Worse, no one knew where the second golem went, and everyone feared it would return. There was a curfew now and patrols everywhere. Long parchments with names scrawled in a list were posted at every crossroad and square. Lists of names of the dead. More were added every day as their names were discovered.
They didn’t bury their dead here, or even use funeral pyres. They stored them in big caves. When Bataar told me that, I barely slept the whole night afterward. I still got the creeps just thinking about it.
“It’s just strange that no one has mentioned him,” Bataar said. “With half the nobility dead and the city gripped with fear, you’d think that someone would have noticed a foreign Magika at the heart of it all.”
“Does Ko’Torenth have Magikas?” I looked up from the food I was stuffing into a pouch.
“The Order of the Oaks. They used to be very powerful, but rumor has it that they are losing their magic.”
“I’m going to look there for the Dragon Riders,” I had said.
That had been yesterday.
After a day spent freezing in the cold, I hadn’t managed to find anything out about Shabren or the Order. I sat all day in front of one house with Oaken leaves or another, juggling and doing tricks for coins and watching, watching, watching. No one going in or out looked suspicious. No one came in through the windows but only the doors. And there was no sign of Shabren’s hulking form anywhere.
Discouraged and bone-cold, I returned to our hideout to find Bataar just as gloomy, sitting in front of the fire.
“Anything?” I mumbled, as I levered the top off a small barrel. It was packed with dried and salted meat. Maybe I could make a soup or something.
Bataar shoved half a loaf of bread in my hands. “I bought food. We can’t eat only meat.”
Meat was fine. “I meant, did you find anything?”
“I heard an interesting piece of news,” he said, a brooding look in his eyes. “With so many nobles dead, the ones still living are looking to Apeq A’kona for leadership. He’ll be giving a public speech on the uppermost level tomorrow.”
I felt a chill go through me. If Apeq had loosed those golems, then perhaps he had done it for just this reason – to seize full control of the city.
“Delegates from the other cities of Ko’Torenth will be attending,” Bataar said.
“Any sign of the girls?”
He shook his head. “But something is happening in that Jadefire House of Marvels. I’ve seen that butler of Apeq’s bringing people in secretly through the back door. There’s something odd about them.”
“Let me guess. They have silver swirls in their eyes.” The bread really was good. It went well with the salted meat.
Bataar’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”
“Just a hunch. They are the same people who were hunting you, aren’t they? Because of those Ko.”
Bataar hunched low. “If Apeq A’Kona seizes control of Ko’Torenth, then maybe they won’t be hunting me anymore.”
“Or maybe it will only make them want you more, Bataar.” He was a fool. He couldn’t run away from those marks and every time he tried, he just ran into more trouble.
Then you are a fool, too. You also have the marks.
Well, I wasn’t running from them. I just didn’t care.
Maybe you should use them.
To do what?
To challenge Apeq.
I almost spat my bread out in my surprise. My dragon wanted me – a street boy turned Dragon Rider – to try to seize the power over another nation? Ha! She could think again. I was going to rescue the girls and those Dragon Riders and then I was going to fly south and find Hubric and that would be the end of it. The spying life was a bad fit for me. Anyone could see that.
“One of us should go listen to his speech tomorrow,” Bataar said looking at me significantly.
“And one of us should sneak into his Jadefire House of Marvels while he is making it and rescue Zin,” I said, adding my own significant look to the conversation.
I was done eating and there was finally time to do something I’d been waiting for. Carefully, I pulled out the burlap bag of items we’d taken from the warehouse at the Bright Redemption, laying them out along the ground in a row. I took the little book I’d borrowed from Apeq and began to flip through it, looking to see if any items matched while Bataar babbled in the background.
“A delegation of Kav’ai have arrived in the city – Oosquer riders. At least a dozen.”
“Mmmm hmm.” I scanned the pages as quickly as I could, checking each item as I went. That bracelet with two separate bands and tiny chains connecting them, that looked a bit like the picture, but it was missing the engraved wings along the bracelet. No match. What had it been for? Some sort of speed enhancement. That would be fun.
I kept scanning.
“And if they see me, they will know it is me.” Bataar was still babbling, a mile a minute. I was only picking out the highlights as I scanned the book.
What about this strange clasp? You could put it on a cloak or a belt. It was shaped like a mountain. It was in the pile! I picked it up, turning it around in my hands. It was supposed to make eyes slip over you, not quite seeing what was there. That was my kind of magical item!
“And with the oosquer there, they will be a sight to see!”
“What do oosquer look like?” I asked idly.
There was a flap of wings as Saboraak returned from checking on the other dragons. She settled in her area and began to drink the water I’d put out for her.
“... the size of a dragon, but pale and with skittish movements. Their skin hangs from them like leather bags and their feet are heavy and they have no tails. We cover them in heavy saddles and hanging cloths to keep the sun off their skin, so you barely see anything of an oosquer beyond the eyes and snout.”
I looked up at that. “So, you could easily disguise a dragon as one. You would just cover them in cloths and a heavy saddle, right?”
“And chains. They are decorated with heavy chains.”
Sounds terribly frumpy. I hope you don’t plan on decorating me that way.
I stood up, a sudden idea bringing a smile to my face. “Bataar, you’re a genius! You, too, Saboraak!”
The skeptical looks they both threw my way only made me grin wider.
“I know exactly what we’re going to do!”
Chapter Thirteen
I WAS THE ONLY ONE not complaining.
I did not sign up to let other people ride me!
Saboraak had been protesting for the last hour and she’d complained whenever I woke up in the night, too.
It wasn’t the first time she’d let other people ride her.
Always with you, too. You are my human, not Bataar.
But she’d saved him when he was hanging from the railing.
You’re throwing my compassion in my face!
Ha! Well, that was what she got for being so compassionate all the time.
She flamed irritably against the cave wall, leaving the rock black and singed. Bataar leapt back from where he was fussing with her cloth coverings.
“She’s not going to do that again, is she?”
“You’ll be fine,” I assured him. “You have the mountain thing?”
Bataar fiddled with the clasp that was holding his cloak in place. The cloak was a dark grey and strapped oddly around him with wide belts and smaller leather straps in the way of his people. The scarf wound around his face ought to have been enough protection, but the carved mountain clasp that made eyes slide over you was added protection.
“I don’t believe that it’s going to help, Tor. That book can’t be trusted. It belonged to Apeq.”
I would have liked to keep it for myself. In my eyes, my mission was more dangerous, but Bataar was a ball of nerves and he needed all the help he could get. Besides, I hated putting Saboraak in danger.
I would rather go with you.
But she wouldn’t squeeze through the door of the Jad
efire House of Marvels. I needed to get in and out of there unseen.
I could burn it down.
Yes, let’s set the whole city on fire. That would be helpful.
Do you think so?
It’s called sarcasm, Saboraak. You should give it a try.
I might. It sounds like fun.
“Just remember the plan,” I told him. “You and Saboraak will join the Kav’ai delegation as they arrive. You’ll blend right in. Hopefully, with the disguises and the pin, they’ll never even notice you. You’ll listen to his speech, watch for Shabren, collect information, and try to make contact with the Kav’ai. We could use any allies we can find. Meanwhile, I’ll be rescuing Zin and seeing if I can find out what’s happening over at that House of Marvels. Easy Peasy, Bacon Greasy.”
“Tell me that isn’t something your people say.” Bataar rolled his eyes at me.
I scowled. “Just do your job and I’ll do mine and remember, Saboraak is not a toy or a pet. She’s a valuable member of our team. Bring her back safely.”
He rolled his eyes again. “I know, Tor.”
I’m not a child, Tor. I can handle myself, Saboraak chimed in.
No one appreciated my concern. Fine. Then I wouldn’t bother being concerned.
Oh, I love your concern.
You have a funny way of showing it.
You’re right. Sarcasm is lots of fun.
I cleared my throat irritably and made my voice stern. I didn’t dare let these two get out of hand. They needed me to remind them of common sense.
“Just don’t die. Get out of there safe and with what we need. Understood?”
Bataar’s face became serious. “Same to you, Tor.”
We clasped hands reluctantly, neither of us wanting to be seen wishing the other one well.
You’re worse than females battling over the same male. I don’t know what it is with you two.
And Saboraak had better take care of herself or I’d ... I’d
You’d what?
I’d swear off dragons for good!
Her mental laughter echoed in my mind as Bataar found his place in her saddle and they snuck out the crevice in the rock.
I sighed, checked my pockets one last time – I wasn’t leaving the hideout this time without all the basics and a good handful of gold – and then shook myself and straightened my shoulders.
I’d spent a little time reading those scrawled prophecies of Savette’s last night from the little book that Hubric gave me. One of them kept ringing in my ears and if I didn’t figure it out, it was going to drive me mad.
Toss the dice, and hear them roll,
Depths and shadows take their toll,
And under deception lies a sting,
A bell which rung can not unring,
A mist of power growing strong,
And arm that will stretch wide and long,
And swallow up the hope just bought,
Cloud the dawn of light we wrought,
And sink peace in her grave.
Unless you gamble brave.
And taste midnight on your tongue,
Feel the rush and fly the run,
And sound the warning cry.
It was all nonsense of course. Just scribbles. But why did they haunt my dreams and echo in my brain as if they had something to do with me?
Chapter Fourteen
THE JADEFIRE HOUSE of Marvels was quiet. I had already surreptitiously tried the front door – which was locked – and now I was watching from the side of the boardwalk where I had set up my juggling act. No one looked at street performers – not really. If they felt like leaving a coin, they didn’t want to look in case they felt bad that they weren’t leaving enough. If they didn’t leave a coin, then they felt shame. Either way, begging and street performing were two great ways to suddenly turn invisible.
Vern Redgers was not invisible. He stood by the service door on the lower level of the House of Marvels like a too-old, too-weak guard. But people didn’t guard things unless they thought they could defend them. And it worried me that I could see that swirl of silver in his eyes even from here.
It worried me even more that when he thought no one was looking, he twisted a heavy metal rod in his hand – about as long as his arm and as thick as his thumb. It looked like silver light swirled around the rod, too.
There was something about those swirls. They were connected somehow. Interesting. Everyone we had met so far with those swirls in their eyes had items with trapped magic inside them – the men at the house in the mountains, Apeq and his marvels, the Bright Redemption. Was there a connection there?
We’ve joined the Kav’ai delegation.
Saboraak sounded nervous through our connection. Hopefully, she’d be okay. She was smart, but Bataar could be unpredictable.
So far, our clasp is working. They hardly notice we are here. Their eyes glaze over when they look at me.
She was actually passing for an oosquer. I had worried about that, even after she changed color to a dull grey and streamlined her shape to the most boring one available, even stunting the size of her wings and tucking them in tight. A dragon was a dragon no matter how many blankets you threw over her back.
I’m glad you think so. I would hate to be mistaken for one of these. They smell terrible!
Just keep your eyes peeled, Saboraak. We need to know what is going on up there and if there is anyone from Kav’ai that we can trust.
I will not fail you.
I grunted. I hoped I could say the same thing to her. If I was going to get into the Jadefire House of Marvels, I was going to need to distract Redgers. And how would I do that when the man cared about nothing except for guarding his master’s possessions?
I grinned as the answer came to me.
People who were single-minded were easy to trick. I still had that book of his master’s. The one that showed magical items. I’d probably regret this, but I’d deal with that when I came to it.
A man in craftsman’s attire walked by close to where I was. He would be passing Redgers in a moment. I stumbled, dropping a ball and crashing into him.
“Watch it!”
“My apologies,” I muttered.
Perfect. He passed me, and my gaze followed him, doublechecking that I’d planted the book in his boot top correctly. It was a little too obvious but it would do. He was still shaking out his cloak and muttering when he passed Redgers’ eagle eyes.
“Is that your book, sir?” Redgers demanded, turning his back to the door.
That was my cue. I leapt up, abandoning my juggling balls and the wooden bowl of coins and sprinting toward the door.
“It’s in my boot, isn’t it?” The man sounded uncertain but irritated. I knew the type. He’d never admit that book wasn’t his. Perfect. Ko’Torenth lying was going to extend the distraction.
“It’s in my master’s handwriting,” Redgers said, his voice so loud now that the whole boardwalk could hear him.
I slipped in behind his turned back, eased the door open and shut it gently behind me. I was going to miss that book later. But for now, it had served its purpose.
Onward!
Are you in the House of Marvels yet? Saboraak’s anxiety was increasing.
What’s wrong?
The people here smell of fear and violence. I do not like this gathering.
Was it a mob?
On the outside, they are dressed in the finest white of mourning. On the inside, they breathe fire and blood.
Just keep it together for the speech. Do any of the Kav’ai look promising?
Bataar keeps looking at an older man as if he knows him.
That could be good or bad. But I couldn’t afford to wait and find out. I needed to get moving before Redgers or someone else caught me.
The light was dim in the House of Marvels and my heart pounded as lantern light threw strange shadows on the walls. As I passed a tall vase filled with carved spears, I snatched one up. Better to be armed than not armed.
/> A tingle shot up my arm the moment I touched the spear. Was this thing magical, too? It seemed to vibrate in my hand. And I just gave away the book that probably had the answer to that in it. Smooth move, Tor.
I started for the rooms tucked down below. Perhaps Zin would be in her room. She was the kind of girl who kept to herself.
Surprisingly, there were no servants in the halls, but I heard the sound of a door closing above. Was Redgers back inside? Would I turn a corner to find him looking at me with those swirling eyes? I shivered.
Every mask and vase cast a shadow and I peered at every shadow with a pounding pulse. A creeping sensation started in the soles of my feet and slowly worked its way upward until my whole body was gooseflesh – nervous, anticipating, jumping at every shadow.
Skies and Stars! If a magician had a house, this would be the one. I could imagine looking in a mirror here and turning around to find myself in a new world or putting on one of those masks only to find I could never take it off.
Here was Bataar’s old room. Empty, of course. The bed was made and pushed to the side. Come to think of it, I didn’t know where Zyla and Zin might have their rooms. I hadn’t seen them in the brief time I’d been here. Time to explore. I turned down a winding corridor. There was a squeak behind me and I spun, spear held out like I thought I would actually use it.
Zin threw her hands over her mouth, her eyes big. I sagged in relief. I’d found her. Good.
There was a creak in the floor behind me.
“Now how did you get in here, little mouse?”
Redgers wasn’t guarding the door anymore. He was right behind me.
Chapter Fifteen
I FROZE.
Apeq is starting his speech. Zyla is with him, but she has a strange look in her eye.
“Redgers,” I said casually, while I tried to tell Zin to run with just my eyes.
“Don’t turn around,” Redgers said. “Don’t even twitch.”
Dragon Chameleon: Episodes 1-4 Page 26
