Chapter 5

Cursing under his breath, Valek replaced the box, smoothed out the burlap sacks, retied the twine, and secured the tarp. The sudden desire to set it all on fire pulsed in his chest. Would this drug haunt him for the rest of his life?

"Something wrong?" Janco asked.

"There are boxes under the wool. Check those first four wagons to see if they have them too, then meet me back at the horses."

"Yes, sir." Janco disappeared.

Valek inspected the last three, but they were empty. Questions without answers swirled in his head. Where were they going? Who sent them?

Janco waited by the horses. "All four had those boxes. What's in them?"

"Criollo."

"Holy snow cats! That's…" Words failed him, but only for a moment. "Bad. Really bad. Terrible!"

"I'm aware."

"What are we going to do?"

"You are going to catch up with Ari and General Ute and get to MD-5 as fast as possible." He held up a hand, stopping Janco's protest. "The Commander needs to know about this. He needs to discover if this shipment was sent before or after Brazell was arrested. And if there are more caravans out here. Hopefully, Brazell kept good records of the shipments and they weren't destroyed when they burned the factory down."

"And you?"

"I'm following that wagon to its destination."

Janco's brows puckered in concern. "Will you send a message to the Commander once you get there?"

"Either that, or I'll destroy the Criollo before I return." When Janco's pinched expression failed to smooth, he added, "Don't worry about me. Worry about getting the general to the manor house without being delayed."

"Yes, sir." Janco mounted Lovey and saluted. "Safe hunting."

"Thanks."

Valek waited until Lovey was out of sight before he ate a quick meal and then returned to watching the caravan. Firelight flickered inside the travel shelter, and a warm yellow glow lit the windows. He spread his bedroll on a hidden spot that had a good view. It would be another frosty night. Eventually, one of the drivers came outside to guard the wagons. During the long night, they took turns on duty.

Two more nights of the same routine and, by the third evening, Valek was ready to put on a disguise and join the caravan in the shelter, claiming to be a fellow traveler. Instead, he suffered another bitter night on his bedroll, catching only a few hours of sleep.

By the end of day four, they had traveled well into the northwestern corner of MD-4. Another day's travel would bring them to the Six-Pointed Star—it was the place where the borders of six Military Districts all converged. When the Commander took over Ixia, he drew a big diamond around the castle on the map then he marked the eight Military Districts, ignoring natural borders like rivers, mountains, and forests.

The caravan turned southeast instead and reached MD-4's garrison. Valek hung back and watched as the wagons were admitted into the military base.

He gaped as they trundled through the gates as if expected. More questions bubbled. Did someone intend to use the Criollo to gain control of the entire garrison? Was General Tesso involved?

It was too vital to waste time speculating. He needed to get inside. Scanning the walls and seeking toe holds, he— Laughed. The lack of sleep had dulled his senses. If anyone had full access to one of the Commander's bases, it was Valek.

He spurred Onyx, heading toward the gate at a gallop. The guards spotted him and stood in front of the wooden barriers with their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Their lieutenant stepped from the guard house. Everyone tensed as Onyx approached. Valek slowed his horse and halted next to the lieutenant.

"Who are you? And what's the nature of your visit?" the lieutenant asked.

"That caravan that just came through. Who approved the delivery?"

"That information is confidential. I believe I asked you a question."

"You asked me two." Valek opened his cloak. Weapons were drawn. The sharp blades flashed in the moonlight. Slowly, he revealed the two red diamonds stitched onto the collar of his uniform. "I'm Adviser Valek, and I need to know about that caravan."

Uncertain, the lieutenant squinted at Valek, then glanced at Onyx. "Can you join me in the guardhouse while I send for my supervisor?"

Valek dismounted and tied Onyx's reins to the gatepost. "As long as you also send one of your people to keep an eye on that caravan. I want to know where they unload their cargo."

"Yes, sir."

"Make it fast, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir."

With the lieutenant watching his every move, Valek waited in the guardhouse. At least it was warm. Impatience thrummed through his veins. He really needed to visit the garrisons more often. Perhaps when the Commander toured the military districts, they could stop at the bases as well.

Finally, a disheveled captain arrived. His hair was sleep matted on one side. "What is the emergency, Lieutenant? And it better involve blood, dismemberment, or fire or I'm going to?—"

"Captain Silas, I assure you the matter is urgent," Valek said, glad he recognized the man from a previous visit.

The captain turned to him and paused. He straightened and ran a meaty hand through his hair. "Adviser Valek, my apologies, I didn't see you there. What's the trouble?"

Valek explained about following the wagons. "They're carrying illegal goods."

"Lieutenant, where was that caravan headed?" Silas asked.

"To the pantry, sir. I sent Sergeant Gia to ensure they don't deviate from their destination."

So, the man did know. "Who ordered the delivery?"

The lieutenant glanced at the captain, who gestured for him to get on with it. "I…I don't know, sir. They had the proper paperwork and I…just didn't look at the signature."

At least he was honest.

"They arrived late at night with weapons, and you didn't look?" Anger sharpened Silas's tone.

"They should still have their papers with them," Valek said, stopping the dressing down before it could start. "Let's go." He strode through the gates and headed for the pantry in the northeast corner. Lanterns blazed from lampposts that marked the main roads. Even though the garrisons had been built by the old Kings of Ixia, they appeared as though the Commander had commissioned them because they all had a similar layout and shared the same spartan aesthetic.

Valek's first undercover assignment as an assassin had been working as a stable boy for two and half seasons in Icefaren's garrison. During that time, he had learned the location of every structure, every pathway, and every shadow. He could pick every lock and climb every building. When the soldiers who killed Valek's brothers were assassinated behind locked doors, no one had any clue that the culprit was the fifteen-year-old stable boy.

"What do you intend to do?" Silas asked, hurrying to keep up. "Should I contact my boss, Major Bridget? Or perhaps wake the colonel?"

"Not yet." Valek didn't want to tip either of them off, just in case one of them had arranged for the delivery.

When they neared the pantry, Valek slowed. The wagons had been parked outside the kitchen's storeroom. The lantern light didn't quite reach this area, but the moonlight illuminated the activity. The burlap sacks from two wagons had been tossed to the ground and the drivers were hauling the wooden boxes inside, disappearing down the steps to the storage room underground. One man—presumably the leader—stood nearby, watching the activity.

A person detached from a shadow and approached them. "They have been here this entire time, sir," she said to Silas.

"Thank you, Sergeant Gia. Can you fetch me a bullseye lantern?"

"Yes, sir." She dashed off.

"You have a plan?" Valek asked.

"We need to inspect their paperwork. There's not enough light for my eyes to see the small print. What do you want to do once we learn who ordered the illegal merchandise?"

A good question. Valek's first impulse was to remove the boxes and burn them in a big bonfire. Yet, the name on the papers might not be the person responsible for the delivery. It'd be best to hide and wait to see who arrived to check the pantry. But he couldn't trust anyone in the garrison. Not even Silas, who could be pretending to be going along with Valek because he knew his name wasn't on the documents. Good thing he always had two agents working undercover in all the garrisons. He'd check in with them later.

"Nothing yet. Let's see what we find out first." Valek hedged.

Sergeant Gia returned with the lantern. She handed it to the captain.

"Thank you, Sergeant. You may return to your post."

"Yes, sir."

"You want to take the lead?" Silas asked.

"No."

Captain Silas ran his hand through his hair again, squared his shoulders, and strode to the man standing next to the lead wagon. Valek assumed a bored expression and followed.

"Excuse me," Silas said. "What are you doing here?"

"Unloading cargo, sir."

"What are you delivering?"

The merchant shrugged and gestured to the pantry. "Probably ingredients or something. I've no idea. I just transport it."

"Where are your papers?"

He fished into his pocket and removed a folded parchment. "Here ya go."

Silas set the lantern on the seat of the wagon and opened the shutter. A beam of light illuminated the paper.

While he read, Valek said to the man, "Rather late for a delivery."

"I know, but we've a schedule to keep."

"Oh? Where are you headed?"

The man pointed his long chin at the burlap sacks. "They're full of wool for the clothing factory in MD-3."

Valek watched the unloading for a moment. "I can get you some extra helpers so you're not here all night."

"That's okay. We're almost done."

"Just the two wagons?"

"Yeah."

Valek stilled. There had been three empty wagons. Did that mean they had already delivered Criollo to other locations? And where were the last three going? He refrained from asking the man. Too many questions would raise his suspicions.

"Everything looks good," Captain Silas said, handing the papers back to the man. He tucked them into his pocket.

Valek followed Silas. When they were out of sight, Silas stopped. "General Brazell signed the papers."

"And who ordered the delivery?"

"No one. It's a gift from General Brazell. According to the papers, he sent what he calls ‘the brandy dessert, as promised' to Generals Tesso and Franis. One wagon to the manor house and two to the garrison in each district." Silas paused. "Does that make sense to you?"

Valek recalled the Commander's brandy meeting, where each general brought a bottle of their finest brandy to share. When it had been Brazell's turn, he sent around a square of Criollo filled with strawberry brandy. It'd been well received, and Brazell offered to send the recipe to the other generals. None of them knew Criollo was used to break down a person's will so they become very susceptible to magical suggestions. The Commander had ordered everyone who did know about Criollo's abilities to keep it a secret.

"Some. There are three empty wagons. I assume the cargo of one of them went to Tesso's manor, but what happened to the other two?"

"Perhaps the garrison in MD-5." Silas suggested.

That didn't make sense. Brazell wouldn't want to influence his own soldiers. They were already loyal to him.

But they weren't loyal to Mogkan. The magician hadn't been upset when he'd thought Brazell was dead and had mentioned finding another way to takeover Ixia right before Valek killed him. It was possible that Mogkan sent the wagons before he'd died.

Valek considered. Even with traveling during the cold season, the caravan would have delivered the Criollo weeks ago. Unless this was the last one to go out. Or the tail end of the deliveries.

The thought of all the soldiers in Ixia ingesting Criollo caused panic to simmer in Valek's chest. What if Sitian magicians sensed the army was compromised and decide to attack? "Did the papers indicate when they started their journey?"

"I didn't see a date."

Valek needed more information.

"How would you like to proceed, sir?" Silas asked.

"Arrest all the drivers. Confiscate the boxes and don't let a soul near them. Bring the leader to me in the interrogation room."

"Yes, sir."

* * *

The leader of the caravan sat across the table from Valek. He eyed the red diamonds stitched onto Valek's collar and scowled. "This better be quick, I've a schedule?—"

"To keep. I'm aware." Valek studied the man.

He wore the standard brown trader uniform of a simple tunic and pants with calf-high boots. Straggly gray hair matched his unkempt beard. His long, narrow face was weathered and lined with wrinkles. To give the man credit, he didn't squirm or drop his gaze under Valek's scrutiny.

"What is your name?" Valek asked.

He huffed. "Roth. What's this all about?"

"The substance in those boxes you just delivered is illegal."

"Oh, come on. It's some kind of dessert from General Brazell."

Despite what he'd claimed earlier, Roth did know the contents. "Are you aware Brazell was arrested for treason."

"Well, yeah, I've heard the rumors. But the adviser said the delivery was approved by the Commander." Roth shrugged. "As long as the paperwork is legit, I don't ask questions. I just do my job, transporting cargo from point A to point B in an endless loop."

Valek kept his expression neutral despite getting a few good bits of information, including the caravan was sent after Brazell's arrest. "Which adviser?"

"Ah, the lady." Roth pulled at his beard. "What's her name… Tall with long dark hair?"

Sounded like Adviser Dema, but that was impossible. If Valek was wrong about Dema's devotion to the Commander, he'd quit his job because of sheer incompetence. "Where did you get this particular cargo?"

"There's a warehouse near the foothills of the Soul Mountains. The workers loaded it up and off we went."

"Where exactly is this warehouse?"

"Straight east of that factory that just burned down."

"You have three empty wagons. Where else did you deliver the boxes?"

Another huff. "Two wagons to MD-5's garrison. One to General Tesso's manor house. And before you ask, the remaining three were going to MD-3. One to General Franis's house and two for the garrison. Plus, the wool. Unless that's illegal, too?"

Valek ignored the jab. Whoever sent the wagons was targeting MD-5 as well. Was that because Brazell was no longer in charge? Had someone decided to continue with the plot Mogkan and Brazell started? Valek thought they had uncovered all the conspirators. Perhaps Mogkan had his own accomplices, people who were unknown to Brazell.

"Have you delivered those boxes to any other garrison or manor house?" Valek asked.

"No."

"Are there other caravans transporting them?"

"I dunno."

Valek waited.

Roth crossed his arms but didn't show any signs that he'd lied. "Can I go now?"

"No. You and your team will stay here until I can determine the degree of your involvement."

Hopping to his feet, Roth said, "We followed orders and didn't do anything wrong. You can't lock us in jail."

"I can. However, you'll remain as guests in the barracks until this matter is resolved. If you try to leave without permission or become too troublesome, then your accommodations will change. And not for the better." Valek stood and strode to the door.

The two guards that had accompanied Roth waited outside to escort the trader back.

"Adviser Alea," Roth called.

Valek turned around.

"That's her name. The adviser who hired us."

"Thank you."

* * *

As soon as Valek entered Captain Silas's office, the man put his hands up, stopping him. "I'm out. This is too big for my rank. Colonel Laban requests your presence in their office A-sap."

"Are you in trouble?" Valek asked.

"Time will tell." He handed Valek Roth's papers.

"I'll let them know you've been very helpful."

"I appreciate that."

Valek's thoughts whirled as he headed to the colonel's office suite. Just like Colonel Ute, Laban split their time between the garrison and the General's house. Valek would have preferred not to get Laban involved, but it was too late. Laban had probably already sent a messenger to Tesso, alerting the general about Valek's presence. At least it would take a couple days for Tesso to get the message.

Two guards were stationed on either side of Laban's door.

"Go on in," the guard said. "The colonel is expecting you."

Lovely. Valek rapped his knuckles on the wood as a courtesy before entering the spacious room. A large oval-shaped conference table took up the left side, a sitting area with four couches and four armchairs had been arranged in front of a massive fireplace on the right side. Back near the far wall, Colonel Laban stood behind their desk. And sitting in an oversized armchair in front of it was General Tesso.