The Traitor Queen (The Traitor Spy Trilogy #3)(142)

“I know you buried him out in the forest, but it’s not right. We have to put him with his family.”

“Where are they buried?”

“I’m not sure. Gol will know.”

Lilia kissed her. As Anyi’s arms began to slide around her a knock came from the door and they froze. Lilia pulled away and sighed. Getting to her feet, she sent a little magic to the door to open it.

“Gol,” Anyi said with obvious relief, as the big man stepped inside with Lord Rothen. “How did it go?”

He sat down. “Things are going back to the way they used to be real fast. The Thieves stopped calling themselves ‘princes’ straightaway, and they’re taking back what they had control of beforehand – and anything else they can grab. If you want to take Cery’s territory, you need to move now.”

Anyi frowned. “Will his people work for me?”

Gol nodded. “Those I asked were keen. They’d rather you than any of the neighbours. It helps that you are Cery’s daughter, but in some ways it’ll make it harder. Cery had no favours left to call in, and plenty he owed, but he had money stashed away and was respected for keeping promises.”

Lilia watched Anyi’s face, her stomach sinking as her friend’s expression hardened.

“I’ll do it.” She looked up at Gol. “But only if you help me.”

Gol smiled. “I was hoping you’d want me. Not that I wouldn’t like to retire.”

“I am retiring you,” Anyi said. “You won’t be my bodyguard, you’ll be my second. Like you were for my father. I don’t know why he didn’t just call you that and be done with it.”

“To make me less of a target,” Gol told her.

“Well, you can’t pretend to be a bodyguard any more. Nobody’ll believe I’d choose a bodyguard twice my age.”

Gol crossed his arms. “I’d still beat you, any day.”

Anyi stood up. “Oh, really? Let’s see—”

“I apologise for interrupting,” Rothen injected, “but may I suggest you test that theory somewhere other than Sonea’s quarters? And the Higher Magicians will not look favourably on us arriving late, especially after we insisted this meeting take place as soon as could be arranged.”

Anyi looked at him thoughtfully, then at Lilia. Her expression was apologetic.

“I’m sorry Lilia, but if I am going to take my father’s place, I can’t go to this meeting.”

Lilia stared at her. “But … we need you to tell your story.”

“No, you don’t. It will make no difference whether I tell it, or you, or Lord Rothen.” Anyi’s expression was serious. “We know Skellin had allies in the Guild. Who knows which Thief has adopted or inherited those allies? If these spies don’t know what I look like, then I should keep it that way. If they do, I shouldn’t remind them.”

Lilia’s heart had begun to race. “But … how will you visit? I’m not supposed to leave the grounds. Once the Guild finds out a Thief was living in the tunnels and that Skellin was there, they’ll fill in all the passages.”

Anyi walked over to Lilia and hugged her. “We’ll find other ways. You didn’t think we could live here together, did you?”

“I suppose not.”

“You’ll graduate soon. They’ll let you out of the Guild grounds then. Maybe they’ll even let you live in the city, like other magicians do. Whatever happens, we’ll still see each other. Nobody is going to stop us being together.” Anyi pulled away, then turned to Gol. “I’ll go out the other way. You won’t fit and people might’ve seen you come in, so you’d better leave with Rothen. I’ll meet you at Donia’s.”

“Are you sure you want to go that way?” Gol asked.

Anyi nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

“Just … keep the lamp flame covered. I don’t know how much minefire got spilled.”

Anyi nodded, then looked at Lilia expectantly. Taking the hint, Lilia moved to the door and led Rothen and Gol out. She looked back and saw Anyi wave before the door closed. I hope she’ll be safe going back into the city on her own.

She worried about that all of the way to the Administrator’s office. They detoured to the front of the University, where Rothen arranged for a carriage for Gol. There they found Jonna waiting for them outside Osen’s door. The servant looked a little pale, but she smiled and squeezed Lilia’s hand as Rothen knocked.

“I’ve done this before,” Lilia reminded Jonna in a whisper.

“I haven’t,” Jonna replied.

The door swung inward and they stepped into a room full of Higher Magicians.

“Ah, good,” Osen said as Lilia, and Jonna bowed. He frowned. “Were there more witnesses wishing to tell their stories, Lord Rothen?”

“No, Administrator,” Rothen replied. “You may wish to interrogate the crew I took into custody two days ago, but for now I, Lady Lilia and Jonna, Sonea’s servant, should be able to describe the events and cover the issues without any unnecessary repetition.”

“Good. Who will begin?”

“I think Lady Lilia is best placed to explain where it all started,” Rothen said, turning to look at her.