Alora: The Maladorn Scroll (Alora 3)

“You forget I am a judge,” Vindrake hissed, incensed at his arrogance. “Even at a distance, I know when you are lying. Do not tempt me to end your life, for I can see it done.”

The stuttering response was satisfying. “I’m s-sorry. Truly, I am. In the f-future I will only contact you two fingers before the setting of the s-sun, as you requested.”

“Enough! What information do you have of such importance that you interrupt my supper?”

“I overheard another conversation between Darielle and Jireo.”

“And you’re certain the two are unaware of your eavesdropping?”

“No, they do not know. It cannot be detected without a farsight gift of equal strength, and no one is my equal.”

An awkward silence followed, as Vindrake’s ire rose to a boiling point. A growl emerged from his throat.

“M-Master Vindrake, I didn’t mean to imply—”

“Finish your report,” Vindrake snapped, adding this insult to the tally he kept in his mind.

“Another portal was discovered by Graely’s young gressor, Arista—this one inside her home. The council believes you are responsible for the appearance of the new portal and have set a guard at the entrance.”

“Interesting. What else did the two speak of?”

“That Alora had taken ill—so ill that Jireo believed she would pass within the week.”

“This is good news, indeed.”

“Evidently, Jireo was mistaken. For both Alora and Kaevin are here now, along with Jireo.”

At last! I will again have opportunity to be rid of Alora and Kaevin. This time, I will dispense with them quickly, rather than toy with them and risk losing my opportunity.

Vindrake said, “And with Jireo in Laegenshire, there will be no further conversations for you to intercept. Am I not correct?”

The voice in his mind hesitated, probably searching for a way to secure his value to Vindrake.

Excellent. His pride should be diminished.

“Correct. However, I believe I will be privy to more information from the inner circle, partly because I have regained some trust from Graely, since I’ve been donating grain for the common meals.”

“My suggestion, I believe.” Vindrake remarked, knowing his statement would further irritate his agent.

“Yes, Master Vindrake. The plan was yours, although I added a reason for my change of heart—remorse over the loss of my wife and the child she bore.”

“She was with child when she accidentally passed?” Vindrake believed the man was complicit in his wife’s death, though he had convinced himself of his own innocence, well enough to pass a judge’s assessment. Yet another reason to be wary of the traitor—Vindrake couldn’t detect a lie if the man could exchange it for truth in his own mind. “You didn’t mention that at our first meeting.”

“No, the woman was barren,” he conceded. “However, I was careful to make my declaration to Graely and Morvaen, away from Chaleah’s listening ear. I even transferred enough fiery oil from my fingers to my eyes to induce some convincing tears.”

Vindrake felt a grudging respect he had no intention of admitting. “No matter. I have other agents in Laegenshire.”

“Others? How are they not detected?”

Vindrake smiled at the surprise in the other man’s voice.

“I’ve removed my bond from a few I’ve judged as fully devoted to me, allowing them to move about freely, without detection.”

Decreasing the number of bloodbonded citizens also reduced the effort required to maintain his constant control. And proving particularly valuable was a certain loyal green-eyed warrior, a member of his honor guard who’d been taken on a raid on the outskirts of Stone Clan. Having declared his hatred for Graely, the truth in his words was recognizable, even without Vindrake’s judging gift. The man served with zealous fervor. Vindrake loathed letting him go to Laegenshire, having already lost Daegreth, his favorite, in a battle six moons prior. But he couldn’t pass on the opportunity to insert another agent in Graely’s shire.

“We’ve always been told only death could remove the bloodbond.”

“It does require death, and only I have the power to remove the bond I placed.” This wasn’t entirely true. Anyone who knew the correct procedure could eliminate the bond, but currently Vindrake was the only person who had read and interpreted the Maladorn Scroll containing the instructions. This was only one of many secrets hidden within the scroll’s cryptic markings.