by Brondos, Pam
Andris shook his head. “I’m fine.” He placed a hand on the step behind him and pushed himself into a standing position.
“Annin, do you have any bandages?” Nat asked, ignoring his refusal of help. A small pouch flew through the air toward her face. She grabbed it and untied the thick leather string that secured it.
“Use the ointment on the wound, then give it back,” Annin said. Her fingers flew over Emilia’s legs, checking her gashes and bruises, while Soris worked to break the manacle encircling her ankle.
“Pull down your leggings,” Nat ordered Andris.
“What?”
“Do you want me to push dirt and fibers into the wound? Pull them down. When did you turn into such a prude?” she asked as he reluctantly lowered the leggings past his hip. Soris chuckled behind her. She wrapped a layer of clean bandage around her finger and dipped it into the ointment. Andris winced when she spread the thick substance over the deep gash running straight down his hip. She tossed the ointment to Annin.
“You done yet?” he asked as she pressed the bandage against the gouge and secured it under the tight wrapping.
“You can thank me later.” She yanked up his leggings, enjoying the grimace on his face.
The thick metal manacle clanked onto the floor. Soris lifted Emilia into his arms.
“I don’t know what the Chemist did to her,” Annin said. She prodded a series of punctures on her exposed leg.
Emilia’s eyes flew open and she leapt out of Soris’ arms. She kicked Annin, who fell backward onto Soris, then took off down the passageway. Nat hurtled over them, chasing after the queen.
Nat’s orb zipped past her down the rocky passage, bobbing beneath splintered wooden support beams and jutting rocks until it caught Emilia. It circled her head at blinding speed, creating a halo of light around her eyes. Emilia came to a crashing halt and crumpled to the floor, covering her eyes with her hands.
“Make it stop,” she cried over and over. The orb slowed its spin until it simply hovered over Emilia’s jet-black hair. Nat lurched to a halt. Dirt puffed into the air around her boots. She crouched near the queen. Emilia’s breath came sharp and ragged through her sobs.
“Emilia?”
She lifted her face from her hands. Dirt streaked her hollow cheeks. Nat struggled to find any words to calm the woman.
“Sister?” She looked from the orb to Nat. Her eyes were full of confusion. “Where am I?”
“You’re with friends,” Nat responded, inching closer. Footfalls sounded behind her, and Emilia pressed her body against the sharp rock wall. “Stay back!” Nat called out. The footfalls ceased. “We’re here to help you, to take you to your brother, Estos.”
At the name of her brother, Emilia’s body started to spasm. Her fingers clawed at the ground and she scrambled to her hands and feet. In two steps, Nat had her arms clenched around her, holding her in place. Emilia twisted against her grip, powerfully strong despite her wraithlike body.
The others ran up. Annin leapt onto Emilia, allowing Nat to wipe her arm with more resin. Emilia kneed Annin in the stomach, sending her to the dirt floor. “Get off me!” she screamed, then collapsed, unconscious, to the side next to Annin, who lay on her back with her feet splayed. Annin let out a relieved breath and pushed herself up. She retrieved the packet of resin with the fold of her cloak.
“Like I was saying.” Annin brushed dirt from her knees and stomach. “I don’t know what the Chemist did to her. But whatever it was, we need to keep her under until the Sisters have a chance to fully examine her. Is this all the resin we have left?” She held up the packet.
Nat and Andris nodded. “Benedict has the rest,” Andris said.
“You keep it.” Annin folded the packet over and pressed it into Nat’s hands. Annin clutched her stomach and wandered down the passage, muttering angrily.
Soris lifted Emilia off the ground. “I’ll carry her,” he said adamantly before his brother could insist on it again. He pressed his forehead against Nat’s. “That was a phenomenal hold,” he whispered.
“Thank you.” She smiled despite the pain running up her calf where Emilia had kicked her. She glanced back at Andris. His face was sullen and worried. “Go ahead,” she said to Soris. “We’ll be just a second behind you.”
She leaned down to rub the muscle in her lower leg. Andris stepped forward and landed flat on his face.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
“You tripped me,” Andris snapped.
“My mistake,” Nat lied and knelt next to him. “I need to talk to you about what we heard in the garden,” she whispered.
He growled and clasped her shoulder to pull himself up. His fingers dug into her skin. “I’m fine!” he called out to Soris, who lingered near a turn in the dim passage. “Catch up with Annin, we’ll be behind you.”
Soris followed the light of Nat’s orb as it zigzagged across the ceiling in Annin’s direction.
“Make this quick. I don’t enjoy our private chats,” he snapped at Nat.
“You heard the Chemist and Mudug talking about the Nalaide and a Warrior Sister she’s looking for?” Nat questioned him as he thrust his leg forward and hopped next to her. She slowed her pace to keep enough distance between them and Soris and Annin so they wouldn’t overhear.
“Yes,” he said. He clenched his jaw. “You think the Sister is you?” He readjusted his arm so he could grasp her shoulder for balance.
“Who else could they mean? I saw the Nalaide when we freed the duozi from the Nala cavern. It has to be me. Sister Rory said the remaining Warrior Sisters are north, away from Nala territory. There are no Warrior Sisters in the Healing House, unless Cassandra went off half-cocked and decided to invade the den—”
“No, Sister Rory’s had her under control since we came back.” Andris released his grasp. Tingling relief flooded her shoulder. “They mentioned another Sister, but I didn’t catch what they said about her. Perhaps the Nala are after her,” he suggested.
“I heard them talk about a Sister, too, but they couldn’t have meant a real Sister. They spoke as if she were helping them. No Sister would help Mudug after he destroyed the Houses.”
They walked a few paces in silence. “If the Nalaide is looking for you, it would explain why the Nala are this far north, and why they attacked you at the river and the ruins.” Andris rubbed his chin. “Doesn’t explain the Nala’s withered state and the remnant Annin found inside them. But I’m not an expert on Nala.”
“No, you’re not, but Sisters Ethes and Ethet are,” Nat said. Time at the Healing House would provide a chance to unravel what was happening with the Nala. It would also give her time to question the Healing Sisters about possible cures for Soris and the other duozi.
His eyes shifted toward her as he continued to stroke his beard. “The Healing House is not where we’re headed.”
“Maybe we need a change in the plan. What about Emilia? You heard Annin, she needs the Healing Sisters. Do you really intend to drag her back to the rebel camp now? Who can help her there? Not only doesn’t she remember you, she’s afraid—”
Andris pushed her roughly against the wall in a surge of rage. “Don’t lecture me on what’s best for Emilia.” His forearm dug into her neck.
“You can’t get through to her. How do you expect to help her? Keep her drugged up and unconscious like Annin wants? She needs the Sisters.” Nat clawed at his arm and brought her heel down against his shin. He stumbled away from her. Anger flared in his eyes. His lips curled. Nat tensed herself for another attack, but it never came. Andris turned his head and limped down the passage. She rubbed her neck and jogged ahead to join him.
“You’re a tricky little one,” he spat. “Now that you know the Nala are on your trail, returning to the Healing House isn’t about Emilia, it’s about you and Soris.” He glared at her. “You want him tucked away, safe from Mudug’s mines and the Nala.”
“Don’t you?” she asked, thinking this might be the one point they agreed on.
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br /> “If I take Emilia and Soris to the Healing House, you can’t come,” he said and turned on her. “You’d only attract unwanted Nala attention. The best place for you is on the other side of the membrane.”
“You wish.” She laughed bitterly. Of course he’d use this as an excuse to push her out of Fourline and away from Soris.
“You find it funny, being the object of the Nalaide’s attention?”
“No, just how fast you came up with a reason to get rid of me.” She quickened her pace, forcing him to skip on his bad leg. The passage sloped downward, and the stone floor transformed into a packed path of dirt. The air felt cool against her sweaty face. She frowned, unhappy with the unexpected turn in the conversation.
“Do you think you’ll help him, or any of us, by sticking around? If the Nala are after you, they’ll attack anyone near you. Soris is at more risk if you stay with him.” A satisfied smile crossed Andris’ face. “And he’ll want you back in that nasty little world of yours the minute he learns the Nala have you targeted.”
Nat stifled an urge to trip him again. Her mind raced. Leaving Soris right now was not what she had planned. A hollow feeling formed inside her. She needed more time with him, and she needed a chance to work with the Healing Sisters on a cure.
“You know I’m right, Sister.” Andris wore a smug expression. “You were responsible the first time Soris was bitten. Do you want to stick around and see it happen again?”
Nat stopped. “I never meant for anything bad to happen to Soris,” she said in a strained voice.
“Of course not,” Andris said, almost consoling her. “But you understand that the chance he’ll be bitten again if you stay here with him is great. Duozi rarely survive multiple bites. Do you really want to take that risk, Sister?”
Nat knew he was purposely pouring on the guilt, but a tiny voice inside her head was screaming that he was right. She started walking again briskly. The truth of what Andris had said settled over her like a dark cloud. She clenched her fists, wanting to strike out at something. Andris shuffled behind her. She heard him slow his pace and wondered if he had any idea of the turmoil brewing inside her. They walked a few moments until Nat suddenly stopped and faced Andris.
“You have to promise to get him to the Healing House and make him stay,” she said, knowing her words were a tacit agreement with Andris that she’d leave Fourline.
“I think you can come up with some lie to keep him there, Sister.” Andris shot her a contemptuous look.
“If you haven’t noticed, I don’t control your brother, Andris. He’s got a mind of his own. He’ll go wherever he wants, regardless of what I say.”
Andris laughed. “I never took you for a dimwit. An opportunist, yes, but not a dimwit. My brother would walk into a nest of Nala for you.”
He already has, she thought. She dropped her head.
His expression softened. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Then I’ll break off first chance I get,” she said. An ache settled in her chest.
“Don’t bolt quite yet, Natalie. I did make a promise to Estos to keep you safe. I can get you past the trade route south of Daub Town. The upper Meldon Plain isn’t far from that route and leads back to the forest near the membrane. You can split off then.”
She nodded in numb agreement.
“It’s for the best,” he added with a condescending tone.
“I know,” she said, hating the words.
Andris called out and his voice echoed down the tunnel. Soris came into view. His strong arms cradled Emilia to his chest. Nat felt a pang of jealousy that melted away when he looked up and smiled at her.
“I’ll carry her,” Andris said. He bowed to Nat. “It’s for the best,” he whispered and then lifted Emilia from his brother’s arms.
“I thought her eyes fluttered a moment ago.” Soris arranged her ragged garment so it covered her thighs. Andris nodded solemnly and limped carefully forward with his burden as if he were carrying a precious treasure.
“You two were talkative.” Soris fell in step with Nat. His fused fingers curled around her hand. The simple gesture took her by surprise and her throat grew thick with emotion.
“We were talking about Benedict.” She coughed to hide the tremor in her voice.
“There’s nothing to be done about it now. He swore an oath to protect Emilia, and I believe he’ll die before breaking that oath again. We have nothing to worry about unless they catch him. And Annin’s right, he’s always been crafty. He’ll find his own way out. Can’t say I’ll miss him.”
“No, I won’t miss him, either.” She glanced at him, then quickly looked away as tears began to well in her eyes.
“I think I smell . . .”
“Please don’t say rudit,” Nat said with a groan.
“No.” Soris laughed. “Fresh air.”
They turned a corner. Annin stood in front of a vine-covered entrance with a thick slab of wood tilted against the passage wall. “Welcome to the end.” She gestured to the vines. The stalks vibrated and glistened with tiny droplets of water. Nat dropped Soris’ hand and listened to the sound of water raging beyond the curtain of vines.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Thin tendrils curled from the vine stalks and clung to the mossy wood of the passage door. When Nat pushed the green strands away, a coursing river came into view. Andris jerkily dropped to his knee and gently placed Emilia in the long damp grass choking the entrance of the hidden passage. Nat pocketed her orb and watched the river race by, but the rushing sound and swift movement brought her no sense of relief, even after the close confines of the passage.
Andris stood. He looked down at Emilia, then glanced at the three of them. “Annin, with me,” he said with a note of resignation in his voice as he looked at Nat and Soris. “We’ll rendezvous with Mervin. I’ll send Annin back to let you know if we’re in the clear. Don’t let anything happen to the queen.” He sounded threatening.
“We’ll keep her safe. I won’t make the same mistake twice,” Soris reassured his brother. Nat looked down at Emilia and wondered how one woman could create such prolonged guilt in so many men. Andris and Annin disappeared into the vine-choked trees growing along the river.
Nat settled next to Soris in the grass and brushed away the leaf that had floated down upon Emilia’s face. Soris’ tapered finger touched the bruised welt where the manacle had dug into her skin.
“She needs the Healing Sisters. And she needs to be around those who can help her remember,” Nat said softly. The more reasons she could plant in Soris’ mind to go back to the Healing House, the more likely he would willingly go and stay. Nat placed her fingertips on Emilia’s thin wrist.
“There’s a problem with getting her to the Healing House. Several problems, actually.” Soris wound his arm around Nat’s waist, pulling her closer to him.
“I know.” Nat bit her lip and crossed Emilia’s arm over her chest. “Mudug, his guards, forests filled with Nala . . . Am I missing anything?” she added, hoping he hadn’t overheard any of her conversation with Andris.
“Give me a minute and I’ll come up with something else.” He scratched his neck and examined the dirt covering his fingertips. “It would take us days, a week, to get there even under the best circumstances. Andris won’t like it.” He looked at Emilia’s pale face. “But I agree with you. She needs the Healing Sisters, and we need to be there for her. I can’t imagine what she’s been through. She needs people around who won’t manipulate her, people who love her, who she can trust and who speak the truth to her.”
Nat felt shame twisting through her as she listened to Soris. She’d just tried to manipulate him so he’d do what she wanted and go to the Healing House. But if she had to leave, she needed to know he’d be safe. She drew closer to him and settled her head against his shoulder. He held her and they watched the river race by past the curtain of vines.
You have to tell him the truth about what’s going on. You owe him the truth, she told herself
as they sat in silence. Nat drew in a deep breath, preparing to disclose everything she’d heard in the Chemist’s garden, when Annin burst through the wall of vines.
“We’ve got only three horses, and Mervin said Mudug’s guards arrived at the stables just as he was leaving,” Annin announced. “We need to move, now. The guards could be on us any minute.”
Soris let go of Nat and lifted Emilia off the ground. Nat collected their weapons and followed Annin through the swaying vines. She heard the nicker of the horses before spying them behind an opening in the trees. They danced nervously, pulling against their tethers as Annin and Soris drew near. Nat checked the flickering leaves in the canopy above their heads. Nothing but green needles, leaves, and filtered sunlight. Soris and Annin must be making the horses jumpy, she thought.
Soris caught her eye. “Relax, Natalie, I don’t sense any Nala.” He placed Emilia in Andris’ arms. Andris carefully lifted her onto the back of his horse, where she slumped over the horse’s neck. Annin flung a cloak over Emilia, and Andris swung into his saddle. He grasped Emilia’s waist, pressing her close.
Nat untied the reins of a caramel-colored horse with a white streak running down his nose. His brown eyes widened when Soris approached. She tightened her grip to keep him from bolting. Soris stepped back and Nat whispered to the horse, soothing the animal.
“I guess I’ll ride with Annin.” Soris backed away.
“May be best for now,” Nat said, feeling a guilty relief that the chance to tell him the truth had slipped away. She slid her foot into the stirrup and mounted the horse. A bulging satchel hung from a loop behind the saddle. She silently thanked Mervin. They weren’t in for a day trip and would need everything in their packs. She wanted nothing more than to feel the familiar weight of her Sister’s cloak over her shoulders, but that would have to wait until nightfall at the earliest.
