by P. A. Wilson
Springheart’s heart slowed its racing as he realized that there was no one covering the exit. He reached the door and inched it open. It led to an alley, blocked by three large humans sleeping off their night.
Whoever had taken Willowvine hadn’t come this way.
He moved faster now, needing to get to the street. If someone had taken her out the front door, she could be on a ship within minutes. He tried to calm himself with the knowledge that she would have fought. That would slow down her captors.
He reached the final alcove, only steps to the door.
A hand grabbed his elbow and drew him inside before he could pull back.
“He’s not here,” Willowvine said, her breath hot on his ear. “He was talking to those two scree in an alcove across the way.”
“Never do that again,” he shouted back. “How do you know they were talking over this row?”
She pulled the curtain across the alcove and all sound stopped. “The curtains are warded. I didn’t say I could hear them, I saw them as they closed their own curtains.” Then she opened them again to see the crowd.
* * *
Willowvine saw the two scree she’d pointed out start to move toward the door. Whatever they had discussed with Maynard was more important than watching the end of the battle.
“Let’s go.” Springheart pushed her ahead of him.
They slipped through the door and Willowvine saw the scree turn at the mouth of the alley. “They are going home.” This could be an opportunity.
“There’s no way we can get information from them,” Springheart whispered. “Maybe we can get a glance through the gate if we follow.”
She nodded. There was more than a chance. She was going to see what the front of that house looked like. Going over the wall was just as dangerous from the front or the back. If they came in the front, they wouldn’t have to use the servant’s passages. She feared they would get trapped if that were their only route. She signaled Springheart to drop back so they didn’t look obvious. He told her to be careful again, but slowed and let her get closer to the scree.
They reached the gate to Vitenkar’s house without alerting the scree that they were being followed. It helped that the day was busy and people hurried on errands. But if these scree were skilled, they would know she was there.
The scree banged on the gate and waited for it to be opened. Willowvine joined a small group of farmers who were pushing their barrows home now that the market had closed.
The gate opened and she stepped toward it, tripping the boy in front of her to make a commotion so she could slip inside. Even a moment’s glance would help.
Willowvine made it through the gate as it closed on the heels of the two scree. For a second she was able to see the entire front of the property. A large paved yard, a wide door, and no permanent guardroom.
A hand grabbed the back of her tunic, and she yelled for help. Springheart would find a way to extricate her from the situation. The scree who had captured her, pulled her back to the gate, but Willowvine kept her eyes on the building. Two stories, the top only covering the left half of the building, which was built in two wings and there were no windows on the right side. A warehouse. That’s where they would start.
Her captor was about to toss her back onto the street as she’d hoped. Her relief was short lived. A scree stepped through the main door and stared at her. His hair was braided with bones and his smile was that of a hunter about to take his prey.
“Halt!”
“I was trying to find my lover,” she whined. “I saw him come in here. Where is he? Why are all these scree here? What have you done with him?” It was a weak play, but she knew that Springheart could hear her. He’d find a way to save her. He’d be angry, but it was worth the risk to get the information they desperately needed.
“Call for the town guard,” the scree who could only be Vitenkar ordered. “Turn her to the wall and make sure she does not see anything more.”
This was bad.
If he convinced the town guards to take her in, Springheart would have to waste time getting her out. Why didn’t she listen to him? Whatever made him think through the risks was missing in her. Maybe it was a kind of magic? But if she’d taken the time to think, they wouldn’t have her information. Of course, the information wouldn’t help if she couldn’t get it to Springheart or if he didn’t act on it. Sometimes you just have to take the chance.
It only took a few minutes before she heard the stamp of town guard boots approaching. A few years ago, the town had been much more dangerous. The guard had learned the value in making noise to intimidate whoever they approached. If they came through the gate, the only way she would leave was in their custody.
The gate opened and Willowvine waited for the boots to approach. It didn’t happen.
“Outside the gate,” Vitenkar ordered. “No one comes inside.”
She let out a breath. On the street there would be hope. Springheart would be there. And Vitenkar couldn’t do anything to her in public.
* * *
The guards took the elf from his warriors as soon as they were outside. Vitenkar looked at the crowd that was forming and called for five of his men to clear the area. Too many people watching would limit his options with this elf. That’s why he’d called the guard. Either they would sanction his actions, a possibility if he paid well enough, or they would take her away and put her in the jail. If he acted on his desires, too many people would think his actions distasteful if they witnessed it — although he realized it would not be wise to bring attention by making her disappear.
He spun to search the street for a partner. No one was there, but he couldn’t help feel that someone should be. He had her alone. He would make sure that she spent at least the night in the cells. Every night that he kept the stone was precious. It would only take a few more nights before the world was changed in his favor forever.
“She was preparing to steal from me,” he announced. The guard should take his word for what happened. He was a respected merchant, and she was an elf. Even to the human that must mean something.
One of the guards was a goblin and the other a human. The goblin knelt behind the girl, tying her hands together in a complicated knot that she wouldn’t be able to release without a knife.
The human turned to Vitenkar, took his information, and then asked, “Do you have proof of her motivations?”
“There is no other reason she would enter my home.”
The guard reached down and pulled the girl’s head up by her hair. “Who are you?”
“I am innocent. My name is Butterflower.”
The guard sighed and Vitenkar became worried. Why was this fool delaying taking the elf to the jail? “There is no innocent reason for her to be inside my walls.” He itched to reach for her and shake the truth from her body.
The guard looked at her. “Why did you enter the grounds?”
“I saw my lover go in there last night. I thought he was in trouble.”
The girl was smart. She didn’t talk too much, didn’t give anything for him to twist other than bare facts. “There are no elves on my property.”
The guard ignored Vitenkar’s comment. Keeping his attention on the girl, he asked, “Who is your lover?”
“He’s human and married. I don’t want to get him in trouble,” she muttered. “Maybe I got it wrong. Maybe it was another gate. I’m sorry.”
“She’s lying,” Vitenkar said. “There are no other houses like mine. She was intending to steal, and I want her taken to the jail. I will not feel safe unless I know she is locked up.”
The guard looked over at the five scree who were keeping the street clear. “I doubt that you have reason to be afraid with these warriors on the premises.”
“I insist that you take her into custody.” Was the man looking for a bribe? If he was, then he should have taken Vitenkar aside. No one would offer a bribe in such a public space. The penalty was too harsh, and he didn’t trust his warriors
to be loyal if there was any accusation.
“If you have no proof, then I can’t hold her without cause.” The human guard motioned to the goblin who started to untie the knots. “Perhaps you should just make sure your gate is locked.”
Vitenkar realized that the authorities would bring him no satisfaction. If he didn’t find a way to have her arrested, she would be walking away and planning her next attack. He couldn’t allow for the risk. If she wasn’t going to jail, she’d have to be killed. “Very well, let her go. I’m sure that she will meet her fate eventually. Thieves don’t live long.”
He watched the girl tense as she took his meaning. The guard looked suspicious, but didn’t say anything. When the girl was untied, she stood and started glancing for escape routes.
“Perhaps I can come to the guard house to report my lover missing.” She stepped a little closer to the human guard. “I’ve caused enough problems here. I apologize. I was mistaken. Perhaps you can forgive my impetuous actions. I am in love.”
Vitenkar didn’t answer. He needed to get back to the warehouse to check on the stone and if the guards took her away then he would be freed of the trouble of hiding her body. It occurred to him that there was a reason that her partner, and he was convinced there was a partner, was not coming to her aid. She was a distraction. While his warriors were here, and he was outside, another thief could be searching his home. His heart stopped, and then his breath caught.
Vitenkar looked at the scree warriors he’d called out. “Follow them and make sure she doesn’t come back.” Turning on his heel without acknowledging anyone, he shouted for the gate to be opened.
He would make sure she was no longer a threat, or set his warriors to patrol the yard.
Chapter 20
He would lock her in their rooms.
Willowvine seemed determined to kill him with her risk taking. She’d talked her way out of arrest, but now Vitenkar would be on his guard. They would still have to go into the house, but it would be infinitely more risky now that she’d caused such a scene.
On top of everything, she had to extricate herself from the guard without making matters worse. He couldn’t trust her to do that, so he’d have to go get her.
Following the group to the guardhouse was easy. They were focused on Willowvine who was chattering on about her imaginary lover, a man who sounded more like Maynard Slack with every sentence. At least she knew how to use facts to support her lies. He hadn’t needed to teach her that, she’d learned it from the orphan gang.
When they arrived at the guardhouse, Springheart waited until they got inside and then counted slowly to a hundred. He needed to make them think that someone had reported her to him. That he was summoned from elsewhere. He heard her voice as he approached the door. No one else was speaking. It meant he didn’t have to interrupt anyone, especially a guard — they hated that.
He pushed his way into the foyer. Willowvine was standing at the counter, the five scree were lounging against the wall, and two guards were trying to take notes on her missing lover.
“Be quiet,” he said with as much authority as he could throw into his voice. She stopped talking, glared at him, and then looked down. “You are right to be abashed. I have heard what you have been doing. It is not acceptable.”
“Who are you?” the human guard asked.
“I am a courier. My name is Springheart and this child is my apprentice. I will take her now.” He moved to grab her arm, but the guard stepped between them.
“She is giving a statement. You can take her when she’s finished.”
“Oh, let me guess. She’s reporting a friend missing? Or a human lover? Or a… I don’t know what her latest fantasy is.”
The guard looked at Willowvine and she started to tremble. “There’s no lover?” he asked.
“No.” Springheart reached for her again. “I will ensure she understands the consequences of her behavior. I would appreciate it if you didn’t report it to the guild.” He could feel the scree interest in the conversation as they stiffened out of their lax stances.
“I need to hear it from her,” the guard insisted.
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please don’t get me kicked out of the guild.” She sounded as though she was about to burst into sobs.
The guard looked away from her to assess Springheart. This was the point where they were ready to let him fix what she’d done. They didn’t want to tangle with the guild. The guards relied on couriers too. He couldn’t volunteer the information for fear it would sound forced. He needed the guard to ask what would happen to her. Springheart stepped toward Willowvine. Making his voice harsh, he said, “This time I will not be so lenient. You have proven you cannot be trusted.”
Her trembling increased and a sob broke out.
“What exactly are you going to do?” the guard asked.
Springheart let the question hang for a moment, as if he was considering what to say. “I can only be sure she is not causing trouble when she is locked up. She will have a day to consider her behavior before I let her see the outside of the basement. A day of darkness and hunger may do what a beating has not.”
The guard stepped forward and placed a hand on Springheart’s chest. “Take care that you do not overstep. She may be your apprentice, but you are subject to our laws. I know the elves work differently, I know the guild has its own ways, but this island is a civilized place. I do not expect to find her body left within my jurisdiction. Do you understand?”
Springheart looked around at their audience. Internally he was surprised that the human would protect an elf. Outwardly he needed to be indifferent to their cares. “I would not kill an apprentice for disobedience.” He made it clear with his manner that he would kill for other reasons.
The guard took his hand off Springheart and stepped aside. He addressed the scree. “You will not attack these people. Return to your employer and do not bring our attention to you again.”
Springheart gripped Willowvine’s arm and forced her to rise. “We will leave you now.”
As they entered the street, he whispered, “Stay frightened until the scree are out of sight.”
They walked away. Willowvine acting cowed, but actually watching the scree as they strode away from the guardhouse. When they were alone, he let her arm go. “Let’s hope the guards tell Vitenkar that you are locked up. You’ll have to go disguised until tomorrow.” He didn’t want to get into an argument about her obeying him. That hadn’t worked up to now, and he didn’t need to waste his energy trying to make her be more careful. She just wasn’t capable of it.
* * *
They were in the small room that had been reserved for them at the guildhall. Willowvine had been uncharacteristically silent the entire walk from the guardhouse to the guildhall. She wasn’t sulking, she wasn’t arguing, but she wasn’t speaking. Springheart was too experienced to take that as a good sign.
“Okay, I guess you had a reason to go in there, and we fixed the problem. What happened?”
She took a sheet of blank paper. “Thanks for getting me out of the guardhouse. They didn’t seem to want to let me go.”
“That’s a good thing. If you had just walked out of there, then Vitenkar would have stayed on full alert. At least now he might think he’s safe for tonight.”
“He has the stone,” she said, turning the paper toward him. “I saw the layout of his home. The warehouse is right there. He has an army surrounding him. He has it.”
Springheart looked at the drawing. “We’ll still have to go around the back.”
“Yes, that’s too bad. But you think he has it, right?” She looked at him and he saw her need for his agreement.
He couldn’t validate her actions, but his caution wasn’t sufficient to quell the hope rising as he checked the drawing. “I think so. But let’s review what information we have before we go. There may be another reason that he needs an army.” Other than just the fact he’s a scree. “Did you see anything else?”
/> “Aren’t you going to lecture me on the dangers of taking risks?” she asked. “I mean we can get that over with and then I can just do a full report.”
He sat and started sorting through the papers he’d pulled from his bag, placing everything to do with Vitenkar on one pile. She was not going to deter him from a careful plan. “Has a lecture made a difference?”
“I do try, but I couldn’t let an opportunity like that go by. If the fates want me to see something, I should look.”
As much as he wanted to repeat all the lectures, he realized that she would never change. Her risk taking wasn’t about being too young to understand the consequences. It was a part of her. “I’ve given up, Willowvine. We’ll deal with it when this is over. We’ll go somewhere and I’ll teach you more about defense, and we’ll find a way to help you see the consequences so you can be prepared. But I give up trying to stop you doing stupid things.”
“Really?”
It seemed that she was eager to learn when it suited her. Maybe they’d been in the guild for too long, and he’d become complacent with that structure. They needed a break and maybe training would take her mind off this new elven guild idea. “Really. Now, what did you see?”
“There were about twenty scree in the courtyard, and I was able to sense about the same number of auras in the left wing of the building. We need to find a way to avoid them, but I can’t imagine Vitenkar lets them roam his house at night.”
He knew that there would be patrols, but she had a point. Vitenkar was unlikely to share his home with any of the warriors, even with something to guard. “What makes you think the stone is in the warehouse?”
“If I were hiding something like that, I’d want it with me, or where people aren't around. So, my guess is that it’s in his private rooms, or in the warehouse.” She pointed to the drawing of the building. “Here, on top of the barracks, is where he sleeps, see the windows over the warehouse are dressed with heavy curtains. The warehouse is almost an add-on. There must be an entrance inside, or in the back. I couldn’t see any doors in the front and the wall around the compound is right against the warehouse on that side.”