Raising the Stakes

The window in Tanya's room gave a view mainly of the temple roof, with a selection of other roofs behind. However, if she hunched over the table and pressed her face on the glass, Tanya could also see a short section of the street in front of the temple.

Riki had just gone. Currently she would be exiting the sanctum, on her way to a meeting with Zelenski in the Corps headquarters. Tanya felt nauseous at the thought, but Riki clearly saw it as one big game. Her flippant attitude ought to be irritating—it always was in Westernfort. Yet now Tanya was finding it a source of comfort, and not just for humor. Riki did not have the first idea what fear was. She made incredibly reassuring company.

Even so, Tanya wondered why she was bothering to peer down at the road. The chances of spotting Riki were too small to consider. Tanya frowned. Just what did she think she would gain by it? Yet she remained in place, looking.

 

The room Riki was shown into was the same as before, but this time Colonel Zelenski was already there waiting, seated at the desk. Riki felt a hard knot of tension in her stomach and an uncomfortable prickling at her nerve endings. Taking risks for herself was fun, but this was different. The game was moving into its next phase, which involved Tanya's position becoming a lot more precarious. So far, Isabel Coppelli had been spot-on accurate in predicting how everyone would react. Riki prayed that she continued to be right.

Riki stared at the floor, almost as if hoping to see through to the cells and interrogation rooms beneath her feet. Riki remembered the catch in Tanya's voice as she said that she did not want to go back. Yet Tanya was not chickening out or whining for sympathy. Riki just wished there was some way she could be more support, or even swap places. She would happily face the risks on Tanya's behalf.

The colonel's chair creaked as she leaned back. "You got my message."

Riki hardened her expression and looked up. This was not the time to let her performance waver. "Yup. And I guess you got the guilty reaction from the Chief Consultant, like I said you would. So. You ready to strike a deal now?"

"I am. For the information you outlined before, I'm willing to offer one hundred dollars."

Riki shook her head, laughing. "Oh no. I'm not handing it over that cheaply." She drifted a few steps closer to the desk. "Look. We can do it one of two ways. I want a thousand dollars. Now, you can say one hundred, I can say five thousand, and we can spend the next half hour haggling it down to a thousand. Or I can say one thousand, you can say yes, and we can go and do something useful in that half hour. Which way do you want it? Because I'm not handing the papers over for a dollar less."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not paying that much."

"Then you're not getting the documents."

Colonel Zelenski fixed a hard stare on Riki. "You're overplaying your hand. We'll get the documents, with or without your help."

"Some of them, maybe."

"We already have."

Riki gave a cynical laugh. "Yeah, I know. That little shit has already sold you the accounts sheets, hasn't she? You could have saved yourself whatever you paid her. Because my price is the same, regardless of how much stuff is there."

"My point is that we don't need your documents."

"Yes, you do. The accounts aren't enough to nail either Bakara or Coppelli, and you know it. You need something definite, in their handwriting, linking them to the frame-up of Joannou. And there ain't no one but me who can give it to you. There's no point searching, because I'm not stupid enough to leave them anywhere they might get found."

"There's more than one way you might be enticed to hand them over." Zelenski paused, significantly. "Our interrogators are very good at extracting information. I'm sure they can get the location of the documents from you without too much trouble."

Riki acted unimpressed. "If you want to take the chance. But you haven't got a lot of time, you know."

"We've got as much time as we want, and far more than you'd like."

"Not if you want to get the old lady's granddaughter back you haven't."

"Why not?"

"Because the old lady is planning on springing her granddaughter from the temple. She's not going to let her stay locked up forever. She's going to rig it to make it look like the heretics rescued her."

"I think she'll have trouble getting her granddaughter past the Guards on duty."

"Ah, but that's just it. Bakara is in Coppelli's pocket. The old lady will make Bakara send the Guards away and set up anything else she wants."

"Bakara wouldn't be so rash or so blatant."

"She's under Coppelli's thumb, and she hasn't got the guts to say no."

"How do you know about this?"

"I'm in the Coppelli household, and I'm good at hearing things."

"When did you find out?"

"A couple of days ago."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because I couldn't care less about the granddaughter. She's done nothing to hurt me. It's the old lady I want nailed. But I reckon you might be a bit more interested. From what I've heard, you've got four days at most to stop Coppelli and Bakara. And you can't do a thing to them until you've got my proof in your hands." Riki grinned. "So. It's up to you. Do you want to take the gamble that your girls can get the information out of me in time to stop the granddaughter from legging it?"

"Supposing I say you're bluffing?"

"You'd be wrong."

Colonel Zelenski sat silently for a long time, staring at her desk, but at last she looked up. "One thousand dollars?"

"Yes."

"All right. If the information is what you say it is."

"It is. And I want you to swear, on the name of Celaeno, that you'll give me the money and let me have free passage out of Landfall."

"In the name of Celaeno, on my honor as a Guard and by Hoy's sword, I swear that if you hand over documents proving criminal misconduct by Madam Isabel Coppelli and Chief Consultant Bakara, then I will pay you one thousand dollars and allow you to depart this place without hindrance or fear of arrest. Does that do you?"

"It does me fine. I'll be back tomorrow morning for a quarter of the money up front, and as long as you give me that, you can have your proof the day after."

Riki did not let her expression drop until she was back on the street and far from the Guards' compound. Once again, the meeting had gone exactly as Isabel Coppelli had predicted. Yet Riki could not stop feeling worried on Tanya's behalf. Regardless of her trust in Isabel, she could not bear the thought of Tanya returning to the Corps dungeon.

Riki came to a stop and looked around blankly at the houses around her, trying to sort out what was going on in her head. This was not just comradely solidarity. She felt fiercely protective. The more she thought about it, the more Riki wished she could go back to the temple, talk with Tanya, and hear her laugh.

Okay. I like her. The words bounced through Riki's thoughts. A lot. She sighed and carried on walking. If only the feeling were mutual.

 

Isabel Coppelli was showing all the signs of being a grandmother in a mellow family mood. Tanya answered the questions as fully as she could, about her sisters, parents, home, ex-girlfriends, interests, and ambitions. Talking about her family with somebody who genuinely wanted to hear made her feel less homesick. It was the first time her grandmother had visited since Riki had arrived, and it was also going to be the last.

Eventually, Isabel bowed her head regretfully and sighed. "I'm afraid I've been here long enough, or at least as long as I can without somebody thinking it odd."

"I'm pleased you visited."

"But not as pleased as I am. It's always nice to meet a new granddaughter. Thirty-two just wasn't enough." The elderly woman smiled, looking like any other sentimental, doting grandmother. "When you get back, tell your mother how happy I am that she's given me four more and that I had this chance to meet one of them."

"I will."

"Your mother and I...I think you know how much I've regretted what happened between us. Tell her I'm sorry. And that's something I've said to precious few people in my life. It's good to hear she's doing well, and I'm not at all surprised that she's the captain. You rarely find a Coppelli at the bottom of the heap. You're a Coppelli too. Don't think you're going to get away with lounging around as a mere corporal for long."

"Oh, that's, um...we'll see."

Her grandmother laughed. "Don't play the shy, blushing bit. There's far too much of your mother in you to carry it off."

Tanya looked up in surprise. "I'm not sure if I see that."

"You didn't know your mother when she was young. Admittedly you're a bit less prickly than she was. That'll be due to growing up with a mother who's willing to let you be yourself, without making a battle about it every day." Isabel sighed. "But I really must go. We won't meet again, unless it all goes terribly wrong and we end up in the same cell. The timer is burning down. Your comrade has nearly finished winding up Colonel Zelenski." She paused. "That Rikako, she's a useful woman to have around."

"Yes. She's, um..." Tanya broke off, staring at the tabletop. "It's a shame we don't get on too well."

"Don't you?"

"She was always a troublemaker back at Westernfort."

Isabel looked thoughtful. "Yes, you're quite right. I know the sort. She is a troublemaker, and she'll always be making trouble for someone. The trick is to offer the right inducement so the someone is your enemy."

"I think she counts me as an enemy."

"Oh no. I'm sure she doesn't."

"I know we're working together now, but I don't know if we..." Tanya's voiced faded away. She was not sure how she felt about Riki and had no idea how Riki felt about her—or more disturbingly and truthfully, she was starting to get a good idea of how she felt about Riki and was quite certain that Riki did not feel the same way.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll sort it out between you on the way home. You'll see." Isabel pushed back from the table and stood up. "Good-bye, Tanya. It's been a great pleasure meeting you"

"And for me. Good-bye, Grandma Izzy."

Isabel Coppelli smiled and tottered to the door, moving like the old woman she was. Tanya remained at the table long after she had gone, thinking and watching the sun set over Landfall.

 

Between the main doors of the temple and the entrance to the outer sanctum lay the military shrine. Statues of three Elder-Ones stood at the back of an alcove, one each for the Guards, the Rangers, and the Militia, in colors mirroring their protégé's uniforms. As befitting the patron of the oldest branch of the military, Natasha Krowe of the Rangers was in the middle, with her green skin and gray hair. On the right was the yellow-skinned and red-haired Guards' patron, Su Li Hoy, and on the left was David Croft. In her case, both skin and hair were plain black, like the Militia uniform. However, since David Croft was one of the Elder-Ones traditionally represented with fur on her face, little skin was visible.

The sight of soldiers praying at the shrine was common enough. Senior Sister Watkins spared only a glance for the kneeling woman in red and gold, until a soft voice hailed her.

"If you please, Sister."

Sister Watkins was on her way to an early morning meeting with the Chief Consultant, but she had a few moments to spare. She backtracked a few steps to the entrance of the alcove. "What is it?"

The Guard got quickly to her feet, but then hesitated, shifting her weight from foot to foot. She was clearly a young recruit, with a blank badge of rank. Her red tunic was devoid of braided ornamentation. The cheek guards of her helmet hid much of her face, but from what could be seen, her expression was deeply troubled. Her eyes flitted uneasily, not fixing on anything.

"What is it?" Sister Watkins repeated.

"Sister I...I want to..." The Guard caught her lip in her teeth. "May I ask your advice on something?"

"You may."

"Supposing a Guard was given orders to kill a prisoner, in cold blood, without a trial. Would it be murder to obey those orders?"

Sister Watkins paused, quite sure that she was not being asked a hypothetical question. This did not cause her concern. Watkins could think of several circumstances that might result in such an order being given, although it was unusual to select such a young, naïve Guard to carry it out. More typically, these deeds were entrusted to experienced members of the Intelligence Corps. However, reassurance was being asked for, and that she could give.

"Not all trials can be held in public. Sometimes even the report of a crime can result in the sickness spreading among weak minds. Even though there's no record, rest assured that the criminal has been duly tried, convicted, and sentenced. The Guards are in the forefront of our war against the heretics, and are sometimes called on to go beyond the bounds set for other women. In your service, you may be asked to do things, without question, that would normally be a sin. You must have faith in your officers. They are carrying out the will of the Goddess."

"But supposing..."

"Yes?"

"Supposing it wasn't one of your direct officers who gave the order. Just someone who had a much higher rank than you, but outside your chain of command."

Sister Watkins' surprise increased. Something was definitely not right. "I can't see that it would be likely, but even so, no senior officer would give such orders without the blessing of the Chief Consultant."

"But suppose something made you think maybe...they didn't..."

"They didn't what?"

"Maybe she was giving you the order so her own women wouldn't get in trouble. You weren't sure. But something you overheard...and perhaps it was...the Chief Consultant didn't want her to...so they..."

Sister Watkins stared sharply. The Guard was drifting into incoherence, but a clear thread was emerging. "Are you saying that this has happened to you?"

"I...no, Sister. No. I was just wondering. I..." The Guard broke off her denials, breathing heavily. "I must go. I'm due back on duty. I'm sorry for taking up your time."

The Guard sidestepped and hurried away across the floor of the temple. Sister Watkins drew a breath, about to call her back, but already she had gone. Anyway, Watkins had heard enough. This was definitely something she should discuss with Chief Consultant Bakara. Behind her mask, a grim smile settled on her lips. Just as well that she was on her way to a meeting. Sister Watkins turned and headed toward the entrance of the sanctum.

 

"It's odd walking around in a Guard's uniform, how everyone jumps out of your way." Grinning at the memory, Riki leaned over her crossed arms on the tabletop. "It would be really useful if you wanted to get across town in a hurry. And I liked the boots that made me a few centimeters taller."

"Where did Grandma get the uniform for you?" Tanya asked.

"I don't know. Maybe the same place she gets the list of who's due to visit the Chief Consultant, and when."

"Do you think Sister Watkins will have passed the message on to Bakara?"

"Your grandmother does. And she's pretty good at saying what people are going to do before they know themselves."

"I know, and I trust her, but..."

The wobble in Tanya's voice made Riki look up. Tanya was staring at something outside the window, but Riki was sure that she was not seeing whatever it was. The muscles in her jaw were working, in a manifest battle to keep her expression steady. Without thinking, Riki reached out and laid her hand over Tanya's on the table.

"It won't be for long. Your grandmother has it all covered."

Tanya's head snapped back, facing Riki. Her eyes widened in evident surprise. Her hand flinched as if about to pull away, but then relaxed, staying in contact.

Riki felt her insides kick as her eyes locked with Tanya's and stayed there. A feeling of utter self-consciousness swept over her. All she could think about was how Tanya's hand felt, lying under hers. What should she do? Ignore her hand? Move it? Leave it where it was and wait for Tanya to move?

"About now, your grandmother is going to be..." Riki stopped. Trying to act as though she were not staring into Tanya's eyes and holding her hand was not going to work. "Look. I know you think I'm a total pain in the ass. Most of the time you're right. And you think I'm a selfish bitch who's only helping because it's in my own best interest, else I'd leave you to die in the Corps dungeon. But you're wrong there. I don't walk out on my comrades. I'm on your side."

"Yes. I'm getting to realize that." Tanya's hand twisted over, so their palms were together. Her thumb and little finger wrapped around the sides of Riki's hand. "And I'm sorry I punched you outside the stores, after the fire."

"You've already said that once."

"Yeah, well. This time I mean it."

The Sister on duty coughed, reminding them of her presence. Both Riki and Tanya jerked their hands away. Riki turned her face to the window while her insides again flipped over. It was ridiculous. She had heard people going on about how it felt when they were falling for someone, but she had always thought they were exaggerating. Yet her heart was pounding as if she had run ten kilometers and her hand was aching through to the bone.

Outside the window, the sun was dropping toward the roofs of Landfall. Time was moving on. Riki dragged her thoughts on track.

"Your grandmother is going to call on the Chief Consultant in a few minutes. I must go. I need to be with Zelenski when she hears the news."

"Yes. Right. I'll, um..." Tanya sounded as if she was suffering from the same turmoil.

Riki stood up and brushed her hands nervously through her hair. Her eyes again met briefly with Tanya's. "It'll be fine. Don't worry." She took a step back and mouthed the words, "I'll see you on the docks."

 

From the window of the Chief Consultant's audience room, Isabel Coppelli could look right across Landfall, as far as the downstream docks on the Liffy River. The sight recalled old memories. She had been seventeen when her own grandmother put her in charge of the Coppelli warehouses there. It had been a hard test, cross-checking everyone who might double-cross her, bribing and bullying, haggling and hassling, while all the time keeping her paperwork clean, but she had met the challenge, as she had every other one over the intervening seventy years.

Only once had she seriously miscalculated in her judgment, and that had been with her own daughter, Piety. Isabel smiled at her reflection in the window glass. Perhaps, in a spirit of reconciliation, she should try to think of her daughter by the name she preferred. After all, it did suit her better. With hindsight, she should have known better than to try dominating Chip. She was too much her own woman—Isabel's smile broadened—and her mother's daughter.

Isabel's musings were interrupted by the rustle of cloth and the sound of the door closing. She composed her face into an angry frown and turned around.

Chief Consultant Bakara had entered the room. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes. I've just received some serious news."

"What is it?"

"Colonel Zelenski. She's arranging to have my granddaughter murdered. Of course, I've got no proof, but my sources have picked up on it. Zelenski hasn't got her own women on duty outside Tanya's room, but she's pulling strings. She's fixing the sentry rota so there'll be a squad of young simpletons on together. Gullible enough to think they have to obey an order from a colonel without referring it to their own officers."

Bakara turned away, rubbing her forehead, as if to soothe a headache. "I...I think you may be right. I've heard—"

"You knew already?"

"Vague reports. I wasn't sure of the target. Or who the officer was. But yes. It could be. I just can't see why she'd do it."

"Because she can."

"That's not a reason."

"How about, because she wants to show you that she can."

"I don't see..."

"Zelenski has a hold over you. She wants to send the message that she can do whatever she wants and you dare not stand in her way."

"But why have your granddaughter killed?"

"She's furious we removed Tanya from her prison. She wants to hit back and make her point by showing how she'll deal with any attempt to overrule her in the future. You could arrest the Guards who do the killing, but you won't dare use their testimony against Zelenski. She'll force you to cover for her. And then she'll really have you in her grip."

"What do we do?" Bakara sounded despairing.

"The situation isn't hopeless. I've got my people working on it. Given a couple more days, I should be able to dig some skeletons out of Zelenski's own cupboard. But I need more time, and I need to know Tanya is safe while I do it. Which is where you can help."

"How?"

"Take the Guards away from Tanya's room and keep her door locked."

"Colonel Zelenski won't agree to that."

"And I won't agree to my granddaughter being murdered. Zelenski will be angry, but it will take her a few days to make a new plan and that's all I need. In the meantime it doesn't matter what she will or won't agree to. The sentries outside Tanya's door are ordinary Guards, not Intelligence Corps. That's why I've heard about what she's planning. Her own women would have followed orders without a fuss. If you go to the Guards on duty and tell them to leave, they won't disobey a command from the Chief Consultant."

 

Riki dropped the papers on the desk. "There you go. As promised."

Colonel Zelenski picked up the top one thoughtfully and sloped it to the lantern behind her. From the light shining through, Riki could tell that it was the map of the sanctum at Fairfield. Zelenski pursed her lips and took up the next sheet. Riki waited patiently while each document was examined in turn.

At last, Zelenski put the papers aside and looked at Riki. "Very good."

"I told you it would be. So. Where's my money?"

Zelenski continued to stare coldly across the desk.

Riki sneered. "You're wasting your time, trying to intimidate me. You swore on Celaeno's name, and a Guard never breaks an oath like that. It's your honor at stake."

"Indeed." Zelenski sighed and got out of her chair. She pulled open the door of a nearby cupboard and reached inside. "Here's your money."

The purse landed on the desk with a heavy thud. Riki grabbed it, tugged open the drawstring, and peered in. "I guess you'd be insulted if I counted it out."

"You can if you want."

"Nah. I'll trust you." Riki grinned and turned to the door. "Thank you. And good-bye."

"Before you go."

Riki looked back. "What?"

"I was wondering, if I ever had use for your talents again, whether I'd be able to contact you."

"I'd have to tell you where I was. And I'm not sure I want to."

"I'd make it worth your while. People who know how to get information are always useful."

"I'll think about it. Maybe when the money runs out."

"It would—" The sound of running stopped Zelenski. Urgent knocking followed.

"Enter."

"Ma'am." The door opened and a Guard appeared, an Intelligence Corps member judging by the less-than-immaculate condition of her uniform.

"What is it?"

"The heretic in the temple, ma'am, Coppelli's granddaughter. You wanted to know if the watch outside her room was changed. I've just heard. Ten minutes ago, Chief Consultant Bakara went along in person and ordered the Guards to leave. There's just the one Sister inside the room now, keeping an eye on her. The door's locked, but we know where the key is."

Riki grinned. "What did I tell you?"

"Yes. You were right—again." Zelenski stared first at Riki and then down at the papers on the desk. "But now I have what I need to act. Corporal." Her eyes returned to the soldier at the door.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I want a detachment of six Corps Guards. Armed, in uniform, and in the courtyard. Fifteen minutes."

"Yes, ma'am." The Guard vanished.

Zelenski drew a sharp breath. "You've been accurate and very useful. I hope our paths cross again. It might be beneficial to us both."

"We'll see." Riki tilted her head, listening to the shouted orders echoing around the courtyard and the sound of people running. She glanced once again at the colonel. "Good-bye. And have fun."

 

Tanya jumped at the pounding of heavy feet in the corridor outside. The key rattled in the lock and then the door was flung open. The Sister on duty had been dozing. She scrambled unsteadily to her feet as seven armed women in Guards' uniforms stormed into the room. Tanya shrank back against the wall. It required no acting on her part. A raw panic seeped over her.

"What's going on?" the Sister piped up. She was ignored.

Colonel Zelenski stalked forward. "You're coming with us."

Tanya could not speak.

"You can't—"

Zelenski cut off the Sister's protest. "We're just making sure we know where she is."

"The Chief Consultant said—"

"There's been a change of plan. And there's a lot more changes to come."

Two Guards strode forward and grabbed Tanya's arms. They hauled her away from the wall. For three steps Tanya went placidly, but then she gave in to the panic. She pulled back and then threw her weight to the right, struggling frantically. More Guards surrounded her. More hands grabbed her. Tanya heard a squeal from the Sister who had gotten caught up in the mêlée. Then Tanya heard metal on metal, the sound of a sword being drawn.

"Stop this at once."

Colonel Zelenski's eyes blazed over the line of her sword. Tanya froze and then sagged in the grip of the Guards. The fight was hopeless. Through the Guard's legs, she caught sight of the Sister on her knees, holding her torn mask in place. From what Tanya could tell, the Sister was not hurt, apart from her dignity, but it said much about the Guards' state of mind that none were helping her rise. At the word of command, Tanya was marched from the room. Zelenski and two other Guards went ahead, and another pair kept close behind. Twice one of their boots caught on Tanya's heel.

The tight group emerged through the hangings at the sanctum entrance. The Guards standing watch were clearly startled, but despite the drawn sword, the sight of the Intelligence Corps Colonel was enough to reassure them that no action on their part was needed.

Zelenski led the way across the main hall. A gaggle of worshippers, dithering in the temple doorway, were roughly shoved aside, and then the party was outside. The last shreds of sunset lay orange on the western horizon, and a few stars were starting to show. Gardens surrounded the temple. The scent of flowers mingled with the dust of the city. Tanya gulped the warm evening air, trying to stay calm.

She was taken through the small side door that had been used on her way into the temple. A company of about thirty Guards were drilling in the middle of the parade ground, with an officer in charge, bellowing commands. The Intelligence Corps party skirted around the marching formation and then continued in a straight line for their headquarters. They passed under the archway.

Tanya had another brief glimpse of the interior courtyard before she was propelled through a doorway and down stairs. The underground prison was as she remembered it. The ill-lit corridor reeked with the stench of confinement. The damp stone walls closed around her like a tomb. Already, the Guard in front had the door open. Tanya was shoved into the cell. The door shut. The key turned. Footsteps marched away, and then there was silence.

Tanya fumbled around until she found the bunk. She sat and pulled her heels up, hugging her legs. She did not want to be there. Fear surged through her, drowning her senses. But she knew it was not the same as before. Now, she had hope. She had faith in her grandmother. So far, the elderly matriarch had been right at every step.

But supposing she failed now? Groaning, Tanya rested her head on her knees. Images of the interrogation room were trying to possess and overwhelm her. She needed something to distract her thoughts— anything. Abruptly, a memory dropped into her head from less than an hour before. Riki holding her hand.

Tanya opened her eyes and stared blindly into the darkness. Why had Riki done that? Was it just a friendly gesture of support? And what about the warmth in Riki's voice and the depth in her eyes? If it had been anyone else, Tanya would have had no doubts reading the signs. But from Riki?

Admittedly, Riki was no longer acting like a total jerk. They were united in fighting the Guards. When Riki said she would not desert a comrade, Tanya believed her. However, this did not mean that Riki felt any sort of affection for her.

Tanya knew she could not trust her ability to read Riki, because she was not an unbiased observer. She had let herself become fixated. It was understandable in the circumstances. But in conjuring up the sound of Riki's voice, and the expression on her face, was Tanya's memory being faithful to the facts? Or was it reflecting her own emotions and offering merely a desired fantasy?

Tanya let her head sink onto her knees. Regardless of the truth, she so desperately wished that Riki were still with her, holding her hand.