by Linda McNabb
Eagan and Rem climbed into the back of the wagon to check on Seth. The youth looked as pale as death and just as still. A small shiver ran down Eagan’s back as he reached out a hand to touch Seth’s forehead. He had held a very small hope that being near Caden would be enough to wake him up but as his finger touched Seth’s skin he knew it had not helped.
‘No change?’ Rem asked, looking closer and trying to appear unconcerned but she couldn’t quite hide her eagerness to see the youth wake up.
Eagan held his palm just above Seth’s nose and it was a tense few seconds before he felt a small breath of air puff against it.
‘No change,’ Eagan repeated. He wondered how long Seth could remain like this and still be able to be healed. He felt useless and wished he had gone to look for Seth back when he first vanished. All this might have been avoided if he had.
‘When he wakes up I want to be first to know,’ Waide said, looking into the wagon from the front. The scowl on his face said he hadn’t forgiven Seth one little bit.
They left Seth in the wagon and went to eat. It was simple food, but there was plenty of it and Eagan felt his eyelids drooping as quickly as the last light faded from the sky.
‘Are you sure nobody will look in here during the night?’ Eagan asked, eyeing up the straw laid down for the horse. It looked comfortable.
‘It’s an abandoned stable, we’ll be fine here.’ Asher replied. ‘Sleep. We’ll need to be up before the sun.’
Even the thug settled for the night without complaint and Eagan rested on the straw and fell asleep in minute and had a dreamless sleep that seemed barely five minutes long.
‘Time to get moving.’
Eagan’s eyes blinked open and he saw Asher shaking the others awake. He looked a little nervous but very focused. Tal was checking a quiver of arrows and passed it over to Asher.
‘What about Seth,’ Rem asked. ‘What should we do with him?’
‘I think it best if we leave him in the wagon.’ Eagan couldn’t imagine trying to sneak around with Seth in tow.
‘Put these on,’ Asher said, handing out brown cloaks. Clearly he had everything planned as they were identical to those they had seen the servants wearing yesterday. ‘Just do everything I do and don’t speak to anyone.’
‘What exactly are we here to do?’ Eagan asked. ‘Surely we need to know.’
‘No. The less you know the better for you,’ Tal said with a quick shake of her head. ‘It will all be over and done just before sunrise.’
Eagan saw her swallow quickly and lick her lips. She may appear brave and fearless but she was definitely a little nervous of what lay ahead. He looked around at the small group of them. Two leaders, a hired thug, two teenagers and an old man. They didn’t really seem like a group capable of causing much trouble.
Rem on her own was probably the most likely to be useful but he doubted Waide would be able to swing his oversized sword for long if the need arose. Eagan knew that if he hadn’t used most of Darius’ magic he might have been a help, but as it was he was probably more of a hindrance. He was tempted to offer to stay behind but he was curious what Asher and Tal were up to. He wrapped the cloak around him and put the hood up. In an instant all of them looked like they belonged here.
There was a chill on the early morning breeze that swirled over The Gap and the sun hadn’t even begun to peep over the horizon.
‘Over there,’ Asher said in a hushed whisper, waving over a crack of light at the base of the building. They hurried towards the light and Asher pulled the door open a little and looked inside. He nodded for them to enter and they filed in silently.
The door led to a small room that was filled with shelves stacked high with pots, pans and cooking implements of all kinds. Eagan paused to listen for any sounds of life in what must be the kitchen beyond the swing door. It was quiet and they crept through and up into the main section of the house. The house seemed almost abandoned and echoed alarmingly. Asher led them down several corridors and then stopped.
‘That’s Arianna, the overseer’s daughter,’ Asher said softly as a red-cloaked figure could be seen walking down a set of stairs at the end of the corridor. Her head was covered completely by her hood and a dark veil blocked any chance of seeing her face.
‘She was reported to be ill for several months last year, but has made a few appearances lately,’ Tal added.
‘My sources tell me that she never stays long in public though and spends most of her time in her rooms with her mother,’ Asher continued. ‘The veil is apparently to keep germs away while she recovers. Popular gossip suggests that the illness has left her disfigured in some way.’
‘I’m not sure we signed up for whatever they’ve got in mind,’ Darius said dryly as he popped into sight.
Eagan silently agreed. The way they were watching the girl was more than a little unsettling.
‘I can tell there is at least one wizard nearby, not counting Neras, so I won’t stay around for long, but if you need me, just yell.’
With that, the wizard vanished before Eagan could even nod in reply.
Arianna kept on down the next set of stairs and vanished from view.
‘Okay, so I guess you’ll need to know what to do,’ Asher said, sounding a little reluctant to be giving details. ‘When Arianna comes back up the stairs and along here, just grab her and we’ll do the rest.’
‘The rest?’ Rem repeated. ‘What are you going to do with her?’
‘And why?’ Waide asked. They both stopped in the middle of the corridor, waiting for an answer.
‘Someone will find us if we stay here,’ Asher said, trying to move them along. ‘And then our entire mission will be ruined.’
‘What are you planning to do with her?’ Rem insisted.
‘What do you care? She’s one of them! She’s a wizard,’ Tal hissed as if that was reason enough and glared at them all. ‘You can’t back out now.’
‘And you think it’s safe to kidnap a wizard? Surely she will be able to stop you,’ Eagan said with a note of caution in his voice.
‘We have that under control. She’ll be asleep with a weaker version of the potion we put on the arrows,’ Tal replied and earned herself a glare from Asher as if she had given away too much information.
‘We’ll don’t have much time,’ Tal said, joining him and looking nervously at a window at the far end of the corridor. The sky was still dark but there was a small hint of light on the far horizon. ‘The night-shadows will be back soon and they’ll make it hard for you to leave.’
Eagan frowned at her choice of words but had neither the opportunity to question her nor to discuss it with Darius.
‘We should get into a better position,’ Asher said.
He waved them all down the corridor and then into another darkened alcove just past a well-lit room. Their vantage point gave them a clear view into the room and Eagan immediately noticed how different it was to the rest of the building. Everywhere else was plain, simple and functional, but here there was nothing plain or simple. Silky material hung on the walls, gathered into swirling shapes and designs. All the surfaces of the exquisite furniture were covered in ornaments and most looked to be made of gold or crystal, and sometimes both!
Thick rugs adorned the floor and several plump white sofas were placed in the middle of the room. The heavy red velvet curtains were closed against the darkness and food lay waiting on a long low table near the sofas.
Footsteps could be heard coming their way and two girls were talking softly as they drew nearer.
‘Is she one of them?’ the thug asked, withdrawing a rag and a small bottle from his pocket. He tipped some liquid onto the rag, re-corked the bottle and stood ready.
Asher listened for a few seconds. ‘No, I don’t think so.’
Two young girls approached, oblivious to the group of strangers hiding in the shadows just a step away from them.
‘My mother has requested that I become companion to Arianna,’ one of them said i
n a nervous and worried voice.
‘Really? I heard that her face was so ugly from her sickness that nobody could look upon it without feeling ill!’ the other girl replied with a shake of her head. ‘It must be awful for her.’
‘Do you think that’s why we’ve been asked to stay at the house and to break fast with the overseer’s wife this morning?’ the first girl asked.
‘I don’t know. Perhaps…’
They fell silent as they entered the room across the hall and stood quietly by the far wall. Several older ladies arrived a minute later stood behind one of the sofas. They were all exchanging nervous glances. Clearly a visit to the overseer’s house was not something to look forward to!
Eagan felt a tap on his shoulder and he drew back a little as a woman approached at a slow, measured pace. She wore almost as much velvet as the curtains were made from and her dark hair was piled on her head in an artful and uncomfortable looking design that resembled a bird in flight. It looked as if it might topple her over if she bent too far forward which might explain the slow, stiff pace with which she approached the room.
He did not need anyone to tell him that this was the overseer’s wife - and a wizard as well. He could almost sense her presence and he wished he had left Darius down in the stables. Even as he the thought passed through his mind the woman paused and looked down the corridor. A small frown dipped one eyebrow then vanished as she forcibly relaxed her forehead then ran a finger over her face it as if to check it hadn’t creased her skin.
Eagan held his breath, and waited. He doubted there was much he could do if she discovered them. He had nothing left to call on.
She looked thoughtful for a few seconds then shrugged and turned into the room of waiting ladies. All of them dipped into a curtsy.
As she moved out of the corridor Eagan realised that the girl in the red cloak had been standing behind her. She did not enter the room, but paused in the doorway with her head slightly downcast.
‘Arianna will not be joining us. She is feeling tired this morning.’
Eagan could just see past the girl and watched as the woman levitated a delicate pastry from the table and over to her hand.
Those in the room curtsied again, this time in the girl’s direction. Arianna did not acknowledge them and simply turned to leave. She went straight past their hiding place and continued silently down the corridor.
Asher held a finger to his lips and watched the room opposite for a few seconds. When nobody was looking he urged them forward. They hurried along after Arianna but she must have increased her pace as they turned several corners and didn’t catch up with her.
‘She was supposed to arrive there first, and her mother hardly ever has extra guests at the house.’ Asher seemed bothered by the unexpected turn of events.
‘We’ll have to follow her up to her rooms,’ Tal said. ‘It might be even easier than we expected if she’s not seeing her mother again this morning.’
‘We still need to find out where Caden is,’ Waide pointed out.
‘Your friend is here?’ Asher asked, pausing slightly as he turned to look at Waide in surprise.
‘Ah, yes, didn’t we mention that?’ Eagan said with a shrug, as if it weren’t really important.
‘I thought you meant he was in Dohl,’ Asher said, frowning a little then turning back down the corridor.
They crossed a maze of passages and retraced their steps several times before heading up several staircases.
‘I’m still not comfortable with the second half of the plan,’ Asher muttered as they moved down a poorly lit corridor. The lamps on the wall were spaced so far apart that there were more shadows than light.
‘I’ll be fine. I will keep out of sight for the rest of the day then blend in with the staff,’ Tal replied, but her voice was a little stiff as if she were trying to convince herself that it was true. ‘You’ll have more than enough time to get well away.’
‘Caden is nearby,’ Darius said, popping into view and floating ahead of them.
Eagan guessed there were definitely no wizards about if Darius was happy to be out of his staff.
‘We’re close to Caden,’ Eagan repeated for Waide’s benefit.
‘How do you know that?’ Asher asked, drawing his eyebrows down as he looked at Eagan.
‘I just know,’ Eagan replied with a shrug. ‘Call it a feeling.’
‘Shh…’ Tal said, stopping at a corner and peering round it. ‘She’s up ahead in the main living area.’
They were definitely in the living quarters of the overseer. Instead of plain furnishings and basic decorations it was as extravagant as the breakfast room had been. Pictures hung on the walls and looked to be family portraits.
Tal waved them forward and they filed silently down the corridor. Everyone seemed nervous except the hired thug who was alert to his surroundings.
‘Just grab the girl and take her back to the stables. I’ll lead the way,’ Asher told them.
‘And Caden?’ Waide asked.
‘You can stay here and look for him if you want,’ Asher said with a shrug. It was clear that the man wasn’t bothered if they found Caden or not.
They all had a good view from their hiding place and even Eagan held his breath as the red-robed girl came into the room.
It still felt wrong to be part of an abduction plot and Eagan was about to say as much when Darius popped into view. Eagan waved furiously at him to leave, earning him a glare from Asher and Tal who had no idea why he was waving. Surely the wizard girl would sense him any second!
‘She’s not a wizard,’ Darius said, floating right up to the hooded figure.
Just as he said that the girl threw back her hood and unclipped her robe. She was a dark-skinned girl with tightly plaited hair, and she shook out the cloak and sighed as if she were pleased to take it off. Underneath she wore the simple brown cloak of a servant.
It was unlikely that this girl was the daughter of the wizard they had seen down in the breakfast room.
‘Who is that?’ Asher hissed, almost loud enough for the girl to hear.
‘They’re making people believe Arianna is here when she’s not,’ Tal said with a mix of disappointment and relief. ‘We need a new plan. How are we going to blackmail the wizards into leaving Dohl now?’
‘I’m guessing it’s not who you expected,’ Rem said. ‘Well, if we’re not kidnapping anyone we’re off to find Caden.’
Rem and Waide moved off quietly away from the retreating girl and Eagan went to follow. As he passed by the nearest wall one of the portraits caught his attention. It was larger than the rest, and hung near one of the lamps, so was easier to see.
He stopped, frozen to the spot, and stared. It was of a girl, dressed in regal red and gold staring expressionlessly out at him. It was Rem.
‘Oh dear, we do have a problem,’ Darius said, hanging in the air next to him. ‘We don’t just have a Yarris supporter in control of one of our only dragons; we have the overseer’s daughter.’
Eagan knew that if Rem saw the portrait she was sure to recognise herself.
‘I guess we know her name now,’ Darius commented dryly as they watched Rem moving off down the corridor.
Eagan stared after her. Arianna just didn’t fit somehow.
Chapter Fifteen - Night-Shadows Return
‘It looks like we’re going to have company very soon,’ the hired thug said in a sour tone and pointed at a far window with the tip of his sword.
The night was almost gone and a touch of light showed at the edges above the wall in the distance.
‘I can feel the boy nearby,’ Darius said, drifting towards a stairwell. Then he paused and backed up so he was level with Eagan. ‘And I feel a very strong wizard as well. Nothing like the woman we just saw. It might be best to leave the staff well away from whoever it is as they would sense me even if I stayed inside.’
‘We don’t want anyone finding you and walking off with your staff,’ Eagan pointed out. He didn’t feel co
mfortable leaving his lifelong friend behind and it wasn’t only because he was worried about Darius.
Darius pointed towards a large potted plant next to the large white staircase at the end of the corridor. Eagan slipped the staff in behind the plant and Darius nodded. ‘Just remember where you left me, and don’t forget to come back for me!’
The old wizard vanished before Eagan could reply and only seconds before the sounds of footsteps headed their way. There was no time to even look for a place to hide as a door opened and several dozen robed men emerged into the open area at the base off the stairs. They nodded a polite greeting and did not appear surprised to see them loitering there.
‘Sorry to keep you waiting. We’ll only just make it in time today,’ a man said and smiled at them as he approached. ‘It was good of you to wait down here.’
The man wore a cloak that was a slightly darker brown than the others, but apart from that he appeared no different. He was well-groomed and had sun-tanned skin that wrinkled with laughter lines around jet-black eyes. The hood he wore covered most of his hair but small patches of white showed just above his ears.
Eagan smiled and nodded in reply without speaking. He had no idea who this was or how he should be addressed and he breathed a silent sigh of relief when the man simply returned the nod and continued towards the stairs.
Asher exchanged a worried look with the rest of them then urged them to join the group. Clearly he knew more of what was going on and where these people were heading and he fell into step with the others as they headed quickly up the stairs.
The rest of their group followed and Eagan noticed that Asher, Tal and the thug had slipped their hands inside their cloaks. No doubt they had their hands ready on their weapons and Eagan could not help but admire their optimism given the number of people that now surrounded them.
He felt very vulnerable without Darius by his side and he flicked a glance back to make sure the staff was well hidden. He was not looking forward to meeting the great wizard that Darius sensed. Would he be able to sense Eagan’s own special link that bonded him to Darius?
