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 one, Brie

2

The jackal lets out a low growl.

3

Don't give me that.

4

I say you are the one prowling

around the wrong chicken coop.

5

I brush a wisp of hair from my

face, the animal squirms, and

6

almost gets free hold still with

my knee to the scruff of her neck.

7

I press her hard to the forest floor.

8

Before she can struggle again,

I snap the fletched end off the

9

arrow protruding from her haunch.

10

There's another growl.

11

I soften my voice.

12

I bet you're extra hungry.

13

With those pups to nurse, the gentle

tone relaxes the jackal a bit.

14

Despite the cool morning, I wipe

a sweaty palm on my linen skirt.

15

Now comes the hard part.

16

Quick as I can.

17

I force the arrow shaft at an

angle out through the flesh.

18

There's a pop and blood splatters my face.

19

The jackal struggles harder this

time and I fight to hold her down.

20

Don't move.

21

Or next time I'll stick to

tending hedgehogs and starlings.

22

It isn't true.

23

Of course, if I find another injured

jackal with pups, I'll do it again.

24

No one should grow up without a mother.

25

Now let me clean your wound.

26

My voice soft again.

27

I recite a story about

the queen of tambor.

28

It does the trick and the

jackal stills just long enough

29

for me to complete the chore.

30

When I'm done, I release the rag from

the animal's muzzle and jump back.

31

She struggles up and limps into the forest

without a backwards glance, relieved

32

I survived the encounter unscathed.

33

I kneel to repack my

satchel of healing supplies.

34

Rats, I grumble.

35

I'm out of lineament.

36

I'll have to go back to the dugout.

37

If I don't get more, I'm sure to

come across another wounded animal.

38

That's the way of it.

39

My foot feels good today, so the

walk home doesn't take long though.

40

I wobble the same as always At

the edge of the clearing, I check

41

to see if Nona is in the garden.

42

She isn't good with luck,

she's off gathering mushrooms

43

on the far side of the forest.

44

Just to be sure.

45

I bypass the sea cliff trail overlooking

the cove and sneak through the woods On

46

this route, I can reach the dugout without

passing the goat pin or the chicken coop.

47

The other two places

I'm likely to find her.

48

It's not that I don't like Nona, it's just

that as my tel air, she insists on endless

49

lessons when I'd rather be in the woods.

50

At the dugout, I leave my staff

on the peg over the door, like the

51

homes of most diggers in Tambo.

52

Ours is hollowed from a

hillside, thus no windows.

53

I wait at the door for my eyes

to adjust to the dim light.

54

Nona has the place so crammed with books.

55

There would be an avalanche of ancient

volumes if I stumbled in blind.

56

The dugout smells of drying rosemary

and radiates warmth enticing me to

57

stay inside, but I'm just going to

find the lineament and be on my way.

58

I perch on the edge of the willow

bed and reach for the shelf that

59

runs the length of the back wall.

60

I left the crock right here.

61

I feel around but don't find it.

62

I reach further in case the crock has

been pushed back, but it isn't there.

63

I stand on tiptoe and reach further still.

64

Instead of the expected

lineament, my fingers come across

65

something small and unfamiliar.

66

Curious.

67

I lift the object down.

68

It's hard wrapped in leather

and tied with a string.

69

I'm puzzled.

70

Is there really something in the

dugout I haven't seen before?

71

The oddity gives me a stir of

excitement, but after a moment,

72

I sigh better put it back.

73

If Nona hasn't shown it to me,

she doesn't want me to see it yet.

74

Even as I say the words, I

start to unie the string so much

75

for taking my own good advice.

76

Before I have it open, three

loud cause sound from outside

77

Grim wants his breakfast.

78

Just a minute I call to the raven.

79

I almost return the object to

the shelf, but like a raccoon

80

with my paw stuck in a trap.

81

I don't want to let go

of my newfound treasure.

82

Maybe Nona wanted me to find it.

83

She knows how curious I am.

84

It's one of the things she

points out to me almost every

85

day, along with my other flaws.

86

I'm Brie the impatient brie, the

trickster, brie the reckless.

87

She's right about it all, of course.

88

But she left out a few things.

89

I'm also Brie the quirky bird.

90

And Brie the lame pigeon.

91

I sigh.

92

To be honest, the only thing that bothers

me is being brie of no one or nowhere.

93

No parents, no family, and

no idea where I hail from.

94

Grim calls again.

95

Hold on.

96

I call.

97

I look at the leather band lump

in my hand and bite my lip.

98

I can always put it back later, can't I?

99

No.

100

No.

101

Won't even know it was gone

102

With that thought, I stuff

the object into my satchel.

103

As I hop off the bed, I stumble

over something on the floor.

104

Owl pellets.

105

I moan as I drop to the feather mattress,

pain, shooting from my foot up to my knee.

106

When I see what caused

my plunger, I groan.

107

It was the crock of

Lineament, like a knit wit.

108

I left it on the floor this

morning seeking relief.

109

I jerk at the laces of my boot

and tug it off without the thick

110

wooden sole to hold my foot flat.

111

It curls down and inward.

112

A misfortune I have

lived with since birth.

113

I flex my toes until the pain

in my foot is back to its

114

usual dull throb with a sigh.

115

I put the boot on again.

116

Grim.

117

Lets out a series of squawks.

118

I'm coming.

119

I give the lump in my satch

pat as I walk out the door.

120

Grim Perched high in a weathered Cypress,

peers at me over his shiny black beak.

121

I put a hand on my hip.

122

If you want to eat,

you'll have to come down.

123

Grim doesn't move.

124

I throw my hands in the air.

125

I've cared for you since

you were in pin feathers.

126

How can you be afraid of me?

127

With a shake of my head.

128

I marched to the chicken coop.

129

Thankfully, Nona isn't there As I

grope through the straw, I can't help

130

wondering what I've got in my satchel.

131

Soon I find an egg and place it on

the ground in front of the dugout.

132

Come and get it.

133

I call Grim croaks deep

in his throat, a noise.

134

That means he wants me to

move away from the egg.

135

I draw an exasperated breath, fine.

136

The silly bird will sit on my

shoulder when it suits him, but

137

won't come near me if it doesn't,

and I thought we were friends.

138

I step back and my satchel

thumps lightly on my hip.

139

I'm keenly aware of the object inside.

140

Why has Nona never showed it to me?

141

Grim swoops down and hops towards the

egg in his suspicious way, jumping

142

back every time he gets close.

143

Finally, he knocks the egg with his

beak and crushes a hole in the shell.

144

Then he scoops it up and lets the

content slide down his throat.

145

When he's done, he flings the

shell to the side and stands

146

there with egg all over his beak.

147

I'm about to laugh when I

realize his gaze is locked on.

148

The bulge in my satchel, the bulge

where my hand happens to be resting.

149

What I ask, trying to sound innocent, I

move my hand only to put it right back.

150

Strange how comforting the object feels.

151

Gently, I trace the outline with a finger.

152

Grim cls, his beak.

153

I look at the bird.

154

You want to see it, don't you?

155

Instead of acknowledging my

question, grim flies to the giant

156

stump we use as a table and rubs

his beak on a pile of Nona's books.

157

Don't pretend you're not curious.

158

I sit on a garden stool and pull the

object out of my satchel warnings Twitter

159

in the back of my mind, and I hesitate.

160

Then annoyed.

161

I scold myself for

acting like an old goose.

162

I will just take a look

and put it right back.

163

Bubbling with anticipation, I untie

the string and fold open the leather.

164

I blink.

165

Not quite believing my eyes,

but it's true in my hand is an

166

uncut ruby, the size of a walnut.

167

Grim eyes, the stone intently.

168

Where do you suppose it came from?

169

I ask in Wonder.

170

Grim doesn't respond.

171

We don't have a gem pit, like most

diggers and known as only chuckles

172

come from the sale of goat cheese.

173

I could ask her where she got it, but I

suspect like many of my other questions

174

such as how I came to be living here,

I won't get a satisfying answer.

175

I lift the stone to the sun.

176

The jewel is brilliant and

finer than any I've ever seen.

177

I'm gaping at the gem when Grimm's wing

brushes my face Before I can react,

178

the ruby is snatched from my fingers.

179

No, I lunge for the thief as he

flies away, but fall short as I'm

180

consumed by a powerful sense of loss.

181

It's like grim has stolen my heart along

with the stone, like I'm empty inside.

182

I draw breath, desperate to fill the

void in my chest for a wingspan of time.

183

I can't move.

184

When the pain finally subsides, I

place a shaking hand to my heart.

185

I have no idea how losing the stone

could create such an effect in my

186

body, but I know one thing for sure.

187

I've got to get that ruby back.

188

Chapter two, Brie, just as I stagger to

my feet, Nona emerges from the forest.

189

Her long gray braid is wrapped around

her head and her cheeks are ready.

190

With the brisk morning air Dew

has soaked the hymn of her skirt.

191

Hello.

192

She calls with a wave.

193

Despite her pleasant greeting, I know that

as usual, her sharp eyes are taking me in.

194

I smile, hoping to hide my panic.

195

Nona is an old wood owl, not literally,

of course, it's what I call her essence.

196

Everybody has one.

197

I'm a little bird, maybe

a thorn bill or a fairy.

198

Wr.

199

I can't decide.

200

Shall we start your

lessons with a meditation?

201

Nona asks, placing her basket of

mushrooms on the stump next to her books.

202

The books she will soon

have me studying from.

203

I can't help wondering what

she has waiting for me today.

204

Geography, history or maybe governance.

205

Her favorite subject, Ugg.

206

I glance in the direction I last saw Grim.

207

Uh, not right now.

208

Nona.

209

There's something I need to do.

210

There can't be anything more important

than your lessons Come along,

211

Nona leaves her staff over the door,

then marches onto a promontory of

212

land that extends into the ocean.

213

There she sits in her usual

spot, like a gull on its nest.

214

I open my mouth to protest but can't, not

without telling Nona about the Ruby rats.

215

With Nona's mind made up,

there's only one option.

216

Bide my time until I can sneak away.

217

I sit, but stay back next to the woods.

218

Nona glances over her shoulder

to make sure I've complied,

219

then assumes a comfortable pose.

220

the only thing that bores me more

than book learning is meditation.

221

But Nona believes if I meditate long

enough, I'll feel the influence of

222

the Whisper or hesperian as it's

called in the ancient language.

223

I don't believe it.

224

The whisper is a pocket full of hooey.

225

The only thing I feel inside

is the grumbling of my stomach.

226

I mean, other than my heart.

227

What else would a normal

person feel inside?

228

I try to sit still, but

it's next to impossible.

229

I've got to find grim and that stone

anxiously, I pull a green thread

230

from the hem of my tunic and begin

wrapping it around a lock of hair

231

Nona says, my wild mane

is the color of corn silk.

232

But I overheard a girl at the fall

gathering say it looks like brooms straw.

233

I don't care.

234

Brooms straw suits me fine.

235

I watch Nona as my fingers work.

236

When the thread is used up, I tie a

knot and toss the lock over my shoulder.

237

There it hangs to my waist with

the shells, beads, and feathers,

238

I've tied there in the past.

239

I glance impatiently at

Nona again, but don't move.

240

I've learned the hard way that it's

best to let her settle deep into her

241

meditation before trying to sneak away.

242

Nona requires me to

meditate almost every day.

243

As part of the preparation for our trek

through Tambor, we are to leave on my

244

18th birthday, only two years from now.

245

I don't want to go, but

that doesn't matter.

246

I'm going like it or not.

247

Thus, my days are filled with a

myriad of time consuming activities

248

that Nona deems important to my

mental and physical preparedness.

249

Meditation staff, practice and

book learning to name a few, and

250

that doesn't include my chores.

251

It's a wonder I have any

time in the Norwood at all.

252

I check Nona again.

253

She is motionless except for the

strands of gray hair that flutter

254

around her face in the breeze.

255

This is my chance, careful that the wooden

sole of my boot doesn't clop on a rock.

256

I stand and slip into the forest.

257

It takes some searching, but I find

grim flying north along the coast.

258

He lands in a tree and I make out

the ruby still gripped in his beak.

259

Luck is with me.

260

Drop that stone.

261

I yell.

262

He doesn't.

263

Instead he flaps out over the

ocean, sending me into a panic.

264

What if the stone falls into the water?

265

Come back you dimwit after an arching

turn, grim swoops into the forest again.

266

The stone still firmly in his beak.

267

I ignore the pain in my foot

as I try to keep him in sight.

268

I haven't followed him far.

269

When I catch a whiff of

smoke, it's got to be Fremont.

270

He's the only one that would have a

fire in this part of the Forest Fremont.

271

Our closest neighbor has the

essence of an old hound dog.

272

He often brings us extra fish and likes

to tinker around the dugout for Nona.

273

I'm sure he'll help me get the ruby back.

274

After noting Grimm's direction,

I veer towards the smoke.

275

Keep digging.

276

There are crystals here somewhere.

277

I know it.

278

The unfamiliar voice would've

stopped me if I had heard it a

279

second sooner, but it's too late.

280

I burst into a clearing

for the love of rats.

281

The place is crawling with soldiers.

282

I scurry back into the foliage.

283

Fortunately, no one sees me as they

are busy burning the undergrowth,

284

looking for gem pockets, I suppose.

285

strangers.

286

Any strangers would've been a shock.

287

But it's the dragons amongst the

soldiers that send me into a panic.

288

These aren't the fire breathing

type I know from Fremont stories.

289

These are humans who have risen from

the rank of common soldier to join the

290

queen's elite fighting force of warriors.

291

I've never seen a dragon before,

but the ominous winged helms and

292

black livery can't be mistaken.

293

There are three that I can see each with

his own trappings, chain, mail, gloves,

294

studded armbands, and spiked boots.

295

One has a ring in his lip that connects

a chain to his ear while two are

296

decked in armor and carry swords.

297

The last wears a thick leather

doublet, and wheels and archer's bow.

298

All of them have rest colored

ink visible on their skin.

299

I know it was tapped in by a Roker.

300

Croker's are what Fremont calls, which

doctors, their ink is supposed to be

301

healing, but it's not a type of healing.

302

I understand.

303

I should run.

304

I should get back to the dugout.

305

Tell Nona what I've seen, but my

curiosity has me rooted in place.

306

from somewhere beyond the clearing.

307

I hear a female voice.

308

Can you tell me exactly why

you need more wretched jewels?

309

A syrupy man's voice answers.

310

My pet, we are only looking around

while the dragons hunt for fresh meat.

311

We won't be long.

312

The voices get closer.

313

Don't you have enough jewels already?

314

No, but enough, the man's

voice is annoyed now.

315

You are trying my patience.

316

Go find someone else to bother.

317

I am itching to see who these voices

belong to, but this time I take my

318

own good advice and leave jackal.

319

I.

320

I'm quite pleased.

321

Coercing my father to send me

away was easier than I expected.

322

He's so predictable.

323

I smirk and fiddle with the fringe that

runs the length of my leather pants.

324

My father doesn't think the future

queen should wear britches, but since I

325

adopted the practical attire, half the

female nobilis in Ultan have followed

326

suit despite being the ruling class.

327

The nobilis act like sheep.

328

My father turns towards

one of the dragons.

329

are there diggers in the area?

330

Perhaps we could requisition

the meat we need from them.

331

I scowl if he does that, I'll lose

my chance for a bit of freedom.

332

I'm not sure.

333

My lord, the dragon replies.

334

I'll send a few soldiers to find out.

335

While my father inspects a gem

pocket exposed by the burn, I

336

take the opportunity to slip away.

337

After walking some distance, I stop

and roll my head, trying to release

338

the tension in my neck by the jewels.

339

It's good to be off that horrid

ship and away from my father.

340

I'm afraid.

341

Spending so much time with

him will truly drive me mad.

342

The man is detestable in the

best of times, But he has been in

343

an exceptionally foul temper of

late, and now he has dragged me

344

along on this miserable journey.

345

I'm not privy to what has him

so lathered up, but I suspect it

346

has something to do with jewels.

347

My father is consumed with them.

348

Jewels are even more important

than his precious dragons.

349

Officially, the dragons work for the

Queen, but now that she is dead, my father

350

is using them as his own private army.

351

I peer through the trees and note

with curiosity that there are only

352

a few tendrils of vine growing in

this area, how unusual the plant

353

is consuming the rest of Tambor.

354

A crash sounds from deep in the forest.

355

A moment later there is an exultant.

356

Whoop.

357

I know what this means.

358

One of the dragons has shot our dinner.

359

I frown annoyed.

360

Apparently I'll be returning to

the boat sooner than I hoped.

361

determined to make the most

of my short-lived freedom.

362

I make my way towards the killing.

363

There I find a dragon who

is dispatched a shaggy boar.

364

Several other members of

the hunting party arrive.

365

I watch idly as the animal is gutted.

366

Hey, dog.

367

Why don't you help with this?

368

The dragon calls from the carcass.

369

I let my heavy braid slip

off my shoulder and scowl.

370

The dragon is a huge barrel shaped man

with spikes protruding from his boots.

371

He He grins showing yellowed teeth.

372

There are a few Snickers from

the other dragons and I know they

373

are anticipating my reaction.

374

Dragons are famous for their

use of by names, and I've had

375

to fend this one off before.

376

My formal tambor name is

Dogmar Ethereal of Ultan.

377

The name Dogmar has been passed

down through the royal line.

378

still, I can't help but think the name is

just another of my father's cool jokes.

379

I must end this quickly.

380

What did you call me?

381

I ask, I called you dog,

or would you prefer my pet?

382

The dragons grin widens as

my glare grows more intense.

383

The only person who gets away

with calling me pet is my father,

384

and even then I detest it.

385

I've trained with several of the

dragons gathered here since I was 14.

386

Over the last five years, they've

learned I am prone to a bad temper.

387

This dragon has only recently arrived from

a remote outpost and doesn't know me well.

388

At least not yet, I sneer as I survey

his stocky body, what he has in strength.

389

I have no doubt.

390

He lacks in speed With a

growl, I leap at the man.

391

I could have pulled the knife from my

back and sliced it across his juggler,

392

or reached for the dagger in my boot

and driven it up under his rib cage.

393

These are things I am capable

of, but I control myself and

394

leave my knives in place.

395

Instead, I go for his ear.

396

There's a tortured scream as

I twist the fleshy appendage

397

just short of ripping it off.

398

You are never to call

me anything but jackal.

399

I hiss.

400

The dragon tries to grab me.

401

I twist harder, and he stops the

pain in his ear holding him still.

402

What do you call me?

403

Jackal.

404

He winces.

405

What was that?

406

I know I'm overreacting the way my

father would, but right now I don't care.

407

Jackal.

408

The dragon yells, the sound echoes

through the forest, and I shove the

409

man to the ground and step back.

410

I'm jackal to all of you.

411

From now on, I announce to the

rest of the dragon standing

412

around without another word.

413

I turn and stride away.

414

I haven't walked far.

415

When I'm stopped by a cliff

that drops into the sea.

416

With my rage cooled sum I

puzzle over the by name.

417

I have chosen for myself, jackals,

thrive in the southern plains of Tambo,

418

but they're adaptable and many packs

live here in the northern region as well.

419

It's strange that the animal came

to mind just now, but I'm pleased.

420

Jackal is a good name for me.

421

Chapter three, Brie.

422

I leave the clearing and

hurry towards the dugout.

423

I've got to tell Nona what I've seen.

424

I'm scrambling along the sea cliff.

425

When I see the dragon ship anchored in

the cove, I can't help myself and stop.

426

The double hold vessel is rigged

with vermilion sails, A gold

427

pendant and blazoned with a dragon,

flies from the tallest mast.

428

Afraid someone on the ship will see me.

429

I run again, pushing

my foot to move faster.

430

Finally, I make it home.

431

Nona, where are you?

432

here.

433

Nona steps from the dugout Fremont

dressed in his fishing skins steps

434

out behind her Nona's voice is

calm, but I see concern on her face.

435

Dragons are birding.

436

The forest, I blurt.

437

Their ship is in the cove.

438

Yes, I've heard Nona says

with a stony expression.

439

Fremont Scowls.

440

They'll destroy the Norwood

in no time despite his scorn.

441

I hear a tremor in the old man's voice.

442

I know how much he hates the dragons.

443

He was only a few years older than

I am when he was tethered like a

444

slave to a spike in the ultan gem

pits, the charcoal black symbol on

445

his forearm proves he was there.

446

It was tapped in by a croker, not to heal

him, but to mark him as a slave for life.

447

Nona and I try to keep an eye on Fremont.

448

While he appears to be tough as rawhide,

he has gotten a bit unsteady these days.

449

I place a hand on his shoulder hoping

despite my own distress to calm him.

450

At that moment, a movement catches my eye.

451

I look up to see a group of

soldiers heading for our goat pen.

452

One of those will do.

453

A soldier says another, climbs over

the fence and charges our goats.

454

Nona presses her lips together.

455

I'll handle this.

456

I watch as she pulls the back

hem of her skirt up between her

457

legs and tucks it into her belt,

forming a loose style of pants.

458

Nona has enough years to be my

grandmother, yet she shows no fear as she

459

retrieves her staff from the pegs over the

dugout door and confronts the soldiers.

460

My stock is not for sale.

461

She calls.

462

No one acknowledges her.

463

A soldier dives for a nanny goat.

464

The animal skips out of the way

and the man sprawls in the mud.

465

He wipes his face as a roar of laughter,

erupts from the other soldiers.

466

Two more men climb into the pen, but

scatter as our Billy goat charges

467

Nimbly the other goats jump into the low

branches of a Cyprus tree and look with

468

indifference at the mayhem below them.

469

Get down here.

470

You maggots.

471

The first soldier bellows

through the mud on his face.

472

I've got it.

473

Another calls as he picks up

a rock and prepares to throw.

474

No you don't.

475

Nona quick as a goat herself

leaps over the fence and way

476

lays the man with her staff.

477

He drops the rock and holds what I

assume to be broken ribs with his arms.

478

I can't help myself and grin.

479

That's my Nona.

480

Other soldiers advance, but she

batters them as well Enough.

481

It's the male voice I

heard from the forest.

482

I look towards the hill above the

dugout and see a man in a long

483

purple jacket lined with fur.

484

His black hair blows in the breeze.

485

The goatee on his chin has

the look of a devil's fork.

486

Blue eyes stare at the goat pen.

487

They aren't the watery blue of Nonas,

but a transparent, almost white blue.

488

I noticed the man's upper lip quiver

as if it's hard for him to contain

489

his disgust at the sight below him.

490

a jeweled sword with a

serpent carved in the hill.

491

Hangs from his side.

492

I stare at the weapon.

493

Could the serpent mean

this man is a marabou?

494

Mabu are servants of the snake gods.

495

I don't understand the

whisper, but worshiping a

496

snake and what a bunch of rot.

497

No wonder he makes my skin

crawl as if that isn't enough.

498

Two of the dragons I saw in the

clearing step up beside him.

499

the soldiers in the goat

pen scrambled to their feet.

500

Nona purses her lips and plants,

the end of her staff on the ground.

501

The man in purple looks at her with

amusement as keeper of the queen's jewels.

502

I think you'd be honored

to give me a goat.

503

I frown, he's the keeper.

504

How did a man get that position?

505

Even the queen wouldn't

expect such a tribute.

506

Nona retorts.

507

He sigh well as the queen is dead.

508

There is no point in arguing.

509

I register the look of surprise on Nona's

face at the mention of the Queen's death.

510

The man continues to keep things simple.

511

I'll pay for a beast.

512

They're not for sale.

513

Nona is quick to answer.

514

everything's for sale.

515

The man says, with a hint of boredom.

516

As he walks down the hill, he sees

me and snes fetch the girl a soldier.

517

Heads my way.

518

I am about to dash for my staff.

519

When Fremont jumps from the shadows

of the dugout and pulls his fish

520

gutting knife out of the corner of

my eye, I see Nona rushing to our

521

aid, but everything happens too fast.

522

The soldier Disarms Fremont with

an easy backhand to the face.

523

Fremont grabs a broom from inside

the dugout door and brings it

524

down on his assailant's head.

525

The man roars and charges

Fremont full force in the gut.

526

The two men crumple against the dugout.

527

After a moment, the soldier gets

up, but Fremont doesn't move.

528

His neck appears to be twisted.

529

Fremont, I yell in horror.

530

I rush to his side, but a

dragon grabs me around the waist

531

and lifts me off the ground.

532

I struggle, but his grip only

tightens like being manhandled.

533

Do ya.

534

The dragon sneers in my ear.

535

I almost wretch at the

smell of routing cabbage.

536

As if the soldier who rushed Fremont

isn't responsible for what just

537

happened, he holds out his hands, palm

up and shrugs at the other men Fremont.

538

I call again to the motionless body.

539

I try to break free, but stop the moment.

540

A knife point touches my throat.

541

Nona stands with her staff

ready, but can't attack.

542

Three distinct claps come

from the man in purple.

543

Without moving, I turn

my eyes towards him.

544

Bravo.

545

That was quite a performance.

546

He says, now I want to buy a goat.

547

He waves a flourish of

jeweled rings towards Nona.

548

Without a word, she strides to the

garden and grabs a few carrots.

549

Returning to the pen, she waves

the greens in the air and whistles.

550

In a moment, the goats

are eating from her hand.

551

A soldier slips a rope over one

goat's head and leaves it away.

552

Now let the girl go.

553

Nona says the man in purple

nods to the dragon holding me.

554

Drop that dirty creature

and pay the woman.

555

He says before striding away.

556

the knife falls from my neck

and I wrench my arms free.

557

A few shekels are tossed on the ground

as the men stalk back over the hill.

558

Nona and I rush to Fremont

side with her usual steadiness.

559

Nona places her fingers to Fremont's neck.

560

every fiber of my body

waits for her reckoning.

561

when Nona drops her hand and

bows her head, I can't breathe.

562

Fremont is dead.

563

I squeeze my eyes closed and I'm three.

564

Fremont is carrying me

around on his shoulders.

565

Then I'm seven and he's

teaching me how to whistle.

566

At 12, he's letting me

row his fishing skiff.

567

I groan and what of the nights,

he told me stories about his

568

adventures beyond the Norwood.

569

All the time he spent trying to convince

me I would love traveling with Nona.

570

It's over.

571

He's gone.

572

One more person is now

missing from my life.

573

My breath comes in ragged gasps

as tears stream down my face.

574

I collapse into Nona's arms

and she rocks me gently.

575

After some time, Nona

speaks, it's my fault.

576

Her voice is brittle.

577

I should have let them have the goats.

578

I, I thought I could

handle a few soldiers.

579

I should have known the

dragons would arrive.

580

There's another long silence.

581

Brie, look at me.

582

When I don't move, Nona

turns my face towards her.

583

Her eyes are red, but determined.

584

I planned on waiting until you were

18 to begin our trek through Tambor.

585

But the time has come, we leave tonight.

586

I'm shocked.

587

No, please, Nona, I don't want to go.

588

I sit up and grasp tunic.

589

I can't leave the Norwood.

590

I'm not ready.

591

Nona glances at the thick sole of my

boots sticking out from under my skirt.

592

She thinks I'm worried about my foot,

but that has nothing to do with it.

593

It's no longer safe here.

594

Nona says firmly that man, Lord

Reagan Thorn has discovered the

595

rich gem pits of the Norwood.

596

With the queen dead,

there's no one to stop him.

597

He'll send diggers to ravage the forest.

598

I try to turn away, but

Nona grabs my shoulders.

599

listen.

600

Reagan Thorn is a dangerous man.

601

We have to leave before

he realizes who I am.

602

Her hands tighten on my arms.

603

We've always planned on leaving.

604

The Queen's death has

just pushed it up a bit.

605

I'm confused.

606

What does the Queen's

death have to do with us?

607

Brie, there's too much

to explain right now.

608

Let me just say that Reagan Thorn has

been at the Queen's right hand for years.

609

I suspect with the Queen gone, he'll

put someone on the throne he can

610

manipulate, giving him even more power.

611

After our trek, we'll have

the means to stop him.

612

Nona pauses.

613

Now I need you to go to Vita's and tell

her what's happened while you're gone.

614

I'll get things ready.

615

I look around in disbelief.

616

Leave the Norwood.

617

Today, it's too much.

618

Fremont gone.

619

And now this, I drop my head,

all business, Nona begins

620

checking the laces on my boot.

621

I jerk my foot away not wanting

her to fuss over my foot with

622

tears blurring my vision.

623

I retie the laces myself.

624

Soon as I'm done, Nona pulls

me to my feet and into a hug.

625

I'm sorry it's happened like this,

but there's nothing I can do.

626

You must get to Vita's and

back without being seen.

627

I wouldn't send you a loan if

I wasn't sure you could do it.

628

Just don't let your guard down.

629

Do you understand?

630

Nona holds me at arm's length

and looks me in the face.

631

Brie, this is it.

632

Everything we've been preparing

for, I wipe a sleeve across my nose.

633

I want to object, but

Nona gives me a push.

634

Hurry.

635

Now, in a frenzy of anger and

disbelief, I grab my staff from over

636

the door and rush into the forest.