Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

I t was after midnight by the time Valek reached his corps’ safe house in Castletown. Since he’d left the castle in such a hurry earlier, he had forgotten to send a message to the Commander explaining his absence. Now he’d missed their nightly meeting. It happened from time to time, and the Commander usually understood.

The safe house resembled all the others in the row. No lights shone through the windows, which meant the blackout curtains had been pulled closed. He used a special series of knocks to alert Hildred, the agent on duty. When the door opened, darkness loomed behind her figure.

He stepped into the vestibule. The door clicked shut and Hildred swept aside the curtains, revealing a living room that had been turned into an office. One lantern cast a puddle of yellow onto the desk.

“Something wrong?” Hildred asked.

“No. I need to talk to Trevar and Adrik. Do you know where they’re staying?”

“They’re at The Sole. It’s the cheapest inn in town. Is this about the incidents they’re investigating?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Trevar stopped here a few days after they arrived, wanted to see if we had any insights. We couldn’t help him. None of our agents thought they were anything but drunk and disorderly conduct.”

Still, it had been a good idea.

“He asked us to keep an eye out in case we see something odd,” she added.

“Have you?”

“Not yet.”

Too bad. “I also need a patroller uniform. When you do your rounds later, you can skip the Garden District. I’ll be in that area until dawn.”

“Yes, sir.”

Each of his safe houses was equipped with disguises, supplies, weapons, and the necessary paperwork should the local watch discover their existence. Two agents lived there and took turns gathering information about the town and citizens. One worked the day shift while the other slept and vice versa. They discussed their findings at breakfast and dinner. If anything seemed off or piqued their interests, they would report it to Valek. The agents rotated to different cities every three seasons to avoid being spotted and to keep them engaged.

The second bedroom of this house had been converted into a changing room. Racks of clothing lined the walls. Valek sorted through the various sized patroller uniforms and found one that was close to his size. He didn’t have time to return to his suite for one that fit better. Borrowing a knit hat, he pulled it down over his ears.

He said good-bye to Hildred and slipped out into the semi-darkness. Street lanterns in this part of town were few and far between. Keeping to the shadows, Valek headed for the Garden District. The majority of Castletown was a basic grid. Rows of homes were concentrated in some areas with businesses and factories clumped in others. They overlapped at the edges. The city was also divided into districts named after what that area was known for.

The Garden District had a mix of homes with large yards and small farms. The people who lived there were known for growing and selling fruits and vegetables. Valek walked the district, avoiding the patrol officers and seeking… Well, he wasn’t quite sure.

According to his research, the next set of incidents would happen in this area. He didn’t know if he’d encounter a victim or feel magic or something else. So, he kept his senses wide open.

By the time the night sky lightened with the first hint of dawn, Valek had covered the entire district and found nothing.

He returned to the safe house and changed back into his messenger uniform. Hildred also reported a quiet night in the other districts. The map he’d made had predicted the next area to be targeted, but there hadn’t been a pattern to the timing. Guess he’d need to remain vigilant over the next few nights.

Valek entered The Sole right as the sun rose. A cheery bell rang when he opened the door. It was a stark contrast to the inn’s dreary and cold common room. A thin man wearing an innkeeper’s uniform bent over the hearth, stirring a fire to life while adding logs. Then he hung a metal tea pot over the flames.

When he straightened, he turned to Valek and eyed his uniform. “Can I help you?”

“Do you serve breakfast?”

“Yeah, but I just opened and haven’t started cooking. I can get you a cup of tea while you wait.”

“That would be lovely, thank you.” A chill had settled into his bones despite being on the move all night. He avoided wearing his cloak for ops requiring stealth, it was too cumbersome. He’d layered extra clothing under his uniform and had a hat, but it hadn’t been enough. Guess it was time to pull out his wool leggings and shirts.

The man disappeared into the kitchen, and Valek sat at the table that was the farthest from the door. He kept his back to the wall as he studied the room. The scarred and stained tables had been built with thin wood. Broken stools outnumbered the intact ones. No pictures hung on the walls, and the floor was just hardpacked dirt. Rusted lanterns lined the bar—or what had been the bar—but now appeared to be a storage area. There were three entrances to the room—the main door, the kitchen door, and a stairway in the corner that probably led up to the guest rooms.

The innkeeper returned with a mug of steaming tea and set it down.

“The Sole is an interesting name for an inn. It’s why I stopped in,” Valek said. He sipped the tea and was surprised by its robust flavor. “Is there a story behind it?”

After another measuring look, the man ran a hand through his short gray hair. “Depends on your perspective,” he said. “To those who have limited funds, this place is the only affordable room in Castletown. To those who have extra funds, this place is on the bottom of their options, just like the sole of a foot.” He shrugged. “You need a room?”

“No, I’m just passing through.”

He grunted as if he didn’t believe Valek. “The food’ll be ready soon.” Then he returned to the kitchen.

As Valek waited, he considered the man’s explanation. Ixian citizens who had legitimate jobs earned a living wage and didn’t need to stay at a place like The Sole. Unless they were thrifty and wanted to save a few coins. Those who chose to work illegal jobs, like the baiters for the black market dealers, earned a range of income. Some did very well, while others struggled to get by. Valek wondered if it was the uncertainty that attracted them. The possibility of hitting it big, versus a steady income. Or was it the thrill and excitement that came with breaking the law? Probably a bit of both.

More customers arrived as Valek drank his tea. A few of the guests came downstairs. They all looked younger than twenty-five. The innkeeper served them tea.

Eventually, Valek spotted Trevar and Adrik at the bottom of the stairs. Like the other baiters, they wore merchant uniforms that had seen better days. Trevar’s gaze swept the room. Would he spot Valek? Granted his disguise wasn’t elaborate, but most people tended to look at the uniform and not the face. Unless they had been trained.

Trevar met his gaze without showing any signs of recognition, but he led Adrik over to Valek’s table.

“Can we join you?” Trevar asked loud enough for the others to hear. “All the other tables are filled.”

Well done. “Yes.”

They sat. Once their backs were to the room, Trevar lowered his voice and asked, “Do you have news?”

He explained about the map. “I want you to concentrate your efforts in the Garden District.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Any progress with the black market dealers?” Valek asked.

“Some. We’ve been working for free to gain some trust. From the bits of gossip we’ve managed to pick up, it seems the dealers are just as freaked as everyone else over the incidents.”

“It could all be an act,” Adrik said. “If they’re selling something that is causing it, they wouldn’t admit it. No, they’d just keep taking everyone’s money.” Bitterness and anger hardened his tone.

Valek couldn’t blame Adrik. Black market dealers had murdered his father. Those men had all been arrested and the one directly responsible had been executed, but it didn’t bring back Sven.

“That’s a good point,” Valek said. “Keep working on earning their trust.”

“Yes, sir.”

The innkeeper set three plates filled with scrambled eggs and bacon on the table. Trevar and Adrik didn’t hesitate to dig in.

“Doesn’t he have someone to help him serve breakfast?” Valek asked.

“Nah,” Trevar said with his mouth full. “Dallin does everything.”

“Have you asked him if he knows what’s going on?”

“Yeah. He has no idea. And if he catches you coming in drunk or on drugs, you’re out on the street.”

“Smart. Okay, keep up the good work. And send word if you learn anything.”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

When Dallin returned to take the empty plates, Valek asked him how much the meal cost.

“Pay what you can,” he said and left.

Adrik and Trevar each placed five coppers onto the table.

“Obviously we can afford more, but it would look suspicious,” Trevar said.

Valek set a silver coin next to theirs. As a curious messenger, he could afford more. Besides, the simple meal had been delicious.

* * *

Valek returned to the castle and headed straight to the Commander’s office to explain his absence.

“Come in,” the Commander said when he knocked.

He entered.

“Oh look, you’re not dead,” the Commander said dryly. “The kitchen staff will be disappointed. Many of them bet you were.”

The sarcasm was unexpected. Valek decided the best course of action was to ignore it. “Sorry for missing our meeting.” He reported what he’d learned. “I’m planning on patrolling the Garden District for the next couple of nights, as well.”

“Make sure you let Brede know. He was quite upset by your absence.”

Ah, the reason for the Commander’s snark. He’d have to have a word with his housekeeper. “I will.”

“Good.” The Commander stood. “Come with me.”

Surprised, Valek followed his boss. When they mounted the spiral stairs in the northeast tower, Valek knew they were going to the war room. And for the life of him, Valek had no idea why. His lack of sleep must be catching up with him.

But the Commander stopped the floor below and unlocked the door, entering the map room. It was the same size and shape as the war room, except there were no stained-glass windows or oversized conference table. Instead, there were racks filled with maps of Ixia. All types, from mining maps to detailed maps of each military district.

The Commander scanned the labels and pulled out a map. He spread it on the table. It depicted Castletown. Sort of. Valek peered at it, trying to decipher it. There were no buildings, but there were named streets and strange lines marked with numbers. Then he saw the district labels and was able to get his bearings.

“Where did the incidents start?” the Commander asked.

Valek pointed to the Steel District in the northeast section of the city.

“And where does the wave go?”

He swept his hand over the areas, ending right before the Garden District.

The Commander studied the map for a few minutes, then straightened. “This is a groundwater map. See this circle?” He tapped the map. “It’s a well. And see these lines? That’s the elevation of the ground. And these numbers record the depth of the groundwater. As you can see, the water flows from the northeast to the southwest.” He pointed out more circles. “These are the other wells in town.”

The water also flowed along the colored wave on Valek’s map. “Are you suggesting someone could have put a drug in the Steel District’s well to cause those incidents, and it flowed to the other wells?” He considered the problem. “But wouldn’t it be diluted?”

“Not if it’s insoluble.”

“How long does it take the water to flow through the city?”

“It depends on the amount of rain. The more rain, the faster the water.” The Commander paused. “All I’m suggesting is that it is a possibility.”

“I should collect water from the wells in the Garden District and test it.” But who would volunteer to drink it? Valek huffed a laugh as the answer sparked. “And I know the perfect person to taste the water.”

The Commander smiled. “Yet another reason for Star to hate you.”

“It might break her out of her sulk.” Valek studied the map. “Can I borrow this to compare it to the map at the patrol house?”

“As long as you return it in good condition.”

“I will.” As Valek rolled it up, he asked, “Do you have groundwater maps for the other cities in Ixia?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You know why. You’re just too tired to figure it out.”

True. Valek followed him from the room and stopped as the answer popped into his head. The Commander had taken over Ixia by using subterfuge, bribery, and assassination, avoiding battles to limit the casualties of his followers. And now Valek realized the Commander had been fully prepared to poison the wells that provided water to his enemies.

The Commander gave him a cold smile. “Exactly.”

* * *

A tapping sound woke Valek. He squinted in the late afternoon sunlight, getting his bearings. He’d gone to bed right after talking to the Commander.

Tap. Clack. Pause. Tap. Clack. Tap. Tap. Clack. Clack. Pause.

The almost steady noise came from his door. Rolling out of bed, Valek pulled his dagger from underneath his pillow and crept closer. He twisted the knob and jerked it open. No one stood in the hallway. The tapping continued. Valek followed it to his carving room.

He peeked inside. Brede sat on the floor surrounded by gray rocks. He picked one up and tossed it onto a pile, the next one landed on a different mound. It took a moment for Valek to realize Brede was sorting the stones by size.

“Brede,” he sighed.

The young man startled, jumping to his feet. “Buckets!” Then he recognized Valek. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

He waved a dust-covered hand. “Not that. When you went missing.”

Valek suppressed another sigh. “About that. I will disappear from time to time. And I’ll try to let you know when I’ll be gone, but there will be times, like last night, when I don’t have enough time to send you a message.”

“You could have left me a note on one of your desks.”

Huh. “I didn’t think of that. I’m not used to having a full time housekeeper.” Or one that particularly cared about his whereabouts. “Next time, I will leave you a note. Although, when I’m on a mission, I won’t always know how long I’ll be gone. For example, I’m going out for the next few nights. It might be two or four or seven, I’ve no idea.”

“Fair enough.”

“I also might come back here to sleep during the day or not. So, I suggest you avoid cleaning up here when I’m out, just in case.”

“Just in case?”

“I’m a light sleeper. If you come into my room unexpectedly, there’s a good chance I’ll throw my dagger first and ask questions second.”

“Oh. Okay. Good to know.” Brede swallowed a few times. “Uh, I guess, I should get back to work?”

“What were you doing?” He kept his tone neutral.

“Uh. Sorting.”

“Is that part of your job description?”

“Well…” He wiped his dusty hands on his pants, leaving behind gray smudges. “I moved your rocks to clean underneath them, and then, I forgot which pile each rock was on, so…” He gestured to the half-built mounds. “Besides, it’ll be so much easier for you to find the right sized stone!” The words gushed from his mouth. “How can that be a bad thing?”

“In this case, it’s not a bad thing.”

“When is organization ever bad? It makes life easy.”

“Exactly. It makes it easy for someone who sneaks into my office to find the information they’re seeking. That’s the reason for the disorganization.”

“Huh. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“There’s a reason for everything I do. Next time, just ask me.”

He gave Valek a panicked look. “Was there a reason all your disguises were all jumbled together?”

“Yes. That’s because I’m lazy and just shove them into the closet when they come back from the laundry.”

Brede laughed. “And now?”

Valek huffed. “I admit it is helpful, especially when I’m in a hurry.”

“Ha!” Brede raised a hand in triumph. “And the rocks?”

“Okay, okay. You’ve made your point. Sometimes organization is a good thing.”

Brede beamed.

“What else are you dying to organize?” Valek asked.

“Your books! Not the ones in your office, but in your suite. Do you really expect someone to creep in here to steal a book?”

“No, but those piles make sneaking around in the dark harder. And a knocked over stack makes enough noise to wake me.”

He deflated a bit. “Hmmm. How about I organize the stacks by subject?”

“A fair compromise.”

“Oh, and you could spread a few of your rocks underneath the windows in the living area. If someone climbs in, they’ll lose their balance or roll their ankles.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“See? We make a good team.”

Valek hadn’t considered their relationship as a team, but they’d both just learned something from the other. And they were working toward a common goal. “We do.”

While Brede returned to sorting the rocks, Valek went back to his bedroom and changed into his patroller uniform. He filled his pack with a few essential items, including the groundwater map. It would be less time consuming for him to sleep in the safe house than return to the castle every morning.

He stopped in the kitchen for a quick bite and some supplies. Before he left the castle, he checked in with Kenda, updating her on the situation. “I’m going to send you a few bottles of water. Have Star taste the water first, then drink it all. One bottle per day. Let me know right away if she freaks out or has delusions or any effects from the water.”

“You think someone spiked the wells?”

“The Commander thought it might be a possibility. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to test the water.”

“I doubt Star will agree with you.”

“You can tell her the effects are temporary.” He grinned. “Or not.”

She laughed. “It’ll depend on how much she annoys me that day. Did you tell Brede you’d be gone?”

“Did he?—”

“Make a fuss? Yes, he did. When I didn’t know where you were, he went to the Commander.”

“At least someone cares about me.”

She gave him a flat look. “We’re used to your unexplained absences. Doesn’t mean we don’t care.”

“I know. And, yes, I told Brede. Lesson learned.”

“Well how about that! You can teach an old dog a new trick.”

He growled. “Watch out I bite.”

“I see Yelena hasn’t finished housebreaking you yet.”

“Cute. Are you done?”

“Never, but I’ll let you know about Star.”

“Thanks.”

Valek exited the castle complex from the south gate and looped west to Castletown. The brisk air was refreshing. He’d been sweating inside with the wool layer underneath his patroller uniform.

He headed straight to the Garden District. Once there, he stopped at the first well and filled a bottle with water. Marking the cork with the location of the well, he examined the water in the fading sunlight. Nothing floated in the clear liquid. Valek moved to the next. There were five wells in the district. The water appeared clean. When he finished, Valek carried them to the safe house and gave them to Hildred.

“Please deliver these to Kenda,” he said.

“Now?” she asked.

“You can wait until you’ve done your rounds. I’m going to be in the Garden District for the next couple nights and I’ll sleep here on the couch during the day.”

“All right. I’ll let Inrick know your plans.”

Valek stopped by the watch station to compare the Commander’s groundwater map to the one he’d created the previous night. Getting inside was alarmingly easy, Valek walked to the back entrance the patrollers used and sauntered in with a couple officers. He’d have a conversation about that with Captain Ryda after they solved this puzzle.

She wasn’t in her office, and he guessed she was gone for the day. So, he climbed the steps to the second level. When he entered the FIIK room, Ryda was sitting at the table, studying the map. He scuffed his boot on the floor, and she glanced up. It didn’t take her long to recognize him.

“It’s amazing how clear the pattern appears once you mapped it out,” she said. “You must have been here for hours.”

“Worth it.” He joined her. “What do you see?”

“Whatever is causing the incidents is obviously moving to the southwest.” She tapped the parchment. “It’s not a drug, as that tends to spread out in roughly concentric circles around the people selling it. Perhaps it’s from an animal’s bite. Maybe the creature is sick and has been moving through the districts. No.” She shook her head. “We didn’t find any bite marks.”

Valek considered. “How thoroughly did you examine the victims?”

“In those cases, we look for needle marks, discolored tongues, and smell their breath. Not a fun job especially when the person is still being affected. We found none of the signs, which is why I came to you.”

Remembering Brede’s comment about Saril’s pink teacup spider bite, Valek wondered if the patrollers missed noticing a small welt. He made a mental note to ask Brede if there was a critter that could cause those symptoms.

Ryda glanced down. “I can assign extra patrollers in the Garden District.”

“No need. I’m going to be covering the area for the next few nights.”

Valek moved the stacks of files from the table then pulled out the groundwater map. Spreading it next to the incident map, he compared the markings to the flow of the water.

The captain moved closer. “Is that…a well?” She pointed to one of the circles.

“Yes.” The pattern wasn’t an exact match, but it was close enough that he couldn’t discard the theory.

“Do you think someone dumped a drug in the well and it’s spreading?”

“I can’t rule it out.” He told her about the water samples.

She laughed. “Serves Star right. That woman has been nothing but trouble since I was a patroller.” Then she sobered. “She’s dangerous and smart. Every time we figured out which patrollers she’d bribed for information, they ended up dead of suspicious circumstances.”

“My people are keeping a close eye on her,” he said.

“I thought so, too.”

He met her serious gaze. “Consider me warned.”

Ryda nodded. He rolled the groundwater map up, said goodbye to the captain, and headed to the safe house where he dropped off the map and his pack.

By the time Valek reached the Garden District, it was full dark. The lamplighters had filled and lit the lanterns that hung from posts. They were spaced about a hundred feet apart in this area. The distance between them lengthened on the streets that were further away from the central Market District.

Stars glittered in the night sky. The half-moon shone with just enough light to aid Valek, but not enough to expose him. A few citizens bustled along the sidewalks, finishing their day. There was only one tavern in the area, but it was closed. Most of the buildings in this part of town were residences and everyone was quick to get inside before it grew late.

Valek kept to the shadows, avoided the patrols, and let his instincts guide him. He covered the entire district twice over, but the night was quiet and still. At dawn, he returned to the safe house and stretched out on the couch.

Changing the direction of his route the next evening, he traversed the streets from the north to the south and back again, encountering nothing.

The third and fourth nights yielded the same results. If the cause had been a drug in the water, then perhaps it had lost its efficacy. Or somehow the person responsible knew Valek was hunting them.

Captain Ryda confirmed the quiet spell was the longest one since the incidents started. She hoped it signaled the end. But Valek suspected it wouldn’t be that easy.

And he was right. Two hours past midnight on the sixth night, a woman’s scream pierced the silence.