Gates of Ruin (Magelands Eternal Siege, #6), Christopher Mitchell [finding audrey TXT] 📗

and readied his apology. It would have to be grovelling, and sincere. They watched the stairwell, and Naxor’s smile faded as a woman emerged from the shadows onto the roof.

‘It’s you?’ he said. ‘How disappointing.’

Silva glared at him, then walked toward the table where the men were sitting. Her eyes fell on Corthie as she entered the shade of the canopy.

She bowed her head to him. ‘I’m glad to see you alive and well.’

‘Take a seat,’ said Corthie; ‘and ignore Naxor; it’s good to see you, Silva. I know we mistrusted each other at first, but that seems a long time ago.’

The demigod sat. ‘I still mistrust Naxor; that hasn’t changed, and never will. All the same, it was his powers I sensed and without him, I wouldn’t have found you.’

Naxor snorted. ‘Glad to be of use.’

‘I shall never forgive the way you betrayed my mistress,’ said Silva. ‘You broke her heart, despite being unworthy of her love. She’s over you now. She’s put all that behind her. I, however, shall bear her grudge for her.’ She turned back to Corthie. ‘Her Majesty sent me here to look for you.’

‘Belinda knew I’d be coming here?’ said Corthie.

‘Not at first. She told me you were in Kin Dai, and I was making arrangements to sail there when she informed me that you had embarked upon a ship heading south. She needs your help, Corthie.’

Corthie felt an unfamiliar feeling flicker in his chest. It was dread, he realised.

‘Her Majesty is alone,’ Silva went on, ‘and she cannot overcome the two Ascendants in Alea Tanton on her own; she needs you.’

Corthie got to his feet and walked to the edge of the roof, his heart racing. Memories of Leksandr pushing the sword into his heart flooded him, and he felt dizzy and sick. Behind him, he could hear the voices of the others, but he wasn’t taking in their words; all he could think of was how to avoid what Silva was suggesting.

Van walked to his side and gazed out at the view over the harbour.

‘I was wrong,’ said Corthie.

Van said nothing.

‘I was wrong about having a destiny; I was wrong about everything. If I face the Ascendants again, they will kill me again.’

‘Maybe,’ said Van.

Corthie felt tears in his eyes, and he grew angry with himself. Van placed a hand on his back.

‘I failed,’ said Corthie, wiping his eyes; ‘why can’t Belinda see that?’

‘She knows you better than I do,’ said Van. ‘If she thinks you can do it, then I believe her. Come back to the table, and we’ll talk. That’s all – just talk.’

Corthie nodded, and they returned to their seats under the canvas canopy. Naxor raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Corthie’s face, but said nothing.

‘Lady Silva was just telling us,’ said Sohul, ‘about the Third Ascendant.’

‘Yes,’ said Silva. ‘My mistress has been pretending to be loyal to Leksandr and Arete, but her heart lies with the common folk of Khatanax. Her Majesty has been attempting to obstruct the Ascendants, but it is only a matter of time before they realise this.’

‘And the Sextant?’ said Naxor.

‘So far they have not been able to operate it,’ said Silva. ‘Lord Bastion visited. Leksandr and Arete will face the wrath of Implacatus soon if they cannot get the device to work.’

‘Lord Bastion?’ said Corthie.

‘Yes. He is the Second Ascendant’s most powerful emissary. A vile creature, who serves an even viler master.’

Sohul frowned and looked away. Silva glanced at him.

‘Sohul has, um, some religious feelings about the Second Ascendant,’ said Van; ‘as, of course, do many who serve in the Banners.’

Silva narrowed her eyes. ‘Can he be trusted? Perhaps I shouldn’t be revealing secrets to someone who worships Edmond.’

‘Well?’ said Naxor.

‘Is this what it’s come to?’ said Sohul. ‘Are we actually considering opposing the most powerful deity in existence?’ He shook his head. ‘I didn’t sign up for this. It’s insanity, as well as deeply and profoundly blasphemous. The Blessed Second Ascendant is on a level above us all; he is the builder, the creator…’

‘But you’ve already fought the Ascendants,’ said Corthie. ‘You led Fordians against them in Yoneath.’

‘I know,’ snapped Sohul, ‘but that was different; I was under contract to you, and was obeying the rules of that contract, as any in the Banners would do. And, to be accurate, I was fighting soldiers employed by the Ascendants; I didn’t actually oppose Leksandr or Arete.’

Van gave a wry smile. ‘It might be time to pick a side.’

Sohul glared at him. ‘Have you?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’ve always lacked respect for the gods,’ said Sohul, ‘and I’ve always overlooked it, because you were my commanding officer, and a friend. But to rebel against the Ascendants? I don’t think I can.’

‘My mistress is the Third Ascendant,’ said Silva. ‘Could you work for her?’

Sohul stared at the ground, a cigarette burning in his fingers.

‘It might not come to that,’ said Corthie.

They turned to him.

‘I can’t help Belinda, I’m sorry. I have to find Aila and Kelsey. I’ve let them down, and I need to put it right before I can think about doing anything else.’

Silva looked at him in horror. ‘But my mistress is depending on you. Every day that passes in Alea Tanton brings her closer to danger. She risked everything to revive you in the cavern of Fordamere; how can you even consider abandoning her when she needs you the most?’

Corthie said nothing, his guts churning with a barrage of emotions.

‘May I speak?’ said Naxor.

‘I’d rather you didn’t,’ said Silva, folding her arms across her chest.

‘All the same,’ Naxor went on, ‘I do have an opinion. Firstly, I think Silva is right. What good will finding Aila and Kelsey do if we lose the worlds we come from? We’ve been lucky, and this may be our last opportunity to stop the Ascendants. Secondly, even if we fail in our primary objective, there will be Quadrants in Alea Tanton, Quadrants that we can use to rescue Aila and Kelsey, and then use to get off this cursed