The Catalyst

Chapter 69

Tessa had chosen a wealthy merchant's estate, about ten minutes' walk from Castle Road, as her temporary residence. Its pale granite walls rose three stories high and featured ornate balconies all around. Must be a delightful place to admire the sunset, she mused as she stood on the west balcony of the upper floor, enjoying a view that encompassed the castle grounds to her left, and the roiling hills beyond the city wall to her right.

The brightest blue stretched wide across the sky as Meliah came to interrupt Tessa's quiet contemplation.

"My lady, Captain Saveron and Lord Amary are here to see you."

"Bring them here. The northern wind helps clear my mind."

"Of course, my lady." Meliah trailed back inside.

Tessa couldn't see the Fel River from here. She missed her private floor in the high levels of the keep, from which she could admire so much of her realm. The keep must be filled with people right now. Citizens of Veicira seeking refuge.

The wind suddenly blew stronger, yanking back her hood, and her long curls, still slightly wet from bathing, danced wildly around her face. So then, Saveron and Amary were alive. Did that mean Jaden didn't go through with her suggestion? Well, it had been a long shot to have her phoenix drop that message into her brother's hands. Still, she had hoped. Now disappointment darkened her mood.

It didn't last long. The looks on the men's faces as they joined her on the balcony betrayed their witnessing of recent horrors. Something had happened after all. Tessa crafted an impassive mask for her face as she studied them. The emperor's taller, better-looking cousin now appeared as lost and helpless as an abandoned pup. As for Amary, he was practically foaming at the mouth with anger. She needed to play her cards right.

"They're all dead, Tessa," Saveron blurted out as he gripped the railing beside her, his shoulders very tense beneath his red coat. Amary stood a few feet away, his seething glare drilling holes into Tessa's back. A mean bruise colored the side of his face.

"Calm down, my friend. What happened?" she asked Saveron.

"The emperor, the captains – Ronius, Nikos, they've all been murdered! We're the only survivors. We managed to keep it quiet thus far, but the news will soon spread like wildfire."

"Who did this?" Tessa searched his brown eyes for any trace of suspicion, and found none.

"The soldiers on patrol duty claim it was a group of Felleran prostitutes. Apparently, some powerful dark mage intervened and ensured their escape."

"I don't know why you're telling her all this," Amary's bitter voice cut in from behind. "I'll bet you my wife's substantial fortune that she had a hand in it."

"You're upset, I can understand that." Tessa spared Amary a sidelong glance. "But you should still be mindful of your words."

As Amary approached her, Saveron stepped in between them, seemingly ready to intervene should the young man become aggressive.

"Prove it, then," Amary hissed. "Prove you're on our side."

"Don't listen to him, Tessa," Saveron said fervently. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone."

But Amary's venomous stare didn't waver from Tessa's eyes. "Rescue my brother Neros. He's Emperor now, since Myzian was disgraced. Your doing, as I recall."

Saveron pushed him away. "Myzian's disgrace was his own fucking fault!"

Before Amary could resort to fists, Tessa raised a placating hand. "How do you propose I rescue Neros?"