Part 36 (2/2)
”This is a bitter brew,” said the Crab.
Rubaloth did not reply. He waited for the clink on the platter that would signal Leaf had returned the empty cup. Rubaloth had been cold the whole time on the sea and rummaging through this man's mind made him feel filthy. He ached to submerse himself in the hot water that lay at the end of the marble path.
”So what is it you want us to do?” the Crab asked.
”I want you to find out all you can about this Captain Argoth. Where his family is from, his business dealings, the types of foods he eats. I want to know if he has a regimen of exercise.”
”Exercise, Great One?”
”I want to know what he puts in his body and what comes out. You'll dig in his privy. You'll search his pantry and root cellars. Anyone who uses the lore needed to eat certain foods to keep the body from wasting. They needed to exercise in a certain way to prepare the body for the moment of quickening.”
”Do you suspect him?”
”I suspect everyone, Clansman, including you.”
”Argoth's sister married a Koramite,” said the Crab. ”There are a number of us in the Council who have never trusted him.”
”You will provoke nothing,” continued Rubaloth. ”He must know nothing. His wife must suspect nothing. You will take action only upon my command. And that will come through this minor binding.”
”What about questioning the Koramite?”
”Your tower is not secure. You'll move him immediately. Far from Whitecliff.”
”Yes,” said the Crab.
”Do not touch him.” If the Koramite had anything to do with the rebellion here, if he had any secrets, Rubaloth would seek them out himself. He did not want to risk incompetent men killing or damaging the man.
”You do not want us to press him?”
”What did I just say?”
The Crab bowed. ”Please forgive my stupidity, Bright One.”
”Be faithful over these few things and you shall be made ruler over many. Fail me, and you will be cast aside like rancid meat.”
He heard the Crab rise. His voice slurred slightly. ”My heart is given to Mokad,” he said.
His heart was given to Mokad only because he saw that as his path to glory. Rubaloth felt that clearly during the seeking. He also felt nothing to suggest the Crab was part of the cabal that had murdered Lumen, which meant such ambition could be used.
”Prepare yourself. Wait for my command to use the weaves I've given you.”
”Yes, Bright One.”
Rubaloth turned the screw one last time. ”I expect great things from you. Remember, the Glory is searching to replace Lumen. He is looking to raise one or two as Candidates. It is . . . not impossible for a man of your experience and talents.”
The Crab bowed even more deeply. ”I will not disappoint you, Bright One.”
Rubaloth dismissed him and let Leaf walk him out. When Leaf returned, he asked, ”Do you trust him?”
”I trust his ambition,” Rubaloth said. He took a breath, satisfied with this part of his plan. ”Where's Uram?”
”He's coming, Bright One.”
Moments later the sound of studded sandals echoed down the hallway and stopped in the room. ”My Lord?” said Uram in his pleasing voice.
Rubaloth said, ”Argoth must come to the s.h.i.+p willingly. That is your mission. If he tries to escape, subdue him, but avoid killing him at all costs. When we're out to sea, I will be more comfortable pressing him. But not a moment before. Defer to him, treat him as you would a lord.”
”May I respectfully suggest that we do not know the enemy's size or strength. Will it not be safer to take him directly to the s.h.i.+p, Bright One?”
”Safer, yes, but also less effective. This enemy is a serpent, Captain. The moment it feels threatened, it will attack or flee. And so we shall give it no cause for alarm. When he's cut off from all help and all prying eyes, I shall crack his mind like a nut. In that moment, surprise will be on our side. We will know his secrets. And if he is sleth, then I will direct our allies here to quickly and quietly move on them all.”
”Yes, Bright One.”
”You may go, Uram. I will see you on the morrow.”
Rubaloth turned to Leaf. ”Now our part. We cannot let a pack of traitors think we are uneasy, can we?” He held out his arm for Leaf to take and turned to the pools. ”Have you brought the wine?”
”Yes, Bright One. I have also arranged for a young man to work the knots out of your back.”
”Excellent,” he said, and then they walked out of the chamber and down the path arm-in-arm. At that moment a clamor arose ahead, punctuated by screams.
Rubaloth felt for Leaf's mind so that he might see more clearly in the world of flesh what he saw in the world of soul. Had they underestimated the enemy?
Through Leaf's eyes, he saw a number of knee-high, red-faced beasts run across the path. A troop of green and white clad servants ran after them with sticks and stones.
”G'alls!” he exclaimed. ”Woodikin?”
Leaf drew the sword he kept at his side.
The beasts ran up the hill on his left and disappeared over the top with many screeches. The servants followed, throwing rocks and ringing bells.
Another servant carrying the wine walked along another path as if nothing were happening. Leaf called to her. ”Hoy, what is this?”
The servant bowed deeply. ”Monkeys, Zu.”
”Monkeys?” said Rubaloth.
”Yes, Bright One, we must be ever vigilant to keep them from the baths.”
Rubaloth shook his head in disgust. ”What Lumen saw in this land I will never know.” He released his hold on Leaf's sight. Using Leaf's eyes was not something he wished to do often, for after long periods of soul walking a man could lose himself, leave his body and not return. And so he continued with Leaf to the pool and soft steams, seeing them as they were in the yellow world.
Argoth sat upon Courage, his tall black warhorse, sandwiched between five dreadmen who rode ahead and five who rode behind.
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