Tinderbox Under Winter Stars

by Emma Sterner-Radley

  Hunter tapped the table with his index finger. “You both missed one thing. What if he reports us to his superiors? What if they come for us?”

  Nessa swallowed. Why hadn’t she thought about that? What else might she have overlooked?

  “Then we hope we get enough warning to have time to run.” She blew out a breath, facing the facts.

  “I apologise for wasting your time, Diinna, but I have to take a moment to convince Anja and Hunter to let me go alone.” She looked at her two friends. “This is sounding like a dangerous plan at best and as a suicide mission at worst. I’ll locate a uniform, make the trip, blend in with the other soldiers, and try to sneak Elise out. No doubt she already has a plan that I can help with.”

  “No,” Anja said simply.

  Hunter nodded. “What she said. Nessa, I came all this way because I wanted to start my new life in the image of you and Elise, free but responsible. I will learn that by watching you. Besides,” he smiled, “I want to help. You two have given me so much confidence. Confidence to leave Nightport. Confidence to admit openly that I do not engage in affairs of the heart or the genitals.”

  Nessa chewed the inside of her cheek. “Hunter, you were held down at Silver Hollow Castle by the Queen and some of the Royal Guards she travels with. They’ll know your face.”

  “No, heartling. They would recognise a clean-shaven, well-fed man in pretty clothing. I am a lot skinnier now and will be wearing a uniform, like the other Joiners Square soldiers. And I will have grown a full beard on the boat over.”

  “Ship, not boat,” Anja muttered.

  Nessa disregarded the interuption. “I really can’t convince you, can I?”

  He beamed his full-on charmer smile. “I came all this way, in bum-freezing winter, to see you again. You certainly cannot keep me from journeying back to our balmy, green homeland with you.”

  Nessa smiled back, wanting to hug him but aware of his aversion to touching. “Fair enough. As long as you promise me to leave or hide if I request it. I don’t want you to risk detection. Both for our sake and your own. After all, you need to come back to Anja's house to fetch those enormous suitcases when we’re done.”

  She winked at him, and he laughed. “I am a Nightport lad. I know when to hide and when to run and I’m not ashamed to do either,” he said, still chuckling.

  Nessa looked to Anja, who stared back unblinkingly.

  “What about you? It’s different for you, Anja. You have more to lose, a home, a pet, friends, family, a reputation, and your life’s work. You can’t take this risk.”

  Anja tossed her head, sending her thick pepper-and-salt hair flying. “Don’t tell me what I cannot do. Hunter isn’t the only one who’s had his life changed by you two. You pulled me out of my hibernation. My loneliness. You and Elise even helped my book along, not only through dictation, but by igniting my passion for the project again. Also, you made me cheer up and remember that life can be fun.” She gifted Nessa a smirk before she began stretching her arms out to the sides. “Besides, it’s not in a Traveller’s nature to grow stale in one place. I am overdue a journey. I don’t really like my friends or my family, so there’s no problem there. When it comes to the cat and my work, well, I’m sure Diinna will break into my house, finish the book, and steal the cat.”

  Diinna opened her mouth in shock but then gave Anja a surprised, frail smile. “Svarte always hated me. But yes, I’ll take him and your book on. Not that I’ll need to, it takes more than a castle full of Royal Guards and a squadron of Joiners Square soldiers to even bruise a woman like you.”

  Anja seemed to hesitate over her answer but settled for, “True enough. Wayfarers have iron in our blood. We do not scare or die easily.”

  Nessa held up her hands in defeat. “All right, I see I cannot stop you. Let’s just hope that Albert doesn’t betray us, so we can at least make it as far as the castle and actually clap eyes on Elise.”

  “And that your impatience doesn’t kill you on the ship,” Anja muttered.

  Diinna stood up. “I shall leave you to prepare for your voyage. I need to pick your team. I believe I know just the people for this. Ask this Mr Lindberg for uniforms for yourselves and seven other people. Ten souls will make a believable squadron for reinforcements for a diplomatic mission.”

  “What sizes for the other seven?” asked Hunter.

  “Oh, I should say two women’s uniforms and the rest men’s. I’m picking athletic people, to ensure they look like Joiners Square soldiers, so the uniforms will fit them better than the thinnest of you three. Never mind. You’ll have worse things to worry about. May nature’s spirits be on your side.”

  With that, Nessa and Hunter bid Diinna farewell and thanked her, leaving her to the thorny task of finding and convincing skilled underground rebels to risk their lives. Nessa watched her go, not envying the fact that for the next few weeks Diinna would have to explain and defend her decisions today and fight to see the political upheaval started.

  Anja didn’t say a word to Diinna as they left the embassy. Nevertheless, Nessa could see her body language growing tenser with every step away from the silver-haired ambassador.

  “Do you know what happened between those two?” Hunter whispered to Nessa.

  “No. She doesn’t. Moreover, I’m not deaf,” Anja replied. “As you could probably tell, Diinna did something unforgivable. She feels guilty while I feel hurt. That’s all you need to know, nosey boy.”

  Hunter looked stricken but said nothing. Nessa reached out to brush Anja's arm, but the older woman pulled away.

  “All right. We shan’t talk about it,” Nessa said calmly. “We’ll return home to pack the necessities for the sea voyage and subsequent carriage ride to Highmere. After that, we’ll hopefully wear uniforms.”

  “Don’t pack too much,” Anja muttered to Hunter.

  Nessa finished her thought. “After we’ve packed, we leave for the train to Charlottenberg. Do we know when the next train departs?”

  Anja checked her pocket watch. “Unless the evening timetable has changed, there should be one in two hours and fifteen minutes.”

  Nessa felt a stab in her bowels. “That long? There’s nothing sooner?”

  “No. But considering we all have to pack, I need to get the neighbour to feed Svarte, and then we have the journey to the station, we need that time,” Anja said. “You have a six-week steamer trip, perhaps more if there’s bad weather, ahead of you. Start practising your patience now, lass.”

  Hunter smiled at Nessa, probably trying to take some of the sting out of Anja's words. “I know it is not easy. Nevertheless, you must try. Besides, you need sustenance before we carry on,” he said. “I can hear your stomach growling. You require food and drink.”

  Nessa was about to argue, but then she saw Anja's stern expression and shrank back. “Fine. When we’re at the station waiting for the train, we shall find something to eat.”

  Anja took her hand. “That’s more like it. You must keep strong. You know she is. Elise is probably fighting them with all her might and giving them a terrible time.”

  A glimmer of mirth crept into Nessa’s heart. “That’s true. She’s probably ruining their day even before she’s breakfasted.”

  The hour was late when they finally arrived in Charlottenberg. There was snow in the air, but nothing was coming of it. The weather seemed to hold its breath.

  “The evening is wearing on. What if this Albert is asleep?” Hunter asked.

  “Then we wake him,” Nessa clipped. “He won’t mind. He adores Elise and would get up at any hour to help her.”

  “I see,” Hunter grunted.

  He was struggling with his bag, not only because it was stuffed with all that he deemed necessities, but because he lacked the muscle Nessa had. Anja had packed light, and if she was struggling with her bag, Nessa knew she would never complain or show it. It reminded Nessa of the people back in Ground Hollow, don’t show weakness and don’t whinge.

  Nessa ignored the
bags and concentrated on remembering the address.

  What was it? Think, Nessa, you oxen-brained cretin!

  She closed her eyes and tried to visualise the card Albert had given them at the first night of the frost faire. Gold, sloping letters which spelled out his name. Then his work title. Then… 58 Krasny Street, Charlottenberg.

  Nessa opened her eyes. “I’ve remembered the address. We need to hire a carriage.”

  Anja didn’t waste time, she walked to the side of the road and stuck her arm out. After a moment, a carriage in the light colours of Charlottenberg stopped. Nessa told the driver the address and they entered the cold carriage. It was a silent journey with everyone lost in thought. A tense, aching silence. One that could only have been broken by someone as carefree and charming as Elise. Nessa blinked away tears.

  What do I do if Joiners Square has brainwashed Albert so much that he won’t betray them?

  Nessa swallowed, blinking again.

  I suppose if he won’t… I’ll have to find a way to make him. Wherever Elise is, she’s fighting for her life. I must stop agonising and do whatever it takes to help her.

  The carriage stopped. Nessa stepped out into the snow, which was slushier here than it had been in Skarhult. While Anja paid the driver, Nessa and Hunter looked up at a house coloured creamy yellow with silver-grey details and ivy creeping up the front.

  Nessa muttered, “Great. The house is bloody well painted in Joiners Square’s colours.”

  “This does not bode well for trying to get Albert to betray them,” Hunter replied.

  “No, it doesn’t. Still, I’ll convince him somehow. For Elise.”

  Nessa stiffened her spine, balled up her fists, and walked up to the front door.

  Chapter 24

  Disapproval

  Marianna stood behind a pillar, a glass of sunberry wine in her hand and a wicked chuckle just barely suppressed. She was eavesdropping as High Captain Nordhall spoke to his second in command.

  “These wasted months,” Nordhall griped. “I am sick of the pageantry of Arclidian court. Pretty clothing, elaborate dinners, and old-fashioned customs. Phah! All I want is an honest answer to our question.”

  “Of course, High Captain,” his second replied. “Your time is too precious to be wasted by the Queen stalling and playing games. Do you think she will reveal if magic exists?”

  A muffled thump signalled that Nordhall had hit a wall.

  Marianna smirked. Both literally and figuratively,

  “She must! I deserve as much for fetching that wench for her.” Nordhalls’s voice deepened. “I must return home. Our associates are not strong or intelligent enough to hold off the Viss and Wayfarers, who dare challenge us openly now.”

  Marianna sipped her wine and enjoyed his disquiet. That faltering tone had never been in his bombastic voice when he spoke to her. Perhaps he thought himself safe right now, believing her to be in bed with her courtesans and mistakenly thinking she didn’t speak Sundish.

  As if a royal does not learn every language on the orb as a child. Cretin!

  She took another sip as Nordhall launched into a tirade about how unreasonable Marianna was being and how they should colonize this backwards country and make the Queen spill every single secret. She laughed inwardly, knowing that she would rather burn her nation, and everyone in it, than let Joiners Square take it over. Or anyone else for that matter. It was hers. When would these oxen-brained snowmen grasp that?

  When will it dawn on them that I shall not tell them anything, no matter how many favours they do me? Or how long they stay, looming and scowling in their drab uniforms and unnecessary fur stoles.

  A whisper came from her side. “What are you doing?”

  With a jolt, she found Adaire sneaking towards her. Those silent steps were hidden completely by the shouting Storsundian on the other side of the pillars.

  “Eavesdropping on our distinguished guest. Finding out how to best use him for my own purposes,” Marianna whispered back.

  The sight of her queen’s aide warmed her. Their animosity over the past weeks had been slowly draining, at least on her side. What Adaire was feeling wasn’t relevant. Marianna put her free arm around her thin waist, pulling her close.

  “Fun, is it not? It is like when we were young. Two girls sneaking around the castle listening to all the gossip,” she whispered.

  Adaire’s pretty mouth was twisted in disapproval. “Fun, my Queen? Sometimes I find your lack of moral code unnerving.”

  “Unnerving but very useful, I should think. And perhaps attractive, hm?”

  Marianna pulled her even closer. Her lover’s breath smelled of honey cakes and Marianna kissed her, mixing that breath with her own wine-tasting one.

  Adaire drew away with a patient smile. “Have you heard enough? Are you ready to retire for the night?”

  Marianna listened to the Sundish behind the pillar and found that Nordhall was now complaining about the insects brought on by Arclid’s mild winter.

  “Yes, I seem to have heard all that could be useful.”

  They walked away quietly. When they were a corridor away, Adaire asked, “I assume you want me to ring for your courtesans?”

  Marianna yawned. “No, I want you. Your banishment is over, you may return to the royal bed. If you like?”

  Adaire seemed to hesitate, but then she leaned in and kissed Marianna before whispering, “Yes. Gods help me, but I would like that.”

  Marianna found she didn’t even mind the negative remark. As long as she was getting what she wanted and as long as Adaire kept nuzzling so sweetly at her neck as they walked.

  Chapter 25

  58 Krasny Street, Charlottenberg

  It was Eleonora Lindberg who opened the door and found Nessa standing outside it, wearing her desperation as a shield.

  “Nessa? Hello! What a most charming surprise. And you brought company, yes? No Elise, though?”

  “N-no. She couldn’t be here. That is why I’ve come. M-may I speak to Albert?”

  Nessa’s hands balled into even tighter fists. She had tried so hard not to stutter.

  Eleonora tilted her head as she inspected her. “Yes, of course. Come in and have some coffee, yes? I will fetch Albert from the games room. He and Sonja are playing Fool the Angel. The game you taught them on the ship over, yes?”

  Nessa followed her in. “Yes. S-Sonja caught on very fast.”

  Behind her she heard the tentative footsteps of Hunter and Anja. If Albert were to blow the whistle on them, they were walking into what could become their holding cell.

  “There’s a coat rack over there,” Eleonora said.

  They took off their outerwear. A part of Nessa wanted to keep it on, in case they had to run, but it would look odd. Not to mention that they would roast in those warm clothes in this house, which seemed to be baking with log fires and gas lamps everywhere.

  When they had stuffed their bags underneath their coats, their hostess led them into an elegant drawing room.

  She smiled at them. “Please do sit down, yes? I shall have the coffee brought presently. And Albert fetched, of course.” She surveyed Nessa’s companions. “Ah, I remember the serious historian. Good evening, Anja. But who’s this handsome gentleman? Wait. You were the one from the Joiners Square Fest, yes?”

  He bowed and gifted her his charming, twinkling smile. “I was. That is an excellent memory you have there. As brilliant as your beauty. Hunter Smith at your service.”

  Eleonora tittered and then curtsied deeply. Nessa gave Hunter a look, wanting to point out that they didn’t have time for his games. He shrugged, shamefaced.

  Eleonora rang a bell and a maid came rushing in through the open door. She didn’t even look at the three tense guests hovering behind her mistress. Eleonora reeled off a list of instructions in Sundish and the girl vanished again. The three guests took seats at the long table. Nessa saw a grandfather clock against one wall and felt as if her heart was matching the seconds ticking away so rapidl
y. Where was Elise right now? Was she hurt?

  A booming voice was heard from outside the room. “Nessa Glass in my house? Where? Where is the fair Arclidian, hm?”

  With that, Albert entered the room and clapped eyes on Nessa. She stood to greet him and was pulled into an unexpected hug.

  “I’m such happiness that you took us up on our offer to visit. But what’s this? You brought us guests but no Elise? Where is the golden-eyed picks?”

  “Pixie,” Eleonora amended.

  Nessa took a deep breath before answering, “She’s gone. Held against her will. By Joiners Square.”

  Albert's broad smile died on his face, wilting into a confused frown. “This… this is some sort of strange joke, yes?”

  “No,” Nessa replied in a croaked whisper. “She was taken earlier today. They kidnapped her to bring her to the Queen of Arclid.”

  Her voice broke at the last words and a sob escaped her. Anja took her hand and pulled her back into her seat.

  “Sit down, Nessa. I shall explain,” she said matter-of-factly.

  Anja, with all the skill and efficiency of her profession, summarised what Nessa had told Diinna earlier.

  When Anja had finished, both Albert and Eleonora were staring at her, Albert's fair skin blotching into red and Eleonora clasping the bejewelled necklace at her throat.

  “But…” Albert started before gaping at his wife and then back at the guests. “But Joiners Square fight for the good of everyone. It was started by humble joiners to battle the unjust system, yes? They could not do such a thing.”

  Anja shook her head. “No matter what their ethos once was, they don’t live by it anymore. We all used to believe in them and their cause. Storsund working conditions had to be improved, so unions have been one of the best things to happen to this nation. And the other unions still fight for good.” She furrowed her brow. “As a historian, a neutral observer with some distance, Joiners Square stopped fighting for that when it was no longer about workers’ rights. It became about power, coin, and making their leaders into godlike symbols. ‘Good’ was abandoned like a pair of worn-out shoes.”