by Imogen Elvis
“Sneaky.” Kade grabbed a double handful of snow, a wicked grin on his face. “I’ll get you for that.”
Briar shrieked and fled, laughing as she ran. Not fast enough though. Kade’s long legs caught her in moments. He grabbed her shoulder, spinning her round. Briar’s feet slipped out from underneath her, and she fell onto her back. Her arms flew up to protect her face.
“Mercy,” she gasped.
Kade laughed. It was an unexpectedly warming sound that drew another smile from Briar. “Hey, Rowen.”
“Yes?” Rowen turned away from Lara, who was swiping loose snow from her hair, cursing him the whole time.
Kade chucked the ball of snow at Rowen, who attempted to dodge it, slipped, and fell backwards, arms and legs flailing all the way. He pitched over into a patch of deeper snow and lay still, spread-eagled on the ground. After a moment, he heaved himself up on his elbows, pouting like a child. “I hate you. You’re all teaming up on me.”
“Ever wondered why?” Lara casually rubbed a fistful of snow into his hair.
Rowen grabbed Lara’s leg and pulled her down into the snowbank with him, shrieking all the way. He grinned. “Probably because I’m so much better than you. It takes all three of you to compete.”
“In your dreams.” Lara leapt to her feet and fled, showering Rowen with more snow.
Kade brushed his hands off and helped Briar to her feet. “You alright?”
“I never knew snow was so much fun.” Briar grinned, and Kade smiled back, the expression making him suddenly seem younger without the lines of worry that so often creased his face. It was a good look. She felt suddenly shy, ducking away from his gaze.
“Kade,” Lara called. “Come here, quick.”
At the urgency in Lara’s voice, the smile dropped from Kade’s face. He and Briar hurried over to where Lara stood at the edge of the plateau, pointing down. A long, long way below them, a road wound along the base of the mountain, little more than a thin ribbon from this height. And on that road, Briar could just make out the shapes of travellers, strung out in a line like ants. Briar’s heart sank. The trail was too far below for her to be able to tell who the people were, but the sick feeling in her stomach feared they might be Nameless Ones.
“We need to go,” Kade murmured.
He heaved his pack onto his shoulder and strode across the snowy plateau, back onto the track. Lara, Rowen and Briar fell into step behind him, walking in single file, all trace of their snow-fighting mood gone. Briar glanced back, though she couldn’t see the road anymore. Even if those weren’t the Nameless Ones, they couldn’t be far behind. There simply wasn’t time to get distracted now. Not when so many people were counting on them.
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
As they pressed on, their route finally flattened out as they trekked across the side of the mountain on a narrow trail that clung precariously to the rock face. It seemed that perhaps they’d finally climbed as high as they needed to. During the afternoon, however, the trail dropped steeply. Loose stones covered the ground, rolling out from underfoot with every step. Briar clung to the sheer rock face beside her with both hands, her boots slipping and skidding on the shifting surface. Her stomach lurched every time an unwary step took her closer to the edge. One wrong move could send any of them hurtling over.
Far below, if she dared to peep over the edge of the precipice, which she didn’t often, the road was just visible, growing steadily larger as they made their way precariously down the side of the mountain.
“Are you sure this is the fastest way?” Briar asked when they stopped for a break partway through the afternoon.
“Absolutely.” Kade shook out the map and pointed to a short, squiggly line. “This is our trail here. See how it goes pretty much straight across? Well, this is the road we would have taken otherwise.” He pointed to a much longer line that curved all over the place. “It would have taken far longer to go that way.”
That might be true, but Briar was willing to bet that the other path would also have been far easier. The track they took was so steep and so gruelling. Her whole body hurt with the effort it took not the fall all the way to the bottom. Hopefully, Kade was right, and all this effort was worth it. It certainly didn’t feel that way at the moment. Especially not when negotiating a slippery scree that threatened to send her tumbling all the way down to the foot of the mountain.
Another cold night spent in the mountains amid the fierce wind. Another morning of creeping carefully down the track in complete silence as they concentrated on not losing their footing. Briar’s companions didn’t volunteer any conversation, and her thoughts spun too quickly to leave any space for talking. The further they went, the more she worried that maybe she was wrong and the Crystal Tree wouldn’t help them at all.
About halfway through the day, the steep little path dropped down one final time and met up with the main road again. Briar skipped down the last few steps and came to a stop at the bottom of their little goat track. Compared to the route they’d taken for the past few days, this road was so flat and smooth. There was no scree of gravel, no sheer drops, no drifts of unexpected snow. However, it was also so open. Briar checked over her shoulder every few steps, her eyes searching for any sign of blue uniforms, or worse, flowing black robes.
“Are you alright?” Kade dropped back to walk by Briar’s side. “You look nervous.”
“I’m fine. Just keeping a wary eye out. We do seem to attract trouble.” Briar tried to keep her voice light. Kade looked so much older since they’d been captured by Master Sachio. He looked exhausted, his eyes dark and hollow, like two burnt holes. “How are you?” she asked in return.
“Me? Oh, I’m alright.”
So they were both alright. But not really. The tense lines of Kade’s face suggested that his thread of thought was as dark and troubled as hers. Briar took a deep breath and fixed her eyes on the horizon. Step one was getting to Demaeus. If they could find the order house there, maybe the magicians would help them reach the Tree. At least, she hoped so. Not that hope was doing a lot for them at the moment.
“Look,” Kade pointed. “That must be Demaeus. We’re getting close.”
A little town nestled in the rocky landscape ahead of them. The massive mountains dwarfed it, but it wasn’t that far away now. The curves of the road had hidden until they were quite close. At this rate, they should easily reach it before evening. The knot in Briar’s chest relaxed a little. Finally, some good news.
“What’s our plan?” Lara asked.
Briar looked to Kade, only to find him watching her. Her face flushed as she realised everyone was waiting for her to explain the plan she didn’t have. Kade was the one who led them. Not her. Briar took a deep breath and willed the right words to come to her so she wouldn’t sound as uncertain as she felt. “We need to find the order house first. It should guard the path to the Tree.”
“You think the magicians will help us?” Lara asked.
Briar shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I hope so. But even if they don’t, the house is near the foot of the path. We should be able to find it ourselves in a pinch. Besides, if a magician asks the way to the order house, that’s a little less suspicious than asking for directions to the Crystal Tree.”
“You don’t know exactly where it is? Rowen frowned.
“I’m just a novice.” Briar waved her hands helplessly. “Only the councillors ever actually visit the Tree. I don’t know exactly where we’re going. But I do know that finding the order house is the best place to start.”
There was a long silence after that. Briar fixed her eyes on the road. What did they expect? She was only a novice. She wasn’t supposed to know about the catchers, or the Crystal Tree. They couldn’t blame her for not knowing what no one ever told her. So why did the bitter taste of guilt flood her mouth?
“I’ll take Briar into Demaeus,” Kade said at last. “We’ll ask for directions there and meet you two on the outskirts of town afterwards. It
’s better if we don’t all go in together.”
At once, Rowen shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. People will be looking for you, Kade. Briar at least has to go, but you don’t. I’ll take her.”
“But-” Kade began.
“Not this time Kade,” Lara said. “She’ll be perfectly safe with Rowen.”
“I should be the one to go.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” Lara laid a hand on his arm. “It’s alright, Kade. You don’t have to do everything yourself. This is why we’re here.”
Kade raked his fingers through his hair. “Fine. Rowen, you take Briar into Demaeus. Lara and I will wait for you outside the town. Don’t take any risks. If anything feels wrong, anything at all, leave at once. Understand?”
“I can handle this,” Rowen said. “Briar and I’ll be back before you know it, right Briar?”
She nodded, tight-lipped. Of course. Nothing to worry about. This was probably the least difficult part of this whole journey. But still, her stomach churned at the thought of going down there, knowing that they were still being hunted. If they were caught now, when they were so close to the Tree, it would be devastating. Despite her worry though, she managed a brave face as she and Rowen waved goodbye to Kade and Lara, who settled down among the rocks to wait. She could do this. She had to.
Demaeus was more of a village than a town really. The squat little houses, scattered amid the rocks, snuggled into the rugged terrain as if they had grown there. Briar skipped across the ruts in the road, sticking close to Rowen as they strode into the village centre. It felt like everyone was staring at them. An old woman, her face lined by the harsh winters of the north, watched them from her doorway. Several children peeped round the side of a house, blinking shyly at Briar and Rowen as they passed. Briar kept her eyes forward and tried not to flinch away from their stares. It was unlikely that anyone knew or cared who she was, but their gazes still made her stomach twist with nerves.
As Briar and Rowen made their way further into Demaeus, they passed the open front of a blacksmith’s forge. Smoke belched from the chimney, and the fire inside snapped and roared. The blacksmith himself stood just inside, his soot-streaked face glistening from the heat of the forge, talking companionably to a soldier, who lounged against the door post. They didn’t break their conversation as Briar and Rowen carried on past, but Briar could feel the soldier’s eyes following them, and her skin crawled. Had the news made its way out here yet?
“Where’s the inn in this place?” Rowen muttered. “I’ll bet the innkeeper could help us with directions.”
True. Innkeepers knew everything, if you could persuade them to share. Some talked like leaky kettles, while others were tight-lipped and immovable. Briar was just going to have to be as persuasive as she knew how. And without magic if possible. She wasn’t Master Sachio. She could do this without forcing people to do what she wanted all the time.
A sign on a building nearby caught Briar’s eye. She pointed. “There.”
The inn was a double story stone building, small and tidy. A wooden sign hung above the door, emblazoned with the image of a white tree, probably representing the Crystal Tree itself. The sight warmed Briar’s heart. Hopefully, that was a good sign for them. Rowen held the door open for her as they entered the inn.
The main room was dim, though the wooden shutters on the windows were thrown open and the sun shone brightly outside. It was warm in here too. The fireplace on the back wall glowed, filling the room with pine scented heat. It might be spring, and the sun might be shining brightly, but spring weather here was a very different beast to back home.
For the most part, the inn was empty, though at this time of day that wasn’t surprising. Most travellers would still be on the road between towns, and the villagers would work until dusk when they’d come in for a drink, and maybe a meal. Only a couple of old men lounged at a table in the corner, mugs cradled in their hands. They talked quietly, seeming content to bask in the warmth of the fire and good company.
Towards the back of the room, a stout older woman wiped down one of the tables with quick, efficient swipes of her cloth. She looked up as Rowen and Briar entered. “Can I help you?” she asked briskly.
Briar licked her lips and forced a smile. “I hope so. I’m looking for the order house?”
“What for?” The woman gave the table one last swipe and flipped the cloth over her shoulder, turning to face them with folded arms that showed off sinewy muscles.
“I’ve been transferred.” Briar tapped the battered medallion on her chest, bringing the innkeeper’s eyes to it. Could she hear the lie in Briar’s voice?
“From where?”
“Osman.”
“Strange they didn’t tell you how to get there.” The innkeeper’s gaze never wavered.
Briar forced a shaky laugh. “I know. I suppose they thought my guide would be able to take me there, but he’s useless.” She glanced at Rowen, apologising silently. His eyes flicked to her, half offended, half amused.
The innkeeper nodded, and her stern face softened a little around the eyes. “You’re telling me. Half the guides who come through here don’t know any place north of Granton.” She snorted. “Couldn’t find their butts with a map.”
“That sounds like mine.” Briar fidgeted with her medallion. “It’s pure luck we made it this far. Honestly, I just want this journey to be over.” That at least was the truth.
“Well, I can help with that.” The woman traced a line on the tabletop with her finger. Briar stepped closer, following her movements. “This is the main road, right? Follow that through town and out the other side. Bridge here.” Another line. “Cross that. There’s a side track just beyond the bridge. Easy to miss, so watch for it. That’ll lead you straight to the order house.” She tapped on the table with her forefinger.
Briar’s smile came a little easier. “Thank you. You’ve been so helpful” One step closer. She glanced at Rowen, who jerked his head slightly towards the door. “We should keep moving. He’s cost me more than enough time as it is.”
“I get that.” The innkeeper turned sharp eyes on Rowen now. “If he gives you any more trouble, you let me know. I’ll sort him for you.”
“I’ll remember that.” Briar edged towards the door. “You’ve been so kind. Thank you.” And she had. For all her tough demeanour, her genuinely kind soul shone out in her gruff words.
“Good luck.” The woman watched Briar and Rowen until the door swung shut.
“Incompetent guide? That was the best you could come up with?” Rowen muttered as they set off back through the town.
“Count yourself lucky.” Briar blinked in the bright sunshine, all the more dazzling after the dimness of the inn. “Last time I had to make something up in a hurry, Kade ended up as my cousin. Anyway, if the innkeeper’s right, we could be at the order house before evening.” If they were lucky, which was never guaranteed. Still, it was possible at least.
“Do you think the magicians will help us?”
Briar bit her lip. “I don’t really know. I mean, I’d hope so, but we’re up against Master Sachio. Somehow, I think they’d believe a member of the song council over a no-name novice any day.” She shrugged. “I don’t know what to expect, only that we should be careful.”
“It’d probably be a good idea if they didn’t know about Kade anyway-” Rowen broke off as the soldier who’d been talking to the blacksmith earlier, now stepped into their path, a hand raised in greeting. He didn’t seem particularly hurried, but his appearance still made Briar’s heart skip a beat.
“Hello there.”
Briar gave the man a tentative smile. “Hello.”
“You two come up from the south?”
“That’s right.” Briar fiddled with the end of her braid. Did she sound nervous?
“Did you see anyone on the road on your way?” The soldier’s casual tone wasn’t fooling anyone. He was probing for something.
“Not really,” Briar said. That at least
was the truth. “Why?”
The soldier ignored her question, asking instead, “What’s your business in Demaeus?” The pleasant smile stayed fixed to his face. To anyone watching, the soldier would look like he was just having a friendly conversation with a couple of passing travellers. But there was an undercurrent of tension in his words that made Briar’s fingers reach nervously for her medallion.
Briar tried hard not to glance at Rowen. After all, she was supposed to be the one in charge here, according to their story. ”I’m going to the order house.” Again, she tapped the medallion on her chest, as if that could add a layer of truth to her words. “This is my guide.” The lie was slick off the tongue but sour in her mouth.
“Really?” The soldier raised his eyebrows. “Then maybe you should know that no one’s seen or heard from the order house in weeks.”
“I didn’t know that.” Briar folded her hands together inside her sleeves to hide a sudden tremble. This didn’t sound good. “What happened?”
The soldier shrugged, but his gaze slipped away from hers. “I don’t know,” he said at last. “We don’t tend to bother them much.”
That didn’t bode well. The magicians had gone silent, and no one had bothered to investigate? Briar pressed her lips together and tried to calm the flutter of worry in her chest. “I really need to get there then.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t already know.”
“I’ve been on the road for weeks. I haven’t had a chance to hear anything.” Nervousness added a sharper edge to Briar’s words than she intended.
“Well, good luck. I hope for your sake that your people there have just decided to keep to themselves for a bit.” The soldier glanced down the road to the south, and Briar wondered if maybe they would be free to go. But then he turned back and asked, “Are you sure you didn’t see anyone on the road?”
