Chapter 35: Enemies of the Deeps
The captain of the Grace of the Mists drew herself up in the throne-like chair that sat where a wheel would on a normal sailing ship and regarded Nathan with a secretive smile. “Now I understand why Badud’s entire grid has deployed assets against you. You have not just delayed their plans but struck at their combat power directly. Badud was ever the one with the build to clear a battlefield.”
Nathan grimaced and spoke, his voice bitter. “Great, more enemies. Who are they? Or is that too much of a favor?”
“You have more than earned that truth. Truly, Sarya would…” Eolinne hesitated, then cut herself off with a wave of her hand. “Badud, Amoh, Sussu and Ogarius. You know Badud and his powers. Sussu is an enchanter and teacher, and she rarely leaves Esebus. In Zhark they worship Amoh as a god, and he is seeding that theocracy across multiple continents. The seminary assassins that tried to kill you tonight are his signature.”
She pursed her lips. “And Ogarius is an empty silhouette. I have only heard of him from Sarya, when a city falls to monsters, or an army wins a fight they should have lost.” She met Nathan’s eyes grimly. “Badud is the most powerful in a direct fight, but they are all dangerous. We must be careful, for they can move empires to fulfill their desires. If you crippled Badud they will want to kill you as a warbeast seeks vengeance for a wound.”
“Is that why the Oligarchs of LItcliff tried to kill us?” Sarah asked. “The Questors arranged it?”
Eolinne gave a soft snort. “They merely offered enough wealth to buy the city. Cities like Litcliff can always be bought, it is only a matter of the weight of the treasure. Enough wealth and magic were pledged to usher Litcliff into an age of wonders.’”
“How do you know that?” Nathan asked curiously.
“I spent the night spying on the Oligarchs,” Eolinne replied without a hint of shame. “They are fools in search of money when they should seek connections. I could do more for their city than half that amount of treasure could in trade maps and Insights of seafaring.”
Stella looked back towards the city they were quickly leaving behind. It looked like most of the fires had been extinguished, but it was hard to tell in the daylight. A thick pall of smoke still hung overhead, though it was starting to break up in the breeze. “Did they get the treasure? Should we go back for it?”