Page 37

For a moment, Jemel looks quite startled, then says, “I know the places beneath the palace well, and the guard rotations. To get safely to that garden we need to wait three nights, there will be a time then when the southern temple door will not be watched. I use it often to go to the library in secret.”

“Then, in three nights, Baraboo,” Xan says, slipping off the table to stand on the floor. “Until then, you will dream of me.”

13

LUKAS

Lukas knows exactly where he is. The Rose Palace. One of the lesser towers. Rooms reserved for visiting dignitaries. He supposes Red Wolf may have stayed in rooms like this when he visited as envoy. Perhaps these exact ones. When he was here as a traitor and he lay with Elric.

He will be happier if he does not think about that.

He should try and count his blessings. He has his hook and is well fed. And there are seven nights yet before he is executed.

He wonders what has happened to Trysta. He has been told nothing. He feels sickened at the thought she may already be dead.

Every day Atticul comes to speak with him, calls him brother and tells him his troubles. Complains about the fact he cannot do all he wishes until after his ascension. He claims Lukas is his only family, although Lukas knows he has Ferra and Umbert. But Atticul rants that Ferra is the weakest woman he has ever known and Umbert is a coddled fool. But he respects Lukas, he says. Lukas has fire. Lukas fights for a cause.

It’s strangely seductive, the way Atticul speaks to him.

There is a black statue in the room. He recognises it. It is one of the ones from Selim’s temple. There was a small version of it in the pillow house in Lunatum. He knows it is a statue of Ur-Durik. When he asked Atticul why it was in his room, Atticul had simply said, “Zai wants to keep his eye on you, traitor.”

Lukas is utterly unsure what Atticul actually wants from him. Or why he moved him from the dungeons to these fine rooms. He has been clear that he still intends to execute him. When Lukas asked him about that, Atticul drank his wine and laughed, “But of course. I must. You killed the Emperor. Isn’t that what you always wanted to die for?”

Is it? Lukas wonders if he ever thought so far.

But Atticul has said other things during his visits. Spoken of the Empire’s bright future to come as if Lukas will be there to see it. That he would bring about a glorious new age and Lukas could be there at his side, his brother.

There is part of Lukas that cannot deny that some of Atticul’s ravings about a new and different empire appeal to him.

Last time he was here, Atticul had said, “Perhaps I will not execute you if you can help me capture the real traitor. The one who charged you kill Selim. Damon Darekul.”

But this had not been the delightful offer Atticul had doubtless hoped. Of course he wants Damon. It’s always fucking Damon.

Lukas isn’t even the first choice to be executed as a traitor.

Atticul contradicts himself often and makes little sense. And Lukas knows that it could be that Atticul’s mind is a little broken from his new role as Emperor.

It would be no surprise. No man should hold that much power. It has corrupted many before him. But for Atticul, it has happened fast. He has been Emperor Ascendant less than a dozen nights. His Ascension is happening so soon it feels transgressive. And he always was weak minded and unpredictable, even as a boy. All of that, together, could be the reason for his strange contradictory behaviour, but Lukas knows better. The truth is far worse.

Apart from Atticul’s visits the only other person he sees now is a serving woman. He is always civil to her, not only because she brings him food and wine and moonleaf.

When the door opens he hopes for her and is disappointed.

Lukas is not surprised by the way Atticul strolls in, dressed in finery and jewels, and sits himself on the opposite settle. He has done this many times before. He props one ankle up on the opposite knee and pulls out his pipe. “Let us smoke together, brother.”

He always says that.

He takes a little time lighting his pipe from a candle on the table between them, inhales and puffs out smoke before saying, “I have told the Rose Council that after my Ascension I will ride to the Amber Forest to capture them but they are not there. I know that information is false. They remain in Ceruleum. My men saw Tobi Darekul there. Although I will go to the forest for another purpose. But not for Damon, Tobi and Kerik. I will capture all three of them when they come to me. You see, they need you. That is why you are useful to me. Why I am delighted you delivered yourself into my hands. Because of you, they will come to me. To gather you to help them kill Ur-Durik.”

“Ur-Durik?” Lukas tries to hide his surprise. He does not succeed.

“Ah,” Atticul brings his pipe back to his lips and speaks around it. “You did not expect me to know about that?”

“About what?”

Atticul only laughs. “ I know you believe your Hevelikar blood means you and your brothers are prophesied to kill a demon. Perhaps you think this rumour will help you snatch my throne.”

“That sounds quite ridiculous,” Lukas says, because it does.