’s filthy! You can’t live like this.”
Valek laughed. “I can and have. I’ve spent weeks living in a bog for a mission. I think I can handle dust and dirt for a few more days.”
“All right. What about the candles?”
“Candles?”
“You said not to move anything, but most of these are used.”
“You can replace the candles, add oil to the lanterns, and fill the inkwells. Just make sure you leave the window open a crack for Mr. Spider before you leave.”
He nodded. “That makes sense.”
“What does?”
“That one predator would help another.”
* * *
Valek paused when he entered the Commander’s suite. A chess set sat on the table between the couches. Ten years ago, Valek had carved it for Ambrose. The board, with its black and red squares, had been the hardest part to construct, while the pieces had been easier. Valek had transformed his gray rocks into the black side’s pieces. Even after all this time, the silver still glittered in the lantern light. The red side’s pieces were created from Lozen granite, a rare rock found only in the Soul Mountains. The granite had red diamond-shaped flecks mixed with the black and, once polished, the red metamorphosed into an eye-catching sparkle.
Valek hadn’t seen the set in a long time. They used to play chess every night, but had stopped a few years ago because they knew each other’s strategy so well, the game often ended in a stalemate.
Ambrose handed Valek a glass of whiskey as he settled on the opposite couch. “I thought I’d teach my advisers how to play chess.”
“That’s a great idea.” He swallowed a large gulp of the smoky flavored alcohol. It warmed him from the inside out.
“It’s been so long since I’ve played I need some practice.”
Valek grinned. “Don’t want to get trounced by a beginner?”
Ambrose gave him a flat look and moved a pawn. “Your move.”
Ah right.Valek moved a pawn, and after a few more exchanges, they fell back into their old rhythm as if they had never stopped.
At one point, Ambrose asked, “Have you heard from MD-1?”
“Yes. My agents have confirmed the general is hunting snow cats.” He braced for Ambrose’s anger.
Instead, the man appeared thoughtful. “Those cats are wily. They’re almost impossible to capture or kill. Almost.” He tapped a fingernail on his rook. “I’m more concerned about why General Kitvivan thinks he can go against my orders.”
“I’m sending Ari and Janco to handle the situation. I thought it would be a good first mission for my seconds-in-command.”
Ambrose gazed at him with amusement. “While you remain here safe and warm.”
