Page 21 of A Queen's Game
Wyltam’s mother had been strict with magic practitioners. Most never had the chance to learn in Satiros, unlike the elves in the other Syllogian cities; yet, there was one thing they had in common: pilinos were restricted from learning to use magic altogether.
With an eye on the surrounding crowd, Valeriya slipped into a narrow backstreet. The scent of food grew thicker with the backs of restaurants flanking. About halfway through the alley sat an elven male on a crate. Greasy hair laid in thin strands and tied about his waist was a stained apron. At his mouth, he puffed on something pungent. An idle hand reached out front to scratch the gut hanging over his pants. Another great disguise from her contact.
The elven male grunted at Valeriya as she approached. “Oi, pretty thing like you should head on home.” A gurgling noisecame from the back of his throat, followed by his spit landing next to his foot.
Perhaps her contact was too good at his disguises.
Valeriya forced her voice higher and gave it a nervous shake. “Only when I’ve had a bite to eat.”
With another grunt, the elven male stood, tossing what he smoked to the ground. He gestured for Valeriya to follow him. Before passing through the door, her eyes scanned the alley, her ears listening. No odd sounds, no odd sights. All seemed typical for that meeting.
A narrow staircase dropped Valeriya below the street. Above them, the restaurant bustled with patrons. Through the floor, the stomping of feet mixed with ambivalent chatter as her contact illuminated the dingy, cluttered cellar with a light globe. From what her eyes could see, they were alone.
“Were you able to collect information on the new half-elf in the palace?” she asked in her high-pitched voice, starting the meeting.
“I gathered a few things. Took Marietta right before the seizure of Olkia.” A thick file appeared in his hand, which he gave to Valeriya.
“Did you know her?”
He nodded his head. “I know of her. Many people do. Well-known in Enomenos and used to travel for work. She worked with businesses throughout the cities, but she quit that a few years ago to open a bakery. Successful from what I hear.”
“A bakery? That’s quite the jump.” Opening a new business while a prisoner of war was beyond unlikely. No, Valeriya could confirm that Keyain lied to the court. Marietta was never a captive. Only then, held in Satiros, had she become one. Curious, why would he lie? Why drag her to Satiros? The Minister of Law verified their marriage, yet why were they separated all this time?
Her contact continued. “When the Exisotis regrouped after the attack, no one could find Marietta. Her whereabouts were unknown until she popped up in Satiros a few weeks ago. A man was with her at the time of her abduction. Do you know anything about that? Or why they’d take Marietta?” It was his turn to get information from Valeriya.
She fought the urge to bring her hand up to her chin. “Minister Keyain brought Marietta to Satiros because she is his wife. Minister Dyieter verified the marriage license and signed it himself eight years ago. Keyain and Marietta are husband and wife under Satiroan Law.”
He grimaced. “The first we heard of that. Anything about a man during the abduction?”
“Keyain’s team killed a male that was with Marietta when they extracted her from her home.”
The elf let out a long sigh, his disguise failing to hide the grief. “Is that so?” His fingers drummed on his arm, his stare distant at the news. With a shake of his head, he continued. “What is the King’s army doing next?”
“Regrouping, letting the dust settle in Olkia before moving on to Kentro. They’ll take out the heart of Enomenos, leaving the remaining three cities helpless. Have the cities negotiated with the Exisotis?” The anti-Syllogi group worked separately from the Enomenos Unionization Council. Through discreet efforts, the Exisotis operated in the background with their name unknown to most, aiding them in their necessary work.
“The governments of Olkia, Rotamu, and Notos agreed to work with the Exisotis. Kentro and Avato are still holding out, but we’re confident they’ll agree. The meeting next week will confirm all Enomenos is at war with Satiros.”
Valeriya nodded her head. “What of the causalities in Olkia? Was the information I gave helpful?” During their last meeting, her contact asked for information to lessen the blow from theirattack. Though Valeriya could benefit from Satiros’ seizure of Enomenos, the idea of slaughtering innocents left her stomach queasy.
“As you said, they attacked from the west, marched right across the hills. We tried to evacuate the western district, and though plenty fled, many remained.” A heavy sigh cut the grief in his face.
If Satiros attacked the city with its full force from the west, they would have slaughtered civilians. Killing families. Children. An attack on that district would have been devastating. Valeriya’s heart clenched at the thought. The worst part was her husband's reason for attacking Olkia—or rather lack thereof. No one knew beyond some of the Ministers of his court.
“Do you have the papers?” her contact asked, standing up from the barrel and glancing up at the ceiling as the voices grew quieter.
Distracted, she pulled out the rolled sheets and handed them to him. He glanced at the contents before stashing them in his pocket. “Thanks for the patronage.”
Valeriya followed him back up the stairs and checked the alley before stepping into it. The cool evening air was pleasant against her skin as she journeyed back to the palace, though her thoughts were dark with news of the war. Many were upset by it, viewing the seizure as a waste of resources. Why attack Enomenos now? Land wasn’t a shortage for the population. As the farming hub of Syllogi, food was also plenty. Valeriya would accuse Wyltam of extending the land under his rule, but that was a ridiculous notion. No, Wyltam and Keyain were doing something and Valeriya would make it her business to find out what.
Her husband kept her blocked from much of the serious politicking in Satiros. Even the ministers she used for information were murky on the attack’s details. There was onlyone lead Valeriya could follow—Keyain’s wife. Her mysterious arrival left many questions to ask. Fortunately for Valeriya, she was in a position to get answers.
Something did not sit right about Marietta. Her injuries, her background, her secret marriage to Keyain. Did he take her as a reason to start the war? There were truths to uproot, and Valeriya would weed each one of them out. If lucky, they’d aid in her cause to thwart Wyltam. At worst, she’d have information to hold over Keyain. Either way, Marietta would play a part in what was to come.
Chapter Twelve
Marietta
Bright sunlight lit Marietta’s room, stirring her from sleep. The brain fog that greeted her each morning still suppressed her thoughts. She was getting sick of it. Each day she woke in her room and remembered nothing of the day prior.
