96. Raven Crown Chapter 1, 2 and 3
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 one, Brie
2
:The jackal lets out a low growl.
3
:Don't give me that.
4
:I say you are the one prowling
around the wrong chicken coop.
5
:I brush a wisp of hair from my
face, the animal squirms, and
6
:almost gets free hold still with
my knee to the scruff of her neck.
7
:I press her hard to the forest floor.
8
:Before she can struggle again,
I snap the fletched end off the
9
:arrow protruding from her haunch.
10
:There's another growl.
11
:I soften my voice.
12
:I bet you're extra hungry.
13
:With those pups to nurse, the gentle
tone relaxes the jackal a bit.
14
:Despite the cool morning, I wipe
a sweaty palm on my linen skirt.
15
:Now comes the hard part.
16
:Quick as I can.
17
:I force the arrow shaft at an
angle out through the flesh.
18
:There's a pop and blood splatters my face.
19
:The jackal struggles harder this
time and I fight to hold her down.
20
:Don't move.
21
:Or next time I'll stick to
tending hedgehogs and starlings.
22
:It isn't true.
23
:Of course, if I find another injured
jackal with pups, I'll do it again.
24
:No one should grow up without a mother.
25
:Now let me clean your wound.
26
:My voice soft again.
27
:I recite a story about
the queen of tambor.
28
:It does the trick and the
jackal stills just long enough
29
:for me to complete the chore.
30
:When I'm done, I release the rag from
the animal's muzzle and jump back.
31
:She struggles up and limps into the forest
without a backwards glance, relieved
32
:I survived the encounter unscathed.
33
:I kneel to repack my
satchel of healing supplies.
34
:Rats, I grumble.
35
:I'm out of lineament.
36
:I'll have to go back to the dugout.
37
:If I don't get more, I'm sure to
come across another wounded animal.
38
:That's the way of it.
39
:My foot feels good today, so the
walk home doesn't take long though.
40
:I wobble the same as always At
the edge of the clearing, I check
41
:to see if Nona is in the garden.
42
:She isn't good with luck,
she's off gathering mushrooms
43
:on the far side of the forest.
44
:Just to be sure.
45
:I bypass the sea cliff trail overlooking
the cove and sneak through the woods On
46
:this route, I can reach the dugout without
passing the goat pin or the chicken coop.
47
:The other two places
I'm likely to find her.
48
:It's not that I don't like Nona, it's just
that as my tel air, she insists on endless
49
:lessons when I'd rather be in the woods.
50
:At the dugout, I leave my staff
on the peg over the door, like the
51
:homes of most diggers in Tambo.
52
:Ours is hollowed from a
hillside, thus no windows.
53
:I wait at the door for my eyes
to adjust to the dim light.
54
:Nona has the place so crammed with books.
55
:There would be an avalanche of ancient
volumes if I stumbled in blind.
56
:The dugout smells of drying rosemary
and radiates warmth enticing me to
57
:stay inside, but I'm just going to
find the lineament and be on my way.
58
:I perch on the edge of the willow
bed and reach for the shelf that
59
:runs the length of the back wall.
60
:I left the crock right here.
61
:I feel around but don't find it.
62
:I reach further in case the crock has
been pushed back, but it isn't there.
63
:I stand on tiptoe and reach further still.
64
:Instead of the expected
lineament, my fingers come across
65
:something small and unfamiliar.
66
:Curious.
67
:I lift the object down.
68
:It's hard wrapped in leather
and tied with a string.
69
:I'm puzzled.
70
:Is there really something in the
dugout I haven't seen before?
71
:The oddity gives me a stir of
excitement, but after a moment,
72
:I sigh better put it back.
73
:If Nona hasn't shown it to me,
she doesn't want me to see it yet.
74
:Even as I say the words, I
start to unie the string so much
75
:for taking my own good advice.
76
:Before I have it open, three
loud cause sound from outside
77
:Grim wants his breakfast.
78
:Just a minute I call to the raven.
79
:I almost return the object to
the shelf, but like a raccoon
80
:with my paw stuck in a trap.
81
:I don't want to let go
of my newfound treasure.
82
:Maybe Nona wanted me to find it.
83
:She knows how curious I am.
84
:It's one of the things she
points out to me almost every
85
:day, along with my other flaws.
86
:I'm Brie the impatient brie, the
trickster, brie the reckless.
87
:She's right about it all, of course.
88
:But she left out a few things.
89
:I'm also Brie the quirky bird.
90
:And Brie the lame pigeon.
91
:I sigh.
92
:To be honest, the only thing that bothers
me is being brie of no one or nowhere.
93
:No parents, no family, and
no idea where I hail from.
94
:Grim calls again.
95
:Hold on.
96
:I call.
97
:I look at the leather band lump
in my hand and bite my lip.
98
:I can always put it back later, can't I?
99
:No.
100
:No.
101
:Won't even know it was gone
102
:With that thought, I stuff
the object into my satchel.
103
:As I hop off the bed, I stumble
over something on the floor.
104
:Owl pellets.
105
:I moan as I drop to the feather mattress,
pain, shooting from my foot up to my knee.
106
:When I see what caused
my plunger, I groan.
107
:It was the crock of
Lineament, like a knit wit.
108
:I left it on the floor this
morning seeking relief.
109
:I jerk at the laces of my boot
and tug it off without the thick
110
:wooden sole to hold my foot flat.
111
:It curls down and inward.
112
:A misfortune I have
lived with since birth.
113
:I flex my toes until the pain
in my foot is back to its
114
:usual dull throb with a sigh.
115
:I put the boot on again.
116
:Grim.
117
:Lets out a series of squawks.
118
:I'm coming.
119
:I give the lump in my satch
pat as I walk out the door.
120
:Grim Perched high in a weathered Cypress,
peers at me over his shiny black beak.
121
:I put a hand on my hip.
122
:If you want to eat,
you'll have to come down.
123
:Grim doesn't move.
124
:I throw my hands in the air.
125
:I've cared for you since
you were in pin feathers.
126
:How can you be afraid of me?
127
:With a shake of my head.
128
:I marched to the chicken coop.
129
:Thankfully, Nona isn't there As I
grope through the straw, I can't help
130
:wondering what I've got in my satchel.
131
:Soon I find an egg and place it on
the ground in front of the dugout.
132
:Come and get it.
133
:I call Grim croaks deep
in his throat, a noise.
134
:That means he wants me to
move away from the egg.
135
:I draw an exasperated breath, fine.
136
:The silly bird will sit on my
shoulder when it suits him, but
137
:won't come near me if it doesn't,
and I thought we were friends.
138
:I step back and my satchel
thumps lightly on my hip.
139
:I'm keenly aware of the object inside.
140
:Why has Nona never showed it to me?
141
:Grim swoops down and hops towards the
egg in his suspicious way, jumping
142
:back every time he gets close.
143
:Finally, he knocks the egg with his
beak and crushes a hole in the shell.
144
:Then he scoops it up and lets the
content slide down his throat.
145
:When he's done, he flings the
shell to the side and stands
146
:there with egg all over his beak.
147
:I'm about to laugh when I
realize his gaze is locked on.
148
:The bulge in my satchel, the bulge
where my hand happens to be resting.
149
:What I ask, trying to sound innocent, I
move my hand only to put it right back.
150
:Strange how comforting the object feels.
151
:Gently, I trace the outline with a finger.
152
:Grim cls, his beak.
153
:I look at the bird.
154
:You want to see it, don't you?
155
:Instead of acknowledging my
question, grim flies to the giant
156
:stump we use as a table and rubs
his beak on a pile of Nona's books.
157
:Don't pretend you're not curious.
158
:I sit on a garden stool and pull the
object out of my satchel warnings Twitter
159
:in the back of my mind, and I hesitate.
160
:Then annoyed.
161
:I scold myself for
acting like an old goose.
162
:I will just take a look
and put it right back.
163
:Bubbling with anticipation, I untie
the string and fold open the leather.
164
:I blink.
165
:Not quite believing my eyes,
but it's true in my hand is an
166
:uncut ruby, the size of a walnut.
167
:Grim eyes, the stone intently.
168
:Where do you suppose it came from?
169
:I ask in Wonder.
170
:Grim doesn't respond.
171
:We don't have a gem pit, like most
diggers and known as only chuckles
172
:come from the sale of goat cheese.
173
:I could ask her where she got it, but I
suspect like many of my other questions
174
:such as how I came to be living here,
I won't get a satisfying answer.
175
:I lift the stone to the sun.
176
:The jewel is brilliant and
finer than any I've ever seen.
177
:I'm gaping at the gem when Grimm's wing
brushes my face Before I can react,
178
:the ruby is snatched from my fingers.
179
:No, I lunge for the thief as he
flies away, but fall short as I'm
180
:consumed by a powerful sense of loss.
181
:It's like grim has stolen my heart along
with the stone, like I'm empty inside.
182
:I draw breath, desperate to fill the
void in my chest for a wingspan of time.
183
:I can't move.
184
:When the pain finally subsides, I
place a shaking hand to my heart.
185
:I have no idea how losing the stone
could create such an effect in my
186
:body, but I know one thing for sure.
187
:I've got to get that ruby back.
188
:Chapter two, Brie, just as I stagger to
my feet, Nona emerges from the forest.
189
:Her long gray braid is wrapped around
her head and her cheeks are ready.
190
:With the brisk morning air Dew
has soaked the hymn of her skirt.
191
:Hello.
192
:She calls with a wave.
193
:Despite her pleasant greeting, I know that
as usual, her sharp eyes are taking me in.
194
:I smile, hoping to hide my panic.
195
:Nona is an old wood owl, not literally,
of course, it's what I call her essence.
196
:Everybody has one.
197
:I'm a little bird, maybe
a thorn bill or a fairy.
198
:Wr.
199
:I can't decide.
200
:Shall we start your
lessons with a meditation?
201
:Nona asks, placing her basket of
mushrooms on the stump next to her books.
202
:The books she will soon
have me studying from.
203
:I can't help wondering what
she has waiting for me today.
204
:Geography, history or maybe governance.
205
:Her favorite subject, Ugg.
206
:I glance in the direction I last saw Grim.
207
:Uh, not right now.
208
:Nona.
209
:There's something I need to do.
210
:There can't be anything more important
than your lessons Come along,
211
:Nona leaves her staff over the door,
then marches onto a promontory of
212
:land that extends into the ocean.
213
:There she sits in her usual
spot, like a gull on its nest.
214
:I open my mouth to protest but can't, not
without telling Nona about the Ruby rats.
215
:With Nona's mind made up,
there's only one option.
216
:Bide my time until I can sneak away.
217
:I sit, but stay back next to the woods.
218
:Nona glances over her shoulder
to make sure I've complied,
219
:then assumes a comfortable pose.
220
:the only thing that bores me more
than book learning is meditation.
221
:But Nona believes if I meditate long
enough, I'll feel the influence of
222
:the Whisper or hesperian as it's
called in the ancient language.
223
:I don't believe it.
224
:The whisper is a pocket full of hooey.
225
:The only thing I feel inside
is the grumbling of my stomach.
226
:I mean, other than my heart.
227
:What else would a normal
person feel inside?
228
:I try to sit still, but
it's next to impossible.
229
:I've got to find grim and that stone
anxiously, I pull a green thread
230
:from the hem of my tunic and begin
wrapping it around a lock of hair
231
:Nona says, my wild mane
is the color of corn silk.
232
:But I overheard a girl at the fall
gathering say it looks like brooms straw.
233
:I don't care.
234
:Brooms straw suits me fine.
235
:I watch Nona as my fingers work.
236
:When the thread is used up, I tie a
knot and toss the lock over my shoulder.
237
:There it hangs to my waist with
the shells, beads, and feathers,
238
:I've tied there in the past.
239
:I glance impatiently at
Nona again, but don't move.
240
:I've learned the hard way that it's
best to let her settle deep into her
241
:meditation before trying to sneak away.
242
:Nona requires me to
meditate almost every day.
243
:As part of the preparation for our trek
through Tambor, we are to leave on my
244
:18th birthday, only two years from now.
245
:I don't want to go, but
that doesn't matter.
246
:I'm going like it or not.
247
:Thus, my days are filled with a
myriad of time consuming activities
248
:that Nona deems important to my
mental and physical preparedness.
249
:Meditation staff, practice and
book learning to name a few, and
250
:that doesn't include my chores.
251
:It's a wonder I have any
time in the Norwood at all.
252
:I check Nona again.
253
:She is motionless except for the
strands of gray hair that flutter
254
:around her face in the breeze.
255
:This is my chance, careful that the wooden
sole of my boot doesn't clop on a rock.
256
:I stand and slip into the forest.
257
:It takes some searching, but I find
grim flying north along the coast.
258
:He lands in a tree and I make out
the ruby still gripped in his beak.
259
:Luck is with me.
260
:Drop that stone.
261
:I yell.
262
:He doesn't.
263
:Instead he flaps out over the
ocean, sending me into a panic.
264
:What if the stone falls into the water?
265
:Come back you dimwit after an arching
turn, grim swoops into the forest again.
266
:The stone still firmly in his beak.
267
:I ignore the pain in my foot
as I try to keep him in sight.
268
:I haven't followed him far.
269
:When I catch a whiff of
smoke, it's got to be Fremont.
270
:He's the only one that would have a
fire in this part of the Forest Fremont.
271
:Our closest neighbor has the
essence of an old hound dog.
272
:He often brings us extra fish and likes
to tinker around the dugout for Nona.
273
:I'm sure he'll help me get the ruby back.
274
:After noting Grimm's direction,
I veer towards the smoke.
275
:Keep digging.
276
:There are crystals here somewhere.
277
:I know it.
278
:The unfamiliar voice would've
stopped me if I had heard it a
279
:second sooner, but it's too late.
280
:I burst into a clearing
for the love of rats.
281
:The place is crawling with soldiers.
282
:I scurry back into the foliage.
283
:Fortunately, no one sees me as they
are busy burning the undergrowth,
284
:looking for gem pockets, I suppose.
285
:strangers.
286
:Any strangers would've been a shock.
287
:But it's the dragons amongst the
soldiers that send me into a panic.
288
:These aren't the fire breathing
type I know from Fremont stories.
289
:These are humans who have risen from
the rank of common soldier to join the
290
:queen's elite fighting force of warriors.
291
:I've never seen a dragon before,
but the ominous winged helms and
292
:black livery can't be mistaken.
293
:There are three that I can see each with
his own trappings, chain, mail, gloves,
294
:studded armbands, and spiked boots.
295
:One has a ring in his lip that connects
a chain to his ear while two are
296
:decked in armor and carry swords.
297
:The last wears a thick leather
doublet, and wheels and archer's bow.
298
:All of them have rest colored
ink visible on their skin.
299
:I know it was tapped in by a Roker.
300
:Croker's are what Fremont calls, which
doctors, their ink is supposed to be
301
:healing, but it's not a type of healing.
302
:I understand.
303
:I should run.
304
:I should get back to the dugout.
305
:Tell Nona what I've seen, but my
curiosity has me rooted in place.
306
:from somewhere beyond the clearing.
307
:I hear a female voice.
308
:Can you tell me exactly why
you need more wretched jewels?
309
:A syrupy man's voice answers.
310
:My pet, we are only looking around
while the dragons hunt for fresh meat.
311
:We won't be long.
312
:The voices get closer.
313
:Don't you have enough jewels already?
314
:No, but enough, the man's
voice is annoyed now.
315
:You are trying my patience.
316
:Go find someone else to bother.
317
:I am itching to see who these voices
belong to, but this time I take my
318
:own good advice and leave jackal.
319
:I.
320
:I'm quite pleased.
321
:Coercing my father to send me
away was easier than I expected.
322
:He's so predictable.
323
:I smirk and fiddle with the fringe that
runs the length of my leather pants.
324
:My father doesn't think the future
queen should wear britches, but since I
325
:adopted the practical attire, half the
female nobilis in Ultan have followed
326
:suit despite being the ruling class.
327
:The nobilis act like sheep.
328
:My father turns towards
one of the dragons.
329
:are there diggers in the area?
330
:Perhaps we could requisition
the meat we need from them.
331
:I scowl if he does that, I'll lose
my chance for a bit of freedom.
332
:I'm not sure.
333
:My lord, the dragon replies.
334
:I'll send a few soldiers to find out.
335
:While my father inspects a gem
pocket exposed by the burn, I
336
:take the opportunity to slip away.
337
:After walking some distance, I stop
and roll my head, trying to release
338
:the tension in my neck by the jewels.
339
:It's good to be off that horrid
ship and away from my father.
340
:I'm afraid.
341
:Spending so much time with
him will truly drive me mad.
342
:The man is detestable in the
best of times, But he has been in
343
:an exceptionally foul temper of
late, and now he has dragged me
344
:along on this miserable journey.
345
:I'm not privy to what has him
so lathered up, but I suspect it
346
:has something to do with jewels.
347
:My father is consumed with them.
348
:Jewels are even more important
than his precious dragons.
349
:Officially, the dragons work for the
Queen, but now that she is dead, my father
350
:is using them as his own private army.
351
:I peer through the trees and note
with curiosity that there are only
352
:a few tendrils of vine growing in
this area, how unusual the plant
353
:is consuming the rest of Tambor.
354
:A crash sounds from deep in the forest.
355
:A moment later there is an exultant.
356
:Whoop.
357
:I know what this means.
358
:One of the dragons has shot our dinner.
359
:I frown annoyed.
360
:Apparently I'll be returning to
the boat sooner than I hoped.
361
:determined to make the most
of my short-lived freedom.
362
:I make my way towards the killing.
363
:There I find a dragon who
is dispatched a shaggy boar.
364
:Several other members of
the hunting party arrive.
365
:I watch idly as the animal is gutted.
366
:Hey, dog.
367
:Why don't you help with this?
368
:The dragon calls from the carcass.
369
:I let my heavy braid slip
off my shoulder and scowl.
370
:The dragon is a huge barrel shaped man
with spikes protruding from his boots.
371
:He He grins showing yellowed teeth.
372
:There are a few Snickers from
the other dragons and I know they
373
:are anticipating my reaction.
374
:Dragons are famous for their
use of by names, and I've had
375
:to fend this one off before.
376
:My formal tambor name is
Dogmar Ethereal of Ultan.
377
:The name Dogmar has been passed
down through the royal line.
378
:still, I can't help but think the name is
just another of my father's cool jokes.
379
:I must end this quickly.
380
:What did you call me?
381
:I ask, I called you dog,
or would you prefer my pet?
382
:The dragons grin widens as
my glare grows more intense.
383
:The only person who gets away
with calling me pet is my father,
384
:and even then I detest it.
385
:I've trained with several of the
dragons gathered here since I was 14.
386
:Over the last five years, they've
learned I am prone to a bad temper.
387
:This dragon has only recently arrived from
a remote outpost and doesn't know me well.
388
:At least not yet, I sneer as I survey
his stocky body, what he has in strength.
389
:I have no doubt.
390
:He lacks in speed With a
growl, I leap at the man.
391
:I could have pulled the knife from my
back and sliced it across his juggler,
392
:or reached for the dagger in my boot
and driven it up under his rib cage.
393
:These are things I am capable
of, but I control myself and
394
:leave my knives in place.
395
:Instead, I go for his ear.
396
:There's a tortured scream as
I twist the fleshy appendage
397
:just short of ripping it off.
398
:You are never to call
me anything but jackal.
399
:I hiss.
400
:The dragon tries to grab me.
401
:I twist harder, and he stops the
pain in his ear holding him still.
402
:What do you call me?
403
:Jackal.
404
:He winces.
405
:What was that?
406
:I know I'm overreacting the way my
father would, but right now I don't care.
407
:Jackal.
408
:The dragon yells, the sound echoes
through the forest, and I shove the
409
:man to the ground and step back.
410
:I'm jackal to all of you.
411
:From now on, I announce to the
rest of the dragon standing
412
:around without another word.
413
:I turn and stride away.
414
:I haven't walked far.
415
:When I'm stopped by a cliff
that drops into the sea.
416
:With my rage cooled sum I
puzzle over the by name.
417
:I have chosen for myself, jackals,
thrive in the southern plains of Tambo,
418
:but they're adaptable and many packs
live here in the northern region as well.
419
:It's strange that the animal came
to mind just now, but I'm pleased.
420
:Jackal is a good name for me.
421
:Chapter three, Brie.
422
:I leave the clearing and
hurry towards the dugout.
423
:I've got to tell Nona what I've seen.
424
:I'm scrambling along the sea cliff.
425
:When I see the dragon ship anchored in
the cove, I can't help myself and stop.
426
:The double hold vessel is rigged
with vermilion sails, A gold
427
:pendant and blazoned with a dragon,
flies from the tallest mast.
428
:Afraid someone on the ship will see me.
429
:I run again, pushing
my foot to move faster.
430
:Finally, I make it home.
431
:Nona, where are you?
432
:here.
433
:Nona steps from the dugout Fremont
dressed in his fishing skins steps
434
:out behind her Nona's voice is
calm, but I see concern on her face.
435
:Dragons are birding.
436
:The forest, I blurt.
437
:Their ship is in the cove.
438
:Yes, I've heard Nona says
with a stony expression.
439
:Fremont Scowls.
440
:They'll destroy the Norwood
in no time despite his scorn.
441
:I hear a tremor in the old man's voice.
442
:I know how much he hates the dragons.
443
:He was only a few years older than
I am when he was tethered like a
444
:slave to a spike in the ultan gem
pits, the charcoal black symbol on
445
:his forearm proves he was there.
446
:It was tapped in by a croker, not to heal
him, but to mark him as a slave for life.
447
:Nona and I try to keep an eye on Fremont.
448
:While he appears to be tough as rawhide,
he has gotten a bit unsteady these days.
449
:I place a hand on his shoulder hoping
despite my own distress to calm him.
450
:At that moment, a movement catches my eye.
451
:I look up to see a group of
soldiers heading for our goat pen.
452
:One of those will do.
453
:A soldier says another, climbs over
the fence and charges our goats.
454
:Nona presses her lips together.
455
:I'll handle this.
456
:I watch as she pulls the back
hem of her skirt up between her
457
:legs and tucks it into her belt,
forming a loose style of pants.
458
:Nona has enough years to be my
grandmother, yet she shows no fear as she
459
:retrieves her staff from the pegs over the
dugout door and confronts the soldiers.
460
:My stock is not for sale.
461
:She calls.
462
:No one acknowledges her.
463
:A soldier dives for a nanny goat.
464
:The animal skips out of the way
and the man sprawls in the mud.
465
:He wipes his face as a roar of laughter,
erupts from the other soldiers.
466
:Two more men climb into the pen, but
scatter as our Billy goat charges
467
:Nimbly the other goats jump into the low
branches of a Cyprus tree and look with
468
:indifference at the mayhem below them.
469
:Get down here.
470
:You maggots.
471
:The first soldier bellows
through the mud on his face.
472
:I've got it.
473
:Another calls as he picks up
a rock and prepares to throw.
474
:No you don't.
475
:Nona quick as a goat herself
leaps over the fence and way
476
:lays the man with her staff.
477
:He drops the rock and holds what I
assume to be broken ribs with his arms.
478
:I can't help myself and grin.
479
:That's my Nona.
480
:Other soldiers advance, but she
batters them as well Enough.
481
:It's the male voice I
heard from the forest.
482
:I look towards the hill above the
dugout and see a man in a long
483
:purple jacket lined with fur.
484
:His black hair blows in the breeze.
485
:The goatee on his chin has
the look of a devil's fork.
486
:Blue eyes stare at the goat pen.
487
:They aren't the watery blue of Nonas,
but a transparent, almost white blue.
488
:I noticed the man's upper lip quiver
as if it's hard for him to contain
489
:his disgust at the sight below him.
490
:a jeweled sword with a
serpent carved in the hill.
491
:Hangs from his side.
492
:I stare at the weapon.
493
:Could the serpent mean
this man is a marabou?
494
:Mabu are servants of the snake gods.
495
:I don't understand the
whisper, but worshiping a
496
:snake and what a bunch of rot.
497
:No wonder he makes my skin
crawl as if that isn't enough.
498
:Two of the dragons I saw in the
clearing step up beside him.
499
:the soldiers in the goat
pen scrambled to their feet.
500
:Nona purses her lips and plants,
the end of her staff on the ground.
501
:The man in purple looks at her with
amusement as keeper of the queen's jewels.
502
:I think you'd be honored
to give me a goat.
503
:I frown, he's the keeper.
504
:How did a man get that position?
505
:Even the queen wouldn't
expect such a tribute.
506
:Nona retorts.
507
:He sigh well as the queen is dead.
508
:There is no point in arguing.
509
:I register the look of surprise on Nona's
face at the mention of the Queen's death.
510
:The man continues to keep things simple.
511
:I'll pay for a beast.
512
:They're not for sale.
513
:Nona is quick to answer.
514
:everything's for sale.
515
:The man says, with a hint of boredom.
516
:As he walks down the hill, he sees
me and snes fetch the girl a soldier.
517
:Heads my way.
518
:I am about to dash for my staff.
519
:When Fremont jumps from the shadows
of the dugout and pulls his fish
520
:gutting knife out of the corner of
my eye, I see Nona rushing to our
521
:aid, but everything happens too fast.
522
:The soldier Disarms Fremont with
an easy backhand to the face.
523
:Fremont grabs a broom from inside
the dugout door and brings it
524
:down on his assailant's head.
525
:The man roars and charges
Fremont full force in the gut.
526
:The two men crumple against the dugout.
527
:After a moment, the soldier gets
up, but Fremont doesn't move.
528
:His neck appears to be twisted.
529
:Fremont, I yell in horror.
530
:I rush to his side, but a
dragon grabs me around the waist
531
:and lifts me off the ground.
532
:I struggle, but his grip only
tightens like being manhandled.
533
:Do ya.
534
:The dragon sneers in my ear.
535
:I almost wretch at the
smell of routing cabbage.
536
:As if the soldier who rushed Fremont
isn't responsible for what just
537
:happened, he holds out his hands, palm
up and shrugs at the other men Fremont.
538
:I call again to the motionless body.
539
:I try to break free, but stop the moment.
540
:A knife point touches my throat.
541
:Nona stands with her staff
ready, but can't attack.
542
:Three distinct claps come
from the man in purple.
543
:Without moving, I turn
my eyes towards him.
544
:Bravo.
545
:That was quite a performance.
546
:He says, now I want to buy a goat.
547
:He waves a flourish of
jeweled rings towards Nona.
548
:Without a word, she strides to the
garden and grabs a few carrots.
549
:Returning to the pen, she waves
the greens in the air and whistles.
550
:In a moment, the goats
are eating from her hand.
551
:A soldier slips a rope over one
goat's head and leaves it away.
552
:Now let the girl go.
553
:Nona says the man in purple
nods to the dragon holding me.
554
:Drop that dirty creature
and pay the woman.
555
:He says before striding away.
556
:the knife falls from my neck
and I wrench my arms free.
557
:A few shekels are tossed on the ground
as the men stalk back over the hill.
558
:Nona and I rush to Fremont
side with her usual steadiness.
559
:Nona places her fingers to Fremont's neck.
560
:every fiber of my body
waits for her reckoning.
561
:when Nona drops her hand and
bows her head, I can't breathe.
562
:Fremont is dead.
563
:I squeeze my eyes closed and I'm three.
564
:Fremont is carrying me
around on his shoulders.
565
:Then I'm seven and he's
teaching me how to whistle.
566
:At 12, he's letting me
row his fishing skiff.
567
:I groan and what of the nights,
he told me stories about his
568
:adventures beyond the Norwood.
569
:All the time he spent trying to convince
me I would love traveling with Nona.
570
:It's over.
571
:He's gone.
572
:One more person is now
missing from my life.
573
:My breath comes in ragged gasps
as tears stream down my face.
574
:I collapse into Nona's arms
and she rocks me gently.
575
:After some time, Nona
speaks, it's my fault.
576
:Her voice is brittle.
577
:I should have let them have the goats.
578
:I, I thought I could
handle a few soldiers.
579
:I should have known the
dragons would arrive.
580
:There's another long silence.
581
:Brie, look at me.
582
:When I don't move, Nona
turns my face towards her.
583
:Her eyes are red, but determined.
584
:I planned on waiting until you were
18 to begin our trek through Tambor.
585
:But the time has come, we leave tonight.
586
:I'm shocked.
587
:No, please, Nona, I don't want to go.
588
:I sit up and grasp tunic.
589
:I can't leave the Norwood.
590
:I'm not ready.
591
:Nona glances at the thick sole of my
boots sticking out from under my skirt.
592
:She thinks I'm worried about my foot,
but that has nothing to do with it.
593
:It's no longer safe here.
594
:Nona says firmly that man, Lord
Reagan Thorn has discovered the
595
:rich gem pits of the Norwood.
596
:With the queen dead,
there's no one to stop him.
597
:He'll send diggers to ravage the forest.
598
:I try to turn away, but
Nona grabs my shoulders.
599
:listen.
600
:Reagan Thorn is a dangerous man.
601
:We have to leave before
he realizes who I am.
602
:Her hands tighten on my arms.
603
:We've always planned on leaving.
604
:The Queen's death has
just pushed it up a bit.
605
:I'm confused.
606
:What does the Queen's
death have to do with us?
607
:Brie, there's too much
to explain right now.
608
:Let me just say that Reagan Thorn has
been at the Queen's right hand for years.
609
:I suspect with the Queen gone, he'll
put someone on the throne he can
610
:manipulate, giving him even more power.
611
:After our trek, we'll have
the means to stop him.
612
:Nona pauses.
613
:Now I need you to go to Vita's and tell
her what's happened while you're gone.
614
:I'll get things ready.
615
:I look around in disbelief.
616
:Leave the Norwood.
617
:Today, it's too much.
618
:Fremont gone.
619
:And now this, I drop my head,
all business, Nona begins
620
:checking the laces on my boot.
621
:I jerk my foot away not wanting
her to fuss over my foot with
622
:tears blurring my vision.
623
:I retie the laces myself.
624
:Soon as I'm done, Nona pulls
me to my feet and into a hug.
625
:I'm sorry it's happened like this,
but there's nothing I can do.
626
:You must get to Vita's and
back without being seen.
627
:I wouldn't send you a loan if
I wasn't sure you could do it.
628
:Just don't let your guard down.
629
:Do you understand?
630
:Nona holds me at arm's length
and looks me in the face.
631
:Brie, this is it.
632
:Everything we've been preparing
for, I wipe a sleeve across my nose.
633
:I want to object, but
Nona gives me a push.
634
:Hurry.
635
:Now, in a frenzy of anger and
disbelief, I grab my staff from over
636
:the door and rush into the forest.
