“The records are vast, and we have not searched every corner,” Basel said. “But there is certainly nothing in any of the standard indices.”
There can’t be nothing. Maya set her jaw. The black spider had told her it was merely an instrument. Whose instrument? Does that mean there are more of them out there?
“I understand your frustration,” Basel said. “Believe me, I want answers as much as you do.”
“I know,” Maya said. “It’s just… that thing hurt Jaedia. I want to understand why.”
“For the moment, the fact that you killed it will have to be good enough.”
“Yes, Kyriliarch.” Maya took a deep breath and calmed herself. “What do you need from me?”
“There are several unusual features to this matter,” Basel said. “The first is that the request comes not from me, but from Kyriliarch Prodominus.”
Prodominus? She’d only met the Revivalist leader a few times, and he’d never shown a particular interest in her.
“Kyriliarch Prodominus could have asked me directly,” Maya said.
“He could have,” Basel agreed. “I suspect he thought you would be more inclined to listen to a request from me.”
“And he asked for me specifically?”
“He did.”
“Do you know why?”
“No,” Basel said. “Which is another unusual feature.”
“And what does he want?”
“He declined to explain, other than that it would be dangerous and involve a considerable journey. Which, needless to say—”
“Is also unusual,” Maya finished, smiling slightly. “I get the idea. But you are asking me to do it?”
“I am asking you to at least hear him out.”
“May I inquire why?”
Basel sighed and steepled his hands. “These are fraught times, Maya. The Pragmatics are in the ascendant, for the moment. The Dogmatics are obviously in disarray after Nicomidi’s betrayal, and I daresay we’ll have his seat for one of ours before this is done. But we must move carefully. An open break on the Council would be bad for all of us, especially while the investigation into Nicomidi is ongoing. What he told you…”
“I thought you said he was mad.”
“It’s a possibility. But we must at least consider the theory that he had… confederates. Others who believed that, in some fashion, they can communicate with the Chosen.”
“Which sounds a lot like the Revivalists,” Maya said. “You don’t trust Prodominus?”
“At this point, I don’t trust anyone on the Council,” Basel said. “If this group exists—which it may not, of course—then Nicomidi demonstrated that they are willing to act against the interests of the Order as a whole. That is extremely dangerous.”
“I understand,” Maya said. “You want me to spy on Prodominus.”
“Not… exactly.” Basel gave a slight smile. “I hope it does not offend you, my girl, if I say you are not an ideal spy. You are too… forthright. But if Prodominus has asked me to request your aid, he can hardly complain if you give me a full report afterward. Whatever he’s doing, it’s better that we know about it than not, don’t you think?”
“I suppose. Unless his task is going to harm the Order.”
“I rely on your judgment,” Basel said. “You, I trust to keep the Order’s interests foremost.”
Maya felt a glow of pride at that, and sat up a little straighter. “Thank you, Kyriliarch.”
“I am sorry to ask this of you, Maya,” Basel said. “I know Jaedia wanted to keep you away from the Council and its rivalries, and I fear this may drag you further in. But…”
“Jaedia would understand,” Maya said. “I can’t hide from the rest of the Order. Nicomidi made that clear when he tried to have Tanax kill me in the arena.”
“I suppose he did.” Basel leaned forward again. “You’ll help, then?”
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you, Maya. I will let Prodominus know to expect you.” He gave a broad smile. “You’ve made me very proud, you know. I’m sure Jaedia would say the same.”
“Thank you, Kyriliarch.” Maya swallowed a lump in her throat. “I certainly hope so.”
Prodominus’ office was at the opposite end of the same floor, down a dusty corridor. A lonely sunstone burned on the far wall, throwing a pool of light around a half-open door. Maya paused on the threshold to straighten her uniform.
“That you, Burningblade?” said a gruff voice from inside. “Come in.”
Prodominus’ office was just as much a mess as Baselanthus’, but with a distinctly martial flavor. A complete suit of Legionary armor stood in one corner, off-white and insectoid, and several blaster rifles in various stages of disassembly were laid out on a workbench. Another table held a wide variety of glasswork, beakers and pots and spiraling tubes. A heavy trunk full of hundreds of tiny bottles sat on the floor.
Prodominus himself sat with his feet up on a desk covered in books, each volume thick with paper-strip bookmarks. He was a big man, made to look bigger by the wildness of his hair and beard, which were orange-red and shaggy. The grin he turned on Maya was nearly lost in the tangle.
“Kyriliarch,” Maya said, coming to attention.
“Old Basel passed along my request, then.” Prodominus sat up, chair creaking dangerously. “Have a seat if you like.”
“Um.” Maya looked around. “Where?”
The Kyriliarch peered at the mess. “I think there’s a chair under those cavalry sabers. Just chuck ’em on the floor.”
Maya obediently picked up the bundle of antique swords and deposited them as gently as she could. The chair was gray with dust, and she had to fight the urge to wipe it with her sleeve before sitting.
“Thank you for coming, first of all,” Prodominus said. “I know you don’t have to listen to the crazy old Revivalist, so I want you to know I’m accounting this a personal favor.”
“I’m happy to take on any task that’s to the benefit of the Order,” Maya said.
“Aren’t we all? It’s figuring out which those are that’s the trick.” Prodominus studied her for a moment. “Your report from the ghoul ruin made for interesting reading. But that was good work you did.”
“Thank you, Kyriliarch.”
“I take a personal interest in ghoul arcana.” Prodominus waved at the worktable full of glassware. “Dhak, of course, but not the sort that requires a dhakim. There’s a surprising amount you can do with just potions and powders. The scavenger you fought, the one who defeated you and Tanax. Is that how he did it?”
“In part.” Maya hesitated for a moment, not sure how much to say. “He had explosives, certainly, and something that produced smoke. But he also used a blade that could penetrate a panoply field, and he seemed to be immune to most manifestations of deiat.”
“Hmm.” Prodominus’ jaw worked as though chewing something tough. “Someone’s been raiding some deep caverns.”
“Is that what you want me to work on?”