by K. C. May
Dominee Ibsa eyed Rivva up and down with contempt. “This is adult business. Why don’t you run along and play with your dolls?”
“Why don’t you mind your tongue, Dominee?”
“You’ve got the enforcers out looking for her,” the king said. “What makes you think my guards will be any more effective?”
Rivva let out a sigh. It was clear her father was weak where the dominee was concerned, though it wasn’t yet clear why. Rivva had to help him, but how? He wouldn’t stand up to Dominee Ibsa directly, and he wouldn’t let his daughter do it for him. Perhaps Mother knew the source of his disadvantage. Then a horrid thought occurred to her. What if the king and the dominee were embroiled in an affair? No, she thought, pushing the thought from her mind. He always relaxed when she left his company, never displaying wistfulness or longing.
“The more eyes on the street we have,” Ibsa said, “the better our chances. She’s wearing regular street clothes. Accompanied by two Colossus warriors, she shouldn’t be hard to find.”
Unless she’s underground. Rivva gazed out the window as the idea tumbled about in her mind. Archesilaus had called the ancient tunnels The Meanders, which meant he knew his way around them. What would Rivva do in Jora’s shoes? Make sure Finn was safe. That would be her first priority. Spiriting him away would keep him out of harm’s way and put the advantage back in Jora’s lap for negotiating with the king.
Rivva might not be able to help her father against Dominee Ibsa in the light, but she could help him from the shadows. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said quietly, curtsying to the king. He acknowledged her with a glance, and she hurried away.
The Ministers of War and Foreign Matters were chatting in the hallway, and she smiled as she passed. She went upstairs to the residence floor where the royal family and their special guests slept. Down the hall from her bedroom was a room that had been used by various visiting dignitaries throughout the years. Today it was more like a comfortable prison cell, locked from the outside and guarded by an armed enforcer. He snapped to attention and saluted her.
She eyed him as she walked past on the way to her bedroom and shut the door behind her. Inside, she sat at her writing table, rifled through the drawers for a piece of paper, uncorked the ink bottle, and began to write.
Dearest Papa,
I’m sorry for what I’ve done and what I must do, but sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest. Forgive me.
All my love,
Rivva
She corked the ink bottle, wiped off the quill, and left the paper on her desk. Satisfied that her clothes, a simple blouse and trousers, and shoes were adequate for what was to come, she strode down the hallway once again.
“Shouldn’t you be out looking for the Gatekeeper with everyone else?” she asked the enforcer as she approached.
“Your Highness?” he asked.
“Oh, you probably didn’t know. The Gatekeeper has escaped from jail. Every spare enforcer, soldier, and guard is combing the streets looking for her. I was surprised to see you standing there.”
He swallowed. “Jora’s out? Then she’ll probably come here to retrieve him.”
Rivva smiled disarmingly. She must dissuade him from the idea. “Don’t be ridiculous. With the entire city looking for her, she’d be a fool to do anything but get as far away from here as possible.”
“He’s her brother.”
“I know that,” she said. “Breaking into the palace would be terribly risky. Do you think her stupid?”
“No, Your Highness. Not at all. I think her loyal and devoted. After what happened in Kaild, Finn is the only family she has left. She’d do anything to keep him safe.”
“You seem to know her well.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s your name, Justice Officer?”
“Korlan Rastorfer, Your Highness.” He bowed deeply.
Recognition bloomed, and ideas begun forming. “Oh, you’re Jora’s friend, the one she wanted to help.”
“Yes, and I thank you most sincerely for your assistance, Your Highness,” he said.
“Why did the Justice Captain assign you to guard her brother? Does he not realize you’re friends?”
“The trust she once had in me is all but destroyed, Your Highness. Justice Captain Milad hopes to ruin any hope of my ever earning it back.”
“You wish to earn back her trust?”
He looked at her pensively for a moment. “I care for Jora, Your Highness, but I must also do my duty.”
There was something in the way he said those words that made her think his duty was far from his priority. She studied his brown eyes, searching for the answer. She knew little about him aside from the fact that he still had several years of service to Serocia left before he would return home. He’d spoken of Jora’s loyalty to her family as if it was something they shared. “What if you could do both?”
“If that were possible, I would welcome the chance.”
“Then unlock the door, Korlan.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness.” He did as he was told, but sweat broke out on his brow, and his hand quivered as he slid the key into the lock.
When the door swung open, a shaven-headed man was standing there, no doubt listening to the exchange. He had dark stubble on his head and face and shared Jora’s large eyes and sharp nose, though he was taller than average where she was shorter, and he had a chiseled jaw where hers was more rounded. They looked enough alike that their shared parentage was plain.
“Finn Kyear,” she said, offering her hand, “I’m Rivva Bourye.”
Finn shook her hand gently. “Princess Rivva, I’m honored to make your acquaintance. Can you tell me why I’m here?”
“Soon. First, I need you to come with me.”
“Um, Your Highness?” Korlan said. His bald head gleamed with sweat, and it gushed down the sides of his face. “I’m not supposed to–”
“You come, too,” she told him. “By order of the princess and royal heir, you must obey.”
“Yes, Your Highness, but–”
“Do not be impudent, Justice Officer. I insist you do as I say.” She winked at him before starting off the way she’d come. The two men hesitated a step before falling in behind her.
She led the way to the servants’ staircase at the end of the hallway. Though it was dark and narrow, Rivva had used it many times to sneak down to the cellar for her occasional escape. She opened the door and waved them in. “Go slowly and step as quietly as you can. A rumble of pounding footsteps will draw attention.”
“Where are we going?” Finn asked.
“I must keep you safe, and there’s only one way to do that.”
Chapter 29
Like the others they’d passed, the wooden door was narrow and painted gray to match the stone walls of the tunnel. Etched in its surface were four symbols that Jora didn’t recognize. She traced them with her index finger. “What is this?”
“’Tis the palace,” Ludo said.
“The marks are an ancient script,” Arc explained. “Long lost, methinks, but if you spend enough time in the Meanders, you learn what symbols appear on each door.”
The symbols looked remarkably like those on the two warriors’ wrists. “So these mean palace?”
“I wot—know nie, portwatcher,” he said. “I know only the symbols on the door mark the palace. ’Tis intended as an escape for the royal family, but we who are charged wyth the king’s safety use it for to enter as well.”
She supposed it was smarter than marking the door with the word palace, in case an invading enemy found its way into the Meanders.
Arc tried pushing the door open, but it didn’t budge. He leaned his voulge against the wall, put his shoulder against the door, and rammed twice, but it held fast.
“’Tis barr’d vom inside,” Ludo said.
“We must break open the door,” Arc said.
“Who’s there?” a woman whispered from the other side of the door.
“Archesilaus and Ludovicus. We h
ave brought a froend.”
Something rattled and scraped, and then the door swung open. Princess Rivva stood in the doorway, smiling, and waved them all in.
They stepped into a storeroom, where sacks of beans and rice and flour were stacked atop each other around the periphery. Two men stood behind Rivva. Jora’s gaze went immediately to her brother, and her eyes filled with tears.
“Finn!” she cried, launching herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, not caring how much it pained her burned skin, and held him more tightly than she ever had. Tears flowed with her sobs as she clutched him to her. He was safe, thanks to all that was good. Seeing him, feeling him warm and alive, his heart beating against hers, made everything all right again.
Except that it wasn’t.
Their parents were still dead. Their brother Loel and sister Cacie, their half-siblings and cousins and step-mothers, aunts, uncles, and friends. Everyone was dead, murdered because of what Boden had seen.
No. Because of what she had seen.
“It’s my fault,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry, Finn.”
He pulled back first and took her by the upper arms, the splint on his left hand giving him an awkward grip. “Is it true? Did you murder your own elder in cold blood?”
She drew back, horrified. “God’s challenger, no. What on Aerta did they tell you?”
“Lies,” Rivva said. “They told him the lies that made them look innocent of any wrong-doing.”
“Then what’s the truth,” Finn asked.
“Telle him later,” Arc said. “We must hie.”
Jora nodded and started to suggest that they go someplace safe, perhaps leave the city to form a plan, when she noticed Korlan standing to one side, his hands clasped in front of him. He gazed nonchalantly around, as if he weren’t there. She pointed at him. “What’s he doing here?”
“He wants to help,” Rivva said.
“He’s Milad’s eyes and ears. His presence will give us away.”
“No,” Rivva said. “We’ve another wrist cuff in the vault—the one my younger brother wore. I’ll fetch it. Wait for me.”
The room dimmed by half when the princess left with her candle. The five of them stood there, each waiting for another to call her back or speak out against her plan. None dared, though Jora feared Rivva would be delayed or apprehended by Milad’s men who would know she was helping the escaped prisoners. With Truth Sayers positioned throughout the city, they could communicate quickly and coordinate their offensives. It wouldn’t take long for them to apprehend her.
“We should leave him behind,” Arc said.
“We can’t leave without the princess,” Jora said. “Her presence will buy us a measure of safety.”
“We should kill him,” Ludo said, drawing his sword.
“No,” Jora said. She stepped in front of Korlan, guarding him with her body, though she didn’t know why. His betrayal could never be forgiven. Still, he didn’t need to die for it. His family was in danger—that was the only reason he’d attacked Sundancer. “I have a better way.” She summoned Po Teng.
Finn startled and jumped back from the tree-like creature. “Challenger! What is that thing?”
“Fi-nuh,” Po Teng said. His gentle, human-like eyes were moist, as if his wooden heart were filled with emotion.
“He used to be Boden. That’s why he knows you.”
“What kind of monster summons monsters?” Finn muttered.
Tears welled in her eyes. His words cut her deeply, but she recognized too much truth in them to defend herself.
“Hold thy tongue, boy,” Arc said, his voice a growl. “The portwatcher is nie a monster. Thou’lt nie speak so about thy sister, whose only concern was for thy safety.”
“It’s all right, Arc,” she said.
“Nay, ’tis not. Thou’lt do well to mind thy tongue in my presence.” He leaned in toward Finn. “I have taken a vow to protect her and will nie stand for insults from a boy who knows nie what hath bechanced her.”
“I’m not a boy,” Finn said.
“Then cease acting the part.”
“Stop, please,” Jora said. “Finn doesn’t know all that’s happened or what we’re up against now. We mustn’t fault him for being misled. Po Teng, statuize–”
“Wait,” Korlan said, holding his palms out. “Let me help. I want to help.”
“I know,” Jora said. “I only mean to keep you statued until the princess–” She was silenced by the approach of hurried footsteps.
Arc and Ludo readied their weapons.
Rivva burst into the room, her candle extinguished. “Hurry. They’re coming.” She handed the silver bracelet to Korlan, and he clamped it onto his left wrist.
Ludo stepped into the Meanders and waited, while Arc beckoned with one hand for Jora and the others to follow him in. “Make haste,” Arc said.
“They will arrive hither erelong,” Ludo said.
Rivva went in, followed by Korlan. Jora reached for Finn’s hand, but he pulled back, out of her reach.
“No,” he said. “I’m not going with you. You’re a killer, and you need to face justice. They’re holding me hostage until you do.”
“Finn, no,” Jora said. “How could you believe that about me? I did what I had to do.” How was she going to explain about Kaild? She had to tell him that everyone they knew and loved was dead, but blurting it out now just to manipulate him into going with her was not the right time or way to do it. “The king himself pardoned me.”
“She speaks the truth,” Rivva said. “If you won’t take Jora’s word for it, then at least take mine. Would the Princess of Serocia, heiress to the throne, side with a murderer?”
The footsteps and voices grew louder as someone shouted, “Down here.”
“Forthwith!” Arc said, grabbing Jora’s arm to push her through the doorway.
“Finn, come on!” Jora cried in a loud whisper.
He cast a glance behind him, then once again at Rivva, who beckoned urgently from the doorway. Without further argument, he stepped into the Meanders, followed by Jora and Arc. Arc pulled the door shut behind him. Ludo’s candle went out, leaving them in pitch blackness.
The six of them made a human chain, each grasping the hands of the one in front of and behind him. Finn’s hand was moist in Jora’s left, much smaller than the strong, dry one in her right. She shuffled along behind, trying to ignore the skittering of rats’ feet ahead and behind them. With her foot, she bumped Finn’s heel. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“Challenger, it’s dark in here,” Korlan said.
“Why did you blow out the candle?” Rivva asked.
“We need a light,” Korlan said. “I can’t see a thing.”
“Nay,” Ludo said softly. “A candle in the Meanders casteth abundant light that is visible at long distance.”
“Portwatcher, canst you lead us by the Mindstream?”
If she used the Mindstream to guide them, she would open herself up to Milad jumping to her thread and exploring things she didn’t want him to know about. “I could, but that’s not ideal. They can Observe me.” Then she remembered her burned hands and forearms. “I can summon my newest ally. He can at least light your candles.”
“Do it,” Arc said. He stopped, pulling Jora to a stop, which pulled Finn to a halt.
“We’re stopping?” Korlan asked. “Why are we stopping?”
“Nay,” Ludo argued. “Light nie the candles.”
Jora felt a tug on her arm from Finn moving forward again, but Arc held her firmly in place. She lost her grip on Finn’s hand. A panicky feeling arose in her chest, and she groped in the darkness for him. “Finn.”
“I’m here.” Finn’s hand brushed hers, and she grasped it tightly.
I can’t lose him again, not now. Though the thought was silly, she couldn’t help the fear of losing him or the relief of having his hand in her own.
“Cease thine argument bro’er,” Arc said. “The call is mine to make.”
> “Aye,” Ludo muttered.
“Call thine ally, portwatcher.”
Jora opened the Mindstream just long enough to call for Foul. When the creature appeared, his fiery blaze was as brilliant and hot as the sun in the dark Meanders. Several of her companions cried out in pain and covered their eyes or turned their backs to him. “Can you dim yourself?”
Foul dimmed to a warm, red glow of embers. His raccoon-like form, almost reaching her hip in height, was clearer now.
“Challenger’s bloody fists,” Korlan muttered, stumbling back from the ally.
“It’s fine, Kor,” Jora said. “He won’t hurt you.”
“I know, I know. It’s just...” He licked his lips and looked around with a worried expression.
“Let us go,” Ludo said, starting forward once more. “They will follow anon. Jora, come hither. Thine ally shall lead us.”
They started forward again, now with Jora behind Ludo, though with Foul’s red glow, they didn’t need to hold hands. The rats watched boldly as the party approached and ran away, squealing, when the ally opened its mouth and hissed fire that singed their fur and lit the way before them.
The six walked in silence through the Meanders, weaving their way through the labyrinth. Jora was grateful for the Colossi’s familiarity with the tunnels. Though the tunnels were ancient, so were the two men, and their memories had not suffered the effect of time.
“Are we almost at the end?” Korlan asked. His breathing sounded louder than everyone else’s. More labored.
“Almost,” Ludo said.
“How long did it take you to learn your way around down here?” she asked.
“Yeres,” Ludo said.
“Did one of the kings have these tunnels built?”
“Nay, the Meanders were built by thieves in ancient times. The king had them flooded to drown the thieves who were hidden there. ’Tis why people say ‘a cheating husband must be drowning.’”
“I’ve never heard that saying,” Jora said.