Fortunately, before long she ran into a servant who was able to give her directions that got her most of the way. The Council of Kyriliarchs occupied the upper levels of the fortress, where the mountain narrowed, their offices set against the exterior walls to provide windows and balconies. That meant pounding up endless flights of circular stairs until she’d worked up a healthy sweat, and by the time she got to the proper floor the spiraling meant she’d completely lost track of which direction she was supposed to be going.
Up here, at least, there were more people about than in the cavernous, empty lower levels, and the furnishings made the place seem more inhabited. The corridors were still raw stone, but the floors were covered with long rugs, and flowering plants stood at intervals between the sunlamps on the walls, providing a little color. Maya paused to catch her breath, then flagged down a well-dressed middle-aged man making his way toward the stairs.
He was tall, with red-black hair carefully combed and coiffed. When he saw Maya, breathing hard, he raised one elegant eyebrow and gave her an indulgent smile.
“Yes, Agathios?”
Damn. Belatedly, Maya noticed the colors trimming his jacket. Blue-red-purple, that was Nicomidi Thunderclap, a member of the Council. Maya swallowed and bowed, hoping he wouldn’t take offense at being buttonholed like a servant.
“My apologies, Kyriliarch,” she said. “I’m due for a meeting with Kyriliarch Baselanthus, and I seem to be lost.”
“Ah.” Nicomidi gave a quick, humorless smile. “The Forge can be confusing, if you’re not accustomed to it.” He paused. “You’re Maya, aren’t you? Jaedia’s agathios.”
Maya blinked. While she’d memorized the names of all the centarchs, she hardly expected them to have heard of her. She nodded cautiously.
“I am, Kyriliarch. Have we met? I apologize for not remembering.”
“No apology needed. I know you by … reputation.” He pointed down one of the corridors. “That way, and take the first left. Hurry, now, you wouldn’t want to keep old Basel waiting.”
“My thanks, Kyriliarch.”
Maya bowed again and hurried in the direction he’d indicated. The back of her neck itched, and she was certain he watched her until she turned out of sight. Reputation? What’s that supposed to mean?
Basel’s office door stood open a fraction. Maya slowed as she approached, brushing stray crumbs from her shirt and wishing she’d had time to do something about her hair. She went to knock, then froze at the sound of her mentor’s voice.
“It’s too soon.” Jaedia sounded angrier than Maya had ever heard her. “I won’t stand for it, Basel.”
“It is the Council’s decision to make.” Baselanthus’ voice, scratchy with age, sounded resigned. “If you fight them, it will only make things worse for everyone.”
“You promised me that you’d keep her out of this.”
“I promised you that I would keep her away from it as long as I could,” Baselanthus said. “I have done all that I can.”
“But—”
“Jaedia.” There was a hint of steel in his tone. Then, raising his voice, he said, “Maya, is that you, dear?”
I shouldn’t have heard that. Maya’s heart slammed against her ribs. Her hand came up, automatically, to touch the Thing, but after a few quick breaths she forced it down again.
“Yes, Kyriliarch,” she managed, in an almost normal tone.
“Come in, dear.”
Maya pushed the door open. Basel’s office was small and crowded with bits and pieces of arcana. He collected Elder artifacts, especially those with no obvious purpose, and every square inch had been turned into a shelf for strange little creations with smooth white curves and gemlike protrusions. A few of these were obviously broken, like the gold-veined staff with a broad crack through the center that hung just behind Basel’s desk, but most seemed intact.
Basel himself sat behind an unmetal desk, repurposed from some ancient facility. He was surprisingly tall and broad-shouldered for someone with his intellectual reputation, and must have been a powerful man in his youth. Now his skin was spotted and wrinkled, and all the hair from the top of his head seemed to have moved to his chin. His eyes were a bright crimson and showed no signs of softening with age.
There was a chair in front of the desk, and a few more off to one side. Jaedia sat in one of these, looking down at her hands as Maya came in. Maya tried to catch her eyes, but Basel cleared his throat, demanding her immediate attention.
“Maya,” he said. His smile was almost lost between beard and mustache. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you, Kyriliarch.” Maya bowed, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Basel, please.” He waved a hand. “Shut the door and have a seat.”
She did so. Jaedia still wouldn’t look at her, and Basel’s smile had a forced quality to it, as though he were putting the best face on something unpleasant. Maya’s stomach went sour, and she swallowed.
“Jaedia,” Basel said, “has given me extremely encouraging reports on your progress.”
“I’m gratified to hear that,” Maya said, sneaking another sideways look at her mentor.
“And how do you feel?” He touched his chest, about where the Thing would be. “No fevers or weakness?”
Maya shook her head. “A few ordinary colds now and then, but nothing worse.”
“Good, good.” Basel gave a long sigh. “You don’t know how much we agonized over your … treatment. Looking at you now, I’m very glad we made the right decision.”
“I …” Maya hesitated. “Thank you, Kyriliarch. Basel.”
“Now.” Basel leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. “You are a very talented young woman, Maya. From what Jaedia tells me, you have the potential to be one of the strongest centarchs the Order has seen in many years. Is that still your desire?”
“Of course.” She blinked, a little bewildered.
“Excellent.” He sat back. “We believe you’re ready for the next step in your education.”
“Ready?” Maya shook her head, glancing at Jaedia. “I thought it would still be … some time.”
“Yes. Well.” Basel looked uncomfortable for a moment. “Circumstances being what they are, the Council thought it best to … accelerate things somewhat.”
“Circumstances?” Maya said. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Jaedia’s services are required for a particular task,” Basel said. “It would not be ideal for your training to accompany her. But since you are doing so well, she and I agree it will do you no harm to begin your next assignment immediately. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
“Begin—you mean now?” Maya caught her breath, and all at once she understood. Whatever she’s doing is the important mission, the one I’m not ready for. So she’s shuffling me off to a … a sideshow.
“Yes,” Basel said mildly, as if he hadn’t just turned her world upside down.
“I …” She said I was nearly ready for my cognomen. Maya’s throat felt thick, and she groped for words. Now she’s leaving me behind. “I … understand.”