His flow of words stopped abruptly, a discussion of the most common objects and why he thought it might be so, and he slapped the wall. “Here we are. A ladder to the inn you’re looking for.”

  “This leads to the Harper?”

  “King Seto doesn’t use it much anymore but yes, I believe it is still open.”

  “Thank you, Bodol.” She tested a rung. Firm. “How do I find you again, to give you the supplies?”

  “Just leave them here, I’ll be checking,” he said as he left.

  Flir climbed, pausing regularly to reach up and feel around for a trap door. When her hand hit wood, she pushed and it creaked. Locked. Fine. She drove her hand up, shattering the door.

  “Sorry, Seto.”

  She climbed into darkness and waited until a thin line of light resolved out of the ink. A door. Beyond came the faint sound of voices. Flir ran her hand around the stonework, looking for a catch or lever. If the door opened to the basement there’d have to be something – there.

  The hatch slid open, grinding as light stung her eyes.

  “Flir?”

  “Dilar.”

  A shape that was probably Kanis stood before her. She rubbed her eyes. Beyond, Pevin had risen from a chair.

  Kanis chucked. “You look...dusty.”

  “There was a cave-in underground.”

  Pevin moved around the table. “What happened, dilar? We were quite worried until I felt you drawing near.”

  Good to know that particular unpleasantness wasn’t going away. “The Ecsoli are driving foreigners out of the city and using them for target practice. I took exception to it.” She explained her flight and the time underground, before taking Pevin’s seat. “What’s been happening here?”

  “Nothing,” Kanis grumbled. “We sit and wait while you have all the fun.”

  Pevin gave a small gasp. “Dilar, are you hurt?”

  He’d noticed the blood on her clothing. She waved a hand. “Nearly healed.”

  “So, what next?” Kanis asked.

  “It’s time we broke into the palace and rescued Seto. If he still has a Greatmask, maybe he can find a way to drive the Ecsoli away.”

  “One?” Kanis said. “If?”

  “It’s a start,” Flir said, glaring at him. “Besides, getting him out of the palace will be trouble enough. Let’s set our sights there.”

  “Some of the Ecsoli are already leaving, dilar,” Pevin said. “They’re sailing off, taking the bones with them, though enough have stayed behind that it makes little difference. Rumours persist that they wish to remain here.”

  She nodded.

  “We need to know why,” Kanis said.

  “Seto first,” Flir said. She glanced to the stairs. “Alfeo and his mother?”

  “Upstairs. We put them in a room,” Kanis said.

  “Good.” She stretched her arms with linked hands, knuckles cracking. “Time to gather our resources. I want every fit man or woman in the Harper down here, which should include any of Seto’s old rats. We need to locate them too. We’re going to find a way into the palace and we’re not leaving this room until we figure it out.”

  Chapter 12.

  “Still angry, Notch?” A rising wind stirred Gelehn’s flaxen hair. His expression remained wary.

  Notch shrugged. “Yes, but it doesn’t matter now, does it?”

  “Well, I thought you could use some time to cool off.”

  “So it seems.”

  Gelehn unslung his pack and produced a bandage and a pot of yellow paste. “I see you had a run in with the Silverine – filthy things. Let me see your hand.”

  Notch held it out. “Why couldn’t you just ask me, Gelehn?”

  The Braonn spooned a little of the substance out with his finger, rubbing it over the dozens of bite marks. Cool and numbing. “Would you have come, willingly, Notch? Knowing your task, knowing your charge? I think you wouldn’t have.”

  “We didn’t get the chance to find out.”

  “No.” Gelehn replaced the pot and continued as he wound the white cloth around Notch’s wrist and hand. Then he did the same for the wound in Notch’s leg. “Well, let me thank you. And I regret that I didn’t have the chance to thank Sofia too. You both saved a lot of lives. If you see her again, will you send her my – our – gratitude?”

  “I will.”

  “Ready?”

  Notch flexed his hand, testing the binding. It would hold. “Where are we going?”

  “Back to the seal. I’ll change the Pairing and we’ll be on the edge of the forest in a blink.”

  Notch followed Gelehn back up the stairs. The wind rose as he climbed and by the time he reached the top it was strong enough to stir dust. He shielded his eyes where they stood before the seal. A darkening sky hovered over the sea of trees. The afternoon was young yet, but it was no longer noon.

  “Do we have to wait until noon?”

  “No.” He bent by a line of topaz. “Where did you get that idea?”

  “The children who led me here.”

  Gelehn was muttering to himself, pressing on jewels in a sequence that, to Notch, appeared utterly random. “Children?”

  “The Oyn-Dir seemed to know them.”

  “Ah,” Gelehn said as he worked, as if not truly listening. Finally, he switched to the emeralds. The seal began to glow, still faint but when the wind died a moment, little clicks were audible after Gelehn’s adjustments. The hunter clapped his hands together and stood. “There. Now we wait a moment.”

  The jewels began to re-arrange themselves and the wings of the butterfly were now patterned by a series of half-circles, colours inverted. The glow increased.

  “Quickly.”

  Notch followed him onto the seal and the light flared, brilliant, burying him where he stood. When he could see again, they stood within a small depression beneath the canopy of blood-tipped leaves.

  “Through the trees lies Demarc.” Gelehn held out a pouch. “Take this, a gift from the Oyn-Dir.”

  Notch accepted the pouch, tucking it into his belt. He hesitated, then shook his head. “Thank you, Gelehn.” He stepped from the seal.

  “Farewell, Notch.” Gratitude filled his voice. “And thank you for bringing Nia back to us.”

  Light flared and by the time it faded, Gelehn was gone. Even as the last glow disappeared, grass and moss crawled forward and the seal rumbled as it lowered itself. Within moments, it was buried, with only a smooth carpet of grass remaining.

  “Too bad it didn’t take me back to Anaskar.”

  Notch climbed the depression and followed the scent of woodsmoke to the edge of Demarc. The rear of the houses were built up against trees, their thatched rooves littered with leaves and scraps of bark. Voices drifted from the town, the busy chatter of merchants at work or children playing.

  He crossed the dusty square and passed its well, heading for the squat inn.

  Crowded tables with their mix of Anaskari and Braonn patrons waited within. He found a vacant stool and leant over it. “How much for a room and meal?” he asked the man behind the bar.

  The innkeeper placed a glass in a shelf behind him. “Three silver for the night. Half a silver for the meal if you take it down here.”

  “And in my room?”

  “Full silver. And I’d prefer Anaskari coin.”

  Cheaper than home, but not by much. Notch checked his purse, there was barely enough silver for the meal. Gelehn’s pouch however, glittered with gemstones. He blinked, then fished one out, handing over the topaz. “I trust that will cover it?”

  “Indeed, sir.” The man’s eyes lit up.

  “Good. It’s been some time since I’ve stayed in Demarc, is there still a bath here?”

  “One in every room,” the man said, preening a little. “Had three new rooms built round back just to keep up with the visitors.”

  Notch smiled, though more at the thought of a bath. “Nice times to be an innkeeper.”

  “It’s certainly been worse.” The man handed over a key. “Middle on the left. One of the girls will be up with your meal later and someone will bring hot water.”

  Notch thanked him and headed down a dim hall and tried his key. The lock clicked and he stepped inside, floorboards creaking. A closed window cast watery light onto a bed and a series of hooks. Across from the bed rested a brass tub on feet. It was narrow but he’d find a way to squeeze in.

  He dumped his pack at the foot of the bed and hung his cloak on a hook before slumping onto the bed to work on his boots with a sigh. Nia he’d returned to her father, there was still hope she could be restored. Sofia, her father and Emilio were on their way to the city with their Greatmasks; exactly where he had to go next.

  Before they arrived, Seto, Flir and Luik would need help with the invasion.

  Notch lay back and stared at the ceiling of thatch. He’d just rest for a while first. Until they brought him the meal, at least. He closed his eyes.

  Something knocked against wood.

  He rolled onto his side, peering across at the fading light where it caught the surface of the bath. How long had he dozed?

  More knocking and a girl’s voice called. “Are you awake in there?”

  “Coming.” He stumbled but at least his leg was healing better now that Gelehn had applied his balm. Notch opened the door. A serving girl waited on the other side, holding a steaming tray of food. The rich scent of gravy washed over his face and he opened the door wider. “Thank you.”

  She set the tray on the bed and paused, glancing at his hand. She was a pretty girl, with honey-coloured hair and a sprinkle of freckles across her nose. “You look like you’ve had a rough time lately.”

  He chuckled. “It’s been an unpleasant few days.”

  “How about I get some hot water up here?” she said as she stepped into the hall and returned with a lamp, from which she lit his own.

  Notch already had a mouthful of roasted potatoes. “I’d appreciate that.”

  She smiled, which lit up her face. “See you soon.”

  Notch smiled back before digging into the beef. A hot meal, was there anything more comforting after a long journey? And the gravy had a hint of something crushed in it – rosemary? Maybe the cook was Anaskari.

  By the time the serving girl returned with the first bucket of hot water, he’d finished every scrap and already set the tray on the bed. He’d been staring out the window to the cold forest with its restless leaves.

  “Phi has more water,” she said.

  “Can I help you...?” he asked.

  “Olina. And don’t be silly.” She left and a shorter girl came in, her dark hair tied in a braid. She carried two steaming buckets and added both to the bath. The two girls soon had it filled and Phi left as Olina emptied her last pail. “There. All done. How about your hand? I can look it over if you like.”

  “You’re kind but I’d hate to keep you from your work.”

  She hesitated.

  “Is something wrong?”

  She flushed, unable to meet his eyes. “I wanted to ask you, sir. Are you heading for the city, by chance?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Well...I need to leave.” She glanced away. “And you look like you can take care of yourself, even with that hand. I want you to take me with you. I can’t pay you but I can cook and sew and even know a bit of herb lore.”

  Notch straightened. “Are you in danger here?”

  “No. It’s my family. I have to know if they’re all right.”

  He took a breath, moving from the window. “Olina, I don’t know. I can’t guarantee my own safety, let alone yours.”

  “Just think about it, please.” She wiped at her eyes. “I’ll have my things packed and ready and I can meet you at dawn on the road to Anaskar. You can decide then,” she said as she left.

  Notch headed for the door with heavy steps, meaning to stop her, only, when he reached it he shook his head. Instead, he locked the door and return to the tub. He pulled his tunic free and then the undershirt. He didn’t really need anyone slowing him down. She was either desperate or trying to rob him – he’d caught the glint in the innkeeper’s eye. Either way, Notch didn’t want to know until morning.

  Which meant he’d have time for a bath and a decent night’s rest at least.

  He stretched back in the tub, legs hanging over one side, and soaked his muscles until the water started to cool. Once he’d dressed, he checked the door again and slid the tub against it, sloshing water as he grunted with the effort.

  Beneath the window he arranged his dinner tray. If anyone broke in, the window smashing would wake him, or if they had enough sense not to shatter it, their fumbling with the tray. Finally, he stretched out on the bed with a groan. His leg moved more freely after the soak and a light throbbing in his hand soon receded as sleep came.

  ***

  He left the inn before dawn and woke a merchant, where he traded for a new longsword and purchased a second knife, food and water and other supplies, along with a horse from an old man who grumbled the whole time, claiming to be weary of being woken at “ungodly hours by brigands with no sense” but whose mutterings stopped once he saw the jewel Notch offered.

  The pouch from Gelehn was a small fortune but Notch saved enough for surprises, then walked his mount, a quiet grey, across the lightening street toward the road that lead to the plains.

  A little way out of town, a light glowed beside a tree whose trunk dwarfed those nearby. Here the trees grew close around the road and a slender figure in a hood stood holding a lantern.

  “Is that you? The man from the inn?” Olina’s voice.

  “It is. And my name is Notch.”

  She moved closer. “And have you decided to help?”

  “I have,” he said. “Actually, I could use a hand with my saddlebags.”

  Olina moved forward. The moment she came within reach he took her arm, dragged her close and set his knife against her throat. “Be still.”

  “What are you doing?” she cried.

  “Hush.” He drew blood with gentle pressure of the new blade. To the surrounding trees, he raised his voice. “Come out where I can see you and I won’t have to kill poor Olina here.”

  Nothing.

  “You can cry out again,” Notch said.

  “Damn you,” she spat.

  He cut her a second time and now she gave a shout. Shapes moved from the trees, three shadowy men. One was large, close to Luik’s size, but the other two were smaller and one was the height of a growing boy, if stocky in form.

  “We’re in a spot now, aren’t we?” the smallest said. His tone was wary.

  “Easy solution. Go away and I let her free some of the way down the road, how does that sound?”

  Muttering.

  Notch chuckled. “Too late, you’ve hesitated. She means something to you, I know that now. Just do as I say and she’ll be fine. Try and cross me and she’ll be dead.”

  Olina shuddered.

  “Fine. We’re going,” the smallest said. “But don’t you hurt her, or we’ll come after you.” He waved to the other two. The three men passed, giving Notch space as they headed for town.

  “I’ll know if you follow me,” Notch told them. He started forward, ordering Olina to walk before him. “Stay in sight, girl.”

  She walked with her head high, lamp swinging. It cast wavy shadows across the road and trees. Soon it’d be useless, as the grey sky continued to lighten. Notch said nothing as he led his horse along, stroking her neck, one eye on Olina.

  By full light he stopped. “That’s enough. Off you go, little thief.” He mounted up.

  She spun. “Careful of all that confidence, Notch. One day you might –”

  “I’m not confident – I’m cynical,” he interrupted as he swung into the saddle.

  He tapped his horse’s flanks and left Olina in the middle of the road. He didn’t look back. Instead, he kept watch on the trees around him. Whatever she’d hinted at might be ahead, it might have just been a parting shot from a frustrated thief.

  And he couldn’t afford to be fooled now, Anaskar was six days distant yet.

  Chapter 13.

  Vinezi crossed the paved walkway and ducked into chill shadow, glancing back at the enormous carvings that flanked the temple entrance. Two giant figures clothed in the robes of his order stood with arms outstretched. Where their palms met it created an arch under which worshippers would have once passed. Wind and water had worn down folds in the robes and ridges of the faces – even the eyeholes in the pale masks each statue held were rounded. And while the masks appeared to be bone, both were stone. Had either come from a Sea-God, he would have had more bone than he could carve; each mask was as tall as two men standing end on end.

  Later, he would collapse them to seal the entrance but for now it was back to the wall.

  Vinezi produced the new Keystone he’d carved and placed it against the Mascare symbol. The door ground open and he stepped within, reaching for the lamp before the door closed behind with a deep thud.

  Like many of the other artefacts he’d found in the temple, the lamp remained temperamental. Finally, it bloomed a cool light at the touch of the charm. Truly, it was an item he could have used within the temple but the mountain pass was too treacherous to take in the dark.

  He strode along the narrow passage, which eventually opened to a thin bridge of stone spanning a chasm. Perhaps two men wide, it would have been exceedingly difficult for an army to assault at speed, that much the builders had ensured.

  On the far side, he strode to a cavity in the wall and placed the Keystone within – preventing the Stone Guardians from waking. That had been a nasty surprise – albeit one dealt with easily enough. Such guardians were common in the Land of the Sun. He simply had to remember to reactivate them on his way back.

  Next, Vinezi took the leftmost of three passages, descending a flight of stairs. He paused to rest at the bottom, then resumed his march through shadows. This corridor ended at another featureless wall – yet his path fell to the floor now, where the mask symbol had once been buried in dust. He placed the Keystone against it.

 

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