An Affinity For Fire

18. Clover

"Clo, are you even listening?" Leo asked.

"Just because I can't see you," she said, "doesn't mean I can't hear you." She had a hand over her eyes, massaging a temple with her thumb.

"Good, because this is important. We have a serious problem."

Clover put her hand down and lifted her throbbing head. It was a mercy that the sitting room they'd chosen was part of the underground section of the Eye, and therefore very poorly lit.

"What's the problem?" Tarry asked.

Leo was fidgeting more than usual. His leg bounced and he wrung his hands together, like he was trying to scrub out some invisible mud. "So, the thing is ... this whole quest ... it might have been for nothing."

Clover sat up straight, trying not to wince at the stirring in her stomach. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I was talking with Lord Roxeth last night, after the game ended."

Clover nodded, urging him on.

When he didn't continue, Tarry said "I assume you're getting to something?"

"Well, I was asking about the basilisks," he went on at last. "And it turns out ... well, they're dead."

Clover felt her insides tighten, a sensation which didn't go down well with her already sick stomach.

"That can't be right," Tarry said. "They're the last of their species. If they were dead, surely that would be well known across the kingdoms."

"Evidently not," Leo said.

"Well, where does that leave us?" Tarry asked.

"It leaves us doomed."

Clover squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. "Hold on, we can't just give up. What exactly did Kona tell you?"

Leo's brow furrowed in thought. "They were a mated pair, called Vena and Cava. Vena died a few years ago. He didn't say how, probably old age. Then Cava went mad, flew off and starved to death."

"How do they know?" Clover asked. "Did they find a malnourished basilisk body somewhere?"

Leo paused, a glint of optimism sparking in his eyes. "No. He said he guessed that's what happened, he never said there was ever any proof. Cava could still be out there."

Tarry gave him a mocking grin. "I can't believe that wasn't your first thought. Weren't you the one who said 'just because no-one's seen it, doesn't mean it's dead'?"

"So that's it," Clover said, "panic over. We have no evidence to prove that Cava's dead, so there's still hope."

"Well, yes, but don't be too relieved," Leo said, frown returning. "Alright, so they never found the body. But basilisks can fly, for Fates' sakes, he could have gone and died anywhere. And even if he didn't, you think they didn't look for him? If his owners couldn't find him, then how, after several years, do you expect us to do any better?"

"With Fitteia," Clover said. "We still get to talk to them, whenever they wake up. If Cava's alive, Fitteia will know where."

"And until they wake up, what do we do?" Tarry asked. "Sit idle and wait?"

"No," she said. "We get off our backsides and follow Leo's example. We ask questions. We find out what we can. The more information we can get without relying on Fitteia, the better."

Tarry frowned. "Who are we supposed to ask?"

"The people who would have known Cava best. Calio, Dallas, Innis."