Fear's Union

Chapter Twenty

—Anejo—

Anejo shuffled along the wooden gangway, breathing deeply but carefully. Silence was utmost. The conversation continued down below and she tingled with excitement. Her grandfather would be so proud.

"I fear there is little I can contribute. I trust you will honour your end of the bargain regardless of this drawback?"

"The attack was a failure, Governor."

"Your failure, not mine. Our part in it all was delivered, and I demand remuneration."

Ha! It was that simple. The scheming double-cross was laid bare. This was utterly perfect and Keles would have to admit as much. She smiled.

"The Governor speaks the truth. You would do well to act the gentleman."

What? There was a third guest. Who was that? Her heart skipped once, a caution. She probably had enough already, but it would be harder to leave than to stay.

"Delfinia will honour her word, but she also demands to know the truth. The attack on Altnuia was foreseen. You must admit that it looks suspicious."

Silence followed, and it grew heavy. Turgid. No-one knew how the attack had failed and she suppressed a snigger. She knew.

"Come now Master Enabler. You claim to own knowledge of all things. Help us here."

Enabler? What sort of a name was that? She was tempted to look over the edge of the gangway, her curiosity burning. She almost succumbed, but ultimately she resisted. Thank the Father that she did.

Cramp ripped at her lower leg, spiking her, and she screamed. Silently screamed. There was a slight squeak, but not much – she slapped her hand over her mouth. She stretched out her foot, compressing the calf muscles and tightening the ligaments. The pain eased as fast as it arrived, and she gathered her wits. But the repercussions were stark.

There was a pregnant silence down below. Her heart fluttered, drummed, and sweat dripped onto the gangway. There were footsteps in her direction, and she grabbed her weapon's hilt, flexing it methodically. Please no.

"Your plans were remarkable, General." She breathed out through pursed lips. So much relief. "Every eventuality was well considered, and every path mapped. You forget the random aspect, though. Nothing can be certain. Even the Order of the Veil has its blindness."

She smiled again. They hadn't noticed her! She released her grip on the weapon, mouthing her thanks to her God. She did not do that often.

Hang on. What was the Order of the Veil?

"You speak in riddles as usual. What random aspect?"

"You may know him as the Axis." She tingled at the mention of Kato.

"Ah yes, I know who you mean. And how is it that he came to know my plans?" There was accusation in the tone.

"He killed your dragons and extracted your agenda. It was just bad luck, General, bad luck that he was there." It didn't sound like it was luck at all. The Enabler was sitting on something, and she could tell that even from up here. She was glad to be hidden away, away from the tension.

The Governor growled. "It is late, or early even, and I have two whores warming my bed. Can we please finish this business before they grow restless and find alternative employment?"

There was a scraping of a chair and the heavy chink of gold. Events were reaching a conclusion, but that was okay. There was more than enough to incriminate here. She smiled. This had been a good evening.