by P. A. Wilson
Chapter 42
“That was almost two days wasted,” Willowvine said as they disembarked. She looked around at the docks. This island was less populated than Lands Home, and less town-like.
The docks were just frontage with only a single street heading up an incline toward a small cluster of buildings. Two warehouses flanked the street, one abandoned and starting the process of crumbling to dirt. The other was in better shape, but by the dust and grime on the windows, it was only a few months away from the fate of its partner. “Does anyone live here?”
Springheart pulled her to the side to wait for the few other passengers to leave the area. “Yes, but they rely on the other islands to supply them. Artisans, poets, and scholars mostly — and their servants.”
“And our contact,” she added. “Do you know how to find him?”
Springheart checked to make sure they were alone and then drew her toward the abandoned building. “I’ll just ask around. He’s not hiding, or he isn’t likely to be hiding. Someone will know of an elf named Leafcreek.”
Inside the building was as decrepit as it was outside. Willowvine wondered what they were doing. Shouldn’t they be finishing the contract, and getting the reward they deserved?
Springheart seemed to know what she was thinking because he answered the question as he wandered deeper into the dark corner. “We need to hide the stone while we talk to the contact. We probably have a few hours before anyone else arrives, but we’ve already had it pulled out of our hands once, I’m not going to let it happen again.”
“We have to get it in place tonight,” she said pulling a few broken boards from a pile near the wall. “Here. Put it here and we’ll pile the boards on top like they fell naturally.”
He took the stone from the bag and placed it next to a pile of rubble. “If our luck gets better, maybe it will be done before anyone finds out.”
She snorted at the idea. Their luck was not likely to change until this job was over. They’d managed to lose all the leeway they had. Tonight, the stone needed to be replaced, if it wasn’t the contract didn’t matter. Even so, she agreed that hiding it was the best move. It gave her time to negotiate the price.
* * *
Willowvine had that look on her face, the one that usually preceded an argument. Springheart was sure that the topic on her mind was renegotiating the price. Knowing it would do more damage to the nonexistent relationship the orphans had with the other elves, he said. “This time we need to keep watch. I’ll find our contact while you guard the stone.”
The look on her face confirmed his suspicion. Disappointment fought with annoyance for control. She didn’t argue, which made him uneasy.
Looking around the ruined space, she nodded and pointed to a fallen beam. “I’ll be behind that.” She didn’t wait for a response, just ran to the beam, leapt over it, and ducked out of sight.
He knew the argument would come later, but right now he needed to find Leafcreek and get the stone back in place. Brushing at the dirt to hide the little evidence they’d left of their presence, he slipped through the open doorway and turned toward the cluster of buildings that comprised the village.
As he was about to run for the light pouring from the main building, Springheart heard voices coming from the docks. There should be no one down there. The captain had assured him that the next docking would not be for four hours. The crates destined for the residents had offloaded before the passengers, and they were the last ship for this tide. He stepped around the side of the building, caution overriding the certainty of the captain’s words. There were voices, and the speakers were coming closer.
“You said you could find the stone,” a familiar voice barked.
“I said that they were bound for here,” Maynard answered. “It should be easy to find them.”
How had Maynard followed so quickly? And why was he here with Vitenkar and another scree?
“This is true,” Vitenkar responded. “Then why do I need you?”
They passed Springheart’s hiding place and he listened as Maynard explained that he must report what happened on the island. “It will save you retribution from the guild.”
“They cannot harm me,” Vitenkar said. “When we are successful, the guild will have no choice but to stand aside while I carry out my plans.”
Maynard’s laugh carried across the growing distance. “You think you are invincible. That may eventually be true, but the guild is powerful and I’m telling you that you don’t want to have them getting in your way. I can concoct a believable story, but only if I see what happens.”
Springheart watched them until he felt safe enough to enter the building. Maynard and two scree were going to make this far more complicated than expected. A quick glance toward the water answered the question of how. A small boat was headed toward the place the ships were waiting for the tide to turn.
Inside the building, Springheart was pleased to see Willowvine still in her hiding place. No one else would have noticed the gray cloth hanging from the rafter. It looked like all the other shreds of detritus in the ruined room. To him, it was clearly a fold of her cloak left to hang as a signal.
It was safe to come in.
Too bad it wasn’t safe to go out. They still had to find Leafcreek, but Willowvine needed to know about their unwelcome visitors.
He waited, knowing she would sense his presence and come out when it was safe. She appeared as he formed the thought, jumping to land next to the rubble. “That was fast.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t even get to the village.”
She closed her eyes to focus on scanning for auras and held up her hand for him to wait. A second later her eyes opened. “Maynard. How?”
Springheart told her what he’d seen and heard. “It’s going to be harder.”
She grabbed his arm and drew him into the shadows. “They’re coming.”
The sound of approaching footsteps followed her words. There were only two sets, and they stopped outside the doorway. Maynard’s voice cut across the dull silence. “They must be here, or in that building.”
Springheart gestured for Willowvine to retrieve the stone. It was no longer safe left here unattended. Maynard had found them too easily for Springheart to discount a tracking spell. The voices faded. If they were lucky, Maynard and the scree were going to search the other building leaving them a chance to run for the village. They would have to take care, but using the shadows was how they completed most jobs.
Leaning in to whisper to Willowvine, he said, “If we get separated, keep going to the village, find Leafcreek, and finish the job.”
She glared at him, but there was no opportunity for her to argue. There was still no sound from outside.
“Can you sense them?” he asked.
“They are too close for me to tell. They might be outside on the street, or inside the building across from us.” She glanced toward the street. “That’s the only way out.”
He shouldn’t have been so cautious. If he hadn’t decided to hide the stone, they might have found their contact before Maynard and his new friends arrived.
“Be ready to run.”
He led the way to the door, wishing that it was later and the shadows were larger. The sun was not yet set, but it was low enough that the other building darkened their side of the street. Once on the road to the village, there was little cover, but they couldn’t take the chance of waiting for night to fall.
A fast glance outside showed the street was clear. The run to the village was going to take them a few minutes. They could easily outrun Maynard, but the scree would be faster, and it was too easy for him to call out for help.
He turned to Willowvine. “I’m going to go first. I’ll draw any attention there is out there. You go when you think it’s safe.”
“Don’t get killed,” she said before stepping away.
He bent to pick up some brick fragments and then strode out into the street. It was clear, but it wouldn’t stay that way. The
way their luck was running, he couldn’t leave it to fate determine when they noticed him, so he tossed the small pieces of brick against the closest window. It made a satisfying clatter. A shout followed it, and he heard boots running on the cobbles.
The scree rounded the corner of the building steps ahead of Maynard. “Elf, stay there and we will not damage you.”
Springheart took a few steps backward, aiming for the open field beside the road. He would lead them away from the village.
He touched his bag, hoping they would take it as a sign he held the stone. Both Maynard and the scree hurried to catch him, the scree’s eyes alight with the excitement of the chase. Maynard a little slower, took the time to look around, probably suspicious that he couldn’t see Willowvine.
Needing to keep their attention on him, Springheart darted toward the open field, pretending to stumble to give them hope. Maynard stopped looking around and joined the chase. Springheart made sure not to outpace his pursuers.
Chapter 43
Where was the girl? Maynard couldn’t stop thinking that this chase was only a distraction. The problem was that he wasn’t sure who had the stone. He needed to take it back, and make sure Vitenkar didn’t get his hands on it. There must be an elf on the island. It would be enough to hand it over to any elf — it had to be.
Vitenkar had spent most of the voyage bragging about his plans to dominate the world. He’d graciously offered Maynard an important position in the new order. That was not the way he wanted it. Maynard Slack would be no one’s lackey.
The scree was almost on Springheart.
Maynard pushed his body harder. He couldn’t let the scree get there first. Lungs bursting, he made headway, but just as he was about to reach them, Springheart veered and their path turned back to the buildings at the docks.
Maynard smiled. There was no place for Springheart to escape even at the water. He would have the stone and the elves would be disgraced. He turned to parallel Springheart, anticipating his path. The scree pivoted and collapsed, his leg caught in a hole. Maynard heard the bone crack and kept running. The scree would have to wait.
Springheart was making his way back to the building.
Now Maynard realized his lack of speed was a benefit. He knew how to cut the elf off.
Keeping Springheart in sight, he ran toward the target rather than chasing the elf. Poised to change course if Springheart did, Maynard let himself feel confident. This was almost over. In moments, he would be the victor.
As they approached the building, Springheart turned again and ran straight for the docks. Maynard slowed. Was the elf going to jump into the water? Could elves swim well enough to carry something as heavy as the stone and somehow escape?
The sun dropped below the line of hills, making it hard to see details. The docks and surrounding streets were dark, much darker than Maynard expected. Stars gave just enough light to see where Springheart was, but too little to show the obstacles in the way.
Maynard stood watching as the elf veered away from the edge of the dock and came to a stop. He faced Maynard, but was too far away to see his expression. It felt as though they were squaring off for a duel.
Relaxing, Maynard said, “Just give me the stone. I’ll make sure it gets delivered.”
Springheart held out his hands to show they were empty. “I don’t have it.”
Footsteps sounded behind Maynard. He didn’t need to look to know it was Vitenkar. Scree walked as though they were marching to battle, boot heels hitting the pavement like hard drum raps. He kept his attention on Springheart and asked, “Where is the girl?”
“Where is my warrior?” Vitenkar asked before Springheart could reply.
“He fell. If you think it’s important, he is somewhere over there.” Maynard waved his hand to encompass the entire right side of the island.
“He will keep,” Vitenkar answered. “Do you have my stone?”
“The stone will be in its place soon,” Springheart said.
Maynard turned to Vitenkar. “Don’t you know where that is?”
The scree snorted. “What do you think I am? I did not steal it. I paid someone for it.”
* * *
Springheart let them argue. He was only wasting time so that Willowvine could find Leafcreek. The more the two men facing him talked, the less energy he needed to expend. If he had to, he would jump into the water, but he preferred to get back to the building to make sure that Willowvine was gone. It just meant getting through Vitenkar and Maynard, a task that was not going to be easy.
The argument quieted, and Maynard asked again, “Where is the girl?”
“I don’t know,” Springheart answered. “Did she come with you?”
Vitenkar snarled and took a step forward. “We know she came with you. The other passengers at the inn told us there were two elves in the party.” He turned to Maynard. “This elf is stalling. We need to return to the village. The girl will be there.”
“I am not so sure of that,” Maynard said. “These two are unpredictable.”
Vitenkar reached for the hilt of his dagger. “True. We cannot leave him free. The girl will wait. It is a small village.”
Before either of the men could act, Springheart rushed them, trusting that his speed and agility along with their surprise would be enough to get him through to the street and inside the building. Once there, perhaps he could use something from the rubble as a weapon to even the odds in a fight.
Maynard stumbled back as Springheart shoved him with his elbow. Vitenkar was not so easily fooled. Even merchant scree were trained to fight. He drew the dagger and swiped at Springheart as he passed.
At first Springheart felt nothing. That lasted long enough for him to reach the dark interior of the building. It was empty. Willowvine had done as she agreed.
If he could get above them, in the rafters, the few that were still in place, it might save his life. Neither Maynard nor Vitenkar would waste time making sure he was dead, there was enough blood flowing that they would think him mortally wounded. Pain roared through the wound in his side as he tried to reach for a handhold. His knees buckled, and Springheart collapsed on the filthy floor of the building.
Footsteps crunched on the rubble stopping beside him.
“He is no longer a problem,” Vitenkar said. “Come, the girl has the stone and we must destroy it before she learns what to do with it.”
Maynard took the time to kick Springheart in the ribs before following the scree out.
* * *
Willowvine made herself smaller. Springheart would kill her for waiting, but she couldn’t leave knowing that he was facing two desperate people.
And, no matter what he would say to her, she was right to stay. He was hurt, and more badly than he’d admit.
Maynard and Vitenkar were out of sight, but she didn’t move. The village was going to be difficult to navigate now that they were looking for her again, but she wasn’t worried. It would be tricky, but she could dodge them. And Leafcreek would be looking out for them, not hiding. She wanted to see if Springheart needed help. If he did, that would take precedence and she wouldn’t hand over the stone until he was healed.
What she didn’t have was time to dither. Springheart would be angry, but he needed to live in order to yell at her. Checking again that the way was clear, she darted around the corner and into the building.
Her eyes adjusted rapidly. She stared at Springheart curled on his side, blood smeared in the dirt beneath him. His aura was still strong. She had time. Stooping to touch his shoulder, she whispered, “How bad is it?”
He groaned and turned to face her. Eyes narrowed in a familiar annoyance, he said, “The stone is back where it belongs?”
Taking heart that his voice was steady, she confessed that she hadn’t followed through. “We both should go. You need help. I can’t leave you here. They might come back.”
He pushed himself up to sit on the dirt. “I have healed the wound enough to close it. The stone is importa
nt. I’ll survive until you finish the job.”
Tears tightened her throat. “There’s at least an hour until the moon is fully risen. We have time to heal you first. I’ll make them.”
Springheart grimaced with the effort of rising to his feet. “That same logic says I will survive an hour while the elves are saved. Even if I were going to die I am only one elf, you are risking the whole of our people.”
She failed to suppress the sob that hurt her chest. “You’ve done more for me than all the other elves together. I won’t let you die. And I promise I won’t let the deadline pass.”
He held his side and tried to shuffle away from where he’d collapsed. Willowvine propped him up with her shoulder. Logic told her they would never make the village with him so weak. Reluctantly she gave in. “Don’t make it worse. Leafcreek should be looking for us. Stay here, I’ll go find out what we need to do.”
Springheart let her lower him to sit on a fallen beam. Leaving him hurt her, but she couldn’t argue any longer.
Chapter 44
The village, if you could call it that, was a waste of time. Vitenkar was sure that the elf knew more than he was telling. He left Maynard to continue asking about the girl and made his way back to the abandoned building. The moon had risen enough to reflect sufficient light for him to make out shapes at his destination.
The girl was creeping along the edge of the path. Excellent. No need to argue with the human over the stone. He would beat the girl until she told him where to find it and then destroy it, the only way to ensure the end of the elves.
The girl saw him and came to a stop. He hurried toward her, drawing his blade. If she was going to hesitate, he would take advantage.
As he drew close, she turned and ran for the abandoned building. Good two dead elves in one place would be easier to deal with than if they were scattered across the street. He could have Maynard bring the warrior here as well when they were done. Three dead bodies felt like an auspicious number.
