“I hadn’t thought of her. I’ll see…” Brigitte turned her head toward the two anxious faces peering through the door. “Tamlin, see if Lennie can help with the intruder.”
He went, the sound of his running footsteps fading as it echoed down the corridor. Brigitte tried to fix Marsh with a stern gaze, but the smile that flitted across her lips ruined the effect.
“You were supposed to be sleeping.”
Marsh swallowed, feeling the first onset of nerves. A shiver ran through her, and she raised her hand so Brigitte could see it shaking.
“Believe me, I’d have preferred not to have had someone try to kill me.”
“Was that what he was here for?” Brigitte turned toward the door. “Come on. We’ll head down to the dining hall so Roeglin can send someone to deal with this.”
Marsh pushed herself off the desk, but instead of following Brigitte out of the room, she crouched beside the desk and reached into the shadows cloaking her pack.
“We need to find a safe place for this,” she said, holding it up. “It’s what he was sent for.”
“Sent?”
Marsh walked to the door, shouldering the pack as she went. Aisha grabbed her hand as soon as she stepped into the corridor.
“You ‘kay?”
Marsh wanted to tell her that she wasn’t okay, but that wasn’t what the little girl needed to hear.
“I’m fine now that you’re here,” she said, and was rewarded by an approving nod from Brigitte. She tapped the pack. “You gonna help me find a safe place for this?”
Aisha regarded her with wide eyes and shook her head.
“Master of Shadows will help,” she said.
Marsh sighed and looked at Brigitte. The journeyman shrugged.
“The child has a point,” she said, “but I think we should hand it over to the Supply Master for the time being. The Master of Shadows is busy.”
Busy with what? Marsh wanted to ask, but she had a fair idea. When she’d last seen him, the Master had been mapping out how they were going to restore the trade routes, starting with the one to Ruins Hall. She couldn’t have slept that long…
As she followed Brigitte down eerily silent halls and corridors, Marsh revised that. There was none of the day-to-day hustle and bustle that she was used to. As they descended the stairs to where the Supply Master laired, Marsh had to ask.
“Where is everybody?”
“Dinner. We were coming to get you when we heard the ruckus.”
Ruckus. Well, that was one way to describe it, Marsh thought. On the other hand, it also explained why no one had come earlier. The sleeping levels were quiet during training and meals. She’d been lucky to wake up at all.
“Wondered when you’d be down,” the Supply Master said when they reached her. “Roeglin said to expect you.”
That had shown a lot of faith, Marsh thought, given that she hadn’t decided what to do when he’d left.
“How’s Mikel?” she asked, and the Supply Master looked at her in surprise.
“Mikel?” she asked, lifting Marsh’s pack and carefully taking the artifact out of it.
“The seeker. The one who attacked me.”
The Supply Master’s reply was delivered with a non-committal shrug.
“Roeglin said they’d be questioning him, so I guess he’s still alive. Lennie went past a little while ago. She must have been able to make a difference.”
“Is she okay?”
“She looked a bit tired on the way back, but that big guy was with her, so I’m guessing she’ll be okay.”
“Henri?”
“I think so. The missing husband’s brother.” The Supply Master reached under her counter and pulled out a heavy stone box. “This should do the trick.”
Eyeing it, Marsh had to agree. She watched as the Supply Master laid the artifact inside the box and closed the lid. What surprised her was that the woman did not lock it right away. Instead, she ran her finger around the seam where lid met body, and the stone melded together until the seam was gone. After that, the Supply Master slid a lock through each of the corners of the box and closed them.
Marsh thought that might be overkill, and her thoughts must have shown on her face because the Supply Master caught her gaze and gave her a tight-lipped smile.
“The Master of Shadows said he wanted it as secure as I could make it. I’m nearly done.”
Nearly? Marsh stared at her, but the woman didn’t explain any more. Instead, she turned to the wall behind her counter and laid an open palm on the stone. Now that she was paying attention, Marsh noticed the padlocks set in orderly rows along the bottom of the wall. More padlocks were scattered over the wall like random decorations, and she couldn’t work out why.
As she watched what the Supply Master did next, Marsh realized what the explanation might be. The stone crept away from the Master’s hand and left a hollow in the rear wall that would easily fit the box. The Supply Master picked the box up from the bench and lifted it to the shelf, sliding it easily into the gap. When she was done, she rested her hand at the top of the hollow she’d created and the stone flowed back, working its way around the box and smoothing itself over until the hollow had disappeared.
When it was done, the Supply Master moved her hand down until it was at the midpoint of where the shelf would be. Closing her eyes for a moment, she let her hand rest there, and then she lifted it away. Staring at the spot, Marsh saw that a simple loop now protruded from the wall. Catching her look and smiling silently, the Supply Master took another padlock out from beneath her counter and slipped it through the loop.
“There,” she said. “All done, and if the fortress is attacked, I will simply erase the locks from the wall. There will be no clue as to where the artifact has been hidden. It is all we can do to make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands.”
Staring at the wall, Marsh felt a part of herself relax. If the Supply Master removed the locking point, there would be no way for anyone to tell that this wall was any different from the others, and in any case, most treasure hunters would assume that what they looked for would be found on the shelves in the storerooms beyond.
They would be mistaken.
“Is there anything else?” the Supply Master wanted to know.
She looked at Brigitte, but the journeyman shook her head.
“Did Master Leger leave any instructions?” Brigitte asked, and it was the Supply Master’s turn to shake her head.
“No.” She cast a glance at Aisha, drawing Marchant’s attention to the child’s look of wide-eyed fascination, “although I think the little one might be better off in the company of her brother.”
“Point taken.” Brigitte turned to the door. “Come on. Let’s go find Tamlin.”
Marsh turned to follow and tripped over Scruffknuckle. The krypthund pup gave a startled yip, flipped her a filthy look, and bounded out from under her feet. Aisha laid her hand on him as he went past and he skidded to a halt beside her.
The child shot Marsh a look dirty enough to match the pup’s as she walked Scruffknuckle out the door. Marsh rolled her eyes.
“He should know better than to get underfoot,” she grumbled, and Aisha glared.
“You should watch where you’re stepping.” Before Marsh could find a reply to that, the child stalked down the hall, leaving Marsh frozen and staring before following in Brigitte’s wake.
They had just reached the stairwell when Roeglin came out of it. His eyes were shadowed and his mouth was set in a straight line, but his face lightened when he saw Marsh.
“Trainee Leclerc,” he said, “if you would come with me.”
“Coming.” Marsh turned to Brigitte. “Journeyman Petitfeu.”
Brigitte made a gesture of dismissal and took Aisha’s hand.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, kiddo. Let’s go find your brother.”
Roeglin didn’t say anything as he hurried ahead of Marsh down the stairs, and Marsh didn’t bother asking where they were goi
ng. She had an idea she already knew, and she wasn’t looking forward to the meeting ahead.
5
A Change of Plans
Mikel was tied to a chair in the middle of a stone-lined cell when Marchant arrived. Gustav and Master Envermet stood against the far wall behind him. The seeker ignored them, lifting his head when he heard the door open. His lip curled in contempt when he saw who Roeglin had brought.
“Well, if it isn’t the little girl who wants to be a seeker!”
Marsh made a show of looking over her shoulder.
“No little girls here,” she said, turning back and looking Mikel up and down, “but there is a heaping great turd that needs to be moved to a latrine.”
Mikel gave a short, sharp laugh in reply, sobering as Roeglin stepped closer. Marsh stayed where she was, waiting to see what Roeglin might do next. Mikel flicked the shadow mage a quick glance and turned his attention to Marsh.
“Tell me, why haven’t you joined the winning side?”
Marsh made a point of looking at the other mages in the room before returning her gaze to Mikel. She hesitated as her gaze passed over Roeglin, but he gave her the smallest nod and she replied.
“I thought I already had.”
Again, that snort, this time of derision.
“These guys?” He rolled his shoulders, turning his head to take in the shadow guard, the bodyguard, and the shadow mage. “They’re outclassed and way outnumbered. They don’t stand a chance against what’s coming.”
“What’s coming?” Marsh put her hand on her hip and cocked her head. “I thought you worked for Kearick.”
“Kearick’s just the next boss up. There are others far more powerful…” His eyes darted around the cell as though expecting one of those “others” to step out of the shadows. When none did, he continued. “And they are closer than you think. Ruins Hall will fall, and this fortress will be next. We’re looking forward to making it our home.”
Marsh raised an eyebrow and waited. With any luck, she’d be able to get him to talk some more. Mikel stared back, and the silence between them grew. Marsh sighed and looked at Roeglin, but, before she could say anything, Mikel spoke.
“You need to make your delivery,” he said, “or I’ll just be the first. That artifact is not a toy for inexperienced girls to play with.”
Marsh turned back to him, real anger stirring for the first time.
“I wouldn’t be so inexperienced if Kearick had helped me find an apprenticeship. I bet he didn’t even approach you.”
Mikel laughed.
“He didn’t, but even if he had, I’d never have taken you on. You don’t have what it takes to be a real seeker.” He gestured around the cell. “The fact that you ended up here is proof of that.”
Tamping down her outrage, Marsh forced herself to smile.
“And yet, I did end up here. I survived the ambush and made it on my own with two children in tow through caverns I’d never seen, and I rescued others on the way. If that doesn’t show promise, I don’t know what does.”
She stopped.
Mikel was staring at her.
“What?”
He licked his lips and then replied.
“You survived the ambush outside Ruins Hall and made it back?”
“Your point?”
“We were told there were no survivors.”
“Well, they were hardly going to admit to failing, were they?”
Mikel drew a breath, the look on his face moving from straight calculation to concentration as he looked her over. Marsh had the impression he was studying her, or maybe looking for something he might have missed the first time.
Whatever it was, he didn’t tell her whether he’d found it when he continued. “The artifact belongs to us. It needs to be wielded by someone who knows how to use it.”
“I don’t suppose you’ll tell us how?”
His lip curled. “Not a chance.”
Marsh laughed. “You don’t know how!”
From the look on his face and the flush rising over his skin, she’d hit the mark. She laughed again.
“You don’t know how it works, and they wouldn’t teach you. It’s like they don’t trust you.” She paused, ignoring the scowl he directed her way. “Maybe I’m not the one who’s on the wrong side. Maybe you’d do better working with us.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
“Why not? It’s not like you’re important to them.”
Again, that look of scorn and defiance.
“How would you know? You couldn’t even make it through the front door. All you were considered good for was being an unwitting courier.”
The words stung, but Marsh tried not to show it. Instead, she shrugged as though they didn’t bother her.
“Just goes to show that everyone makes mistakes.”
This time she turned to Roeglin.
“Is there anything else, Master?”
The shadow mage shook his head.
“I think that’s all. You are dismissed.”
Marsh turned toward the door, but she had barely moved two steps before Mikel spoke again. “It really is too bad you have to die.”
She paused, then forced herself to start moving again. His words bothered her, but there was nothing to be gained by answering them. Even so, she was shaking when the door clunked shut behind her. Since Roeglin had dismissed her but not told her where to go, Marsh decided to see if she could catch up with Aisha and Tamlin in the dining hall. A little bit of time in their company would go a long way toward making her feel better.
For now, she felt…ruffled. There were no real emotions, just a strong feeling of unease, as if her whole world had shifted but she didn’t know how. It was as though her reality was somehow less real, an unnamed thread stalking closer with every step she took. Emerging into the corridor outside the dining hall was a relief, and Marsh hurried to find the children. They waved as she came through the door, their faces lighting up as she crossed the floor toward them. Marsh wondered what she’d done to make them so happy.
You survived.
Roeglin’s voice in her head made her pivot toward the door, but not before she saw some of the joy fade from the children’s faces. She wondered what had them looking so concerned?
We need to eat, and then we need to see the Master of Shadows.
Roeglin didn’t wait for her response but hurried over to get his meal. Marsh followed, her unease growing as she loaded her plate and returned to where the children were waiting.
“Are you okay?” Tamlin asked and Marsh nodded.
Mindful of Roeglin’s message, she dug into her food.
Marsh nodded. “You?” she asked through a mouthful of crispy shrooms.
Tamlin nodded in return, following her example and digging into his dinner. Beside him, Aisha did the same. It was as though both children could sense the urgency in the air.
“Lennie?” Marsh added, and Tamlin chewed quickly and swallowed to clear his mouth.
“Tired, but okay. She couldn’t fix it all, but she stopped him from dying.”
Marsh wondered what good that would do Mikel, given that he seemed intent on staying on the wrong side and they couldn’t really spare the men to guard him.
None. Roeglin’s response had a final note, and Marsh shied away from asking him when Mikel was going to die.
She could have done without the shadow mage’s response.
It’s done. We’ll bury him in the morning.
Marsh coughed as her food formed a lump in her throat. Roeglin didn’t say a word, just silently passed her a glass of water. The two children watched them, concern shadowing their eyes. Brigitte took in the scene but didn’t say anything. Roeglin added nothing more but cleared his plate in record time, nudging Marsh to do the same before getting up to leave.
Marsh followed, eating as she went, and stuffed the last forkful of food into her mouth just as she reached the stack of dirty dishes and added her plate to the pile. She w
as glad when Roeglin detoured back to the table to address the children.
“We have a meeting now, so you need to train with Brigitte. Practice your glows; you’ll need to be as good as you can if you’re coming with us.”
Aisha’s face lit up, and Tamlin looked happy, then worried.
“She’s too little,” he whispered, and Roeglin shook his head.
“Not anymore,” he told the boy. “She has the skills of a grown-up and a brother to protect her, and we need her.”
The look Tamlin gave the shadow mage was a cross between pride and consternation. Marsh knew exactly how the boy felt. On the one hand, it was good to see Aisha’s skill recognized, but on the other, it was terrible to see her going into danger to use it. Marsh wished there was another way but she acknowledged that there wasn’t.
The children were coming with them; there wasn’t any other option if there was going to be a world for them to grow up in. All any of them could hope for was that they could create a world where the siblings could grow up safely once they’d secured the caverns and driven off the raiders.
Yeah… Once all that had happened, and she’d found their parents.
“I’ll catch you both at bedtime,” Marsh said, and shared a glance with Roeglin. “Sooner if I can.”
Tamlin gave her a dark and dubious look and Aisha waved with one hand, while patting Scruffknuckle with the other. The hoshkat kit had reappeared from its wanderings to lean against the little girl’s leg and wrinkled its lips in a silent hiss of disapproval.
They were sure signs the child was worried, but Marsh couldn’t fix that. All she could do was try to keep her promise and catch them at bedtime, even if it meant taking a break from the meeting to do so.
I’ll see what I can do, Roeglin assured her as he led the way to the door. Out loud he added, “Trainee, we need to go. Journeyman, you’re in charge. Apprentices, do as Journeyman Petitfeu says.”
There was nothing Marsh could add to that, so she followed Roeglin out to the corridors leading to the Shadow Master’s office. Neither of them said a word, Marsh because she was trying to work out what she had to do next, and Roeglin, because… Well, Marsh didn’t know, and she didn’t have time to ask, even if she’d thought he would tell her.
Trading into Darkness Page 4
