Glissanda

by Sara Kingsley

  He slowly lowers the bacon down, placing it back on the pan with the others. He gazes at it, sadly. “Damn, you may be right.” He looks back up at me, with a half-grin. “Maybe I should test it?”

  I jump up and grab the pan from his hands, tossing the greasy bacon directly into the fire.

  “I guess that’s a no, then.” He sighs.

  Leif takes an audible slurp of coffee.

  “Leif! What are you doing!” I lean over to grab his mug, but he swings it back, out of my reach.

  He shakes his head, grinning. “Raven, I bought the coffee off Mrs. Murphy. I wanted to surprise you. Anyway, I know this hasn’t been tainted with. Might as well enjoy yours before it gets cold.”

  I sit down again, picking up my mug, with what’s left in it after most of it sloshed out when I hastily set it down.

  Tui hands me a hard biscuit. “If you dip it in, it’ll soften up. Won’t break your teeth that way.”

  I do as he suggests, but the handful of biscuits hardly satisfies the hunger in my stomach, especially after smelling all that bacon.

  “This is bad,” I say.

  “Aw, don’t worry, Raven. We’ll catch some fish later today, just like you said,” Tui says.

  “I think I know what she means.” Leif throws back his last sip of coffee before continuing. “We have no idea who to trust now—”

  “Exactly,” I say. “Anyone we meet could be a Loyalist, or a Treasoner. The food could be poisoned or safe. How will we know? It was so much easier when we were dealing with Hunters. At least we could spot them from miles away with their ridiculous purple coats.”

  Leif visibly shudders; I’m certain he’s remembering how he pretended to be a Hunter, one of King Araroa’s officers, all those times in the Bastion—the capital of Nadir—and way back when he first tracked me down. We haven’t seen a single Hunter in weeks. But I’m sure Araroa is working with the Loyalists now, somehow. Besides, we already know he was the one who’d ordered them to burn Baldachin. But there’s no telling what they’ve decided to do on their own.

  Like bring innocent people to the King—my family—in exchange for a reward.

  Just the thought sends me into a rage. That Araroa would use his own people to turn against one another. All to protect his bruised ego: that despite all he’s tried, I’m still here in Nadir, free, with Fortissima and the crown of Woman Kings in my possession.

  What he doesn’t understand? The more he tries to punish me, the stronger I get.

  I stand, brushing bits of pine needles and dried leaves from my pants. “Doesn’t matter. We’ve always needed to be careful, only now even more so. We need to get back to the rest of the Treasoners at the Zenith camp and quickly. At this rate, Cat will probably beat us there.”

  We clean up our camp, burning the rest of the mysteriously appeared food so animals can’t get to it. It’s more than a little torturous—the food could be perfectly fine—and my mouth waters a bit as I toss the scones into the flames. But it could also mean a long, painful death, and I’d rather suffer my growling belly than take that chance.

  We follow the river, back toward Baldachin. Although it’s the last thing I want to see, I have to check if anyone’s there, or has been.

  But I can only stomach a quick look around at the pile of ashes and burned trees, what’s left of my home; thankfully it’s all I need to confirm that no one is here. It looks exactly the same as a few days ago.

  Leif’s riding next to me, with Tui following closely behind, as we continue on to Alderwood, the next town south. None of us have said anything since leaving Baldachin.

  It’s quiet, there’s not a breath of wind in the trees, and I can hear Tui’s stomach growl audibly behind me. I turn to laugh at him, and he responds with a glowering look.

  “What’s so funny? I’m starving.”

  “I know, Tui. I am too.”

  “Maybe we should try to gather provisions in Alderwood? The town seemed friendly enough when we passed through there a few days ago,” Leif says.

  I consider this for a minute, unsure. There’s really plenty to eat in the wild, if we just take the time to look. “I’d hate for what happened in Greenhollow to happen there …”

  “Never fear, m’lady,” Leif says. “We’ll just stop in briefly. If there’s any sign of trouble, we’ll be on our way. Quickly,” he adds after a slight pause.

  It’s mid-afternoon when we finally arrive. The small food store is already closed for the day.

  But the pub’s not. Drunken singing and laughter spill from the open front doors.

  Tui tilts his head, looks at me with pleading eyes. “Please, Raven?”

  I shake my head. “Nothing good ever happens in a pub, Tui. What will they think about three strangers rolling in? Or worse—if they figure out who we are?” But the smell of roasting meats wafts into my nose. My empty stomach pains. “I guess we do need to eat something.” I look over at Leif; he opens his eyes wide, licks his lips. “All right. But no trouble. Please.” I dismount Pearl and tie her to one of the posts out front; Tui and Leif eagerly do the same.

  The smell of hot food is even more appealing once we step through the door. Scanning the dim, fire-lit room, we spot an empty table in a dark corner and quickly claim it.

  “What would you two like? I’ll go order at the counter,” Leif says.

  “Anything. Hot. Juicy. Meaty,” I say. “And a cold pint to wash it down.”

  “Yep, same,” Tui says.

  “Coming right up.” Leif departs to speak to the pubkeep behind the counter.

  The pub continues to fill. I had no idea this many people even lived in Alderwood. Happily they don’t appear to pay us any mind. I’d been sure to take the chair behind the table, against the wall, to ensure Fortissima is well hidden.

  I watch the pubkeep as Leif orders the food and drink. The man’s eyes keep drifting over to where Tui and I are sitting. My heart starts to speed up.

  “I think the pubkeep knows who we are,” I whisper. Tui starts to turn to look for himself. “Wait! Keep your eyes on me.”

  Tui makes a noise of irritation, then flips his head around to glance at the counter anyway. The pubkeep’s busy pouring ale into three large pewter mugs. Tui turns back to me. “I hate to say this, Raven, but I think you’re being paranoid.”

  “I am not.”

  “Am too.”

  “Fine, maybe a little bit. But after what just happened in Greenhollow—”

  “I know. But we have to take every situation on its own merits. And right now, no one’s paying us any mind, and our stomachs are about to be stuffed full.”

  Leif appears behind Tui and hands over the mugs. He sits, taking a long swig of ale. A look of rapture fills his face. “Good gods, that’s delicious. I might have to have anoth—”

  “No—one pint only. We just need to eat and go,” I say.

  Tui looks at Leif and shrugs. “She’s just admitted she’s being paranoid.”

  “I’ve admitted no such thing!” My voice echoes across the pub. Several people turn to look and I sink down into my chair, feeling redness creep across my face.

  Both Leif and Tui stare at me. Neither dares to say a word. “I’m sorry. It’s just that … that … ugh.” I grab my mug and take several gulps of the tart, crisp ale.

  At first, the coldness slams into my empty stomach, but then a pleasant warm sensation seeps out into my limbs. The memory of what just happened in Greenhollow fades from my mind a little, along with my continuous fear of who’s going to turn against me next. Might as well enjoy this while I can.

  Our food arrives a few minutes later and I devour the pile of roast meat and vegetables and dumplings, all smothered with gravy. Although my stomach protests, I don’t stop until I’ve practically licked my plate clean. We sit back in our chairs and take small sips of the last of our ales, savoring each mouthful.

  I’ve just tipped the last drops into my mouth when the pubkeep appears next to our table. “I thought you all
might enjoy a bit of dessert to finish. On the house.” He gives me a friendly wink, then sets a small plate down before each of us. A barmaid shows up with a tray; she places a jug of fresh coffee, three cups, a small pitcher of cream, and a bowl of sugar down in the center of the table. She too gives me a cordial smile and a quick curtsy, then turns to depart.

  Tui’s looking at me with one brow raised—the only apology I’ll get from him for thinking I was being paranoid. Clearly the pubkeep knows exactly who I am. I’m not worried, though, trusting his warm manner.

  I thank the pubkeep and dig in to the strawberry pie, topped with a small mound of clotted cream. I’ve no room for it, but I fit all this in too, followed by a cup of coffee with a ridiculous amount of cream and sugar.

  I close my eyes, deliriously stuffed full. “Do you think we could sleep right here? Under this table?” I ask.

  “I think we should probably go now,” Leif says.

  The tone of his voice makes me immediately open my eyes and look around the pub. The din has quieted down; faces are staring at us, whispering to each other.

  “Yeah, it’s time.” I leave a handful of coins on the table and stand to leave. The room hushes even more as I lead Tui and Leif toward the door, my face burning as what feels like the entire pub watches us go. The cool evening air is a relief once we’re outside.

  We quickly untie the horses and mount them. I’m just about to nudge Pearl to start down the street when there’s a small voice behind me.

  “Woman King! Wait!”

  I turn to find a young girl, carrying a small bundle in her arms, running toward me from the door of the pub. I recognize her as the barmaid who’d brought us the coffee.

  When she approaches Pearl and me, I keep silent, waiting for her to speak first.

  “Are you Woman King Araroa? From Baldachin?” I scan around us, but the street is empty, so I silently nod my head.

  She looks around as well, and with a voice so quiet I can barely hear her, she says: “I know where your family is, Your Majesty.”

  Chapter 4

  I’m stunned at the barmaid’s words—not only does she know exactly who I am, but also who we’re looking for.

  “What are you saying? How would you know—” I pause, looking around to see if there’s anybody nearby who could overhear us. The four of us are alone. I jump off my horse and re-tether her to the post. Tui and Leif do the same. “Follow me,” I tell the girl. Now that we’re face-to-face I see she’s probably my age. She nods and does as I ask.

  I duck around the side of the pub and we enter a small alleyway. A black cat darts past us, but there’s no one else. I scan around once more, then turn to face the girl.

  “Tell me what you know. And how you’ve come to know it.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Her eyes glance down to Fortissima, to the hilt where I’m resting my hand as usual, then back up to me before she continues. “They came through here—Loyalists—about a week ago. I could tell the people with them weren’t doing so voluntarily. They had their wrists tied up and only a bit of stale bread and water was ordered for them, which I was ashamed to serve. The Loyalists had their fill of roast and ale, of course …”

  “Yes, I’m sure they did. How many people were in their possession?”

  “Four, Your Majesty. One elderly woman, a middle-aged couple, and a woman who looked a lot like your friend there.” She points at Tui. “Same hair, anyway.”

  Tui nervously runs a hand through his wild black hair, in his constant effort to tame it. No luck this time, either.

  “Do you know where they went—where they were headed? When they left Alderwood?”

  “I do. Their party was so unusual that I listened in to what they were saying, as much as I could.”

  “And?”

  “And, the Loyalists said they were taking their captives to the South Coast, where they hoped to take a ship around to the port, then continue on to the Bastion from there. Said it’d be faster than traveling overland.”

  My heart falls at this. I’m well-familiar with the routes to the Bastion, having traveled this way a number of times, but the South Coast?

  I look over at Tui. He’s kind enough to simply raise his brows in acknowledgement of the fact that it’s become clear we shouldn’t have let Catriona stay behind, after all. We now need her to lead us to the South Coast.

  “What about the others?” I ask her. “The other Baldachin people—I assume you know what happened to my treevillage?”

  She bows her head in respect before responding. “I do. I am so sorry your village was destroyed. But I do have good news regarding your last question.” She looks back up at me with a small smile. “The others got away, escaped into the Western Mountains, before the Loyalists could harm them. Although the Loyalists tried—they were more than a bit irritated not to have captured more—but all they had were the four. Unfortunately, they seemed overly pleased to have those they did.”

  I sigh. “That’s because you’re right, they’ve got my family and probably Tui’s mother too, from the sound of it. Is there anything else? Anything at all you can tell us?”

  She opens her mouth to start to speak, then seems to consider something for a moment. “I’m not sure how to say this, without sounding disrespectful …”

  “Not to worry. Just tell me anything you overheard.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty. I just don’t want to sound like I’m defending King Araroa—I’m most certainly not—what he did to our beautiful Queen Seraphine can never be forgiven. She was the kindest Queen we’ve had for centuries. But at least we now have you—”

  “Thank you for your kind words, but please—go on!”

  “Yes, of course. What I heard those Loyalists say was they were planning on surprising King Araroa with their captures. You see, the King had not ordered anyone to be taken. He’d ordered the village to be burned, yes, but the Loyalists have taken your family on their own.”

  I’m not sure if I should be relieved or furious at this news. I’d assumed King Araroa to be behind all of this, of course, but learning the Loyalists are doing this all on their own … terrifies me actually. Who’s to tell what else they are planning? Or worse—what horror they’ll inflict on innocents without thinking first? Like in Greenhollow …

  “Thank you so much for all you’ve told me. We had no idea where to begin our search, but I guess now we know.”

  “My papa runs the inn down the road. He’d be honored to host you and your party for the night before you move on. But in the meantime, the pubkeep wanted you to have this.” She hands me the bundle and I peek inside: at least a week’s worth of food.

  I consider her offer for lodgings, but then the visions of what happened in Greenhollow fill my mind again. “Please give your employer our appreciation for the food. And please also accept our sincere thanks for the gracious offer for use of your inn. What is your name?” I ask.

  “Mary … Mary Waters.”

  “Mary, thank you again for the offer, but I do think we need to move on straight away. But we’ll take you up the next time I come through Alderwood. I’ll be pleased to stay at your father’s inn then … when I return to help rebuild Baldachin.”

  Mary gives me a small curtsy. “I understand. The offer will stand.”

  “You’d better get back to work before anyone notices you’re gone.” I step aside so she can exit the alleyway.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty. Please be careful. Godspeed to you. And your friends.”

  Leif tips his hat at her as she departs. Tui smooths down his hair again.

  We return to our waiting horses, untie, and mount them.

  “I won’t say it,” Tui says with a smirk.

  “You’d best not,” I reply.

  “What? That we need Catriona more than ever? Nah—we’re not going to the South Coast,” Leif says.

  Tui and I both look at him with incredulity.

  “Excuse me?” I ask, quite sure I’ve not heard him right. Of course we�
�re going to the South Coast. The Loyalists are only a week ahead of us. We can easily catch up and I’ll have my family safely with me.

  “You heard me,” Leif says. “Let’s get moving to the Treasoner camp as planned. There’s something else you need to know. I’ll tell you on the way.” He nudges George and takes off down the road, leaving me sitting atop Pearl with my mouth hanging open. Stunned.

  Tui grunts, as we both watch Leif ride off. “C’mon, Raven. We’ve got to hear him out, at least.”

  I shake my head, still not believing Leif’s said what he just did, then signal Pearl into a trot to catch up.

  Moments later, I ride up next to Leif. “Tell me. Now.”

  He shakes his head. “Not here. When we’re clear of Alderwood, I will.”

  A quick look around confirms the three of us are alone. The street is empty, curtains drawn; everyone is inside for the evening. I’ll give him until we’re just outside of the town. Then I’m not going another yard until he explains himself.

  When the last building is far behind us. I bring Pearl to a halt. “Now, Leif. Explain yourself.”

  He stops next to me, flashes a charming grin before speaking. Normally it would bring my heartbeat to a standstill, but it doesn’t work this time. This time it feels patronizing.

  “Don’t you see? We’ve got the perfect opportunity.”

  “To do what?” Tui’s ridden up and halted Pango on the other side of me.

  “What he said,” I say. “Out with it.”

  “To show these Loyalists what will happen if they defy Nadir’s coming Woman King. But we can’t do it alone. We need to get back to Papa and the other Treasoners, enlist their help. Which I’m positive they’ll be more than happy to do. You know, everyone is tired of waiting out in the woods. It’s time to do something and this is it.”

  “That’s ridiculous. It’ll be too late to do anything by that time. They’ll be on the ship to the port and nearly to Araroa—”

  “And we’ll meet them there,” Leif finishes.