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Chapter 22
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Logue Riztrin frowned at the communications console screen where he sat in his private office on board the Star Destroyer. A thin green line, denoting a low frequency transmission, arced from Trea into space and out of the range of the ship. That it was there at all came as a surprise and he’d only happened across it by playing with the frequency range of the controls. Chance, he thought, that he’d found it all ... except Maralt had told him to check for LF transmissions. Logue hadn’t really expected to find any, yet here one was.
He asked the computer to extrapolate its destination, surprised again when the answer returned. Orgrel, he thought, the Thieves Planet as it was often referred to, and that made this particular signal more than an oddity. It was illegal for transmissions to be sent to Orgrel. The Suma government surely wouldn’t condone it, which in turn meant that someone had illegally set up a relay on Orgrel’s surface to accept the transmission.
Logue didn’t have to guess who had done this. It was rumored Dynan had spent some time among Orgrel’s inhabitants just before Kamien’s crowning. It seemed entirely likely that his men installed the relay and were still using it. Logue didn’t know why, since low frequency transmissions weren’t used as a means of communication. Not normally at least, because the signal was too weak to carry data with any sort of reliability.
Unless ... Logue thought it over as he leaned back in his chair ... Allie Ahreld could have discovered a way to boost the signal strength without altering its defining characteristics. That was a possibility. That still didn’t tell Logue why it was there. Surely, they wouldn’t risk a constant signal to Dynan, a beacon of sorts, as that would pinpoint his location. Unless, Logue mused again, they had counted on this signal being undetectable.
It was true that low frequency signals were extremely difficult to identify. Normal communications scans wouldn’t have found it, but the Star Destroyer was a ship with scanning systems more sophisticated than others. Still, the signal wouldn’t have been found except for Maralt’s request. That meant the information on it came from Dain.
Logue studied the signal, wondering if it was possible to tap into it without being discovered. After a few calculations, he determined he could. He hesitated at initiating the transmission. Maralt was already on Trea. Logue couldn’t contact him to ask for permission. He thought if Maralt didn’t get the information he wanted, this signal would provide them with backup should the first plan fail.
He didn’t really doubt Maralt would get what he wanted from Drake Mardon. His mood since Shalis’ departure precluded failure. Everyone on the ship had quickly learned to stay away from him, least their lives be forfeit. A few had died demonstrating that lesson for others.
Just in case though ... He checked the parameters of the signal again, making sure that his calculations matched it exactly before he pressed the controls that activated the Star Destroyer’s communications grid. A low frequency beam emitted from the ship and joined with the signal from Trea, laying down a path that would lead them to Dynan Telaerin’s hiding place.
Lieutenant Doril Roderick swallowed a mouthful of cogery, a heavily watered-down ale. His next duty shift as a Palace Guard precluded joining his friends in heavier drink. He listened as a fellow guard complained about the new security procedures that would soon be going into effect. Another tightening of the vise that was strangling Trea and its people, all for the protection of Dynan Telaerin. For too many years, Trea had been caught up in something it had no business being involved with. The entire mess spoke of disaster for the System. Roderick was astounded at the lengths his King went to for the Prince, placing the System at near ruinous financial risk and in constant peril of invasion from Cobalt.
Roderick wondered sometimes if the King had taken complete leave of his senses. And then he’d learned what sort of person Carryn Adaeryn was and knew his concern for Trea was justified. Anyone who possessed the abilities that Carryn did was someone to fear. Roderick worried that King Drake was being manipulated without knowing it. He’d found a way to do something about it.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Conversations stopped as his friends looked at the stranger who stood at their table. Roderick listened as the man whispered in his ear for a moment.
“Really?” he said, looking at the messenger. “Splendid. Tell him I’ll meet him shortly.”
“He requests that you come immediately.”
Roderick feigned surprise. “In that case I’ll come now.” He stood. “Excuse me gentlemen. My cousin has arrived unexpectedly in town and he’s impatiently waiting for me. Jodin, I’ll see you tonight,” he said to his duty mate. “To the rest of you, a good evening.”
He followed the messenger, who led him down several streets, going away from the Palace and the area where off-duty guards could usually be found. Finally, the messenger indicated a home that stood immediately adjacent to the street and then left him, disappearing into the flow of people. Roderick knocked and the door opened quickly. A man ushered him inside, directing him to the library.
Maralt Adaeryn waited for him, standing in front of a fireplace. He turned when Roderick entered, making the guard start at the sight of his face. In his eyes, a terrible anger smoldered, lashing out toward him. “I need to be in the Palace tonight,” Maralt said, turning back to the fire.
“I can arrange it.”
“Where will the King be?”
Roderick hesitated. Maralt had never asked him about King Drake before. He had only agreed to help him against Dynan as long as the King wouldn’t be harmed. Maralt glanced at him.
“I need information, Roderick,” he said icily. “He won’t come to any harm. Now, do you know what his schedule is this evening?”
“He’ll dine with the Queen then go to the sitting room for about an hour. He’ll return to his office afterward.”
“Do you know if my dear sister will be dining with them?”
“Information on her is restricted, but she’s probably at the Base.”
“The elusive Exile Base. Do you have any more useful information on its location?”
“No, I don’t. I’m sorry, I—”
“Which entrance?”
“The south.” Roderick hesitated. “What has happened?”
“Nothing of importance and it will soon be dealt with.” His eyes narrowed and Roderick didn’t ask further. “What else can you tell me?”
“We received new security procedures today. They’ll go into effect as of tomorrow, so it’s good that you arrived when you did. After tonight, I won’t be able to get anyone inside, much less you.”
“What kind of security?”
“Clearance for Palace entry comes directly from the King for everyone. Extremely restricted. It’s rumored that Prince Dynan will be arriving soon.”
“How soon?”
“Unknown. The XR-9 is still in space dock. They’re planning to meet him somewhere and I’ve gathered that the journey will be a long one. The ship is being outfitted for a long journey at any rate. I did hear that refugees from Cobalt have swamped the Base. I-I looked into gaining clearance to go there, but that too has to come from the King. I didn’t think drawing attention to myself would be too smart right now. If you want, I can look into it.”
“I need you where you are.” Maralt nodded. “I’ll see you tonight then.”
Roderick hesitated again, then nodded and left quickly, wondering at Maralt’s mood. He seemed shaken and his anger couldn’t be mistaken. Roderick had never seen him like that. It made him uneasy. He didn’t like that Maralt had asked about the King. He questioned the wisdom of helping him, but knew it was far too late to change his mind about that. He didn’t return to the bar. Instead, he went to his barracks to wait for his shift to start.
Drake Mardon sat after a meal with his wife, enjoying a cup of tea in the family sitting room. Their youngest daughter, Ariella, sat on the floor playing with a set of wooden blocks. A frown crossed the King’s face suddenly, the delicate teacup held still in his hand.
“Drake?” Marella asked.
He shook his head, setting the cup down on the low table in front of him. His head ached suddenly, a fierce stabbing pain that took his breath. He couldn’t remember what he’d been thinking of a moment before. Suddenly he felt compelled to recall the name of Dynan’s location. He frowned. Thoughts of their last conversation repeated itself.
“You may very well like it there,” he remembered saying. “Cadal is as safe a place as any and the town Carryn discovered is, from what she tells me, a pleasant place. It has everything you enjoy and your home there is remote enough so you’ll have a chance to get used to it all without bothering too much with the people.”
Drake shook his head, wondering why he was thinking about Dynan just then when there was something pressing he had to take care of. His thoughts turned to the business yet to be finished that day, but they were cut off.
“What is the name of the town?”
It came to him as a question, almost a demand. He frowned again, his head aching when he couldn’t immediately recall. Quilar, I believe. Yes, that was the name, in the Bremin Territory.
“Remember this,” a thought came unbidden into his mind, a shattering thought, one that brought with it the certainty of danger and a terrible fear. “Dynan Telaerin will bring ruin to you and the Trea System if you continue to support him.”
Drake blinked, his breath shortened as the certainty came in that they were all headed toward disaster the longer he remained Dynan’s ally. Then, he didn’t know what he was thinking, and shook his head over it. Reason returned, but in the back of his mind, doubt took hold.
“Drake, is something bothering you?” Marella’s voice intruded.
“No, it’s just a headache. It seems to be easing now.”
“I wonder what brought that on? Is your tea too strong?”
“I’m fine,” he said and patted her hand.
Marella smiled and nodded, then watched as the blocks her daughter had stacked one on top of the other crashed down to the floor. Ariella pouted for a moment, then began again.
Shalis entered Trean space early the next morning, dropping out of sublight well into the interior to avoid the Star Destroyer, thinking about Dain and the way he always flew. She hoped she was doing it right. When she didn’t blow up or run into any planets, she breathed again.
She explained to Central Control, trying to disguise her voice, that her ship was experiencing engine difficulty and she had to land immediately. Fortunately, the ship wasn’t of Murian registry. It was from Cobalt. They gave her permission, directing her to the Ilthain Base.
She landed and guards immediately surrounded her craft. She gathered her cloak around her, pulling the hood up to cover her face, then opened the hatch door. Two uniformed men boarded, and asked her for identification. Heart pounding in her ears, silently she held out her hand, giving the guard an object wrapped in a piece of velvet cloth. He frowned, but opened it. His eyebrows rose as he looked at the brooch, then at her sharply.
“This is the Telaerin seal.”
“Take it to the King,” Shalis said. “Show it to no one else.”
“Who are you?”
She hesitated, but drew the hood back. As she did, a blinding pain struck her at the base of her skull, wrapping around her head in lightning speed. She stumbled forward, caught by the startled guard before she fell.
Maralt was there, inside her in such a way he’d never been before, and the pain of it took her breath. He grabbed her before she could think to run, his eyes blazing with a kind of terrible madness that leapt at her, drawing her into darkness and despair.
“You bitch!” He drew his hand back, striking her.
Shalis gritted her teeth as the black of eternity came at her and met the madness coming for her. She nodded and whispered, “Telaerin bitch.”
Maralt struck her again and the world started to collapse.
“Go to Drake,” she said to the guard whose arms she could feel tightening around her. It hurt to speak, but of course, Maralt meant it to and she screamed, holding her head. “Tell him...” Her breath came in harsh gasps.
The guard held her, pulling her closer to hear. “Tell him what? Who are you?”
“Maralt...” Her eyes went blank and fixed. She clutched the guard. “...knows.”
Two more guards entered the ship as her breath hissed out and her eyes rolled back, her body going limp. “What’s going on here?” their Captain asked from the ramp.
The guard held up the brooch.
Carryn Adaeryn waited just outside the foyer to Drake’s office and heard a commotion. When she looked in, she saw a guard Captain and the Telaerin crest, recognized who was attacking when the guard buckled, and then she fairly shook the answers out of the man as he died. His only words as his breath hissed from his lungs were, “He knows.”
Drake’s secretary, Frendic, stood in horror, watching as the Captain slid to the floor. Carryn stood very still, stopping the man’s questions with a raised hand, as she concentrated to prevent Maralt’s next attack. She stared ahead at apparently nothing while Frendic gaped at her and at the dead man on the floor in front of his desk.
Carryn was barely aware of Drake’s office door opening as she sought to find her brother, pushing back against the attack so there wouldn’t be another life lost. The King appeared with one of the System’s Governors, their attention drawn immediately to her and the dead guard. She pushed harder, feeling Maralt’s presence closer, suddenly afraid he would try to kill the King.
“It’s too late,” she said, hoping Maralt would hear her, meaning to pull him to her instead. “I already know what you’ve done. I’ll reach Dynan before you can. He’ll get away – again. As always.”
“You really think so?” Maralt said. “We’ll see, Carryn, once again, how utterly inept you are at protecting him from anything.”
She backed away from him, feeling a kind of rage coming at her that she’d never felt before. She sought to hide from him and tried keeping her awareness of Drake with her at the same time.
Drake’s startled question to her went unanswered. He looked at her for a moment and ushered the bewildered Governor out of the room.
“I’ll call a guard, Your Majesty,” she heard Frendic say as Drake returned, coming to her as though through a long tunnel.
“Tell me what happened.”
“Yes, of course, I’ll try. The Captain came here and demanded to see you. I explained that you were unavailable and I offered to make an appointment. He wouldn’t explain himself, but said it was extremely urgent. He was very insistent and held up a brooch. I didn’t get a clear look at it. Commander Adaeryn came in just as the Captain collapsed. I’ve never seen anything like it. Commander Adaeryn forced the man to speak. He was obviously in a great deal of pain. All he said was ‘He knows.’ I have no idea what that means. Commander Adaeryn then turned and ... well, I’m not sure what she’s doing now.”
“Where’s the brooch?”
“I – there it is, on the floor. I’ll get it.” He started to come around his desk, but Drake had already leaned and picked it up.
“This is the Telaerin Crest,” he said looking at Carryn. “Send a message to Lord Xavier. Have him come to me at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Carryn blinked and pulled in a breath, rocking on her feet slightly as Maralt’s presence left her. Drake went to her side. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “We have to leave immediately.”
“I’ve sent for Xavier.”
Carryn nodded. “Contact the XR-9 and tell Allie to contact Dynan.”
“Right away, Commander,” Frendic said.
“Where’s the brooch?”
“Here.” Drake handed it to her. “You recognize it too.”
“It belonged to Shalis. Where did this man get it?”
“Frendic, find out where Captain—” He looked at the dead soldier’s nameplate. “—Anahar has come from. Call a guard and have him taken care of. Don’t offer any explanation.”
Drake helped Carryn into a chair in his office, closing the door. “Tell me what happened,” the King said, pouring her a drink.
“An Adept attack,” Carryn said, “which is what killed Anahar. Maralt knows where Dynan is. We have to move very quickly now.”
“How could he find out?”
“I’m not sure, Drake, but it’s certain that he knows and he’s now on his way there.” She leaned forward on her knees, rubbing her temples.
“Your Majesty,” Frendic’s voice came on over the companel. “Captain Anahar was stationed at the Ilthain Base, sector seven. I’ve notified the Base Commander to report.”
“Very well.”
“Commander Adaeryn, Lieutenant Ahreld is on line for you.”
“Go ahead Allie.”
“Maralt’s got the Star Destroyer. He’s jamming all frequencies.”
Carryn swore, pushing to her feet. “What about the link?”
“I can’t tell. It seems to be functioning, but if we try to use it with the Destroyer here, we run the risk of Maralt seeing it and tracing it.”
“Then cut it.”
Allie hesitated. “If we cut that line, we won’t be able to re-establish it.”
“I’m aware of that. Right now, it’s the only way we have to warn Dynan. Cut it. Is the XR-9 ready?”
“Yes. Everyone’s been recalled and we’re preparing the ship for departure.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She closed her eyes, remembering the last time this had happened. The last time she hadn’t been able to reach Dynan, Dain died. Her shoulders sagged and the High Bishop’s warning about allowing Maralt to chase them ran through her mind. She turned to Drake. “You may want to put your fleet on alert. Recall any outer patrols you have.”
“Retreat again?” Drake said stonily, then nodded. “What is this link you mentioned?”
“It’s a constant low frequency beam that tracks the XR-30. It’s very difficult to detect, even for a Star Destroyer, as long as it isn’t used to send or receive messages. Maralt probably doesn’t know about it, but he will if we attempt to communicate through it.”
“Then why cut it?”
“A last resort we set up before Dynan left. It will tell him that there’s trouble and he should get moving immediately.”
“That’s better than nothing,” Drake said.
“Unfortunately there isn’t any way for us to know that they’ve noticed it.”
“They’ll see it, Carryn,” Drake said. “They’ll know and they’ll get away.”
Frendic knocked at the door and entered, holding a sealed piece of parchment in hand. “A courier just delivered this, Your Majesty. It’s from Cobalt,” he said and handed it over, leaving them again.
Drake looked at the message, his eyes closing as he read and handed the paper to Carryn. It was from Gemern Taldic, warning that Maralt had been at the Palace and intended to come to Trea to locate Dynan. “How could he have found out?” Drake asked again, wincing at the headache he suddenly had.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” Frendic’s voice came over the companel. “There’s an urgent message from the Ilthain Base, Commander Grein.”
“Yes, Commander,” Drake answered.
“Your Majesty, Captain Anahar last spoke with a young woman. She’s currently in our Medic Center. I’ve placed a heavy guard inside and outside her room. Three of the guards she spoke with have also died.”
“Do you know who she is?” Drake asked, glancing at Carryn who straightened, staring at the brooch in her hand.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Commander Grein hesitated. “I’m almost certain that she’s Princess Shalis Telaerin.”
