Son of Khyber_ Thorn of Breland - Keith Baker [19]
Fileon joined in. “And what if our goals conflict with the interests of Breland? What if Sorghan is a Dark Lantern—a Lantern responsible for the deaths of hundreds of our people?”
Thorn met his gaze and held it. “You say that you were betrayed by Breland, Fileon. And I believe you. But you of all people should know what it means to serve the Citadel. If anything betrayed me, it was my own body. I killed Lharen. I’m the murderer here. I know that my life has changed forever, that there’s no turning back. And I’ll deal with this marshal for you. But Breland is still my home.”
Fileon nodded slowly, and in that moment his hard demeanor softened. “I would be disappointed if it were otherwise. Loyalty is a thing that must be earned, and I would think less of you if you were so quick to shed your allegiance. But you will learn the shape of things, as I have. Breland was your home. But now, the only shelter you will find is with those who share your mark. Khyber is your country now.”
Thorn relaxed. She’d guessed that Fileon was testing her again—seeing how quickly she’d abandon her principles, how eager she was to please him. It seemed that she’d made the right move.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me,” she said. “Before you found me, I was alone. Afraid. You’ve helped me regain control of my life, and I’m grateful for that. If you want to send me after this Deneith murderer, I’ll do it. But don’t expect me to kill another Lantern. Not yet.”
“Acceptable,” Fileon said. “And so I leave you to your work. How you accomplish this task is up to you. We cannot call upon the wealth of Breland, and you will have to make use of the resources that you already possess. I have no tools or weapons to give to you. But there is one thing that I wish you to take with you.”
He knelt under the table, and a moment later he emerged again. There was a small bundle of gray fur in his hand, twitching and watching Thorn with beady black eyes.
A rat.
“I trust you, Sister Thorn. I believe that it is destiny that has brought you to us at this time. But I must be certain. You will carry these eyes with you, and through him, Zae will watch over you. Should you be caught, we will know. Perhaps we will be able to send aid.”
And should I betray you, you’ll know, Thorn thought. She’d been planning to find a way to warn the marshal, to give him a chance to escape. This would make things difficult. Of course, he is just a rat. It would be tragic if I happened to cross paths with a hungry alley cat.
Fileon lowered his hand to the table, and the rat scampered over to Thorn. “I trust you’ll take care of her,” he said. “Consider that your third task. I need to know that you can protect as well as kill. And I’m sure you understand the importance of preserving our lines of communication.”
Thorn smiled. “Of course,” she said, holding out her hand. The rat scampered up onto her arm. “I won’t disappoint you.” So much for the cats.
“Then go,” Fileon said. “And when we meet again, I trust that you will have the brooch in hand.”
The sun was setting against the mountains, and the tall spires of Sharn cast long shadows across the streets and bridges of Dragon Towers. The district was largely dominated by the enclaves of the dragonmarked houses, and most of the people on the streets bore the emblem of one of the houses somewhere on their clothing. There were few beggars. House Deneith supplemented the local constabulary with its own mercenary troops, and they took care to keep the riffraff off of their doorstep. Thorn had raised the hood of her cloak to hide her false dragonmark, and she put her hand on Steel as she made her way toward the Deneith enclave.
Silent protocol, Steel whispered in her mind.
Zae’s rat was nestled in one of Thorn’s belt pouches. It was quite calm. Thorn wondered if it was well trained, or if the aberrant girl was controlling its actions from afar. Fileon claimed that she would