“Hard on the horses,” Blackhart said.
Ralan shrugged. “They’ll survive.”
“We’ll do it your way,” Blackhart agreed. “It’s our best chance.”
“Oh, and don’t bother with wearing the sigils.” Ralan grinned. “The odium will tear your throat out, either way.”
“Thanks,” Blackhart said.
“Anything to oblige.” Ralan’s grin faded. “How long do you want us to wait?” he asked.
Blackhart looked over his shoulder. His men were taking a break, eating and drinking before they continued. Evelyn sat in their midst, chewing on a piece of dried meat. She caught his gaze, and raised an eyebrow.
Blackhart turned back to Ralan. “A full day. If we’re not out by sunset tomorrow, pull your men back.”
“To Wareington?”
Blackhart shook his head. “No. I mean all the way back. Get the people out of the Black Hills. I left orders that they make ready to flee.”
Ralan studied him.
Blackhart returned the look. “Whatever is in there is powerful. We fail, you take the people and flee. Get word to Queen Gloriana that we failed.”
Ralan looked toward the wall. “I’d rather drink to celebrate your success.”
“That would be my preference,” Blackhart said.
Ralan nodded. “I’ll see to it. Either way.”
EVELYN sat under the cover of the pines, and watched Blackhart talk to the leader of the scouts.
The silence was oppressive here in the woods. There wasn’t even a breeze to stir the branches. No birdcalls, no rustle in the undergrowth.
“This place reminds me of Athelbryght,” she said. “So still. So quiet.”
“You know Athelbryght?” Thomas asked.
Evelyn nodded. “Josiah is my cousin. I wish he was here now.”
“Lord Josiah?” Thomas asked. He exchanged a glance with his brother.
Timothy frowned. “He’s not a good fighter.”
“No.” Evelyn looked at the brothers, curious as to how they knew that. “But something happened to him when Elanore attacked. He can drain odium of their magic, and they turn to dust.”
“Really?” Mage asked. “How was he able to do that?”
“We don’t know for sure.”
“Huh.” Mage thought about that. “The Baroness sent a lot of mages to Athelbryght. None of them came back.”
“Was that when your master was killed?” Evelyn asked.
Mage shook his head. “My master was killed when there was a backlash of power through the linked mages, when the Baroness was hurt so bad.” He tilted his head. “He drains odium?”
“Let her eat,” Sidian chided. “We’ve no time for what might have helped us.”
Evelyn nodded in answer to Mage’s question as she worked off another bite of dried meat.
“Wonder if that had anything to do with the spell we use to make the chains,” Mage mused.
Evelyn looked at him closely. “You mentioned that before, and I was going to ask you about it. You know how to make spell chains?”
Mage nodded. “All the apprentices did. It’s not so hard, once you know how to bind the spell to the iron.”
“I want to learn that one,” Evelyn said. “We can teach each other, once this is over.”
Mage nodded. “It’s the waiting I hate.” He picked up a handful of dried pine needles and twisted them in his hand. “Gets to me,” Mage said. “The waiting.”
Evelyn nodded
“Eat something,” Sidian said. Reader nodded absently as he twisted a ring of keys in his hand, as if trying to memorize them. Timothy and Thomas had gone silent. They ate and drank methodically, as if doing a chore.
Mage stuffed his honey bar in his mouth, then looked at Evelyn, his dark hair falling in his eyes. His cheeks bulging, he talked around his food. “Can you teach me how you cast those flames?”
“You know how to light a candle,” Evelyn said softly.
“First thing they teach ya,” Mage stated.
“Well, you start that way, with that spark,” Evelyn explained. “Except there’s no wick to focus on. You just take the spark that you create, and throw it out, forcing more flame through it.”
Mage looked skeptical as he chewed. Once he swallowed, he pressed the point. “Throw—”
“He’s coming,” Reader said.
ORRIN felt their stares as he walked over and knelt before them. Sidian handed him a waterskin. He drank deeply, then lowered the skin, noticing how the dappled sunlight streamed through the pines, lighting up Evelyn’s lovely eyes. His stomach clenched as Archer handed him a sweet nut bar. “We’ll head out in a few minutes.” Blackhart looked at the food in his hand. “We’ll ride double with Ralan’s men. They are going to take us through the main gate at a run, and to the base of the guard tower. Reader?”
“Pretty sure it’s this one.” Reader dangled a key.
“They’ll drop us there, and give cover while we try to open it.”
He looked into all their faces then, from one to the other in turn. “This is the last chance,” he added. “Anyone wants out, now’s the time—”
“Eat,” Evelyn said.
“Don’t waste your breath,” Sidian agreed. Timothy and Thomas nodded, almost in unison.
“Or our time,” Archer said.
“Aye to that,” Reader agreed.
Blackhart took a deep breath, nodded, and bit into the bar.
THEY mounted up behind Ralan’s men, and the horses started off at a trot, gaining speed as they headed for the road. Once there, they started to run, sweeping through the main gate. Evelyn had a brief glimpse of the massive wooden doors leaning drunkenly against the walls before they were past.
She pressed herself to the man in the saddle, holding on tight as the horse ran. They left the road, swerving off to sweep into the stretch of bare land between the walls. She scanned for odium, but saw nothing.
The horses pounded the empty ground, galloping for all they were worth. The second wall of the Keep loomed over them. They plunged into its shade, moving swiftly.
Blackhart was up behind Ralan, off to Evelyn’s side. Even riding on the back of another man’s horse, he seemed at ease. He turned his head, as if sensing her gaze, and looked at her, his eyes strong and steady. The sight calmed her.
Faster than she’d thought possible, they reached their goal. The horses pulled to a halt, rearing slightly. She grabbed the man’s arm and slid to the ground quickly, stumbling a little as she found her footing. Blackhart swept up behind her, pulling her toward the wall, pressing her against the stones, out of the confusion of men and horses. He stood in front of her as the others gathered close.
The riders organized themselves. They faced their horses outward, guarding their group. Evelyn couldn’t see a door, but Reader was facing the stones, pressing a key into a chink in the rocks. The keys jangled in his hands.
“On the right,” Ralan called.
Evelyn peered over Blackhart’s shoulder. She could just make out a crowd of odium stumbling toward them.
“On the left,” came a call. Her head jerked around to see another group coming, slowly but surely. The horses bunched around them, shielding them from the oncoming monsters.
“Reader,” Blackhart snapped.
“Workin’ on it,” Reader said calmly, as he tried another key.
Archer had his bow out. Mage was next to him. Sidian stood ready as well, and Timothy and Thomas were behind Reader, facing the door, their spears in hand.
“No magic,” Blackhart reminded her. “Not unless . . .”
Evelyn nodded.
“Hold,” Ralan called to his men. “Wait for them.”
But even Evelyn could tell that the odium would surround them soon, unless—
“Got it,” Reader said as the lock clicked. The stones swung in silently, letting out a draft of foul, cold air. There was only darkness beyond. “We can—
An odium lunged out of the darkness, and g
rabbed for Reader’s throat.
TWENTY-FOUR
BEFORE Evelyn could react, Reader jerked his head back, and ducked down.
Timothy lunged over him, his spear plunging into the monster’s chest. The point sank deep into its gray flesh. Thomas moved as well, his spear piercing the monster in the throat.
Reader scrambled to the side, letting them push it through the door and onto the floor beyond.
The odium shrieked, flailing its arms. The brothers kept it pinned, their faces grim. Sidian stepped into the room, avoiding the creature’s reach. He brought his mace down, crushing its skull with a wet thud.
Thomas jerked his weapon free. Timothy used his to push the corpse to the other side of the room.
“Clear,” Sidian said, as he stepped farther into the room.
Reader was up and moving as Timothy pulled his spear free.
Orrin pushed Evelyn through the door, with Mage right behind. She couldn’t see at first, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
“Go,” Orrin barked to Ralan, as he and Archer rushed in, slamming the door behind them. Darkness enveloped them, and the sound of running horses was cut off.
Archer swore, his voice tight. The only other sound was their ragged breathing.
“Wait,” Mage said.
Evelyn forced herself to swallow as she stood in the darkness. She heard a soft click, and light spilled from Mage’s hand. He held up a small, round copper lantern hanging from a chain, the top pricked with holes. The light grew a bit stronger, but it wasn’t much more than a faint green glow.
“Magic?” she asked.
They all shook their heads as Sidian put a finger to his lips.
The room wasn’t big. The pale green light let her see a set of wooden stairs going up, and boxes and bales piled against the walls.
“Reader,” Orrin said.
Evelyn looked back to see that on this side there was an obvious door. Orrin was leaning against it, pressing it tight in its frame. Reader hurried over and inserted the large key, and she heard the bolt click into place.
Orrin stepped away, and they paused, listening. “You hear anything?”
Reader pressed his ear to the frame. Then he shook his head.
Sidian had walked to another door in the far wall, and was standing next to it. Timothy and Thomas moved behind him, taking up the same positions as before. Archer made for the steps, easing up quietly.
Evelyn stood in the center of the room, feeling a bit foolish. They all seemed to know exactly what to do, and when. But she forced herself to relax. These men had worked together for years, and knew these grounds. Best she could do for now was stay out of their way.
Archer’s voice floated down from the landing above. “Nothing moving out there.”
Mage handed the chain of the ball to Evelyn, and got a couple more out of his pack.
“Reader.” Orrin gestured toward the second door.
Sidian eased it open, and Reader slid out. It took only a few breaths before Archer spoke. “He’s got it.”
They left quickly, Evelyn following Timothy into the shaded courtyard. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls. Evelyn risked a glance at the high towers above them, but saw no one.
They crowded into the entrance to the dungeons. Sidian closed the door firmly behind them. Once again, Reader locked the door. It took a moment for Evelyn’s eyes to adjust to the eerie green light that the small, round ball gave off. The air in here was cooler, and damp.
“What are these?” Evelyn asked as Mage dug out yet another one and handed it to her. “If they aren’t magic?”
“It’s a kind of moss they use in the mines hereabout,” Mage said. “No heat, and it’s easy on the eyes. Gotta keep them watered just right, though. Too much, and—”
“Later,” Orrin said.
Mage clamped his mouth shut, and handed out the remaining balls.
Reader and Sidian were already at the head of the stairs, peering down. Reader pulled his sword, and disappeared into the darkness. Sidian followed, mace at the ready, with Timothy and Thomas right behind. They’d tied their lanterns to their belts, and the glowing lights showed a staircase spiraling down, the smooth walls damp and wet.
Mage slipped after them, and Evelyn took a step to follow when she heard a noise, a pained groan coming from Archer. The man stood there, his face stark in the dim light.
“Archer,” Orrin said from behind him.
Archer didn’t move, his eyes wide and staring.
Evelyn went toward him, and his eyes met hers. He blinked, then lifted his lantern. It swayed from his trembling hand. “I’m moving,” he said, his voice rough. “Don’t push a man.”
Orrin sighed, then shook his head. “Stay here. Watch our backs.”
Archer’s eyes went wide. “You said—”
“Changed my mind.” Orrin moved toward the stairs. “This is the only way out of the tunnels, Archer. Hold it.”
The tension went out of Archer’s body, and his shoulders sagged. “Feel like I’m letting you down.”
“Only if this room’s full of odium when I get back.” Orrin signaled Evelyn to precede him.
Evelyn gave Archer a smile, and started down the stairs.
NO torches lit the narrow spiral staircase. Orrin tightened his grip on his sword as he brought up the rear, moving carefully. Reader knew this warren of tunnels, so it made sense to let him take the lead. Orrin was more concerned with what might come up behind them.
Evelyn moved before him, carrying one of the lanterns. He noticed that she didn’t so much walk as float down, and her hips swayed within the confines of her trous.
He cleared his throat and brought his mind back to the task at hand.
They gathered at the bottom of the stairs. Five passages led off from there, and Reader was peering down the one to the right, the one that led to Elanore’s workroom.
“Archer’s guarding the way out,” Orrin said as his foot left the steps.
Everyone nodded, accepting the change in plan.
“Doesn’t smell right,” Sidian said. His voice seemed to fill the tunnel around them. “Doesn’t smell like them.”
Orrin took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Sidian was right; it smelled like stone and dirt and damp, not the rot of walking corpses.
“You would think there would be more activity, if this was the source,” Evelyn said softly. “You’d need a place to work, and”—she grimaced—“a place to store your supplies.”
Reader gave Orrin a questioning look. “Keep going?”
Orrin moved up beside him. “Elanore came down here to experiment. She created odium down here. It’s where we start.”
Reader sheathed his sword then pulled two daggers, bright and sharp in the light. “Same order?”
Orrin nodded. “Sidian and I will bring up the rear.”
Reader headed down the passage, the others right behind.
TWENTY-FIVE
THEY moved quickly, since this passage was wider and had few crossways to worry about. Orrin knew that it sloped down, then ran straight for a while.
Reader was cautious, but he moved faster now. There was only the sound of their breathing in the darkness.
Orrin had kept track of their position, but it was still a surprise when they came to the wooden double doors of the workroom.
“Nothing,” he breathed, worried.
Sidian scowled, looking back the way they’d come with worry etched in the scars on his face. His bushy eyebrows were so close together that they looked like one brow.
Reader sheathed his weapons, and studied the door. There was a lock on this one, and he was frowning.
“You can’t have a key for this one,” Orrin growled.
“Never could get my hands on one,” Reader agreed as he reached in his pouch. “But there’s something wrong here. Don’t know what.”
“Warded, maybe,” Mage said. “If I cast . . .” He looked at Orrin for permission.
“Do it.”<
br />
Reader eased back, and Mage stepped forward, mumbling under his breath. His eyes glowed for a moment, and he nodded. “Wards. Two. One inflicts pain, the other warns.” The lad frowned.
“What?” Evelyn whispered.
“They feel”—Mage bit his lip—“I’d swear the Baroness cast these.”
“Probably before she hared off into Athelbryght and got herself killed,” Orrin said.
“No.” Mage shook his head. “They feel fresh, as if—”
“Can you take them down?” Orrin demanded.
Mage nodded, and reached out his hand, chanting softly.
Orrin returned to watching behind, trusting the lad to get the job done quickly.
“Done.” Mage moved back. “The lock’s still—”
Reader had two picks in his hand. “That’s my job.” He knelt before the door, and started to work.
“Do you need more light?” Evelyn asked.
“Nah, Lady, it’s more feeling than seeing,” Reader said. “And I’ve a fair feel for these things.”
Orrin shook his head and caught Sidian’s eye. The only thing Reader liked better than books was a lock.
The lock clicked.
“That’s got—” Reader hissed, jerking his hand back, a thin needle sticking out of it.
EVELYN saw the needle shoot from the lock, saw Reader jerk his hand back, and knew what had happened. The small man was slumping to the floor as she reached out and grabbed his wrist. The prayer of healing was half formed in her mind before she closed her eyes to pray.
Poison, swiftly moving, flowing with the blood, trying to reach the heart. She could see it, a line of black in the red. She placed her other hand on Reader’s neck, and started to pray.
Power flowed through her, stopping the black, cleansing the blood. She felt Reader’s body trembling, felt him fighting to stay calm and still.
Dimly, she sensed movement about her, but she didn’t waver in her work. Stop now, and Reader would die. She wasn’t going to let that happen.
The poison was powerful, more powerful than the infections she’d dealt with in the past. It fought back, fleeing into the muscles, looking for a path to the heart. But Evelyn had seen that tactic before, and burned it out with her magic, following it down every pathway, purging every last trace of the darkness from the healthy flesh.
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