Free The Blood Debt by Sean Williams Page B

in yellow and black uniforms stood stiffly to attention in each corner. A single tall-backed chair rested between them on a square dais. Seated slightly askew in the chair was a striking woman with no hair at all and the biggest hooknose Skender had ever seen. Her eyes were a deep, potent green. She wore a black robe with red trimmings and rested gnarled white hands on the globe of an ebony walking stick. Her lips were broad and expressive, but only ever smiled on one side.

    The incision on his left arm still itched but he refused to scratch it.

    ‘It’s late,’ said Magister Considine. The room barely contained the rich harmonics of her voice, ‘and much demands my attention before I am allowed to retire. Be brief, I beg you.’

    ‘Th— thank you for seeing us,’ Skender stammered, affecting an awkward bow. ‘I’m not familiar with your customs here, so I hope I haven’t offended —’

    ‘Customs are for the lazy-minded.’ She waved his apology away with one hand. Her fingernails were long and unpolished, like claws. They clicked against the knob of her walking stick as she brought her hand back down. ‘I prefer to get right down to business. I will not ask again, young Van Haasteren.’

    ‘You know who I am?’

    ‘Of course. I know everything in this city.’

    ‘Then you know I’m looking for my mother.’.

    ‘I know she had business near Laure. All Surveyors declare their intentions when they encroach upon my territory. They learned the wisdom of doing so long ago, lest I mistake them for thieves.’ Her eyes hardened. ‘The fate of your mother is no concern of mine. If the Divide has taken her, so be it.’

    ‘I don’t believe she’s in the Divide,’ he said. ‘She’s in the Aad. If I can get there, maybe I can help her.’

    ‘Maybe you can. I am not stopping you.’

    ‘No, but I need more than your permission.’ The liquor in his belly made him bold. ‘I need your help.’

    ‘Is that so?’ Magister Considine shifted her sharp stare to Chu. ‘And no wonder, with this one swinging from your robe.’

    Chu looked indignant. ‘He doesn’t know our ways, ma’am. Someone has to guide him.’

    ‘You both stink of smoke and araq. In your eyes, perhaps, you are making satisfactory progress.’

    ‘We’ve been waiting for you,’ said Skender, not liking the way the Magister belittled Chu in front of him.

    ‘Close your eyes,’ the Magister ordered him.

    He blinked, blindsided by the request. ‘I’m sorry?’

    ‘You heard me.’ The Magister crouched over her stick like a predatory insect. ‘Do as I say, or this conversation is over.’

    He closed his eyes.

    ‘Now, tell me how many rings I have on my fingers. You have five seconds before my guards throw you out of the city.’

    Skender thought fast. He hadn’t consciously noticed any rings, but the image of her hands was impressed on his memory as clearly as if he was seeing it for the first time. There were thick black bands on the two longest fingers and a silver coil on her left thumb.

    ‘Three,’ he said. ‘You have a matching bracelet on your right hand, in silver and black, and a pin at the throat of your robe in the shape of a crab. On the —’

    ‘Enough. You are who you say you are, then.’ She clicked her fingers and he opened his eyes. ‘Now, tell me exactly what you want.’

    ‘A dirigible,’ he said, ‘a heavy lifter so we can travel to and investigate the Aad.’

    The Magister nodded. ‘I thought as much. Perhaps you aren’t aware that this city labours under unusual circumstances. A growing stream of man’kin pours down from the east; rumours of unrest come to us from our furthest boundary riders. We must take advantage of the opportunities this presents, yes, but we must also be vigilant for threats. Were these more usual times, I might have had an aircraft available for you to commission. Presently I do not.’

    ‘But it wouldn’t take long.’ He glanced at Chu for guidance,