"Then we need a different plan," Cat said, straightening up and turning to face her. "Committing suicide like that won't help Claudia and Helene."
"Actually, while they will be expecting us to fly into the city," Danica said, getting a crafty look about her face. "They'll be waiting for us to try and sneak into the palace. Instead, we'll fly straight to the palace and land."
Cat's jaw dropped. Danica shrugged.
"Great idea! Why make it hard for them."
"Think, Cat. If you were expecting someone to break into the palace, where would you place your guards?"
"In every nook and cranny..."
"No. You'd put them around every entrance, and the outer wall. Sure, there will be guards stationed throughout the grounds, but not in greater numbers we'd normally find. In truth, this setback might even prove to be to our advantage."
Danica's face had that old confidence again. Her sapphire eyes sparkled at Cat, filling the hesitant bravo with some of her own confidence. Cat had seen that look before, usually just before some terrible tragedy befell them.
Nodding her acceptance, "I'm just a simple bouncer, not used to this kind of adventure. You know best."
"It'll go fine. You'll see," Danica said, sitting back and tearing into a piece of jerky. "Get something to eat and some rest, it's going to be a long night."
Leaning back against the tree, Cat sighed deeply and stared up into the quickly darkening sky. The thick mass of circling warhawk formations reminded her of the air battle they fought earlier that week, and how all her friends had helped to save her life. Danica could never have raced to her rescue if Helene and Claudia hadn't been disrupting and tying up the mercenaries. Then she noticed the formations were flying tight figure eight patterns, most overlapping each other. Strange, she hadn't ever seen Riders do that before.
Pointing up, "Danica, what do you make of them?"
Danica glanced up casually, then almost choked on the jerky. Hacking and struggling to her feet, she glanced around fearfully. Cat came to her feet, every sense now alert.
"What is it?"
"I know those patterns," Danica whispered. "They're used to keep warhawk riders from taking off and escaping."
Cat gawked at her a long moment, and the swallowed hard.
"They know we're in here!"
"Quiet. You want to give away our position?"
"They already know we're in here," Cat snapped.
"Maybe not exactly where we are," she said, a steadfastness coming to her eyes. "The Riders are there to keep us down. Soon, ground troops will be coming in after us. If they aren't already creeping in on us?"
Cat's eyes went wide at that revelation. She looked hard at the now menacing forest shadows surrounding them. Suddenly every noise was suspect, and there were plenty to send her nerves a-crawl. It was almost sunset, and their side of the hillock was already nearly immersed in total darkness, and getting darker fast.
"Follow me. Quietly," Danica whispered, dropping into a crouch and melting into the shadows.
Silently praying to each and every God and Goddess she had ever heard of, Cat followed her friend. As they crept out of the hillock's relatively open crown and deeper into the denser forest below, Danica's shape became hazier and hazier. She marveled at how silently the veteran raider could move through the night-shrouded forest. Cat couldn't even see the ground, much less know where to step to avoid breaking dry twigs and branches and it only got darker. She had to close the distance to keep from losing sight of Danica.
It wasn't long before they heard the first faint rustling of feet ahead. Danica placed a hand on Cat's shoulder, guiding her to a hiding place. Cat hadn't even been able to see it. It only served to remind her how much out of her element she was.
Soon the crouched shapes of warriors slid by with a bare whisper of shuffling feet. Using her keen elven night vision, Danica watched them with the critical eye of a seasoned fighter, while Cat could barely make out their forms and only heard her own heart thundering in her ears. After their passage, Danica gave Cat's shoulder a squeeze and led the way again. Five more times they were required to hide from search parties.
Coming to the edge of the forested hillock, they found pasture and tilled farmland between them and Dahlys. And the open country was much better lit than the forest. Moving down the tree line a ways, they set off toward the city by hugging a thick hedgerow along the road. Warriors, riding in large and small groups, raced back and forth down the road, forcing them to stop and hide frequently. As they neared the city, more and more commoners moved along the road. Coming across a farmstead just off the Tyborian Way and across the street from the great bridge crossing the river, they stopped a moment to discuss their options. They decided to try and blend in with the commoners.
Stealing a couple of homespun dresses left out to dry in the cool night air, they slipped them over their clothes and stepped out onto the road. In the deepening darkness, no one noticed anything unusual about them. Blending in with the craftswomen and peasants, they walked as casually as they could across the long bridge. The sun was now out of sight over the western horizon, the sky bathed in burnt orange and pink. When the light faded too much to easily see faces, the guards would close the city gates for the night. As they reached the drawbridge over the moat, a bell began tolling. Most of the commoners took off running, some even calling out to the troops on gate duty to wait. Danica and Cat squeezed in with the last group.
Near the gatehouse door a warrior in the uniform of Puma Troop was arguing with the Gate Commander, a stocky gray-haired women. One look at the Gate Commander and Danica knew it would take a lot more than a mere mercenary to make her keep the gate open. Of course, she knew Rebecca would use whatever means necessary to ensure her forces weren't interfered with in their search. However, the temporary disruption would work to their advantage, taking the powerful sorceress's attention off them for a short time.
Moving away from the gate, they lost themselves in the still bustling crowds. They started down a street that led straight to the Imperial Palace. Mounted warriors weaved their way through the crowd, most appeared to be from Puma Troop. Danica assumed they were messengers send to keep Rebecca apprised of their progress.
The street didn't follow the nature terrain, but ran straight up the hill east of the Imperial Palace. Halfway down the other side, Danica and Cat paused to watch the path taken by the messengers through the palace grounds. The wing they stopped before could only be where the High Mage was located, and hopefully Helene, Claudia, and Monique. Though rescuing Helene and Claudia was now Danica's primary concern, she hadn't forgotten the reason they came to the Amazon Empire in the first place. If need be, once they rescued their friends, she would send them out with Cat while she went for the enslaved sorceress.
"Now what? We can't fly in now, we lost the warhawks," Cat said, arms folded across her chest. "As I recall, you said they would place most of their guards near the entrances to pounce on us when we broke in."
"I don't know," she said, slightly exasperated. Cat always seemed to want her to make the decisions, then complained about them afterwards. Kind of reminded her of Carl, just not so damned cheerful and full of herself. Starting to walk again, "We'll just have to keep our eyes open for an opportunity."
They made it all the way to the palace walls without seeing any opportunities. Spotting an open coffee shop within sight of the gate, they went over and loitered outside its door. While Amazons in pairs and small groups came and went, they watched the comings and goings at the gate. The Puma Troop mercenaries were carefully assessed before passing through, and then had Votarian escorts through the grounds. A few richly garbed nobles were passed in without much hassle, but they seemed to be recognized by the guards on duty. Only other Votarians seemed to pass without any hassle.
"I wonder how they know each other," Danica mused.
"Who are you talking about?"
"The Votarians. Notice how they barely give other Votarian Guards a second
look as they walk through the gate."
"They're all probably great friends."
"I doubt that. From what Helene said, there are hundreds of them. Too many for them to know everyone on sight. Especially if they're from different Sororities."
"Maybe there is a password or signal they give upon entering," Cat said, watching intently as two Votarians passed through the gate arm in arm.
"I didn't see them make any gestures or say anything," Danica said.
"Neither did I."
"Follow me," she said, disappearing down an alley.
"Where are we going?"
"To find us a couple of off duty Votarian Guards and waylay them," she said, winking. "We'll steal their uniforms and walk right in without arousing suspicion."
Danica led her straight to the Crazy Unicorn. They lurked in the shadows of an alley, waiting. It was a good hour before two Votarians in their all white uniforms, and of the correct statures, staggered out of the infamous tavern arm in arm, singing ribald marching songs in loud off-key voices. When they were abreast with the alley, quick arms jerked them into the shadows.
The drunk knights were no match for Cat and Danica. They punched them out, then stripped them of their uniforms. Cat's bright white uniform was a bit too small, and Danica's a tad too big. But no one would be able to tell that in the dark. Off duty, the two Votarians hadn't been wearing their armor, just their swords. One was auburn-haired, with a single votary tail pulled through a white-lacquered Sorority Ring atop her head. The other had a thick white mane, with the votary tail and two votary braids of the White Sorority. Danica had gleaned enough information about the Votarian Sororities to know that they all had a votary ponytail, but varied on number and placement of votary braids. For the life of her she couldn't remember how the Gold Sorority wore their hair, and golden-haired as she was, she would have to pose as a member of that group.
Cat was another problem. The white Sorority Ring of the auburn-haired Votarian would pass for silver in the dark, maybe, but the Black Sorority wore three votary tails — one small tail above each ear, and one thick ponytail. They solved that problem by using the white Sorority Ring for the topmost tail, and cutting off stripes of white cloth to simulate the other two rings.
By the time they had Cat's hair right, Danica remember how Gold Sorority did theirs. They pulled a thick handful of hair through the ring high on the back of her head, then wrapped it with red cloth to simulate the Sorority's red rings. Gold Sorority had no votary braids that she could remember.
They prayed their preparations were enough, and would fool unwary guards.
After gagging and binding the unconscious Votarians, they covered them with their discarded clothes and stepped back onto the street leading to the palace. Moving with purpose, but not so fast as to arouse notice, they quickly returned to the palace area. From the shadows half a block away from the gate, they watched the guards on duty a while longer before making their move. Forcing themselves to indulge in mindless, idle conversation, they began casually walking toward the open gate and the ten white-haired Votarians on duty.
The Votarian guards turned to look at them when they emerged from the shadows. Then they turned back to study the surrounding streets and shadows. Walking close together, Danica and Cat kept their heads slightly bent as if in enthralling conversation. As they passed through the gate, they overheard two Votarians complaining about the High Mage and her "stinking mercenary" cohorts.
"Do you think Rebecca is helping them search for us with her magic?" Cat whispered.
Rebecca using her magic to follow their trail was scary, but unlikely.
"Get a hold of yourself, Cat," she almost pleaded.
"Rebecca might know we're here," she whispered, wide eyes darting from shadow to shadow.
"I don't think so," Danica said, struggling for an answer. With her own mind racing, she was having a hard time recalling all she knew of magic. Little that it was. "I spent a lot of time growing up in and around the Dakkoran Royal Court. There were several escapes from the dungeons, and not once were the Court Mages able to follow their progress."
"But Rebecca can..."
"No. She can locate where we are, if we sit tight long enough," she said forcibly. "Like we did back on the hill. Remember how long it took for her to locate us? Five hours. If we keep moving, she can't find us."
She watched Cat's face closely. Fear, determination, and hesitancy all took turns on her face, several times. Danica tried her best to look her most confident to shore up her friend's faltering faith. In short order, Cat reluctantly seemed to accept her answer.
"I hope you're not lying to me. I'm placing my life in your hands," she said quietly.
Danica's eyes went wide, her heart racing.
Bandu! Why does she say things like that!
Not trusting her tongue at that moment, Danica nodded and turned on her heel. Cat slipped up to her side as they emerged from the shadows and began walking up the winding cobblestone path. Every doorway they passed held at least two guards standing under guttering torchlight. They kept as far from those circles of light as possible without looking suspicious.
Several times they heard music and laughter coming from balconies and terraces above them. At least one of those gatherings were off duty Votarians, the rest were nobles and high government officials. Danica wondered if the Empress was at one of them, and briefly flirted with the idea of trying to kidnap her as a hostage. Then immediately rejected it as foolish, especially since Rebecca and Ayesha were planning the overthrow of nations.
"Is that the door we're looking for?" Cat asked as they emerged from a short tunnel under a higher wing of the palace.
Two White Sorority guards stood watch before the tall arabesque archway. The richly carved oaken doors stood open, revealing a shining gold on white interior. The tree-lined courtyard before them held an even dozen saddled horses tied around the small, gurgling central fountain. The round shields hanging from the saddles were all Puma Troop's.
"Act haughty," Danica muttered just before she strode purposely toward the beckoning doorway.
Cat, doing her best impersonation of a knight, marched arrogantly by her side. The Votarian Guards barely gave them a second look, until they made to enter the door.
"Halt!" the guard to their right ordered.
Danica cocked her head slightly, one perfect eyebrow rising arrogantly.
“What is the matter?" Danica said, letting a bit of her frustrations taint her voice.
"No one is permitted inside without specific permission from the High Mage," the guard said, eyes narrowing in her scrutiny of the two women before her. Danica didn't fail to notice that both women stood with hand to hilt. "Who are you? Declare yourselves!"
Danica hesitated when both guards made tentative steps toward them. The first guard seemed to be scrutinizing her hair. If they got too close, their disguises would be seen through. And Danica was at a total loss for anything to say.
Throwing caution aside, "I'm the Empress Serena, and this is my friend, the Duchess of Death."
The guards hesitated, confused.
Danica whipped her sword out and thrust it at the closest Votarian. The noble born guard ducked expertly, but caught Danica's speeding foot in the jaw. Cat, taken by surprise by Danica's answer, didn't think of her sword. Seeing the other Votarian starting to pull steel, she reverted back to her bouncer ways and kicked her low in the belly. As the woman bent over in pain, she brought her knee up into her face. Without speaking or thought, they quickly dragged the bodies into the shadows and threw them into a lush flower bed.
"No going back now," Danica said, heading for the door with sword still drawn.
Pulling her own sword, Cat dutifully followed.
"Upstairs or downstairs?" Cat said as they paused before the stairs.
"I don't know. Normally, monarchs keep wizards out of sight below ground, but Amazons don't seem to have the same aversion to spellcasters."
Before Cat cou
ld respond, the sound of a door opening and closing from the lower level reached them. They could just make out booted feet on marble heading their way. Grabbing Cat's arm, Danica pulled her halfway up the curving stairs to their right. From between the thick marble balustrades, they watched as a member of Puma Troop hurried out the door in a half run. Both tensed, expecting her to become alarmed about the missing guards, but the chattering of hooves on cobbles drifted to them and faded away.
"That was close," Cat sighed.
"But we know where to look now," Danica said, smiling. The smile disturbed Cat, there not being any warmth in it. It seemed cold and murderous to her. "Let's go pay Rebecca a visit."
The building was deathly quiet. They moved to the door quickly, but quietly. Danica pressed her ear against the door, but even her acute elven hearing could detect nothing. Cat stood by, nervously gripping her hilt with both hands so that the knuckles shown white. Danica slowly turned the brass doorknob and pushed the door open on silent, well-oiled hinges. The interior of the room looked comfortable, though dark. At first they thought they had made a mistake, then spotted the alchemy setup on the side shelves and tables. A soft mumbling sound pulled their attention to a figure bent over a massive tome across the room, her back to the door.
They sneaked across the room, hearts racing wildly, breathing sparingly in fear of the sound it might make. Their eyes never left the unsuspecting sorceress thumbing through the ancient, moldy grimoire under the bright lamb. Coming to within feet of the woman, Danica could hear her mumbling strange words. Probably some nasty spell to find us. Or maybe to torture her friends with later.
Taking up positions a pace behind her, Danica nodded to Cat and they both eased their sword points to her lower back.
"Surrender, Rebecca!" Danica said, tensing to thrust at the first sign of resistance.
Turning around slowly, a tiny smile spreading across her full red lips, "Took you long enough."
That shook both women, suddenly suspecting a trap.
Eyes narrowing, "No tricks or we'll kill you."
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 26