Only Villains Do That

2.15 In Which the Dark Lord Realizes His Mistake

We had to pass through a cell block to get where we were going, which meant sticking to the center of the path out of reach of the arms extended through the bars at us. Those cells were overcrowded to an extent that wouldve resulted in human rights complaints on Earth. Wellparts of Earth. All these men had been crammed in there like livestock and while I could understand their cage-rattling fury at it, they helpfully went out of their way to remind me that I had good reason to lack sympathy for these individuals in particular.

Oh, they recognized me, all right. Lord Seiji was a distinctive figure among the population of Dount, and at least some of these assholes had been diligently trying to kill me last night. At least a handful had apparently thought theyd succeeded. I got even more catcalls than Aster, who was the target of no end of invective simply for being a woman in view of this bunch of thugs. I glanced at her a couple of times, but her expression was just wry.

No matter how many times I was reminded, it always came as something of a shock, just how used to depravity and horror the Dountol were. Especially the women. It occurred to me, now, that the only ones Id seen actually scared had been guards or gangstersmen accustomed to having at least a measure of power over others. Even the Alley Cats being faced down by Grays men had just seemed angry and resigned.

I considered dissuading the men from approaching the bars with a well-placed Windburst or two, but thought better of it. I wasnt sure how much Captain Norovena knew, but showing off Blessings in front of him probably wasnt a great idea. Even if he already knew everything, I doubted hed appreciate me making a mess of his cell block.

Still, that did remind me of something.

Were you able to arrest any of the Blessed working for Lady Gray? I asked Norovena as we finally turned a corner onto another hall not lined with open cells. It wasnt significantly less loud, what with the echoes, but at least we didnt have to see the bastards as we passed. I ran into several last night.

It was the Kings Guild who did the initial wave of arrests, and they definitely kept custody of any Blessed prisoners. The Guild has facilities and personnel to contain them, which I do not. I have no authority over the Guild; they were courteous enough to notify me that there are Blessed prisoners, which frankly was more than I expected.

I nodded, thinking ahead. What I needed to find out was what happened to that guy who could cast Null. If he was going to be rambling around my island, I wanted a firm handle on his whereabouts. The trick was in getting this information without betraying why I wanted it. Norovena had just revealed some hidden depths, but rather than deepening trust between us it had made me even more wary of letting him learn too much. Which was particularly dicey as I didnt even know how much he knew.

Also, apparently he didnt even have the particulars, which wasproblematic. How was I going to get intel out of the Kings Guild? Aster was a pretty low-ranking member, Rhydion wanted something from me but probably didnt like me all that much, andthat was the entire extent of my contacts there.

My attention was brought back to the present by our arrival. We werent that far from the cell block and separated only by distance, not intervening doors, so it remained clamorous enough that Norovena still had to raise his voice, if not as much.

This is the room, he stated, nodding at the prison guard standing at attention next to the door. The man saluted without otherwise moving. I apologize, Lord Seiji, but today of all days Im not at liberty to attend you in person for the rest of this.

I can imagine. No worries, Captain, I believe I can handle this part alone.

I think it will go better if you do, he agreed. Assuming he agrees to cooperate with you, I cant just release him into your custody with no more fanfare than that, you understand.

Of course, theres a procedure, I nodded. How would you like me to handle this?

Unless theres some further crisis outside the gates, I intend to be here in the Kingsguard headquarters for the immediate future. Ill send a man to escort you to me when youre done. If Im not still in the headquarters, I will be back as soon as I am able. Rest assured Ill take care of this as soon as possible in any event, my lord; getting this matter settled is a high priority. I will of course leave the disposition of your followers to you, Lord Seiji. I see no harm in them joining you in there, if you feel they will be of use, but if you prefer to leave them on watch in the hall they should be fine. If my opinion is welcome, however, Miss Aster is quite intimidating for someone so pretty. He gave her a smile which she did not reciprocate. A show of force never goes amiss with men like that.

Mmmperhaps. On the other hand, you and I have both used the stick liberally since last night. Lets try the carrot, instead.

Norovena blinked. Thecarrot?

Oh, right. Now that I thought of it, I hadnt seen any of those in Dlemathlys. Itscarrots are a sweet root vegetable. Good for the eyesight. Its a metaphor, Captain, about methods of motivation. Punishment and reward.

Ah. He nodded, his expression clearing. Well, in the end, it was you who originally got him to change sides mid-battle, my lord. In this case I think it best to trust your judgment. With that, I must beg your leave.

Of course, Captain.

He folded down his hands at me, nodded once more to the door guard, then turned and strode back down the hall toward the cell block.

All right, ladieah, lady and lad, I said while the guard turned and unlocked the door. Join me, if you would.

Sure ydont want me tmind thdoor, me lord? Nazralind suggested.

What I didnt want was her standing around unsupervised; I had a bad feeling leaving her outside the wardens office had already pushed our luck. My first meeting with Nazralind had involved her saving my ass, which I was starting to realize may have left me with an exaggerated perception of her competence. It was worth remembering that she was only here because she and her gang had tried to do more or less what I was doing, failed spectacularly, and gotten chased halfway across the island. Her antics since wed entered the city had begun to make me worry about what the rest of those girls were up to outside. Hopefully Goose would keep them under a semblance of control

Im sure this gentleman is perfectly able to do his job without your help, Gilden, I said out loud.

Its Gulder, me lord.

Thats what I said. Cmon.

Aster was looking increasingly peeved by our new recruit; I was really going to have to explain everything to her as quickly as could be arranged. At least the two of them followed me into the room without further commentary.

It was no surprise that the interrogation room of a medieval prison looked nothing like the interview rooms Id seen on police dramas. Never having been arrested (in Japan), I didnt even know how accurate those depictions were, but this It was just a plain brick room, no table or chairs or anything. There were multiple hooks bolted into the walls at intervals, which I could only discern were for chains to be attached to because two were currently in use, keeping Lamm affixed to the wall. They had generously left him enough room to stand at ease rather than hanging from his wrists or something, but he clearly couldnt take more than a step away from the far wall. It didnt look like hed even be able to sit down.

The hell is this for? I demanded as the guard outside shut the door behind us. What do they think youre going to do, run out there to your ex-partners and get shanked?

I see you havent spent much time on the wrong end of the guards favor, Lord Seiji, Lamm answered wryly. And here I was just thinking what a good sign it was that I was being treated so gently.

This is just fucking Shit, we cant let him loose, can we?

I suspect the Captain and the Warden wouldnt appreciate that, Aster agreed. Its kind of moot, since we dont have the keys.

I appreciate the thought, anyway, said Lamm. Nice to see you again, my lord. Youre not what I expected when they brought me in for another round.

I hope you havent been handled too roughly.

He shrugged, causing a rattle of chains. Helps a lot that I showed up voluntarily and it seems my informations been useful to the cause. Also, and Ill admit this surprised me a bit, invoking your name seemed to help. With the rank and file, that is. Made that Captain pretty keenly interested in me, too, but not aswarmly. I gather his affection isnt as easily bought, he added with a smirk.

That sounded about right. My earlier caution was validated: just because Norovena found me worth cooperating with didnt mean he wasnt going to sniff around after my secrets for his own purposes. Fortunately, this guy didnt know anything about me thatd be worth telling him.

I have a question for you, Lamm, I said.

He grinned, tugging idly at his chains. A question? Well, now. Thatll be a marked departure from how Ive spent the day so far.

I looked back at the door. The guard was standing right outside But the door was decently thick, and it muffled the prison noise even better than the wardens office had. So long as we didnt raise our voices excessively, this should provide at least a bit of privacy.

What made you decide to take my advice and switch sides? I asked.

Lamms grin faded. After a second, he looked away from my eyes, jaw working. Yeah, well. I Youre probably gonna laugh.

If I find whatever you say next funny, Ill probably be too surprised to laugh.

Hn. Yeah, I guess I could see that. Suddenly he looked right back at me, his expression steady. You showed me mercy, Lord Seiji. And that made me really stop and think.

I can believe youre not accustomed to seeing mercy.

It wasnt that. He shook his head. Ive seen it, all right. And usually, seen it immediately punished. Thats the law of the Gutters; only the weak are soft. Someone who gives shit away for nothing is someone whos about to lose everything they have. Strength is the only thing that mattersthats the rule Lady Gray lives by, and you better believed she enforced it. The thing is, most of the time she didnt even have to. Its just life. There are the people who have power, and use it against others. Then there are the people who try to becharitable, and whatnot. Theyre the ones who get stepped on by the strong. Try to help a beaten enemy, and theyll just stab you the first chance they get.

He paused. I waited.

But you set up that scheme in Cat Alley, Lamm continued finally, now frowning at me with a faintly quizzical expression as if he couldnt figure me out. And then the strategy you used against Lady Gray last night. Not just the pre-laid plan, but what you adapted on the fly that beat her at her own game. Youre definitely not stupid. And He finally broke eye contact, flinching at a memory. You definitely arent soft.

I could recall the sound of Lamm screaming, the sight of the flames consuming him. How little it had moved me.

No, I said quietly, Im really not. Not anymore.

Yeah It made me think. He raised his gaze to meet mine again. Heres a man whos powerful. More powerful than Lady Gray, apparently, and also no fool. And you offered mercy. Look, Im not stupid either, I can see how much my intel has helped your side in this. I know there was strategy in your decision. But I also know that wasnt all it was; you wouldve taken me to the guards yourself in that case. Thats what I wouldve done. Or Lady Gray. You could have done that, or killed me, and either wouldve been the smarter thing as I understood it. But you decided to do somethingkind.

He winced again, as if expecting to be punished just for using that word. I simply regarded him in continued silence.

It made me think, he repeated. If theres someone whos powerful enough that he can afford to be merciful, and decides to do it Well. Maybe there might be a future with you in charge. Thats the one thing Lady Gray cant offer, you know. Everything under her is temporary. Her top people have power and make good money, along with everything that comes with it, but it never lasts. As soon as theyre not useful anymore, theyre gone. As soon as they start to look like they even might be successful enough to challenge her Gone. I never really thought it was an option before, but suddenly I wanna have a future.

I glanced at Aster, and caught her giving me a subdued but proud smile. Yeah, it always came back to that, didnt it? Whenever you can, be kind. Apparently compassion had strategic uses as well as helping to keep the soul relatively intact. Almost as if humans were social animals or something. Who knew?

Slowly, I nodded. Im gonna level with you, Lamm. Im none too sure how much of a future there is for any of us.

Well, shit, I know that, he said, grinning again. Any fucking day there might be a plague or a bad harvest or a shardhail storm. If youve got enemies, eventually onell get lucky, or just be better than you. Or, hell, you could slip in a pile of dhawl shit and break your neck on the pavement. I knew a guy who went out like that. Nobody can offer forever, and Id be seriously rethinking this if youd tried. But What do you think, Lord Seiji? Do you think things can be just a little bit less shitty until whatever inevitable thing happens?

What in the unholy fuck was a shardhail storm? Damn it, Ephemera, why was there always some fresh horror?

Still, I had to laugh. Well, damn. Usually I have to explain that part, Lamm; youre the first one to beat me to it. Yes, that is the deal. Im gonna keep picking fights with bigger and bigger assholes until there are either no assholes left or I lose one, and I think we both know whichll happen first. But until then, what I offer the people wholl stand with me is a place in an organization where we show some goddamn fucking decency to each other, and get a chance to hit back at those whove wronged us. Its not much, but this is Ephemera. I really dont think anybody on this world is going to get anything better than that.

Yeahyeah, I think youre right, he agreed.

So! I said more briskly. Heres the situation, Lamm. Captain Norovena appreciates your assistance and is inclined to keep you safe and provided for in exchange for it.

He nodded warily. But?

But, this operation has drawn in some of the smaller Clans, who are sticking their stupid fingers into everything and trying to play politics. Some of them seem to want to make a big, messy example out of you.

Lamm looked resigned. Yeah, that sounds like Clan Aelthwyn all right.

Its actually not them, I said. I dont think the Archlord even knows about you.

What would be the point of that? Aster demanded. I mean, the Archlord is a sadist and hates lowborn, everybody knows that. But smaller Clans are usually more careful about dealing with commoners. What would they gain by turning on somebody who took a risk to take their side?

Theyre nobles, they are, said Nazralind in her obviously fake rasp. There aint necessarily reasons, or at least not good uns. Its just fer his Lordships attention.

They want senpai to notice them, I explained.

Lamms eyebrows drew together. Who?

Never mind. The point is, depending on how this pans out, you might end up safe, or possibly sent to the gallows for no particular reason. Norovena would rather you stay alive and able to continue offering him intelligence.

So he wants me to join you, Lamm finished.

Youre impressively quick on the uptake.

He frowned, lowered his eyes, then shook his head before meeting my gaze again. Norovena already told me about this.

I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. Oh?

Lamms shoulders shifted as he drew in a breath. He offered me a reward to join up with you, and keep himappraised of anything interesting you did or said.

That shifty son of a bitch, Aster hissed.

No I heaved a sigh. No, lets not get offended, people. Thats pretty much par for the course. Norovena is an ally of convenience, not our friend. And this is a pretty smart thing to do in his position. No need to take it personally. But you told me instead of going along with it, I added, studying Lamms eyes.

He nodded once. Same question, same answer. A Kingsguard captain knows all about bribes, but he doesnt have a future to offer me, either. On the other hand, hes accidentally given me something I can use to increase my value to you, Lord Seiji. Long as youve got me around, you can use me to feed him whatever information you want him to know, and nothing else.

I see, I mused. Of course, that left the obvious question: could I trust him? The answer to that was an unequivocal fuck no, preceded by derisive laughter. Still This, I figured, was enough to buy Lamm the opportunity to earn trust. And in the meantime, I could keep a close eye on him, maintain tight control over what information he passed along. Yeah, this would work.

Still. Id been planning, when I stepped into this room, to take the opportunity of this moment of privacy to bring Aster up to speed on who Nazralind was, as well as inform Lamm of the Dark Lord angle. But considering Norovena had arranged it specifically such that I couldnt just walk out of here with him, and would have to leave Lamm in his custody a while longer Oh, yeah, now I could see why he had set it up that way. Hed be able to get his first report from his double agent on whatever Id said in this meeting before handing the man off to me.

This was definitely not the moment for any big, dangerous revelations.

Then it seems we have an arrangement. I smiled, and Lamm immediately looked wary, for which I couldnt blame him. Welcome to the team.

Norovena was as good as his word, which I suspected he scrupulously would be under any circumstance in which I could check. Hed sent a second guard to stand outside the interrogation room door; as soon as I knocked to be let out, the man escorted us back through the prison and then the barracks to the Captain.

He was not in his office, but in the busy front area of the Kingsguard headquarters from which he could direct traffic. And there was still a great deal of that; with the operation against Lady Gray theoretically still ongoing and the brutal persecution of the Gutters ongoing very much in actuality, harried-looking soldiers, clerks, bureaucrats, and the odd priest or noble were rushing hither and yon through the corridors, many clearly demanding a slice of the Captains time.

I shot a warning look back at my two companions as we approached him. Asters expression was politely blank. I wasnt really worried about her; shed grown up knowing the importance of minding her manners around people of higher rank, even and in fact especially those who were actively plotting to do her harm. Nazralind was another matter. She had apparently grown up never having to mind her manners around anyone, and I didnt yet have a handle on how much discretion hard living had taught her since then. I had, however, noticed that she shared at least some of my own difficulty in keeping a shut mouth. I was a little concerned she might express displeasure at the Captains scheming right to his face.

Catching my eye, she winked at me over her big fake beard. Thatwasnt exactly ideal, but as reassurance went Well, it would have to do.

Good, then get them back here, Norovena was curtly ordering a man in Kingsguard armor. The rest arent to let up until we are so ordered by the Clans, but right now I need that squad reinforcing the prison. Make sure theyre outfitted with crossbows before they report to the Warden.

Sir! The man saluted and dashed off.

Spotting me, Norovena turned and immediately strode over, to the visible disappointment of two more men approaching him, but apparently they didnt think themselves important enough to press, simply hovering about in the near distance and waiting for an opportunity.

Ah, Lord Seiji. How did it go?

He took some persuading, I said, putting on a self-satisfied little smile. Poor chap seems tove had a rather hard day. I believe I have him on board, however. Its all about making the mostpalatable offer.

Yes, thats always the way with men like that, he agreed, matching my smile perfectly, the scheming bastard. Splendid news, my lord. If you will kindly remain in the vicinity, Ill finalize the arrangements as quickly as possible. Best we get this matter squared away before it becomes more complicated.

Very good, Captain. Just point me to a place to stand thats out of the way.

Ill be impressed if you can find one, he grimaced, flicking a look around the busy front hall of the barracks. Never fear, my lord, its for common soldiers to get out of your way, not the other way round.

I spotted a well-dressed blond man in nearby consultation with a priest and some kind of clerk; the highborn glanced up at Norovenas last comment and smirked before returning his attention to his own conversation.

Christ, I was learning to hate nobles. Nazralind and her girls were cool, but I urgently wanted to line up the rest of them end-to-end across the island and then go down the row smacking them each in the face with a shovel.

Captain! A man I recognized dashed up, wearing a worried frown. This was the fellow whod arrested me back when Yoshis party had picked a fight in the street. Lieutenant something-or-other. I knew he was Blessed with Magic; hed cast Windburst at Flaethwyn, which had been immensely satisfying to see. Sorry, sir, but you said to report if Well, theres another one.

Oh, Goddess send me patience, Norovena growled. Of all the bloody Which station was it this time?

Here, sir, at headquarters.

What? Here? Tell me youre joking.

Sir, its me, Lieutenant Vanori, he replied grimly. The man youre always insisting has no sense of humor.

Hells fucking revels, Ill take that over whoevers sick sense of humor this is. Norovena rubbed at his forehead, momentarily obscuring his scowl, and I was struck by the change in his demeanor. He was a tightly controlled man usually; even his anger was directed and precise, as when hed intervened with his men whod tried to assault that girl earlier. This was the most openly disturbed Id ever seen him.

I cleared my throat. I can see youre having an even busier day than expected, Captain. Well get out of your hair.

Wait. He turned to me with an intent frown. I think Lord Seiji, this may be a matter relevant to you specifically. I believe you have an established fondness for the Gutter Rats?

That cold, hard weight suddenly reappeared in my gut, colder and harder than ever. Suddenly brimming with sick dread in addition to the guilt over what Id already set in motion in this city. I did not know what was coming, but it was not going to be good.

I made my expression noncommittal, regardless, forcing my mind to focus logically. Instinct prompted me to dissemble, especially given what Id recently learned about Norovenas plan to put a spy in my camp, but it would be a mistake to play too innocent. Letting me bring Rats through the gates was the lions share of what Id bribed his men for; of course hed already know about it.

I have been specifically generous to a few particular Rats who Ive used to gather information, I said, shrugging. Thats just sound policy for informants, isnt it? Cant say I have much of an opinion about the breed in general.

Makes sense, my lord. Still, considering If youll indulge me a moment longer, I think this may be something you should see. Vanori, where is it?

It was left in front of the service door on the south side, sir. We moved it off the door, obviously, but I left a man keeping an eye on it out there. Its a kicked hive in here today and I dont know of a good place to put such a thing at the moment.

Good thinking, Lieutenant. My lord, if you would?

Lead on, I said with a deliberately languid gesture, concealing my unease with the skill granted by a lot of recent practice.

He guided us through the halls with notably more urgency than before, which did not make me any less nervous about whatever we were headed toward. It did at least mean there was less time to simmer in the anticipation. In just a few minutes, we reached what I gathered must be a less-used side door, to judge by the relative lack of traffic in this part of the fortress. Norovena yanked it open and strode out, leaving us to follow.

Beyond was an exterior alley behind the guard headquarters. This door opened next to a dead end where the Kingsguards complex was built right into the citys exterior wall; in the other direction the short alleyway led to a small courtyard which even from here I could see was encircled by another wall with a gate leading to the street outside. It would be pretty difficult for anyone unauthorized to get into this space at all, much less carrying

I heard Aster draw in a sharp breath with a painful-sounding hiss, followed by a half-strangled noise from Nazralind as she forgot to put on her fake voice while trying to repress what sounded like a mingled retch and sob.

Near at hand, a particularly grim-faced Kingsguard was standing over the body.

It was all too familiarnot individually, but the general aspect. Painfully thin, wearing too-loose pants held up by a knotted cord and a too-tight shirt about to be outgrown, both threadbare and dirty. Both stained with blood from the deep wound in the chest. This one was Bigger than Benit, a year or two older, maybe. Not as big as Gilder.

It was a Gutter Rat. A dead child. A murdered child.

Do you recognize him, Lord Seiji? Norovena asked quietly.

I shook my head, for once bereft of words. The Captain let out an angry sigh.

This is the fifth one today.

I managed, barely, not to double over. It sure felt like hed just kicked me in the gut.

One at each of the wall gatehouses, and now this, Norovena continued, his face set in a darker glower than Id ever seen on him. Someone with exceptional mobility, an unparalleled gift of stealth, and not even the dimmest little spark of humanity has decided to send us a message.

I didnt even realize how close I was to melting down completely until it all went away. The Wisdom perk hit me like a falling piano, crushing down emotion and leaving me adrift above it, my perspective wrapped in ice. From within that stark observatory of the mind, I could see it all so clearly.

I had already determined that Captain Norovenas assessment of Lady Gray was wrong. She wouldnt flee the city; after what wed done to her, she would seek revenge above all else, even her own survival. Now, I understood the misconception under which I had been operating. She wouldnt try to kill me. Not yet.

Not when she knew how to hurt me.