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 19 jackal.

2

As I stand at the bottom of the

steep stairs that lead to the ram

3

rot of Naja, my skin begins to crawl.

4

I try unsuccessfully to

wipe the feeling away.

5

While it's the snake God oon,

I'm forced to worship in Ultan

6

I'm just as revolted by Naja.

7

Despite my inclination to avoid all

snake gods, I get behind the boy

8

and follow him up the worn steps.

9

I'm almost to the top when I

feel the twinge of a jewel.

10

It's not the stone my rodent is carrying.

11

This is different.

12

As I reach the expansive courtyard,

the immense head of the serpent

13

looms over me fangs Baird.

14

I cringe not from my disgust of the

snake God, but at the overwhelming

15

power I feel from the stone embedded

in the serpent's chest by ion.

16

It's like a weight on my heart.

17

I don't want to be near it.

18

The boy looks at me and I try to smile.

19

when his attention is elsewhere, I turn

my back and curse the wretched stone.

20

Like it or not, I've located

another jewel of Tambo

21

Brie.

22

At the top of the stairs, I falter.

23

People are everywhere.

24

Mabu with mosque, green robes draped

over one shoulder and pilgrims talking

25

excitedly chanting fills the air.

26

Under normal circumstances, would pick

a quiet corner to hide, but I can't move.

27

Instead, I'm mesmerized by the

stone replica of na, which

28

looms over the courtyard.

29

A pilgrim joles me as she pushes

by Brie, you're in the way.

30

I hear gray's words,

but they don't register.

31

After a moment, he takes me by the

shoulder and pushes me to the center of

32

the courtyard, where apparently I can

gape at Naja without bothering anyone.

33

Here I get a full view of the towering

serpent, while the backside visible

34

from the valley is a natural stone.

35

The front is an intricate mosaic of

colored pebbles and small jewels.

36

These radiate outward from a central cone

on the serpent's raised chest resembling

37

shimmering scales, and there at the center

is the largest gemstone I've ever seen.

38

It's bigger than my hand spread wide,

and it's soft, pale green, and reminds

39

me of the new growth on pine bows.

40

There's no doubt that

I have found the Pero.

41

As I gaze at the stone, my heart slumps.

42

I can't even touch it,

let alone take it with me.

43

What could Nona possibly have had in mind?

44

Eventually, I pull my eyes from

the gem and turn in a slow circle,

45

taking in the rest of the courtyard.

46

Several mabu are busy carving

blocks of Graystone into

47

miniature replicas of the snake.

48

God for pilgrims to purchase.

49

The shaved heads of the bu glisten with

sweat causing me to realize that the sun

50

has emerged from the clouds, But a quick

glance at the sky tells me it won't last

51

long as clouds are building in the west.

52

Another turn and the looming

serpent is at my back.

53

Now I'm standing in front of a

deep cavern hu into the rock face.

54

The entrance is an elaborate tangle

of snakes carved from the stone.

55

I realize this room is where

the chanting originates.

56

Peering in the dimly lit alcove.

57

I can make out close to 20 mabu

seated cross-legged on the floor.

58

Dripping candles lined the walls.

59

the mabu chant in shifts day and night.

60

It never stops.

61

I overhear jackal telling Gray who

is peering at the cavern as well,

62

Catching movement to my right.

63

I make one more turn and see a

group of mabu working in unison

64

through a series of staff moves.

65

I stare.

66

Their form is sharp and angular, not

the smooth flowing style, Nona taught me.

67

When they lunge and jab, I notice that

each monk has a bronze serpent inked

68

from shoulder to forearm, the movement

in conjunction with the ink makes it

69

appear as if the serpent is striking.

70

Anyone who thinks of stealing

that Pero has to go through them.

71

I hear jackal say Instantly.

72

Everything snaps together, and I stagger

like I've been hit by a freak windstorm.

73

I put the end of my staff on the

ground to keep from toppling over.

74

Of course they use staffs.

75

I say If they preferred swords,

Nona would have as well.

76

Jackal cocks her head.

77

What did you say?

78

Nothing.

79

I groan.

80

as I think of Nona with

her reason for everything.

81

I see her at staff practice day after

day until she can execute each move

82

with precision until her muscles

have memorized every block and lunge.

83

This was the reason she planned on

challenging the mabu for the Pero.

84

are you feeling well?

85

Gray asks, interrupting my thoughts.

86

I grip my staff.

87

Yeah, I'm fine, but in reality,

I'm miserable without Nona,

88

this painful check has no point.

89

I will never get the stone without her.

90

Gray pokes me in the ribs.

91

Hey.

92

I'm going to look around.

93

I nod and wave him away.

94

I am watching the Mabu again.

95

When I see a staff disappear,

I blink not believing my eyes.

96

I watch more intently until

another staff vanishes.

97

This time I catch it.

98

The staff doesn't disappear.

99

Not really.

100

Instead, it collapses into a rod

no longer than a person's forearm.

101

The mabu is then able to slip the staff

into the folds of his robe and it's gone.

102

Nice trick.

103

Jackal my rodent gapes at

the Marabou for a long time.

104

I hope she has a plan and

I hope it's a good one.

105

I pull my coat out of my satchel and slip

it on The sun warm only moments before

106

is now blocked by heavy rain clouds.

107

Another storm is on its way

and looks to be much worse

108

than the rain we had yesterday.

109

With the boy off exploring, I find a

place to crouch and study my rodent.

110

She looks wild with that unkept hair,

but she's also delicate like a bird.

111

And with that foot, She almost hops around

like one, I can tell she has substance

112

and a fair degree of intelligence.

113

It shows in the way she cocks her

head and blinks when she's curious.

114

But none of this matters because

I can see a flaw beneath it all.

115

She's trusting.

116

It shows in her eyes.

117

Trust.

118

I can use

119

Brie with gray and Jackal gone.

120

I walk to the wall of the courtyard,

which overlooks the RI River.

121

From here, I can see the serpent's back.

122

It's carved with scales that I couldn't

make out from the valley yesterday.

123

More importantly, I can see that

running up the side of the serpent is

124

a series of shallow hand and toe holes.

125

obviously made for accessing

the luminous green stone.

126

I look at the Pero would

simply touching it be enough?

127

Nona said, having the

essence of the ruby would do.

128

Would it suffice for the Pero as well?

129

Of course there's one major problem.

130

I don't know if I'll feel anything

by simply touching the stone, but

131

the reality is I don't have a choice.

132

There's no taking the stone with me.

133

I glance about in an effort to come up

with another option, but there isn't one.

134

That's it.

135

Then all I can do is touch

the Pero and see what happens.

136

Before I can change my

mind, I start up the steps.

137

The climb is easy though.

138

I remind myself not to look down.

139

The drop isn't just to the courtyard,

but all the way to the valley floor.

140

Not that height is a problem.

141

I've climbed hundreds

of trees in the Norwood.

142

It's the exposure.

143

That's why I froze on the sea cliff.

144

When I tried to rescue Grim, I was

all alone on the bare rock with no

145

comforting bows for security and just

pay attention to the task at hand.

146

I tell myself sounding too much like Nona.

147

I climb without looking at anything but

the next hold, when the holds run out.

148

I glance around.

149

I'm now even with the perio do, but the

serpents, extended hood is not flat.

150

It's concave.

151

The stone is deep within

the center of the chest.

152

From where I am, it doesn't appear

possible to reach owl pellets.

153

I'm so close holding on with one hand.

154

I lean towards the stone with a more

direct view Down the center of the cone, I

155

can see that the Pero is not the enormous

gem I thought it was from the courtyard.

156

In reality, it's no bigger

than the sapphire at my waist.

157

I don't know how it works, but the

mosaic lined cone has the effect of

158

enlarging the appearance of the gem.

159

I reach one handout to touch the

stone, but it's too far away.

160

I swing back to readjust

my grip and try again.

161

At that moment, there's a

roar from the courtyard below.

162

I look down to see a stream of

mabu pouring from the cavern

163

Leading the flood of green is a

mabu in purple robes brandishing.

164

A golden staff carved in the

shape of a serpent falcon.

165

He yells a falcon dares to

challenge Naja other monks.

166

Chime in down with the falcon, I wince

at the name aware that the falcon

167

is the serpent's greatest enemy, e

168

jackal.

169

I am admiring the boy as he

strolls around the courtyard.

170

When mayhem breaks loose,

the mabu are in an uproar.

171

I scan the crowd for my

rodent by the jewels.

172

Where did she go?

173

I was only distracted for a moment.

174

When I see that she has climbed

the serpent, I can hardly

175

believe my eyes brainless twit.

176

What is she doing?

177

The mabu are in a frenzy.

178

Curse her stupidity.

179

How will she help me find the

jewels if her bones are broken?

180

I could step in, make a scene,

pull some rank, and get her

181

out of this mess or curses.

182

I don't know.

183

I bite my lip and decide to wait

and see how things play out.

184

I'm sure she doesn't

realize what she has done.

185

Just to reach for the stone is an insult.

186

Climbing the serpent,

187

She's got to be out of her mind.

188

Brie

189

For the love of rats, will I

ever learn not to be so reckless?

190

I just wanted to touch it.

191

I yell as I scramble down.

192

This is bad, really bad.

193

I skip the last few holds and

jump to the ground instantly.

194

I'm surrounded by mbu.

195

Their faces distorted with rage.

196

I'm sorry.

197

I won't do it again.

198

I promise.

199

With The mabu circling me, I panic

and tears cascade down my cheeks.

200

la Marabou begin to twist and sway

201

Shoulder to shoulder, they

slither around me and chant in

202

unison, choose, choose, choose.

203

Nevermind.

204

I don't want any stones.

205

I just wanna go home.

206

I would yell these words, but I can't get

them past the constriction in my throat.

207

Choose, choose.

208

Choose.

209

The Mabu continued to chant.

210

Choose what I managed to squeak.

211

I'm shaking so badly

that I drop to one knee.

212

The circle closes in the

mabu, begin waving their

213

serpent inked arms in my face.

214

I don't know what they want, so

I drop all the way to the ground.

215

Choose, choose, choose.

216

They are even closer now.

217

Their voice is low and menacing.

218

Get away.

219

I swing my arm out wildly

desperate to drive them back.

220

I touch a hand and the owner

grabs my arm holding it fast.

221

The others move away.

222

The Mabu with the Golden

staff steps forward.

223

Naja has a challenger.

224

He calls raising his staff overhead.

225

This will be a fight with the staff.

226

All the pilgrims.

227

Circle around and cheer the grip on my arm

loosens the mabu who held it, steps back.

228

I remember seeing him train.

229

He was the largest of all

the mabu by almost a head.

230

His legs are like tree trunks and his

arms bulge with muscles from his robe.

231

He pulls a staff snapping it open.

232

I stare as he twirls it with tremendous

speed causing the serpent on his arm

233

to look as if it's striking repeatedly.

234

I scramble to my feet and

back to the edge of the crowd.

235

No, this is a mistake.

236

Brie.

237

I can see gray trying to push his

way through the throng of pilgrims.

238

I don't want to fight.

239

I yell.

240

You don't have a choice.

241

Someone in the crowd

yells, put on a good show.

242

You'll only get a minor beating.

243

Another adds no frantically.

244

I try to push through the crowd, but they

hold tight, creating an impenetrable wall.

245

I scratch and kick, then I drop

to my knees and try scrambling

246

through their legs, but someone

grabs my foot and hauls me back,

247

Chapter 20 jackal.

248

When my rodent gets down to the

courtyard, she's lost in the crowd.

249

I'm scanning the swarm of people.

250

When I see the presiding mabu hand his

staff to a novice and nod towards nadja.

251

The novice takes the staff

and climbs the stone serpent.

252

His green robes billowing in the wind.

253

After reaching the top, he

places the head of the staff in

254

a notch making another foothold.

255

With this extra step, he easily reaches

the Pero as if handling a serpent.

256

The novice cautiously

removes the green gem.

257

After returning the way he came,

he proffers the stone and the

258

staff to the presiding mbu who

takes them with an heir of pride.

259

I assume the Mabu wants the gem

in hand to prove his authority.

260

With the Pero now closer, I can see that

it isn't nearly as big as it first looked.

261

How strange.

262

When I spot my rodent again, she's

trying to fight her way to the boy.

263

I'm not sure why it

isn't as if he can help.

264

The presiding mbu raising his staff

in one hand and the jewel in the other

265

calls for the fight to begin for a

second, I think my rodent is going to

266

be taken out with the first blow, but

at the last moment she spins and blocks

267

her attacker with a jab at his ribs.

268

She rolls away.

269

Not bad for a rodent.

270

though.

271

I suspect the giant hasn't

used his full strength.

272

Not yet.

273

Brie.

274

this isn't good.

275

What do I do?

276

Mercifully, instinct takes

over and I defend myself.

277

Seems I have enough sense to keep

my head from being bashed in.

278

But how do I get out of this?

279

I lunge away.

280

Nona used to talk to me about strato.

281

Jim, I should remember something.

282

I've bested gray a few times.

283

They were just mock battles.

284

But I did win.

285

I leaped back to avoid a swing at my head.

286

Yes, I recall a good lesson.

287

Big as he is.

288

My opponent has a weakness.

289

I duck a jab.

290

The question is, can I pull off?

291

Nona's move?

292

Before I'm clobbered, I

swing and dodge another blow.

293

and jackal.

294

The crowd loves it.

295

Money begins to change

hands as bets are placed.

296

Surely they don't think she can win.

297

There must be a wager

on how long she'll last.

298

She's fast.

299

I'll give her that with a shout.

300

She lands another blow

on the Mara Booz ribs.

301

Same spot as the first, The Mabu

grunts probably more out of surprise

302

than pain, as she doesn't appear

to be much stronger than a breeze.

303

After some time I realize the

girl is quite skilled, which

304

gives me a twinge of jealousy.

305

I've never seen much use for

a weapon without a blade.

306

Perhaps I should reconsider.

307

The presiding mabu stands like royalty

as he watches the fight from a raised

308

platform, golden staff in hand.

309

He looks almost as arrogant as my father.

310

I notice him glance at the sky

and my eyes follow The clouds

311

that have moved in are ominous.

312

It seems to be getting dark though.

313

Sunset is hours away.

314

With the crash of staff against staff,

my eyes are drawn back to the courtyard.

315

Should I step in?

316

I don't want my rodent beaten.

317

Senseless.

318

She wouldn't be much used to me then, yet.

319

I wait.

320

Curious to see what happens

and reluctant to blow my cover.

321

The giant is slow and the girl dances

around him, landing another blow on

322

his ribs, but it hardly phases him.

323

Laughter ripples from the onlookers.

324

He grins over his shoulder

at the crowd, and action.

325

He would never have dared

with a serious opponent.

326

while the rabbus eyes are averted,

the girl surges in the move.

327

Comes like a strike from a viper.

328

No hesitation.

329

placing a foot just

above the Giant's knee.

330

She uses it to jump up and

slam her staff into the side of

331

his head right above his ear.

332

She yells with the exertion.

333

Spittle flies from the

giant scaping mouth.

334

As his head spins with a

crash, he falls to the ground.

335

I jump to my feet.

336

This is unbelievable.

337

The Mabu has gravely

misjudged his opponent.

338

The stunned crowd waits to

see if the giant will get up.

339

The girl looks shocked and

stands perfectly still.

340

I glance at the presiding

mabu whose neck is bulging.

341

It's his turn to be

undermined by a rodent.

342

My lips twitch in amusement.

343

There's a groan from the giant

as he makes it to his knees.

344

After another moment,

he teeters to his feet.

345

The presiding mabu raises his arms

in the air, his golden staff in one

346

hand, and the stone in the other.

347

The fight will continue.

348

He announces Many people in the

crowd begin to boo in protest.

349

It should be the girl's victory.

350

The giant was on the ground too long

before the presiding mabu can reconsider

351

a shaft of lightning shatters the

blackened sky and strikes his staff.

352

The stone flies from his hand

as he's thrown to the ground.

353

Deafening thunder fills the courtyard.

354

A deluge of water pours from the

heavens, like a torrential waterfall.

355

People scatter for shelter.

356

It's almost impossible to see.

357

I push blindly towards the last

glimpse I had of the stone with

358

the next splash of lightning.

359

I see it.

360

My rodent has it in her clutches.

361

I smile what was once hers is

now mine without another thought.

362

I snatch the stone.

363

In the next moment, I somersault

over the courtyard wall landing

364

in a crouch on the trail below.

365

I'm so elated that I all but giggle.

366

I've got the Pero And in all

the confusion, I'm certain

367

no one knows where it went.

368

Brie, no.

369

The stone was in my fingers.

370

Now it's gone.

371

Not like a precious object is

gone, more like a piece of me

372

is gone ripped from my insides.

373

I can hardly breathe with the pain of it.

374

I stumble to the wall, expecting to

witness a body careening down the cliff.

375

It's difficult to see in the

deluge, I make out where NA's

376

body doubles back on itself.

377

Right below the courtyard, A

figure in black has landed on

378

the trail, a faint gleam of green

flashes between white fingers.

379

I run pushing past soden, people

scrambling heatless of protests down

380

the slippery stairs on the trail.

381

I bolt.

382

I've never in my life moved so fast.

383

This is the second jewel that has

been snatched from my fingers.

384

I want it back.

385

pilgrim.

386

Still heading to the ram rot.

387

Try in vain to find protection

under scant overhangs.

388

I'm grateful they're out of my way.

389

If I miss a step, I could

tumble off the trail.

390

Sparks of fire shoot up my leg, but I

continue heedless of the pain, Getting the

391

stone back is more important than my foot.

392

There's a flash of black coat a moment

later, it disappears around a curve.

393

I push myself to move faster as I swipe

at the Ritz of water running down my face.

394

It seems like days before I reach the top

of the gully, was it an hour, maybe two.

395

My foot is a blaze with pain.

396

I stop heaving for breath for the love.

397

I bend over and put a

hand on my knee of rats.

398

It's still so far to the bottom.

399

I can feel that my foot is

chafed, hoping for relief.

400

I untie the lace from the upper

portion of the boot and retie it

401

again loosely around my ankle.

402

I peer down the gully.

403

I can't see the figure

to make things worse.

404

The gully is running with water.

405

I know the stone is likely gone,

but I'm not willing to give up yet.

406

with my staff as a walking

stick, I begin my descent.

407

I've gone a short distance

When I hear a loud rumble at

408

first, I don't know what it is.

409

A moment later, I understand the

gully is about to flash flood.

410

There isn't enough time

to get out of the way.

411

Instead, I dive behind a giant

boulder and brace my feet

412

just as a torrent of water.

413

Rushes past the rock at my back,

deflects the majority of the flood,

414

and provides a pocket of safety.

415

But I'm stranded in a cascade of water.

416

It won't last long.

417

It won't last long.

418

In my panic, I repeat

the words over and over.

419

The noise is thunderous.

420

My foot slips, and I struggle

to wedge it back in place.

421

Please, please, please

let the water die down.

422

I hardly move for over an hour.

423

I'm exhausted from the effort.

424

When the flood water slacken, I am

relieved until the rock at my back shifts

425

just enough to cause the flow of water

to change direction and run over my

426

legs, the wooden sole of my boot slips.

427

No, I'm slamming my foot about

for a new spot to wedge it.

428

When my boot slips off, I

reach, but it's washed away.

429

Frantic.

430

I'll be washed away as well.

431

I jam my good foot between two rocks.

432

I'm saved for now.

433

Chapter 21, Jackal.

434

Iles, I snarl as I trip over a dinner

tray left outside the room of my door,

435

lumpy pea soup, splatters on the floor.

436

I leave it shivering.

437

I strip out of my soaked clothes

and drape them over a chair.

438

at least someone thought to light a fire.

439

I pull a blanket off the bed and

wrap it around my shoulders before

440

slumping next to the hearth.

441

As soon as I'm relaxed, the influence

of the stone floods my body with

442

a tingling sensation by ion.

443

I moan what a fool I've been.

444

I should have left the

stone with the girl.

445

Now I have to carry it

all the way to Ultan.

446

Greed has gotten in the

way of my good judgment.

447

Reluctantly, I dig the pero from

my coat pocket, holding it out.

448

I watch the flames, send sparks through.

449

Its soft green facets.

450

The stone warms as I turn it.

451

My body warms as well.

452

And that's when I realize that

I feel good, really good for

453

the first time in how long?

454

I can't remember, but how can that be?

455

It's the same stone that

revolted me at the Ram wat

456

then I realized the difference.

457

The stone is now mine.

458

I clutch it to my chest and laugh.

459

I feel so good that it crosses my mind

to wake the dragon and let him see

460

the jewel, maybe even let him hold it.

461

How long has it been since I

wanted to share anything, I drop

462

the stone back in my pocket and

start pulling on my wet clothes.

463

With the stone out of my

hand, its influence is muffled

464

and I come to my senses.

465

Don't be stupid, you

can't show it to anyone.

466

I drop my clothes back on the chair.

467

Doing so would mean my father would find

out, and this is going to be my secret.

468

The stone is mine, but I can't

let it run away with my emotions

469

or I won't make rational decisions.

470

I leave it in my pocket so I can

think clearly Sitting on the bed,

471

I wrap my arms around my legs

and rest my chin on my knees.

472

I stare at the flames and think

about what I must do next.

473

I only have one stone, so

minus the ruby my father has.

474

There are six more.

475

I groan as I realize the

second mistake I have made.

476

I still need the girl.

477

I should never have run off without her.

478

Burying my fingers in my damp pair.

479

I berate myself for stupidity.

480

The girl hasn't even crossed my mind

since I somersaulted over the wall.

481

idiot.

482

I get to my feet with the blanket around

my shoulders and walk across the room.

483

the girl.

484

Must still be at the ram rot.

485

I turn, I'm the only one who made

it down before the trail flashed.

486

Then I snap my fingers easy.

487

All I need to do is

hike up in the morning.

488

I'll find her coming down.

489

Brie,

490

It's dark before the flood waters recede.

491

I try getting to my feet, but it's no use.

492

I can't stand.

493

My foot has swollen and my boot is gone.

494

I attempt various techniques to

get down the gully, but in the

495

end there is only one choice.

496

Crawl with my wet skirt tangled about

my legs and my staff on my back.

497

I slowly worm my way from

Boulder to Boulder.

498

Before long, I'm shaking with fatigue,

but I refuse to stop at one point.

499

I wonder about gray.

500

He's most likely sleeping

in the courtyard.

501

Jackal close by, the two of them will

be down in the morning, happy as can be.

502

It's only thoughts of my warm

cloak and food that keep me moving.

503

Any hope of catching the

figure in black is gone.

504

I've lost another stone.

505

the sky is pewter gray.

506

When I reach the bottom of the gully,

my hands are raw, from dragging

507

myself over the rocks, using my staff

As a walking stick, I stand with

508

my barefoot on wet pine needles.

509

I take a step, but my foot won't hold me.

510

I pushed it too hard.

511

Nona would be disappointed.

512

Part of me would just like to

sleep here in the mud, but my

513

cloak and food are so close.

514

Dropping to my knees, I begin

to crawl towards my bundle.

515

The fabric will be wet on the

outside, but I'm confident Fremont's

516

oil skin has kept the contents dry.

517

The distance from the gully to

my bundles hiding place seems

518

much further than I remember

519

when I finally reach the tree, I peer

into the branches, but see nothing.

520

I back up and peer again.

521

Still nothing.

522

How could this be?

523

I scramble around the trunk

to the other side there.

524

I'm not sure whether I should

cry in relief or frustration.

525

I find both oil skins, but

they are flat in the mud.

526

My extra clothing along with grays

is strewn on the forest floor.

527

My cloak is soaked and caked with mud.

528

Then it hits me the envelope.

529

I don't see it anywhere.

530

Desperate, I grope in my bundle.

531

When my fingers find the thin

rectangle, I cry with relief.

532

The leather is damp on one edge,

but when I open the flap, I find

533

the parchments inside are dry.

534

The bag of Capsicum and the

Pedallers book are dry as well.

535

I look about and spot other items in

the mud, my pouch of flint and steel.

536

The wooden spoons, the beeswax

candles known as comb the cook pot.

537

All the food from the eatery is

gone except for a muddy onion.

538

I peel the outer skin and take a bite.

539

It isn't bad, so I eat the whole thing.

540

The lack of food means another

trip to ska with all of Nona's

541

personal belongings traded away.

542

I'll have to use the shekels, the shekels.

543

I search everywhere, then search

again, but the stocking is gone.

544

I slump in the mud.

545

Then I noticed the cord I used

to tie my bundle in the tree.

546

It wasn't broken from

strain or nod by an animal.

547

It was cut with a sharp knife,

deliberately sabotaged, shaking

548

with frustration, and sheer fatigue.

549

I thrust everything into the two

oil skins and huddle in my cloak.

550

Even wet.

551

The wool offers warmth.

552

I've never felt so hopeless and alone.

553

All I can think to do is

find a safe place to sleep.

554

The low branches of a pine tree

offer the best shelter I can find.

555

I'm showered with water as I

push my way through the bows.

556

Thankfully, the ground next

to the trunk is mostly dry.

557

I collapse in a heap and close my eyes.

558

I'm hungry.

559

I'm tired.

560

My foot aches and I don't have any

idea where to go or what to do next.

561

Nona didn't prepare me for

this, not for any of it.

562

The sapphire still tied in

her shawl, digs into my side.

563

Stupid stone.

564

What use are?

565

Knowledge and wisdom.

566

Now The answer comes to me like

the gentle splash of a raindrop.

567

Nona taught me to read.

568

She warned me that one day, despite

my loathing for books, I would need

569

the skill now I know she's right.

570

The answers I want are in the envelope.

571

I just need to find them.

572

I pull out the parchments, but I'm

too tired to focus on the words.

573

I decide to rest and study later.

574

Jackal.

575

for the second morning in a row.

576

I'm up before dawn.

577

my clothes are still damp,

but I put them on anyway.

578

They'll dry with my body Heat.

579

I start to slip on my coat,

but think better of it.

580

What if it's recognized

on the way out the door?

581

I grab a cloak that belongs

to one of the diggers.

582

I'm heading up the trail to

the Ram Wat, just as the sun

583

appears on the cloudless horizon.

584

After an hour or so, I see a

group of Mabu heading my way.

585

They must have left before

Dawn to be down this far.

586

I know they're going to report the

loss of the Pero to the dragon.

587

Soon there will be soldiers at the bottom

of the trail searching everyone who

588

comes down, but they won't find the stone

because no one will be searching me.

589

They wouldn't dare.

590

I pat the pouch that hangs on

a long string around my neck.

591

The stone is safe, but

not touching my skin.

592

It's mid-morning when I see gray's

red hair coming down the trail.

593

I look around for my rodent, but

don't see her by the jewels.

594

Where is she?