The Narrowing Path: The Complete Trilogy (The Narrowing Path Series Book 4)

by David J Normoyle

  “So...” Legrand leaned across the table, the bottom of both the white and black sides of his hair touching the surface. “About that bet. I don’t know who’s going to win. Even now, they look equally matched. You win, I help you with selection. You lose, you accept a fight in the Eye.”

  “No.” Bowe didn’t see any way he was getting selected by the Grenier family, whatever else happened at the end of the Path. On the other hand, he didn’t see any way Legrand would let him just leave, either. “Wait, let me think about it.”

  “Come on already.” Legrand leaned back in his chair. “The bet must be made before the fight is over.”

  “Let me see.” Perhaps Bowe should ask Legrand to let him go if Edison won. But Bowe sensed that Legrand saw this bet as a game. Bowe wasn’t sure Legrand meant to let him go regardless of what happened.

  The crowd let out a collective shout, and Bowe turned his attention back to the fight. Edison was on one knee and Dulnato slammed his sword down at him. Edison’s shield blocked the blade, but the force of it reverberated through his body. He stumbled to his feet and backed away, holding both sword and shield at his side. Blood wept from various gashes on both men’s bodies.

  Dulnato advanced with a smile on his face. He threw his own shield aside, grabbed his sword with both hands, and swung at Edison’s side. Edison lifted his shield, but couldn’t maintain his grip on it during impact, and it skittered from his grasp. Bowe could now see that blood soaked one side of Edison’s jerkin—he had a serious injury to go along with the gashes.

  Edison continued to retreat, looking to either side as if for help. But that wasn’t going to happen. The crowd howled for blood. Thrace stood clenching the railing. There was nothing anyone could do for Edison now. Bowe couldn’t even imagine what would happen to anyone who tried to intervene, but he knew it wouldn’t be pretty.

  Dulnato swung two-handed again. Edison raised his sword in time, but didn’t have the strength behind the block, and his own sword crashed against his body before falling from his grasp, leaving Edison on his knees, defenseless. Dulnato didn’t hesitate. He swung again, a two-handed blow that cut deep into the side of Edison’s neck. Blood spurted from the wound, spraying all over Dulnato. Edison’s corpse toppled over. Dulnato didn’t seem satisfied with his opponent’s death, and struck again and again at Edison’s corpse. The crowd roared him on. Bowe stood and turned away, sickened.

  Legrand was sitting in his chair, fingering the black side of his hair, watching Bowe. A quick glance showed that the marshals stood directly in front of the only door. Bowe swallowed, composing himself. “I’m glad I didn’t make that bet now. I wouldn’t do half as well as Edison if I had to fight in the Eye. I’ll be off now.”

  Legrand smiled. “You can’t go just yet. Dulnato will be up shortly to claim his prize, and I’m sure you’ll want to congratulate him personally.”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “Oh, I insist.”

  “Bowe,” came a shout from behind him, “over here.”

  “What in Helion’s craters...?” Legrand stood and stared open-mouthed at something behind Bowe’s shoulder.

  Bowe turned, and—no, it couldn’t be, that was impossible. Xarcon was hovering in midair in front of the Brow as if he were eight paces tall.

  “Come on—quickly!” Xarcon shouted.

  Bowe moved toward Xarcon, still not sure if he could believe his eyes. Only when he could see over the edge did it make sense. Xarcon stood on the shoulders of some of his acrobat friends. They formed a human pyramid similar to the one Bowe had seen in the marketplace.

  “Marshals!” Legrand roared. “Don’t just stand there. Get them!”

  “Give me your hand.” Xarcon reached out.

  “What are you doing?” Bowe asked as he reached out to clasp Xarcon’s hand. Then Xarcon pulled him. “No,” Bowe shouted, his stomach trying to leap clean out of his body as the rest of him began to fall. Hands grabbed at him and slowed his descent. Even so, he crashed to the ground with a thump that took the wind out of him. Above, the human pyramid unfolded and people landed all around. They all managed to avoid stepping on him, however.

  Xarcon knelt at Bowe’s side. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I was just thrown off a building,” Bowe said.

  “Sounds like you’re fine. Come on—we have to get out of here. This is no time to be lying around.” Xarcon helped Bowe to his feet.

  A bloodied Dulnato was climbing out of the circle, and marshals were beginning to converge on Xarcon and Bowe. Some of the street performers disappeared around a corner, and Bowe and Xarcon sprinted after them. They only stopped to catch their breath when they were halfway to Bellanger Mansion. No one had followed them.

  “Now, how in Helion’s shadow did you appear out of nowhere like that just in time to save me?” Bowe asked.

  * * *

  Inside the mansion, Sorrin waited for them. He let out a long sigh of relief. “Thank the Guardians. You made it.” A smile began to form on his face, then died. “Edison?”

  Bowe shook his head. “Dulnato killed him.” He shuddered. “I’m not sure his body is in one piece anymore.” A thought hit him. “We left Thrace behind.”

  “I told him that if things went badly he was to disappear discreetly,” Sorrin said. “Hopefully he did that.”

  “What just happened?” Bowe asked. Edison’s death was only now beginning to sink in. Numbness permeated Bowe’s chest. Another friend had died on his watch.

  Sorrin sat down on the bottom step of the stairs. “I suspected something was wrong the moment we stepped into the Brow. There’s normally one marshal standing guard there, but today there were four. Also, Legrand was wearing that scarlet outfit, as if he wanted to contrast it against your azure one. I figured Legrand knew we were coming and had something planned. As soon as he mentioned the mystery fighter, I was certain.”

  “Why didn’t you warn me? Why didn’t you warn Edison?” Bowe asked. Surely they should have been able to prevent it.

  “I knew Legrand wasn’t going to just let all of us walk out. I figured that he didn’t care about me, so if I could get away, I could do something to help. I told Edison when he went to get his gear that I suspected a trap, but he had to go through with it. The Greniers hunt down those who agree to a fight in the Eye and don’t turn up.”

  I should have tried harder to persuade Edison not to fight in the first place, Bowe thought.

  “So I had to hope that Edison could escape the trap by winning his fight. I also feared Legrand wouldn’t be inclined to just let you out of the Brow, Bowe.”

  “He surely wasn’t.”

  “We couldn’t openly attack the Brow. And Sindar wasn’t around; I doubt he could find a way to sneak in there, in any case. That left Xarcon, and I didn’t trust my bad leg in a footrace, so I waited here, hoping that his ingenious plan would work.”

  “I would appreciate more warning next time I’m pulled off a ledge like that.”

  The door opened and everyone collectively held their breath. Thrace walked in. Bowe rushed over, and, to Thrace’s obvious surprise, threw his arms around him and hugged him.

  Bowe released him and stepped back. “Sorry about that. I guess I couldn’t handle losing another one of you guys today, and I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Thrace face was stone. “Dulnato had no right.” His hands were balled into fists, the knuckles white. “He won the fight; he didn’t have to chop up Edison’s body.”

  “Dulnato will get what’s coming to him,” Sorrin said.

  Maybe what’s coming to him is a life of luxury and ease as an ascor, Bowe thought. Wasn’t Dulnato the kind of person the Green Path was designed to reward? On the other hand, Dulnato might have picked up too many enemies.

  “I’ll go and see how the boys’ training is getting on.” Thrace stalked out to the central courtyard. Bowe didn’t envy the escay who had to face him on the training grounds today.

  “I don’t understand how they
knew we were coming,” Sorrin said.

  Bowe sighed. “Legrand told me. It was Glil. He wanted to go back to Zidel, become his Defender once more.”

  Sorrin jumped to his feet. “That little weasel. When I get my hands on him...”

  “He was just doing what he thought was best. For himself.” Bowe wasn’t angry about what Glil did, just sad.

  “He sold Edison’s life, and almost yours, too, for a chance to get one step farther along on the Path. Maybe not even a step—Zidel will never name him chief Defender. All the while pretending to be our friend. Perhaps you can forgive him that, but I surely can’t.” Sorrin left, slamming his palm into a wall.

  Bowe realized he should be angry about it. Glil had betrayed them all, and it had led directly to Edison’s death. But what Sorrin had said made him realize why he wasn’t. It wasn’t his fault—it was the Path’s. Following the Path rewarded monsters like Dulnato and turned people like Glil into turn-cloaks.

  “Sorrin’s right,” Bowe said. Bowe had always thought Xarcon to be even-tempered, but he was anything but right now. Tension quivered through Xarcon’s body, anger reverberated in his voice, and fire burned behind his eyes. “Dulnato killed Edison in a fair fight. But what Glil did—betrayal from the shadows—that is the worst thing anyone could do.” Xarcon curled his fingers around an imaginary neck. “If I get my hands on him, he’ll be praying to Helion for a quick death.” Xarcon wasn’t much bigger than Glil, but, in that moment, Bowe had no problem imagining Xarcon tearing him limb from limb.

  Chapter 17

  7 Days Left

  Bowe was descending the stairs in Bellanger Mansion when a street urchin ran past him. He looked around. “Do we let them run around here now?” he asked, though there was no one there to answer him. He waited until the urchin ran back down the stairs and out of the mansion, and then finished descending. Then Sindar arrived.

  “I presume he had a message for you?” Bowe asked.

  “Your roof rat wants to meet me.” Sindar trudged down the stairs.

  “Why does Iyra want to meet you?” Bowe felt a sudden pang.

  “Not sure. The message wasn’t specific. Just that she needs me. I might as well see what’s going on.”

  “Wait, I’m going with you.”

  Sindar shrugged and led the way outside. The sun had set, and Helion was high in the sky.

  “I don’t think we should help Iyra,” Bowe said, walking alongside Sindar. “We’ve had a good partnership, but I don’t want to maintain it. The brotherhood won’t escape the Path if we are considered too close to the escay.” Sindar didn’t know she was in the Guild, of course, just that she had helped him sell the garnets.

  “I thought you liked the girl.”

  “No, I don’t.” The words tumbled out of Bowe’s mouth a little too quickly. “She’s an escay. I found her useful to me.”

  “You don’t remember what you said when you were in that fever, do you?”

  “There’s more?” Surely admitting that he’d worked with the Guild had been the worst of it.

  “You said you loved the escay girl.”

  “Infernam’s balls! I didn’t.” Bowe stumbled and almost fell. “Well, I know you all thought I was speaking the truth, but I couldn’t have been. I don’t even like her.”

  Sindar smirked. “I saw the way you looked at her. That’s why I asked the question. No need to be ashamed.”

  Bowe spluttered. “I never... I don’t know what you are talking about. And if I did, of course there would be a reason to be ashamed; I’m not a pervert.”

  “‘Pervert’ is just what the ascora call it; they don’t like their menfolk to venture downtown. Have no doubt that many of the older Greens have visited courtesans. All of the ascor themselves, no doubt, have tried out an escay or two in their time.”

  “What about you?” Bowe’s throat was dry.

  “I prefer ascor women. But I’ve had a sweet escay girl or two. I haven’t had to pay, mind you.” The memory of Sindar touching Iyra’s shoulder and her smiling at him rose in Bowe’s memory, and he felt sick. “They are generally dirtier, but who doesn’t like getting down and dirty once in a while?” Sindar gave an earthy laugh.

  Bowe smothered his sudden inclination to hit the thief. He decided to change the subject back to his original purpose. “I don’t think we should be helping Iyra anymore—do you agree?”

  Sindar stopped and looked at him. “I think you’re a sucker for her charms and will end up agreeing to whatever she wants. But yes, I’ll follow your lead.

  “I guarantee that won’t happen.” Bowe looked around. “So where exactly are we going?” They were heading in the direction of the docks.

  “Helion’s teeth, we’re nearly there!” Sindar lowered his voice. “We’re heading to a clandestine meeting; we shouldn’t be standing in the middle of the road gossiping like newsbards. Come on.”

  He guided Bowe to the side of the street and into the shadows. From there, Bowe followed Sindar down a series of alleyways, keeping close to the walls all the way. The streets were deserted. Other than one child peering out of a window, they saw no one.

  Once they had reached the edge of the docks, Sindar ducked into a doorway. Most of what appeared to be a warehouse was shrouded in darkness, but a torch hung in a bracket just inside the door.

  Iyra was there to greet them. “Why did you bring him?” she asked Sindar.

  “He insisted on coming,” Sindar said. “I think he wanted to see you. Ouch!” Bowe had thumped Sindar on the shoulder.

  “Well, we better get on with it, then.” Iyra looked up at the loft, then turned and spoke into the darkness behind her. “It seems safe. Come out.”

  Bowe tried to follow Iyra’s gaze to the loft, but couldn’t see anything except for a window leaking purple light onto a railing. Were they being watched? When Bowe had helped the Guild, he’d only ever seen Iyra; he had no idea what shadowy figures lurked there. He had definitely been right to stop helping them. Even though, as he’d told Xarcon, he’d come to accept that the Guild wasn’t evil, that didn’t mean he had to keep associating with them.

  A large man walked into the torchlight. He reminded Bowe of Drakasi even before Bowe noticed the large sword strapped to his waist. His features looked...different; in this light, however, Bowe couldn’t figure out exactly how.

  “Allow me to present Washima,” Iyra said.

  “It’s an honor.” He had a deep voice with an unusual accent. Washima folded his palms together with his forefingers touching his lips and bowed his head toward Sindar and then Bowe.

  Bowe felt an urge to bow in response but stopped himself. Outlanders weren’t allowed to stay in Arcandis, so this man could only be the spy who had escaped the Jarindor ship, leading to the seizure of his crewmates. “We’re not going to help you,” Bowe said. “Iyra, our deal is over. I’m not even getting money from you anymore.”

  Iyra frowned. “There is no more money—I told you that. Once you were able to pay off the Raines—and the word spread that it was because of the ruby garnets—Stenesso put a stop to any of the Grenier marshals or ascor buying garnets. It was a good plan while it lasted.” Iyra advanced on Bowe. “Did you think I was stealing your portion?”

  Bowe didn’t like having her so close. Those smoky gray eyes caught his gaze and wouldn’t let go. He took a step back. “No, I didn’t think you were stealing it. I just thought you were giving it to those servants and fighting apprentices who turned up at the mansion. As payment.”

  “No, I told you they wouldn’t require any monetary payment. Don’t you remember anything?”

  “It would appear not.” Bowe scratched the side of his head. “When did you tell me all this?”

  “It was just after you’d recovered from the poison. Or, at least, I thought you’d recovered.”

  “Did I seem happy?” Bowe asked.

  “Yes, I guess so.”

  “Aha!” Bowe exclaimed. “That doesn’t sound like me at all. I must have st
ill been fevered. Anything I said then shouldn’t be taken seriously.”

  “You said you’d save the escay I sent to you.” Iyra’s eyes narrowed and she moved closer to Bowe. “You seriously can’t remember? You’re not just having fun at my expense? Because this isn’t the time.”

  “It certainly isn’t. Time is running out,” Washima’s deep voice said.

  “I said I’d save—” Bowe gulped and stepped back. “So that’s why they’re all there.”

  “Did you think the girls just loved cleaning broken down old mansions? And that the boys wanted to get beaten black and blue by one of your Deadbeats?”

  Now that Iyra mentioned it, the girls did work with an unusual intensity. They must think they are cleaning for their lives. “So you believed this uncommonly-happy just-out-of bed patient when he promised to save virtually the whole of Helion-bathed Arcandis from the Infernam? And you got others to believe it, too?” Bowe’s voice had adopted a high-pitched edge. Why did he have to sound hysterical whenever he tried to be forceful?

  Iyra advanced toward Bowe once again. “Are you saying you can’t save them?” She took a step with each word, causing Bowe to retreat farther into the shadows. “Or that you won’t save them?”

  Now that was forceful, Bowe thought. “I’ve promised to save nearly everyone else—why not them, too?” Iyra looked ready to advance on Bowe again, so he raised his hands in surrender. “I’ll do my best. I haven’t figured out exactly what I’m going to do yet, but when I do, I won’t forget the escay.” The beginnings of a plan had started to form in Bowe’s mind, but he hadn’t yet figured out the details.

  Bowe moved sideways to get around Iyra and returned to the torchlight, where Washima and Sindar waited. I told you so, Sindar’s smirk said.

  Sindar had nothing to smile about. Bowe wasn’t giving in to her. He had previously agreed to help the escay at the mansion; he’d just forgotten about it. He hadn’t agreed to help Iyra any further. “We’re not helping the spy.” Bowe glanced at Washima. “No offense. I’ve enough on my plate without committing treason, as well.”