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 31, Brie.

2

As soon as jackal leaves,

I jump to my feet.

3

She's going after the jewels.

4

Come on, we've got to find them first.

5

There's panic in my voice.

6

Brie, wait.

7

Gray grabs my hand and pulls me down.

8

It's dark.

9

Jackal hates the water.

10

She isn't going anywhere tonight.

11

gray's rational voice calms me.

12

Yes, of course you're right.

13

I say, but we can't let her

give the jewels to Reagan.

14

Thorn My eyes skim across

the deck to Nona's Map.

15

We've already entered the Black Canyon.

16

there isn't another village along the

river for four or five days as the gorge

17

gets too steep for even a digger village.

18

I start thinking fast.

19

Let's leave tonight.

20

We'll take the old boat

tied at the end of the dock.

21

Brie.

22

Be rational.

23

The only way to get there

is with the banjara.

24

We can't run the cataracts

alone for the love of rats.

25

I'm so agitated that I

start ringing my hands.

26

what will Jackal do now

that we know her secret?

27

How will we stop her?

28

Gray grabs my hands.

29

I have an idea.

30

We'll set jackal up.

31

I'm skeptical how?

32

I will steal a handful of shekels from the

till while I'm ladling bitters tonight,

33

and you'll hide them in jackal's bag.

34

when the Tauk suspects, the coins are

gone, we'll tell Marette it was jackal.

35

She'll raise the alarm.

36

when the tauk finds the shekels,

he'll leave jackal behind easy.

37

Can you steal the shekels

without being caught?

38

Gray grins, leave it to me

39

With a pat on my shoulder, he gets up.

40

I better get back to the bidders or

I'll be the one left behind, but, Raven,

41

trust me, for once Gray leaves the boat.

42

But I am worried gray isn't naturally

sly like jackal or sneaky like me.

43

What if he's caught?

44

Am I just supposed to trust

him like I trusted Nona?

45

I go back to ringing my

hands, get it together.

46

I command myself.

47

You're acting like a nervous old hen.

48

As a distraction, I pick up

the Pedallers book, which is

49

sticking halfway out of my bundle.

50

I open the cover to see the word corvex

Corona embossed on the first page.

51

Madox mentioned the word again tonight.

52

I've tried to look up Corvex Corona

in the LXi gloss before, despite

53

how useful the LXi gloss is.

54

It isn't indexed well, the translation

is likely somewhere in its pages.

55

I just need a roundabout way to find it.

56

As I look at the word now, I

remember the Banjara translation,

57

which Marette gave me.

58

Corvex meaning Raven Corona,

meaning crown, the Raven crown.

59

I dig out the LXi gloss and look up

Raven and find a reference to priestess.

60

When I look up priestess, I find corvex.

61

That's it.

62

With excitement, I look up Crown.

63

Once again, I find a reference this time

to queen, and queen translates to Corona.

64

I sit back.

65

Corvex Corona means

66

priestess, queen.

67

ghia: I sigh.

68

It's progress, but

certainly not the answer.

69

Percing my lips.

70

I look up any word that

relates to Raven or crown.

71

I hunt for a long time, but don't

find anything that makes sense.

72

I finally give up and

wonder where gray is.

73

I expected him back with the by now

74

What if he was caught all at once?

75

I'm in a panic again.

76

I climb to the front of the boat

and pull back the canopy flap.

77

There is still a large crowd

of diggers on the dock.

78

Marette will wonder why

I am not at my telling.

79

Nevermind that.

80

Now I've got to find gray.

81

I look towards the barrel of bitters,

but he isn't there glancing around.

82

I see him in the shadows

by a pile of crates.

83

After watching for a moment,

I realize he isn't alone.

84

Moving across the boat for a better view.

85

I see jackal with him.

86

Her hand is in his thick hair,

pulling his head towards her.

87

I stop breathing.

88

They kiss on the lips.

89

The sight hits me like a blow

to the chest immediately.

90

I roll backwards and

slip under the canopy.

91

Now I know why Gray didn't want

to take a boat and leave tonight.

92

He was stalling for time, looking for

a way to get me to trust Jackal again.

93

he's liked her since

the first day they met.

94

He betrayed me once and

I let him do it again.

95

I should have known better than

to think he was on my side.

96

They must see me as a complete

feather brain shaking With fury, I

97

find my eyes darting around the tent.

98

I've got to leave.

99

I never want to see jackal or gray again.

100

I'll find the jewels alone.

101

I start to think fast

considering what I'll need.

102

Food and a way down river.

103

For starters, I remember the old

boat tethered to the end of the dock.

104

It's doubtful anyone will

even notice if it disappears.

105

But where will I get food in order

to think I grab my hair and twist

106

it in a knot on top of my head.

107

The simple action gives me an idea.

108

I unie my hair and look

at the snarled mess.

109

Yes, I've got my answer hastily.

110

I dig in my bundle and pull out

the old wooden comb, which I

111

jerk through the tangles, working

around my various embellishments.

112

When I've got my hair in a semblance

of order, I drape it over one

113

shoulder where it dangles to my hip.

114

Before I can change my mind, I

pull the little knife from my waist

115

and begin hacking off handfuls

of hair just below my chin.

116

I drop the locks into my lap.

117

It's not until I'm done that I look at

the giant bird's nest that I've created.

118

Please let it be enough.

119

I gather the hair and stuff

it into my old stalking.

120

Cautiously I peek out

from under the canopy.

121

Gray is ladling bitters

to a line of diggers.

122

Jackal is on the other end of the dock.

123

Past the dancers.

124

Clouds have blotted out the

stars, so it's dark except for

125

the torches set against the cliff.

126

This is my chance.

127

I slipped from the boat, cross the

deck, and head up the trail to Nsra.

128

with my new boots and my staff.

129

I make it up the trail

without too much trouble.

130

At the top, I stagger slightly at the

site of the massive village before me.

131

How so many people can

live so close together?

132

I don't know.

133

Just find the Croker's lounge.

134

I tell myself, I look around cobbled

streets go off in several directions.

135

It could be anywhere.

136

I'm debating about which street to take

137

When a loud call nearly causes

me to jump out of my boots,

138

I slap my hand to my chest.

139

Give me a little warning.

140

Next time would you, grim doesn't respond.

141

He just walks in a wide circle around me.

142

I get the definite feeling.

143

He's looking at my hair.

144

Is it that bad?

145

I ask Grim ruffles his feathers,

making them stand up around his head.

146

Then he croaks.

147

I laugh, no short hair does not make

me look like you now leave me alone

148

or help me figure out which way to go.

149

Grim takes off, flapping down

one of the cobbled streets.

150

I shrug and follow him.

151

Checking each sign for the

croker's lounge as I go.

152

I've gone several blocks when I

smell the pungent scent of herbs.

153

A moment later, I spy the Croker's

lounge and exhale in relief.

154

Turns out g Grim was right.

155

given the late hour, I assume I'll

have to bang on the door to wake

156

the Roker, but that can't be helped.

157

I pause, summoning my courage.

158

Finally, I grip my teeth and walk up

to the door, only to find it open.

159

Chapter 23, Brie.

160

I step into the dimly lit croker's

lounge, but can't move any further.

161

The only light comes from the tapers held

in a tarnished candelabra on the shelves.

162

Behind a wooden counter are rows of

faceless heads draped over them are

163

wigs in every style despite seeing

similar wigs in ska, I cringe.

164

One wig looks something like an owl's

nest complete with bits of bone.

165

Another has the look of a curling

wave dripping with seaweed.

166

the room smells of herbs and old

sweat dried plants and roots hang from

167

the ceiling as well as pig snouts,

rabbit's, feet, and withered chicken's.

168

Heads bottles of all sizes

and colors lined the walls.

169

A woman lies face down on a

table in the center of the room.

170

Her dress is pulled up to expose the pale

skin of her thigh, which appears to be the

171

only place on either leg that isn't inked.

172

A man in a black robe is bent

over her with long, pale fingers.

173

He dips a needle into a

bottle of reddish ink.

174

then he begins tapping the

needle into the skin of her leg.

175

After a moment, he turns to me

peering with toad like eyes through

176

the pattern of ink on his face.

177

Take a seat.

178

I'll be with you in a moment.

179

he says, with a voice that

sounds like crumbling parchment.

180

He gestures with his chin behind me.

181

Turning.

182

I see a low chair, but

I couldn't possibly sit.

183

I look at the woman lying on

the croker's table and see

184

spots of blood on her thigh.

185

I avert my eyes feeling sick.

186

I know how healing is done.

187

This isn't it.

188

When the Roker is finished, the

woman slides off the table and

189

stands, I'll be back next month.

190

At the same time.

191

She says, smoothing down

her skirt Very well.

192

After dropping a few coins on the

table, the woman leaves the lounge.

193

What can I do for you?

194

The Croker asks, fussing with his tools

instead of looking at me, I step forward.

195

My legs trembling like blades of grass.

196

I try not to stammer.

197

I have some hair to sell.

198

let's see.

199

The Roker says, holding

out ink stained fingers.

200

Gathering my courage.

201

I pull the shorn hair from the

stalking and place it in his palm.

202

He bounces it as if weighing the locks.

203

then his bulging eyes look me up and down.

204

I cla my hands together

to stop the shaking.

205

After a moment, he places the hair on

the inking table and holds up a finger.

206

Wait here.

207

I'll be back.

208

He leaves the room by a

small door in the back wall.

209

his black cloak almost

catching on the latch.

210

As he hurries out, my mouth drops open.

211

What's going on?

212

The lounge is even more eerie.

213

Now that I'm alone, slowly I turn.

214

Taking in the room.

215

When my back is to the wigs and

I'm facing the front door, I notice

216

a parchment tack to the wall.

217

It is similar in every way to the

wanted poster of Boan in known as

218

envelope, but there's one difference.

219

The picture in the center is

of a girl with ratty long hair

220

that looks very much like mine.

221

Below the picture, it reads 1000

222

Shekels for the Pero of Naja.

223

In a panic.

224

I grab my hair off the table and run

225

How long until the Croker

finds the dragon stationed here

226

and gets back to the lounge.

227

I race down the street, The wooden

sole of my boot clomping on the cobbles

228

stabs of pain, radiate up my leg.

229

When I get to the trail leading down

to the boats, I can see that there

230

are still a few diggers on the dock.

231

I want to keep running, but flip up my

hood and force myself to a casual stroll.

232

I can't look concerned.

233

I even manage a fake smile as I walk

up to gray and whisper in his ear.

234

I'm going to bed.

235

I'll take care of that

business in the morning.

236

Gray intent on moving

the line in front of him.

237

Nods and continues.

238

Laing Bitters.

239

I'm glad he has agreed because

I can't have him looking for me.

240

Tonight I go straight to the

boat and climb under the canopy.

241

Now there's only one option for food.

242

Wild forage.

243

Hopefully the rest of my plan goes better.

244

I get to work, fluffing my blankets and

arranging it so it looks like I'm under

245

the covers, adding to the effect I stick

my shorn hair where my head should be.

246

next I strip out of my tunic

and skirt, which I stuff along

247

with my cloak into my bundle.

248

I'm left in my small clothes,

a one piece top, and shorts.

249

For a moment, I finger the

tattered flowers, Nona embroidered

250

around the edge of the fabric.

251

Would she approve of what I'm doing?

252

I promised not to be rash.

253

but I also promised to find the

jewels with a purse of my lips.

254

I peek out from under the canopy.

255

When I'm sure no one is watching,

I grab a cork vest from off the

256

side of the boat and slip it on

with my staff over my shoulder.

257

I drop silently into the water holding

the bundle on top of my head with one

258

hand so I can swim with the other.

259

The water is shockingly cold, and the

current's stronger than I expected.

260

It's hard to swim and keep my bundle dry.

261

For the love of rats, I panic.

262

I'm going to miss the end of the dock.

263

I take a desperate stroke, almost

dunking my bundle in the process.

264

At the last moment, I managed to toss

the oil skin onto the wood planking

265

and heave myself up behind it.

266

This end of the dock is quiet and there

isn't a lantern close With my teeth

267

chattering, I slip into my clothes

without delay, I move to the old boat.

268

It's not in great condition, but

it floats, and there are oars and a

269

bale bucket Quickly, I climb in and

untie the bow line without a sound.

270

I let the boat drift down river on

the current until I'm far enough

271

from the dock that no one will hear

the squeak of oars as I row away.

272

Jackal.

273

When I've calmed enough to sleep, I

climb onto the boat and sit on my tick.

274

What I learned about my

mother has me in the pht mood.

275

I've been in for quite some time.

276

I wanted to take my anger out

on someone, and the girl was the

277

easiest target when she poked her

head out from under the canopy.

278

I pulled my rodents little romance

towards me and kissed him on the lips.

279

When she ducked back

inside, I pushed him away.

280

He wiped his mouth and looked

furious, but I waved him off.

281

Go back to your bitters

before the taru gets mad.

282

I told him.

283

He stormed away.

284

Frankly, I'm not sure why

the kiss wasn't half bad.

285

I smirk even now as I remember

it, but only for a moment as a

286

twinge of guilt washes over me.

287

I am not fooled by the emotion

anymore and fished the jewel out

288

of its pouch in my skirt pocket.

289

As I touch.

290

Its cool surface.

291

Some of my anger slips away.

292

I frown.

293

No, you don't.

294

I want to stay angry.

295

It's the only way I'll survive.

296

I return the stone to its pouch

and shove it deep in my pocket.

297

Again.

298

My rodent is sleeping soundly

in the back of the boat.

299

I glance at her form.

300

I will persuade her to help me find

the jewels and when the time is

301

right, I'll leave her in the Norwood.

302

It will work out fine.

303

Brie, there is no moon to speak of, and

even the starlight is blocked by clouds.

304

All I've got is my sense of hearing

to tell me where I am in the river.

305

Thankfully, I recall weather saying

it was flat water from NS R to the

306

first cataract which lies deep

in the heart of the Black Canyon.

307

It should be all night and most

of tomorrow before I have to

308

worry about the great falls.

309

Even still, I strain my ears

for the sound of water on rock.

310

terrified of coming upon

any waves in the dark.

311

My insights turn to mush when I think

of running the Black Canyon alone,

312

even the most experienced rivermen

occasionally flip in the cataracts,

313

But weathers assured me that a

successful run is all in the setup.

314

Surely if I scout the worst of the swift

water from shore, I'll get through.

315

I do some figuring if I left the

dock around midnight and Jackal

316

doesn't discover I'm gone until

I miss staff practice, that

317

will give me a six hour lead.

318

Even then, she'll have to wait at least

an hour for the banjara to break camp.

319

That gives me seven hours to

reach the castle, find the

320

jewels and head down river again.

321

Can I do it that fast?

322

I pull harder on the oars.

323

What choice do I have?

324

It rains on and off, but my

steady rowing keeps me warm.

325

As the boat slices through

the black water, I think about

326

gray and jackal and the kiss.

327

Was it their first or one

of many My eyes sting.

328

I don't care about jackal.

329

She's Reagan thorn's daughter.

330

How can I be surprised by anything she

does, but gray, I trusted him again,

331

Jackal.

332

I wake sometime in the

wee hours of the morning.

333

It's dark and all is quiet,

but something is wrong.

334

I feel it in my gut.

335

I sit up and call to the girl.

336

She doesn't move.

337

I reach out to shake the sleeping

figure, but my hand sinks

338

into the folds of her blanket.

339

That's when I realized my mistake.

340

It never crossed my mind.

341

She would slip away without gray and

I kept an eye on him all night.

342

In a rage.

343

I scramble off the boat.

344

The boy is sleeping under an oil

cloth on the dock on Kick him.

345

Wake everyone up.

346

Bri is gone.

347

Chapter 33, Brie.

348

I row, then row some more When

it's light enough to see, I

349

search the boat hatches and find a

withered apple and some dried meat.

350

I eat the apple.

351

Thankfully, the rain stops.

352

Before taking up the ORs again, I

add another notch to my staff,

353

bringing the total to 16.

354

16 days gone and I still only

have one Juul I start to row

355

once more, determined not to stop

until I reach the first cataract.

356

I'm feeling some fatigue, but overall

I'm impressed with my endurance

357

falling into a rhythm I push on.

358

The sun has reached its zenith and

started its downward journey before

359

I'm too dogged to keep rowing my

hands are chaffed and my back aches.

360

I stop to chew the dried meat

savoring the peppery flavor

361

as the boat floats down river.

362

Without planning it, my eyes drift closed.

363

I've only been still for a

moment when I hear a flutter of

364

wings as grim lands on the bow,

365

He calls loudly.

366

I don't move.

367

The vision in my mind is too beautiful.

368

I'm on a boat riding up a curling

wave, then crashing through

369

the frothing white foam grim.

370

Cause again, go away.

371

I mumble The foam

clears and I'm in a cave.

372

Silver glint of water

sparkle on stone walls.

373

I see Bogdan's boat.

374

There's another call.

375

Leave me alone.

376

I call out without opening my eyes.

377

I don't want the dream to end.

378

I'm about to find the amethyst.

379

I know it.

380

Grim cause two more

times, three more times.

381

The vision disintegrates.

382

I sit up blinking and confused.

383

The sun has slipped below the canyon wall.

384

The river is in shadow.

385

How long did I sleep in the

distance I hear a low rumble?

386

No, it couldn't be.

387

I look downstream, but can't see

beyond the bend in the river.

388

My heart begins to

thunder like a rainstorm.

389

Nothing but the first cataract

would make that sound.

390

I scramble to the oars and

begin pulling to shore.

391

I need to see the swift

water before I run it.

392

I've got to enter at just the right

place, or I'll never make it through.

393

As I pull grim, squawks and flaps

his wings, raising a foot in the

394

air, then landing on the deck again,

You could have woken me sooner.

395

I say straining to reach

shore, grim squawks more,

396

hopping up and down as he does.

397

He's making such a ruckus that

I quit rowing and look at him.

398

He stops instantly and looks back at me.

399

I pull on the oars, and he squawks.

400

I stop again.

401

You are crazy.

402

I'm not letting the boat float

through the swift water on its own.

403

Grim cock his head and

croaks deep in his throat.

404

The dream wasn't real.

405

I insist, but as I say the words,

I'm reminded of Marette calling

406

both Grim and the Hesperian Corvex.

407

Does the whisper speak to me through Grim?

408

I can't believe it yet.

409

The bird seems determined

to communicate something.

410

I recall weather saying that

Bog Dan's boat ran the swift

411

water without anyone rowing.

412

If I want to find the amethyst, should

I run the swift water the same way

413

Grim gives several quick cause

as if affirming my thought.

414

for the love of rats.

415

The idea is lunacy, but I find myself

believing it's true grim, or should

416

I say the whisper wants the boat

to float the cataract without help.

417

Grim did lead me to the Roker in Ns ran.

418

Maybe I should trust him.

419

I look longingly ashore, but sit still.

420

Grim stands on the front

deck, preening his tail.

421

Feathers calm as can be.

422

This gives me confidence.

423

The rumble of the cataract

gets louder still.

424

I continue to sit even when

I see the monstrous waves.

425

I stay composed.

426

The boat is just dropping down the

smooth water at the top of the falls.

427

When grim takes to the air and

flies away, Hey, I call after him.

428

What kind of chicken are you?

429

My confidence evaporates,

but it's too late.

430

I grip my handholds and brace my

legs, determine that no matter

431

what happens, I won't let go.

432

The boat plummets into the swift

water, picking up tremendous speed.

433

The fall is so steep, I'm afraid

I'll tumble out of my seat.

434

Down I go until the boat hits

the mass of churning water.

435

There is no time to catch a breath as the

boat is smashed, like a fly under a water.

436

Instantly.

437

My hands are ripped from my

holds Violent water envelops

438

me as I'm washed from the boat.

439

I open my eyes.

440

There's light above me, but

I'm going down, down, down.

441

I try with all my might

to swim for the surface.

442

My arms and legs thrashing.

443

I make no progress.

444

Soon.

445

My lungs feel like they'll explode.

446

The river won't let me go In

a panic, I flail harder, but

447

I'm in the grip of the current.

448

My lungs continue to burn.

449

If I don't get a breath soon, it hits

me Then that I might, actually die.

450

Blackness closes in around

the edges of my vision.

451

I stop struggling.

452

My body goes limp, Suddenly as

if the river is done with me,

453

I shoot towards the surface.

454

I anticipate breathing at any moment.

455

Instead, my head hits something hard.

456

I stifle the urge to suck in water as my

hands go up and I feel the rock above me.

457

I am under an overhang, which is blocking

the surface for the love of rats.

458

I need air.

459

Now with my hands overhead,

I frantically attempt to move

460

myself out from under the ledge.

461

Without warning, I pop up to the surface.

462

Air, glorious air.

463

I can breathe, but the

darkness around me is absolute.

464

I tread water as I spin in a whirlpool.

465

Something bumps me.

466

It's a log throwing my

arms over the sodden wood.

467

I hold on as I continue to turn.

468

At first, I'm so grateful to

breathe that I'm not afraid,

469

but as I spin, my fear grows.

470

Things I can't identify

bump me in the dark.

471

What if some other soul

got washed in here?

472

What if I come across a floating body?

473

I want to cry.

474

Why did I trust grim?

475

I should have rode the cataract

the way weather's taught me.

476

This is nothing like

the cave in my vision.

477

It was sparkling with light and there was

a ledge where the boat rested a ledge.

478

the thought gives me hope.

479

There may well be a ledge here somewhere.

480

It takes me a moment to gather my

courage, but I reach into the darkness.

481

What I feel isn't solid rock, but a

crumbling pile of sticks and debris.

482

Quickly, I pull my hand

back and try to think.

483

This underwater whirlpool is a

natural place for things to collect.

484

Who knows how long it's been here?

485

I do several more rotations before

reaching out to the pile again.

486

When I do, my hand digs into the

loose sticks, rotting leaves, and

487

whatever else has been washed in here.

488

. After a moment, I managed to

pull myself out of the water

489

and onto the mass of debris.

490

I grope around in the

darkness, not caring anymore.

491

If my hands come across

something repulsive.

492

Above me is solid rock.

493

I'm definitely in a cave at my side I find

a HU board about the length of my arm.

494

A board that could easily be

the sighting of a banjara boat.

495

I get hopeful as I find

some kind of framework.

496

This must be bogged Dan's boat

as I grope in the darkness.

497

I can tell that many boards are

gone, but many are still in place.

498

All the river gear, including the

oars, have been washed away, but my

499

fingers come across what feels like

a hatch cover that is still in place.

500

I am shivering so hard that my

fingers aren't working well, but

501

I manage to release the latch.

502

The lid comes away in my hand, the

leather hinges completely rotted through.

503

I reach in tentatively it

feels empty and my heart sinks.

504

But with more searching, I discover what

feels like a bean pot with a missing lid.

505

I plunge my hand inside and

find something hard, something.

506

I feel certain, even in the

pitch, black is the amethyst.

507

I clutch the lump to my chest and weight,

but as usual, there's nothing fine.

508

I say to the darkness, all

that matters is that I have it.

509

With shaking fingers, I place the

new stone next to the sapphire in

510

Nona shawl at my waist and double

check that the knot is secure.

511

That done, I sit in

the darkness shivering.

512

finding the amethyst is all well and

good, but now how do I get out of here?

513

After thinking for a while, I

come up with only one solution.

514

I've got to return the way I came.

515

The thought is horrifying, but

there is no other choice.

516

I kneel in the crumbling debris

next to the water and tell

517

myself to dive in, but I can't.

518

I almost died the last

time I was in the water.

519

My hand goes to the

New Stone in Nona Shaw.

520

I made the choice to let

the boat run the cataract.

521

Now, like it or not, I have

to suffer the consequences.

522

Just do it.

523

I command myself.

524

After feeling my lungs

with air, I dive in.

525

The water thrashes me, and I

can't control where I'm going.

526

For an interminable moment,

I'm held against a rock wall.

527

In the next moment, I'm

propelled downstream.

528

Finally, I pop up gasping for air.

529

My eyes dazzled by the light.

530

I am completely disoriented

until I see the boat bobbing

531

right side up along the shore.

532

I swim to it as fast as my sodden skirts

will let me and pull myself aboard.

533

I'm grateful to see that the boat is still

in one piece and both oars are in place.

534

I check that my bundle is in the hatch.

535

It is.

536

The only thing that appears

to be lost is the bale bucket.

537

I should have tied it to the

boat the way weathers does.

538

I grimace.

539

From now on, I'll be bailing

with Nona's Cook Pott.

540

Then it hits me.

541

Where's my staff?

542

Dread builds in my chest as I look

around, but the boat is empty.

543

The staff known a carved for me is gone.

544

Washed down river.

545

I slump in the cockpit.

546

Lost without it.

547

the boat still bobbing along the

shore knocks into a rock, then

548

it knocks again reluctantly.

549

I get up and tie a bow line

to a large boulder before any

550

damage is done to the boat.

551

Grim lands on a rock not far

away, and watches me in silence.

552

Stupid bird, I murmur.

553

You don't even care that

I nearly died back there.

554

Grim just blinks.

555

I turn away.

556

I'm done with the whisper.

557

I'll keep up my search, but

I'll never trust you again.

558

this reminds me of my find.

559

I dig the new lump out of Nona Shawl

and hold it up to the sunlight.

560

It is indeed the amethyst.

561

Its natural crystalline shape

extends the width of my palm.

562

The deep lavender runs from end

to end without a single flaw.

563

Grim squawks when he

sees it and flies away.

564

I can't help but think he wanted

to confirm that I had the amethyst

565

before acknowledging I survived.

566

Is that all the whisper cares

about finding the jewels?

567

Does it even matter what happens to me?

568

Annoyed.

569

I glance at the sky.

570

There couldn't be more than an

hour or two of daylight left.

571

Time is wasting.

572

I've got to find the castle.