124. Raven Crown Chapters 43, 44 and 45
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 43.
2
:Brie Wunk.
3
:Zeus Thunk Thunk Wunk.
4
:Zeus Thunk.
5
:Thunk.
6
:Oh my head.
7
:I put my hand up and
feel a trickle of blood.
8
:Wunk Zeus.
9
:Thunk Thunk.
10
:What's that sound?
11
:I rolled to my side?
12
:I remember falling through a door.
13
:Wunk.
14
:Zeus.
15
:Thunk thunk.
16
:It's dark and I can't see a thing.
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:Woo.
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:Chunk.
19
:Zeus thunk.
20
:Thunk.
21
:That sound.
22
:It's familiar.
23
:I push into a seated position, Mart's
staff scraping on the wall behind me.
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:There's a pause in the noise.
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:who is it?
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:A woman's horse voice asks From
the darkness, the sound resumes.
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:Who chunk Zeus thunk Thunk.
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:I don't say anything.
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:I know you're there.
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:The voice says, I'm not stupid.
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:Where am I?
32
:I finally ask.
33
:open the shutters.
34
:Wunk Zeus thunk thunk.
35
:It takes me a second to gather
the woman's meaning and get up.
36
:When I do, my head spins and
I'm forced to study myself by
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:placing a hand to the wall.
38
:Now on my feet, I can see a
sliver of light, not far away
39
:with the wall for reference.
40
:I walk towards it.
41
:There I swing open a heavy wooden shutter.
42
:The light is brilliant after the darkness,
and it takes a moment to see anything.
43
:When my vision returns, I
press my back against the wall.
44
:I'm in a small space,
completely filled with a loom.
45
:A mat and a blanket are in one corner,
a squat chamber, pot in the other.
46
:Nothing else will fit a figure
sits hunched on a bench.
47
:Her hands don't stop.
48
:Woo chunk.
49
:She lets go of the foot.
50
:Treadle dropping a harness and
pressing the other to work the pattern.
51
:Whoosh.
52
:She throws the shuttle.
53
:Thunk.
54
:Thunk.
55
:She brings the beater bar forward
twice to tap the threads in place.
56
:ink patterns similar to fremont's.
57
:Cover one forearm, and
I realize where I am.
58
:You're tethered.
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:This is a spike.
60
:There's a scornful laugh.
61
:What was your first clue?
62
:I move around the loom until
I see the woman's face.
63
:Then gasp where her eyes should
be are two gouged out sockets.
64
:Red scars radiate down her
cheek on one side and across
65
:her forehead on the other.
66
:I'm afraid I may wrench at the site.
67
:I hold on to the sturdy frame
of the loom for support.
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:The woman knows exactly what I've seen.
69
:He could have killed me, she
says, but he wanted me to suffer.
70
:He I question Reagan Thorn.
71
:The woman's voice is matter of
fact, but I notice her hands falter.
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:Now.
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:I have to weave all day, every day just
for enough food to keep me alive and
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:if I'm an inch short, I get nothing.
75
:I notice the weaving for
the first time and blink.
76
:There's only one person that
works that particular pattern.
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:My mouth drops open as my eyes run from
the woman's hands up her arms to her face.
78
:Vita, I ask leaning on
the wall for support.
79
:Her hands stop and her head jerks up.
80
:Who's there?
81
:Brie, I say just above a whisper.
82
:Oh, Her hands go to her mouth.
83
:I hurry around the loom and throw
my arms around her shaking form.
84
:In less than one moon, she has changed
from a plump, rosy faced woman to
85
:someone I almost didn't recognize.
86
:tears flood my eyes.
87
:We hug, and Vita gives me a soft kiss
on the cheek before pushing me away.
88
:I have to keep working, she
says, with a tremor in her voice.
89
:Her hands shake as she starts.
90
:wunk.
91
:Zeus thunk thunk.
92
:I sit on the bench beside her, fighting
to regain my composure as she has done.
93
:Tell me everything Vita
says, how did you find me?
94
:Where's Nona?
95
:I tell the story from
the beginning to end.
96
:Vita listens without emotion
97
:as I explain escaping the crowd outside
the Ram wat and crashing through her door.
98
:I absently squeeze the bag of
capsicum still hanging at my waist.
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:My voice falters.
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:What's this?
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:Swiftly?
102
:I unie the bag
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:Sifting through the last of the powder,
I find several lumps and draw them out.
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:Vita.
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:I breathe in amazement.
106
:The jewels are here in my bag of capsicum.
107
:truly, she says, sounding as
astonished as I feel with a
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:quiver, she reaches towards me.
109
:I take her hand and one at a time.
110
:I place the stones in her palm.
111
:Each time I brace myself
for the stones release.
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:I don't understand why.
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:Didn't jackal take them?
114
:It doesn't make sense.
115
:Vita's voice sounds
confident when she speaks.
116
:Nona always said the stones have a
way of being where they're supposed
117
:to be, But why would they come to me?
118
:I say with a snort, I
can barely feel them.
119
:You just take them for granted.
120
:Vita answers softly.
121
:Nona never had them all, but
she knew their basic essence
122
:and taught them to you.
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:They've surrounded you your whole life.
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:I'm about to protest when I'm filled with
memories of Nona, my Nona, who I didn't
125
:appreciate until she was taken from me.
126
:Slowly realization Dawns So I feel
the jewels like a ripping at my
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:soul because I don't recognize
what I've got until it's gone.
128
:Is that right?
129
:I think so.
130
:Vita says throwing her shuttle
again, but that doesn't explain
131
:why Jackal left them with me.
132
:I say before, realizing
the answer doesn't matter.
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:She gained my confidence,
then locked me in a crypt.
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:I'll never trust her again.
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:She's too much like her father.
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:and look what he did to Vita Pained.
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:I put a hand on her shoulder.
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:How did it happen?
139
:I whisper.
140
:Vida, throws several shots with
her shuttle before explaining.
141
:Big Zach and I were
getting ready to leave.
142
:When I saw the dragons coming.
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:I ran for the woods, but they caught me.
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:She pauses and.
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:Reagan Thorn found the
emerald in my belongings.
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:He beat me demanding.
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:I give him more.
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:He wouldn't believe that I only had one.
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:You had the emerald.
150
:I ask, but it all makes sense.
151
:As I recall Nona's Parchment saying
the emerald was in the Norwood.
152
:Vita nods.
153
:Nona thought it would be best if
the jewels traveled separately to
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:Ultan, but where did you get it?
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:Lady Fallon gave me the
emerald the night she died.
156
:Nona was given the ruby and the sapphire.
157
:We didn't know what they were
until Nona figured it out.
158
:Much later, Nona was there.
159
:I squeak Is Nona Nna?
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:My hand goes to my forehead.
161
:Of course she is.
162
:That explains the similarity
in their names and why.
163
:Nona was the only woman in the
Norwood that grew capsicum.
164
:But I look at Vida.
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:How were you there?
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:I was Lady Fallon's maid.
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:I gasp at this revelation.
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:Then get angry.
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:Why did Nona bother telling me
the story if it wasn't the truth?
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:Vita si.
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:Nona's stories teach many things.
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:Only you can say what they mean
to you, but I have no idea.
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:And don't be stubborn.
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:Brie.
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:Think on it.
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:Your answer will come.
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:her explanation is so much like something
Nona would say that tears spring
178
:to my eyes even as my jaw clinches
in frustration, and there's more.
179
:Nona told me, lady Fallon asked her maid,
who I now know was Vita to raise her baby.
180
:Clearly that's not true.
181
:The baby must have died
just as Jackal said.
182
:Once again, Nona didn't tell me the truth.
183
:Who else was in the castle?
184
:I demand Vita takes a breath.
185
:The Queen's niece, Dogmar, the girl
you call Jackal and her nurse Zipporah.
186
:There's a pause.
187
:of course Gray was there though.
188
:He was just a baby.
189
:And Big Zach as well.
190
:Vita's voice waivers as she
says her husband's name.
191
:Oh, my mind reels at this news.
192
:I'm not surprised about
Jackal and Zipporah, but I
193
:hadn't considered gray and.
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:My chest tightens.
195
:I don't want to ask, but I need to know
And what happened to big Zach Vita's hands
196
:falter, but she doesn't stop weaving.
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:Reagan thorn cut him down
before my eyes then rolled him
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:off the cliff into the sea.
199
:I place my hand on her back
as she throws the shuttle.
200
:tears trickle down my
face at this new horror.
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:Oh, Vida.
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:How have you survived Vida Straightens
the emerald gives me strength.
203
:The emerald I blink.
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:But you don't have it anymore.
205
:I don't need the stone to use its wisdom.
206
:I recall Nona explaining that since
Reagan Thorn had the ruby, her memory
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:of the stone would have to do, but
I don't understand if you can have
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:the essence without the jewels.
209
:Why did Nona think it was so
important that we gather them?
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:Vita lets out a breath.
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:The message of the stones can be passed
down from person to person, but over
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:time the message becomes distorted.
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:The true essence is lost.
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:It's important to have the physical
stones to keep the message pure.
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:I recall Nona explaining
this to me before.
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:That's why the order wants
to keep them locked up.
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:I mumble if they hide the
stones away soon, no one will
218
:remember their exact truth.
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:The path to the whisper will be lost.
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:Vita's.
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:Hands stop.
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:The what?
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:The his.
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:I call it the whisper.
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:It makes more sense.
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:not that I've ever
received any promptings.
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:I say with a tinge of resentment.
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:The whisper doesn't speak to me.
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:Come now, Brie.
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:You don't think you made it through
the cataracts without any help, do you?
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:And how did you find me?
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:You just accidentally bumped into
my door of all the doors in Ultan.
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:The Hesperian does speak to you.
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:You just need to recognize when.
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:Vita's words are said
softly, but hit me hard.
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:I've come to feel the jewels,
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:I say,
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:ghia: but the only time I thought I've
heard the whisper, I nearly drowned.
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:Maybe you've been
expecting the wrong thing.
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:Try now.
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:Sit with your eyes closed and
tell me what comes to mind.
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:I can't try and just to prove her wrong.
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:I close my eyes.
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:It's time to go.
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:The words come from nowhere.
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:It isn't a voice, but an impression.
247
:I feel it again.
248
:It's time to go.
249
:I open my eyes and look at Vita.
250
:She must sense my hesitation.
251
:What is it she asks?
252
:I'm not sure.
253
:I'm calm, peaceful even.
254
:but there's no denying the urgency.
255
:I've never felt anything
like it before or have I?
256
:What about my desire to let the
boat float through the cataract?
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:My instinct to leave the
capsicum finding Vida.
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:Sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't.
259
:But they were all the same
feeling, weren't they?
260
:I closed my eyes again.
261
:It's time to go.
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:I can't deny the feeling
jumping to my feet.
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:I hurriedly wrap the stones in Nona shawl.
264
:Get up.
265
:We have to go.
266
:When Vita doesn't move, I grab her arm
and begin to pull her off the bench.
267
:She gives a soft cry of pain.
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:The tether.
269
:What I'm tethered, I drop to the
floor and find a heavy chain that
270
:runs from the sturdy frame of the loom
to a steel band around Vita's ankle.
271
:Her skin has been rubbed so
raw that I wince at the site.
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:I want to scream and frustration.
273
:Why?
274
:Help me find Vida then make me leave her.
275
:I ask.
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:Holding my hands in the air,
willing, the whisper to hear me.
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:There isn't an answer.
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:I bite my knuckle and try to think.
279
:I'll just have to return with help.
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:I kiss Vita on the cheek,
281
:Be ready.
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:I'll come back.
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:I whisper in her ear.
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:Vita grabs my hand as I'm moving away.
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:You look like her.
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:You know, just like your mother.
287
:I bolt out the door before it dawns on me.
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:Vita knew my mother.
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:I look back, but there isn't time to ask.
290
:I don't know why, but
it's urgent that I go now.
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:chapter 44, jackal.
292
:The shock of discovering my father in
the library wears off and I quietly
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:slide the keys back on the hook.
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:Father, I say, why are
you sitting in the dark?
295
:I pull open one of the heavy curtains,
letting light through the grated window.
296
:My father is leaning back in
a chair, his feet on a stool.
297
:He ignores my question.
298
:I assume if you're here,
you have the jewels.
299
:I stand tall.
300
:No, father.
301
:I don't.
302
:And then you brought me the girl.
303
:I shift uneasily.
304
:No, she got away.
305
:Reagan thorn laughs.
306
:You've grown fond of her.
307
:My pet, I don't care for her one wit, you
can let the marabou have her if you want.
308
:And my father looks as if
he's pondering the idea.
309
:I just might do that.
310
:I step towards his chair and lean down.
311
:You disgust me.
312
:my father snes and plays with
the rings on his fingers.
313
:bring me the girl, and I
will forgive that remark.
314
:I don't have her.
315
:My father gets to his feet and
pulls the curtains all the way open.
316
:After looking out over the city,
he smiles, which isn't good.
317
:and how did you get here?
318
:Let me guess With the banjara, I
realize that from here he can see the
319
:dock where the banjara are camped.
320
:My heart thumps, I think of marette
and weathers the rest of the skull.
321
:Please don't let him
torture them for answers.
322
:I couldn't bear it.
323
:Curses.
324
:I've grown so soft, desperately.
325
:I try to hide my concern and what
difference does it make how I got here.
326
:with long strides.
327
:My father walks to the
door and pulls it open.
328
:Guards, he calls a dragon.
329
:Steps before him, have the banjara,
camped outside the city wall,
330
:rounded up and brought here.
331
:The dragon nods and leaves the room.
332
:My father turns to me.
333
:The girl better be there or
I'll give you to the mabu.
334
:You wouldn't dare.
335
:You need me not, not if
I don't get those jewels.
336
:Now get out of my sight.
337
:I want to run from the library, but
make myself walk As soon as I close
338
:the door, I sprint down a set of spiral
stairs to my bed chamber, ripping
339
:off the digger's, skirt, and tunic.
340
:I slip into a comfortable set
of black leathers and boots.
341
:Then I tuck in my knives.
342
:After throwing open the
window, I leap to a tree there.
343
:I hang for a moment before
dropping to the ground in a crouch.
344
:Without pausing, I race to the
stable and jump on the first
345
:saddled horse I see lying low.
346
:I kick my heels into the animal side.
347
:terrified, stable.
348
:Hands scramble out of my way as the
horse charges through the doors, I
349
:know I can move faster than a squad of
dragons, but they have a head start.
350
:I clench my jaw.
351
:I must get to the banjara fast.
352
:I take the first gate out of the
city, the squad will go through
353
:Ultan to make a show of force.
354
:My way will be faster,
giving me the advantage.
355
:Diggers on the road scatter as I pass
kicking the horse to greater speed.
356
:I race across the meadow to the
bridge that crosses the uare.
357
:There I find the Banjara camp.
358
:The squad has not yet arrived.
359
:run.
360
:I yell as I pull up.
361
:Dragons are coming to arrest you.
362
:The taru doesn't question my
words, but springs to action.
363
:Where's z?
364
:Corvex.
365
:Marette calls panic flares
as I whirl my horse.
366
:What do you mean?
367
:She went to Z City?
368
:Brie in Ultan Curse the boy.
369
:I told him to take her to the Norwood.
370
:A trumpet sounds.
371
:The squad of dragons is close.
372
:Where was she going?
373
:I yell at marette to the market.
374
:She answers.
375
:I turn and ride with my head held high
directly towards the dragons when
376
:their squad leader is within earshot.
377
:I speak in my most commanding voice.
378
:The girl Reagan Thorn
wants is in the city.
379
:Come with me.
380
:The leader looks confused.
381
:We have orders to round up the banjara
and now you have orders to follow me.
382
:The man hesitates then nods.
383
:Bri.
384
:I hate leaving Vida.
385
:But for the first time in my life, I've
recognized a prompting from the Whisper.
386
:For whatever reason, it's
time to leave and leave.
387
:Now I hurry to the end of the alley and
take a moment to memorize my surroundings.
388
:I've got to be able to find this
place later After getting my bearings
389
:from the top of the Ram Wat, which
I can see above the rooftops,
390
:I head towards the city gate.
391
:The only thing I can think to do is
enlist the banjara to help me free Vita.
392
:I'm crossing a main street.
393
:When I see a squad of dragons
on horseback, there's a shout.
394
:I duck into a deep doorway.
395
:Rats.
396
:The latch is locked.
397
:All I can do is stand here and listen to
the sound of hoofbeats getting closer.
398
:They stop.
399
:I hold my breath.
400
:It's fine.
401
:They aren't looking for a banjara teller.
402
:Just wait.
403
:They'll pass on.
404
:When I think it's been long
enough, I peak from the threshold.
405
:There's an instant shout and a
black warhorse races towards me.
406
:It's jackal.
407
:Her hair has come loose from its
braid and streams behind her.
408
:Her eyes are fierce and
her mouth is in a snarl.
409
:I don't know why she left me the
jewels, but right now I know one thing.
410
:She's after me.
411
:hopping up on a wooden
cart, left in the alley.
412
:I lunged for a window seal using
clotheslines like tree limbs.
413
:I climbed to the roof.
414
:Brie, I hear jackal yell, wait.
415
:Is she kidding?
416
:I don't look back.
417
:Spread out.
418
:She snarls to the dragons.
419
:Don't let her get away.
420
:I race along the tiled roof
to one end of the building.
421
:there I leap clearing the narrow alley
422
:Spears of pain.
423
:Shoot up my leg as I land.
424
:Relieved that I made the jump.
425
:I run again, hopeful that
I'll make it to the city wall.
426
:There's a noise behind
me and I glance back.
427
:A sleek form easily jumps over the last
alley causing a flock of birds to scatter.
428
:I take two more jumps before
coming to an alley that is
429
:much wider than the one before.
430
:With no choice, I back up and
run, hurling myself over the void.
431
:My fingers reach for
the tiles, but miss no.
432
:The first close line catches my foot.
433
:I yowl in pain the second close
line, catches me in the back.
434
:When the line breaks, I
crash To the cobbles below.
435
:Jackal Brie.
436
:No.
437
:I shout when I see her
preparing to jump again.
438
:I'm trying to help you, but she's gone.
439
:I yell wildly for the dragons as
I run to the edge and look down.
440
:Her body lies on the
cobbles, tangled in laundry.
441
:She isn't moving.
442
:Two dragons advance down the alley.
443
:Don't touch her.
444
:I order.
445
:It takes me a minute to
find my way off the roof.
446
:When I get to Brie, the dragons are
standing over her body, get a stretcher.
447
:You iles.
448
:I place my ear to her chest.
449
:When I hear a heartbeat,
I'm flooded with relief.
450
:I pick her up amazed at how small
she feels and cradle her in my arms.
451
:I'm sorry, I whisper.
452
:I tried to keep you away.
453
:It takes a while for
the dragons to return.
454
:When they do, they have too long
poles with a blanket between them.
455
:I've got to get Bri out of Ultan gently.
456
:I place her on the stretcher With a
dragon on each end holding the poles.
457
:I lead them towards the city gate.
458
:We're almost there when my father
on horseback appears in front of me.
459
:A half dozen dragons are with him.
460
:Oh, where are you going?
461
:My pet.
462
:I say, the only thing I can think of,
I'm escorting an injured prisoner.
463
:What does it look like?
464
:My father draws his boot knife
and hurls it at a flock of birds.
465
:Startled.
466
:They fly off, leaving one
behind the blade in its chest.
467
:A dragon dismounts and removes the knife.
468
:After wiping it on his pants,
he hands it back to my father.
469
:It looks like you were leaving the city.
470
:You asked me for the girl how and
when I deliver her is my business.
471
:My father looks up and scratches his
head, gems flashing on his fingers.
472
:When he looks back, his face is set.
473
:Your time is up.
474
:The girl is coming with me.
475
:No, I stand firm glaring
at him, restrain her.
476
:My father says I leap to the side avoiding
one dragon only to be caught by another.
477
:I fight, but there's too many of them.
478
:My father looks amused when it
takes three dragons to hold me.
479
:Let me go.
480
:I yell.
481
:She's mine.
482
:She's had a fall.
483
:My father says his voice
dripping with syrup.
484
:I'll have her seen by my croker.
485
:no croker.
486
:I yell.
487
:Desperate not to have brie drugged.
488
:I struggle against the dragons, but they
hold me tight, throw her over a horse.
489
:My father commands.
490
:I watch as Brie is removed from
the stretcher and tossed like a
491
:sack of grain across a saddle.
492
:My father turns and rides
away without looking back.
493
:When he is out of sight,
the dragons let me go.
494
:I'm seething with anger at the
dragons, at my father, at myself.
495
:This never should have happened.
496
:Ever.
497
:Hold me like that again
and I'll slit your throats.
498
:I snarl before striding away.
499
:Chapter 45.
500
:Bri.
501
:Every time I open my
eyes, the world spins.
502
:Afraid, all wre.
503
:I keep them closed.
504
:Eventually I work out that I'm
hanging over the back of a horse.
505
:I struggle at my bonds, but
I'm tied securely so much for
506
:being able to hear the whisper.
507
:I'm a fool.
508
:The whisper doesn't speak to me.
509
:Eventually the horse stops and I'm
hauled off with my head pounding.
510
:I crumpled to the ground.
511
:Rough hands grabbed me, and I'm
flung over a massive shoulder.
512
:We descend a set of steep twisting
stairs, and I feel as if I'm
513
:submerging into a viper's pit.
514
:If I struggle, the arms
holding me clamp down harder.
515
:I quit moving.
516
:torches, glow on the walls, Black
smoke drifts along the ceiling.
517
:In the air is the stench of mold and rot.
518
:I thought nothing could smell
worse than the streets of ultan.
519
:I was wrong.
520
:The dragon holding me stops open a cell.
521
:His low voice rumbles.
522
:Wait, someone says,
don't be in such a hurry.
523
:Let's see what she's got.
524
:My head is yanked up a thick set
man with a bulbous nose, spies the
525
:banjara jewelry, and licks his lips.
526
:My head drops and my cloak is yanked off.
527
:none too gently.
528
:The necklaces are removed.
529
:I try to protest, but the
force of the dragon's grip is
530
:sufficient to keep me quiet.
531
:Next, the Bengals are pulled
from my wrists and the rings
532
:are removed from my fingers.
533
:the man slips, mart's
staff from my shoulder.
534
:I hear it snap open, followed
by a round of cursing.
535
:Clearly he can't figure
out how to close it.
536
:the staff is thrown aside and I'm
searched until the limp bag of
537
:capsicum is yanked from my belt.
538
:The little herb knife goes with it.
539
:Finally, the man seems satisfied.
540
:I sag with relief known
as shawl has been ignored.
541
:Bring her this way.
542
:The man says, boy fetch a lantern.
543
:I'm moving again.
544
:The sound of boots echoes
along the stone corridor.
545
:There is the clink of keys
and the squeal of hinges.
546
:I'm carried into a small room and dumped
on the floor in a pile of dank straw.
547
:I groan with the impact
and roll to my side.
548
:Then I see him, it's just for
a moment, he holds a lantern.
549
:His face is gaunt.
550
:His beard's scraggly.
551
:But those eyes, The dragon
swings the door closed, and
552
:I'm enveloped in a murky gloom.
553
:Footsteps recede down the hall.
554
:I lie on the floor.
555
:Unmoving.
556
:Did I see right?
557
:Was it truly gray?
558
:Don't be ridiculous.
559
:It had to be my imagination.
560
:After a short time, I
hear footsteps again.
561
:As the sound gets closer, I scurry
to the far side of the cell and
562
:wrap my arms around my knees.
563
:There's a scraping noise as a
panel in the bottom of the door.
564
:Slides open.
565
:I've brought food.
566
:I rush to the door gray
with my face to the floor.
567
:I peer at the hands pushing a
bowl of mush through the opening.
568
:The fingers are grimy, but
they're the right size and shape.
569
:Are you all right?
570
:The voice whispers gray.
571
:Is that really you?
572
:Tears rushed to my eyes.
573
:Yes.
574
:I don't have much time.
575
:The mush is horrible, but eat it all.
576
:You'll need your strength.
577
:Here's some water gray slides,
a flask through the hole.
578
:I gasp at the fresh ink on his forearm.
579
:What is it?
580
:Gray asks worry in his voice.
581
:You're inked.
582
:yes.
583
:He says with scorn It marks me as
tethered to this hell hole gray.
584
:I'm sorry.
585
:It was all my fault.
586
:Forget it.
587
:I'm working on a way to get us out.
588
:there's a slight pause.
589
:Brie, do you know how
Fremont escaped his tether?
590
:I think for a moment I only recall that
he crawled through some kind of tunnel.
591
:I say have to go.
592
:The panel slides abruptly shut.
593
:Someone must be coming.
594
:I listen, but nothing tells me what's
happening on the other side of the door.
595
:the mush is pasty and
smells of horse milk.
596
:Still, I eat it all with food in
my belly, my head somewhat, but
597
:that only increases the pain.
598
:My back aches from landing on
the cobbled street and my foot.
599
:Oh, why did I have to catch
it on the clothes line?
600
:It was doing so much better
before the tears can come.
601
:I think of Vita Brave, resilient Vita.
602
:I determine to be as stalwart as she is.
603
:With my back to the stone wall.
604
:I close my eyes, but
don't sleep as endless.
605
:Questions circle in my mind.
606
:why did jackal leave me the jewels?
607
:doesn't she want the throne?
608
:How did Vita know my mother,
did she know my father as well?
609
:When a, when will gray return?
610
:I picture gray's hands.
611
:What was the pattern?
612
:Inked on his wrist a bat
or maybe a human skull?
613
:I can't be sure.
614
:Both seem fitting for a person
tethered in the dungeon.
615
:This idea starts me thinking Fremont
had ink that looked like a spider's web.
616
:If Gray can find others with that mark,
he might be able to figure out where
617
:Fremont was working when he escaped.
618
:That would help, wouldn't it?
619
:I resolve to tell Gray when he returns.
620
:If he returns, hours seem like
days, and I lose all perception of
621
:time, I must fall asleep because I'm
startled by the cell door opening.
622
:Get up a dragon says I stagger
to my feet and stumble forward.
623
:The dragon hfs me under his
arm and carries me down the hall.
624
:I squirm, but the arm
squeezes crushing my chest.
625
:I give in and hang helpless.
626
:I am carried through a dingy room with
a hearth and a few chairs in the corner.
627
:I see the sagging bag of
capsicum and my staff.
628
:I squirm once again, but it
does no good Instead of leaving
629
:the dungeon the way I came, I'm
carried up a wide spiral staircase.
630
:The smell dies away and is
replaced by heavy incense.
631
:It gets warmer soon.
632
:There are tapestries and fine carpets.
633
:We must be in the heart of the castle.
634
:The dragon carries me through a
doorway without warning, I'm dropped
635
:again this time on a soft cushion.
636
:The dragon steps back and I hear
637
:a voice
638
:Pinch with the tip of your fingers,
then throw with your arm pointing
639
:in the direction you want it to go.
640
:ghia: Says a gravelly female voice.
641
:I look up to see the telltale
black robes of a croker.
642
:She and Reagan thorn are
standing before a wooden board
643
:starlike discs in their hands.
644
:Reagan thorn throws and the
disc sticks in the wood.
645
:Better
646
:ghia: The Croker says
as she turns towards me.
647
:blue agate eyes gaze out of a heavily
inked face and bore into mine.
648
:The woman is a she wolf.
649
:Without a doubt, I look away.
650
:Unable to hold her gaze.
651
:I can't help recalling that.
652
:Jackal said Reagan thorns.
653
:Kroger was an old man
renowned for his artistry.
654
:This must be someone new.
655
:My eyes drift back to Reagan Thorn.
656
:He moves to a chair inlaid
with jewels and sits straggly.
657
:Black hair, covers half his face.
658
:He looks thinner and palor than
the last time we met, but his
659
:eyes haven't lost their ferocity.
660
:He's still the goblin shark,
as if getting comfortable.
661
:He sticks out his legs,
crossing them at the ankles.
662
:The jewels on the tips of his
slippers flash in the candlelight.
663
:Tsk, tsk.
664
:Aren't you a mess?
665
:He holds a handkerchief to his nose
and you smell like the carcass pile.
666
:He motions towards the
dragon who brought me in.
667
:Take her outside.
668
:I'm wrenched off the cushion
and push through the door.
669
:That leads to a terrace.
670
:there.
671
:I stumble across polished stones
to lean against a railing.
672
:the tang of sea air fills my nose, and
I realized that from here I could drop
673
:a pebble into the frothing waves below.
674
:Over my other shoulder, I see the
hole of ultan spread out before me.
675
:two towers of the castle loom overhead
676
:With the sun sinking into the sea,
the air has cooled, and I shiver A
677
:servant with a red scar across her
face brings Reagan thorn a chair.
678
:He sits and gives the hair on
the tip of his chin a twist.
679
:As he surveys me, the
roker stands beside him.
680
:A moment later, a table with a bowl of
apples and a platter of aromatic cheese
681
:are brought to Reagan Thorn's other side.
682
:You are dismissed.
683
:He says to the servant, the woman
bows and leaves the terrace.
684
:Reagan thorn's attention comes
back to me with a flourish.
685
:He removes a velvet pouch
from his coat pocket.
686
:Pinky finger extended.
687
:He opens the pouch and produces the ruby.
688
:And what I am sure is vita's emerald.
689
:I watch as he places them on the table.
690
:Where are the rest of my jewels?
691
:He asks, I want to object his jewels.
692
:They belong to the queen, but
pointing this out will get me nowhere.
693
:So I say nothing and
keep my eyes downcast.
694
:Suddenly my head is yanked back by
the heavy hand of a dragon and
695
:I'm forced to look at Reagan.
696
:Thorn.
697
:My stomach grumbles loud
enough for him to hear.
698
:unwittingly, my eyes drift
towards the fruit and cheese.
699
:Reagan thorn picks up an apple
and tosses it lightly in the air.
700
:Let's make a deal.
701
:He motions the dragon to bring me closer.
702
:I smell his rotting breath.
703
:You give me the jewels and I will
give you all the food you can eat.
704
:he makes a pious face as if
begging me to save myself.
705
:My anger flares and a low
growl rises in my throat.
706
:If it weren't for this man,
I'd be at home with Nona.
707
:Everyone I love would be alive.
708
:My woods would be safe
Without any thought.
709
:For the cost.
710
:I spit in Reagan thorn's
face with a vicious blow.
711
:He backhands me across my cheek.
712
:The pain is searing.
713
:my knees buckle.
714
:I think I'll fall, but
there's a yank on my head.
715
:The dragon has me by the hair.
716
:I gasp for breath
717
:as if he's done.
718
:No more than Swat Reagan thorn
slumps back in his chair, his face,
719
:indifferent Search her, he says, with
a flip of his wrist in my direction.
720
:I draw a cold breath as a blade is placed
at the back of my neck without warning.
721
:The dragon slices straight down through
my tunic and the waistband of my skirt.
722
:With the other hand, he yanks
the fabric off my shoulder.
723
:I'm grasping for my
clothes when I hear it.
724
:The tinkle of stone on stone,
Nona shawl has been cut into.
725
:The jewels are rolling away.
