“But the two of you, we can hide in the transport wagon itself,” Raskos cut in. He looked immensely pleased with himself. “They will expect a handful of guards and be met instead with a pair of centarchs. I doubt they will even put up a fight.”
“We’ll need you to prevent their escape,” Guria said. “I understand that’s within your … abilities.” Guria pushed a smaller-scale map forward. “The thieves plan to attack in the Sprayfall Tunnel, at the edge of the city. It’s a good choice, tactically—there’s nowhere for us to hide a squad closer than the tunnel entrance. But if you can seal the exit behind them, they’ll have no retreat.”
Maya thought furiously. It has to be the rebels he’s going after. No ordinary band of criminals would be worth the risk of involving us. She glanced at Tanax, who was nodding approvingly at the map.
“I don’t like it,” Maya ventured. “What if these thieves bring more firepower than you’re expecting?”
“I’m sure we can handle it,” Tanax said, looking at her irritably.
“I have every confidence,” Raskos said.
“In any event, our backup squads will wait at the tunnel entrance,” Guria said. “If needed, they can provide covering fire relatively quickly.”
“I said that I’m sure we can handle it,” Tanax snapped. “I understand your plan, Dux Raskos. When do you want to proceed?”
“The wagon leaves the palace in an hour,” the dux said.
“Then we’ll be ready,” Tanax said. He didn’t look back at Maya and the others.
*
“Maya,” Beq said in a low voice. “These thieves—do you think—”
“Probably,” Maya said, looking around carefully.
They stood in a courtyard outside the palace, ringed by a gravel drive. A tall, stout-looking cargo wagon was being loaded with ironbound chests by a couple of servants, while a groom led two loadbirds to the harness.
“Did you tell him?” Beq said. “About what Sarah told us?”
“I told him,” Maya said quietly. “He didn’t think it was important.”
“Not important?” Beq snorted. “That the dux smuggles dhak?”
“Nicomidi’s told him to help Raskos, so that’s what he’s going to do. Nicomidi knows best, after all.” Maya shook her head. “I swear, to hear Tanax talk, you’d think the man was half-Chosen.”
Beq smiled slightly. “I have heard you praise your own master from time to time.”
“Jaedia’s different,” Maya said automatically, then laughed with Beq. “Jaedia would never expect me to be mindlessly obedient to a letter. She’d understand that situations can change. And if I didn’t understand why we were doing something, she’d explain it to me, not just order me to obey.” She glanced over at Tanax. “I get the sense that our training may have differed in that respect.”
“I think you were lucky,” Beq said. “Most of the centarchs I know are bigger on obedience than explanations.” She flicked the lens back into place and shook her head. “So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Maya glanced at the wagon. “I can’t refuse to help. Tanax would just go without me, and we’d lose any chance of getting the rebels to work with us.” She shook her head. “I need to talk to them. If their grudge is really against Raskos, maybe I can convince them I’m on their side.”
“Be careful,” Beq said. “Tanax is eager to start something, and the rebels may be more dangerous than he thinks. Remember how much dhak and arcana we saw out there.”
Maya nodded. “I’ll be careful.”
“Thank you.” Beq took a deep breath. “Varo and I will be with the backup, if you need us.”
“You be careful, too,” Maya said. “Keep one eye on Raskos.”
Beq grinned and clicked something on her spectacles—the lenses shifted, making her eyes point in different directions. “Got it covered!”
Maya let out a startled laugh. Beq grinned at her, her cheeks going red, which made her freckles stand out. She brushed absently at her braid, tucking away a few loose green hairs.
“Can you actually see like that?” Maya said.
“Oh, no. It just gives me a headache.” Beq snapped the lenses back into place. “But I’ll be careful.”
“Maya!” Tanax said. “We’re ready to move.”
Maya held Beq’s gaze a moment longer, then turned away, fighting down a rush of blood to her own cheeks. Not the time, Maya. Not the time. She took deep breaths as she walked across the courtyard to the wagon.
“I know you disagree with some of my decisions.” Tanax gave her a sharp look. “But this is not the time or place for disagreement. Do you understand?”
Maya held her tongue and gave a silent nod.
Tanax climbed up into the rear of the wagon and bent down to offer her his hand. She ignored it, pulling herself up, and sat on one of the iron chests. Tanax sat down opposite her, arms folded across his chest.
“Good fortune!” Raskos called from outside.
The servants closed the back door, leaving them in warm semidarkness. Maya heard the driver whistle, and the loadbirds started forward, the wagon rocking as it rolled out onto the gravel.
As the minutes ticked past and the wagon trundled along, Maya’s nerves were jangling. She found her foot tapping and stilled it with an effort. Tanax gave her a withering look.
“These … thieves,” Maya said. “It’s possible I might have a contact among them.”
“You didn’t think that was worth mentioning earlier?” Tanax said.
“I’m not certain,” Maya said. “And I’ve already told you I don’t trust Raskos.”
Tanax snorted. “I’m glad I am worthy of your trust.”
“Just listen, all right?” Maya took a deep breath. “It’s possible I may be able to talk them into coming peacefully. Can we agree that would be a better outcome than a fight?”
“I suppose it is always better for criminals to be seen to face the Republic’s justice,” Tanax said. “But I don’t know if it’s likely. I suspect they’ll flee once they realize who they’re facing.”
“I know. If it comes to that …” Maya shook her head. “Just promise you’ll give me a chance to talk.”
“We’ll see,” Tanax said. “But I will do my best.”
The darkness grew deeper, the fans of sunlight that slipped in between the boards of the wagon disappearing. Tanax sat up straighter.
“We’re in the tunnel,” he said. He brought up his panoply field, and Maya did the same, pressing a finger against her haken. Her other hand went to the Thing. She could feel her heartbeat through it, fast but strong.
Seconds passed in tense silence.
“How long—” Maya began in a whisper, before the snap-hiss of a crossbow cut her off. It was followed by an inhuman squeal, then another shot.
“Stand down,” a woman’s voice said. “Go for that sword and you’re a dead man.”
“This is Auxiliary property,” the driver said. He sounded frightened.