100. Raven Crown Chapters 7, 8 and 9
A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.
Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne…until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.
Transcript
Chapter seven, Jackal
2
:Dog Mar.
3
:By the jewels.
4
:What does he want?
5
:Now the man is forever
bellowing about something.
6
:I put down the throwing knives I've
been practicing with and walk in.
7
:No particular hurry towards
my father's state room.
8
:A stiff breeze has come up
causing white caps in the cove.
9
:I let my hair fall across my
face, so I can't see the water.
10
:if possible.
11
:I prefer not to.
12
:Remember, I'm on this loathsome ship.
13
:The state room door is open.
14
:I take one step in, but go no
further layers of dried salt.
15
:Encrust the lattice windows
dimming the afternoon light.
16
:It smells of a foul substance.
17
:My father is always burning in a brazier.
18
:There's a squawk and I flinch
looking around, I see the
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:perpetrator perched in the corner.
20
:My lips curl in disgust.
21
:What's that thing doing here?
22
:My father stands rapier
in hand, eyeing a fly.
23
:While I prefer knives, my father
favors the sword with a slash.
24
:The fly is dead.
25
:Looking satisfied, He puts down
the weapon and drops into a chair
26
:behind an ornate wooden desk.
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:Shut the door.
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:He says, running jeweled
fingers through his black hair.
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:Hair, which praise pheon is the only
physical characteristic we share.
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:I expect him to be in his usual nasty
temper, but he's got a please expression.
31
:I pull the door closed,
but don't step forward.
32
:And why are you so happy?
33
:I ask.
34
:Crossing my arms.
35
:Enclosed in this cabin, I
can feel my father's jewels.
36
:The myriad of rings on his fingers,
the emeralds in the eyes of the
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:snake on his sword, the box of uncut
crystals he has gathered on this
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:trip a scattering of lesser jewels.
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:I can't identify.
40
:And something else, something
new I've never felt before.
41
:I'm happy my father says, because
I found what I came for.
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:Come here and I'll show you.
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:I don't trust his mood,
but I approach the desk
44
:Just to annoy him, I rest my boot
on a cushion chair elbow on my knee.
45
:I play with the piercings that
run along the edge of my ear.
46
:My father reaches into a small
chest on the table and pulls
47
:out an object as he does.
48
:I feel a tug at my heart and know
instantly that he has a new jewel, a
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:strong one I watch as he opens his hand.
50
:At the sight of the giant ruby, I
drop my foot and sink into the chair.
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:The force of the stone is intense.
52
:I look at my father, surely he can
feel it, but his face is passive.
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:He can't feel a thing.
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:I suspect it's my mother's royal
blood that makes me so sensitive.
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:Unfortunately, despite my father's
inability to feel the vibration of
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:gemstones, he is obsessed with them
and can't seem to get enough subjugate
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:lords by my father's goodwill with
jewels tethered slaves mine, his
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:jewels Skilled craftsmen make a
living, cutting and setting his jewels.
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:I could hardly have been raised
in my father's house and not
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:recognized a precious stone.
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:But this ruby is different.
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:It warms my heart, and while it feels like
a soft blanket wrapped around my soul,
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:all I want to do is get away from it.
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:There is no room in my life for softness.
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:To cover my unease.
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:I attempt a board expression.
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:Who did you steal it from?
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:I ask with a yawn.
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:My father slams his
hand down on the table.
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:It was stolen from me.
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:Good.
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:He's angry.
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:Anger.
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:I know how to handle.
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:It's seeing him happy.
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:That throws me off.
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:Explain father.
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:I say with forced disinterest.
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:This stone and its seven counterparts have
been locked in the castle with the rest
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:of the royal jewels for decades after
our marriage, your mother as heir to the
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:throne, was supposed to gain me access
to them, but in the end, she reneged,
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:claiming my simple request was impossible.
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:I sit up straight.
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:What does my mother have to do with this?
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:I would ask, but I'm afraid
my father will quit talking.
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:Generally, he refuses to speak of
her and has everyone else cowering
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:at the mention of her name.
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:All I remember from my childhood
is that one day my mother was
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:ill, the next she was gone.
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:A month later, my father had the queen,
A null their marriage, so he could
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:conveniently wed my mother's cousin.
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:I recall the new woman being
kind and gentle, but those aren't
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:qualities that help a person survive.
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:In my father's world,
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:She didn't survive and died
a year and a half later.
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:As my father goes on, I wait silently
hoping he will say more about my mother.
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:if the order had granted me access to
the palace coffers years ago, as I asked,
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:all would be well, but they refused.
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:My father's face goes dark with
anger and I want to smirk.
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:It's good to know he can't control
everything, but mention of the order
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:causes such an accurate taste in my mouth.
102
:It's impossible to be pleased.
103
:I hate the scheming secret members
of the order even more than
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:I hate the mabu of pheon with
their snakes and blood offerings.
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:But at least I know who the mabu are.
106
:Not even my father knows all the members
of the order and they are ruthless.
107
:If crossed one wrong word, and a
whole family will end up missing.
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:No questions asked.
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:My father leans towards me.
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:Even when the queen made me keep
her, I couldn't get my hands on
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:the jewels of Tambor because the
order forbade it insisting that
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:they were only to be let out of the
coffers when tradition demanded it.
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:My only option was to
arrange a coronation.
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:My father looked smug and I wonder not
for the first time if he had anything
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:to do with the queen's untimely death.
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:With your coronation, eminent.
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:I finally had a reason
to examine the crown.
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:Imagine my surprise when I
found the jewels missing.
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:I roll my eyes.
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:It's ludicrous to think my
father only wants me on the
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:throne to get eight stones.
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:He wants me on the throne for the power.
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:I'll hold Still, there's more
going on here than I understand.
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:Tell me, father, why didn't you
infiltrate the guards around the
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:queen's coffers and steal them yourself?
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:Don't you think the order
has their own spies?
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:What would happen if I were
caught attempting such a ploy?
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:I shrug.
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:Why does the order want
the jewels locked up?
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:Anyway?
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:My father Snickers.
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:They would destroy the jewels if
they could, but since they think
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:it's impossible, they have opted for
the next best option hiding them.
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:But what's the point?
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:I demand.
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:the order knows the jewels.
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:Give the miserable diggers hope
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:makes them think they
are better than they are.
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:Gives them lofty ambitions, but the
people need a firm hand to direct them.
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:This answer is typical of my father,
just like the order he always thinks
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:he knows best to hide my annoyance.
142
:I pretend interest in an extremely large
turmo lane that rests on a side table.
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:despite its size, the crystal is of
low quality and the vibration is weak.
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:My father keeps blathering.
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:I suspect the stones have been gone
since your mother crept away to die.
146
:I struggled to keep my face imp passive.
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:My mother crept away to die.
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:My father takes a pinch of dried
thorn apple from a bowl on his
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:desk and mixes it with what looks
like powdered bone and dumps the
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:concoction into a smoldering brazier.
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:I don't know how he tolerates the stench.
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:Fortunately, due to my excellent powers
of persuasion, my father continues.
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:I obtained the location of the Ruby.
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:Now it's mine.
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:Well done Father.
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:Does that mean we can go home?
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:No.
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:My father snaps while one
jewel is better than none.
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:I want them all.
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:The raven here snatched the ruby
from the old woman who lives
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:at the top of the Seacliff.
162
:I'm convinced she has more or
at least knows where they are.
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:My father frowns.
164
:The men have been searching
for several hours to no avail.
165
:Soon, I'll have to call them off.
166
:It's imperative I get back to ultan.
167
:The order must not discover
that anything is amiss.
168
:Thus locating the rest of
the jewels is now up to you.
169
:My father's eyes bore into mine.
170
:Start by finding the
old woman and the girl.
171
:I do my best to hold my father's gaze,
but my mind is a jumble of thoughts.
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:Gather the jewels alone.
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:Is he crazy?
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:But he wouldn't send me out
solo if he had any other option.
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:I'm too valuable.
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:I've read his papers in the
library, the secret notes.
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:He keeps locked in a drawer.
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:He needs the power of a monarch.
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:The power I will soon hold,
plus the power of a priest.
180
:He'll use the presiding mabu of
pheon to reach an ultimate glory.
181
:A thing he refers to as the Corvex Corona.
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:my father has been engaged
in this work for years.
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:He must truly fear the order
or he would stay here and
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:ensure the job is done himself.
185
:I scowl while I'll do just about
anything to get off this rat infested
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:ship Being sent out in search of
some old woman the dragons can't
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:find, Wouldn't be my first choice.
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:Untrusting of my father's motives.
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:I narrow my eyes.
190
:The bird could have picked the stone
up off a shipwreck or a banjara sulk.
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:Why do you think he snatched
it from the old woman?
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:Because I embarked on this
journey, especially to find her.
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:Unfortunately, I didn't recognize
the wretched crone when we first met.
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:I thought she would be older, and I
never expected her to wield a staff.
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:But it's her.
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:The Ruby proves it.
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:I click my nails on the arm of the chair.
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:There's something I'm not being
told, and as usual, my father
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:won't say, and what's in it for me?
200
:I ask.
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:My father snorts my pet.
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:You are so predictable.
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:I cringe at the name.
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:I'll tell you exactly
what's in it for you.
205
:He says, in a honeyed voice, well, you are
the most direct heir to the throne because
206
:your mother died without being crowned,
your rights can and have been challenged.
207
:I shrug.
208
:all of this.
209
:I know, but my only competition has such
flimsy ties to the throne that my father
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:has been able to thwart them easily.
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:He needs me crowned.
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:And here's the irony.
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:My father won't get the power he covets
unless he puts me on the throne and
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:I won't get the power I need to be
rid of him unless his plan succeeds.
215
:Ultimately, we both want the
same thing for a different end.
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:Thus, I am left a prisoner
to my father's whims.
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:No doubt he has a scheme to keep
me under his control, but I am
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:determined to win my freedom.
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:One way or another, I'll be queen.
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:After all, how difficult could it be?
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:Don't look so smug, my father says,
as if reading my mind, you need those
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:jewels or you'll never be queen.
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:I don't believe him.
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:There isn't a stone or even a
group of stones that could stop
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:my father from having me crowned.
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:He covets the power too much.
227
:You need me on the throne, I say with
confidence and you'll get me there.
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:My father snorts.
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:You don't understand my pet.
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:It doesn't matter who's on the throne.
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:If we are both dead,
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:chapter eight, jackal, They would kill us.
233
:The thought makes my hand twitch towards
the knife tucked at the small of my back,
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:but I curb the instinct to defend myself.
235
:Instead, I glare at my father as I
try to comprehend what he's saying.
236
:Slowly, I piece it together.
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:For reasons I don't fully understand.
238
:The order wants the jewels locked away,
but they are missing and my father will
239
:be blamed as he has no way to prove that
they were taken before he was appointed.
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:Keeper.
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:The queen's keeper of the jewels
is supposed to keep the jewels
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:safe, not allow them to be stolen.
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:The fact that they are missing
puts both our necks at risk.
244
:The only thing preventing our immediate
execution is that the order doesn't know.
245
:Now that the ruby has been found,
the immediate danger must be over,
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:or my father wouldn't be so pleased.
247
:He must have a plan of some sort.
248
:I check his face, but his
icy eyes give nothing away.
249
:He holds the ruby up to the window.
250
:Even in the meager light,
the stone radiates fire.
251
:I feel the need to shield myself
from its vibrations and pull my knees
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:up, placing my feet on the chair.
253
:It is not unusual for me to get a
twinge or a pull from any given stone.
254
:When a gem is exceptional, the effect
is stronger, but the strength of
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:this ruby is beyond my experience.
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:You have no idea the power this gem holds.
257
:My father says in the wrong
hands, it could be catastrophic.
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:Judging by how the ruby makes me feel.
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:I don't doubt it.
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:My father frowns clearly
misunderstanding my expression.
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:If you don't believe me,
he says with a sneer.
262
:Believe the legends
263
:You've heard of the golden city, the
one that rose to power but was destroyed
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:when it couldn't handle its own wealth.
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:That's where the jewels come from.
266
:I consider his words.
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:There are different
versions of this story.
268
:Clearly, he prefers the one that suits his
purpose, but that's not the point You want
269
:me to believe a children's tail I snort.
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:My father raises a brow and
looks at me as if I'm stupid.
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:fine.
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:I say putting my feet
down and leaning forward.
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:If the jewels are that strong,
why wasn't the queen all powerful?
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:She had access to them.
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:My father takes a deep breath
and looks as if he's trying to
276
:explain something to a small child.
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:Not everyone.
278
:He waves a hand in a circular motion, has
the fortitude for such power, and you do.
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:Yes, his eyes drill into mine.
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:My strength has been honed by the order.
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:If you don't believe me, ask the mabu.
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:They know my power pheon the king of
the snake, gods is under my control.
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:I'm shocked by his blasphemy.
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:I don't like the snake
gods, but I respect them.
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:And pheon as the great constrictor
is the mightiest of them all.
286
:There are more venomous gods
to be sure, but for strength
287
:and power, pheon dominates.
288
:I'm not sure I'd be so quick to
call down Ion's Wrath if I were you.
289
:My father spits his reply.
290
:Ion has no real power.
291
:I am confused.
292
:My father was the one who led the crusade
to banish the last of the hesperian
293
:priestesses, along with a smattering
of other trivial religious orders.
294
:Then he established worship of the snake
gods as the official religion of tambor.
295
:And because snakes like dragons
are known to protect jewels, the
296
:people offer them endless tributes.
297
:They believe that the more accolades
proffered, the stronger the gods become.
298
:I know I'm playing with the sharp
end of a blade, but I get to my
299
:feet and lean towards my father.
300
:How can you deny the power of pheon?
301
:My father's upper lip twitches.
302
:I deny it, because when
I was a boy, I asked, no.
303
:I begged for the mighty
Ian's help, but no help came.
304
:His voice is harsh.
305
:My mother died like an ordinary
wench with no aid or relief.
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:Don't talk to me about worthless gods.
307
:They only have a place in this
country because I made it for them.
308
:I'm astonished by his words.
309
:What would the mabu say if they heard you?
310
:His voice drops to a hiss.
311
:Don't show your ignorance.
312
:The mabu are my pawns and
through me pawns of the order.
313
:I merely use them to control the people.
314
:I think of all the rituals my father
has forced me to sit through the
315
:rights I was expected to perform.
316
:Was it all for show?
317
:I can't believe it yet.
318
:I have the sickening feeling.
319
:It's true.
320
:Why are you just now telling me all this?
321
:Because this is the first time it has
ever been important for you to know.
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:There's a knock at the state room
door with a flurry of ringed fingers.
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:My father pockets the ruby.
324
:I'm afraid this is the
end of our discussion.
325
:I have things to attend to
before starting back to Ultan.
326
:Find the old woman and be quick about it.
327
:Your coronation is rapidly approaching.
328
:I expected to be crammed one week
after the queen was entuned, but my
329
:father insisted the coronation take
place during some celestial spectacle.
330
:He calls a blood moon.
331
:At the time, it was six weeks away and
seemed like an insufferable weight.
332
:Now, with only four weeks left and seven
jewels defined, it's precariously close.
333
:You'll have to pick a different date.
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:If I don't make it back.
335
:I say my father shakes
his head with a sad smile.
336
:It won't happen.
337
:My pet, the date is non-negotiable.
338
:I don't understand.
339
:How can the coronation
continue if I'm not there?
340
:What about his precious corvex Corona?
341
:He needs me on the throne.
342
:then.
343
:I know he's afraid enough of the order
that if it comes to it, he'll give up
344
:his plans and put someone else on the
throne just to save his own precious neck.
345
:I thought I was indispensable.
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:It seems that I was wrong.
347
:Get going.
348
:My father says If you want your throne,
you better find the rest of the jewels
349
:and get back to ultan in good time.
350
:With my grasp on the throne
slipping through my fingers,
351
:I feel a hot panic rise inside.
352
:If the stones are so important, why
aren't you sending out a squad of dragons?
353
:My father answers in a whisper.
354
:Because you and I are the only
ones who can know they are missing.
355
:If the word gets out, the order is
sure to hear, making a slicing sound.
356
:He runs a finger across my throat
before starting for the door almost.
357
:There he stops.
358
:Dog Mar, get me those jewels.
359
:His face is hard as steel
He's just through the door.
360
:When I call to him, father, he turns
I need some shackles for the journey.
361
:Very well.
362
:He pulls a pouch from the belt around
his waist and tosses it in my direction
363
:I reach, but it falls short landing
on the floor without caring or
364
:even bothering to notice, my father
closes the door behind him, the man's
365
:arrogance and my own helplessness.
366
:Send me into a fury.
367
:I grab the bag and throw
it against the bulkhead.
368
:The strings aren't tied
and the coins spill out.
369
:The raven startled by the noise begins
to flap his wings, and squawk I want to
370
:pull out my hair in frustration, all my
work at controlling my emotions, and my
371
:father can throw me into an instant rage.
372
:I'm not sure who I hate more.
373
:My father or myself refusing to act like
the man I fight to regain my composure.
374
:A clack in the corner of
the cabin makes me look up.
375
:I'm not the only prisoner here am I?
376
:I say to the bird, the Raven Blinks.
377
:I move across the state room
and open the lattice window.
378
:a stiff breeze brings with
it the smell of brine.
379
:The Raven watches my every action.
380
:I step away and he hops to the seal
After a quick tilt of his head as
381
:if appraising me, he spreads his
wings and swoops from the window.
382
:I watch him flap towards land.
383
:I thought setting the bird free would
make me feel better, but it only
384
:makes my own bonds feel tighter as I
gather the coins, I determine to find
385
:the jewels and get to ultan before
the coronation, no matter the cost.
386
:If the stones are so powerful, they'll
ensure my crown and my freedom.
387
:I tie the pouch of shekels to the belt
at my waist and feel for my knives.
388
:There's a dagger in each boot
and a throwing knife tucked
389
:in the small of my back.
390
:satisfied.
391
:I flip up the hood of my black
coat and stock from the state room.
392
:I'm on the hunt and my prey is waiting.
393
:Brie.
394
:I feel like a tree cat.
395
:As Reagan thorn's, men
search the forest at 1.2
396
:soldiers stop right beneath our tree.
397
:Do you suppose the old woman's a witch
and that's why we can't find her?
398
:Nah.
399
:More likely a banjara, you know how
they believe they're kind, can speak
400
:to those black birds all magical like.
401
:The first man scratches his chin.
402
:You might have something there.
403
:It would explain her
skills with the staff.
404
:The sun is about to sink into
the sea before Nona motions
405
:me to climb out of the tree.
406
:The forest around us has been silent
for some time, and while I doubt the
407
:men have quit their search, they have
at least moved off to other locations.
408
:When I hit the ground, my foot
buckles and I drop to my knees.
409
:Nona is by my side instantly.
410
:I'm all right.
411
:I hiss through the pain.
412
:It's just stiff from my
trip to Vitas this morning.
413
:Do your best.
414
:No, no whispers.
415
:We head northeast and I wonder
what JUUL is in this direction.
416
:I would ask, but there isn't time.
417
:As we go, the smoke gets thicker and
my heart aches for the burned forest.
418
:We haven't traveled far.
419
:When we hear a man's voice holler in the
distance, Hey, someone's on the trail.
420
:in alarm.
421
:I grab Nona's cloak.
422
:I forgot to tell you, big Zach and
Gray are coming to dig Fremont's grave.
423
:They'll walk right into the dragons.
424
:Chapter nine, Brie at the mention of
Big Zach and Gray, known as face pales.
425
:Find a place to hide.
426
:She whispers and don't
come out no matter what.
427
:before I've completely
registered her words.
428
:She thrusts her bundle into
my arm and pulls her staff.
429
:No, I'm going with you.
430
:She spins on me.
431
:Do as I say now.
432
:But the look on her
face is so determined.
433
:I stop mid protest.
434
:Trust me.
435
:She says, I'll be all right.
436
:I nod just as a gruff.
437
:Voice calls you there.
438
:What are you doing?
439
:The answer is faint, but I know it's gray.
440
:I'm just here to dig a grave.
441
:Nona motions me to get going.
442
:Then she moves silently towards the
voices with a quick glance around.
443
:I remember a hollowed
oak tree not far away.
444
:It takes a minute to find quickly.
445
:I toss in the bundles
and climb in behind them.
446
:Before wriggling out of sight, I
strain to hear what's happening.
447
:The only sound is the Twitter of birds
until there's a thump and a shout.
448
:Nona has struck, straining.
449
:I spy her through the trees.
450
:When I see the dragon she has
attacked, I slumped down in the
451
:hollow and squeeze my eyes shut.
452
:for the first time.
453
:I wish I believed in the whisper.
454
:Jackal, I curse my father.
455
:How am I supposed to find any clues about
the old woman with the dugout torn apart?
456
:Still, I'll find something.
457
:That's the way of it.
458
:There are stronger and faster dragons
to be sure, but I have a unique
459
:ability for getting what I want.
460
:I rummage through a startling number
of books, strewn about the yard.
461
:It's hard to believe they've
all come from the dugout.
462
:I flip open a leather bound volume and
realize, to my surprise, that it's a
463
:journal written in the ancient language.
464
:Plenty of diggers can't read
and only a few scholars have the
465
:learning to decipher such a text.
466
:Clearly, this isn't an
ordinary woman I'm looking for.
467
:Just despite my father, I take
the journal inside the dugout
468
:and place it on a high shelf.
469
:No point in letting
him destroy everything.
470
:I am stepping back outside when
I hear a shout in the distance.
471
:I hope it isn't what I think.
472
:If the old woman is caught with the
jewels, it'll be tough getting my
473
:hands on them before some high-minded
dragon delivers them to my father.
474
:I sprint in the direction of the shout.
475
:Soon I see a dragon
engaged with a small woman.
476
:She spins and smashes him with her staff.
477
:On one side of his heavy armor.
478
:A moment later, she
bashes him on the other.
479
:She's a blur of gray hair and brown skirt.
480
:The dragon looks like he's trying
unsuccessfully to swat a fly.
481
:Then I see a lean, sleek dragon.
482
:Knock an arrow.
483
:No, I yell.
484
:With a smooth motion.
485
:I grabbed the knife tucked in my
back and hurl it at the dragon.
486
:It embeds in his shoulder,
but I'm too late.
487
:The arrow has hit its mark and the woman
is on the ground in a pile of rags.
488
:A swell of rage surges through me.
489
:The dragon glances up.
490
:I know by the look in his
eyes that he realizes his
491
:mistake with a grimace of pain.
492
:He pulls the blade from his shoulder
and slumps to the ground, and what
493
:I hope is a great deal of pain.
494
:Brie perched in the hollow of the tree.
495
:I notice that the wind has
changed direction and the woods
496
:are growing dense with smoke.
497
:I listen for the sound of Nona staff,
but everything has gone silent.
498
:There are no chattering
squirrels, no buzzing bees.
499
:Even the air has stilled.
500
:Rising ever so slightly.
501
:I peek from the hollow through the haze.
502
:I see a dragon looking down at
something on the forest floor.
503
:There's an arrow protruding
from what looks like.
504
:I can't breathe.
505
:It isn't Nona.
506
:It can't be Nona.
507
:I squeeze my eyes shut and
slumped down on the bundles.
508
:She told me to trust her.
509
:She'll be fine.
510
:She's got to be fine
511
:and jackal.
512
:There is no movement from the rags as
I bend over the figure on the ground.
513
:She smells of herbs and goats,
the same smell as the dugout.
514
:It's the old woman, no doubt, but
she's dead or soon will be curse
515
:the dragon for being such a good
shot after searching her person.
516
:I find nothing of value.
517
:My anger rages to a boil
as I stalk to the dragon.
518
:Sitting with his hand over the gash
in his arm, I pluck my knife from
519
:the ground where he dropped it.
520
:My father wanted the woman alive.
521
:I hiss wiping the blade on his pants.
522
:You better hope he's still in a good mood
when you get back to the ship or that
523
:wound will be the least of your worries.
524
:A cluster of silent men gather around.
525
:I give them a hard look.
526
:There is still a girl out there somewhere.
527
:Find her.
528
:I say with a snarl.
529
:I don't have to tell you to
bring her in alive, do I?
530
:The men shake their heads and disperse
531
:Brie.
532
:I sit on the bundles wedged
in the heart of the giant oak.
533
:The space is so tight.
534
:I can't move
535
:Termites creep over my
skin, my face, my hair.
536
:I want to scream and throw them off.
537
:Instead, I sit motionless.
538
:The chill of autumn air surrounds me.
539
:Gruff voices echo in the woods.
540
:The smell of smoke gets stronger.
541
:I strain for Nona's voice, willing
her to be alive, silent, tears
542
:stream down my face as heavy
boots, tramp around the tree.
543
:It's just a girl.
544
:She couldn't have gone far.
545
:Could be anywhere though.
546
:I've only been this scared once
before, but Gray was there.
547
:He saved me by dropping a rope so
I could climb up the sea cliff.
548
:He isn't coming.
549
:A SOB rises in my throat,
but I choke it down.
550
:Hours pass before the forest
go silent like a mouse hunted
551
:by a fox I know to stay put.
552
:When I finally emerge, the light of the
full moon struggles to shine through the
553
:dense smoke drifting through the forest.
554
:I make the sound of a night owl and
wait for Nona's returning whistle.
555
:Nothing.
556
:I whistle again louder this time.
557
:The thud of my heart quickens as I
walk towards the last place I saw her.
558
:She's there on the forest floor.
559
:I drop to my knees, shake her shoulders.
560
:She doesn't move.
561
:Her skin is cold and ashen.
562
:I know the truth.
563
:Nona is gone.
564
:With a whimper, I crumpled to the ground
like a wood bug and sob into her cloak.
565
:Tears release the smell of her,
the damp earth of our garden,
566
:mingled with mint and thyme.
567
:I trusted her.
568
:Why did she tell me to hide?
569
:Maybe together we could have gotten away.
570
:Oh, my Nona, I stay on the
ground for what seems like hours.
571
:Finally, there's a silent whoosh of air
causing me to glance up a small brown and
572
:white owl feather drifts down through the
smoke and lands in my outstretch palm.
573
:I look around, but the donor is gone.
574
:I hold the feather by its shaft.
575
:It's perfect and beautiful.
576
:The soft tendrils of down at the
bottom tell me the feather was once
577
:tucked close to the owl's body.
578
:Perhaps next to the heart.
579
:I clutch the feather to my
own heart and cry again.
580
:I sit slumped this way until
I know it's time to go.
581
:I'm not safe in the open like this.
582
:But I don't want to leave.
583
:The dragons can kill me if they want.
584
:I might even prefer it if they did.
585
:But the feather, was it a coincidence
or Nona's way of telling me the old
586
:wood owl is still out there, that
there are things she expects of me?
587
:I remember Vita.
588
:Then she needs to know what's happened.
589
:Nona would count on me to tell her
With a lump in my throat the size
590
:of a crab, apple, I get to my feet.
591
:And I love you Nona.
592
:I murmur.
593
:I'm sorry I didn't tell you more often.
594
:I pause, then add.
595
:I'll try not to be reckless and I'll
take care of my foot gathering myself.
596
:I pull known as cloak over her face
and rest the feather on her chest.
597
:It's only with the greatest
effort that I leave.
598
:returning to the tree, I fetch the bundles
599
:under their considerable weight.
600
:I head through the fire
blackened forest towards Vita's.
601
:As I approach her dugout,
the sky is turning dove gray.
602
:I'm relieved to find the woods in this
area unburned, but something is wrong.
603
:The door is open and blowing in the wind.
604
:Household goods are
scattered about the yard.
605
:I drop the heavy bundles and stare
and dismay a twig snaps, then a
606
:hand comes down over my mouth and
I'm pulled against a solid chest.
607
:It's me.
608
:Don't scream.
609
:I'm held for a second longer
before the fingers loosen.
610
:I spin to see the mole.
611
:I'm furious at him for sneaking up on me.
612
:I'm about to tell him.
613
:So when I'm stopped by his bloodshot
eyes, he motions for me to follow him.
614
:I do.
615
:in a secluded grove along the sea, cliff
Gray halts and blurts out his story.
616
:Paul wanted to stay and
help ma close up the house.
617
:so I went by myself to
dig Fremont's grave.
618
:I was almost there when I came
across a group of soldiers.
619
:I ran to that old cave we used to
play in and stayed there until dark.
620
:When I got back here,
everything was torn apart.
621
:Gray and hails.
622
:My ma and paw are gone and
there's blood, lots of blood.
623
:He pauses.
624
:I found P'S Body on the
rocks below the seacliff.
625
:All I found of MA was her shawl.
626
:I think her body was
washed out with the tide.
627
:At these last words, gray drops
to the ground and rocks forward.
628
:I kneel beside him and reach a
hand towards his head, wanting to
629
:run my fingers lightly through his
hair to soothe him the way Nona
630
:would soothe me the same way I've
learned to soothe injured animals.
631
:But I pull back.
632
:He's not my friend.
633
:Not anymore.
634
:We sit silently until I gather the
courage to tell him about Nona,
