Good intentions or not, misunderstanding or lies, Ignitus was still a monster.
Ash gulped in the air, tinged with the scent of crackled chicken skin and grape wine. “Actually, Great Ignitus, I overheard Madoc tell his attendant that he would be meeting someone in one of Crixion’s poor districts tonight. As you said—he is troubling. There is more going on with him. With your permission, I would like to follow him and find out what.”
Ignitus puckered his lips. “I do not like the idea of my champion venturing into this pit of a city alone. I’ll send one of my guards to follow Madoc.”
He started to snap for his guards when Ash’s chest bucked.
“If Madoc sees them, they will have no good reason to be following him,” she said. “But if he discovers me, it won’t be unusual. I already have a rapport with him.”
Ignitus hesitated.
Tor stepped forward. “I will go with her, Great Ignitus. Surely your two strongest champions can handle the dregs of Crixion.”
That earned something that was almost a smile. “Indeed.” Ignitus held for another long moment. Finally, he nodded. “Report tome as soon as you are back.”
Ash exhaled and bowed her head. “Thank you, Great Ignitus.”
Tor took Ash’s arm and guided her to the door. His face was awash with desperation, wanting to get out before Ignitus changed his mind—but Ash’s eyes dropped to the papers Ignitus had thrown in his anger.
Remaining Wheat Holdings, one read. The list beneath was painfully short.
Another.Alternative Fishing Ports. Only three locations were listed on that sheet.
Ash looked up at Ignitus.
He too was staring at the papers on his floor. His hand was on the back of his neck, rubbing out a kink in an exhausted motion that was far too human.
Tor pulled the door open and dragged Ash into the hall. Guards started to follow when Ignitus shouted from within, “Let them pass!”
For the first time in Ash’s life, she walked away from her god with only Tor by her side.
“Good thinking,” Tor told her. “Are you all right?”
She clenched her jaw. Bunched her hands into fists.
Ignitus killed Char. Rook. Lynx. Ignitus desecrated our country.
“Yes,” Ash said. She couldn’t look Tor in the eyes. “Let’s go meet Madoc and Elias.”
Seventeen
Madoc
THE HIRED CARRIAGE rocked to a stop at the palace gates. Inside the cab, Madoc turned a gold coin over his knuckles, hoping that Geoxus would agree to see him without Lucius or his suddenly supportive father.
“State your business.” A palace centurion stuck his head through the window of the carriage, and after inspecting Madoc, flushed in surprise. “Apologies, champion,” he muttered quickly, then motioned the carriage through, a messenger charging ahead on horseback to announce his presence.
By the time Madoc had gotten out and paid his driver, his heart was in his throat. He clung to the dim hope that Geoxus would show him mercy. That since he hadn’t known Madoc wasn’t Earth Divine, he might not sense the deception in what Madoc was about to say. That Lucius, who he’d bypassed by taking a carriage straight from Market Square, had not already informed the Father God of Madoc’s strange tactics against Jann.
Madoc tried to keep a steady pace as he walked between the rows of palace guards that lined the path to the entrance, but everyone was watching him, and without the distraction of other party guests, he felt on display.
The glow from the pulsing white stones lining the path danced off the archway mosaic of Geoxus reaching an open hand toward the small people of Deimos. For some reason it made Madoc think of how Ash had said Ignitus was stripping Kula’s resources, and how Petros was wringing the Undivine dry.
If Geoxus provided, his people wouldn’t be in need.
He shook Ash’s voice from his head. Geoxus did provide. The Divine had everything they could possibly want, and the Undivine could too if men like Petros didn’t twist the Father God’s intent.
Geoxus wasn’t like Ignitus.
