"As I was just saying, apprentice, there can be no mistakes in tomorrow's mission. You and the prince will have somewhat a minor role, but it is nonetheless vital that you two stick to your assignment and do not allow emotion – or pity - to sway your actions." Our leader was alluding to last night's revelation that our prestigious mission was, in fact, a kidnapping.
For the past week and a half we had been memorizing a detailed map of Caltoth's northeastern coast, learning the expected route we would take to arrive in Dastan Cove unnoticed. We had sailed just north of it, approximately a two-day's trek from the seafaring harbor. Flint, our mysterious traveling companion, knew the territory well. From what I had gathered he had served as a sentry there before coming to Jerar. He was to be our guide. The three mages would do most of the "blood work" while Darren and I acted as scouts.
At first I had been uncomfortable. I had been prepared for battle, spying on the enemy, stealing an important document or two. Never had I ever contemplated taking a young woman, not much older than me, hostage. She wasn't a mage, not even a fighter, merely the young wife of the baron in charge of the city… Mira and Flint wouldn't even tell us why the girl was important, only that they were under Crown orders to "acquire her."
But then Mira had mentioned the word "rebels" and I had stopped worrying about the girl's life. That attack in the Red Desert's salt mines would stay with me forever, and I had only to register the haunted look in Darren's eyes to understand how important our mission really was. Jerar couldn't afford a war. If whatever this girl knew would help save innocent lives, it was well worth it.
****
It took me all of the first and second day stumbling across the cold, pine-infested mountainside to get some semblance of normalcy to my gait. Darren kept shooting me impatient glances. I was slowing our progress down and we were supposed to be the scouting party.
Eventually, we made it out of the dense trees and up a cold, frost-covered peak that Flint had told us would provide easy vantage for spotting sentries. "They will not have a full guard this far north – but you still need to be vigilant. They might have changed their routine in the year since I left. They think I'm dead, but Caltothians are overly-cautious in everything."
Trying not to wheeze too heavily, I joined Darren in his shadowed alcove and scanned the land below, willing the feeling of unsteady ground to pass. Never again would I volunteer to board a ship. All my life I had lived relatively sickness-free. The gods were clearly enjoying a good joke now that I had spent almost two weeks living out the worst humiliation – and symptoms - of my life.
"Take this." Darren held out his water skin, his eyes locked on the city below us.
I took a swig and choked on its contents. I had been expecting water – not the sweet taste of peppermint.
"It's for the nausea."
I took another swallow, and then another, letting the cold brew settle into my stomach. It brought back memories of my childhood. My parents had always given us mint tea for an after-dinner treat during the cold winter nights. I was well aware of its benefits, but I was surprised the prince had cared enough to offer it. I had almost drunk the entire contents before I realized I should save some for Darren.
"Thanks." I handed it back to him.
The prince waved the skin away. "That one was for you."
I almost dropped it. "Me?"
"I found the mint at the edge of the marsh we made camp at last night. I thought it might help."
I didn't know what to say. After two weeks of silence and short, clipped sentences this was the most Darren had spoken to me. We had never discussed my decision, and now out here, alone, away from the others – and especially after his gift - I felt a need to say something.
"Darren-"
"Don't." His words were tired, and for the first time I thought I detected some bitterness. "You made the right decision, Ryiah. Let's just leave it at that."
But I didn't want to. I bit my tongue and tried to focus on the brightly lit port just past the rocky shores below us. In Caltoth even its coastline was a much colder, much different kind of port than the one we had come from.
The city's harbor was twice the size of Langli. I could immediately understand why Darren had called it the wealthiest nation. Most of the buildings in Jerar consisted of timber frames with moderately thatched roofs; below, all I saw was brick: house after house and shop after shop of brick, sturdy walls and heavy curtained windows (a luxury that only a king's palace or lord's castle could usually afford), wide cobblestone paths marking every direction of street, and torches at every corner housed by giant stone pillars.
And, of course, the entire harbor was guarded by as many soldiers as the entire citizenship of Langli.
I drew a sharp intake of breath and Darren noticed. "It's a very important post," he explained. "This is the harbor they ship all of their exports, including the rubies, from. My father said one third of Caltoth's militia guards it – and most of them aren't visible. The ones we see are the ones they want us to see."
Flint had of course told us the same thing, but I had forgotten until now – looking down at what could easily rival the capital back in Jerar.
"How many?"
"How many what?"
"Sentries, Ryiah." Darren gave me a sideways look. "Stop staring and get to work. Mira will cut our throats if we give her the wrong numbers."
I made a face. "Not yours."
"Well I still don't want to spend all night freezing while you gawk."
I almost smiled. For a moment it felt like things were back to the way they used to be between us, before that night at the ball. Before the awkwardness at the last ascension. A friendship that was slightly insulting, but with enough undisguised humor to let me know it was in jest.
After twenty minutes of counting, and then another hour of matching up Flint's landmarks to their actual positions, the two of us confirmed that the guards' formation hadn't changed. We hurried as quickly and quietly as we could back to camp.
Andy looked happy to see us but everyone else looked cold and impatient.
"Well?" Mira demanded. The mage's yellow eyes glinted like a cat's in the tiny orange light she was casting. Real fires were out of the question. We couldn't leave any trace of our presence for a patrol to find.
Darren smiled grimly. Shadows danced along the strong line of his jaw. "Everything is as Flint said."
"Good. Then we set out at first light."
****
I straightened the maid's dress and brushed my sweating palms against its clean underskirt, reciting Mira's instructions one final time. Even though I had just eaten, my stomach was twisting and turning and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. The sun was about to set. It was time to go.
If I failed in any part of my assignment, the mission would fail.
I was sure Mira would have given my task to someone else if she could have – but the task was best given to a woman who could act the part of a lady's maid. Mira was too famous as the sister of Jerar's Black Mage. Andy, far too imposing in size. I was their best bet.
I stepped out into the packed village square and made my way to Baron Cyr's castle, which shone like a gray beacon amongst the red sky above. There were two guards who watched my progress as I drew close. I handed the one nearest my forged papers and then entered the great doors of the baron's hall with a deep breath and a steady walk.
"Two flights of stairs to your left after you pass a long corridor upon entry. Take the stairs and make three rights to the lady's chambers, which will be the first room you come across. Make sure you carry something so the others don't find your presence suspicious. The lady will be taking her dinner on the southern balcony since the baron is still away. She always does this whenever he travels so she can be the first to spot his ship upon its return. While she and her ladies-in-waiting are there, you must enter her chambers and locate a tapestry of the baron's keep."
Trying to appear hurried – as if I had already been assigned some househ
old chore instead of wandering - I scurried past various servants to the second floor and located Lady Sybil's room. I was carrying a vase of flowers I had grabbed upon entry. I quickly deposited them on her dresser.
I scanned the walls for a tapestry. I found it at the corner of the lady's bedpost and then felt underneath for a hidden latch. I twisted and a door swung back, leading into a dark passage that Flint had said would lead to a relatively unguarded cellar in the back of the castle.
"The only people that know about this tunnel are the guards and the baron's family. The door can only be unlocked from the inside so they usually don't bother with an extensive patrol at its entrance… Ryiah, once you unlock this door you need to use something to jam it. Try a piece of cloth or something similar to keep the latch from catching. Do not cast. You can't expel any of your magic or have anyone notice you are not who you seem to be."
I left the room after I had successfully jammed the door with a bit of leftover candle wax from the lady's nightstand. To the untrained eye it would be easy to miss the slight line in the otherwise untouched wall and its secret door behind. It was what we were counting on.
I found my way to the balcony and then pushed my way past two guards, the ladies-in-waiting and their mistress. I feigned interest in lighting a torch overlooking the edge of the railing. It wasn't dark yet and to anyone else it would appear I was preparing for night to fall.
In truth I was lighting the signal fire to the others below.
"Miss, miss, what are you doing? The lady does not light that unless her husband is returning!" A lady-in-waiting quickly doused the flame I had just cultivated.
Panic reached out and gripped my throat like an invisible hand. The fire had only lasted for a minute. What if the others missed it? Flint had never told us that the torch was ceremonial. Mira was counting on me. They all were.
"Surely the lady does not wish to eat in the dark?" I asked with a simpering smile, trying not to grate my teeth.
The maid gave me an odd look. "She won't – her meal is almost done. She and the little lady Tamora are always done before dark."
"L-lady Tamora?" And then I saw the small child at the lady's right – a fistful of black curls like the mother, with wide, innocent blue eyes. She could not be more than five years of age.
My stomach clenched. Lady Sybil had a daughter.
"What did you say your name was?" The maid's stare had changed from annoyance to suspicion.
I swallowed as I realized too late my mistake. Even a new maid would know if her lady had children.
A series of shouts and the clamor of a sudden panic below stole the maid's attention away. She and the others rushed to the railing to see what had caused the commotion below. I pretended to do the same while silently thanking the gods that Darren had noticed my signal.
Below, on the southern edge of the city's farmland was a huge, hungry fire eating away at the local crop field and its adjoining pasture with frightening speed. The prince had done well in such a short amount of time.
Men and women were running with buckets of water, guards were searching the crowds, and there, dressed in a heavy peasant's costume, was the non-heir. Slinking along the shadows as the city erupted in chaos.
"Your ladyship – you and the child must get back to your rooms immediately!" The maid who had questioned me was busy dragging the baroness to her feet while the guards secured the railing behind us.
"They will be fearful of an attack. Their first move will be to get the lady to safety. You must find a way to remain in her presence at all costs."
Most of the ladies-in-waiting had already run to their quarters, but two guards stood waiting for the baroness and her child. I would never be able to join them unnoticed. Not with the suspicious maid watching my every move.
I needed to do something.
Pretending to busy myself with the lady's belongings, I cast out my magic. At once the maid's mouth and nose were covered in a thick rag, sealing her airways.
Thirty seconds. That was all I needed.
The maid let out a muffled cry, clawing at the object on her face. The guards and lady started to turn - I coughed loudly, bringing their attention back around to me. The child was too busy clutching her mother's skirts to notice.
Sixteen. Seventeen.
The maid stomped her feet loudly and I pretended to fall to cover the sound.
Twenty-two. Twenty-three.
"Miss, are you okay?"
I stared up at the guards and shook my head, pretending to be frazzled.
One of the guards smiled. "No need to worry miss, we are very apt at sensing danger."
Are you now? I let the casting disappear and then scrambled to my feet as the maid fell to the floor, unconscious. "Please, sirs," I cried, "the maid has fainted. She needs a healer!"
The two men glanced at one another and I made myself shrill. "You must take her! I can escort Lady Sybil to her chambers!" The maid was young and pretty. I hoped one of them had a soft spot for the girl, enough to leave their baroness' side.
"It's okay, Red, you can take Mila – Tamora and I will be fine." Lady Sybil's voice was calm and authoritative. I felt a wave of guilt. Her sympathy for her servants would ultimately lead to her demise.
At his lady's command, the guard with short, straw-colored hair rushed forward to take the unconscious girl from my arms and hurry down the corridor. The other guard remained and followed Lady Sybil and I down the winding hall to her chambers.
Just as I began to enter the lady turned to me and shook her head ever so slightly. "I would like to be alone with my child. That is all." Her keen blue eyes watched me, and for a moment I thought I saw a flicker of suspicion. Then she shut the door, leaving me and the other guard outside her chamber.
"You'd best hide in the servants' quarters, miss," the big man addressed me. His eyes held the same doubt as his lady and my insides squirmed uncomfortably. "There is nothing more you can do here."
I hastened a glance to my left and right – a quick study to make sure no one else was watching. The man drew his blade and I threw my power at him, letting the man hit the wall with a loud thud and then crumble to the floor. I'd had a feeling the casting I had used on the maid wouldn't have stopped a choking man from attempting to cut me in half.
I quickly knelt and grabbed the large ring of keys hanging from the guard's pocket. I thrust the key I had seen him use just moments before into the door lock, clutching the guard's sword in my other hand as I prepared for the lady's defense. There was no way she could have missed the commotion.
I needn't have bothered. The others were already there – weapons in hand - as the lady cowered and begged them not to harm her child.
"I'll come with you willingly," she was saying, "just don't hurt Tamora."
Mira was standing in front of the lady while Cethan bound the baroness and placed a gag in her protesting mouth. The lady was still fighting her restraints. I realized why when I saw Andy was holding Tamora by the wrist uncomfortably.
"What do we do with the girl?" the mage asked our leader. "Flint never told us there would be a child."
Mira shifted her cold yellow gaze to me. "Silence the child, Ryiah. We'll take her with us. Andy, I need you to help me cover the front until we meet Darren and Flint outside."
I hesitated as Andy dragged the child over.
"Are you sure we need to bring the girl?" I swallowed over Tamora's cries. I couldn't imagine hurting such a small, innocent child. "Surely we don't-"
"Are you questioning me, apprentice?"
I clutched the small girl by her shoulders – they were frail and tiny, like a bird's. Her body trembled violently against my hands. I couldn't bring myself to move.
A sharp, whistling noise – like a whip lashing out into the air before us - and the child fell to the ground. I gasped and looked to Mira in horror. The leader had just cast the child unconscious. Tamora now had a small trickle of blood flowing from the left side of her head.
I im
mediately picked the girl up in my arms, silently loathing the woman who could be so heartless. "You didn't need to do that." I couldn't stop myself.
"You did well getting us in, apprentice," Mira replied sharply, "but if you ever jeopardize a mission again I will personally ensure you are thrown out of your apprenticeship for insubordination."
And I thought Byron was as bad as it got.
****
Darren and Flint were waiting for us at the end of the tunnel. They were keeping an eye out to make sure our route was safe. The second the prince saw the limp child I was carrying Darren's mouth formed a small, hard line. Flint looked surprised but unperturbed.
Mira gave orders for Darren to take over at the front. Cethan and I would stay at the middle of the pack with our hostages. Flint, Mira, and Andy would guard the back.
We took off at a run.
And we ran. Every second, every breath seemed to go on for hours as we made our retreat through an endless sea of green and brown and white. Every once in awhile Flint would shout out a landmark or a direction we missed, but for the most part the only sound was the heavy panting of breath and the crunch of pine needles beneath our boots.
Minutes into our escape Tamora awoke – but before she could cry Andy slipped something into my hand. "We were supposed to give it to the mother if she was difficult," she whisper-panted, "but I have a mind she'll play nice so long as you don't let Mira touch that child again."
I shot the mage a small smile and then held the vial to the child's lips. "Please?"
The Black Mage: Apprentice Page 17
