The Bone Mask Trilogy: (An Epic Fantasy Boxed Set), page 25
“I did.”
“You are very bruised... very wounded. I worked long to help you.”
“I appreciate your help.” What did the woman want? Was her apparent concern an act? If she was the healer in Lupo’s group of imposters then she would at least be concerned with her patient. But was that all?
“The pain will return, I warn you. It will be bad, you have suffered much in your fall.”
“I am Casa Falco,” she bluffed.
The woman nodded to herself, then looked up, blue eyes narrowed. She pressed something into Sofia’s hand. “Take. Hide this. When pain is too many, chew.”
Sofia opened her hand. A small green tube-like berry sat in her palm. It was glistening but dry. She gave it a gentle squeeze and the skin held.
“Called lenasi. Quick now, let no one see. Or see that I gave you.”
“Thank you, but –”
The woman waved her hands. “I hear him.”
Sofia placed the lenasi beneath her pillows as a heavy tread reached the door. It opened and Lupo walked in, his frowning mask in place and head swivelling to the woman, who was already crossing the tiles, bowl in hand.
“Hurry along now, sweet Miandra.”
She bobbed her head and scurried from the room. Was Miandra a captive also? She certainly appeared afraid of Lupo.
“I applaud your resourcefulness, Sofia,” he said. It seemed he meant it too, as no jibe followed, no anger even. He simply dragged the chair closer and stared, the black holes of his mask trained on her face.
“How did you find me?”
“Your heartbeat. Veddir traced it to the rockslide. I had set him to watch the road. You’re ridiculously lucky to be alive.” He paused. “And now your turn. How did you conceal yourself from us, in the hills?”
“A cave.”
“That we searched.”
“All of them?” Sofia asked. She would not give up di Mente so easily, despite her slip. Beneath the blankets she brought her hands together, finding the Queen’s ring.
“Hmmm. And now we find ourselves in familiar roles.”
“You’re a man of your word it seems.” She could not keep bitterness from her voice. Would it enrage him?
“You heard of the marketplace then?” He leant forward. “Merely a single step, Sofia. I will take each one after, and I don’t need you between me and what I seek. You will obey me in the future. No more deceptions.”
Her hands became fists. “You’re worse than Vinezi,” she cried. “He at least enjoyed it, you don’t feel anything, do you?” She scrambled for something to hurl at him but found only soft pillows.
He caught her wrists. “Be gentle. You’re needed yet. Whole.”
“Why? The tabella is gone and you’ve killed innocent people again, what does it matter what I say or do?”
“The tabella was never all I sought.”
She could not break his grip. “Then what, you coward, what?”
“You will grant me access to the palace, time enough to win audience with the Prince.”
“So you can kill him and take the throne, is that it? Very predictable, Wolf.”
“And you’d truly object to that?”
She hesitated. How to answer? Oson needed to be punished, to die even, and be imprisoned at the very least, but to replace him with Lupo was no solution. “It won’t make things the way they were.”
“Nothing ever can,” he said softly, and let her go, leaning back in the chair. His mask was still. After a time he stood. “You will agree to this now, or choose between the Night Markets tomorrow evening, or an inn called the Queen’s Harper. I believe you know it? I imagine your friends will be there.”
Hope flared but Sofia shook her head. “I cannot believe you.” There was no way to know which was truth, and which a lie. Nor could she take his word on whether or even where he’d strike. “No matter what I say, you will do as you wish.”
“Choose.”
She held her mouth in a firm line.
He waited. Sofia glared at his mask. A long moment passed before he sighed, then turned to the door. “The Queen’s Harper it is then. Listen for the sound, Sofia. It may even tremble the walls here.”
“No.” She leant forward, wincing at the pain. “I’ll do as you ask.”
“Much better. Our little visit to the palace will take some time to arrange. Recover well, Sofia and allow me to leave you in peace.”
“Do so, Wolf,” she shouted.
He made no response, closing the door as he left.
Chapter 29
The pain returned, just as Miandra said it would, and once again Sofia had woken to her own moaning. The fire was dark and sweat dampened her blankets. Throwing them off, she reached beneath a pillow and found the squishy object.
She placed the lenasi between her teeth.
Relying on the drug as she was, a herb or plant she’d not heard of, was a great risk. But the pain woke her most nights. She needed it, needed to rest to be strong if she was to escape. And there were few adverse effects. Sometimes her vision swam but her movement and thinking were not affected, her ability to reason and fence with both Lupo and Vinezi were not changed. She was safe enough – aside from being held captive again.
Coolness spread along her tongue when she bit down. The juice tingled, pain receding. Tightness in her muscles eased and the cloud of pain cleared. She sighed as she sunk back into the pillows, fumbling with the blankets, pulling only one across her legs and closing her eyes.
When she next woke it was morning. Miandra was setting out her breakfast in the same routine they’d gone through for almost a week. The Braonn woman remained uneasy around Lupo and could not even look at Vinezi. Whenever the large man visited, she stilled herself, struggling to control a tremble. Twice now, she’d nearly been caught slipping Sofia the lenasi, after each instance she brought none the following night. Sofia sweated and swore through the dark, twisting her sheets.
“How you feel today?” In addition to the soup were chunks of bread and squeezed orange juice in a cup, a first. Sofia accepted the food with both hands, her shoulder giving her little trouble.
“Better.”
“I am glad.”
Sofia took a long drink. Was it only pity that drove the woman to help her? Miandra had once whispered of being ‘taken’ from her loved ones, but her story was interrupted by a guard, the man simply opening the door and looking in, saying nothing. But his look implied that Miandra was not to dally. Was Miandra’s nature something Sofia could use? Probably not. Fear of her masters or captors did not equate to rebellion.
“And leg?”
“The same,” Sofia replied. The lie came easily. Even one element of surprise could make the difference. Keep everyone guessing. Don’t let them know the truth.
“Hmmm. Not little stronger?”
Sofia shrugged.
“The lenasi is many strong. I check after breakfast?”
“Thank you.”
In the hours between visits and meals, Sofia was left to lie abed and plan. Nothing she had come up with was satisfactory, and none of her ideas were a magical cure for her leg either. While it did not hurt anywhere near as much as her first night, it was not healed. Should she somehow manage to escape, she would be slower than the long tide.
It was no use waiting and hoping that Notch or Seto would appear. If they still searched for her, they couldn’t know where she was. If they even lived. She would have to pull herself out of trouble, and do a proper job of it this time.
Live up to her family name. Make Father proud.
Lupo entered without knocking, as he always did, coming to her bed and extending a hand. In it lay a blindfold. “Let’s tour the city, shall we?”
“What?”
“I have a carriage outside. It’s going to take us to somewhere with an ocean voice. I imagine you’ve been feeling somewhat... confined of late.”
“My leg’s broken.”
“Indeed.” He raised the blindfold. “Can you place this upon your own head?”
“I can.” She affixed the cloth and folded her arms. “Now what?”
“Now relax.” His arm slid around her back, the other lifting her legs, careful not to jar her splint.
“Let me go,” Sofia demanded. He ignored her, lifting and carrying her from the bed, completing a dancer’s twirl as he did. “What are you doing?” One arm caught his back for balance, but the other was free. His eyes would be protected by his mask, but she might jab his throat, even blindfolded. He’d drop her and she’d be free – for a flea’s sneeze. How far would she get at a crawl? If that. And she was in the middle of an enemy stronghold, Vinezi’s home, if the man was to be believed.
Even if she somehow made it outside, he could have Veddir track her heart and blood. And no glowing men of magic would save her now.
“Be patient.”
He carried her along a corridor, through a door, down stairs and into the street. In the morning light, cold air brushed her cheeks and lips and she inhaled deeply, the taste of rain on her tongue. A frown followed. Lupo was right. She’d missed fresh air.
His boots echoed on the cobblestones as he issued commands. Another pair of hands helped lift her onto a soft seat. She stretched her leg and waited. The carriage, for that was what it must be, with the snorting of horses, rocked as someone followed her in. A door clicked shut and a rapping on wood followed.
The coachman’s cracking whip started the horses, jostling her. Sofia reached for the blindfold but Lupo spoke. “Keep it on.”
They did not move fast but she still strained to keep her leg from being jolted. As Lupo had obviously planned, she could not get her bearings. It was not hard to guess, however. Second Tier. Lupo and Vinezi would want to be in striking distance of the palace.
Wind buffeted the carriage when it came to a halt and she shivered, reaching a hand up to the blindfold.
“Go ahead.”
Lupo sat across from her in an old carriage, its upholstery faded. With legs stretched across the seat, he gestured to a window. The view of the ocean from their position was impressive, distant lightning stabbed at the dark water with flashing whitecaps. A storm was passing, as if the heavens had held off just for her. Truly unlikely.
Most impressive was that she had such an unobstructed view – without being on the wall.
“Where are we?” She strained her neck but saw no clues, only the hints of nearby buildings.
“There is a ramp off one of the streets near the wall. It leads to a building site. One of the more successful merchants is arranging for his residence to lie in such a way that he might see over the Second Tier wall.”
She wound the blindfold around her hand. “This is all terribly transparent, you know.”
The mask turned to face her. “Truly?”
“Yes. You can’t win me over. All this effort. It doesn’t change anything.”
“It changes your view.”
She sighed. Why did he bother with games? Lupo was in control, she had admitted as much. He didn’t need to win her over. He was already forcing her to take him to the palace, and with her injured leg she wasn’t going anywhere else.
“Sofia, I understand you feel this is a ploy. But this is who I am. I simply thought you’d appreciate time out of that room.”
Speaking plainly had not earned her a swift death yet. He needed her. “You’re a killer, without honour.”
“Perhaps I’m those things in addition to being considerate.”
She shook her head. “See? Still you attempt to sway me.”
“How so?” He arranged his robes.
“With your calm. The way you turn aside my insults with apparent honesty. That you do not brutalise me for my behaviour, as another captor would. I see through it, Wolf – because none of it’s needed. You already have me at your mercy. We both know that.”
“Ah.”
Sofia waited. “Well?”
“I have no need to convince you of anything, Sofia. Believe what you will. You are correct, certainly in one thing. I have all power over you I need.”
“Then why the charade?”
He laughed. “You would not be confused if you believed me. It’s no charade. You see me as I am.”
“Then I’ve seen enough. Take me back to my cell.”
“No.”
Sofia turned back to the water. Only fools reasoned with madmen. Her breath would be better spent chasing away clouds. She flexed the muscles in her leg, trying to relieve an ache. After a time she broke the silence. “What do you get out of this, for helping Vinezi?”
“Vinezi helps me.”
Was that his way of seeing things, or truth? If she knew, she might be able to divide them somehow. Both men were self-important, both confident and neither possessed much of a moral guide. But how was she to use that? What did Lupo truly want? “And once you’re admitted to the palace?”
“We’ve gone over this.”
She smiled. “Help me pass the time.”
“It’s simple. I will have the throne and a bargaining chip to use with your father.”
She blinked. “Is this all about the tabella?”
“Not all. While there is someone I wish to find, beyond which, I need something else from Danillo Falco.”
She narrowed her eyes. “He has nothing for you, and you know he’s been driven away. What do you want from him?”
“That’s between he and I. But for you, he’ll give me what I wish.”
“He won’t.”
He shrugged. “That I plan to discover.”
Sofia gave him an evil grin. “If you’re thinking he has Argeon you’re wrong.”
“True. Your Greatmask is in the palace.”
She crossed her arms. “Fine. But Argeon will only speak with a Falco. You won’t be able to use him, Lupo. Not ever.”
“Then it’s fortunate is it not, that I currently possess a Falco?”
“I’m not a tame bird. You don’t possess me.” An empty claim.
He leant over and opened the carriage door. Hinges squeaked. “By all means, fly away, little one.” And now he mocked her. When she made no move toward the open door he closed it and tapped on the carriage roof. A whip cracked and they lurched forward.
Sofia gave no answers on the ride back, despite Lupo’s attempts at conversation, even after the blindfold had been replaced. A faint sheen of sweat grew at her temple, despite the breeze, and the pain in her stomach had returned. Dull aches snuck back to her body to take up familiar positions and she urged the carriage on. Miandra would have lenasi.
“Woah.” A cry came from above and the carriage jerked to a halt at an angle, as if the driver had tried to turn the carriage but given up half way through. Sofia caught the window sill for balance, leg shifting on the seat. She cursed.
“What’s your driver doing?”
He chuckled. “My, my. Speaking like a lady, Sofia.”
A muffled voice called from above. “Lord Lupo, there’s something you should see.”
“Stay here.” The carriage door clicked open.
Sofia pulled her blindfold aside. Lupo strode down a street lined with expansive homes, robe fluttering in the wind. A single cry reached her as a man stumbled past the wolf. “Help me, sir.” He cast glances over his shoulder as he went. A second scream came with the slamming of doors, and then Lupo was shouting for people to run.
He spun, taking his own advice. His body blocked her view, but something green scurried behind him, low to the ground. “Close the door,” he called as he skidded to a halt, knife in hand, and placed his back against a wall.
Sofia stretched for the handle. Too far. A shrill scream rose from beyond the man and she gasped.
A mess of green things, whose spindly legs flicked liquid into the air as they flashed, scrambled from a hole in the cobblestones. Each left a trail of slime, their rounded bodies bulging with dozens of eyes. Several people lay motionless in the street, their bodies slashed with green. A scream burst from a person fending off several creatures, but whose arms were useless against the tide of green legs. He disappeared beneath them, a sharp hissing joining his cries.
Sofia strained for the door handle, but it was hopeless. Further along, a pair of women were smashing the creatures aside with their baskets. The green things splattered against the walls and Sofia urged the women on from the carriage. Lupo had already replaced his knife and was backing away from two of the creatures. The flow from the hole had halted, most disappearing elsewhere in the city. When the Wolf took a step, the lead creature mirrored it.
“Arm yourselves,” he called without turning.
The carriage driver leapt to the stones, whip in hand. His legs trembled, but he advanced. Sofia gripped her splint, tearing the bindings. Even a plank of wood would be something. Lupo feinted and the green thing leapt at him but he was already twisting aside. A flash of powder shot from his hand, even as he raised the heavy sleeve of his robe to catch flecks of slime from its legs. Holes appeared in the fabric and he danced back. The creature he’d cast dust upon shrivelled to the ground, eyes popping as it turned black.
The driver’s whip exploded the second creature, green flying, and he screamed, clutching his face. Lupo dragged him back to the carriage and tossed the man into the back, climbing to the driver’s seat. The horses pawed at the ground until Lupo turned the carriage and pulled them away from the opening in the street.
“Are they chasing us?” she called.
“I don’t know.”
Across from her the driver shook, tearing his mask free. Sofia shrank back. Slime had eaten a hole in his face. The inside of his mouth was visible, teeth and wet, red flesh giving off a sizzle.
Veddir.
“Lady, help me please.” The young man gurgled, reaching across the carriage.
She pushed him back with her strong arm. The Renovar slumped against the wall, tears streaming and chest heaving.
He was still when the carriage came to a halt.
Lupo shouted for help, ripping the door open and pulling the young man out, laying him on the street and checking him over. Sofia craned her neck, but only the sky was visible through the window. What was Lupo doing? If the creatures had pursued them he was finished.
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