Red Hood's Revenge

behind them, then made his way to a circular basket padded with blankets. He curled his body into the basket, leaning his back against the wall as he studied Talia. A wave of his hand raised flames from the brazier. “You seem familiar to me.”
    Talia’s sword seemed to leap into her hand. “I came here before, years ago, with Sister Faziya of the Temple of the Hedge.”
    “So we’re not worrying about subtlety this time?” Snow asked.
    Uf’uyan glanced at Snow. He didn’t appear worried, but who could read the mind of a snake? “Your friends aren’t from Arathea, are they?”
    Roudette yanked the hiqab from her body so violently the material tore. She pushed back her hood and pulled out her own weapon, twirling the hammer through the air. The red cape earned a longer look from Uf’uyan. “No games, naga.”
    “I recognize you,” he said. This time Roudette could smell his fear. He inclined his head slightly. “Will you grant me time to pray, first?”
    “I didn’t come here to kill you,” said Talia.
    “Maybe you didn’t.” Roudette advanced toward the fairy priest. “Tell us where to find Zestan-e-Jheg.”
    “Or what?” Uf’uyan asked. “You’ll kill me?” He laughed. “Strike then, Red Hood. Return me to Heaven.”
    Talia caught her arm. “Not yet.” Stepping between Roudette and Uf’uyan, she said, “Faziya came here asking about the Wild Hunt. What happened to her?”
    “Faziya was a kind woman,” said Uf’uyan. “Until last night, few people cared about the Wild Hunt’s raids on the Kha’iida. The settled people of the cities have turned their backs on their desert brothers. Many were secretly grateful to the Hunt. They hear rumors of Kha’iida raids, of children being stolen and caravans robbed, and they begin to believe Arathea would be better off without its ‘savage’ children of the sands.”
    “Lies,” Talia said. “Kha’iida warriors used to raid neighboring tribes, but only to hone their skills and prove their superiority over their neighbors. Where’s the challenge in raiding a caravan of soft, spoiled merchants?”
    Uf’uyan studied Talia more closely. “Like all things, the place of the Kha’iida has changed, particularly in recent years. But you remember those times, don’t you, Princess? I should have guessed your identity from your scent. The curse lingers in your blood.”
    Talia beckoned Snow closer. “Can anyone else hear us in this place?”
    Snow pointed to the brazier. “Roudette’s cape obscures it, but someone has been trying to eavesdrop.”
    Uf’uyan chuckled. “Father Yasar. Hoping to learn the hidden secrets of the church, that he might rise to the rank of bishop. He’ll surpass me soon enough, I suspect. I’m afraid the church tends to reward ambition over faith these days.”
    “You said the place of the Kha’iida has changed,” Talia said.
    Uf’uyan lowered his body. “Our fault, at least in part. As more of Arathea turns to the church, there is less tolerance for those who reject it.”
    Roudette spat. “You mean they reject fairy rule, so you turn Arathea against them. Will Zestan send the Hunt against all who refuse to worship her, then?”
    “What have we done to you?” Uf’uyan asked. “How have I earned such hatred?”
    Roudette didn’t answer. She remembered the screams of the dying, her own small hands digging through splintered boards and crushed stone. The cape fanned her rage, until it was all she could do to restrain herself from smashing Uf’uyan and this entire mockery of a church. “I’ve seen what your kind truly believe.”
    “All who judge must also face judgment, child.” The calmness of his voice made Roudette want to strangle him. “The Wild Hunt kills because it is their nature. You kill because you enjoy it, targeting whomever you’re paid to hunt.”
    “I enjoy some jobs more than others.” Roudette clutched her hammer with both hands, the leather grip creaking beneath her fingers.
    Uf’uyan leaned toward Talia. “I will try to help you, as I did Faziya.”
    “Then tell us where to find Zestan,” Roudette demanded.
    “She has never deigned to visit Jahrasima in person. She works through her servants, human and fairy alike.”
    Roudette spat. “Servants like you.”
    “Zestan’s influence is strong, but not everyone believes as she does.” Uf’uyan smiled. “I’ve even heard rumors that it was a priest of the church who warned Queen Lakhim of the fairy plot against