OrbSoul (Book 6) (2 page)

   'Is she--?'

   'Dead?' His voice caught in his throat. 'Aye. Pierced through the heart.'

  
'But how? She was not to have been left alone.'

   A plump, red-headed nurse sat in gloom to one side of the chamber, her face in her hands. At Pader's enquiry she slowly lifted her head, her expression drained and wretched. 'Oh my lord, I left her for only a minute.'

   Pader stared. He realized he was trembling, his knees weak. Without Kol's support he would likely have fallen. He could barely take in the enormity of what had occurred here.

   'When did this happen?'

   'Just minutes ago,' Melropius replied hoarsely.

  
Poor, poor Mawnie. Tears started to Pader's eyes as he stared at her slim, pale form.

   Why?

   And how?

   A shadow stirred in his mind.

   Fectur?

   Pader more than suspected that the Lord High Invigilate had informants within Mawnie's chambers. It would be absurd to think anything else. But to have her murdered? Why? Or had he learned something about Mawnie's madness? About Ressa, poor dead Ressa, Mawnie's twin. Had
Fectur drawn from Mawnie some item of information regarding the terrible experience the twins had suffered on Sentinel Peak? Something about Ressa, and the Legendary Child? Mawnie, in her dementia, had implied knowledge of something. What could it be that would drive Fectur to ensure so brutally and finally that no other could learn of it? To commit such a crime - no matter the reasoning, the sheer audacity implied that Fectur was beyond control, had gone utterly and dangerously mad.

   Pader felt a hot rage rising in him, forging through his grief. But he forced himself to calmness. He was grasping at straws, leaping to conclusions. He had no evidence. He could barely think.

   He managed to stammer, 'There will be an investigation. Nobody must leave these chambers until all names are recorded. If any have left already I wish to know of it.'

   With a last stricken look at Mawnie, he turned and left the chamber.

ii

   Back in his office Pader Luminis sank into his chair, too shaken to speak. But he had barely had time to collect his thoughts and begin to assess the full impact of Mawnie's murder when Kol appeared at his door again and announced another visitor.

   This time, to Pader's surprise, he found himself facing Radius, the orphaned boy who he had more or less adopted years earlier and who worked for him as assistant, servant and nominal apprentice.

  
'Radius?'

   Radius entered hesitantly, a slight figure with a tousle of untidy brown hair. His hands were clenched around the bunched ends of his shirt as he came, and his eyes were downcast, his thin shoulders high. He edged forward with tentative steps.

   Pader Luminis frowned. This was not the Radius he knew. 'Radius, what is the matter?'

   'M-Master,
you've been g-good to me, you ‘ave,' stuttered Radius.

   'Yes, I think that is certainly true,' Pader replied, his curiosity mounting.

   Radius nodded, biting his lower lip, and sniffed. 'You've looked after me all these years, and you didn't need to. Nobody made you.'

   Pader was surprised to see a tear gather upon the boy's lashes, glistening in the candle-light, and tumble to the floor. 'Radius, what is this? What is the matter, boy? Why in the world are you not asleep in your bed?'

   Could Radius be distressed over Mawnie's death? It was scarcely credible; how would the news have reached him at this time? And even if it had, it was hardly likely to afflict him like this. Radius knew the Duchess only remotely, if at all. Her death, no matter the circumstances, would have little direct impact upon him. No, this was something other, and Pader, already unnerved by the death, was nonplussed. Radius was a lively, impish, mischievous boy, not given to the reticence and maudlin emotion he was now evincing. Pader threw a concerned glance across the chamber at Kol, and indicated that he should withdraw. Then he rose and passed around the desk, extending an arm. 'Come along, Radius. Come, sit down and tell me what is wrong.'

  
'You've been so good, Master,' mumbled Radius. 'You ‘ave, truly.'

   'Perhaps so, Radius, but my beneficence has never occasioned such a response from you before. Rather, it is more often the contrary that is the case. When I have had reason to scold or reprimand you I have known you to shed a tear, but that was when you were a small boy. I have never seen you like this. So what is it? What is the trouble?'

   Radius bowed his head. 'I'm no good.'

   'I would not go that far, Radius. Agreed, I have at times had cause to--'

   'No, no! I'm no good!' Radius adamantly shook his head. 'You've always been kind to me, and I don't deserve it, Master. I've betrayed you!'

   'Betrayed?' Pader stiffened. 'Betrayed? Why, boy, what do you mean?'

   'It's true, Master.' Radius lifted wide, frightened eyes to Pader. His tears glistened brightly, shame and anguish on his face. 'It is. It is. Oh, I'm no good! No good!'

   He buried his face in his hands and wept, his shoulders racked with sobs. Quite suddenly Pader began to feel a new level of concern. He dragged his chair around the desk and sat down beside the boy. 'Radius, calm yourself, now. Tell me, what are you saying? What do you mean by 'betrayed' me?'

   When Radius's sobs had ebbed a little he sat up and looked fearfully over his shoulder, towards the door. Then he stammered, 'I did, Master. I didn't want to, I didn't mean to, but he made me. He made me tell him everything!'

  
'Who, Radius? Who made you?'

  
'Th- the Lord Spectre! He threatened me, and he said if ever I told you-- Oh Master, I'm so afraid. Please don't harm me! And please don't let him have me!'

   The boy threw his arms around Pader Luminis's neck and clung to him, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. And to Pader, not yet recovered from the shock of Mawnie's murder, Radius's words came like a
mallet-blow. He felt himself reeling, and one word resounded back and forth inside his skull.

  
Fectur!

   So it was that Pader learned of Fectur's clandestine visit to his private apartments in White Eaglet Tower, and his discovery of Radius hiding there. He learned of the one-sided conversation that had ensued, and the unfavourable terms
laid upon Radius by the Lord High Invigilate.

   Pader was enraged, and shocked to his core. His ire was in the first instance directed at Radius for wilfully disobeying him and remaining behind to eavesdrop on his private conversation with Queen Issul. But far greater was the fury and outrage he felt towards Fectur. To have entered and searched Pader's apartment was a felony in itself, but to then threaten and interrogate Radius was something else. And Pader understood that Radius would have had little choice but to reveal whatever secrets he held, illicit or not. He knew the terror that Fectur instilled in his victims. No matter the boy's disobedience, the fact that Radius had fought his terror sufficiently to come here now and confess said something for his inner character and the depth of loyalty he felt towards Pader.

   When he was satisfied that Radius had told him all that had transpired, Pader said, 'Well firstly, Radius, I wish you to know that I am disappointed. That you should have hidden yourself and eavesdropped on my conversation with the Queen when I had specifically dismissed you does not stand you in my favour. I am very angry.'

   The boy sat motionless, unable to meet his gaze.

   'Has Lord Fectur approached you again?'

   Radius swallowed. 'He came three days ago, Master.'

   'To my apartments?'

   'Yes.'

   'What did he want?'

   'Just to know if I had heard anything more.'

   'And what did you tell him?'

   'The truth, Master: that I have scarcely seen you since you were made Lord Protector.'

   Pader nodded grimly to himself.

   'Master,' said Radius in a shaking voice, 'what will happen to me now? Am I to be cast out?'

   'Cast out? Hmm, I must consider that. I am not pleased, not pleased at all. Through your insubordination you have not only gotten yourself into deep trouble, you have also put the Queen herself at risk.'

   'Oh, Master!'

   Pader eyed him reproachfully.

   'I didn't mean
nothing,' Radius protested.

   'I accept that. But you deliberately eavesdropped on a high-level, private conversation!'

   'But I would never have told noone what I'd heard. But the Lord Spectre, when he asked me, how could I not tell him? He made it sound like everyone was under suspicion, even you, Master. Maybe even the Queen!'

   'And perhaps that is the way he sees it,' muttered Pader, half-beneath his breath. 'As I said, I will dwell upon this. I want you to go now.'

   'But what if he comes after me?' cried Radius.

  
'After you? Why would he do that? He does not know you have come to me, does he? Therefore do not tell him. If he comes prowling and seeking more information, tell him as before, that you have exchanged no words with me. You can do that, can't you?'

   Radius nodded meekly.

   Pader thought for a moment. 'That is, until I tell you otherwise. Hmm . . . yes. Perhaps I can yet turn this situation to my advantage. Our devoted Lord High Invigilate could indeed find himself discovering more than he had anticipated. I will consider. Now, begone, and do not breathe a word of this to anyone.'

   Radius left, still clutching his shirt-ends. Pader Luminis remained in his seat, lost in thought.

iii

   Dawn had yet to tint the dark sky. Pader passed with Kol and an escort of four guards through the cresset-lit passages of Orbia. His goal was the Ministry of Security. He was intent upon locating Fectur, if necessary rousing him from his bed.

   His first thought, when questioning Radius, had been to have it out with Fectur once and for all. He intended to leave Fectur in no doubt of his anger at his trespass. He would berate him in no uncertain terms for his illicit questioning of Radius, and in addition let him be certain that he was the prime suspect in Duchess Demawndella's murder.

   But Pader had thought again as his temper cooled. A more considered approach was both preferable and advisable; direct accusations would gain him nothing. Fectur would be put on his guard, would bring forth plausible and well-rehearsed excuses and alibis; and Radius's life would
have been put at risk. But if, on the other hand, Pader could play the Spectre at his own game . . . If he could exploit the situation and plant disinformation of the right kind into the Lord High Invigilate's mind, then he might just succeed in leading Fectur along a path of his choosing.

   So Pader proceeded now to Fectur's office determined only to raise the issue of Mawnie's death. Whether Fectur was guilty of the crime or not, the bald fact was that internal security had been most seriously breached. It was Fectur's department; he had failed in his duty.

   And Pader was intrigued to find out where Fectur was just now. He would have been informed immediately of the death - if he was not previously aware. Yet he had not shown himself at Mawnie's chambers, nor at Pader's office.

   Pader might have summoned him, but perhaps it would be more enlightening to seek him out, wherever he might be.

   They passed through the lower level of the East Wing of Orbia, their footsteps resounding off the bare flags, flame-cast shadows bounding and distorting across the walls. At a certain point Pader slowed his step, throwing out a cautioning hand. 'What is that sound?'

   They listened. The halls and corridors were silent.

   'Did you not hear it?' asked Pader. 'A shout, I thought, from somewhere up ahead.'

   Kol shook his head, as did the others. 'I heard nothing, my lord.'

   Pader listened on, but the silence was unbroken. Perhaps he had imagined it. They continued along their way, but at a less brisk pace and Pader kept his senses pared, alert for any disturbance.

   They crossed an intersection of passages. Before them a long corridor lined with several doors let into a broad arcade set with tall statues and imposing columns which vanished into a lofty vaulted ceiling. The arcade, unusually, was in darkness.

   'There!' Pader halted. This time there was no mistaking. A voice. A man had cried out some distance away. His shout was oddly curtailed. Then there was a muffled crash which seemed to issue from somewhere just beyond the arcade.

   Kol and the guards drew their weapons and took up positions in front of Pader Luminis.

   'What can it be?'

   Pader shook his head. 'I don't know, but I don’t like it. Advance with caution.'

   They moved on, step-by-step along the length of the corridor. Of the arcade they could see nothing but the wan, carved-stone facades of the nearest columns, only partly-illumined by flambeaux upon the corridor walls. There were more crashing sounds, another shout followed by a dull thud.