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 28, Jackal

2

Curse This River.

3

I hate it more today than yesterday.

4

All I can do is grit my teeth and hold on.

5

I'm furious when weathers prepares

to let my rodent run a swift water.

6

Is it safe?

7

I demand Weather's grins showing the black

hole where his front teeth should be.

8

What Enzy life is safe, he responds.

9

How often do people die on this river?

10

I ask a sharp edge to my voice.

11

weather's answers with an air of

sadness more often than necessary.

12

My insides tighten at the news.

13

Of course, Marette bursts into laughter.

14

Crazy old loon, the most notorious

river death was bogged in, she

15

says, with a twinkle in her eye.

16

Then she leans forward and whispers.

17

He died in possession of Z,

stolen amethyst size of Z plum.

18

Now Marette, there is no proof.

19

Marette shrugs.

20

Well, the first cataract where he drowned

is now called amethyst Proof, or no?

21

She pulls her pipe from a pouch

and sticks it in her mouth.

22

I'm getting more and

more annoyed cataract.

23

Why have I never heard this term before?

24

when Z Body was found floating in Z River.

25

Weather says there was no stone.

26

I gulp, his body was floating.

27

That is true.

28

Marette agrees as she stuffs a

wad of dried leaves in her pipe.

29

but they never found Ebo.

30

Not even z splinter.

31

Marette winks at me and I stiffen.

32

Zebo is caught in the

core of the cataract.

33

No, I've had enough.

34

They're just trying to scare me.

35

I'll bet a member of the SKU

drowned him on purpose and sold

36

the amethyst in Ulta's gem market.

37

I say

38

if that is true, it was

done with much secrecy.

39

The sale of a jewel that

size would be great news.

40

Weather says.

41

Brie, at the mention of a stolen amethyst.

42

I can hardly sit still.

43

I tried to remember if boan

is the name of the Banjara.

44

Nona's wanted poster.

45

I turn to weathers.

46

If the amethyst is lost in the

cataract, is there any chance

47

of finding it or whether snorts

48

Chance may happen, but try, he

shakes his head Z cataracts are fast,

49

very steep, even give me troubles.

50

Later in the day, I quiz

weathers about running swift

51

water, especially the cataracts.

52

Looking for anything that will help

me locate the amethyst Jackal must

53

understand what I'm doing because she

asks questions as well, and I actually

54

find myself grateful for her help.

55

Unfortunately, the more I

discover, the more impossible

56

finding The amethyst seems to be.

57

Apparently bogged in fell out

of the boat right at the top.

58

Marette suspects he was in his bitters.

59

Though weathers denies such claims

saying bogged in had a bad core.

60

or heart as the word is translated

from the ancient language.

61

Regardless of why the accident

happened, it appears the boat ran the

62

cataract without anyone at the oars.

63

Jackal, this talk of a missing

stone brings up memories of an

64

amethyst stolen from the castle.

65

Years ago, I recall my

father being furious.

66

Now that I know more of the politics, I

suspect he orchestrated the theft himself.

67

at the time he was trying to convince the

queen that she needed her own security.

68

Namely the dragons, Nothing like

a jewel theft to get results.

69

Needless to say it worked,

but there is something else.

70

I also have the vague memory

of playing with an amethyst.

71

When I was a child, my nurse gave it to

me because I was crying for my mother.

72

My father showed up

unexpectedly and took it away.

73

Could it be the same amethyst that

he later used as a political ploy?

74

Brie, we pull into camp

just before twilight.

75

Everyone except me, of course, sets

to work unloading the boats and making

76

supper as soon as I get the chance.

77

I catch gray and tell

him what I learned today.

78

so you're saying there's no way of

finding the amethyst Gray says I shrug.

79

There is the question of what happened

to bog Dan's boat Gray is about to

80

comment when silver ring barges in

swamper, you at best get to work.

81

If you want your supper,

gray ruffles my hair.

82

we'll talk later.

83

I feel rather useless with everyone else.

84

So busy.

85

But I've got a job to do, don't I?

86

The only way to prove my worth

is by filling that teapot,

87

finding a quiet corner.

88

I begin rehearsing for my telling.

89

Tonight I'm working on Marvi, the

courageous when Marette calls to me.

90

I hope she doesn't want me to

practice another staff routine.

91

I'm exhausted from rowing half the

day, but she waves towards the boat.

92

Being off my foot has done

it good, and I don't lean as

93

heavily on my staff as I comply.

94

from a boat hatch.

95

She pulls an old wooden trunk smoke

from her pipe wafts around us.

96

I tried to wave it away

causing marette to chuckle.

97

Tonight we see the true teller in you.

98

She says, gesturing for me to sit.

99

My eyes widen as she pulls banjara

tribal jewelry from her trunk

100

and drapes it around my neck.

101

The layers of silver and stones

are so heavy they weigh me down.

102

Bengal go on my arms

and rings on my fingers.

103

From the bottom of the trunk, Marette

produces a small silver bottle.

104

As she removes the lid, I see a

metal rod covered in black powder.

105

She laughs gleefully.

106

Now we apply the coal.

107

She says.

108

Close the eyes.

109

I do.

110

And feel the rod run along

the edge of my lashes.

111

When I'm done, I'm certain that

I look like a mast strike the way

112

Marette has applied the powder.

113

I like the image with a mask.

114

No one will be able to see the real me.

115

I'll be hidden from my audience.

116

Grim arrives and lands on my shoulder.

117

He only stays for a moment before

squawking and flapping to the ground.

118

There.

119

He looks at me quizzically,

walking forward, then hopping

120

back whenever he gets close.

121

Don't you recognize me?

122

I ask.

123

My comment puts Marette into hysterics.

124

I am wondering again if she's right

in the head when she grabs my hair.

125

Ze is no good.

126

I try to pull away, but

she has a firm hold.

127

My hair is tangled, worse than

usual, and wet from the waves.

128

There's nothing I can do about it.

129

I say trying again to free myself.

130

old still.

131

Marette giggles yanking on my hair.

132

I don't have much choice, but to obey.

133

Taking the dank strands, marette

braids them around my head.

134

I'm sure it looks like a bird's nest, but

when she's done, she crows with delight.

135

Look as the Corona, I start at the word.

136

What do you mean?

137

Is Corona braid?

138

No, Corona.

139

How do you say it?

140

Crown I zinc, I cock my head.

141

If Corona means crown, then Corvex

Corona translates to Raven Crown.

142

I contemplate this for a

moment, but dismiss the idea.

143

While many Banjara words are similar to

the ancient language, this is clearly

144

one example where the direct translation

doesn't work as I did the night before.

145

I scramble into the low branches

of a tree to await my audience.

146

Look, I'm hardly shaking.

147

I tell Grim as I hold out my hand.

148

Is it because I had time to practice

or because of Mart's costume?

149

Grim rubs his beak on my hair as

if telling me it doesn't matter.

150

Halfway through the first story,

I see jackal and gray making

151

their way towards the village.

152

Let this be the night they find madox.

153

I am taking a break to drink some water.

154

When they return.

155

Gray's face is bright and merry.

156

I feel a tinge of jealousy.

157

Sure.

158

He's so happy because he

spent the evening with jackal.

159

When I glance

160

her way,

161

ghia: she looks like a fox

with a mouse in its jaws.

162

Suddenly I get excited.

163

They must have good news.

164

Did you find madox?

165

I blurt out.

166

Gray shakes his head, but his grin

gets wider with a smug smile.

167

Jackal announces we brought you these.

168

From behind her back, she

pulls a pair of boots.

169

I gasp.

170

The boots are well worn, but

not so bad that I won't get

171

plenty of use out of them.

172

The leather is faded to a

173

bullfrog green.

174

ghia: New brown laces have been

run through the eyelets, and

175

a thick wooden sole has been

nailed to the bottom of one boot.

176

Take them jackal says, wagging

the boots in front of me.

177

My face is on fire with embarrassment.

178

But how did don't worry about that.

179

Jackal says cutting me off.

180

Try them on so weathers can do

the final adjustment on the sole.

181

I run my fingers over the

supple leather, new boots.

182

I can't believe it.

183

and just try them on.

184

Would you.

185

Gray Exclaims.

186

I get them on and laced up tentatively.

187

I take a few steps.

188

My foot holds.

189

the height isn't perfect.

190

So we have weathers make a

slight adjustment to the sole.

191

I practice walking on the beach.

192

There is still a great deal of wobble.

193

while, some of the swelling has

subsided, my foot is still miserable.

194

Even with the boot, each step

pains me, but I'm determined

195

not to let gray or jackal know.

196

It was all jackal's idea.

197

Gray says as he walks beside me, I'm

not sure how she did it, but I suspect

198

she got marette to give her the shekels.

199

I think about jackal.

200

You know, I tell Gray it's possible.

201

Jackal's essence is more

of a fox than a jackal.

202

Some slimness, but more goodness.

203

Gray looks at me sideways.

204

Are you admitting your

first impression was wrong?

205

I shrug not wrong.

206

Just off by a mark.

207

My face warms under his grin.

208

Jackal.

209

I ignore Brie when she

thanks me for the boots.

210

I'll admit I did take some pleasure in

seeing her smile, but what she doesn't

211

know is that I paid for the boots with

the shekels I lifted from her bundle.

212

It had to be done.

213

I need her mobile.

214

With luck, we will be able to leave this

horrid river as soon as we find Madox.

215

Chapter 29, Bree, before I know it.

216

Eight days have passed

since we joined the Banjara.

217

My telling is getting better.

218

Last night, Marette Alba crowed

when she checked the teapot.

219

Each morning she teaches me something new

to incorporate into my staff practice.

220

I think I'm actually improving.

221

Weathers has me row every

day, sometimes all day.

222

Even the swift water, I'm

learning how to read the current

223

Marette insists I'm a natural.

224

Maybe she's right.

225

Every day we pass another burn section

of the forest reminding me of the

226

threat looming over the Norwood.

227

I've got to find madox, but so far

he's always a day or two ahead of us.

228

This morning, just before sunrise, the

moon was a scant crescent in the sky.

229

Almost half my time is gone,

and I only have one jewel.

230

The best way to keep my mind off this

depressing fact is to study as it

231

gives me a sense of being productive

while the bja pack up camp, I slipped

232

the Pedallers book from my bundle.

233

Instead of practicing for this

evening's telling Grim lands

234

on the beach in front of me and

cracks his beak, go find Marette.

235

I tell him, knowing she'll give

him a cracker instead of flying

236

away, he flaps to my shoulder.

237

I'm pleased.

238

Maybe he still prefers me after all.

239

Look at this, I whisper

pointing to the peddler's book.

240

you know that symbol on Reagan

thorn's arm, the one painted

241

on all the village walls?

242

It's called a blood moon grim squawks.

243

No, don't be ridiculous.

244

It doesn't have anything

to do with real blood.

245

It's called a blood moon

because it gives off a red glow.

246

The book calls it negative light.

247

Apparently grim is unimpressed

because he flaps away.

248

I flip to the chart in the back of the

book where I've been trying to figure

249

out when the next blood moon will occur.

250

It's predictable as attested by

the 36 page chart I'm looking

251

at, but I can't make sense of it.

252

I

253

jackal, I curse under

my breath as weathers.

254

Let's breathe row again.

255

The fact that we have entered a foreboding

gorge known as Black Canyon doesn't

256

help, don't worry, recalls as we're

about to hit a series of large waves.

257

If we flip, just swim to

shore, you can swim, can't you?

258

at these words, marette bursts

into her usual fit of laughter.

259

I get so angry I forget to be afraid.

260

It isn't until I'm bailing at

the bottom of the swift water

261

that I realize breeze, ploy.

262

She purposely made me angry.

263

Knowing it would drive away my fear.

264

I suppose I should think it's sweet that

my little rodent cares, but I don't,

265

Brie.

266

I'm either bailing or rowing all day.

267

It feels like I'm getting stronger still.

268

I'm exhausted when we

reach the village of Ns.

269

Ran.

270

instead of being dug into the hillside,

this village sits atop a steep cliff

271

and is a jumble of rock buildings that

sprawl on both sides of the river.

272

A giant stone bridge, arches like

a bow, connecting the two sides.

273

There is no beach.

274

Instead, we tie up to a long, wide

dock attached to the cliff face.

275

From here, a trail

zigzags up to the village.

276

Of course, one thing is exactly the same.

277

Reagan thorn's, freshly painted

symbol is clearly visible.

278

there isn't a tree for me

to sit on during my telling.

279

Instead, I settle on a large boulder

that protrudes from the rock face.

280

As usual, I see jackal and grace

slip off to ask about madox.

281

After a surprisingly short time,

gray returns and stands behind.

282

The diggers gathered around me.

283

He waves frantically.

284

My insides begin to flutter.

285

He must have news.

286

I cut the story short, mangling

it badly, not a single coin

287

is dropped into the teapot.

288

Marette will be disappointed,

but I can't help that Now.

289

What is it I ask?

290

Madox is here.

291

I'm so excited.

292

I throw my arms around Gray's

neck, the teller, jewelry jangling.

293

Gray spins around, causing me

to lose my footing, but I don't

294

fall as his arms wrap around my

waist lifting me off the ground.

295

Weathers is playing his fiddle,

and we twirl to the music.

296

I feel as if I am dancing, me

dancing when gray puts me down.

297

I can't stand for the spinning

in my head and I lean against

298

him to keep from toppling over.

299

When I look up, I expect to see him

smiling, and instead his face is pensive.

300

I know the look.

301

I've seen it before.

302

It's the look he had on the day.

303

Well, the day he kissed

me, I jolt, no, he can't.

304

In panic, I shove him away.

305

Surprise flashes on his face,

but he doesn't have time to

306

respond before jackal arrives.

307

Hey, what's going on here?

308

I stiffen and feel my face get

red as a strawberry gray shrugs,

309

as if nothing has happened.

310

Jackal, smirks.

311

Have you told her?

312

She asks.

313

Gray look.

314

Chag grinned.

315

What?

316

I demand.

317

Madox is here.

318

Grace says, but we don't know

for sure if he'll speak to us.

319

Jacque and I talked to an acquaintance

320

Who says you will have to convince him.

321

I am confused.

322

Convince him of what?

323

Convince Madox that you're Nona's novice.

324

Jackal says, my mouth drops open.

325

What do you know about Nona?

326

But of course my eyes flash on gray.

327

She knows whatever he told her.

328

Grace spreads his hands.

329

Palms up.

330

Nona isn't a secret, and Madox knows her.

331

They've corresponded the man, implied

Madox has other engagements tonight, I

332

had to say something to get him down here.

333

I roll my eyes, but maybe he's right.

334

I might have done the same thing.

335

So what am I supposed to do?

336

I ask Tell the Noona story.

337

Grace says he'll know it's you

when he hears Nona's version.

338

He could be here any minute, so get ready.

339

Jackal urges.

340

I wr my hands and try to remember

the first words of the Noona

341

story, but my mind goes blank.

342

I've gone from reciting to gray to

diggers, and now I've got to recite

343

before a Lord for the love of rats.

344

I think you should start.

345

Grace says, squeezing my

hand My nerves are so frazzled.

346

I almost slip climbing to my perch.

347

Don't worry.

348

Jackal calls.

349

You look so ridiculous

in that banjara jewelry.

350

No one will even notice

if you make a mistake.

351

Anger flares through me and I spit

out the first line of the Noona story.

352

It isn't until jackal winks

that I realized she was playing

353

my own trick back on me.

354

seems we have formed an unusual friendship

355

jackal.

356

I have no idea why Brie is so nervous.

357

I'm the one meeting my long lost uncle.

358

I sit in the shadows

watching the festivities.

359

Despite the chill on the wind, the

docks are teaming with diggers.

360

The fact that we are getting closer

to ultan is obvious as there are more

361

jewels and even a few wigs in the crowd.

362

Local musicians join weathers

and everyone is dancing.

363

I scan the gathering, searching for

anyone that looks like a nobilis.

364

or will Maddox come down

dressed as a digger to blend in?

365

Regardless, I expect to recognize him.

366

He is my father's brother.

367

After all

368

The sky darkens and torches are

placed in holders along the cliff.

369

Brie is halfway through her second

telling of the Noona story when a

370

large bearded man joins the crowd.

371

is wearing a brown cape

and worn leather boots.

372

I make my way around to wear.

373

I can see him better.

374

There is no flash of

jewels as I might expect,

375

But his blue eyes are

reminiscent of my father's.

376

The problem is there's a gentleness

to them, which makes me uncertain.

377

Still, I haven't seen anyone else

with even a remote resemblance.

378

I expect Brie to finish the Nocona story

the way she usually does with the invading

379

army being washed away in the flood.

380

But after reaching this point in the

story, she goes on and I realize she's

381

going to tell the ending I get a chill.

382

When she mentions that there was

a small child and her nurse at the

383

Great House when Noona arrived, I

look around to see what the audience

384

thinks of this version of events.

385

Of course, it's unlikely that anyone

has ever heard this part of the story.

386

Regardless, the Digger's watch

Brie with wrapped attention.

387

I marvel at the command

she has over the crowd.

388

What a change from the first night the

bearded man watches Bree intently.

389

Finally, Brie gets to the

end and announces that she

390

will be taking a short break.

391

I hear the sounds of shekels

being dropped in the teapot.

392

no danger of Brie being left behind in

the morning as the crowd dissipates.

393

Brie climbs from her perch

and heads towards the boat.

394

I stay in the shadows watching the man.

395

Eventually he follows

her and climbs aboard.

396

It's him reaching the boat.

397

I slip under the canopy and

pull the door flap down.

398

Brie and Gray are already

sitting in the back of the boat.

399

Maddox slides into the cockpit

and I crouch on the front deck.

400

The large man inclines

his head towards Brie.

401

Very impressive.

402

My young friend.

403

Telling is an art.

404

It's obvious you've learned

from the best Nona, I presume.

405

Brie nods.

406

Madox turns towards me and holds my

gaze for a moment before speaking.

407

Dogmar, I haven't seen you since you

were a child, but I would recognize you

408

anywhere you have your mother's eyes.

409

I'm instantly furious.

410

It never crossed my mind

that he would recognize me.

411

Now, my cover has been blown.

412

I remind myself not to

say anything too rash.

413

and you share my father's eyes,

how unfortunate I respond.

414

Brie Dog Mar Reagan thorn's daughter.

415

Every part of me wants to dash from

the boat, yet I'm frozen in place.

416

I glance at Gray.

417

He looks as shocked as I feel

Apparently sensing my instinct to run.

418

He shakes his head ever so slightly

indicating that I should stay.

419

I know he's right.

420

jackal isn't likely to slip my

throat right here and I've got to

421

find out what Madox with a gulp.

422

I stay seated.

423

Chapter 30 jackal.

424

I silently curse the snake gods for my

wretched luck as I hold my gaze on madox.

425

I'm surprised you know who I am.

426

He says, returning my stare.

427

I'm sure your father never told you.

428

I have ways of finding

out what I need to know.

429

I answer, not bothering to tell him.

430

I only found out a few days ago.

431

But we haven't sought you

out for a social call.

432

We're here to learn what you know

about my mother, the lady Oria, late

433

cousin to our recently departed queen.

434

I notice Brie's mouth drop open and smirk.

435

She truly didn't know anything.

436

Madox draws a breath and looks sad.

437

I suppose you have a

right to know the truth.

438

He says, not whatever watered

down version your father told you.

439

My father has never told me anything.

440

I say.

441

I'm not surprised Maddox's answers.

442

There was a momentary pause as he

appears to gather his thoughts.

443

I first met Oria when my

brother Reagan Thorn and I

444

were sent to the Queen's court.

445

Irania was 18 and lovely madox pauses

and smiles as he seems to remember.

446

Then the smile fades in the beginning.

447

My brother had no interest in her,

So irania and I became quite close.

448

But soon my brother realized she could

help him gain the power he wanted.

449

Madox looks at me.

450

there were several cousins able to inherit

the throne, but your mother senior

451

in the line of succession was presumed

heir if the queen never bore a daughter.

452

which she didn't.

453

I glare at madox.

454

I thought he was going to tell

me something I didn't know.

455

Of course, my mother

was heir to the throne.

456

That's why I'm to be the next queen.

457

Unfortunately, there are political

entities which have put forth that

458

I'm not eligible to be Queen because

my mother was banished naturally, my

459

father has squelched those efforts.

460

This part I understand all too well

until I'm actually on the throne.

461

My position is in jeopardy

by the look on my face.

462

Maddox must realize he's

stating the obvious.

463

He goes on, but my brother wanted more

than or radius political influence.

464

He was trying to achieve something

called the Corvex Corona.

465

Somehow he thought the jewels of Tambor

were the key to this end, and he

466

believed your mother could help him.

467

Now he's got my attention.

468

I recall my father's secret writings

about becoming a corvex Corona,

469

But what does my mother

have to do with it?

470

As you may know, your mother was

the queen's keeper of the jewels

471

assigned the duty of transporting her

various adornments from the castle

472

coffers to the Queen's dressing room.

473

My mother was keeper.

474

This is news.

475

Transporting the jewels is a sizable job.

476

The late queen had a different

set of regalia for every dress.

477

Not a simple pendant and

diadem, but chokers, ts eardrops,

478

bengal rings, bracelets, belts,

ankle bands, and shoe clips.

479

There must be a hundred or more sets of

gems locked in the guarded stronghold.

480

My father has aspired to the post of

keeper for as long as I can remember,

481

and only recently gained the position.

482

The death of the last keeper was

suspicious and untimely, but the queen

483

didn't seem to think anything of it.

484

Madox watches me as I put things together.

485

After a moment, he goes on.

486

When Reagan Thne found out how close

Irania was to the jewels of Tambo on a

487

daily basis, he became obsessed with her.

488

He forced me to return home

saying my father needed me.

489

I didn't have any choice but to

obey as he was my older brother.

490

Madox pauses.

491

Now I wish I had done things differently.

492

He looked so sad.

493

I don't doubt him.

494

This is the most I have

heard about my mother.

495

Sorrow consumes me feeling like

a vine wrapping around my heart.

496

Madox continues.

497

It wasn't long before news arrived that

my brother and Irania would be wed.

498

I was heartbroken.

499

I knew he didn't love her.

500

He was just looking to access the jewels.

501

I was unable to attend the

wedding as our father was dying.

502

after that.

503

Reagan Thorn only came home to visit

his estates for short periods of time,

504

leaving me to deal with the mess he

left on those occasions, there is

505

anger in Maddox's voice, a sentiment I

understand when it comes to my father,

506

Bree.

507

I look between Madox and Jackal

in shock as I take this in.

508

If Jackal is a Rainier's daughter,

the late Queen's niece that would

509

qualify jackal to take the crown.

510

How could I be so dimwitted?

511

Jackal is the puppet Reagan

thorn plans to put on the throne.

512

It's jackal's coronation.

513

I'm going to ultan to stop, and

I was starting to trust her.

514

I do my best to keep my face

passive, but my mind is racing

515

like a farm cat after a moth.

516

Jackal.

517

My uncle stops here

and looks at his hands.

518

I'm convinced this is as hard for

him to tell as it is for me to hear.

519

When I saw Irania again, he continues.

520

It nearly killed me.

521

Her cheeks were sunken and she had aged.

522

The only thing that gave

her any pleasure was you.

523

Madox looks at me, but

I can't hold his gaze.

524

In the early days, she would

wr her hands and pace the room.

525

I knew something worried her,

but when I asked, she would

526

never give a direct answer.

527

Over time, the bits and pieces she did

say led me to understand how Reagan Thorn

528

was hounding her to steal the crown.

529

but I couldn't imagine

how he thought she could.

530

There are constant guards

around the strong box.

531

Maddox looks at his hands again.

532

I believe the jewels were

the root of her madness.

533

He goes on at first, only a few of us

knew me, her maids, and my brother.

534

Of course, slowly it became more obvious.

535

She was too tender and sweet to survive.

536

Reagan Thorn.

537

I could see it in her eyes in

the way she walked, in the way

538

she never looked at his face.

539

I should have stopped him, but

by the time I knew what was

540

happening, the damage was done.

541

A tear trickles down the big man's

face and mingles with his beard.

542

I struggled to control my own emotions.

543

I can't show any weakness, not here.

544

As time went by, she got worse.

545

Displaying an eerie obsession with

death and always mumbling when Orias

546

Madness could no longer be hidden.

547

Reagan Thorn persuaded the

queen to banish her from Ultan.

548

Terrible as the disgrace was.

549

I was happy for her.

550

She was out of my brother's hands.

551

Unfortunately, it was less than a month

before he had a new victim to torture or

552

Rainier's closest cousin, the lady Fallon.

553

It isn't a coincidence

that my brother picked her

554

with Irania Gone.

555

Lady Fallon would only follow

you as aired to the throne.

556

Obviously, my brother

was hedging his bets.

557

Yes, of course.

558

I think as the events come

together in my mind, that's when

559

Lady Fallon came into my life.

560

Brie.

561

Lady Fallon was Reagan Thorn's second

wife, the same Fallon in the Noona story.

562

That would explain why Jackal

claimed to know so much about the

563

events that took place on the night.

564

Lady Fallon died.

565

But there are more important

things I need to know.

566

Where did Irania go?

567

When she was banished?

568

I blurred out.

569

Maddox turns his blue eyes on me.

570

She went to the Black Castle, one of

the most remote locations in Tambor.

571

The only passersby are the banjara.

572

Is it on the river?

573

I exclaim wondering if

we've already passed it.

574

Maddox doesn't look like he

wants to answer, but he says yes.

575

I almost jumped from my seat.

576

You've got to tell me how to get there.

577

Madox looks despondent.

578

You don't really want to go, but I do.

579

I've got to find the jewels of tambor.

580

I'm aware how desperate I sound.

581

Yes.

582

mad Xi.

583

Lowly.

584

Nona was certain, or Rainier

had them, but it isn't true.

585

I searched the Black Castle myself.

586

They aren't there.

587

The words of Zippos letter deep in

the bowels of Irania come to my mind.

588

is there a cellar or a chamber

of some kind under the castle?

589

I ask.

590

Madox, snorts.

591

There's a crypt.

592

That's where they are.

593

I know it.

594

you've got to tell me how to get there.

595

I plead madox, looks immovable.

596

I try another T or Rania wanted someone

to find the jewels, or she wouldn't

597

have left a message in her dying words.

598

Maddox appears to mull this over.

599

and jackal All this talk about my mother

has me on edge, and to top it off the

600

fiddle music has risen to a crescendo.

601

I can't take it anymore and

lose my patience by the jewels.

602

Tell us where the castle is.

603

I demand with a snarl.

604

As soon as the words have

left my mouth, I'm sorry.

605

Showing madox that I'm anything like

my father is a mistake, but he doesn't

606

look angry, though his face is stern.

607

If you want to make a difference in

tambor, forget about the antiquated stones

608

and join me in overthrowing the order.

609

I'm aware that Nona believed the

jewels of Tambor would save the

610

country, but it will take rooting

out the order to make a difference.

611

Root out the order.

612

I give a derisive laugh.

613

Do you think you really can?

614

Yes.

615

Madock says

616

There is so much conviction in his voice

that I almost believe him, but I know

617

how embroiled the order is within Tambor.

618

Even my father is leery of them.

619

I laugh again and shake my head.

620

The stones are out there and nothing is

going to dissuade me from finding them.

621

They're my only assurance of getting

out from under my father's power.

622

I glance at Brie who looks torn.

623

I wanna help.

624

She says, earnestly I roll my eyes.

625

Of course she does.

626

She'd help anyone.

627

but first I've got to find the jewels.

628

She says, well, at least she

has her priority straight

629

reaching for her ratty old bag.

630

She pulls out a map, please.

631

She begins.

632

Show me where the Black castle is.

633

Madox heaves a sigh as you

wish, but I warn you, the

634

castle isn't a pleasant place.

635

When Bree doesn't react, he takes

the map and spreads it before him.

636

The castle is here.

637

madox.

638

Points to a deserted

portion of river corridor.

639

Have the banjara pullover

right below the first cataract.

640

He says, at one time there was

a trail, but now it's overgrown.

641

You'll have to follow the

gully to the top of the bluff.

642

From there you'll see the castle.

643

No one says anything for a moment

and we all hear weather slow his

644

fiddle and play in a minor key.

645

I've got a million questions, but

before I can ask anything, Madox rises

646

standing hunched under the canopy.

647

I have other business

that needs tending to.

648

He looks from me to Brie.

649

Good luck with your quest.

650

I hope we meet again soon.

651

With that, he leaves.

652

Having my uncle walk away so abruptly

tightens the vines around my heart.

653

It's true.

654

All the rumors I've heard are true.

655

My mother was mad.

656

I stare at my hands until I

feel brie and gray watching me.

657

This turns my sadness to anger, not

because they uncovered my deception,

658

but because they heard these two milk.

659

Sos heard about my mother.

660

out of habit, my hand goes

to the pouch around my neck.

661

I feel the pull of the stone.

662

I know what it wants.

663

It wants me to be helpful to aid

Brie in finding the rest of the

664

jewels, but I want them for myself.

665

I need them for myself.

666

I yank the pouch from over my head

and stuff it into my skirt pocket.

667

I won't have the stone's

wretched influence anymore.

668

My mother went mad because of the jewels.

669

It won't happen to me.

670

The only way to survive in this

world is to take care of myself.

671

I throw back the canopy,

flap, and storm from the boat.