Guild Wars_ Ghosts of Ascalon - Matt Forbeck [77]
Riona strode over to confront the charr. “Then tell us who you’re really working for, Crusader Doomforge.”
Dougal expected the charr to react typically, leaping to her feet and snarling threats. Instead she remained seated and just looked up at Riona. “My orders come from General Soulkeeper. Those orders are to find the Claw of the Khan-Ur and return it to her.”
“But who is your real master?”
“I have no ‘master,’ ” Ember growled. “Yes, the asura is correct: I am part of the Ash Legion. Doom Warband. My imperator is Malice Swordshadow. She personally sent me to serve with the Vigil. She knew that I would prove valuable there.”
“To who?” asked Riona.
Ember shifted uncomfortably. “To Soulkeeper, of course, and—and to the Ash Legion as well.”
“So you’ve been spying on the Vigil for the Ash Legion?” Dougal asked.
Ember paused for a moment, then nodded. “General Soulkeeper knew this from the moment I reported to her. She is no fool.”
“And she let you go on with your charade despite this?” Riona’s tone betrayed her disbelief.
Ember nodded. “She got what she wanted: an effective soldier ready to do her bidding. And she gave Imperator Swordshadow what she wanted: a direct report on the Vigil’s activities from someone she could trust. Their interests do not conflict. No harm is done.”
“But if it had been, would you have cared?” said Killeen.
“I don’t much care to work with spies,” observed Gullik. “Only a fool trusts someone who lies for a living.”
Riona shook her head. “It is impossible to keep many masters. Eventually you must decide where your loyalty lies.”
Ember responded: “Then we are fortunate we have not reached that stage yet.”
There was a long moment of silence then. Dougal broke it. “Swordshadow is part of the truce faction. That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why there is no conflict.”
“I could not say,” said Ember. “We did not discuss the matter.”
“Because if it were known that Swordshadow supported it, there would be direct opposition from the other legions,” continued Dougal.
Ember nodded and said, “There are many, among all the legions, who would accept a truce, if couched in the proper terms. But at the same time, there are many who would seek to reconcile with the Flame Legion.” The rising bile in her voice indicated where she stood on the issue.
Dougal nodded. “There are those among the humans who would see us succeed, and those who prefer to see us fail as well.”
Kranxx coughed and said, “Which brings up something I’ve been thinking about.”
The gathered group looked at the asura. He was frowning and turning his hat in his hands as he spoke.
“When you lot came through the gate from Divinity’s Reach, the Vanguard wasn’t supposed to be there. It was supposed to be Seraph guards who were manning the post this morning, and I had an … arrangement, if you want to call it that, with their officer of the day. I didn’t notice that the Vanguard were on the walls until after you came through and all fresh hell broke loose.” He looked around at the group and his eyes eventually fell on Riona. “Somehow word of your arrival preceded you.”
Riona’s back stiffened. “Are you saying we have a spy among us?”
“I thought we determined that,” said Killeen. “That would be Ember.” Dougal shushed her.
“That would be a conclusion to which I would not immediately jump,” said Kranxx, “but since you broached the matter, let us have at it. Who else knows about your recent activities?”
Riona sat down and thought about it. “Almorra, of course.”
“A clam,” said Kranxx. “A veritable stone. She barely gives enough information to her subordinates, much less some outside forces.”
“Others in the Vigil, then,” said Riona, and Ember slowly nodded in agreement.
“A good possibility,” said Kranxx, “but Almorra also tends to recruit driven, dedicated men and women.” He looked at Ember, then at Riona, then said, “You snuck out this morning, Riona. Where did you go?”
“You don’t think …” Riona started, her voice rising.