The Stone and the Mirror
Sylena
Sylena rarely thought of herself as fortunate, but she smiled almost gleefully as she looked up from the black stone where Kellic’s distorted image was projected.
He’d survived. Even better, Kellic had decided to stay upon the shore rather than venture into the jungle, which made it all the more likely he wouldn’t end up dead.
It was as though the Infernal Dukes had shown her special favor. Now the salvagers and Lady Galanor were nearly certain to get themselves killed exploring the hinterland, and she would still get a marriageable Sargavan landholder.
She had watched much of the previous night’s events through the focus of the magical ring she’d given him, hearing almost everything Kellic himself had heard, which is why she’d set sail in the early morning, packing her goods in a rush and taking up residence once more in her “father’s” trade ship—in actuality a Chelish warship decked out as a merchant.
Now they were two hours out from Eleder, and a weary Sylena sat at the desk in her cabin, employing the ring’s sophisticated scrying magic to obtain a navigational fix on her lover’s position. Beside her on a ring of gold was the monitor stone and a large map of the coastline, over which she dangled a crystal shot through with crimson flecks.
Just as the crystal settled into its position, the mirror she’d hung on the cabin wall crackled with a burst of violet energies.
Rajana. Of all the cursed luck.
Sylena scowled and raked her hair back with her fingers, then set down the crystal and smiled at the mirror.
The image was not quite a twin to her own, but there was no mistaking the family resemblance. Rajana had the same fair skin, but her eyebrows were more highly arched, her nose thinner. And there were no humor lines about her eyes because her sister almost never laughed. Certainly she seemed ill disposed toward laughing now.
Rajana’s eyes took in the surroundings. “You’ve boarded a ship.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Perhaps you’re already on your way to Crown’s End to celebrate your success?”
“No.” Sylena put on a brave smile. “I’m merely off to clear up the loose ends.”
Rajana coolly appraised her. “Which loose ends are those, Sister?” Even in that emotionless tone, she managed to sound disappointed. But then Rajana was always disappointed.
Sylena forced her smile wider. “Naturally, I want to carry through the assignment so as not to displease Her Infernal Majestrix—or you.”
It wasn’t enough. Rajana’s frown deepened. “Please, Sylena, just give me the details. I called in a number of favors to buy you that storm. Did it work or not?”
“It wrecked the ship, but Lady Galanor and the salvagers survived. They’re heading into the jungle, but they’ll probably die there.”
Rajana slowly closed her eyes and put a hand to her head. “You’re aware that our expenditures, both in capital and in favors, are going to attract attention very, very soon? Attention we will not want.”
Sylena managed a gay laugh. “You’re always so gloomy, Rajana! At every turn, the Sargavans grow more desperate, their task more difficult.”
“They’re still on the expedition!” Rajana cut in.
But Sylena went on as if she hadn’t heard. “With any luck, Lady Galanor will never return from that jungle, which will mean an end to all of her schemes.” She sniffed. “I don’t understand why we couldn’t have moved against her more obviously to begin with.”
“Because Her Infernal Majestrix wishes subtlety in our dealings. Assassinating one of the baron’s chief advisors is hardly subtle!” Rajana breathed out. “You still haven’t explained what you’re doing on the ship. Do you have a plan?”
“I intend to wait offshore to see whether any of them come out of the jungle. If they do, I’ll take their treasure.”
Rajana considered her. “You’re certain where they’ll emerge?”
“The other survivors are supposed to go in search of a ship to pick them up. I intend to be that ship.”
Rajana’s face remained expressionless for a long moment. “That’s not a bad plan, Sister.”
A rare compliment. Sylena bowed her head.
“I pray that it goes well for you,” Rajana continued. “I want to wrap up this mission and return home.”
“Of course.”
“I hope that you haven’t grown too fond of that Raas boy. I know how emotionally involved you can be.”
Sylena cleared her throat. “I’m not ‘emotionally involved.’ I just don’t know that we should kill Kellic. I may yet have a use for him.”
Rajana sighed. “Use him however you want, so long as you kill him before he returns to Sargava.
“Of course.”
Rajana frowned. “Report to me as soon as you have news.”
“Yes, Rajana.”
Her sister swept a hand across the distant mirror so that the image cleared, and Sylena confronted her own face. Only then did she flip it the tines, something she would never dare while Rajana watched.
The scrying ring was of Rajana’s own design, and both sisters could use its magic to watch what its wearer did. But Rajana had little patience for listening to people talk, and it appeared that she must not have been eavesdropping when Kellic told Mirian Raas he would propose marriage to Sylena.
It was all working out so very nicely. In a half day or so, Sylena would drift up to offer assistance, then anchor offshore until she had proof Alderra Galanor and Mirian Raas were dead, or else had seen to that part herself and taken their treasure. Then she would have the gratitude of her superiors and a marriage proposal from someone who would be an important player in the new regime, as well as Sylena’s pretty puppet.