As the days drew on, the consequences of Ilara's decision to fully close the borders became more apparent. The signs were visible every time I left the castle to patrol with my new guards—from the dwindling produce available in the town square to the way even the friendliest faces had soured in our direction. Worse still, I'd received the first resignation in what I assumed would be many more. The soldier—Greene—had three young children at home and couldn't take the pressure of worrying if she'd be home that night.
"If the queen doesn't take me out, the townsfolk surely will," she said, casting a wary look onto the streets.
"I understand," I said. "Thank you for your service to Forcadel."
It wasn't going to be the last time I had this conversation, especially as I had nothing to offer in the way of hope. Even with guards stationed at Ilara's favorite businesses, more had gone up in flames. Every night, there were more reports of people breaking curfew, of vandalism and property destruction, and whispers that the city was about to explode.
But I was starting to get tired of spending my long nights patrolling the city just to come across the crimes after the fact. If I didn't find something soon, Ilara would grow weary of me, and perhaps do something drastic.
To complicate matters further, Coyle continued to stalk my movements, and now, being in the castle, it was harder for me to slip from my room unnoticed. He also must've tipped some of his Severian counterparts off to his suspicions, because I found myself with two new escorts and their smug-faced Severian lieutenant when I tried to leave through the front gates that night.
"It's unsafe for you to be out there alone, what with all the fires happening." The look on the lieutenant's face as he spoke to me would be enough for me to order a flogging.
"I believe I can handle myself on a simple patrol," I replied.
"We can't take too many chances while Captain Maarit is gone," he said. "Her Majesty insists that you be protected."
I'm sure she'd cry a river if I wound up dead. "Are you ignoring a direct order?"
The lieutenant opened his mouth, but thankfully, I was saved by someone calling my name. Zuriel was crossing the green, holding his hands nervously. He, like Coyle, was a man I would've preferred to see in the stocks or in jail, but he would serve as a convenient cover for me to lose my supposed babysitters.
"Captain," Zuriel said, nodding slightly. "Might I have a word?"
I glanced at the Severian lieutenant and dared him to contradict me. "Dismissed."
He and his two guards hesitated, but only for a moment, then continued walking the green. Once they were out of earshot, I turned to Zuriel, staring him down with all the disgust I could muster.
"What do you want?"
"Oh, well." He cleared his throat. "I wondered if you had a chance to consider the request I'd sent to you, for protection?"
I quirked a brow. I'd seen his letter on my desk but tossed it in the trash without reading it. "Protection? From whom?"
"The city is in a state of upheaval," he said. "No fault of your own, of course. I know you're doing the best you can with what you've been given."
"No, but fault of yours," I replied without missing a beat. "If you want an armed guard, you should hire one yourself."
"See, that seems to be a bit of a problem," he said with a bashful smile. "As all of the trained security forces are either here with you in the castle or—"
"Or think you're a traitor," I said.
He sighed. "I want you to know that I had nothing to do with the death of Maurice or August. Or even the attempted poisoning of Princess Brynna."
"Mm." I can't say I believed it.
"My involvement in the conspiracy came very late in its execution," he continued, looking out onto the city. "I'm not completely blameless, as I didn't tell anyone, but by the time I became involved, there was no stopping it."
I glared at him. "Really? No stopping it? Are you sure about that?"
"I became aware of the plot during the summer festival," he said. "By then, the city was already filled with Severians. The only thing there was to do was to—"
"Protect your city and your princess, instead of saving your own ass," I replied. "I fail to see how your security problem is mine."
He smiled thinly. "Because if the mayor of Forcadel should be injured or, Mother forbid, killed—"
"Then perhaps the citizenry would see it as justice," I replied. "If you're looking for sympathy, you won't get it from me. I am loyal to Forcadel, not to those who would betray it to the highest bidder."
"But you, yourself, are serving the queen."
"Because I have no choice," I replied. "Unlike you, I consider the needs of others, like my guard. But you…you smiled at Brynna as you stabbed her in the back. That, I'll never forgive."
As my guards returned, I decided to kill two birds with one edict. "Under the circumstances, perhaps I can see fit to give you an escort home." I snapped my fingers at the Severians, who scowled. "You two, you're now to walk Mayor Zuriel back to his house."
"But—"
I quirked a brow and the one on the left quieted. Perhaps without their lieutenant there, they were less willing to break rank.
"Thank you," Zuriel said.
"It's more than you deserve," I muttered as I turned to leave.
There was something devilishly satisfying thinking about Zuriel succumbing to a riot in the city. I wasn't sure I'd lift a finger to help him if things came down to it. After all, it was his fault the city was in upheaval. I was surprised someone hadn't targeted him sooner.
But if his house went up in flames, I wouldn't shed a tear. I had other things to worry about.
Unlike in Zuriel's cushy neighborhood, in Haymaker's Corner, the Severian guards were plentiful and all the shops were closed thanks to the curfew. Even the inns and bars were dark, perhaps too nervous because of what had happened to Stank's to remain open. Or, more realistically, they just didn't have enough patrons.
One cafe still had a few lights burning, although it appeared they were merely cleaning. A flash of red hair caught my attention and I smiled. It was a woman named Ruby—one of Brynna's informants. Brynna gave her large sums of money and Ruby provided what intel she could.
She'd been largely missing from the city these past few weeks, but the other night, her fiery red hair had caught my eye. Then, I hadn't had any coin on me. Now, I'd come prepared with a bag of gold.
Inside the small cafe, there were three other people, including what looked like security, so I kept my distance on the rooftop nearby. They didn't seem to be in a great hurry to get home, as they all had tankards sitting on the bar while sweeping and mopping the floor. But then one of the girls disappeared to the back with the bodyguard and didn't return. About half an hour later, he came back and the man and woman left with him, leaving Ruby by herself.
Knowing my time was short, I crept off the rooftop and waited in the shadows. I didn't see any Severian guards, so I dashed across the open street into the alley between the cafe and its neighbor. Pressing myself against the wall, I slid toward the back of the cafe, testing the door to see if it was unlocked. Quietly, I pulled it open, revealing the back kitchen, a large table, and a cold hearth.
"Daniel? Is that you?"
Ruby walked into the kitchen and took me in, her eyes growing three sizes. "W-who are you? What are you doing here?" She pulled a knife from beneath her apron. "Don't you dare think about robbing me."
"I'm not here to rob you," I said, staying near the door anyway. "I'm a friend. You can call me…The Veil."
She straightened and quirked one perfectly-shaped brow. "You are not The Veil."
"Fine, I'm a temporary substitute," I said, staying in the shadows. "Can I trust you like she did?"
Ruby pursed her lips. "Can I trust you is the question?"
"I don't have anything to offer you, other than my word that I won't speak of your involvement, much like The Veil didn't when you told her where to find those contracts."
"She promised not to speak of that," Ruby said with a glare.
"She didn't," I said with a half-smile. "I was there when she made the deal. She was…training me to take her place while she left to travel the world for a few months."
"The rumors I heard said that she was back in town," Ruby said, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe.
I hesitated. Did I confirm them? Did I trust this woman enough to keep Brynna's secret? "I can't say I've seen her lately."
Ruby shrugged. "What if I said she came to see me before she left? Told me that she was hanging up her mask and leaving for good?"
"I'd call you a liar."
Ruby smirked. "Fair enough. What is it that you want from me, Man-Veil?"
"I'm looking for information about who's behind all these fires in Haymaker's Square recently," I replied.
"The only people looking for information about that are royal guards," she said with a quirked brow. "Did you switch sides, Man-Veil?"
"I'm not looking to turn them in," I said, holding my hands up. "I'd like to make a deal. I may have information on people who can help them achieve their goals."
"There's nothing to talk about," Ruby said. "Nobody in charge. Just a bunch of pissed-off people."
"I know that's not true," I said, inching closer to her. "I know that there's someone pulling the strings. The fires aren't random—they're targeted. Someone has a list of targets, and they're going through them one by one. Sending a message."
"You seem to know a lot about this. Don't see why you're bothering me with questions," she replied, averting her gaze.
"I just need a name."
"No, you want a meeting," she said. "A name is just that—a word. Useless." She scoffed. "Didn't the real Veil teach you anything?"
"Fine, arrange a meeting, then," I said. "Can you help me?"
A smile curled onto her red lips. "How about this? If you can bring me a name, I'll set up a meeting. But first, I'd get the hell out of my cafe before Daniel gets back."