Blood of Innocents (Book Two of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) by Mitchell Hogan

answer. But, for every one, the wager doubles. So, if I get two wrong, I owe you two silvers; for three, I owe you four, and so on. Agreed?”
    Aidan looked at Chalayan, who was grinning from ear to ear.
    The sorcerer rubbed his hands together. “I’ll do it. You couldn’t possibly know about me, and some spare ducats always come in handy.”
    Mazoet tried to hide a smile behind his hand.
    “First, then,” continued Chalayan, “does everyone here witness the wager?”
    Murmurs of assent greeted his question.
    Aidan gave Vasile a penetrating look.
    Vasile raised a hand. “They have to be things one of the others knows, else we won’t know if you are trying to deceive us or not.”
    Chalayan looked thoughtfully at the ceiling for a moment. “My mother’s name was Spring Blossom.” He stared expectantly at Vasile, face devoid of expression.
    •
    “Five hundred and twelve silvers?” exclaimed Chalayan. Spit flew with his words.
    Aidan rose from his chair and stepped between the sorcerer and Vasile. He resumed laughing, along with cel Rau, who was hunched over in mirth. Mazoet chortled as well, shaking his head.
    “You made the wager,” said Aidan.
    “But… he tricked me! That’s over fifty gold ducats! I’m not paying.”
    “I expect you to honor the wager.” There was a warning in Aidan’s voice.
    To forestall any argument, Vasile broke in. “Never mind. I was only trying to make my point.”
    “See, he even admits he tricked me.”
    Aidan shook his head. “He knew whether you were lying or telling the truth ten times. That’s not a trick.”
    Chalayan sputtered then glared and pointed at Vasile. “I’m not paying.”
    “I said it didn’t matter, and it doesn’t. What matters is that now you believe me.”
    “It could be another trick,” muttered Chalayan.
    Aidan gave Vasile a thoughtful look. “I don’t think so. Anyway, it’s best if we end the night there. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
    Behind them, Mazoet gave Vasile a soundless clap then stood unsteadily. “Well, I know I’ve had a bit too much to drink.” He squeezed past the table and stood by the door. “Think on what this means,” he said to them all. “It’s a rare talent, and one that hasn’t exactly brought Vasile wealth and respect.”
    He smiled at Vasile and left the room.
    Vasile tilted his head at Mazoet’s departing back. Chalayan shrugged Aidan’s hand from his arm and followed.
    Cel Rau rose to his feet, rock steady, despite the ale he’d consumed. “Five hundred and twelve,” he said, still chuckling, and nodded at Vasile. “Funny man.”
     

Chapter Four
    On the road leading west, Caldan helped Miranda stumble along, her feet dragging occasionally on the stone. Behind him, Amerdan led Bells, while Elpidia trudged at the rear, gaze on the paving in front of her, lost in thought.
    Caldan’s sword—he had to keep reminding himself it was the Protectors’—had tangled in his legs more than once as he looked after Miranda. He’d adjusted the belt, and now it rested against his back, hilt behind one shoulder, where he could reach it with ease.
    The empire kept its major roads in good repair, for which he was grateful. Once they had found the paved road last night, it had quickened their pace considerably. And when the emperor sent his soldiers to deal with the invasion, they would be able to reach Anasoma swiftly.
    Caldan frowned. But the Indryallans had to know that, which was why they had sealed the city. The longer it took for the empire to know of the invasion, the greater prepared the Indryallans would be when the emperor arrived with his Quivers and sorcerers, and the Protectors. That didn’t make sense, though. Why capture a city as important as Anasoma then wait around until reinforcements arrived and put you under siege? If killing the sorcerers and Protectors had been their only goal, then they were done, and there was no point staying. No, they had to have another objective, unless they