A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.

Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne…until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.

Chapter 16 Jackal.

2

I loathe letting my rodent and the boy out

of my sight, the rodent, because now that

3

I found her, I don't like the idea that

she might slip through my fingers again

4

the boy because, well, I haven't seen one

that good looking for quite some time.

5

Unfortunately, letting them

go is the prudent plan.

6

What excuse do I have for sticking

around, but it will work out.

7

Finding them at the eatery will be

easy, and I know they'll show up because

8

I just ate the last of their food.

9

It almost makes me laugh.

10

Some people are so easy to manipulate.

11

Brie when jackal is gone, gray

swings his bundle up to his shoulder

12

while humming a little tune.

13

I roll my eyes.

14

Why are you so happy?

15

Now we're out of food.

16

Gray shrugs, we'll trade known as

clothing for more grub in Sarka.

17

What?

18

Why can't we use shekel gray?

19

He's bundle a little

higher on his shoulder.

20

Come on, we don't need all this stuff.

21

Fine.

22

I say, despite knowing he's

right, I turn and stomp away.

23

I've only taken a few steps when

my stomach gurgles and the pain

24

in my foot causes me to flinch.

25

Not to mention I'm dreading a

night at the Eatery Owl pellets.

26

You could finish the Noona story.

27

Grace says that would

keep your mind off things.

28

I roll my eyes wondering what makes him

think he can read my mind, and just then

29

grim swoops out of the tree with a shrill

C and lands on the trail in front of me.

30

What's this a conspiracy?

31

I ask certain grim wants a story as well.

32

Grim cause again, I have to admit

a story would be distracting,

33

but I refuse to be cajoled.

34

A half hour later, my stomach is

rumbling like a thunderstorm, and the

35

pain in my foot is harder to bear.

36

I give in gathering my thoughts,

I start the Noona story where

37

I left off a few nights before.

38

As predicted, Noona grew

into a beautiful girl.

39

I say ignoring Gray's

approving grunt from behind me.

40

She was a fast learner and

devoured the reading and

41

mathematic lessons Malta gave her.

42

RA taught Noona to so cook,

keep chickens and milk goats.

43

Whenever RA couldn't find Noona,

which was often, she knew to check

44

under the oak tree where Noona went

to listen to her father preside

45

as judge for the town's people.

46

I pause here remembering how Nona always

smiled at this point in the story.

47

Was it because she thought it amusing that

Noona slipped out on her mother or because

48

of how much Noona loved her father?

49

It breaks my heart that I

will never be able to ask.

50

Nona is gone.

51

A tear slips down my face.

52

I brush it roughly away and

return my attention to the story.

53

Noona was nearing the age of marriage

when a plague swept through the village.

54

Her father was taken ill and died

Within a few days, Noona and her

55

mother were shattered with Malta gone.

56

They were left with nothing but the

small income RA could make selling

57

eggs and goat cheese without

Malta to hand out his judgments.

58

The conflict among the

villagers became intense.

59

One day two men showed up at RA's door.

60

They told her they had come for a ruling

while struggling to control her emotions.

61

RA explained that Malta was gone to RA's.

62

Surprise.

63

The men said they had come for a ruling

from Malta's daughter explaining they

64

had heard she had her father's wisdom.

65

Under normal circumstances, RA

never would've agreed, but she

66

was shrewd enough to recognize

that these weren't ordinary times.

67

She held out her hand and

demanded the regular price.

68

The men grumbled and tried to

barter her down complaining.

69

Noona was only a girl at this ra,

almost closed the door, but one of

70

the men stopped her declaring he would

pay RA pocketed the coin and told

71

the men to wait under the oak tree.

72

When the door was closed, she rushed

to Noona, who had overheard the

73

whole conversation, I can't do it.

74

Noona said Her eyes wide

with dismay nonsense.

75

Of course you can.

76

Her mother hurried over to an

old chest and flung back the lid.

77

With a tremor in her hands.

78

She removed Malta's mantle

from the chest and placed it

79

over her daughter's shoulders.

80

RA stepped back to admire the

effect with a nod of approval.

81

She ushered n Kona outside.

82

Despite her doubts, Noona successfully

issued her first ruling word spread,

83

that she was a fair and honest judge.

84

Before long, she was as

busy as her father had been.

85

A few years later, a man arrived

who didn't want a judgment.

86

He wanted Noona to locate his

ship, which was lost at sea.

87

Noona explained she couldn't help

him, but the man refusing to be

88

deterred asked her to think on it and

said he would return the next day.

89

Nna assumed she would simply send

the man away when he arrived, but

90

as she fell asleep that night, she

pondered the question in the morning.

91

She recalled a vivid dream of a ship

driven up on the rocks that afternoon.

92

She explained in detail what she had seen.

93

The man was delighted and tried to

pay her, but Noona refused saying

94

she was a judge, not a soothsayer.

95

Two months later, the man returned

because of Na Kona's dream.

96

He had found his ship and

recovered his cargo as a tribute.

97

He gave her a handful of

small ear shaped seeds.

98

The fruit of these seeds will

set fire to your mouth, but

99

light a flame in your heart.

100

He said, at these words, I stop

walking, and gray almost runs into me.

101

What is it he asks?

102

And do you suppose the man

gave noona capsicum seeds?

103

Gray shrugs?

104

Now that you mention it,

the seeds do look like ears.

105

I begin walking again.

106

Interesting.

107

I'm surprised Nona never

pointed out this fact.

108

As we get closer to Sir Peka,

I realize I'm ringing my hands.

109

I know why.

110

I've never been in a real village.

111

The only place I've ever been

closer to more than six people at

112

a time is at the fall gatherings.

113

Gray thinks the gatherings are the best

time of year, but I've always hated

114

being hemmed in by so many people.

115

How will I deal with a real village?

116

To make things worse, it

truly looks like rain.

117

That will have gray determined

to sleep at the eatery.

118

After a long climb, we

reach the top of a ridge.

119

I gasp at the site.

120

From where we stand, I can see a steep,

rugged gorge with the Tori River running

121

down the middle like a sleek grass snake.

122

Beside the river is a road,

sir Pesca is across the valley.

123

The doors and windows in the rocky

mountainside remind me of holy cheese.

124

I know from Fremont stories that what I

can see is only a fraction of the village.

125

The rest of it runs in

tunnels through the hillside.

126

I tried to convince myself that

the village isn't that bad.

127

Then I look at the dugout scattered

around the valley at each one.

128

I see gem pits while crops and animals

provide diggers with their basic needs.

129

It's the pits that provide anything extra.

130

Each region of tambor

produces different gems.

131

Here in the north, it's

mostly garnet, and tourmaline.

132

There's the ro.

133

Grace says pointing.

134

I follow his finger to the mountain.

135

Towering behind sir pesca

and stare in amazement.

136

Carved in the sheer rock face

is what looks like a serpent.

137

Preparing to strike.

138

From this distance, I can almost

cover it with my outstretched

139

hand, but close up it must be huge.

140

After a moment, I make out a twisting

trail that climbs from ska up

141

a steep ravine, then precariously

across a cliff to the serpent's tail.

142

My guess is that the tail is a

low wall, which gets progressively

143

taller as it moves into the body.

144

At one point, the body almost

doubles back on itself as the trail

145

curves into a crevice and out again.

146

This creates the effect of a snake

slithering across the mountain side.

147

where the trail leads to a pillar.

148

The wall becomes the serpent's

raised head, which extends up

149

and over a large courtyard.

150

Those moving shapes must

be the mabu I mutter.

151

Unease Slithers down my spine as

I wonder if they carry serpent

152

swords like Reagan thorn.

153

Then a movement catches my eye and I look

back towards the bottom of the valley.

154

Look, I say pointing.

155

A bunch of pilgrims just emerged

from those overhanging trees.

156

Gray nods.

157

They'll be on the trail to

the Ram Wat in the morning?

158

My palms begin to sweat.

159

That means they'll be

staying at the Eatery.

160

Chapter 17, Bri, the sun is a hands

width from setting as we start down

161

the rocky hillside towards the road.

162

Grim gives three staccato

cause of warning.

163

I don't wanna go either.

164

I mutter.

165

Gray looks at me with raised brows.

166

I shrug Grim.

167

Doesn't like the look of sarka.

168

I say gray snorts, but I know I'm right

because the bird doesn't follow us.

169

It begins to rain as gray

and I scramble to the road.

170

There we casually slip in

behind a group of pilgrims.

171

They remind me of a flock of mag

pies with their nonstop prattle.

172

I'm glad to notice that I'm

not the only one with a staff.

173

It means I won't stick out,

at least not for that reason.

174

We're almost to the bridge

crossing the Uare River.

175

When I draw a sharp breath,

a dragon stands in the middle

176

of the wooden structure.

177

I motion gray that we should slip into

the woods, but he shakes his head.

178

I gulp understanding if we slip away

now, the dragon might get suspicious.

179

My legs tremble as we get closer.

180

Thankfully, the dragon is

occupied painting something on

181

a bridge piling with a bucket of

tar and a short bristled brush.

182

My eyes go wide as we get closer.

183

The dragon is painting the symbol

inked on Reagan thorn's arm,

184

the symbol on the cover of the

Banjara book for the love of rats.

185

Could this be a coincidence?

186

My eyes dart from side to side.

187

Gray grabs my hand as if knowing I'm

about to bolt, I pull my hand away.

188

Just as we pass the dragon, he

puts down his bucket of tar.

189

I keep my eyes lowered and see

the man's hefty boots turn as we

190

pass goose skin raises on my neck.

191

I'm certain the dragon has noticed

my presence and I half expect him

192

to storm after me, but he doesn't.

193

We're almost across the bridge and I'm

breathing easier when I hear loud voices.

194

Glancing around, I see a boat

on the back of a flatbed wagon.

195

It's being eased down a steep bank

to the river by two shaggy ponies.

196

Four more vessels wait to be launched.

197

The boats are larger than Fremont's

old fishing skiff and tip up on

198

each end, and they are painted

an array of colors, ginger, plum,

199

turquoise rose, and apple green.

200

River Banjara.

201

Gray whispers looks like a whole cul.

202

My curiosity keeps me staring as we walk.

203

Fremont told us about the Banjara

and how they often travel in

204

skulls or family groups like a

band of foxes with their boats.

205

This SKU is different from the

Banjara Pedaler who traveled

206

the Norwood with a single mule.

207

But I'm sure they sell their

goods and purchase jewels.

208

For the gem markets in

Ultan just the same.

209

They don't look like diggers dirty and

tattered to be sure, but under their

210

oil skins, icy scarves and bengal

loose pants and embroidered skirts.

211

My steps slow, as I recall that

the Tiri runs all the way to Ultan.

212

It must be an effective way to travel.

213

Gray tugs on my arm.

214

Come on, the dragon is coming, startled.

215

I look over my shoulder.

216

Gray is right.

217

The dragon is heading this way.

218

I pull the hood of my cloak lower.

219

Grateful now for the rain.

220

To my relief, the dragon

strides by paying us no mind.

221

The road to ska is steep, but we make

it the rest of the way, unhindered.

222

It's dark by the time

we reach the village.

223

But lanterns light the way.

224

As we pass through the gate, I begin

to panic at the number of people.

225

Take it easy.

226

Raven.

227

There's nothing to worry about.

228

Grace says as if he can

sense my nervousness.

229

He tries to take my hand,

but I snatch it away.

230

Instead, I clench my jaw

and try not to look down the

231

winding passages we walk past.

232

Each passage holds more doors than

I could see from across the valley.

233

Sir Pesca goes on forever.

234

Finally, I can't take it anymore, and

I grab gray's hand squeezing hard.

235

There is somewhat of a smirk on his face

when I do it, but I'm too busy gaping

236

at our surroundings to worry about it.

237

I always thought people in villages

were well off, but this bunch gives

238

me the impression of wormy rabbits,

239

The few I take for shopkeepers

look better than the others,

240

but that isn't saying much.

241

relax or I won't have any

blood left in my fingers.

242

Grace says, in embarrassed, I loosen

my grip in an effort to keep calm.

243

I force myself to study the signs

hanging over the various doorways.

244

There isn't time to read them

properly, but I can see by the

245

pictures what some of them are.

246

A block cutter, a Cooper,

a wax, Chandler a toy.

247

There is a black and red

sign that I don't recognize.

248

As we pass the open door.

249

I catch a pungent whiff

of herbs glancing in.

250

I see faceless heads with wild hair.

251

The sight is so startling.

252

I stumble, landing hard on my knees.

253

Everything spins gray pulls me up.

254

Come on.

255

The eatery is just two doors down.

256

What are those?

257

I point, but the door has closed.

258

Gray looks bewildered.

259

Now that I've stopped,

I can read the sign.

260

Kroger's Lounge and Wig Shop.

261

Realization.

262

Dawns, they were wigs, high stammer.

263

But these people don't wear them.

264

they're probably just for show.

265

Grace says, gripping my elbow and

leading me towards the eatery.

266

Remember what Jackal said?

267

The Roker buys hair to sell an ultan.

268

The panic inside me has now

turned to absolute dread.

269

Too many people is one thing,

but faceless heads is another.

270

I can't stay here.

271

There's no way.

272

I tried to pull free of gray,

determined to leave the village

273

at once, but gray holds me tight.

274

All right.

275

He says we'll just get

some food and leave.

276

I know this is a reasonable request.

277

We need to eat with great effort.

278

I calm my nerves and follow him

to the back door of the eatery.

279

I feel better until Gray begins.

280

Bartering away, known as clothing

first go her fingerless gloves,

281

then her woolens and extra hairpins.

282

As each item is handed over, it's

almost like losing another piece of

283

Nona, and I find it hard to breathe.

284

Jackal.

285

I proud the eatery waiting for my prey.

286

They should be here by now.

287

I curse, wondering if

I've lost them again.

288

I go over our conversation to see if

I said something that gave me away.

289

I can't think of anything.

290

The place is swarming with pilgrims and

diggers along with many of the soldiers.

291

They sit at low tables on stools, colored

glass lanterns hang from stout beams.

292

Straw covers the floor.

293

There's a ruckus at the

far end of the room.

294

The music stops as two men yell

at each other, blast the order.

295

We can't let them push us around anymore.

296

And exceptionally tall man thunders.

297

I hone in on the argument at the mention

of the order, a shopkeeper judging by his

298

black tunic bellow's back at the towering

man talk like that will only bring the

299

order down on us and I won't have it.

300

The veins in the man's

neck bulge with anger.

301

It's only a moment before the proprietor

forces the arguing men outside.

302

Lord Maddox is already heading to Ultan.

303

He yells after them, let the

whole thing go or you'll be dead.

304

At these words, the music resumes,

and I wonder if the order is strong

305

enough in these parts for the tall

man to live through the night.

306

The locals have been in an uproar since.

307

Lord Maddox was here a few weeks ago.

308

A low voice rumbles in my

ear causing me to flinch.

309

I was so intent on the fight.

310

The dragon has caught me off guard.

311

He wants the diggers to join in a

rebellion to overthrow the order.

312

The dragon snorts.

313

it will never happen.

314

My skin itches at the

second mention of the order.

315

I can't believe anyone would

think to stand against them.

316

I turn to face the dragon and reply as any

high nobilis would be expected to respond.

317

I assume you caught this Maddox

fellow and sent him to Ultan.

318

The dragon gives me a derisive look.

319

Do you think I'm dumb enough to manhandle

your uncle without a direct command?

320

the surprise must show on my face.

321

You know your uncle, don't you?

322

The dragon says with a curious smile.

323

Of course I do.

324

I spit back though.

325

It's a lie.

326

I just thought it must

be a different madox.

327

Well, there's only one

Lord Madox that I know of.

328

The dragon shrugs.

329

regardless, the order will stamp out

an uprising like it's an anthill.

330

I want to mention that ants can

be quite persistent, but I'm still

331

thrown off by the fact that I have

an uncle and not just any uncle

332

one who's openly defying the order.

333

Of course defying the order isn't illegal.

334

How can there be a law that protects

a secret organization still,

335

it's a dangerous proposition.

336

Too bad.

337

My uncle is already on his way to Ultan.

338

I'd be interested to meet him.

339

Brie Gray tries to convince me

that the only polite thing to do

340

is find jackal and tell her we

won't be staying at the eatery.

341

I'm hissing a protest.

342

As two men are pushed out the kitchen

door, They're scrapping like roosters.

343

I cower behind gray's substantial bulk.

344

It's hard to make out what the men

are yelling, but I gather the argument

345

has something to do with the order.

346

I told Gray about the secret organization,

but he refused to believe me.

347

I guess now he will.

348

When the ruckus is over, I'm

trembling like a freshly shorn lamb.

349

Greg grumbles about agreeing to leave

the village without finding jackal.

350

It isn't until we've entered the

woods that I can breathe normally

351

again without thinking I rest a

hand on the lump in Nona shawl.

352

The sapphire is comforting

under my fingers.

353

Still something nags at me.

354

For the love of rats, I

mumble what Gray asks.

355

nothing.

356

Gray doesn't move.

357

I sigh.

358

I need to apply myself to the parchments

or I'll never find the jewels.

359

Gray looks at me quizzically.

360

What did Nona write about the

sapphire That it vibrates.

361

Knowledge.

362

Yeah.

363

And wisdom.

364

I say rolling my eyes.

365

I think the stone's getting to you.

366

I've never seen you so anxious to study.

367

I smack gray in the shoulder.

368

That's not true.

369

I mean it.

370

Grace says maybe the stone is working.

371

I think about the Sapphire for a moment.

372

Is it the reason the Parchments

have been weighing on my mind?

373

I shake my head, no, I can't

feel a thing from the stone.

374

I want to work on the Parchments because

I have to, not because I'm being coerced.

375

We need to find a dry place to sleep.

376

I say it's the only way I'll

get any translation done.

377

Not to mention I need to, I need a,

378

I.

379

We need to find a dry place.

380

We need to find a dry place to sleep.

381

I say it's the only way I'll

get any translation done.

382

Not to mention I need a hint about

what I should do when I reach,

383

not just Ram Wat gray shrugs.

384

We can always sleep in

an abandoned gem pit.

385

I'm not fond of pits.

386

Too many spiders, But compared to Sir

Peka, a few spiders should be easy.

387

Chapter 18, Bri.

388

We find an abandoned gem pit

that's only slightly damp.

389

gray pulls his cloak tight.

390

We could have been warm tonight.

391

He says with a frown.

392

I scowl.

393

Is he really cold or is he just,

sorry he didn't get to see jackal.

394

the question leaves my mind as gray.

395

Hands me a meat pie.

396

I bite in greedily.

397

The crust is flaky and I

detect nutmeg and clove.

398

I don't think about anything

else for a long time.

399

When the food is gone, I dig

out a beeswax candle and manage,

400

despite the dampness to get it lit.

401

on the way here.

402

I went through most of the parchments.

403

I can read.

404

The rest need translation.

405

With the plexiglass on one

side and a parchment on the

406

other, I begin the tedious job

407

Gray leans over my shoulder.

408

I elbow his chest back away.

409

You smell like a wet dog.

410

He grins but complies.

411

I'm halfway through the first

parchment when I squeak.

412

What is it?

413

Gray asks.

414

Glancing around.

415

I've never been able to translate so fast.

416

I dig the stone from Nona Shaw.

417

Maybe the Sapphire is working.

418

Gray leans forward.

419

What do you feel?

420

I wait for a moment, then sigh.

421

Nothing.

422

I turn back to the parchment.

423

It's another version of the City of Gold

Story, which is interesting, but doesn't

424

tell me anything I don't already know.

425

Come on, Nona.

426

What am I supposed to do

when I get to the Ram Wat.

427

I say as I flip through the stack

of Parchments, One that's tattered

428

and folded into quarters, slips from

the others and drops into my lab.

429

I open it, In the center is

the drawing of a man's face.

430

I guess he's banjara by the scarf around

his head wanted, I read Boan, River Man

431

and Gem Merchant 500 Shekel Reward.

432

Gray leans in close again.

433

He really does smell like a

dog, but part of me likes it.

434

I check the back of the parchment.

435

No hint why Nona saved this.

436

I say returning it to the stack.

437

My eyes sag, but I select

another parchment to translate.

438

I get through the first

paragraph before my head drops.

439

When it happens again,

I give in for the night.

440

I only sleep for a few

hours before waking.

441

The rain has stopped

and the stars are out.

442

The waxing moon appears as

a misshaped egg in the sky.

443

Thoughts of the Pero I hope to find

at nausea Roll through my mind.

444

How will I get it?

445

Surely I can't expect

it to be handed to me.

446

What would Nona do?

447

Rely on the whisper, I suppose.

448

Well, that's no help.

449

I can't feel the whisper.

450

or can I?

451

My thoughts return to my ability to

translate the parchment so quickly.

452

Could it mean my heartstrings

are tuning to the whisper?

453

Nevermind.

454

I don't believe that rubbish.

455

Sleep is hard to come by

for the rest of the night.

456

As soon as it's light, I get up and

add a seventh notch to my staff.

457

Nervous how my foot will handle the trek.

458

Today I give it an extra long rubdown.

459

then I shake gray awake.

460

It's time to go.

461

He grumbles about the hour, but gets up.

462

We set off through the

woods eating honey buns.

463

Soon we come to a steep gully

filled with trees and boulders.

464

The top is covered in clouds.

465

My anticipation doubles.

466

A trek like this would be hard on my

foot if it were in good condition.

467

After days of walking, it's far from that.

468

bending down.

469

I retie the lace on my boot.

470

How's your foot?

471

Gray asks Fine.

472

I lie.

473

Maybe we should leave

our bundles down here.

474

My first instinct is to say no, but I'd

be a fool not to make this trek easier

475

With a sigh, I relent looking around.

476

I find a pine tree.

477

I can climb gray hfs up the

bundles and I tie them securely with

478

the cord that holds them closed.

479

with only my staff, my

water, skin, and some food.

480

I'm much lighter as we start up the gully,

481

jackal.

482

I am up and waiting for my rodent at the

trail head Before dawn in irritation, I

483

jab a knife repeatedly into a tree stump.

484

I'm not happy that the girl didn't

sleep at the eatery last night.

485

She'd better show up today.

486

A short time later.

487

I feel the tingle of a gemstone.

488

I'm certain it's the same

one I felt yesterday.

489

I smile pleased with myself.

490

I've just spied the pear

when they slip off the trail.

491

I wait when they return

without their bags, I'm torn.

492

Should I keep them in sight

or search their belongings?

493

I want that jewel at this range.

494

I can't tell where it is.

495

I watch the girls crooked gate

as she starts up the goalie.

496

She won't be hard to catch.

497

That settles it.

498

I'm going for the bags I search,

but can't find them anywhere.

499

In sheer frustration, I glance up the

bags are hanging from a stout limb.

500

Thinks she's tricky, does she?

501

I begin to climb and curse as

a branch snaps under my foot.

502

Obviously, the girl is lighter than I am.

503

By the time I reach the

bags, my nerves are frayed.

504

To make things worse,

I can't feel the stone.

505

My rodent must have taken it with

her with a knife slash I send the

506

bags crashing to the ground, then

shimmy cautiously after them.

507

I'm in a foul mood.

508

When I reach the bottom without a care.

509

I pull items out of the

oil skins as I surmised.

510

There's no stone, but what I

do find makes my fingers twitch.

511

How did the rodent get

her paws on the book?

512

I stole from the Castle

Library so many moons ago.

513

I did it to defy my father, but as

far as I know, he never noticed.

514

I picked the book because it had a

jewel embossed on the cover, I thought

515

someone in the gem market would buy it.

516

They did, but not for

nearly as many shekel.

517

as I expected.

518

I hadn't noticed that the book was

written in the ancient language.

519

I'm lucky I got anything for it at all.

520

Could the book have something

to do with the jewels of tambor?

521

I flip through the pages

as I try to decide.

522

In the end, I return it to the bag.

523

Since I can't read the ancient

text, it does me no good.

524

The next thing I find is a leather

envelope full of parchments.

525

I have a mind to keep it,

but after consideration.

526

I decide to return it to the bag as well.

527

If need be, I can always steal it later.

528

for my trouble.

529

I snatch a sock full of shekels.

530

The extra coin will do me good leaving

everything else scattered on the ground.

531

I race back to the gully,

532

Bri.

533

As I climb the clouds part and the

trees thin here and there, I catch

534

a glimpse of the ram watt To my

frustration, it never seems any closer.

535

Pilgrims come from behind and pass me by.

536

I push my foot to move faster,

but pain shoots up my leg and

537

Nona's warning sound in my head.

538

I grit my teeth in frustration

and force myself to slow down.

539

I'm plotting along when I hear

a voice behind me, Hey, wait up.

540

I glance over my shoulder and

great, it's jackal and just what?

541

I need someone to watch me struggle.

542

Of course, gray is all

smiles when she arrives.

543

I'm glad to see that

at least she's winded.

544

Where were you last night?

545

I waited for hours.

546

She looks from me to gray.

547

Sorry, gray answers.

548

Sheepishly.

549

Brie was enough for spending a night at

the Eatery, so we slept in an old gem pit,

550

jackal, frowns, but brightens quickly.

551

Oh, well, it worked out.

552

The Croker's wig hair leaves

tomorrow with the Banjara.

553

I'm to light a few prayer candles to

ensure the cargo safe passage to ultan.

554

She grabs gray by the arm

and pulls him up the trail.

555

Come on.

556

We'll never get there.

557

Moving this slow.

558

for a while, I try to keep up,

but when gray and jackal pull

559

away, I drop behind humiliated.

560

After hours of toil, I come to

the upper reaches of the gully.

561

This is the point where the trail crosses

the cliff with only a slight incline.

562

The hard part is over, but

there is still a long way to go.

563

Gray and jackal are perched

on rocks chatting amiably.

564

I suppose I should be grateful.

565

They waited for me, but I'm not.

566

I sit and retie the laces of my boot.

567

Most of the trees are below us now.

568

Only a few rugged junipers

eke out a living this high.

569

The top of the gully forms

a natural resting point.

570

A good dozen pilgrims who all passed me

earlier are scattered about on the rocks,

571

eating and talking amongst themselves.

572

Still, others have already

started the last leg of the trek.

573

I am eating my pie when I

notice gray eyeing the crust.

574

No doubt he gobbled his long ago.

575

I take another bite and

hold out what's left.

576

Do you want this Gray nods eagerly

just as he's reaching for it.

577

Grim swoops down and snatches

the crust from my fingers.

578

Gray lunges after him, but grim wings

out of the way with surprising agility.

579

I can't help myself and snicker the

pilgrims who witnessed the event.

580

Chuckle as well.

581

Red-faced gray grins and shrugs it off

in his usual gray way and jackal, frowns.

582

Where did that filthy thing come from?

583

He's with Brie.

584

Gray says, jackal, scrutinizes

me as gray gets to his feet.

585

Come on.

586

I'll tell you about how Brie

came to find grim while we walk.

587

Remembering the day causes me to wince.

588

I would like to rest longer,

but I get to my feet worried

589

about what gray is about to say.

590

Now that the trail isn't so steep, it's

easier to keep up and I follow behind.

591

A few years ago, grace says A brood

of ravens was hatched in a nest on

592

the sea cliff by breeze, dugout.

593

Unfortunately, the nest

wasn't in a good location.

594

One morning there was nothing left,

but feathers and a single chick.

595

We're pretty sure it was a fox.

596

Grim gives a boisterous

C as he circles overhead.

597

Jackal looks up.

598

Does he know we're talking about him?

599

Of course not.

600

Gray says, I look at Grim

Knowing Gray is right.

601

Still there are times I swear.

602

We communicate.

603

Brie rescued him from the cliff.

604

Gray continues now.

605

He follows her everywhere.

606

She descended the sea cliff jackal

questions with a pointed look at my foot.

607

Well, she did get stuck and

I had to drop her a rope.

608

Grace says, with a little puff of

his chest, I roll my eyes, figures.

609

I'd come out sounding like a mini bird.

610

I'm prepared to make a scene if

gray goes on, but he doesn't.

611

I couldn't bear it if he repeated the rest

of the events that took place that day.

612

Just thinking about it makes my face burn.

613

Thankfully, gray changes the subject.

614

It takes all my determination, but

I manage to keep up with gray and

615

jackal until we reach the tip of

NA's stone tail, a cheer sounds

616

from the pilgrims around us.

617

As I surmised, the stone serpent is

formed by a wall that flanks the trail.

618

After another push, I find myself

at the bottom of a steep and

619

narrow set of granite steps.

620

We are about to make the final

ascent to the Ram Wat of Naja.