Weโre stopped at the gate.
At first, this isnโt a surprise. I donโt have a pocket watch on me, but itโs still early, and ever since explosives made it into the Royal Sector, the guards at the gate are more cautious about closed carriages.
Thorin and Saeth are palace guards, though, in livery that designates them as members of my personal guard. Our halt at the sector gates shouldnโt take long. A pause, nothing more.
Itโs more.
As time ticks on, I look across the carriage at Quint, whoโs trying not to look worried, but I can see in his eyes that heโs registered the delay, too.
I strain my ears to listen, but the voices are a bare rumble of unintelligible sound. The carriage windows are set with thick glassโmeant to maintain privacyย insideโand we have the wool curtains drawn closed so no one could see me. My heartbeat finds a rapid rhythm and refuses to settle.
I shift to the window, ignoring the throb in my leg when the wound pulls and aches. I slide a hand below the curtain
and gently ease the latch to the side, then push with my fingertip to slide the glass as slowly as possible.
Quint is watching me with wide eyes, but he says nothing. It looks like heโs holding his breath, listening just as hard as I am.
โโkingโs business,โ Thorin is saying, his voice mu๏ฌed and distant because he must be on the other side of the carriage. โYou have no right to demand a search of this vehicle.โ
My eyes lock on Quintโs. If anyone sees me like this, the rumors would not be good.
And why are they demanding a search?
โWeโve been given orders directly from the palace,โ a man says sharply. โNo one enters the sector without being searched.โ
โI didnโt give those orders,โ I whisper to Quint. โWas this because I was missing?โ
His expression is grave. โNo. No one was aware you were missing.โ He takes a deep breath and flicks his gaze over my form, from my injured leg to the bloodstains that seem to be everywhere. โI shouldโve thought to bring appropriate attire.โ
Outside the carriage, Thorin is snapping at the gate guard. โOur orders supersede yours. You will stand down and allow us to pass.โ
โYou will allow us to search your carriage, or you will have to answer to Captain Huxley,โ says the gate guard. The door to the carriage rattles, and I freeze, drawing back against the wall as if I could disappear.
But then something slams against the door, and Saeth speaks. โIf you try to force your way into this carriage, you will find a fight youโre not ready for.โ
I donโt know whatโs happening. I donโt know why weโre being stopped, or why theyโre demanding to search this
carriage.
I do know my guards shouldnโt risk their lives because Iโm scared of idle gossip.
I steel my spine and shift forward, intending to open the door, to put an end to this. Iโll declare myself and we can be on our way.
But then the gate guard snorts and says, โWhatโs wrong? Did you catch the king yourself? Iโm not looking to snag your reward. Iโm just following orders.โ
I stop with my hand on the latch.
The door rattles and Saeth snaps again. โI told you not to touch this door.โ
What reward?ย I mouth to Quint.
A line has appeared across his brow, and he shakes his head.ย I donโt know.
โWhat reward?โ Thorin demands.
โFor the capture of the king,โ says the guardsman, as if itโs obvious. โFor what heโs done.โ
For an instant, the air outside the carriage is absolutely silent, and those words hang in the air dangerously. Iโm staring at Quint, and itโs hard to breathe. I have no doubt my guards are outside this carriage, deliberating the best course of action.
The gate guard must figure it out at the same time, because I hear the click of a crossbow. โYouย doย have the king! Larriant, call for the captain! Send for the night paโโ
Someone throws a punch, and something heavy collides with the carriage. The vehicle jolts and lurches forward, turning so quickly that Iโm thrown back against the seat. The sudden movement jars my leg, and I cry out, just as the carriage begins to tilt to the side. Hooves pound against turf, but weโre still turning, and I feel myself slam into the wall. Weโre going to tip over. Weโre going toย crash. My stomach flip-flops.
But then Quint grabs my arm and hauls me away from the side, and the suddenness of our movement slams the wheels back into the ground. The carriage bouncesย hard, then fishtails on the path, then finally straightens out. Shouting erupts outside the carriage, and a few arrows strike the outer walls, but weโre traveling fast.
Weโre both a bit sprawled on the floor, and Iโm breathing like weโve run a race, but I look at Quint. โThank you,โ I say. โThatโs the second time youโve saved my life.โ
Heโs breathing hard, too. โCrashing didnโt seem like a good option, Your Majesty.โ
โWe still might.โ The carriage is going too fast for the terrain, and we rock and sway every time we hit a rough spot.
I want to demand information, but Quint is just as trapped as I am. I donโt even know if weโre heading into the Royal Sector or away from it.
I ignore the pain in my leg to lever myself back to the window, then jerk the curtain to the side. A jagged crack splits the glass, but it still holds. Trees are flying past, alarmingly fast.
Weโre heading back into the Wilds.
I look at Quint. โI donโt know where weโre going,โ I say, and I choke on my breath. This is worse than waking up in Violetโs barn, terrified of who might walk through the doorway. At least then I wasnโt worried about the barn crashing down around me. โI donโt even know who has us now.โ
What reward?
For the capture of the king. For what heโs done.
My breathing threatens to go thin and reedy, stealing all my thoughts while my body strains for survival. I focus on slowing each breath, until I canย think.
โI trust Thorin,โ Quint says.
โI do too. I just donโt know if heโs still driving this carriage.โ I cast a glance at the window and wonder if we should risk jumping out. Landing in a pile of broken bones doesnโt seem like it would have much of an advantage.
I skip my eyes over his attire. I have no idea whether he can fight, but heโs not armed. Iโm not either. But most of the palace carriages are outfitted with hidden weapons from a time when we had frequent cause to travel outside the Royal Sector, when bandits and outlaws were a concern for the royal family.
I tug at the velvet casing beneath the rear seat, then thrust my hand inside.
Nothing but dust.
Quint is a quick study, and heโs checking the opposite side before I even need to order him to do it.
He withdraws two daggers, both small, both coated in dust. I can see rust along the edge of one blade. Quint brushes them off against the floor of the carriage, and I cough.
โForgive me,โ he says.
โFor what?โ I wheeze. โGive me one.โ
The weapon is hardly longer than the width of my hand, but I grip the hilt and brace myself against the wall opposite the door. No more arrows have struck the carriage, but branches whip the walls and trees fly past the narrow window. Weโre still traveling dangerously fast.
And then โฆ weโre not. The carriage slows.
I look at Quint. โWeโre going to leap out. Be ready to run.โ
He glances at my injured leg. โCan you run?โ
No. Even leaping is going to be a challenge. But I donโt say that. โJust be ready.โ
โIโm not leaving our injured kingโโ โIโmย orderingย you.โ
The carriage slows further, but his eyes donโt leave mine. โThen I suppose youโll have to have Corrick issue a decree of punishment, Your Majesty.โ
โQuint!โ
The carriage stops. He tightens his grip on the dagger and finally drags his eyes away from mine, but he doesnโt move.
Lord.ย I grit my teeth.
The door is flung open, and sunlight floods the gap, but I canโt see much more than that because Quint launches himself forward. A man swears, and thereโs a scu๏ฌe, but by the time I make it to the doorway myself, Quint is in the dirt with a bloody nose. Thorin is standing over him, looking a bit bemused.
โMaster Quint?โ he says. โExactly what was your plan?โ โIn retrospect,โ Quint says, wincing, โitโs unclear.โ
โDefending me,โ I say. I limp down from the carriage, then hold out a hand to Quint. I keep my eyes on Thorin. โWe werenโt sure who had the carriage. Whereโs Saeth?โ
โUnharnessing the horses, Your Majesty. The road is too narrow to continue with the carriage, and itโs too obvious a target.โ
I run a hand over the back of my neck. Sweat mixes with the dirt from last night, and I grimace. โAnd why am I aย target?โ
โWe donโt know,โ Thorin says. โIf theyโd summoned the night patrol, we might not have been able to get away. As it is, theyโre likely giving chase. We should not delay.โ He glances at my leg. โCan you walk, Your Majesty?โ
โYes, but not far.โ I tuck the dusty dagger under my belt and look up and around. Weโre deep in the woods, surrounded by trees, far off a worn path, but nothing seems familiar.
Still, four people and two horses wonโt take long to spot.
Especially not beside a carriage.
โThorin,โ I say. โDo you know the way to Tessaโs old workshop from here?โ
He hesitates, then looks around the way I just did. When his gaze returns to meet mine, he nods. โI do.โ
โGood.โ I look past him, to where Saeth is leading the two horses away from the abandoned carriage. Their harness leather has been abandoned in the dirt beside the shaft, leaving the animals bareback, in nothing but driving bridles, complete with long reins and blinders. Theyโre already snatching at the reins, blowing anxiously, sweat- slick and confused by everything weโve already done.
If weโre confronted by the night patrol, these horses arenโt going to get us far.
But standing here worrying about it wonโt solve the problem. If this is the best we have, itโll have to do.
I let out a long breath. โThorin. Check the path ahead.
Weโll follow.โ
 |
Itโs only been a matter of weeks, but the trail leading to the workshop is overgrown, and once we get inside, we discover that a thick layer of dust clings to everything. I run a finger along the work table, then stifle a cough as a plume of dust lifts into the air. Itโs clear no one has been here since the night the rebels attacked the palace.
It made for a good hiding place then, and it makes for a good one now.
A narrow cabinet is bolted into the wall near the cold hearth, and Quint is checking the drawers. I order Saeth to tether the horses and walk a perimeter, then call for Thorin to join us in the workshop.
When he does, I waste no time. โThis is another act of insurrection,โ I say. โThough this one appears to be more insidious. Do you think Saeth could be involved with whoever is working against me?โ
If heโs surprised, it doesnโt show. โNo.โ โAre you certain?โ
โAs certain as I can be. Saeth and I have served together for over five years now. We were chosen for your personal guard together.โ He pauses. โIf he were working against you, he could have aided the guards at the gate and they couldโve taken the carriage. There were four of them.โ
I work that through in my head, trying to think of any reason why it would be more advantageous to allow me to escape, and I come up with nothing.
I run a hand across the back of my neck again, then take a long breath.
We canโt stay here forever. I need information.
I glance from Thorin to Quint and wonder how far rumor has spread. Theyโve only been out of the palace for a few hours, but clearly Arella, Laurel, and Captain Huxley were able to take advantage of my notable absence. Quint might have been able to leave quietly, but if anyone came looking for me โฆ
I sigh. My leg is throbbing again, and I canโt seem to think past it. I canโt remember the last time I had water, or anything to eat.
I drop into the chair gracelessly, and I must be a bit woozy, because I land clumsily, then bite back a yelp as my wound strikes the arm of the chair. Iโm gritting my teeth so hard I can taste blood.
Or maybe Iโve bitten the inside of my cheek. A bloom of sweat breaks out on my forehead. I inhale slowly through
my teeth because the alternative is to start swearing and never stop.
Quint steps away from the cabinet, takes one look at me, and glances at the guard. โSee if thereโs fresh water in the rain barrel, Thorin. You and Saeth should strip your palace livery. Is there anything nearby? Weโll need food, at the very least.โ
โYes, Master Quint.โ The door hinges creak in protest, and then heโs gone.
I close my eyes and let out that breath. The tiny workshop is suddenly very silent.
But then Quint speaks, and his voice is closer than I expect. โYour Majesty,โ he says quietly. โYouโre bleeding again.โ
My eyes blink open, and I look down. Heโs right. Along the tear in my trousers, fresh blood has soaked through.
โTessa had more rolls of muslin in the cabinet,โ Quint says. โWe should bind the wound.โ He hesitates. โIf I may
โฆโ
I shift my weight and wince. โGo ahead.โ
As he wraps the bandage, he says nothing, and I grow very aware of his closeness. Itโs a weird kind of intimacy, and not altogether uncomfortable.
I once bound his wounds as well. Just like this, in this very workshop.
Now weโre even, I think.
But Quint looks up, and his hands go still, and I realize Iโve said the words aloud.
He confirms it when he says, โWhat was that?โ
I donโt repeat it. โYou ignored my order in the carriage.โ He inhales like heโs going to protest, but then must think better of it. โIโll await your judgment, Your Majesty.
But I promised Corrick that I would look after youโโ โLook after?ย Quint, Iโm not a child.โ
He tugs the bandage tight, and I hiss a breath through my teeth.
He meets my eyes, but he doesnโt apologize. โI am well aware.โ
Then he knots off the bandage and straightens, moving away.
I feel off-balance, off-kilter, like too many people have confused me in succession. Before I can puzzle it out, Thorin returns with a bucket of water from the rain barrel. Heโs in his shirtsleeves now, but no less armed.
โSaeth is going to walk toward Artis,โ he says. โHeโs got a pocket full of coins, so heโll see if we can purchase some food. But I donโt think we should stay here for long. Theyโll eventually discover the carriage. Weโve had days of rain. Our tracks wonโt be hard to follow.โ
โI donโt know which consuls are working against me,โ I say. โIf I try to find sanctuary with any of them, we might as well hand ourselves over right now.โ
Quint lights the tiny stove in the corner and pours water into the kettle, then sets it to boil. โWe canโt return to the Royal Sector, surely.โ
โIf theyโre spreading word that thereโs a reward for capturing the king,โ Thorin adds, โweโll be hard-pressed to find sanctuary anywhere.โ
Because people will do anything for silverโor access to medicine. I know that better than anyone.
I study both of them. โDo you think this was a trick? Was Captain Blakemore a ruse to separate me from Corrick, to remove the Kingโs Justice before Consul Cherry and Captain Huxley took action?โ
โPossibly,โ says Thorin.
His answer is quick, and I frown. A spike of fear enters my heart. I believed Captain Blakemore. I was inspired by
his eagerness to help the people of Kandala. I admired the loyalty of his crew.
I encouraged Corrick to get on that ship.
But Quint says, โI donโt think Captain Blakemore was a part of this. His documentation was solid. His story seemed sound. It would be an unnecessarily complicated plan if their goal was simply to separate you from Corrickโ especially if they have the guards on their side.โ He pauses. โTo me, itโs more likely that whoever conspires against the Crown realized Corrick was gone, and the rebel leader was gone, so the time to overthrow the king wasย now.โ
โAnd here I am,โ I say bitterly, โtrapped in a tiny workshop once again, while others attempt to take the throne.โ I scowl and try to ignore the throbbing pain in my leg. โOnly this time, thereโs a bounty on my head, and the guards have been turned against me.โ
โNot all, Your Majesty,โ says Thorin.
Not all.ย Iโm grateful for that, but Iโm not sure what the four of us are going to do against the entire kingdom.
I think of young Violet, begging me to come back. I think of Maxon.ย Youโd do the same, Iโm sure.
My throat tightens. The kettle whistles. I donโt know where to go.
Not to Allisander, obviously. I have no doubt that whatever Laurel Pepperleaf is doing is under his direction. Lissa Marpetta has been keeping to her sector since it was determined that she was also working with Allisander to distribute shoddy medicine. At one point I would have considered Arella Cherry an allyโbut not now. Roydan Pelham is out for the same reason. Leander Craft died in the first attack.
So that leaves Jonas Beeching, the consul of Artis, and Jasper Gold, the consul of Mosswell.
To reach Jasper, weโd need to travel to the other side of the Royal Sector.
To reach Jonas, weโd need to cross the Queenโs River. Both options seem impossible.
And even if I could reach either of them, I have no idea whether they would help me. Consul Beeching asked for funds to build a bridge across the river, and his request was denied. I assume heโs still smarting from the way Corrick refused him, because heย alsoย hasnโt been present at court very often.
Then again, his lover was killed by rebels right in front of him. Perhaps his reasons for avoiding court are justified.
Still, the majority of the consuls are working to overthrow the throne. Trustingย anyย of them is too big a risk.
Would the rebels help me? That feels like a dice roll thatโs weighted against me. Surely any of them would claim the reward being offered by the palaceโand thatโsย ifย I could convince any of them to believe I am who I say I am. I think of how Violet sang on the palace steps for hours, barefoot in ragged clothes, and no one was willing to listen to her. If I knocked on anyoneโs door and claimed to be the king, most people would likely laugh in my face. They knew Corrick and Tessa, but not me. Lochlan is gone, and heโs the only rebel who knows me well enough to recognize me, even in a state of disarray.
My thoughts freeze on that thought. Lochlanย isnโtย the only one.
โQuint,โ I say. โDo you remember Tessaโs friend Karri?
The girl Lochlan kept by his side?โ โI do.โ
โDo you know where she lives?โ
He frowns. โShe lives in Artis, but I would need access to my papers for her specific address.โ He hesitates,
thinking. Suddenly, his eyebrows go up. โBut she worked for the same Mistress Solomon who employed Tessa. Perhaps we could find her there.โ
My heart is pounding again. This is also a risk. I donโt know her well.
But Karri would recognize Quint. Sheโd be willing to listen.
She wanted to make things better. Just like Tessa.
โWhat do you recommend?โ says Quint, pulling my thoughts back around.
โTake Thorin,โ I say. โSee if you can find her.โ โYour Majestyโโ
โNo,โ I snap. โAnd this time you will obey, or I will have Thorin drag you by force. Leave the horses so I have a means to escape, if necessary. But find Karri as quickly as possible. Stay out of sight.โ
โWhat shall we tell her?โ says Thorin.
I shift my weight and wince. โTell her that the king needs her help.โ
