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 43.

2

Brie Wunk.

3

Zeus Thunk Thunk Wunk.

4

Zeus Thunk.

5

Thunk.

6

Oh my head.

7

I put my hand up and

feel a trickle of blood.

8

Wunk Zeus.

9

Thunk Thunk.

10

What's that sound?

11

I rolled to my side?

12

I remember falling through a door.

13

Wunk.

14

Zeus.

15

Thunk thunk.

16

It's dark and I can't see a thing.

17

Woo.

18

Chunk.

19

Zeus thunk.

20

Thunk.

21

That sound.

22

It's familiar.

23

I push into a seated position, Mart's

staff scraping on the wall behind me.

24

There's a pause in the noise.

25

who is it?

26

A woman's horse voice asks From

the darkness, the sound resumes.

27

Who chunk Zeus thunk Thunk.

28

I don't say anything.

29

I know you're there.

30

The voice says, I'm not stupid.

31

Where am I?

32

I finally ask.

33

open the shutters.

34

Wunk Zeus thunk thunk.

35

It takes me a second to gather

the woman's meaning and get up.

36

When I do, my head spins and

I'm forced to study myself by

37

placing a hand to the wall.

38

Now on my feet, I can see a

sliver of light, not far away

39

with the wall for reference.

40

I walk towards it.

41

There I swing open a heavy wooden shutter.

42

The light is brilliant after the darkness,

and it takes a moment to see anything.

43

When my vision returns, I

press my back against the wall.

44

I'm in a small space,

completely filled with a loom.

45

A mat and a blanket are in one corner,

a squat chamber, pot in the other.

46

Nothing else will fit a figure

sits hunched on a bench.

47

Her hands don't stop.

48

Woo chunk.

49

She lets go of the foot.

50

Treadle dropping a harness and

pressing the other to work the pattern.

51

Whoosh.

52

She throws the shuttle.

53

Thunk.

54

Thunk.

55

She brings the beater bar forward

twice to tap the threads in place.

56

ink patterns similar to fremont's.

57

Cover one forearm, and

I realize where I am.

58

You're tethered.

59

This is a spike.

60

There's a scornful laugh.

61

What was your first clue?

62

I move around the loom until

I see the woman's face.

63

Then gasp where her eyes should

be are two gouged out sockets.

64

Red scars radiate down her

cheek on one side and across

65

her forehead on the other.

66

I'm afraid I may wrench at the site.

67

I hold on to the sturdy frame

of the loom for support.

68

The woman knows exactly what I've seen.

69

He could have killed me, she

says, but he wanted me to suffer.

70

He I question Reagan Thorn.

71

The woman's voice is matter of

fact, but I notice her hands falter.

72

Now.

73

I have to weave all day, every day just

for enough food to keep me alive and

74

if I'm an inch short, I get nothing.

75

I notice the weaving for

the first time and blink.

76

There's only one person that

works that particular pattern.

77

My mouth drops open as my eyes run from

the woman's hands up her arms to her face.

78

Vita, I ask leaning on

the wall for support.

79

Her hands stop and her head jerks up.

80

Who's there?

81

Brie, I say just above a whisper.

82

Oh, Her hands go to her mouth.

83

I hurry around the loom and throw

my arms around her shaking form.

84

In less than one moon, she has changed

from a plump, rosy faced woman to

85

someone I almost didn't recognize.

86

tears flood my eyes.

87

We hug, and Vita gives me a soft kiss

on the cheek before pushing me away.

88

I have to keep working, she

says, with a tremor in her voice.

89

Her hands shake as she starts.

90

wunk.

91

Zeus thunk thunk.

92

I sit on the bench beside her, fighting

to regain my composure as she has done.

93

Tell me everything Vita

says, how did you find me?

94

Where's Nona?

95

I tell the story from

the beginning to end.

96

Vita listens without emotion

97

as I explain escaping the crowd outside

the Ram wat and crashing through her door.

98

I absently squeeze the bag of

capsicum still hanging at my waist.

99

My voice falters.

100

What's this?

101

Swiftly?

102

I unie the bag

103

Sifting through the last of the powder,

I find several lumps and draw them out.

104

Vita.

105

I breathe in amazement.

106

The jewels are here in my bag of capsicum.

107

truly, she says, sounding as

astonished as I feel with a

108

quiver, she reaches towards me.

109

I take her hand and one at a time.

110

I place the stones in her palm.

111

Each time I brace myself

for the stones release.

112

I don't understand why.

113

Didn't jackal take them?

114

It doesn't make sense.

115

Vita's voice sounds

confident when she speaks.

116

Nona always said the stones have a

way of being where they're supposed

117

to be, But why would they come to me?

118

I say with a snort, I

can barely feel them.

119

You just take them for granted.

120

Vita answers softly.

121

Nona never had them all, but

she knew their basic essence

122

and taught them to you.

123

They've surrounded you your whole life.

124

I'm about to protest when I'm filled with

memories of Nona, my Nona, who I didn't

125

appreciate until she was taken from me.

126

Slowly realization Dawns So I feel

the jewels like a ripping at my

127

soul because I don't recognize

what I've got until it's gone.

128

Is that right?

129

I think so.

130

Vita says throwing her shuttle

again, but that doesn't explain

131

why Jackal left them with me.

132

I say before, realizing

the answer doesn't matter.

133

She gained my confidence,

then locked me in a crypt.

134

I'll never trust her again.

135

She's too much like her father.

136

and look what he did to Vita Pained.

137

I put a hand on her shoulder.

138

How did it happen?

139

I whisper.

140

Vida, throws several shots with

her shuttle before explaining.

141

Big Zach and I were

getting ready to leave.

142

When I saw the dragons coming.

143

I ran for the woods, but they caught me.

144

She pauses and.

145

Reagan Thorn found the

emerald in my belongings.

146

He beat me demanding.

147

I give him more.

148

He wouldn't believe that I only had one.

149

You had the emerald.

150

I ask, but it all makes sense.

151

As I recall Nona's Parchment saying

the emerald was in the Norwood.

152

Vita nods.

153

Nona thought it would be best if

the jewels traveled separately to

154

Ultan, but where did you get it?

155

Lady Fallon gave me the

emerald the night she died.

156

Nona was given the ruby and the sapphire.

157

We didn't know what they were

until Nona figured it out.

158

Much later, Nona was there.

159

I squeak Is Nona Nna?

160

My hand goes to my forehead.

161

Of course she is.

162

That explains the similarity

in their names and why.

163

Nona was the only woman in the

Norwood that grew capsicum.

164

But I look at Vida.

165

How were you there?

166

I was Lady Fallon's maid.

167

I gasp at this revelation.

168

Then get angry.

169

Why did Nona bother telling me

the story if it wasn't the truth?

170

Vita si.

171

Nona's stories teach many things.

172

Only you can say what they mean

to you, but I have no idea.

173

And don't be stubborn.

174

Brie.

175

Think on it.

176

Your answer will come.

177

her explanation is so much like something

Nona would say that tears spring

178

to my eyes even as my jaw clinches

in frustration, and there's more.

179

Nona told me, lady Fallon asked her maid,

who I now know was Vita to raise her baby.

180

Clearly that's not true.

181

The baby must have died

just as Jackal said.

182

Once again, Nona didn't tell me the truth.

183

Who else was in the castle?

184

I demand Vita takes a breath.

185

The Queen's niece, Dogmar, the girl

you call Jackal and her nurse Zipporah.

186

There's a pause.

187

of course Gray was there though.

188

He was just a baby.

189

And Big Zach as well.

190

Vita's voice waivers as she

says her husband's name.

191

Oh, my mind reels at this news.

192

I'm not surprised about

Jackal and Zipporah, but I

193

hadn't considered gray and.

194

My chest tightens.

195

I don't want to ask, but I need to know

And what happened to big Zach Vita's hands

196

falter, but she doesn't stop weaving.

197

Reagan thorn cut him down

before my eyes then rolled him

198

off the cliff into the sea.

199

I place my hand on her back

as she throws the shuttle.

200

tears trickle down my

face at this new horror.

201

Oh, Vida.

202

How have you survived Vida Straightens

the emerald gives me strength.

203

The emerald I blink.

204

But you don't have it anymore.

205

I don't need the stone to use its wisdom.

206

I recall Nona explaining that since

Reagan Thorn had the ruby, her memory

207

of the stone would have to do, but

I don't understand if you can have

208

the essence without the jewels.

209

Why did Nona think it was so

important that we gather them?

210

Vita lets out a breath.

211

The message of the stones can be passed

down from person to person, but over

212

time the message becomes distorted.

213

The true essence is lost.

214

It's important to have the physical

stones to keep the message pure.

215

I recall Nona explaining

this to me before.

216

That's why the order wants

to keep them locked up.

217

I mumble if they hide the

stones away soon, no one will

218

remember their exact truth.

219

The path to the whisper will be lost.

220

Vita's.

221

Hands stop.

222

The what?

223

The his.

224

I call it the whisper.

225

It makes more sense.

226

not that I've ever

received any promptings.

227

I say with a tinge of resentment.

228

The whisper doesn't speak to me.

229

Come now, Brie.

230

You don't think you made it through

the cataracts without any help, do you?

231

And how did you find me?

232

You just accidentally bumped into

my door of all the doors in Ultan.

233

The Hesperian does speak to you.

234

You just need to recognize when.

235

Vita's words are said

softly, but hit me hard.

236

I've come to feel the jewels,

237

I say,

238

ghia: but the only time I thought I've

heard the whisper, I nearly drowned.

239

Maybe you've been

expecting the wrong thing.

240

Try now.

241

Sit with your eyes closed and

tell me what comes to mind.

242

I can't try and just to prove her wrong.

243

I close my eyes.

244

It's time to go.

245

The words come from nowhere.

246

It isn't a voice, but an impression.

247

I feel it again.

248

It's time to go.

249

I open my eyes and look at Vita.

250

She must sense my hesitation.

251

What is it she asks?

252

I'm not sure.

253

I'm calm, peaceful even.

254

but there's no denying the urgency.

255

I've never felt anything

like it before or have I?

256

What about my desire to let the

boat float through the cataract?

257

My instinct to leave the

capsicum finding Vida.

258

Sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't.

259

But they were all the same

feeling, weren't they?

260

I closed my eyes again.

261

It's time to go.

262

I can't deny the feeling

jumping to my feet.

263

I hurriedly wrap the stones in Nona shawl.

264

Get up.

265

We have to go.

266

When Vita doesn't move, I grab her arm

and begin to pull her off the bench.

267

She gives a soft cry of pain.

268

The tether.

269

What I'm tethered, I drop to the

floor and find a heavy chain that

270

runs from the sturdy frame of the loom

to a steel band around Vita's ankle.

271

Her skin has been rubbed so

raw that I wince at the site.

272

I want to scream and frustration.

273

Why?

274

Help me find Vida then make me leave her.

275

I ask.

276

Holding my hands in the air,

willing, the whisper to hear me.

277

There isn't an answer.

278

I bite my knuckle and try to think.

279

I'll just have to return with help.

280

I kiss Vita on the cheek,

281

Be ready.

282

I'll come back.

283

I whisper in her ear.

284

Vita grabs my hand as I'm moving away.

285

You look like her.

286

You know, just like your mother.

287

I bolt out the door before it dawns on me.

288

Vita knew my mother.

289

I look back, but there isn't time to ask.

290

I don't know why, but

it's urgent that I go now.

291

chapter 44, jackal.

292

The shock of discovering my father in

the library wears off and I quietly

293

slide the keys back on the hook.

294

Father, I say, why are

you sitting in the dark?

295

I pull open one of the heavy curtains,

letting light through the grated window.

296

My father is leaning back in

a chair, his feet on a stool.

297

He ignores my question.

298

I assume if you're here,

you have the jewels.

299

I stand tall.

300

No, father.

301

I don't.

302

And then you brought me the girl.

303

I shift uneasily.

304

No, she got away.

305

Reagan thorn laughs.

306

You've grown fond of her.

307

My pet, I don't care for her one wit, you

can let the marabou have her if you want.

308

And my father looks as if

he's pondering the idea.

309

I just might do that.

310

I step towards his chair and lean down.

311

You disgust me.

312

my father snes and plays with

the rings on his fingers.

313

bring me the girl, and I

will forgive that remark.

314

I don't have her.

315

My father gets to his feet and

pulls the curtains all the way open.

316

After looking out over the city,

he smiles, which isn't good.

317

and how did you get here?

318

Let me guess With the banjara, I

realize that from here he can see the

319

dock where the banjara are camped.

320

My heart thumps, I think of marette

and weathers the rest of the skull.

321

Please don't let him

torture them for answers.

322

I couldn't bear it.

323

Curses.

324

I've grown so soft, desperately.

325

I try to hide my concern and what

difference does it make how I got here.

326

with long strides.

327

My father walks to the

door and pulls it open.

328

Guards, he calls a dragon.

329

Steps before him, have the banjara,

camped outside the city wall,

330

rounded up and brought here.

331

The dragon nods and leaves the room.

332

My father turns to me.

333

The girl better be there or

I'll give you to the mabu.

334

You wouldn't dare.

335

You need me not, not if

I don't get those jewels.

336

Now get out of my sight.

337

I want to run from the library, but

make myself walk As soon as I close

338

the door, I sprint down a set of spiral

stairs to my bed chamber, ripping

339

off the digger's, skirt, and tunic.

340

I slip into a comfortable set

of black leathers and boots.

341

Then I tuck in my knives.

342

After throwing open the

window, I leap to a tree there.

343

I hang for a moment before

dropping to the ground in a crouch.

344

Without pausing, I race to the

stable and jump on the first

345

saddled horse I see lying low.

346

I kick my heels into the animal side.

347

terrified, stable.

348

Hands scramble out of my way as the

horse charges through the doors, I

349

know I can move faster than a squad of

dragons, but they have a head start.

350

I clench my jaw.

351

I must get to the banjara fast.

352

I take the first gate out of the

city, the squad will go through

353

Ultan to make a show of force.

354

My way will be faster,

giving me the advantage.

355

Diggers on the road scatter as I pass

kicking the horse to greater speed.

356

I race across the meadow to the

bridge that crosses the uare.

357

There I find the Banjara camp.

358

The squad has not yet arrived.

359

run.

360

I yell as I pull up.

361

Dragons are coming to arrest you.

362

The taru doesn't question my

words, but springs to action.

363

Where's z?

364

Corvex.

365

Marette calls panic flares

as I whirl my horse.

366

What do you mean?

367

She went to Z City?

368

Brie in Ultan Curse the boy.

369

I told him to take her to the Norwood.

370

A trumpet sounds.

371

The squad of dragons is close.

372

Where was she going?

373

I yell at marette to the market.

374

She answers.

375

I turn and ride with my head held high

directly towards the dragons when

376

their squad leader is within earshot.

377

I speak in my most commanding voice.

378

The girl Reagan Thorn

wants is in the city.

379

Come with me.

380

The leader looks confused.

381

We have orders to round up the banjara

and now you have orders to follow me.

382

The man hesitates then nods.

383

Bri.

384

I hate leaving Vida.

385

But for the first time in my life, I've

recognized a prompting from the Whisper.

386

For whatever reason, it's

time to leave and leave.

387

Now I hurry to the end of the alley and

take a moment to memorize my surroundings.

388

I've got to be able to find this

place later After getting my bearings

389

from the top of the Ram Wat, which

I can see above the rooftops,

390

I head towards the city gate.

391

The only thing I can think to do is

enlist the banjara to help me free Vita.

392

I'm crossing a main street.

393

When I see a squad of dragons

on horseback, there's a shout.

394

I duck into a deep doorway.

395

Rats.

396

The latch is locked.

397

All I can do is stand here and listen to

the sound of hoofbeats getting closer.

398

They stop.

399

I hold my breath.

400

It's fine.

401

They aren't looking for a banjara teller.

402

Just wait.

403

They'll pass on.

404

When I think it's been long

enough, I peak from the threshold.

405

There's an instant shout and a

black warhorse races towards me.

406

It's jackal.

407

Her hair has come loose from its

braid and streams behind her.

408

Her eyes are fierce and

her mouth is in a snarl.

409

I don't know why she left me the

jewels, but right now I know one thing.

410

She's after me.

411

hopping up on a wooden

cart, left in the alley.

412

I lunged for a window seal using

clotheslines like tree limbs.

413

I climbed to the roof.

414

Brie, I hear jackal yell, wait.

415

Is she kidding?

416

I don't look back.

417

Spread out.

418

She snarls to the dragons.

419

Don't let her get away.

420

I race along the tiled roof

to one end of the building.

421

there I leap clearing the narrow alley

422

Spears of pain.

423

Shoot up my leg as I land.

424

Relieved that I made the jump.

425

I run again, hopeful that

I'll make it to the city wall.

426

There's a noise behind

me and I glance back.

427

A sleek form easily jumps over the last

alley causing a flock of birds to scatter.

428

I take two more jumps before

coming to an alley that is

429

much wider than the one before.

430

With no choice, I back up and

run, hurling myself over the void.

431

My fingers reach for

the tiles, but miss no.

432

The first close line catches my foot.

433

I yowl in pain the second close

line, catches me in the back.

434

When the line breaks, I

crash To the cobbles below.

435

Jackal Brie.

436

No.

437

I shout when I see her

preparing to jump again.

438

I'm trying to help you, but she's gone.

439

I yell wildly for the dragons as

I run to the edge and look down.

440

Her body lies on the

cobbles, tangled in laundry.

441

She isn't moving.

442

Two dragons advance down the alley.

443

Don't touch her.

444

I order.

445

It takes me a minute to

find my way off the roof.

446

When I get to Brie, the dragons are

standing over her body, get a stretcher.

447

You iles.

448

I place my ear to her chest.

449

When I hear a heartbeat,

I'm flooded with relief.

450

I pick her up amazed at how small

she feels and cradle her in my arms.

451

I'm sorry, I whisper.

452

I tried to keep you away.

453

It takes a while for

the dragons to return.

454

When they do, they have too long

poles with a blanket between them.

455

I've got to get Bri out of Ultan gently.

456

I place her on the stretcher With a

dragon on each end holding the poles.

457

I lead them towards the city gate.

458

We're almost there when my father

on horseback appears in front of me.

459

A half dozen dragons are with him.

460

Oh, where are you going?

461

My pet.

462

I say, the only thing I can think of,

I'm escorting an injured prisoner.

463

What does it look like?

464

My father draws his boot knife

and hurls it at a flock of birds.

465

Startled.

466

They fly off, leaving one

behind the blade in its chest.

467

A dragon dismounts and removes the knife.

468

After wiping it on his pants,

he hands it back to my father.

469

It looks like you were leaving the city.

470

You asked me for the girl how and

when I deliver her is my business.

471

My father looks up and scratches his

head, gems flashing on his fingers.

472

When he looks back, his face is set.

473

Your time is up.

474

The girl is coming with me.

475

No, I stand firm glaring

at him, restrain her.

476

My father says I leap to the side avoiding

one dragon only to be caught by another.

477

I fight, but there's too many of them.

478

My father looks amused when it

takes three dragons to hold me.

479

Let me go.

480

I yell.

481

She's mine.

482

She's had a fall.

483

My father says his voice

dripping with syrup.

484

I'll have her seen by my croker.

485

no croker.

486

I yell.

487

Desperate not to have brie drugged.

488

I struggle against the dragons, but they

hold me tight, throw her over a horse.

489

My father commands.

490

I watch as Brie is removed from

the stretcher and tossed like a

491

sack of grain across a saddle.

492

My father turns and rides

away without looking back.

493

When he is out of sight,

the dragons let me go.

494

I'm seething with anger at the

dragons, at my father, at myself.

495

This never should have happened.

496

Ever.

497

Hold me like that again

and I'll slit your throats.

498

I snarl before striding away.

499

Chapter 45.

500

Bri.

501

Every time I open my

eyes, the world spins.

502

Afraid, all wre.

503

I keep them closed.

504

Eventually I work out that I'm

hanging over the back of a horse.

505

I struggle at my bonds, but

I'm tied securely so much for

506

being able to hear the whisper.

507

I'm a fool.

508

The whisper doesn't speak to me.

509

Eventually the horse stops and I'm

hauled off with my head pounding.

510

I crumpled to the ground.

511

Rough hands grabbed me, and I'm

flung over a massive shoulder.

512

We descend a set of steep twisting

stairs, and I feel as if I'm

513

submerging into a viper's pit.

514

If I struggle, the arms

holding me clamp down harder.

515

I quit moving.

516

torches, glow on the walls, Black

smoke drifts along the ceiling.

517

In the air is the stench of mold and rot.

518

I thought nothing could smell

worse than the streets of ultan.

519

I was wrong.

520

The dragon holding me stops open a cell.

521

His low voice rumbles.

522

Wait, someone says,

don't be in such a hurry.

523

Let's see what she's got.

524

My head is yanked up a thick set

man with a bulbous nose, spies the

525

banjara jewelry, and licks his lips.

526

My head drops and my cloak is yanked off.

527

none too gently.

528

The necklaces are removed.

529

I try to protest, but the

force of the dragon's grip is

530

sufficient to keep me quiet.

531

Next, the Bengals are pulled

from my wrists and the rings

532

are removed from my fingers.

533

the man slips, mart's

staff from my shoulder.

534

I hear it snap open, followed

by a round of cursing.

535

Clearly he can't figure

out how to close it.

536

the staff is thrown aside and I'm

searched until the limp bag of

537

capsicum is yanked from my belt.

538

The little herb knife goes with it.

539

Finally, the man seems satisfied.

540

I sag with relief known

as shawl has been ignored.

541

Bring her this way.

542

The man says, boy fetch a lantern.

543

I'm moving again.

544

The sound of boots echoes

along the stone corridor.

545

There is the clink of keys

and the squeal of hinges.

546

I'm carried into a small room and dumped

on the floor in a pile of dank straw.

547

I groan with the impact

and roll to my side.

548

Then I see him, it's just for

a moment, he holds a lantern.

549

His face is gaunt.

550

His beard's scraggly.

551

But those eyes, The dragon

swings the door closed, and

552

I'm enveloped in a murky gloom.

553

Footsteps recede down the hall.

554

I lie on the floor.

555

Unmoving.

556

Did I see right?

557

Was it truly gray?

558

Don't be ridiculous.

559

It had to be my imagination.

560

After a short time, I

hear footsteps again.

561

As the sound gets closer, I scurry

to the far side of the cell and

562

wrap my arms around my knees.

563

There's a scraping noise as a

panel in the bottom of the door.

564

Slides open.

565

I've brought food.

566

I rush to the door gray

with my face to the floor.

567

I peer at the hands pushing a

bowl of mush through the opening.

568

The fingers are grimy, but

they're the right size and shape.

569

Are you all right?

570

The voice whispers gray.

571

Is that really you?

572

Tears rushed to my eyes.

573

Yes.

574

I don't have much time.

575

The mush is horrible, but eat it all.

576

You'll need your strength.

577

Here's some water gray slides,

a flask through the hole.

578

I gasp at the fresh ink on his forearm.

579

What is it?

580

Gray asks worry in his voice.

581

You're inked.

582

yes.

583

He says with scorn It marks me as

tethered to this hell hole gray.

584

I'm sorry.

585

It was all my fault.

586

Forget it.

587

I'm working on a way to get us out.

588

there's a slight pause.

589

Brie, do you know how

Fremont escaped his tether?

590

I think for a moment I only recall that

he crawled through some kind of tunnel.

591

I say have to go.

592

The panel slides abruptly shut.

593

Someone must be coming.

594

I listen, but nothing tells me what's

happening on the other side of the door.

595

the mush is pasty and

smells of horse milk.

596

Still, I eat it all with food in

my belly, my head somewhat, but

597

that only increases the pain.

598

My back aches from landing on

the cobbled street and my foot.

599

Oh, why did I have to catch

it on the clothes line?

600

It was doing so much better

before the tears can come.

601

I think of Vita Brave, resilient Vita.

602

I determine to be as stalwart as she is.

603

With my back to the stone wall.

604

I close my eyes, but

don't sleep as endless.

605

Questions circle in my mind.

606

why did jackal leave me the jewels?

607

doesn't she want the throne?

608

How did Vita know my mother,

did she know my father as well?

609

When a, when will gray return?

610

I picture gray's hands.

611

What was the pattern?

612

Inked on his wrist a bat

or maybe a human skull?

613

I can't be sure.

614

Both seem fitting for a person

tethered in the dungeon.

615

This idea starts me thinking Fremont

had ink that looked like a spider's web.

616

If Gray can find others with that mark,

he might be able to figure out where

617

Fremont was working when he escaped.

618

That would help, wouldn't it?

619

I resolve to tell Gray when he returns.

620

If he returns, hours seem like

days, and I lose all perception of

621

time, I must fall asleep because I'm

startled by the cell door opening.

622

Get up a dragon says I stagger

to my feet and stumble forward.

623

The dragon hfs me under his

arm and carries me down the hall.

624

I squirm, but the arm

squeezes crushing my chest.

625

I give in and hang helpless.

626

I am carried through a dingy room with

a hearth and a few chairs in the corner.

627

I see the sagging bag of

capsicum and my staff.

628

I squirm once again, but it

does no good Instead of leaving

629

the dungeon the way I came, I'm

carried up a wide spiral staircase.

630

The smell dies away and is

replaced by heavy incense.

631

It gets warmer soon.

632

There are tapestries and fine carpets.

633

We must be in the heart of the castle.

634

The dragon carries me through a

doorway without warning, I'm dropped

635

again this time on a soft cushion.

636

The dragon steps back and I hear

637

a voice

638

Pinch with the tip of your fingers,

then throw with your arm pointing

639

in the direction you want it to go.

640

ghia: Says a gravelly female voice.

641

I look up to see the telltale

black robes of a croker.

642

She and Reagan thorn are

standing before a wooden board

643

starlike discs in their hands.

644

Reagan thorn throws and the

disc sticks in the wood.

645

Better

646

ghia: The Croker says

as she turns towards me.

647

blue agate eyes gaze out of a heavily

inked face and bore into mine.

648

The woman is a she wolf.

649

Without a doubt, I look away.

650

Unable to hold her gaze.

651

I can't help recalling that.

652

Jackal said Reagan thorns.

653

Kroger was an old man

renowned for his artistry.

654

This must be someone new.

655

My eyes drift back to Reagan Thorn.

656

He moves to a chair inlaid

with jewels and sits straggly.

657

Black hair, covers half his face.

658

He looks thinner and palor than

the last time we met, but his

659

eyes haven't lost their ferocity.

660

He's still the goblin shark,

as if getting comfortable.

661

He sticks out his legs,

crossing them at the ankles.

662

The jewels on the tips of his

slippers flash in the candlelight.

663

Tsk, tsk.

664

Aren't you a mess?

665

He holds a handkerchief to his nose

and you smell like the carcass pile.

666

He motions towards the

dragon who brought me in.

667

Take her outside.

668

I'm wrenched off the cushion

and push through the door.

669

That leads to a terrace.

670

there.

671

I stumble across polished stones

to lean against a railing.

672

the tang of sea air fills my nose, and

I realized that from here I could drop

673

a pebble into the frothing waves below.

674

Over my other shoulder, I see the

hole of ultan spread out before me.

675

two towers of the castle loom overhead

676

With the sun sinking into the sea,

the air has cooled, and I shiver A

677

servant with a red scar across her

face brings Reagan thorn a chair.

678

He sits and gives the hair on

the tip of his chin a twist.

679

As he surveys me, the

roker stands beside him.

680

A moment later, a table with a bowl of

apples and a platter of aromatic cheese

681

are brought to Reagan Thorn's other side.

682

You are dismissed.

683

He says to the servant, the woman

bows and leaves the terrace.

684

Reagan thorn's attention comes

back to me with a flourish.

685

He removes a velvet pouch

from his coat pocket.

686

Pinky finger extended.

687

He opens the pouch and produces the ruby.

688

And what I am sure is vita's emerald.

689

I watch as he places them on the table.

690

Where are the rest of my jewels?

691

He asks, I want to object his jewels.

692

They belong to the queen, but

pointing this out will get me nowhere.

693

So I say nothing and

keep my eyes downcast.

694

Suddenly my head is yanked back by

the heavy hand of a dragon and

695

I'm forced to look at Reagan.

696

Thorn.

697

My stomach grumbles loud

enough for him to hear.

698

unwittingly, my eyes drift

towards the fruit and cheese.

699

Reagan thorn picks up an apple

and tosses it lightly in the air.

700

Let's make a deal.

701

He motions the dragon to bring me closer.

702

I smell his rotting breath.

703

You give me the jewels and I will

give you all the food you can eat.

704

he makes a pious face as if

begging me to save myself.

705

My anger flares and a low

growl rises in my throat.

706

If it weren't for this man,

I'd be at home with Nona.

707

Everyone I love would be alive.

708

My woods would be safe

Without any thought.

709

For the cost.

710

I spit in Reagan thorn's

face with a vicious blow.

711

He backhands me across my cheek.

712

The pain is searing.

713

my knees buckle.

714

I think I'll fall, but

there's a yank on my head.

715

The dragon has me by the hair.

716

I gasp for breath

717

as if he's done.

718

No more than Swat Reagan thorn

slumps back in his chair, his face,

719

indifferent Search her, he says, with

a flip of his wrist in my direction.

720

I draw a cold breath as a blade is placed

at the back of my neck without warning.

721

The dragon slices straight down through

my tunic and the waistband of my skirt.

722

With the other hand, he yanks

the fabric off my shoulder.

723

I'm grasping for my

clothes when I hear it.

724

The tinkle of stone on stone,

Nona shawl has been cut into.

725

The jewels are rolling away.