I headed for the rear of the house, crossing the empty great room before shouldering out the door into the morning sun. Squinting, I marched toward the blacksmith’s workshop I’d spotted the day before. As I stamped along the narrow gravel path, I scanned the jagged hills beyond the grounds. Already, heat shimmered off the bare stone. Across the grounds, I glimpsed Nyralit near the graveyard. Nodding to myself, I headed the other direction. We’d find this tunnel. We had to.
While I searched the grounds, more Ulstat soldiers arrived at the compound. Squad after squad marched for the barracks. Each footfall and snarl added to my growing fear. I needed to start considering alternatives in case we couldn’t get help from outside. Escape? Abandon my family? Join with the Ulstats in hopes of betraying them later?
From the house, I heard the bell announcing the preparations for the midday meal. Early, as promised. I wanted to keep searching, but whatever my plans, I didn’t want to give our host reasons to act prematurely. As I passed back through the house, I stared at my feet to avoid feeling crushed by the ceilings. Every passing minute added to the urgency coloring my thoughts. If I didn’t have a good answer by nightfall, I’d need to consider drastic options.
Shadows filled my room, despite the midday sun. I lit a couple lamps and paced, awaiting a summons to eat or a delivery of more bland food. After a few minutes, I noticed that the underclothes had been removed from the gaps in the wall. Maybe I’d stuff them back in later just to spite the Ulstat spies.
When a servant entered without knocking, I spun.
“You are instructed to appear in the dining room,” he said.
“What if I’m not hungry?” I said, watching him for a reaction. My hopes for finding allies among the staff were fading, but I shouldn’t give up.
“I only pass the message,” he said with an annoyed shrug.
Following the servant into the hall, I brushed past him and marched to the dining hall. When I pushed the door open, only Raav stood inside. I slipped past the door and let it swing shut behind me. Raav looked confused. Stepping aside, he gestured at the small table which had replaced Trader Ulstat’s previous monstrosity. Four chairs surrounded it, and on the tabletop, four place settings stood ready. Crystal goblets were filled with some sort of juice—or maybe wine.
“What’s this? Where’s Nyralit?”
He pulled back a seat for me. “Not sure. On her way, I assume.” When I sat, he helped me scoot in before squeezing my shoulder affectionately.
As Raav pulled out another chair, footfalls pounded the stone floor outside the room. Moments later, the heavy door swung and thudded against the wall. Plates rattled against the table.
Trader Ulstat stood in the doorway, shadowed by his daughter. Ashhi’s eyes were downcast, and from the puffiness on her face, I guessed she’d been crying. Striding into the room, the trader paid no heed to Raav’s shocked face or to his daughter’s slow shuffle as she followed in his wake.
Raising my eyebrows as if his actions were worth no more than mild interest, I shook out my napkin and draped it across my lap. When Trader Ulstat noticed my response, his cheeks darkened. But after a moment to gather himself, he drew himself up and cast me an insincere smile.
Raav stood from his chair, planted his feet and crossed his arms over his chest. With his back turned, I noticed that his loaned clothing fit much better than mine did. And the fabric was far finer, too. A tailor must have had a chance to alter the garments to Raav's proportions. They did a pleasing job of showing off the wide set of his shoulders and the way his back tapered to a slim waist.
“You may have guessed that I’ve had Nyralit’s meal sent to her room.”
“Actually, I thought you intended to stand through the meal,” Raav responded.
Trader Ulstat bared his teeth then shifted his eyes back and forth between Raav and me. “Once again, I have the chance to see how comfortable you and the young councilor are together. Which is why her presence is required for this discussion.”
“I rather enjoy her company,” Raav said. “Thank you for recognizing that.”
Behind Trader Ulstat, Ashhi’s small mouth twitched downward, the hint of a frown vanishing as quickly as it had come.
“Consorting with her ilk,” Trader Ulstat said, lip curled. “It’s obscene.”
Raav tensed, the muscles in his back like hard knots beneath the thin fabric of his tunic. “I will not allow you to insult her.”
“Why not?” Trader Ulstat asked. “She’s just a gutterborn.”
“Da . . .” Ashhi whispered. “Please don’t. It’s not necessary.”
Trader Ulstat gave his daughter a condescending look before turning back to us. “Ashhi is soft. But I wouldn’t change her. My apologies, Councilor Boket. Shall we dine?”
“I do enjoy potatoes,” Raav said with a sneer.
Trader Ulstat ignored the jibe and pulled out the chair opposite Raav’s. That left Ashhi to sit across from me. Her eyes were fastened to the table in front of her. A creeping sense of dread entered my belly. Had she told her father after all?
Trader Ulstat pulled a bell from his pocket and jiggled it impatiently. When the servant entered, carrying a large platter capped with a silver cloche, Trader Ulstat sneered with false hospitality.
The servant deposited the platter in the middle of the table and lifted the cloche, revealing a leg of venison surrounded by side dishes in individual serving bowls. Hefting a fork and cutting knife, the servant stabbed the leg of meat and sliced off a thick hunk which he slapped down on Raav’s plate. Juices splattered Raav’s loaned tunic.
As if nothing had happened, Raav shook out his napkin and placed it on his lap. Ashhi almost smiled.
When we’d all been served, the servant bowed and retreated from the room. For a few minutes, the only sounds were the clink of silverware against crystal plates and quiet chewing noises. The meat stuck in my throat, forcing me to guzzle the juice to get it down.
“So . . .” Trader Ulstat said. “On to the purpose for our dinner.”
My heart sped as I saw Ashhi tense. Raav’s knee brushed mine beneath the table, but it didn't keep my hands from trembling. Raav had no idea about my assassination attempt, or he'd be just as nervous at seeing Ashhi’s reaction.
“I was wondering whether you planned to get to the point,” Raav said.
Trader Ulstat’s lip twitched. He sat back in his chair and dabbed his mouth. “I think what I have to say will surprise you. It’s about my heir.”
“Mieshk,” Raav said.
I let my fork clatter to my plate. “The one who thinks she’s a god and plans to break the world to prove it?”
Trader Ulstat’s jaw clenched, the only sign that my jab had connected. “As it happens, yes. It’s no secret that madness runs in our family line. Unfortunately, Mieshk appears to have inherited the trait. Don’t think I’m so blind to have missed that.”
“Yet you demanded that she be named sole ruler of Ioene,” Raav said.
The trader shrugged. “As you know, a trader’s strength lies in negotiation. I had no intent of leaving her to control the island.”
“Then we all agree Mieshk is insane and endangers the world with her existence,” I said. “The question is, how do you plan to stop her?”
Trader Ulstat sipped from his goblet before turning his attention to his daughter. When she didn’t look up, he grabbed her by the chin and forced her eyes to meet mine. “It’s been my intent from the beginning to name Ashhi heir as soon as I could prove Mieshk’s inability to rule our House.”
“Your choice of heir is your business,” I said. “You didn’t answer my question. How do you plan to convince your older daughter to relinquish her new domain?”
“Well,” he said, sneering, “I intended to take it from her forcibly, but my resources are severely diminished following events in Istanik. Fortunately, I’m adaptable. I have a proposal for Trader Ovintak.”
Raav looked at him, incredulous. “Me?”
Tra
der Ulstat released Ashhi’s chin and stood. Pulling her chair back, he grabbed her under the armpit and forced her up before shoving her in Raav’s direction. I stared, shocked, while foreboding took hold of my heart.
“Both our Houses have had difficulties lately,” Trader Ulstat said. “However, taking control of Ioene would reverse our fortunes. I agree that Mieshk is unfit for her position. I will work to oust my own daughter . . . Provided I can secure a small agreement from House Ovintak.”
“If you intend to ask me to turn against the Istaniker traders, it won’t happen,” Raav said.
Trader Ulstat raised his eyebrows. “I thought we were talking about Ioene. But if you wish to discuss Istanik and the Trader Council, we can take up the topic at a different time. For now, here’s my proposal: we defeat Mieshk and take control of the island as a joint trading empire. With your guarantee of funds, I’ll have no problem hiring the force I need for the task.”
“Ioene is not a trade good,” I said.
Trader Ulstat cocked his head, glaring at me. “Did you get the impression I was including you in this negotiation?”
Ashhi straightened as if to speak, but a sharp squeeze of her father’s hand on the back of her neck silenced her.
“I’m not interested in seizing Ioene for any particular trading family,” Raav said.
“I think you should be,” Trader Ulstat said. “Because it’s the only way I agree to move against my heir. Moreover, our alliance must be formalized before I can trust you.”
When Ashhi closed her eyes, lower lip trembling, I realized what this all meant. One of Raav’s hands lay on top of the table. Staring Trader Ulstat in the eye, I slid my hand into Raav's grip. He jerked, startled at the contact but quickly wrapped his long fingers around mine.
Trader Ulstat snorted. “Territorial, aren’t we, Councilor Boket? At any rate, you’ll have to give that up. I won’t have my daughter’s betrothed dallying with another woman.”
“What?” Raav said. His whole body tensed.
“Are you really this dense?” Trader Ulstat asked. “Fine. I’ll put it plainly. Before we sail for Ioene, I’ll need you to marry my daughter. She’s young so I won’t expect you—or allow you—to live as man and wife for a few years. But as you know, formal contracts are inviolate in our Islands. Forsake her, and you’ll never marry again. Your fortune will be forfeit to Ashhi.”
“But there’s no longer a Trader Council,” I said, refusing to release Raav’s hand. “And who would enforce a contract made under pressure, anyway?”
“Regarding the Council, I think you’ll find that your little resistance had less effect than you’d hoped. But even disregarding the fate of the Council, many rules of our society were laid down long before the Council was formed. Once we take Ioene, of course, the traders are sure to fall in line behind my authority. The power of our combined Houses will assure it.”
“I won’t be strong-armed into a wedding,” Raav said.
Trader Ulstat removed his hand from his daughter's neck. He shrugged. “Well, it’s your choice. Right now, my House is sadly reduced. I understand that I’ll recover only by taking risks, but I don’t think I can defeat Mieshk alone. You have been to Ioene. I need that knowledge. However, if you won’t agree to my terms, I’ll just have to sit back and watch what happens. You claim we have a cataclysm to look forward to. Fortunately, Araok Island is mountainous, with many hidden clefts where a well-entrenched family might weather such an event.”
“I still won’t—“
Trader Ulstat raised a hand to silence Raav. “I suggest you take your time and consider your answer. But you understand now why you and Councilor Boket cannot be alone. And I believe I’ve been clear about the consequences to Lilik’s brother and father in the event of transgressions.” He turned his attention to me. “You may go.”
My words stolen by the shock of the situation, I could only look back and forth between Ashhi and Raav, imagining them together.
“Was I unclear?” Trader Ulstat asked me. “Leave. Now. I’ll have the remainder of your meal sent to your room.”
He stepped aside and gestured to the door. I sat frozen for a heartbeat before releasing Raav’s hand and standing. Feeling as if a chasm had opened in my chest, I stalked to the door.
I turned and met Raav’s eyes. “He won’t keep us apart,” I said. But in my heart, I wondered if that were really true.
Chapter Ten
I RAN OUT the rear door, sprinted through the grounds, breath rasping through my throat. Near the back wall, the terrain rose high enough to grant a view down into Ilaraok. Afternoon smog hung heavy over the grounds, hazing the view. Beyond, a layer of brown smoke hung over the harbor. Anchored ships were shadows in the gloom.
Rocks cluttered the ground to either side of the path. I picked one up and hurled it toward the wall. The stone cracked against masonry and clattered to the ground. Standing there, my body vibrating with anger, I wanted to scream. Raav and Ashhi . . . Of course he wouldn’t want to marry her. But if we failed to escape, what choice would he have? If he agreed, he could demand my family’s freedom. Ioene might fall under the control of House Ulstat, but that was better than a complete destruction of the Kiriilt Islands.
For the first time in many days, I wrapped my hand around Paono’s sea-opal pendant. With everything that had happened, it’d been easy to forget that my best friend was alone, fighting for all the Islanders. How could I possibly trade his life for a chance at my future happiness with Raav?
I grabbed another rock and clutched it tight in my fist. Ahead, a pair of patrolling guards marched alongside the wall. With Tyrak’s help, I might win against the two of them. Surprise them by throwing the rock, leap from a hiding spot, kill one of them before he got his weapon free.
But what good would that do? I might be able to climb the wall, but the guards in the towers would probably see me.
I uncurled my fingers and let the stone drop. From where I stood a couple flagstone paths wandered off into the tangled thicket in this part of the grounds. I ducked onto one and headed for the graveyard. From down in the city, the clang of ore crushers joined the weak strains of birdsong in the dead trees overhead.
Near the cemetery, not even the faint twittering of birds penetrated the air—maybe they felt the presence of the Ulstat nightstrands, too. When I reached the hedge, I turned for the dark-iron arch at the graveyard’s entrance.
As I approached the gate, movement from inside the yard caught my eye. Heart thudding with sudden hope, I dropped to a crouch and peered through the tangle of dead sticks.
My breath caught. A stranger was kneeling before Leesa Ulstat’s grave. Head bowed and facing away from me, the woman laid a spray of little blue flowers before the headstone. Who could it be? Not Ashhi—even kneeling, I could tell the person was too tall to be the Ulstat girl. A servant then?
I dug fingertips into the dry ground. Like it or not, I was running out of time for caution. Maybe—as I’d hoped—this woman had left the flowers as a sign.
As I rose, the woman turned from the gravestone. I gasped.
The tongueless healer pulled the hood of her cloak over her hair, hunching as she slipped toward the archway. I dashed forward, feet crunching over gravel.
She let out a strangled cry when I jumped in front of her. I pressed my finger to my lips.
“I won’t betray you. I promise,” I said.
The woman’s eyes were white rimmed with fear. She sidestepped to get around me. Guilt pressed heavy on me, stealing my breath. She’d clearly suffered enough. But the fate of the Islands depended on this.
“Please,” I said. “I’ve been hoping you left the flowers as a signal. The Silent Queen. There was a tunnel . . .”
Her eyes darted left and right. She was visibly shaking.
I clasped my hands before my chest, begging her. “I wouldn’t ask for help if there was any other choice. Mieshk Ulstat is gathering power that will doom the Kiriilt Islands. If we don’t stop her, e
veryone here will die.”
She pressed her lips together, swallowed, but stopped trying to get around me.
“The passage,” I whispered. “Do you know where it is?”
She nodded. Hope sang in my chest.
“Can you take me there?”
The woman shrugged then looked at the afternoon sun. Right. She wouldn’t want to guide me there under full daylight.
“After dark?”
She shook her head.
“Midnight?”
Her nod was furtive, but she would help. The woman brushed gravel from the front of her skirt as she stepped around me. I stood frozen for a moment before quick-stepping to catch up with her. I needed to ask one more thing. If this passage turned out to lead nowhere, or if the woman wasn’t able to meet me, maybe I could still get word to Istanik.
“There’s a boy,” I said, forgetting to whisper. “He goes by Geren or Skink. Skinny little rat, probably lurking near the compound. Tell him to send word to Istanik. He can’t read, but he can carry a note.”
The woman shook her head and pointed at her missing tongue.
“I know,” I said. “But you must know someone who can write. You must have some way of communicating. It won’t put you in any danger, not if you’re careful. Please—”
My words caught in my throat when the shadow fell across our path.
“You are determined to get your family killed, aren’t you?” Ashhi asked as she stood in front of us.
The healer squawked, grabbing for her hood in a vain attempt to hide her face. Ashhi stepped in front of her and grabbed the woman by the shoulders, forcing eye contact. I cringed, my hand slipping into my jacket in search of Tyrak’s hilt. This was my fault, and I couldn’t let the healer take the punishment. Even if it meant silencing Ashhi.
The girl rolled her eyes. “So quick with a knife, Lilik.” She turned her attention back to the healer. “I’m not my father. I won’t hurt you. But I suggest you leave. Visit family and don’t return to the servants' lodgings until our guests are gone. Councilor Boket will get you in trouble otherwise.”
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