Rise of Keitus (Kilenya Series, 4) Page 16

  “We’re going to have to run if we want to be early,” he said. “This area is a little safer than others, but since we’re not dressed like nobility, we’ll need to be cautious. Just stay close and yell if anything happens.”

  Jacob tucked the map away, made sure the others were following, then led them down the street at a jog.

  Ten minutes later, they arrived at the designated meeting spot. A man waited at the door and Jacob gave the password Dad had made him memorize—twenty-three, fifty-two. He looked over his shoulder, expecting to see Dad come around the corner at any minute. Would he recognize his father?

  The man laughed a familiar laugh, then said with a familiar voice, “What are you looking for?”

  Chapter Thirteen: First Mission

  Jacob spun around, facing the man. It was Dad! Whoa! And he had a ton of hair! His clothes were really nice-looking—a cream jacket lined with gold and purple with all sorts of badges and things on it, and pants to match. Dmitri looked and held himself like a prince.

  But this was so unexpected. Jacob had thought Dmitri would be rushed into the building just as soon as he arrived. Why would the prince put himself in danger like this, hanging around outside, receiving people?

  “Are you okay?” Dmitri asked.

  Jacob nodded. He’d need to keep his emotions in better check. “I’m fine. We’re here for the meeting.”

  “Yes, I know—that’s why you gave me the pass phrase, correct?” Dmitri’s eyes sparkled.

  Jacob couldn’t hold back the smile. His dad was cool! “Yeah, exactly.” He indicated Matt and Aloren behind him, waving at them to come forward. “This is Ondel and Rora. And I’m Thojac.”

  Dmitri grinned, holding out his hand to shake Jacob’s. “I like the name Thojac.”

  That wasn’t surprising. “What do we do?”

  “Just go inside—a servant will show you the way.”

  Jacob frowned. Should servants really be allowed to be involved in this sort of thing? Weren’t they notorious for spreading gossip and rumors about their masters?

  “He’s got a ton of hair!” Matt whispered as they entered the mansion.

  “I know! Isn’t it crazy?”

  “And did you see what he was wearing? He seriously looked cool!”

  Jacob nodded, waving at Matt to be quiet.

  A man in a black tux approached. “May I help you?”

  “We’re here for a meeting.”

  “This way.”

  The man set a brisk pace, leading them down a long hallway. Jacob couldn’t stop looking at everything around them, admiring the grandeur and beauty. He noticed Matt was doing the same, and they started pointing things out to each other.

  “This place is amazing,” Matt said.

  “No, actually, it’s not,” Aloren said quietly so the butler couldn’t hear. “Okay, yeah, at first glance, but guys, they’re really struggling. The tapestries are cheap knock-offs. Same with the furniture. And don’t look too closely, but the wallpaper hasn’t been replaced in years. My guess is that Troosinal is in danger of financial bankruptcy, and it affects even the very rich.”

  Jacob realized what she said was true as he glanced around with this new knowledge. The furniture was scuffed up around the edges, the carpet worn and frayed in spots. But he wasn’t surprised at how amazed he’d been with the place—it was very rare for him to be in the home of a wealthy person.

  Just then, Dmitri caught up with them. “We’re ready to start.” He looked at the butler. “I’ll see them the rest of the way. Thank you.”

  The butler bowed, clicked his heels, and spun off.

  Dmitri led them down a set of stairs and into another long hallway, this one not nearly as grand as the previous. “So, tell me about yourselves. How did you hear about our group?”

  Jacob had memorized answers to questions like this. “I was outside the last meeting when it ended—the people were excited. I hadn’t seen that in a long time and decided to look into it. Talked to my cousin—he knows everything that’s going on in the city.”

  “Who is your cousin? Has he been to a meeting?”

  Jacob shook his head. “He wasn’t interested in joining.”

  Dmitri didn’t respond for a moment. “Most aren’t. Troosinal has caught a plague, and I’m afraid the people don’t really care about the outcome.” He frowned. “They don’t understand how much power they hold in their hands—there’s so much they can do, if they only try.”

  He hesitated, then laughed. “Sorry—I get carried away. And I don’t even know you. You’ve lived in Troosinal your entire lives?”

  “No—only a few years.”

  Dmitri nodded, pausing before a door at the end of the hallway. “That would explain your readiness to help.” He entered the room.

  Judging by the distance they’d walked, Jacob figured they were beneath the front of the house. Why didn’t the builder just put a set of stairs there?

  The room was well lit, but obviously not meant for guests. It wasn’t richly decorated like the upstairs. There were about twenty people in attendance—most sitting, but a few standing around the edges, even though there were empty spots. Nearly everyone was male, and they talked to each other in hushed tones.

  At the front, raised up and next to a podium, were three chairs, two of which were occupied. An older man, dressed like royalty—probably the owner of the house—sat in the chair on the left. He had a pot belly and a mustache. He watched the crowd, hands on the armrests, not speaking to the man in the middle seat.

  The guy in the middle had blond hair and blue eyes—a very unusual combination in Troosinal. He smiled and stood when Dmitri entered the room. The man with the pot belly also rose, and then the room fell silent and everyone came to their feet. Dmitri nodded and strode to the front of the room, taking the last chair on the makeshift stage.

  As soon as Dmitri was no longer standing, everyone returned to their seats, and the talking began again. Jacob, Aloren, and Matt sat at the back of the room. Jacob smiled at the actions of the other two—they were trying too hard to look like they belonged. Luckily, though, no one was watching.

  Dmitri stood, another hush fell over the crowd, and he addressed the group, welcoming and thanking them for coming. He turned the time over to Kelson, the blond guy.

  Dmitri said something else before Kelson took the podium, but Jacob didn’t hear what. He was busy trying to get Aloren and Matt to calm down. They’d both erupted into a frenzy of hyperactivity at the mention of Kelson’s name.

  Jacob kept shushing, then froze when he realized everyone was staring at them. How embarrassing! Aloren and Matt were going to ruin everything. Then he realized Dmitri was waiting for him to say something. Jacob tried to remember what the prince had said last, but nothing came to mind except for the welcome and that Kelson would be conducting the rest of the meeting.

  “I—I’m sorry,” Jacob said. “I didn’t catch what you said.” He was positive his face couldn’t be any brighter red than it was at that moment. The colors flowing around the room, including around Dmitri and Kelson, showed irritation, making Jacob feel even worse.

  Dmitri nodded. “I apologize for catching you off guard, but I must insist that we all know each other. Please introduce yourselves.”

  Jacob’s hands started sweating. He jumped to his feet, tempted to apologize again, but realized he was just as much a prince as Dmitri and needed to act confident. “My name is Thojac. I moved here from Setlan with my family a few years ago.” Dad had decided on the particulars, since Setlan was a fairly inconspicuous country and wouldn’t bring attention. “These two, Rora and Ondel, are friends who came with my family.”

  Dmitri smiled. “Welcome. It’s so rare that we find new volunteers. If you are ready and willing, we’ll use your help often.”

  Jacob nodded. “We’ll do our best.”

  He returned to his seat and released a long breath, then glared at Matt and Aloren. “Pay attention! I can’t be the only one carrying
the responsibility here.”

  They both looked shamed and Jacob turned back to the meeting. He couldn’t believe how immature they were acting—Matt, he understood. Matt rarely took things seriously. But Aloren? She knew better. She’d spent her life sneaking around, staying under the radar, and doing dangerous things.

  Dmitri continued to call attention to the newcomers. He and Kelson spoke for a moment, then Dmitri looked back at the three friends again. “We’ve heard from you, Thojac, and I already know the answer, but we’d like your friends to have a moment to talk.”

  Jacob nodded.

  “Ondel,” Dmitri said, “why don’t you stand and tell us how you found out about our group?”

  Matt delivered the exact message Jacob had given Dmitri earlier, and Jacob kicked himself. They should have varied their answers—given more opportunity for their different personalities.

  And worse, the way Matt spoke made it very obvious that what he was saying was memorized. Obvously, he wasn’t a good actor.

  Jacob and Aloren exchanged worried glances. Would Dmitri and Kelson buy their story when Matt was so obviously lying?

  Dmitri cleared his throat and made eye contact with Kelson. He turned back. “Thank you, Ondel. Rora? Is there anything you’d like to add?”

  Aloren got to her feet and curtsied. “No, sir. Just that we’re eager to help wherever we can.”

  She sat again and Dmitri nodded. He turned the time over to Kelson, who spent the next half hour talking about people in Dmitri’s group who’d been injured, had disappeared, or were detained in some sort of punishment: stockades, dungeons, gibbets.

  Jacob realized he was chewing on his lips and making them hurt. He really hoped Matt hadn’t just ruined everything for them. He knew he couldn’t be mad at his brother for being a bad actor.—they’d just have to prevent Matt from having a lot of air time in the future. At least until he figured out how to be more natural.

  When Kelson changed the topic to King Ramantus and his endeavors, Jacob sat forward, paying close attention.

  “As for his latest activities, he’s spending a lot of time seeking out dignitaries and servants from lands all across Eklaron. We’ve listened in on conversations, but haven’t learned anything.”

  Kelson then asked a man in the audience to stand and report.

  The man squared his broad shoulders, looking regal. He definitely was not one of the poor. “Each individual who visits the castle bears gifts. Without fail, there is always one wrapped in white cloth. The others, King Ramantus opens right away, but the white-wrapped gift he personally takes to his workroom. He doesn’t allow it to leave his sight until he’s deposited it there.”

  “Have you attempted to get into that room?” Kelson asked.

  The man nodded. “Yes, but it’s heavily guarded against magical and physical entry. Somehow, Ramantus has found a way to block anyone from entering without his personal invitation.” He nodded to Dmitri and Kelson. “And that is all I have to report.” The man sat down.

  Kelson thanked him, then gave out assignments. Jacob had a hard time following anymore—he’d just noticed something he should have caught much earlier. Dmitri was watching him and his friends very closely. He was skilled in his spying, however, making it seem like he was keeping his eyes on the entire group, but Jacob knew better.

  Jacob got cold sweats. Had he done anything that would give them away? Was he acting naturally? He raised his hand to rub the back of his neck, realized that would only make him look guilty, and dropped it to his lap. Instead, he focused on paying attention to Kelson, or making it appear like that was what he was doing.

  Even he, though, wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings from someone skilled at reading other people. And Dad had been really good at one point—he’d warned Jacob ahead of time.

  What if Matt had completely thrown the entire mission? Jacob spent the last two months getting ready for this—it was key to his future, to getting rid of the Lorkon. And if they lost all of it with one or two sentences? What would he and the others do?

  Finally, the meeting ended. Jacob didn’t think he could stand being there any longer, but he couldn’t just let things go bad. People started filtering out of the room in groups of twos and threes, and Jacob turned to Matt and Aloren.

  “Wait here. I’m going to go talk to Dmitri.”

  “They acted weird while I was talking,” Matt said. “Did I do something wrong?” The colors flowing through the air around him showed his nervousness.

  “I hope not. I’ll let you know.”

  Jacob headed for the front of the room, not really surprised to see that Dmitri was walking toward him as well.

  Dmitri pulled him aside, glanced around, then leveled a very serious glare at Jacob. His grip on Jacob’s arm burned, it was so tight. “Are you a spy for the king?”

  Jacob shook his head. “No, Your Highness, I’m not. I promise.”

  “Why are you here? Will you be reporting us? Turning us in? Gaining our confidence, then destroying everything we’ve worked to create?” Dmitri stared at Jacob, his dark eyes intense.

  “No—honestly, that’s not what we’re here for,” Jacob said. He searched his brain for something that would help Dmitri come to understand his sincerity. The truth—that was the only thing that could defend him. As much of it as he could give, at least. “I . . . I saw your mother before she died. She said you’d help me get into the castle to work as a servant under the king.”

  Dmitri gazed long and hard at Jacob. “You saw her?” His expression darkened. “Did you manipulate her? Make her feel bad for you?”

  “No! I brought her food and we talked a lot and she was a very good person. She told me to approach you . . . after you’d changed.”

  Dmitri pulled back slightly and the reds and purples in the air around him for anger and disgust paled slightly, becoming more blue. He was calming down. “You must’ve been very young at the time.” He ran his hand through his hair and closed his eyes, seeming to be thinking and computing what Jacob had said. “Why are you here?”

  “The same reason you are—I want to fight King Ramantus. I want to stop what he’s doing, what he’s going to do.”

  Dmitri shook his head. “I don’t know that I can trust you.” He motioned to Matt. “Obviously, you’re not telling the complete truth.”

  Jacob avoided answering the insinuation that they were lying—he didn’t want to lie to get out of a lie. “How can we earn your trust?”

  “Let me talk to Kelson about it.”

  Jacob cast around for something more to say to help Dmitri believe him. “My parents feel very strongly about getting rid of your father—sorry, I know you love him. But he’s on a path to cause a lot of pain for many people everywhere.”

  “Excuse me for a moment.” Dmitri strode away and pulled Kelson to the other side of the room, and Jacob returned to Matt and Aloren.

  “What did he say?” Matt asked.

  “He’s talking to Kelson—he doesn’t trust us.”

  Matt rubbed the back of his neck. “Jacob, I’m really sorry.”

  “Thojac.” Jacob sighed. “It’s okay—we’re bound to make mistakes.” He knitted his eyebrows and was about to run his hand through his hair when he realized it would be weird, since Dmitri had done it several times throughout the meeting. Jacob had obviously inherited that trait from his dad, and he didn’t want to do anything that would bring him more attention.

  The room was empty by the time Dmitri and Kelson finally returned. Kelson spoke first. “There’s a man who used to attend the meetings but hasn’t come the past couple of times. This happens frequently—we lose members as often as we find them.”

  Dmitri nodded. “We’ll be having the three of you visit him. Find out what’s going on. And it could be anything: sickness, death, turning traitor, dropping out because of fear.” He handed Jacob a note with directions to the man’s place. “Go now. Return with what you’ve learned. Kelson and I will be visiting others and will
meet you here in a couple of hours.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Jacob said. He and the other two left the room and hurried down the long hall.

  “Our first mission!” Matt said. “Exciting.”

  “No,” Jacob said. “I’m sure they know what’s going on with the man.”

  Aloren shook her head. “I don’t agree—Matt’s right. This is our first mission. They wouldn’t have us do something unless it really would prove our loyalty. They’re obviously stretched thin.”

  Jacob studied the map as they walked. “Great. The guy lives in Bird.” He grimaced. This task would be almost impossible.

  “Why’s that bad?” Matt asked.

  “Bird is one of the worst areas here. Dad told me to avoid it. It’s bordered by Cat and Mouse on one side—both dangerous—and fields and rivers on the other. Only a small part of it touches a safer area, but it’s not enough to keep Bird from being the most dangerous place in this town.”

  “Why would they have us go there?” Aloren asked. “Are they trying to get us killed?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” Jacob led the others up the stairs at the end of the hall. “This really is a test of our loyalty.”

  Chapter Fourteen: A Green Cloak

  They followed the road that led between Cat and Mouse toward Bird. Things were bad in the first two areas—everyone was miserable, grouchy, touchy, and both areas stank really badly—but even Matt and Aloren could sense the difference in Bird. They locked arms, doing their best not to get separated.

  Jacob kept his eyes down for many reasons—not only did he want to avoid meeting the gaze of the people, but apparently, most felt like clothing was optional. Either that or they couldn’t afford much. It was embarrassing, and he really wished Aloren didn’t have to be there.

  It took an hour to get to the man’s house. By the time they arrived, the only thing Jacob wanted was a shower. He’d been grabbed, jostled, rubbed against, and leered at by the creepiest, dirtiest people he’d ever seen.

  The man’s house was run-down and disgusting. This didn’t surprise Jacob. He stood on the porch and knocked hesitantly on the broken front door. He couldn’t tell if it was a single-family dwelling or a place for multiple people.