Im quite happy to help you with that, she said, because I know youll never be able to do it. If I thought you could do what you say She smiled. But you might accomplish much, and on the way you can be of assistance to me.
And what do you want? he asked. More power?
That would help. But lets get back to Sacrus. They
Theyre your enemies, he said. Im not interested in helping you settle a vendetta.
Theyre your enemies, too, and I have no vendetta to settle, she said. In any case Im not interested in making a frontal assault on them. I just want to visit for an evening.
Bryce stared at her for a second, then burst into laughter. What are you proposing? That we hit Sacrus?
Yes.
He stopped laughing. He shook his head. Might as well just march everybody straight into prison, he said. Or a vivisectionists operating room. Sacrus is the last place in Spyre any sane person would go.
Venera just looked at him for a while. Finally, she said, Either you or one of your lieutenants works for them.
Bryce looked startled, then he scowled at her. Youve said ridiculous things before, but that one takes the prize. Why could you possibly
Jacoby Sarto said something that got me thinking, she interrupted. Sacruss product is control, right? They sell it, like fine wine. They practice it as well; did you know that many, maybe most of the minor nations of Spyre are under their thumb? They make a hobby of pulling the strings of people, institutionswhole countries. Im not so big a fool as to believe that a band of agitators like yours has escaped their attention. One of you works for themfor all I know, your whole organization is a project of theirs.
What proof do you have?
My lieutenant, Flance, whom you have yet to meet, has spent many nights walking the fields and plazas of Greater Spyre. He knows every passage, hedgerow, and hiding-place on that decrepit wheel. But hes not the only one. Theres others who creep about at night, and hes followed them on occasion. Many times, such parties either started or ended up at Sacrus.
Bryce scoffed. Ive seen a nation that was controlled by them, Venera continued. I know how they operate. Look, they have to train their people somehow. To them, Greater Spyre is a a paddock, like the one where I keep my horses. Its their school. They send their people out to take over neighbors, foment unrest, create scandals, and conduct intrigues. Id be very surprised if they didnt do that up in
the city as well. So tell me Im wrong. Tell me youre not working for them. And if not, look me in the eye and tell me that youre impervious to infiltration and manipulation.
He shrugged, but she could tell he was angry. Im not a fool, he said after a while. Anythings possible. But youre still speculating.
Well, I was speculating but then I decided to do some research. She held up a sheaf of news clippings. The news broadsheets of Lesser Spyre are highly partisan, but they dont disagree on facts. On the run-up to my party I spent a couple of afternoons reading all the news from the past couple of years. This gave me a chance to check on the places and properties that your group has targeted since you first appeared. Quite an impressive list, by the waybut every single one of these incidents has hurt a rival of Sacrus. Not one has touched them.
Bryce looked genuinely rattled for the first time in their brief acquaintance. Venera savored the moment. I havent been deliberately neglecting them, he said. This must be a coincidence.
Or manipulation. Are you so sure that youre the real leader of this rabble?
Bryce began to look slightly green. You dont think its me.
Venera shook her head. Im not totally sure that you arent the one working for them. But youre not she almost said competent , but turned it intoruthless enough. You dont have their style. But you dont make decisions without consulting your lieutenants, do you? And I dont know them. Chances are, you dont really know them either.
You think Im a puppet. He looked stricken. That all along So what
I propose that we flush out their agent, if he exists.
He leaned forward and now there was no hesitation in his eyes. How?
She smiled. Here, Bryce, is where your interests and mine begin to converge.
Citizen Fanning! Iuh, yes, let me make the call. He ran over to the speaking tube and hauled on the bell cord next to it. Shes backwants to talk to the botanist, he said. Then he turned back to Venera. How did you get up here?
Grappling hook, rope She shrugged. Not hard. You should bear that in mind. Sacrus may still hold a grudge.
Shouts and footsteps echoed up through the open shaft of the central courtyard. Tell them to be quiet! she hissed. Theyll wake the whole building.
The watchman nodded and spoke into the tube again. Venera walked over to look down at the tree-choked courtyard far below. She could see lanterns hurrying to and fro down there. Finally, the iron-bound rooftop door creaked open and figures gestured to her to follow.
Moss was waiting for her in a gallery on the third floor. He was wrapped in a vast purple nightgown, and his hair was disheveled. His desperate, unfocused eyes glinted in the lantern light. W-what is the m-meaning of this?