We now know Ral as the Betrayer. Some say we should have know, considering his reputation as perhaps the greatest thief in all of Lisandra. Here’s what everyone forgets – Ral was loyal. I know how that sounds considering what happened, but it was part of his reputation. He was loyal to his employer and to those select few he called friends. He even warned Jevin not to force him to come along with the rest of us. We just thought he was concerned how the Knifehand, the head of the criminal underworld, would react to Ral leaving. Considering the Knifehand’s reputation for ruthlessness, everyone was sure the only reason Ral accompanied us was because of his love for Ela. We still don’t know how he was able to deceive his soulbound, and Ela is in no state to help us decipher that mystery. – Lady Sonya, in an interview for the Lisandra Times
RIN
“Sasha’s angry,” Rin said, as he looked out of the window. Sasha’s brow was furrowed, and her mouth was a barely perceptible crease across her face. Rin was familiar with that expression – mostly from when Sasha was busy breaking up a fight between Pallus and him. Illana climbed over him to look out his window. He grunted as her weight landed in uncomfortable areas.
“This is not helping me maintain my calm and professional demeanor,” Rin whispered in the princess’s ear. When that didn’t get her to move, Rin added, “Especially when you’re wearing that perfume.” Illana immediately sat back in her seat. Faint pink spots blossomed on Illana’s cheeks. He felt her shock and embarrassment through their connection. For a moment, Rin was worried he overstepped, but Selene smiled at him. As the carriage stopped, Rin hopped out, and then helped Illana step out. Sasha took one look at Illana, who was still blushing, and the regent’s scowl transformed into a knowing smirk.
“Why are you smiling? This is not funny!” Illana nearly shouted at Sasha.
“No, of course not, your highness,” Sasha said.
“Then why are you smirking?” Illana asked.
“Because it’s nice to see you acting as a woman,” Sasha answered. The comment perplexed Rin, but Illana looked like she was about to verbally tear apart her regent.
“Before the princess has a fit of apoplexy, maybe the regent could tell us why she is waiting for us out here,” Robar said. The statement instantly erased Sasha’s momentary amusement with Illana. Sasha turned to Rin, and he felt the full force of her glare.
“There’s a Mareian ranger here who says he’s your partner,” Sasha said. “He brought the Knifehand. Into the Crystal Palace.” Rin froze. The Knifehand was the man who ran the underworld of Lisandra. During their travels to rescue the princess, Ral spoke about him with a mixture of respect and terror.
“What under the Goddess is he doing here?” Selene asked.
“I don’t know, but the Knifehand is demanding to speak with the princess,” Sasha answered. “Pallus was going to kill him and be done with it, but then Rin’s new partner informed Pallus that the Knifehand was under his protection, and he would kill anyone who attempted to harm the Knifehand. Maybe you should tell us what is going on.” Sasha shot Rin an accusing look.
“What? I don’t know any more than you do,” Rin said.
“How does your partner know the Knifehand?”
“My partner never stepped foot on this continent. The last time I saw him was back in the Badlands. I don’t know how he would be here, much less how he would know the Knifehand. That being said, it might be a good idea to find out the why before someone ends up shot. Unless he shoots Pallus.” Sasha glared at him before leading them into the Crystal Palace.
Sasha led them through the advisors’ door into the Imperial throne room. The door opened directly onto the wide dais at the front of the throne room. In the center of the dais was the Crystal Throne. Illana walked to the diamond spun throne and sat down. The throne glowed and pulsed as it shifted to match Illana’s stature. Sasha, Selene, and Pall flanked the princess while a couple dozen Crystal Guardsmen filed in around the room and stood at attention. Rin walked down the dais, examining the two men standing in front of the dais.
One was a human in a formal blue ranger uniform. He was ten or so centimeters shorter than Rin, with hair somewhere between brown and black. Dark eyes twinkled out of a youthful face that looked too smooth for a ranger. Rin wasn’t even sure if the man needed to shave on a regular basis. The chevrons on his uniform sleeve marked him as a corporal. Rin’s eyebrow quirked up in surprise. Corporals were very junior rangers. How did a corporal get assigned to such a prestigious assignment as the Imperial embassy?
The elf, who Rin assumed was the Knifehand, was spectacularly unremarkable. He was a textbook example of a typical elf right down the sandy blond hair and blue-green eyes. The Knifehand even managed to make a prosperous merchant’s clothes look commonplace. Rin met the man’s eyes and saw the hidden intelligence and cunning. Rin instinctively flipped his duster back and slid his hand next to the butt of his revolver. The Knifehand smiled and nodded his head, as if he took Rin’s actions as a compliment. Rin walked straight up to the ranger. The corporal braced and held his hand to his chest in formal salute. Rin returned the gesture.
“Corporal Giancolo Morelli with a party of one, Sergeant,” the ranger said in Mareian. The corporal’s accent marked him as a Marei City native. “Major Agnelli assigned me as your partner while you’re in the Empire.”?
“You’ve been in the Empire for a while? Speak the language?” Rin asked.
“Yes, Sergeant,” Morelli replied, switching to Imperial.
“Should I ask why an experienced ranger is still a corporal and without a partner?” Rin asked.
“You can if you want, Sergeant,” Morelli answered. His tone implied a long story behind his words. Morelli angled himself to introduce the elf with him. "Sergeant Acciaio, I present Mortan Doral. He’s – " Rin cut Morelli off with a wave of his hand.
“The Knifehand,” Rin said. “Why is he here?”
“The very question I was asking myself,” Illana said from the throne. She sounded annoyed at being ignored so far.
“Please forgive the imposition, your highness, but you seem to be the only leader in the city who is preparing for the impending crisis,” Knifehand said, “Once I heard Hero Acciaio was not only back in Lisandra, but a Mareian ranger, I asked Giancolo – Ranger Morelli – to bring me here to speak with you.”
“Again, why?”
“I was the source of the information about the Purists rioting in Lisandra. I knew the Mareians would bring it to the Chancellor, which wasn’t something I could do. Given the current relations between the Empire and the Republic, I expected the Diet to recall the Capitol Army. Instead, they seem content to let the Purists burn the city. You, on the other hand, sent out Heroes Volker and Madrigal to rally volunteers. You asked the city constabulary to quietly prepare to defend the city. You even went to the Sacellum seeking the Suprema’s assistance. I felt compelled to offer my own contribution.” The Knifehand knelt with a flourish and bowed his head.
“Princess Illana, I offer the services of me and mine against the Purist threat.” Pallus, Sasha, and Selene were appalled by the Knifehand’s offer. Rin felt the princess’s hesitancy, but she was intrigued. She was also surprised at Rin’s lack of revulsion of the offer.
“Your highness, we need to rethink our actions if the intelligence on the Purists came from this man,” Sasha said in a low voice. She shot a suspicious glare at the Knifehand, who ignored the comment and the glare. Illana just looked at the Knifehand with an appraising look.
“Exactly what services are you here to offer, Doral?” Illana asked.
“First, the people in my organization will lead your forces to where the Purist inciters are gathering within the city,” the Knifehand said, “Second, I will direct my people to curtail their normal activities until after the Purists are dealt with. Third, my people will join the fight when the attack occurs.”
“In return for?”
“No arrests of my people for actions committed prior to today until after the Purists are defeated,” the Knifehand said, “Any caught committing a crime during the emergency will be handed over to me to deal with as I see fit.”
“Ridiculous! We can’t have criminals given free reign while we try to keep this city from being sacked,” Pallus said, outraged at the very notion. Rin felt something in his connection with Illana. She was probing his own reactions to the Knifehand’s offer. It was a bizarre sensation.
“You make an interesting proposal,” Illana said, “Would you and Ranger Morelli please wait outside while my advisors and I discuss it?” The two men bowed, turned smartly, and walked out of the throne room. As soon as the doors were closed, Pallus, Sasha and Selene whirled on Illana.
“Your highness, you can’t seriously be considering this!” Selene said.
“He’s a criminal, your highness,” Pallus said, his face grave, “Worse, he’s a leader of criminals. You can’t trust him. You certainly can’t entrust the security of the city to the likes of him.”
“His people will take the opportunity to loot and rob while we’re fighting to save Lisandra,” Sasha said, “We may save the buildings long enough to lose the city.” Sasha spun and looked down at Rin.
“Rin, you’re a constable. Would you please explain this to the princess?” Sasha asked.
“Yes, Rin, please tell me what you think about this,” Illana said, frustration pulsing in their connection.
“You should take the deal,” Rin said. The three elves stared at Rin in shock. Pallus was the first to recover.
“Of course, you would side with the criminal,” Pall said, “You were always far too close to Ral. Right up until he betrayed us. Besides, it’s not like you have to worry about what will happen to this city. You’re just going to sail back to your precious Republic and leave us to deal with the aftermath the moment you capture this sorcerer of yours.” Sasha laid a restraining hand on Pallus.
“Rin, would you please explain your reasons?” Sasha asked. Rin took several breaths before answering. Pallus always managed to say just the right words to rile his anger.
“Here’s two things you need to realize. First, the Knifehand will do what’s in his best interest. Second, and far more important, he was brought here by a ranger.”
“Just because the Knifehand managed to dazzle a comrade of yours doesn’t mean we should all be blind,” Pall said, coldly. “It’s not like we can trust –” Pallus’s mouth snapped shut as he saw the glowing rage in Rin’s eyes.
“Say it Pallus,” Rin taunted. “Tell us who we can’t trust.”
“Enough!” Sasha said, glaring at the pair. “Goddess, you’re both almost thirty years old. Quit acting like squabbling children. Rin, what did you mean it’s in Knifehand’s best interest?”
“You keep equating the Knifehand with a common criminal. Maybe even a smart criminal like Ral,” Rin answered, “He’s not. He’s more like a rich merchant. His basic interests are the same – a stable environment where he can sell his products, offer his services, and protect his property. Because his products and services aren’t legal, he can’t ask for the same protections of a normal merchant. So, he takes actions – mostly illegal – to protect his enterprises. One of those actions is trading information. It’s not uncommon in the Republic for the rangers to have informal contacts with the heads of the costra nostra to trade information and favors.”
“Why would any government allow such blatant corruption?” Pallus asked, unable to keep the disgust out of his voice.
“It’s not corruption. It’s reality,” Rin answered. “Smart criminals know there are things worse than themselves. Sometimes much worse. They don’t want their families hurt or killed. They know we protect them from those things, so they help with those kinds of things.” Rin’s mind drifted back to the murders that sent him on his journey to the Empire. He took a deep breath and pushed the memory back. He’d have his chance at Smythe soon enough.
“So, you recommend accepting the Knifehand’s assistance?” Illana asked.
“Yes, Illana.”
“Lady Sonya, please ask the Knifehand and Ranger Morelli to return.” Sasha and Selene traded an inscrutable look before Sasha nodded.
“Of course, your highness,” Sasha said, “Pallus, Selene, please come with me.” Selene nodded. Pallus stood in place, scowling at Rin. Sasha gave him a stern look and furiously motioned for him to follow her. Resigned, he followed the two women out of the throne room. Rin was acutely aware he was alone with Illana. Well, except for the guards. Illana strode down off the dais. Rin instinctually put his arms around her as she nestled into his chest.
“I felt something horrible from you. What did I do?”
“Not you. Remembering something I wish I could unsee,” he answered. Illana gently hugged Rin. He smiled down at her and kissed her on the top of her head.
“I have those kinds of memories too, Rin,” Illana said, tightening her grip on him. “From when I was with Cull. He did horrible things to prepare for–” Rin lifted her face to his and kissed her gently. He felt their bad memories being pushed away.
“I can’t believe criminals are stepping up to help,” Illana said.
“If the Knifehand’s anything like the dons, he’s carefully balanced the risks and rewards before coming here,” Rin said. Illana looked up at him with a smile, and he felt satisfaction through their connection.
“Thank you, Rin,” Illana said, “You just made me realize what was bothering me about the Knifehand’s offer.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before walking back up to the Crystal Throne. She was settling herself in the chair as the doors opened and the others came back into the throne room.
“Mortan Doral, we agree to your offer,” Illana said. “With one stipulation.”
“I thought my offer was very generous, your highness,” the Knifehand said.
“It is,” Illana said. “Except, Hero Acciaio made me realize you wouldn’t have come before me if you weren’t expecting to profit somehow.”
“Your highness, I profit by keeping my people alive,” the Knifehand said.
“True, but that’s not only the way you will profit,” Illana said, a withering smile on her face. “Strict altruism from the Knifehand is just a bit too hard to believe.” Illana sat silently for a few long moments. “I need your help too much to pry into your schemes. It would take away resources from defending this city. Hence, the stipulation.”
“What is your stipulation, your highness?” the Knifehand asked, the ghost of a smile dancing across his face.
“Ten thousand Imperials.”
“Ten thousand? That’s outrageous! I came to you in good faith!”
“You are somehow going to make money off the city while it is facing a crisis. I won’t stop you if it secures your help, but I’m going to take a portion of your profits to make sure I can care for my people after we win.”
“Is the ten thousand contingent on the defeat of the Purists?” the Knifehand asked. Illana’s eyes narrowed.
“If we don’t defeat the Purists, ten thousand Imperials will be the least of my concerns,” she answered in a cool tone.
“Fair point,” the Knifehand said, with a smile spreading across his face. “I agree to your stipulation. Normal terms?” Illana looked over to Rin. He could hear her unasked question through their connection and nodded in silent answer.
“Normal terms,” Illana answered. “Make arrangements with Lady Sonya for delivery of payment. Colonel Parn and Constable Dalan will talk with you regarding coordination of your people and their forces.” Illana motioned for Rin to follow her as she walked out of the throne room.
“What are normal terms?” Illana asked, in a low voice as soon as they were through the door.
“Half up front, half upon completion,” Rin answered.
“Oh. That makes a certain amount of sense,” Illana answered. “Let’s take a walk through the gardens before someone decides that they need us.”
“I really should go talk to Morelli,” Rin started, and felt the rising annoyance in Illana. “I guess I can talk to him later.” Illana’s smile warmed him through the entire walk.
Chapter Sixteen
