Death Weavers

by Brandon Mull

  “Mask our conversation?” Harvan asked.

  “Done,” Winston said.

  “You came here with Honor?” Harvan asked Desmond as they dashed toward the trees.

  “Yes,” Desmond answered.

  “Where is she now?” Harvan asked.

  “They took her to Gamat Rue,” Desmond said.

  “Interesting,” Harvan said. “Not the Fallen Temple?”

  “There was talk of that,” Desmond said. “But they settled on Gamat Rue in the end.”

  “Did you guys find any leads on Destiny?” Cole asked.

  “Nothing,” Desmond said. “I don’t think she ever made it to Deepwell. If so, she went in and out without getting caught. This was a dead end for us.”

  “Disappointing,” Harvan said. “What would you suggest we do?”

  “If you’re looking for Destiny, keep up the hunt,” Desmond said. “I can’t recommend how. I’m going to find Honor. I should have never lost her.”

  They reached the trees. Looking back, Cole saw nobody in pursuit yet.

  “Going to Gamat Rue would lead us backward,” Harvan said. “But finding Honor is a priority for us as well.”

  “Leave it to me,” Desmond assured him.

  “Gamat Rue will be much more formidable than Deepwell,” Harvan said. “You’ll need help.”

  “Should we split up?” Drake asked. “I could join him.”

  “Would you be willing?” Harvan asked.

  “I’ll do whatever would most benefit your cause,” Drake said.

  “There is a powerful echomancer at Gamat Rue,” Harvan said. “Nandavi. You could get permanently trapped there.”

  “I could get trapped with you as well,” Drake said. “I’ve accepted the risks.”

  “I largely brought extra manpower in case we needed to divide our efforts,” Harvan said. “Cole, what do you think?”

  “Destiny is my mission right now,” Cole said. “But some of my friends might be at Gamat Rue. Joe, Jace, and possibly Mira. I’d love to send help.”

  They raced through the trees in silence for a time.

  Harvan stopped at a tree and crouched to pick up a piece of yarn. He handed it to Cole, then started taking off his robe. “The echoes at Deepwell know us by these disguises. Now would be an opportune time to shed them.”

  Cole pulled off the robe and pocketed the yarn. Winston took Cole’s robe and Harvan’s and stuffed them in the sack.

  “Are you still shielding us from scrutiny?” Harvan asked Winston.

  “The best I can,” the other man replied.

  “I sense Ferrin,” Harvan said. He turned to peer out into the trees.

  A moment later the displacer ran into view.

  “How’d it go?” Harvan called.

  “I didn’t get away clean,” Ferrin said. “But clean enough. Sorry I was a little slow. I looped around wide to hopefully lead them off course. Are we abandoning the robes?”

  “Take it off,” Harvan said. “But keep it.”

  “Where are we heading?” Ferrin asked.

  “Away from Deepwell for starters,” Harvan said. “We can’t accomplish anything if we get captured. Desmond wants to visit Gamat Rue to help Honor and perhaps some of Cole’s friends. Cole and I must stay after Destiny.”

  “Do you know where to go next?” Ferrin asked.

  Cole watched Harvan with great interest.

  “I have an idea,” Harvan said. “But I only mean to share it with those who accompany me.”

  “I offered to join Desmond,” Drake said.

  “I could do that too,” Ferrin said. “Should I?”

  “Let’s move,” Harvan said. They all started running together. “It might be most effective to part ways. The princesses are our top priority. I can’t pursue multiple princesses at once.”

  “Drake and I would be happy to join Desmond,” Ferrin said.

  “You may want to seek other help before invading Gamat Rue,” Harvan said. “It will be no small chore. The princess will be extremely well guarded.”

  “Let us worry about that,” Drake said. “Others can direct us to Gamat Rue?”

  “Many know the location,” Harvan said.

  Desmond came alongside Cole. “I have a message from Honor to Destiny. Would you mind bringing it to her?”

  “Of course not,” Cole said.

  Desmond produced a small, tightly rolled scroll.

  “A written message?” Harvan asked. “They didn’t confiscate it?”

  “The message was disguised with weaving,” Desmond said. It seemed he was trying to say something else, but nothing came out.

  “You tried to tell me something when we first found you,” Cole said.

  Desmond attempted to speak again but failed.

  “He’s bound somehow,” Harvan said. “Is that right?”

  “Yes,” Desmond said. “I know certain things about Honor that I can’t express.”

  “Do you know anything about Destiny’s location?” Harvan checked. “A clue you can’t reveal?”

  “No,” Desmond said. “As far as I know, her whereabouts remain a complete mystery to everyone. I wish I could better explain why I can’t speak.”

  “Does your silence have to do with the message?” Harvan asked.

  “It’s related,” Desmond said. “The message was written by Honor and is meant for Destiny’s eyes only. I vowed not to read it or share anything I know about what it might contain.”

  “Should we read it?” Harvan asked. “We made no oaths.”

  “I cannot entrust the scroll to another unless they vow not to read it,” Desmond said. “I don’t think my binding will let me give it away unless the recipient promises sincerely.”

  “Honor couldn’t have bound you,” Harvan said.

  “An agent of hers did it,” Desmond replied. He tried to say something else but failed. “It’s hard to find words I can utter.”

  “Happens to the best of us,” Harvan assured him. “Would it be dangerous for us to accept the message?”

  “I don’t think so. But bringing the message to Destiny could be very important for Honor.”

  “Up to you, Cole,” Harvan said. “Sounds like you’ll need to promise not to read the message and mean it.”

  Cole hesitated. He hadn’t thought carrying around the coin for Sando would be dangerous either. He knew too well that bindings could carry hidden threats. But just because he had been burned didn’t mean it would happen every time. Desmond didn’t seem to think it was too risky. And besides, this binding had been performed by an agent of Honor’s! It was probably just a precaution to keep the message safe. Since Desmond was returning to Honor, if Cole refused, the letter would go undelivered. What if it had information vital to Destiny’s protection? He had to accept whatever risk the binding might involve.

  “I’ll take it,” Cole said. “I promise not to read it.”

  Desmond handed over the little scroll. Cole tucked it away.

  They ran in silence for a time, enveloped by the music of the forest. Part of Cole wanted to go with Ferrin, Drake, and Desmond to help his friends at Gamat Rue. It would be nice to have a known destination, and such a relief to see Jace and Joe. If Nandavi and Sando were holding Honor there, was there a chance Mira remained there as well?

  But what if Desmond had faulty info? What if both Honor and Mira were already at the Fallen Temple with Nazeem? What if postponing his search for Destiny let Nazeem claim her? Cole had promised Mira he would find her younger sister. If Harvan had a possible lead, they needed to pursue that first.

  “If we’re going to split up, sooner would be better than later,” Harvan said. “It will confuse those from Deepwell who are trying to follow us.”

  “I have to go to Gamat Rue,” Desmond said. “My sworn duty is to rescue Honor. I’d welcome any help.”

  “What do you say, Cole?” Harvan asked. “Should Drake and Ferrin join him?”

  Cole appreciated Harvan asking his opinion but al
so felt a little intimidated. It was a big decision. Lives were at stake. “How much will we need Drake and Ferrin as we hunt for Tessa?” It was still a novelty to converse while sprinting without feeling winded.

  “The next phase of our search for Destiny will rely more on stealth,” Harvan said. “I’m convinced that nobody has found Destiny, meaning we’re trying to find her rather than steal her back. Going forward, I don’t expect numbers to be as important as they were at Deepwell.”

  That helped solidify Cole’s opinion. “Then if Drake and Ferrin are willing, I’d feel better knowing they were helping Honor and maybe Mira.”

  “Sounds like a decision,” Ferrin said. “We’ll go to Gamat Rue with Desmond.”

  “My other friends are a kid named Jace and a man named Joe,” Cole said. “They’re bright echoes, held at Gamat Rue.”

  “I remember them,” Desmond said. “We’ll do our best to aid them.”

  “In the town of Duplan, not far from Gamat Rue, you can find an echo named Giselle,” Harvan said. “She is connected to the Unseen and will undoubtedly help you. Tell her I sent you.”

  “Much obliged,” Desmond said. “We’ll make for Duplan first. Gentleman, thank you for springing me from my incarceration. Would you be so kind as to point me in the correct direction?”

  “That way,” Harvan said, gesturing off through the trees to one side. “Asking directions to Duplan shouldn’t arouse much suspicion.”

  “It was good traveling with you,” Ferrin said. “Perhaps we’ll meet again.”

  “I hope so,” Cole said. “Say hi to my friends.”

  “Safe journey,” Drake said.

  Desmond veered off in the direction Harvan had indicated. Drake and Ferrin followed. Before long, trees screened them from view.

  CHAPTER

  23

  DEADLANDS

  So where are we going?” Cole asked after running in silence for a good while.

  “Any guesses, Winston?” Harvan asked.

  “It better be good,” Winston replied. “We just lost some capable men.”

  “No guess?” Harvan checked.

  “Should I know?” Winston asked.

  “It would require an intuitive leap,” Harvan said.

  “I’m at a loss,” Winston admitted.

  “Music to my ears,” Harvan gloated with a smile.

  “You got me,” Winston said. “I’m not a mind reader. Congratulations.”

  “Any chance of us being overheard?” Harvan asked.

  “I’m shielding us,” Winston said. “You’d know more about pursuers.”

  “They’re a good ways back,” Harvan said. “Some went after the others. They’re not very organized. I’m taking us into the deep woods. Lonely country with few echoes they could communicate with to coordinate a hunt.”

  “So we’re getting away?” Cole asked hopefully.

  “Looks that way for now,” Harvan said. “If we keep up the pace, I think we’ll win our way clear. Nobody would be eager to follow us.”

  “We’re going someplace dangerous?” Cole asked.

  Harvan glanced at Cole. “If you could speak to anybody in the echolands right now, who would you choose?”

  Winston gasped. “You know how to find her?”

  “Winston may have guessed it,” Harvan said.

  “Destiny?” Cole asked.

  “That would be better,” Harvan conceded. “I mean somebody you don’t know.”

  “You kept this from me?” Winston asked, annoyed.

  “People tell me secrets because I keep them,” Harvan said.

  “Until now,” Winston said.

  “It’s an emergency,” Harvan said. “I’m hoping she’ll agree.”

  “The Grand Shaper?” Cole guessed.

  “Well done,” Harvan approved. “Prescia Demorri.”

  “Mira’s aunt,” Cole said.

  “How long have you known?” Winston asked.

  “I explored these lands long before we met,” Harvan said.

  “Where is she?” Winston asked.

  “Near the heart of the Deadlands.”

  Winston slowed.

  “Keep running,” Harvan said. “They won’t be any less perilous if we delay our arrival.”

  “What are the Deadlands?” Cole asked. The name didn’t sound very inviting.

  “You know how we generally avoid disturbing music?” Harvan asked.

  “Yeah,” Cole said.

  “We’re about to do the opposite.”

  “You’ve been there?” Cole asked.

  “Twice,” Harvan said. “Alone.”

  “What’s it like?” Cole asked.

  “Dead echoes gather there,” Harvan said. “The kind that are lost and confused but still functional.”

  “In enormous numbers, if I understand correctly,” Winston said.

  “There are no channels in the area,” Harvan said. “Efforts have been made to purge the Deadlands in the past. To help the dead echoes find rest. But there are too many of them, and they are too far gone.”

  “Will they want to hurt us?” Cole asked.

  “Some will try,” Harvan said. “We’ll avoid them.”

  “We’ll run for our lives is more like it,” Winston grumbled.

  “We’re already running for our lives,” Harvan said. “Think of it as a change of venue.”

  “How can Prescia help?” Cole asked.

  “My highest hope is that Destiny might have found her way there,” Harvan said. “Wouldn’t that be splendid? If not, consulting with the most powerful living weaver can’t hurt.”

  “She’s been hiding in the Deadlands all this time,” Winston murmured.

  “She had to hide somewhere,” Harvan said. “She built a refuge for herself. We’ll be secure once we find her.”

  “If you say so,” Winston said. “I can’t believe we’re running toward the Deadlands.”

  “It’ll take some time,” Harvan said.

  “If I had any sense, I would have gone with Desmond,” Winston said. “Gamat Rue doesn’t sound so bad all of a sudden.”

  “The unknown always gets to you,” Harvan soothed. “I’ve been there. Trust me.”

  “Nice try,” Winston said. “You’ve used that line one too many times.”

  Harvan glanced at Cole. “You’re going to spook the kid.”

  “I’m okay,” Cole said. “When you can’t avoid something like this, all you can do is be brave and get it over with.”

  Harvan laughed. “Hear that, Winston. Best. Kid. Ever.”

  Cole turned his head to conceal his proud smile.

  * * *

  At length they left the woodlands behind, returning to endless vistas of lawns and gardens. Time lost meaning as they sprinted under the unchanging sky. Cole tried not to worry about the Deadlands. If Harvan had survived the place twice, why not a third time?

  Harvan continued to direct them around towns and any echoes he sensed, and as a consequence, Cole never saw anybody. After crossing several channels, slipstreams became less common as well. Only the passing hills and fields marked their progress.

  Eventually, the landscape started to look less groomed. There still wasn’t any dead vegetation, but Cole began to notice bare patches of ground and craggy ridges. The trees were less clustered, the grass wilder and longer, the way a little less smooth.

  “We haven’t seen a slipstream in a while,” Cole mentioned.

  “We’re now heading almost directly toward the fringe,” Harvan said. “Since we’re traveling away from the Source, we’re running parallel to most of the channels rather than crossing them.”

  “The fringe is bad, right?” Cole checked.

  “It’s less of a paradise,” Harvan said. “More hazardous. But there are fewer towns, and fewer shapecrafters, which we don’t mind. And it’s how we reach the Deadlands.”

  “It’s bad,” Winston translated.

  “Do the Deadlands reach all the way around the echolands?” Cole a
sked.

  “Oh, no,” Harvan said. “They just cover this part of the fringe. There are many other areas, good and bad, depending on which direction you go.”

  “Have you explored a lot of the fringe?” Cole asked.

  “Not as much as I would like,” Harvan said. “If you venture too far, you don’t come back. I’ve seen why. As you get out there, the shift in the music is subtle, but pretty soon it lures you along, farther and farther, and all the music behind loses its savor. Everything starts to blur into the call of the Other.”

  “Sounds like you’ve gone out far,” Cole said.

  “Farther than most who managed to return,” Harvan said. “I’m curious to go farther, but I know eventually I’ll pass a point where return becomes impossible. I long to discover what the Other offers, but if I go there too soon, I may miss many explorations in the echolands. The Other will always be waiting. Who knows if I’ll ever get a chance to pass this way again?”

  As they proceeded, the patches of dirt or rock became larger and more apparent. They weren’t ugly—they just didn’t look like part of a meticulously cultivated garden. The music of the empty patches was slower and heavier.

  But their pace remained quick. As they progressed, they no longer saw groves of trees, just isolated loners here and there. The fields had a lower density of flowers, and the grass grew in patches. There were still no dead plants or leaves, but lots of soil, lots of stone.

  The music up ahead became foreboding. It produced emotions like loneliness and despair, a soundtrack tailored for feeble wanderers crawling through the desert, deliriously looking for the right place to collapse.

  “Is that it?” Cole asked.

  “We’re getting close,” Harvan said.

  “Should we eat?” Winston asked. “I see some carrots.”

  “Might not be a bad idea,” Harvan said. “We’ll want to be at our best.”

  They paused, and Winston uprooted a trio of carrots. Cole accepted one and took a bite. Crunchy and sweet, the first bite brought a surge of alertness.

  “Wow,” Cole said. “I feel more awake.”

  “We’ve run a long way,” Winston said. “It depletes energy and focus. You don’t tend to notice until it gets dire.”

  They finished their carrots.