Dreadmarrow Thief (The Conjurer Fellstone Book 1)

by Kaptanoglu, Marjory

  “Wait here, then,” he said. “I’ll try to get your mother.”

  “Wait,” I said weakly. “My pouch…”

  Ash opened it and found the packet of sunflower seeds I kept in there with my picks and skeleton keys. I hoped if he held them out in his hand, Mama would fly to him. With that thought, a sudden feeling of elation surged through me. We’re going to succeed. His sight was returning, and so was my movement. He would fetch my mother, and after waiting a little longer till I could walk again, we would escape. Fellstone, lacking the dreadmarrow or my blood, would probably die, and then Calder and Mama would also be free.

  Ash straightened, turned to the door, and pushed cautiously against it, trying not to make any noise. When it was sufficiently open for him to slip through, he entered the room, leaving the door ajar behind him.

  A light flickered on. “Seize him,” Lord Fellstone said.

  It was a trap. I heard noises in the room. Knowing Ash, he was putting up a struggle, but there had to be too many for him to fight.

  Ratcher peered through the doorway at me, a smug look on her face. “Please,” she said, “join us.”

  “Take him to the dungeon,” said the lord.

  “No!” I cried.

  Two sentries came out to the landing, lifted me up, and carried me inside. Ratcher picked up Calder’s bag.

  Three more guards surrounded Ash, whose hands were now bound behind his back. Lord Fellstone stood near them.

  “Let us go, and Mama too, and a certain cockroach… and you can have your dreadmarrow,” I said. My speech came out slurred, my mouth still partly numb from the poison.

  “Have you been drinking?” Ratcher said.

  “Silence!” Lord Fellstone shouted. “Return my dreadmarrow by tomorrow noon, or he burns at the stake.”

  “What? No! You can’t do zat!” I said, cursing my inability to speak clearly.

  “I look forward to it. We haven’t had a good roasting in some weeks.” He turned to the guards. “Take them away. Her to the tower room.”

  Ash caught my eye before the three men transported him out. I thought the look was supposed to convey that I shouldn’t give up hope, but it could as easily have meant, “Think hard, I have no idea what to do.”

  The guards who held me pulled me forward, expecting me to walk, but I stumbled on my first step.

  “Carry her, you fools,” Lord Fellstone said.

  The guard with cold eyes lifted me and took me out of the room, while the one whose face was pockmarked followed behind. I thought about asking to take Calder’s bag with me, but then dismissed the idea. Best to treat it as if it were of no importance. As they carried me away, I made certain not to glance at it. But I knew it rested by Ratcher’s feet, and she would not be one to overlook it.

  ASH

  They were back where they began, he in his cell, she in her room. Worse, he now knew he would not be able to kill Ratcher, save Lance from being a wraith, or restore Calder to himself. The cockroach was inside the bag which had fallen into Ratcher’s hands, and if she didn’t kill him, no doubt a kitchen maid soon would. Tessa could not help anymore, without her windrider or the dreadmarrow, though in any case, the latter did not appear to be as valuable as they’d hoped. Lord Fellstone had made it clear he would not bargain for it.

  As soon as the soldiers left him in his cell, Ash grabbed the jug of water and poured it into his eyes. It gave him some small relief, though they continued to throb. Still, it was nothing compared to the torturous burning he felt when the creature had sprayed him. Now, his vision had mostly returned, though it remained blurred, as if he was looking out at the world through a thin grey veil. But what had happened to his eyes paled in comparison to his anguish over Tessa dying, as he’d thought. He had been prepared to give up everything and everyone to save her.

  He could kick himself now for his carelessness and stupidity. He should’ve checked her breathing. If he’d been thinking straight, he would’ve remembered snake bites could cause their victims to lose all motion. The venom must have burned right through his eyes into his brain. At least that excuse was better than none.

  He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, picturing the one thing that had brought him happiness in all this: Tessa running into his arms. She’d truly been affected by his death, perhaps almost as much as he had been by hers. If he’d given into his feelings, he would’ve kissed her, would’ve held her in his arms so tight she might have lost her breath. He still felt he’d done the right thing by breaking away from the embrace. It would’ve been wrong to exploit her grief and take advantage of the warmth and affection she felt for a friend. He was grateful for the instant of joy she’d given him. It was what he would picture in his mind, tomorrow, on the stake, before he died.

  TESSA

  The guards switched lifting duties at the bottom of the long, winding staircase leading to the tower room. It was quite undignified to be carried at all, but I was not given a choice about it. When we reached the door, they took away my pouch, full of the tools of my trade, before dropping me unceremoniously on the floor inside the room. I heard the lock click after they shut the door on me. I was not at all concerned about the keys, as I knew I could be through the lock in no time whatsoever with the use of two hairpins, but I could tell from the lack of departing footsteps that the guards had remained by the door.

  I looked around and recognized the room as the same one where I had seen Ratcher for the first time, healing Lord Fellstone with the dreadmarrow. There was a bitter irony in my ending up here, the place where it had all begun, after I’d foolishly flown up to the window to see what vile person had given the signal for the boarmen to chase down the pitiful man. I had my answer now. He was a monster without bounds, who would sip the blood of his own child to extend his wicked life.

  I’d expected an austere sort of prison room, but instead it was luxuriously furnished just like my mother’s bedchamber. The bed was smaller and not as ornate, but appeared no less comfortable. Most likely they had moved her here after her first failed attempt to run away.

  I picked myself up off the floor. The effects of the venom had mostly passed—leaving only a sort of tingling in my bones—and I could move about freely again. I opened the window and looked down at the dizzying drop to the ground below. There would be no escape that way.

  I checked the room for hidden doors, though I did not expect to find any, nor did I think I could take any more slitherbatt encounters if I did find another secret passage. I did not have to worry; the walls were solid and provided no exit.

  I went to the bed and threw myself down on it. The dreadmarrow was in Calder’s bag. I couldn’t return what I didn’t have. Moreover, I had no idea how long the invisibility powder would last, and even if it was still working, Ratcher could by now have felt out the shape of the wand inside the bag. Most likely I would have to make another deal for Ash’s life. Lord Fellstone said he wanted to teach me. I could pretend to have a change of heart, make him believe I would cooperate with everything he asked of me. I must act as if I cared to be his daughter.

  And then there was the matter of my blood. It explained the bit I found on the sheet when I first arrived. I wondered how much had been taken. At least he would have to keep me alive to guarantee a steady supply, though he might not care if his thirst weakened me. I wasn’t certain if I should feel reassured or frightened that his health had deteriorated since I arrived. It might mean he would give up on the elixir and stop draining me, or the opposite: he could decide he needed a much larger amount.

  My eyelids grew heavy. I’d barely slept since our quest began. Weariness settled over me, and despite my desire to work out a plan, I found myself closing my eyes and curling up on the mattress. I was nearly asleep when a gentle sound, the fluttering of a bird’s wings, drifted into my consciousness. It brought back the memories of my time as a sparrow, and I felt a deep longing to fly again. I opened my eyes and saw a crow perched on the table. First I thought I was
dreaming, especially when the crow turned my way and looked at me as no crow would ever look at a person. But I knew it was real when the bird hopped down to the floor, scraped its claw three times, and transformed into Ratcher.

  I sat up, suddenly alert. “Have you come for my blood?” I asked.

  She approached the foot of the bed. “Don’t tempt me.”

  “I heard him tell you to get it.”

  “No need. I have it already. I took it when you lay unconscious after the wraiths attacked you.”

  “I thought he already used that in his potion,” I said.

  “He thinks so too. But I took the liberty of exchanging it for something far better. We needn’t discuss that. I came for the dreadmarrow.”

  It made my heart quiver to hear that she hadn’t yet found it inside Calder’s bag, though it brought me no closer to the dreadmarrow myself. “You may tell his lordship I’ll return it in the morning in exchange for Ash’s release,” I said, trying to project more confidence than I felt.

  “Give it to me and you’ll get back your mother and cockroach friend as well,” she said. “Oh, and that brother who’s a wraith will be released.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Those who live by the dreadmarrow, die by the dreadmarrow. If I destroy it, Lord Fellstone dies, and his spells die with him.”

  Her admission shocked me. “You want to kill him?”

  “You can’t seriously be surprised,” she said. “I’ve been helping you all along.”

  “Helping me?”

  “First I tried to frighten you into running away. That would’ve been your best option.”

  “Outside my house?”

  “You insisted on coming anyway, and then I had to change tactics. Who do you think left the sparrow windrider for your invisible friend to give back to you?”

  It surprised me that she’d detected Calder. But I needed to remain focused on what was important. “I don’t understand why you would turn against Lord Fellstone,” I said.

  “I have my reasons.”

  I’d seen him act cruelly towards her. But he’d also trained her as a conjurer, and relied on her as a trusted adviser. Would she betray him with so little motive?

  “Tell me how the dreadmarrow can be destroyed, and I’ll do it myself,” I said.

  She laughed. “You can’t do it. You’re not a conjurer.”

  “Lord Fellstone said I was born to it.”

  “Do you really think it’s so easy?” she said. “You would need years of training to access that power.”

  We were at a stalemate. She wanted the dreadmarrow and I would not give it to her. That she had Ash’s twin murdered in barbarous fashion before his very eyes, was reason enough.

  “If you wish to kill him, you must find a way to do it without the dreadmarrow,” I said.

  “Foolish girl, do you really think Lord Fellstone will ever allow you or your friend to leave the castle? You know too much and you’ve shown your willingness to defy him.”

  She had a point. You know too much. This was true. I particularly knew too much about her plans to murder her lord and master. She’d come to me with sword and dagger. As soon as she learned the location of the dreadmarrow, she would kill me. If I didn’t tell her, she might torture me to get it out of me. And in the end, she would still kill me.

  The crow amulet dangled from her neck. I forced myself not to stare at it, though I had a powerful urge to seize it and become a bird again. I stood up from the bed. “Why do you wear that mask?” I said.

  “We were discussing the dreadmarrow,” she said.

  “Perhaps I’ll give it to you if you tell me why you wear the mask.”

  “My beauty is so devastating it would kill those who would look upon it,” she said. “Now tell me where it is.”

  “I’m not certain I believe that answer. Let me see for myself. I’m willing to take the chance of being struck dead.” I took a step nearer and reached up as if I were about to pull off her mask. Her hands went up to hold it in place.

  That was when I snatched the windrider, tearing it off her neck. I lifted it to my mouth to blow on it, but she grabbed my arm and clawed at my hand. I shoved her away and wrenched back my arm, still clutching the crow, as she drew out her dagger. I had no hope against her… she was stronger than me and armed with a knife. Only one chance remained. I sprang away from her, dove for the window, and leapt out of it.

  Falling is so much faster than you think. I plunged toward the ground, blowing frantically on the windrider. Inches from impact, I became a crow but it was too late to transition into flight. I landed hard on the stone and all went dark.

  ASH

  He was at the swimming hole with Lance, who was already in the water. Ash grabbed the rope, ready to swing onto it, when Lance suddenly cried out. His head disappeared as if something were pulling him under the surface. Ash leapt and rode the rope out over the water, releasing above the spot where Lance went under. He plunged in and swam downwards, searching for his brother. Everything was perfectly clear, though the lake was usually so murky you couldn’t see your own hand in front of your face. He spotted Lance some distance below him. An enormous creature with tentacles had hold of his leg, pulling him further and further into unknown depths. It struck him that the swimming hole had never been so deep. Ash swam down as fast as he could, and grasped Lance’s hands. He pulled and pulled, but the creature was stronger, and Lance’s fingers slipped from his grip. Ash was forced to watch helplessly while his brother was drawn to his death.

  Ash opened his eyes, realizing it was a nightmare, but unable to shake the feelings it evoked. The dreams were always like this, with Lance the same age as Ash, as if he never died before now. The manner of his death changed from nightmare to nightmare, but Ash’s failure to save his brother remained constant.

  He slept no further after that. It was still dark when he heard the rattle of keys at the door. Two guards entered and released him from his chains but kept his wrists and ankles cuffed. They lifted him to his feet and dragged him between them.

  “Where are you taking me?” Ash said.

  The guards exchanged a smile. “Not far. But don't worry. You won't be coming back here.”

  He felt a weakness in his stomach, but he held himself up. He was going to die, that much was clear. The thought that Tessa had not returned the dreadmarrow sent a pang of sorrow through him, but he shook it off. Most likely she did return it, but Fellstone betrayed her. No one could trust the word of such a man. Once he had his precious wand back, nothing could prevent him from killing Ash, smothering a bird, crushing a cockroach. Ash did not think he would harm Tessa, so at least there was that to comfort him as the flames approached and seared his skin.

  When they reached the outside, they made him walk, but movement was slow as he shuffled forward with his feet bound together. They had not gone far before he looked up and saw the platform with logs heaped up high upon it, and the stake where he would be tied. A deep shudder took hold of him, and he stumbled. He probably would have fallen on his face, but the guards held him up until he was steady again, and then pushed him forward.

  They reached the viewing platform, where Lord Fellstone himself was already seated in the center. He wondered if he should feel honored that the ruler of the realm considered his death of sufficient importance, that he would watch it himself. An aristocratic-looking couple sat to one side of Fellstone, and a very old lady to the other. The lord himself looked older, weaker, and more bent than he had only last night. Three young people around Ash’s own age stood to the side looking excited to be allowed to watch his roasting.

  “Here’s a rare treat for us,” the older-looking boy said.

  “He's very young, Malcolm. I wonder what he did,” said the young lady.

  “He attacked Ratcher, but she had no trouble beating him down.”

  “Defeated by a girl,” the other boy said. “No wonder. He's a lowly gravedigger’s son.”

  The young woman gigg
led. “That's convenient. His father can bury him at no cost.”

  As the guards pulled Ash onto the stand, Ratcher mounted the viewing platform. He heard her speak to Lord Fellstone: “My lord, has the girl returned your book and dreadmarrow?”

  “She has not,” Fellstone answered. “Her friend will suffer for it.”

  Ash wondered what Ratcher was talking about. Tessa hadn’t said anything about a book. If there was a stolen book, he would put money on lying Ratcher having taken it herself. Which meant the return of the dreadmarrow might not be sufficient to save his life, even if Tessa were to arrive with it this very minute.

  As the guards began to tie him to the stake, he looked around but caught no sight of her. He could not believe she had not even come. Had she refused to hand over the dreadmarrow? No, he couldn’t doubt her. If she wasn’t here, then something had gone wrong, something had happened to her. His feelings changed from fear for himself, to fear for her.

  The guards finished tying him to the stake and stepped down from the stand. Ash strained at the rope, but they’d done their work well. There would be no escape for him.

  Lord Fellstone gave the signal to start the fire.

  TESSA

  I woke in complete darkness feeling utterly disoriented. Where am I? What am I? Not human, that was certain, but I didn’t quite feel like sparrow-me either. And then the memories came flooding back. Ash. I had no way of knowing how much time had passed, or if daylight had dawned. It was dark here—wherever here was—but outside it might be midday for all I knew.

  I needed to act with urgency in the hope that all was not yet lost. I realized I must have transformed into a crow at the last moment before hitting the ground. I felt my larger size compared to being a sparrow, and moreover, I was infused with feelings of aggression that I’d never experienced as sparrow-me. Under normal circumstances, it might take time to grow accustomed to this strange new form.