As they gathered around Enos, one of the Wrang fell, arrow in his neck. It had come from somewhere up high. And may have been aimed for the Dynasty child. “The third man is still out there,” Kay yelled. “Scatter! Get the kid out of here!”
She grabbed Amos’ arm, pulled him towards a tree. “He’s somewhere high. Look for a tree that hasn’t caught fire. The Creep is somehow controlling this.”
“Are you with me or the child?”
“Neither. I’ve got my own fight.”
Amos gave a nod and headed off into the trees. No hesitation. A soldier. Kay straightened and walked across the clearing near the remnants of the gallows, now a bonfire. She wasn’t worried about the third man. He hunted the child. The Fire Creep hunted her. He would come.
She studied the fire, looking among the burning wooden beams scattered around the clearing. Finally she saw what she was searching for. Her belt had landed outside the flames and she could see her jars, unbroken. She ran towards them, jumping over the long arms of the fire. She swooped down the grab the one which still held a small amount of grey powder, the pearl ash. She ignored the searing burn the hot glass dealt her hand. She made her way outside of where the fire was hottest and stood for a moment, catching her breath.
A change in the light drew her eyes upwards. It was now full night and the Fire Eye loomed high above the trees. As she watched, it swelled in size. It was growing rapidly, seemed almost to approach her. Coming at her. Her own personal visitation of her savior. Without taking her eyes off it, Kay carefully poured a handful of the pearl ash onto her palm. She let the beauty of the Fire Eye wash over her. Whether it was a lie or not, it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She prepared for the Fire Creep’s attack. While you were distracted from what you were certain was the real threat, they had somehow gotten around your lines and were attacking you exactly where you were most vulnerable. He would be here any second. He would come silently, in darkness. But the second before he struck she would see the flame. The false Fire Eye drew closer. It was below the treeline, growing larger and larger. Kay still watched, ignoring the tiniest sounds of slippered feet on the ground behind her.
As a light behind her flared up, the Fire Creep again summoning the fire he held in his hand, she threw the pearl ash over her shoulder. She turned to see the Fire Creep gasping, face and hand alike covered in grey. She closed the distance between them in a step and tackled him to the ground. She transferred the jar of pearl ash from her left hand to her right and smashed the hot glass on his face. She ignored the pain that lanced up her arm as the broken glass sliced her hand open. She pushed the mix of ash and glass into the Fire Creep’s mouth, over his nose and eyes. He fought wildly, making horrible screeching sounds, but Kay calmly pushed his flailing hands aside. She grabbed his face and drove it into the dirt, forced his jaw closed. “Whatever is still burning in there needs to go out,” she said, gritting her teeth. “Its time has come.”
Finally the Creep went limp. The fires all around them flared bright and intense for a moment, then fell low. The raging forest fire was suddenly small and contained, the clearing calm and sane, order restored. There were soldiers all around, coming to themselves. The Fire Creep had brought some sort of madness to them and spread it through the fire. In reality, their enemies were few and outnumbered.
Few but not one. “Find the third man,” Kay called out. “Look in the trees!” The men, mostly Pathfinders, began moving from tree to tree. Kay pulled close to a tree trunk, not wanting to catch an arrow. She looked around the ravine’s edges.
A Pathfinder near her gave a cry. “There,” he shouted, pointing towards one of the far edges of the ravine. She could just make out a shape moving through the darkness, visible against the early night sky only as he crested the ravine edge. Kay felt a bitter disappointment. He was getting away.
Then the shape pitched sharply backwards. Kay watched as it fell back down the ravine. After a few crashes, the body landed near the ravine floor. She and several Pathfinders ran towards it. When she got close she could see it was indeed the third man, with an arrow punched right through an eye and out the back of his head. She looked up to see Joah sauntering down the steep ravine, moving as smoothly as if he walked on level ground, unloaded crossbow in his hands.
“I told you I called him,” he said, stepping over the body without looking down as he moved next to Kay. “I’m guessing you got yours?”
Kay nodded. “How’d you know he’d go that way?” She could see Amos and Gillis in the small crowd around the dead Winden.
“I was remembering this one had a fondness for early exits. Figured it would make more sense to find their horses than hanging around playing with fire.” He looked down at the crossbow in distaste. “I’m lucky I got him, even from a couple feet away. This is a very clumsy weapon.” He looked at Kay and grinned. “Not like your baton.”
Kay pointed up. “It’s yours if you want to get it.” The baton was still dangling from the noose that had been intended for Enos, high above the clearing in the black, smoking tree.
Joah opened his mouth to reply, but at that moment shouts rose up from the east side of the forest. “Remind me what our real job was out here again?” he asked.
Kay ignored him and took off running, the Dynasty child in danger again.
Chapter 31. Blood Divided
Angry voices drifted through the entryway to the clearing where the path of torches, now out, had ended. Kay came upon the scene. Amos, Gillis, Joah and a handful of Pathfinders were with her. Yamar and Alban had squared off, blades drawn all around. The six remaining Wrang encircled the Dynasty child, facing a group of twenty or more Farrow. The remnants of the forest fire behind them lit the group in flickering orange light. Alban held a lit torch. The fire danced around as he argued with Yamar. Kay was shoved aside by Gillis, who strode between the two.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“We caught the haughts trying to sneak off with the Dynasty brat,” Alban replied.
“We were all out here to rescue him,” Yamar replied. “We did. Now let us pass.”
“We lost men in those trees. Good Farrow. And you just run off to hide behind your walls. Not even wait to see who lives and who dies. Have us do your dirty work for you again. How do we know you won’t just turn around and kick us off your lands, act like we never bled for one of your precious Dynasty?” Alban turned to Gillis and gave a half-shrug. “Think about it. Why hand him back when we don’t know which way the vote will go?”
As Yamar began to argue, Kay nudged Joah and whispered, “Get the child. Be ready to move.”
Yamar said, “The vote was already decided. Kay convinced the Dynasty to open the gates.”
Alban shot Kay a dirty look. He stood watching as Joah slipped among the Wrang and picked up the child in one arm, the now loaded crossbow held low in his other hand. “So we know which side he’s on, no surprise there. Am I really supposed to believe the bug stands with us? After all the half-truths she’s given us?”
“Don’t care what you believe,” Yamar said. “It’s true.”
“And how did the bug manage to move the Dynasty?”
“She convinced them there was the potential for honor in all blood. She showed them how she made Celest into a better place. She convinced them to give you a chance. The Dynasty would weep if it saw this display right now though.”
“So you can guarantee the vote?” Alban asked.
“Kay,” Gillis turned to her, drawing all eyes, “is it true? Is the vote decided?”
She sighed. Was a lie any help here? “Maybe it was. Before foreigners kidnapped a Dynasty child. Now there are no guarantees. We’ve still got a chance if we get him back alive. And maybe don’t let Alban talk at any final negotiations.”
Now Gillis was arguing with her. “But there haven’t been any negotiations. The Gol hasn’t sent a single delegate. How are we supposed to believe there’s any chance at all that they open the gates when they haven’t talked with us
?”
“That’s just how they work,” Kay said. “They make their decisions, pretty much in isolation, and announce them, and then they stick.” When she said that, it seemed to echo in her head for a moment. Her mind started whirling. There might be something to that.
Yamar was losing patience. “I should have expected this from scum like that,” he said, pointing at Alban. “But I had respect for the Pathfinders. I’ll put it simply. My job is to give my life for the Dynasty. If you want to get in our way, you’ll find out what it means to cross blades with the Wrang. Might want to rethink how that will work out for you.”
Yamar made as if to move. Alban’s group tensed up, swords at the ready. Kay looked around, dismayed to see even Gillis and Amos had weapons out. Elmer had managed to fade out of view, probably circling around to attack the Farrow from the rear. For a second Kay recalled the Fire Creep’s laughter drifting through the trees. He would love this.
“Wait,” she said sharply. “There’s a better way.” Everyone was looking at her. “Just ask him.” She pointed at Enos, who had buried his face in Joah’s shoulder.
“Ask him what?” Alban said, distrust in his voice.
“Ask him if he’ll officially accept the Farrow,” Kay said. “Ask him to weigh in on the vote.”
“He’s a child!” Alban interjected.
“He’s a member of the Dynasty. And the Dynasty never contradicts itself. If he’s willing to say they’ll open the gates and allow the Farrow to stay, they’ll honor it.”
Yamar spoke quietly, “That’s not how it’s done, Kay. They speak with one voice.”
“They do. We just need to see if he’s willing to be the voice. Get ahead of the council. Then that will be that. The rest will fall in line.”
“They’ll say he did it under duress,” Alban said.
“Just ask him. Put away all the swords. Ask him. If he agrees, Yamar can testify to what he said. If he doesn’t, then you all can get back to killing each other for no reason and setting a course of action that results in the death of every Farrow back at the camps. You can get back to doing those two Winden agents’ jobs for them.”
A silence fell over the group, everyone looking around awkwardly, until finally Kay said, “Fine, I’ll do it. Set him down, Joah.” She walked over to Enos as Joah gently placed him on the ground. She’d expected fear in his eyes, but he looked at her calmly, almost regally. She remembered him reaching down, trying to help her up onto the branch.
“Enos Melor of the Melor Dynasty,” Kay said, kneeling down so she could speak face-to-face with him, “are you doing okay?” She gave him a smile.
He looked into her eyes, seeming far older than his six years. “Those men were agents of the Winden?” he asked, stammering slightly at the word. He’d been taught to fear them, as he should. When Kay murmured agreement, he swallowed hard and took a deep breath. He seemed to find a center and his next words were spoken more loudly, so everyone in the group could hear. “They intended my death. I owe all here thanks for coming to my aid. Your names will all be honored by the Dynasty.”
Kay could see a pleased reaction from the Farrow soldiers. It had been a long time since they’d been recognized. They were starved for some respect. They did nothing more than nod stoically, but Kay could see that with a few words, Enos had won their favor. The dynamics were changing rapidly. Kay had underestimated him. She had been prepared to walk him through this, hopefully get him to see the Farrow as a people, flawed and imperfect, just like his own. He was already headed there.
His voice grew stronger as he carried forward, a small child commanding everyone’s attention. “Tonight our people fought together. We fought against a darkness that cannot and should not be ignored. Tonight I saw Farrow and Gol working side by side. I liked it. Inside the gates, we sometimes become blind to the world beyond. We look to the skies over our city and think we have been chosen. Whether we have or not is not important. What is important is that we live in this world and we must be a part of it. The skies will not be opening to take us away from war, from poverty. When our brothers and sisters bleed and starve and die, we must feel that pain, or we are not truly here. The walls cannot divide us. Our blood cannot divide us. We must grow, we must be strong, lest we fall to the darkness that came for us all tonight. There is evil in this world. It is not in you. It is not in me. But it is out there.” He took two steps from Kay and looked dramatically up at the skies. “The Melor Dynasty will open the gates. We will welcome the Farrow.”
His proclamation was met with a stunned silence, followed by loud cheers from the Farrow. As they clasped hands, congratulating each other, Kay quietly pulled Enos to the side.
“That was a good speech, Enos. You come up with that just right now?”
The confident expression slid from his face and Kay saw the small child’s nerves return. “I overheard Jios and my father talking about how to message their announcement.” He gave a shy smile and glanced around nervously. “Have I done the right thing?”
“Enos,” Kay said, “I can’t imagine anything better.”
He seemed comforted, but his face grew frightened. “You should know, when those Winden moved me, they spoke of you. Sometimes they called you the fetch, sometimes the spark. They were afraid of you. More than the Wrang, more than the Farrow. They feared you would find them and ruin their plans. It looks like they were right to. Their fear gave me hope. I knew everyone was looking for me. I knew my family and Yamar and the Wrang wouldn’t rest. But when they took me past the walls, I lost faith in them. When the rope was around my neck, my hopes turned to you. And then you were there. I couldn’t turn you away or watch as my family did so. You saved me. And you’ve saved your people. And if anyone here ever forgets that, send them to me.”
“You don’t talk much like a six-year-old.”
“I am a Melor, a part of the Dynasty. I am meant to be a leader. Which means I can’t just be born on high and expect to stay there. I must learn to climb.” He gave her a rather dazzling smile. Kay could see much of his father in him, a quiet strength. “I have good teachers. But none of my lessons taught me as much as I learned today. I’ll learn even more tomorrow. My family will be angry. I messed up the process for one of the most important decisions we’ve made in a long time. And I’m the youngest.” He was looking off into the distance, visualizing some sort of punishment. It made him seem like a child again, rather than this strange, wise creature Kay had been shocked to find inside. Then he looked up at her again and began blushing. “I am young. But I think maybe one day I will marry you.” He quickly turned away from her, embarrassed, and reached a hand out to summon Yamar.
Yamar was by his side in a flash. “Can I ride back with you?” Enos asked quietly, wrapping his arm around his guardian’s leg and burying his face in his hip.
“Always,” Yamar replied.
“Yamar,” Kay said. “You’ll want to hustle his ass back to the palace and make sure the vote doesn’t come in the wrong way before they learn of our new accord.”
He pretended to be offended for a moment but then nodded. “Probably a good idea. Are you coming with us?”
Kay looked around. On one side, the Farrow were congratulating each other on the turn of events, blood hot from the recent battle. She could join them and drink the night away, maybe gather up the courage to go speak with the Lady Garret. Spend the night in Amos’ tent again. On the other side, the Wrang and Joah were readying themselves for departure. If she went with the Gol back inside Celest, she could go back to her office or sample the luxuries of the Dynasty palace, or even just go back home and watch the Fire Eye in peace, her case complete, her week off over. She stood in the middle between the two, torn.
Epilogue. The Closing
Abi hurried across Celest. She’d waited for Kay as long as she could. Now she was going to be late. And to a gathering where they were all personally invited by the Dynasty. The crowds packed the main plaza, gathering for the Closing of the Fire Eye with
the same festive zeal they showed at the Opening. If there was an extra buzz to the crowds, it was tied to the discussion of the surprising decision by the Dynasty. Just hours ago, Jios Marin had announced the Dynasty’s will. They would open the gates and allow the Farrow to stay.
Abi made her way through the mass of people, stopping only a couple of times to flash a smile to a few of the better-looking men. She kept moving, enjoying herself as the one or two who tried to follow her fell behind.
Abruptly a small man with short grey hair was at her elbow. “Abi,” he said, giving her a courteous bow. “We should talk. My name is Elmer and I gather information for the Dynasty. I may have a job that interests you. We’d coordinate with Kay, of course, nothing to upset the Dynasty’s new favorite. But I’ve heard a few whispers of your talents. I’d prefer you didn’t mention my name to anyone other than Kay. Talk it over with her, then we can talk more later.” He hesitated a second, but when Abi simply stared at him curiously, he spoke again. “Enjoy your evening.” And he vanished into the crowd.
Interesting. A strange little man with a strange offer. That was always kind of fun. And maybe worth thinking about. Abi had an idea that Kay’s work as a fetch might not be around much longer. She made a small noise of intrigue and pressed forward towards the gathering. Plenty of time to think on it when she wasn’t running so late.
The crowd fell off so quickly at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Goet Overlook that she stumbled. She caught herself, embarrassed, and smoothed her dress. She gave a smile to the Dynasty guards. They let her pass with a pair of genteel bows. She could get used to this.
On the landing at the top of the stairs, the party was in full swing. Yamar was at the center, playing the host. It was he who had set up the gathering. He was surrounded by Home Guard and Wrang, some in uniform, some out. Everyone had drinks and appeared to be loudly enjoying themselves. As Abi scanned the crowd for Kay, she saw several Bosun, looking a little out of place with their sleeveless shirts and exposed tattoos. Their Madame was enjoying herself though, laughing at the joke of a good-looking Bosun with a lean build and neat mustache. Of the numerous Farrow contingent, Abi only knew Amos by sight. He caught her eye and she shrugged. Looked like he didn’t know where Kay was either.
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