‘What do they expect me to do?’ Nobul said. ‘I’m no inquisitor.’
‘That’s what I’ve been saying,’ said Friedrik. ‘Surely it would be better for everyone if I was just turned over to the Inquisition. Then none of you have to worry about me anymore.’
Nobul shook his head. ‘Do we look fucking stupid? We know you’ve got your grubby little paws into every nook and cranny of this city. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Seneschal himself is in your pocket.’
Friedrik just shrugged. ‘Then we appear to be at something of an impasse.’
‘Yeah, we do.’ Nobul turned to Kilgar. ‘Leave me alone with him.’
The serjeant stared back uncertainly. ‘Remember, we need him alive. I’d be as happy as you to see him dead, but we won’t get any answers that way.’
Nobul said nothing, and with no other choice Kilgar eventually conceded and left Nobul to it, walking out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him.
‘Alone at last,’ said Friedrik. ‘Need me alive, yes? So what are we going to try? Strangulation? Beating me to a pulp?’
‘You killed my son,’ Nobul said.
Friedrik seemed to think on that. ‘Mmm, don’t remember that one. I’m not really into that kind of thing.’
‘It was one of your murders went wrong. He was caught in the crossfire.’
‘Ah, an unfortunate accident then? If it makes you feel any better, I’m sorry. We both know I’m not shy about killing, but even I don’t relish the death of a child.’
‘No, it don’t make me feel any better. And I don’t think you’re sorry.’
Friedrik’s expression darkened. ‘Then you’d better get on with it, hadn’t you?’
Nobul clenched his fists. He would have liked nothing more, and there was no one here to stop him. But if he didn’t try to get Friedrik to talk Nobul knew he’d regret it. If he could bring down the Guild, or at least the men at the top of it, surely that would be vengeance enough. Surely that would mean Markus hadn’t died for nothing.
‘Where are the other bastards you work with?’ Nobul asked. ‘How do I find them?’
Friedrik shook his head, looking almost disappointed that Nobul wasn’t going to kill him. ‘Not this again. You know I’m not going to tell you. And big and tough as you are, there’s nothing you can do that will make me.’
Looking at this sadist, sitting there all helpless, Nobul suddenly realised he would get nothing from him. You didn’t rise to the head of the Guild without being stubborn to the point of insane. You didn’t control every brigand and thug and thief in the city without being able to control yourself, without being able to resist blabbing even when your skin was flayed and your teeth pulled right out of your head. As much as Nobul would have loved to test that theory, he was sure he’d be wasting his time.
‘May as well finish it right now then?’ he said, taking a step forward.
‘Or,’ Friedrik said, ‘you could think about your future.’
Nobul stopped, looking down at the little man, wondering whether he should just strangle him. ‘Go on.’
‘I can make you rich,’ said Friedrik. ‘I can give you anything you want. The Khurtas are coming to destroy this place. You want a mansion far from here, filled with all the ale you can drink and all the whores you can fuck? I can make that happen. All you have to do is get word to my people and tell them where I am. I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past, but I’m willing to put them behind us. Think about it, Nobul, anything you want in the world and I can give it to you.’
‘Anything?’
‘Absolutely,’ Friedrik beamed. ‘You just name it.’
Nobul leaned in close, glaring at Friedrik, his words spat through gritted teeth. ‘Give me back my son.’
Friedrik looked disappointed. ‘I can see there’s no reasoning with you, is there?’
Nobul didn’t answer, taking the sack and putting it back over Friedrik’s head before he was overwhelmed with the urge to pummel that face to mush.
Back out in the corridor, Nobul could only shake his head. ‘There’s nothing I can say, no threat I can give that will make him talk. I doubt anyone could.’
‘So what do we do with him now?’ asked the tall woman.
‘We’ll hold onto him,’ Kilgar replied. ‘Maybe something can be done with him later.’
‘No,’ said Kaira. ‘I cannot risk losing him. I have pursued that man for a long time. There’s too much of a chance he’ll escape, even from here.’
‘Trust me,’ Kilgar replied. ‘No one knows he’s here but us four. And I’ll have him watched by someone I trust.’
Nobul agreed. ‘The more you keep dragging him across the city, the more chance someone will end up spotting him. He’s safe enough here for now.’ He didn’t know whether he wanted Friedrik close to keep him safe or close to kill him. Either way it was best if he was within reach.
Kaira turned to Rag, who only shrugged in reply.
‘Very well,’ said Kaira, though the reluctance was clear in her voice. ‘If he talks, send word to the Sentinels and I will come immediately.’ With that, she and Rag left.
Out in the courtyard Nobul thought about Rag again. Perhaps he should have told her he was sorry and he didn’t mean to scare her back in that cellar. That sometimes, when his mad was up, it wasn’t too clever to be around him. But, truth be told, he was too tired. Dead tired — like he’d walked a hundred leagues — and he was in no mood for apologies.
‘All right, lads,’ said Kilgar, walking into the courtyard with a note in his hand. ‘We’ve had a summons. Got some kind of special guard duty we’re needed for. Get kitted up and let’s go. Hake, you’ll stay here. There’s a special duty for you. Someone who needs looking after in the cells.’
As the lads went to get their gear together, Kilgar looked at Nobul. ‘You coming?’ he asked.
What else are you going to do, Nobul Jacks? Sit around on your arse waiting for someone to give you a back rub?
‘Aye,’ said Nobul. ‘I reckon I am.’
THIRTY-SEVEN
‘It’s time,’ she said.
Waylian had been standing for an age, waiting for his mistress to finish with her quill and parchment, scratching out some missive or other in the candlelight.
She stood up from her desk, straightened out her robe and ran a gloved hand over her grey hair. If Waylian didn’t know better he’d have thought she was nervous.
He followed her through the Tower of Magisters, up towards the Crucible Chamber. This was the third time now, and it didn’t make him any less apprehensive. The vast antechamber still rendered him awestruck; the imposing Raven Knights were just as intimidating as the first time he’d ever come to the place.
Once the bracelets were placed over Gelredida’s wrists she stood close to him.
‘This might be the last time we get to speak, Waylian,’ she said in a low voice. ‘So remember, it’s imperative the vote goes in our favour. I will be vulnerable in there, but you may use any and all means necessary to protect me.’
‘Protect you?’ he replied. ‘From what?’
She smiled at that. ‘We’ll see. Keep your wits about you. And don’t hold back.’
Don’t hold back? What did that bloody mean?
But before Waylian had a chance to ask, the vast doors were pulled aside, and the way in to the Crucible Chamber opened.
Gelredida raised her chin and walked forward. Waylian shuffled along beside her, smiling meekly at the Raven Knights as he passed them. Inside the huge chamber was an all too familiar sight: stone pulpits, stern faces. The air was tense, and as the doors were slammed shut behind him Waylian’s heart almost jumped from his chest.
They were all here, stern Hoylen Crabbe, ancient Crannock Marghil, imposing Drennan Folds, young Lucen Kalvor and the amiable Nero Laius, though Waylian now knew that the latter was not quite as affable as he made out. But the presence of Nero bothered him less than that of a sixth figure in the Crucible Chamber.