Quilla had never been to the Isyar Pavilion before. It was located at the west end of the complex, past the stables. Despite its name, there were rarely any Isyar staying at it. These days, it was mostly used for visiting nobles who weren’t quite important enough to get accommodation in the Palace itself. Like most buildings in the complex, it had a basement cellar, and like the one in the theatre, its basement was never used. It made an ideal place for Darkers to hide out, though Quilla couldn’t imagine living in such a place for years on end. Two weeks beneath the theatre had been more than enough for her.

“I don’t think I want to be a noble,” Quilla told Zandrue as they approached the Pavilion.

“Then I guess you don’t have to,” Zandrue said.

“There was a time when I wanted it, back when I was going to marry Garet, but now I’m not so sure. Especially if it’s awarded by that woman.”

Zandrue nodded. “I understand. No one’s going to force you. In fact, the Queen will probably be relieved. She was a bit reluctant in the first place. Of course…”

“What?”

“Accepting the title is your opportunity to really annoy her, what with her unable to refuse you without breaking her word.”

Quilla smiled. That did have an appeal to it. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

Zandrue motioned to Quilla’s neck, a frown no her face. “You sure you’re okay? Vellon had quite the grip on your neck.”

Quilla nodded. “I’m fine.” The truth was, her neck still ached. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse. Her voice was less raspy though.

They circled round to the back of the Pavilion. Thilin took the lead. “It’s probably too cramped for us all to enter. Let the Kingsguard go in. Everyone else, wait here in case they make a run for it.”

“With all due respect, your Highness,” Zandrue said, “if the Kingsguard barge in like that, they’ll escape the same way they did at the other side of the complex—with their magic pearl. Eventually, they’ll flee the Palace complex entirely. We need a subtler approach. I’ll go in.”

Thilin held up his hand for everyone to stop. “By yourself?”

“I’ll go with her,” Quilla said.

Zandrue shook her head. “You’ve done enough already, Quilla. Let me—”

“I’m going,” Quilla said. “Dyle wants nothing more than for me to join him. Failing that, he’ll settle for capturing me. He’ll let me in, possibly let his guard down.”

Thilin shook his head. “I can’t let you do that, Quilla. It’s too dangerous.”

“We can handle this, Thilin.”

Thilin continued to shake his head. “I’m sorry, Quilla. It’s too risky.”

Quilla sighed. “I just spent two weeks with Dyle and his people. I survived. I can survive this.”

“I don’t know.”

“Fine, Gabriella can come with us, too.”

Thilin considered a moment. “Both Gabriella and I will come with you.”

“Too many people and he’ll bolt, your Highness,” Zandrue said. “Three is pushing it as it is.”

Thilin groaned. “Fine, just the three of you. But don’t take any unnecessary risks, and cry out if you need help.” He addressed the guards. “Stay alert and be ready to rush in at a moment’s notice.”

Rudiger took Zandrue’s hand. “I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”

Zandrue smiled at him. “So gallant.”

Gabriella punched Rudiger lightly in the arm. “Don’t worry, Rudy. I won’t let your blushing bride-to-be come to any harm.”

Zandrue eyed Gabriella. “When did you start calling him Rudy?”

Gabriella shrugged. “Just now. He calls me Gabby.”

“Everyone calls you Gabby. No one calls him Rudy.”

Gabby grinned. “First time for everything.”

Quilla tried the door. It was locked.

Captain DeSeloön came forward with a set of keys.

“Barnol Friaz’s master keys to everywhere in the Palace complex,” Zandrue said. “He was quite eager to give them to us.”

It took DeSeloön a few tries, but he soon found the right key and opened the door.

Quilla took a deep breath. It hurt, and she grimaced. “I’ll go first. I know Dyle best. You two are my backup.” Without waiting for either of them to object, she walked through the door.

As at the theatre, the door led directly to a flight of stairs leading down. Candlelight flickered at the bottom, but it wasn’t bright enough to make out further details. Quilla began to descend.

Dyle was sitting at the table at the bottom. He was writing into a book, a flickering candle sitting on the table near him. The room had a similar layout to the primary hideout, except there were numerous crates and boxes stacked along the walls, and there was only one interior door.

Dyle looked up. Upon seeing her, he started to rise. “Quilla! Are you all right? You look—”

“I’m fine, Dyle. It’s mostly Sam and Vellon’s blood. Sit down.”

He did as she asked, but his eyes followed Zandrue and Gabriella’s entrance into the room. “I saw Vellon go after you. I feared the worst.”

Quilla leaned on the table across from him. “Did you? Feared the worst so much you took off?”

He put the pen down. “I didn’t have any other choice.”

“Lamaën insisted, I suppose.”

“Something like that.”

“Where is Mister Moustache anyway?” Zandrue asked.

“Wandered off somewhere,” Dyle said.

Gabriella crossed the room to the interior door. “Really? Strange time to go for a walk.”

Dyle shrugged. “Go ahead. Check back there if you want.”

Gabriella reached for the door handle. “I’ll check it out. Zandrue, watch my back.” She opened the door and slipped through.

Zandrue went to the door and held it open.

“Where’s the Pearl, Dyle?” Quilla asked.

He closed the book he’d been writing in. “You can’t use it to control the dragon. The bonding with Lidda has already started. It can’t be stopped as long as she remains alive.”

Quilla walked around the table towards him. “Guess we’ll have to kill her then.”

He chuckled. “Be my guest. Never did like her much. The whole plan to put her in control of Arnor is Lamaën’s idea.”

She stopped beside him. “What’s in the book?”

He put his hands on the book. “Just a few notes. I would have given you everything, you know? I still will if you’ll come with me. I’ll make you my queen.”

She shook her head. “It’s over, Dyle.”

He nodded, and looked her in the eye. “I still love you, you know. I always will, no matter how much you betray me.”

“You’re not in love with me, Dyle. You’re in love with the power you think you can get through me. Sure, you’ll put me on a pedestal in praise of that power, but that’s not love. I’ve experienced real love, and you’re not it.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

She shook her head and walked away from him, circling back around the table. “You’re pathetic. Especially without all your cultists to back you up. Where’s the Pearl, Dyle?”

Gabriella came back into the room. “There’s no one else in here.”

“I told you, he wandered off,” Dyle said.

Quilla sighed. “He took the Pearl, didn’t he? He took the Pearl, used its magic to get away, and left you behind.”

Dyle shrugged, but said nothing.

“Where did he go? Do you know?”

“If he has the Pearl, he could be anywhere,” Dyle said. “Literally anywhere.”

“Quit playing games and tell us. Does Lamaën have the Pearl or not.”

Dyle just sat there, not answering.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Gabriella raised the point of her sword to his neck. “Answer the question.”

Dyle chuckled. “You’ve become a very violent person, Quilla. And you criticise me.”

“She’s not the one holding the sword to your neck,” Gabby said.

“True, but she’s condoning it.”

“Would it make you happy to learn that, Dyle?” Quilla said. “That I’ve become a heartless killer like you?”

He shook his head. “Honestly, no.”

“Luckily, I’m not yet, but I’ve taken a step or two in that direction. It’s all I intend to take, but…”

“It’s easy to say such things. Every time you kill, it becomes a little harder to not do it again.”

She leaned her hands on the table. “Good thing I haven’t ever killed anyone yet. Tell us where the Pearl is, Dyle.”

“We won’t ask again,” Zandrue added.

Dyle lowered his head. “Give me five minutes. Just the two of us. Then I’ll tell you where Lamaën is.”

Quilla stared at him.

“I’m serious.”

“So are we,” Quilla said.

“Are you?”

“You have a fucking sword pointed at your neck. You think we aren’t serious?”

He shrugged. “You won’t run me through until I give you the information you need, and I won’t give you that until you give me five minutes.”

Quilla groaned and turned away from him.

“Don’t test me,” Gabby said.

Dyle chuckled. “You know I’m right, don’t you, Quilla?”

Quilla removed the dagger from where she had hidden it again. “No, I don’t think so.” She spun around and slammed the dagger down into his hand.

With a scream, he tore it back out, and stumbled out of his chair. He nearly fell over to avoid Gabby’s sword. Gabby didn’t even move.

Zandrue came up behind him, grabbed the arm with the injured hand and twisted it behind his back. “You probably shouldn’t provoke her.”

Dyle stared at Quilla, his jaw hanging open. “You...you…”

Quilla picked the dagger back up from the table. She pointed it in his direction, trying to look as intimidating as she could. “Last chance, Dyle.”

“Better take it,” Zandrue said, “because, honestly, even if we don’t find Lamaën and the Pearl, this will still have been a really good day, culminating with your death. I’m willing to settle for that.”

Dyle took several slow breaths, then nodded. “I’ll show you where he is.”

Zandrue yanked his arm back further, and he grunted. “Quilla, search him first.”

Quilla approached him slowly, watching him carefully. His face was contorted in pain, but he smiled at her. She scowled back. “Don’t try anything. Gabby’s still got a sword not far from you, remember.” She reached for his belt. There were a couple pouches tied to it. She started to undo one.

He hooked his foot behind her ankle and yanked. Her leg fell out from under her. There were cries and yells, and she hit her head on the table. She scrambled to regain her footing.

Dyle, Zandrue on top of him, crashed into the table, sending it toppling back. The candle spun through the air and splatted onto the floor. Its flame flickered and dimmed, nearly out.

Everything was shadows.

Two shapes—Zandrue and Dyle?—rolled about against the wall. Zandrue grabbed Dyle’s legs and pulled him back. He cried out.

Gabby ran up, stabbed her sword down.

The candle went out.

Dyle cried out.

There were several thuds and grunts. “Hold him!” Zandrue said.

“Quilla, get Thilin!” Gabby cried.

Quilla stumbled in what she hoped was the direction of the stairs. She bumped into the toppled table. “Thilin!”

She found the stairs and started up them, just as light flooded down them. She averted her eyes from the intensity. As bright as the outdoor light seemed, it didn’t penetrate far into the room, leaving it mostly in shadows.

Zandrue sat with her back against the wall, holding Dyle on top of her. Gabby knelt beside them, holding onto Dyle as well. They were all covered in blood and Quilla couldn’t tell who was the source.

Dyle stopped struggling just as Thilin rushed past Quilla. Two Kingsguard followed.

Gabby pulled Dyle to his feet. Zandrue stood up behind him.

“You all right?” Thilin said.

“Probably a few bruises,” Zandrue said, “but the blood’s all his.”

Dyle was clutching his side, blood pooling over his fingers and hands.

Quilla moved past the guards to stand beside Zandrue. “He tried to stop us searching him.”

Zandrue nodded and reached for Dyle’s belt, yanking off one of the pouches. “He was trying to get this.” She untied the pouch and shook out its contents into her palm. A single pearl fell out. “Looks like he had it on him the whole time.”

“Mine!” Dyle lunged at Zandrue, grabbed her hand.

Without thinking, Quilla thrust her knife out—straight into his neck. Blood gushed over her hand and she let go.

Dyle’s jaw dropped, his eyes widened in surprise.

Then, both he and Zandrue vanished, the knife with them.

Thilin and the guards moved forward, but there was only Dyle’s blood on the ground there now.

Gabby stepped back. “What the fuck? I knew it could do that, but…” She kicked the table.

Quilla closed her eyes for a moment, and took several deep breaths. “They could be anywhere.”

“That includes the Palace grounds,” Gabriella said. “We should do a thorough search of all the hideouts Barnol gave us.”

Thilin nodded and motioned to the Kingsguard, who started back up the stairs.

Gabby put a hand on Quilla’s shoulder.

“We were so close,” Quilla said.

Gabby gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry too much. There’s no way Dyle survived that. Zandrue will get the Pearl and find her way back to us, wherever she is.”

“Unless he took them into a nest of Darkers.”

Gabby sighed. “There is that. Come on. The sooner we start searching, the sooner we find them.” She started up the stairs behind Thilin.

Quilla watched them go, but didn’t follow for now. They had been so close. They should have just killed him as soon as they found him. She had let him talk. So stupid.

She tried to wipe away the tears forming in her eyes, but her hands were still covered in blood, so she actually made the matter worse.

She had stabbed him. He had to be dead now. Then Zandrue could take the Pearl and make her way back, just like Gabby said.

She’d never killed anyone before. She’d imagined it. In the last couple weeks, she had imagined various ways she might kill Dyle, Vellon, Lamaën, all of them. But now that it had happened, she wasn’t sure what to think. Was it cathartic? Not really. Especially without a body. She couldn’t be sure. What if he was still alive somehow?

She screamed in rage and kicked at the table, nearly tripping on the book he’d been writing in.

The book.

She wiped her hands on her skirts, bent over, and picked it up. A few drops of ink dripped off it as she raised it up. One corner had been lying in a puddle of spilled ink. A quick examination revealed that the ink had not gotten on any of the pages, though her fingers left little blood marks on the cover.

She righted the table, pulled the chair over, sat down, and opened the book. Most of the pages were blank. Only the first couple had any writing on them, and it was addressed to her.

Quilla,

If you’re reading this, I’ve been forced to leave without you. Or maybe I’m dead. That’s possible.

I need to warn you of Aylor. If he gets his hands on you, he will throw you in shackles. He will torture you. He will do whatever he needs to to force you to use your abilities for him, to force you to fulfil your role. Even if you do it willingly, he will still harm you, torture you, treat you like shit. He considers you the lowest of the low. To him, you have one purpose and nothing else. You are worth nothing beyond that purpose.

And he is powerful, Quilla. Powerful and dangerous. There are various rituals the Servants of Sunset can perform to give ourselves unnatural powers. You’ve heard a bit about it with the powers given to Laänne Friaz. We pay a lot for these abilities. That’s why few ever go through more than a single ritual. Most don’t go through any at all. The price is too high.

But Aylor is an exception. I don’t know how many rituals he’s been through, but it’s left him a husk of a man. Yet so unbelievably powerful. Even I am rightfully terrified of him.

But you have one hope. The Isyar, Jorvanultumn. He is destined to kill Aylor. I don’t know how, but that is what the prophecies say. I’ve tried a couple of times to draw them together. It’s why I let him, Zandrue, and Rudiger know to go to Ninifin. I thought he would be there. But Aylor knows his destiny too. He will do whatever he can to avoid an encounter with Jorvanultumn.

Your only hope for survival is to bring those two together before he gets to you. If he gets to you first, the added power you will bring him will make it possible for him to avoid his destiny. He will destroy Jorvanultumn instead.

Also, watch out for Lamaën. He’s not what he seems. He

It just stopped there. That must have been when they interrupted him. What had he been about to write about Lamaën? It was obvious she needed to be careful of him, so Dyle must have meant something more.

Jorvan was supposed to kill the Dusk Supreme? It was comforting, if true. Yet, how much could she trust what Dyle had written? As best she could tell, he wasn’t in the habit of lying to her. Still, what if it was a ploy to get Jorvan killed? Dyle had broken one promise to her. He could lie to her, too.

She closed the book, picked it up, and stood up. She needed to let Zandrue—

Shit. She’d forgotten for a brief moment Zandrue was gone. Transported somewhere with Dyle. Dyle had to be dead, but a part of her doubted it.

The rituals he had written about. Had he ever been part of one? He had never demonstrated any unusual powers around her—apart from vanishing, but that had turned out to be the Pearl—but that didn’t mean he didn’t have any.

Gods, she hoped Zandrue was okay.