“Tui?”
“Yeah, I heard you. I don’t know, Raven. There’s one last loaf of bread in my pack. I suppose we could find that stream again. Catch more fish. Maybe we could dry some in the sun to take with us. Or … turn back, I guess. Maybe there’s a better way to get word to Baldachin. Maybe Leif —”
“I know. Maybe Leif has found Nile by now. We probably should have waited …”
“But maybe not. Maybe we’re going in the right direction, after all. I know I came through this way. Somewhere.”
“True. I think I’ll sleep on it. I’m tired.”
“Me too, Raven.”
The sun is up far too early. I pull my blanket over my face, wanting only to keep sleeping. I smile, remembering my dream. Leif. He and I on Nuimana’s shore. The warm, salty breeze blowing his loose hair. He touches my cheek, softly, and my stomach flutters. I don’t want to be awake. Not yet. I reach up and touch my own cheek, as he has done many times in real life, and I miss this terribly.
There’s a small voice on the other side of my blanket, and it snatches me from my fantasy.
“Miss Raven. Can I have something to eat?”
I bite my hand to stifle a groan. “Of course, Rosie.” I throw my blanket back and smile at the girl. “Can you grab the bread from Tui’s pack?”
When she returns with the loaf a few moments later, I split half of it between the three of us.
While Tui smothers the fire, I announce my decision. “Let’s keep going. I don’t want to give up. One more day.”
“Might as well,” he agrees. “At least we’ve got little chance of running into any Hunters out here.”
It’s mid-morning when I spot it: another blue ribbon tied to a low tree branch. I’m not sure what these small signs are leading to, but we must be going somewhere. But I still have no idea what’s up ahead.
We keep on until the sound of water reaches my ears. Sure enough, it looks like we’ve reached a small river.
Tui stops Pango next to me as we consider what to do. “Shall we cross it?” he asks.
I look up at the sun. Directly above, I can’t tell which direction is which, but I do know that rivers run downhill. I shake my head. “No, let’s follow the river up. We’ll be able to make it through these trees, at least.”
“Sure thing, m’lady.” Tui turns Pango and starts upstream.
We follow the river all afternoon; eventually we feel the elevation has begun to climb. Our spirits rise when we find wild strawberries along the way. And best of all, that evening Tui and Rosie catch three fish. We roast them over a small fire, and each hungrily devour one.
It’s not long after we start out the following morning that I get the sense we are no longer alone. But still, there’s no sign of anyone, or anything. Not even a blue ribbon.
Which is why Pearl rears up in the air with alarm when the man jumps out of the trees before us. He’s wearing brown leather—not a speck of violet, to my relief.
He waves his arms. “Shhhh! Don’t be afraid! Were you turned back by the King’s Hunters?”
I hesitate. Who is this man? And how much should I tell him? In a split second, I decide to tell the truth. “Yes, we were. Who are you?”
“A friend. Come with me.” He turns and then swiftly wades across the river, disappearing into the trees on the other side.
I look at Tui. He shrugs.
I look back to where the man disappeared into the trees. This time, I can make out a faint trail. Ahead of us, the riverbank is choked with broken tree stumps and boulders; it’s been getting more difficult to find our way upstream.
It only makes sense to follow the man. Pearl easily makes her way through the shallow river, and we enter the trees on the opposite bank. Once on the path, I can tell it’s well traveled. I can’t see the man any longer; he’s run off into the trees.
Voices carry toward us. I start to hesitate, but I take a deep breath and keep going. Maybe these people can help us.
The trees thin out, and we find ourselves in a large clearing. Tents are set up around the perimeter, and various animals mill about, grazing. A large fire pit smolders in the center of the clearing. There are dozens of people too, and as we emerge into view, each of them stops what they are doing to stare at us with curiosity. They whisper and nod to one another, but nobody speaks to us at first.
A small bearded man steps out from the crowd, removing his hat as he does so. His bright-green eyes shine warmly at us.
“Raven! Leif! You’ve found us!”
It’s Nile Phineas—Leif’s father.
Chapter 11
Leif
It’s been days since Raven left, and I still haven’t gotten a single lead on where Papa might be.
I keep patrolling with the Hunters—even though it makes me nauseous each and every time I do. What’s more is there’s been no talk of Raven. I thought for sure when she threatened the Hunters at the gates that Araroa would know she had returned. That the hunt for her would be on. But so far, nothing. Business as usual.
At least I get the chance to find out which families they are targeting. And warn them the Hunters are coming for them. Sometimes people believe me and manage to leave before the Hunters arrive. A lot of the time they don’t.
But I can’t save them all. Not even close. They never take the whole family. Usually only one parent. Or maybe an older child. I am surprised when the others refuse to cooperate. I suppose it’s because they’ve got nothing to lose, after.
Imogen’s cottage cellar grows more crowded.
It grows more angry.
It’s usually dawn when I return. I am exhausted. Not from lack of sleep. I am exhausted from pretending that the Treasoners are a subhuman species. That their lack of allegiance means they need to be snuffed out. Still, there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to this. More of a warning than a punishment.
But I’m going out again tonight. I must find Papa and get back to Raven.
We need Raven.
I need Raven.
Even if she doesn’t need me.
It was Papa who first told me about her, after all. He’d just gotten back from a delivery trip. Said he’d come across a group of the King’s men on his way home. At first they wouldn’t tell him what they were doing out there, so far from the Bastion. But when he offered to trade—drink for information—they happily obliged. That was when he learned the King’s daughter was still alive. Alive and heir to the throne of Nadir. A true Woman King. He swore he’d help find her. But not for the same reasons.
The violet coat makes my neck itch. Worse, it makes my face burn as people slam their doors when I pass.
I’m on my way to find my usual group of Hunters in West Market. I can’t help passing by Papa’s and my home and looking in the window. It looks the same as when I was there with Raven. No sign of Papa.
I find the Hunters hanging around in an alley. Smoking. I try not to cough as I join them in the thick haze. One offers his pipe to me. I decline, in what I hope is a polite manner.
“Bit of an unusual request from the King today,” the lead Hunter mumbles. He blows a series of smoke rings into the air. We all wait for him to continue. “He’s put a curfew into effect. Won’t make our job much more difficult. Hardly anyone comes out at night as it is.” More smoke rings.
“What do we do if we find someone?” I ask. I put my sleeve up to my mouth, allow myself a small cough. The smoke is so thick my eyes are starting to water.
He takes another puff of his pipe. Exhales. “We’re to detain them. Dungeon until the next shipment out.”
I look around at the other men. They look as bored as ever. “Shipment?” I immediately regret asking the question. Once again speaking before thinking, as Papa always warned me about not doing. Surely the other Hunters know exactly what this means.
But our commander simply snuffs his pipe out, tucks it back into an inside pocket of his jacket. “To the prison camps up north. Dungeon would be stuffed full with all these Treasoner
s. Come on, let’s get on with it.”
We leave the alley, slithering out into the empty street.
Prison camps?
I know just where Papa is. And I need to get myself on the next shipment out.
Chapter 12
Nile scans Tui, Rosie, and me, then peers into the trees behind us. His smile melts into a concerned frown.
“Where’s Leif? Is he not with you?”
My heart leaps into my throat, constricting my voice. I shake my head.
Thankfully, Tui is able to speak. “I’m sorry, Nile. He’s still back in the Bastion. Looking for you, actually.”
Nile’s hand drifts up to his mouth, and he shakes his head. “Oh dear. This is not good,” he mumbles into it.
I clear my throat. “He was supposed to be with us?”
Nile nods. “I had sent word … but, wait—where are our manners? Please, let us put up your horses and get you three something to eat.” I don’t argue.
Nile helps Rosie down, and I follow the two of them toward the large fire pit in the center of the clearing. I look back and watch the man who had found us in the woods lead Pearl and Pango to where a handful of other horses are grazing.
Nile notices my hesitation. “That’s Ben. He’s been with us for quite some time. He’ll make sure your lovelies are taken care of.”
I turn back to the man with Leif’s twinkling green eyes. He’s holding Rosie’s hand warmly. “Who is ‘us,’ exactly?”
Nile is smiling again. His eyes flick down to Rosie’s blond head. “Ah, all in good time, m’lady. Let’s get some lunch first.”
As we get closer to the fire, the smell of stew fills my nostrils. My mouth starts to water at the promise of a hot meal. Before I know it, huge bowls of the stew are thrust into our hands, and we settle on some logs to eat. Rosie wolfs hers down and is asking for another bowl seconds later.
When Tui finishes his second bowl, he excuses himself to help unpack the horses.
“Rosie, why don’t you see if those children need another ball player?” Nile points at a dozen kids of various ages kicking a ball back and forth in a circle at the far end of the clearing. Rosie hesitates, looking at me.
“Go on and play, Rosie. I’m not going anywhere.” She grins and then eagerly runs off to play, her little legs flying.
“Who’s the girl?” Nile asks. “Is she a relation of yours?”
“No, her parents were taken by Araroa. She’s got an older brother left. But he’s gone to fight, or so Rosie says. I’m not sure what she’s talking about. But perhaps we’ll be able to find him.”
“Fight?” Nile’s confused look doesn’t make sense. He knows everything that’s going on in the kingdom, having traveled as a salesman for most of his fifty-plus years.
I shrug. “I think she means he’s with some Treasoners somewhere. But anyway, what’s this about you expecting Leif?”
A dark shadow passes over Nile’s face. “Yes. But first, I have to apologize for my note that reached you in Nuimana. For any alarm it may have caused.”
Remembering that he sent the note deliberately—and not because he was in danger as it had stated—makes irritation swell up inside me. But I take a deep breath and try to remember that his intentions were good. Besides, if news of Araroa’s Hunters moving west, causing death and destruction in their path, reached me, helpless, in Nuimana—that would have been far worse.
“It’s still causing alarm. Leif thinks you are imprisoned by the King somewhere. Or detained in some other manner, or else he would have heard from you. Although they’ve already searched the dungeons. Of course you weren’t there.”
“No. I never was. I got the chance to travel with these kind people, and I took it. I probably should have told Imogen—but I didn’t want to give her the chance to convince me not to leave. I sent word weeks ago to Leif, asking him to tell Imogen where I was and that he should come with you this way. Did he not receive it?” He shakes his head, tugging at his white beard. “No, silly me. Of course he didn’t. Otherwise, Leif would be with you.” He sighs.
“You’re right. Leif received nothing of the sort. And he would be with me, on our way to Baldachin, if he had.”
“Oh dear—” Nile’s hand halts in midair. “What’s that you say about going to Baldachin?”
“It’s where Tui and I are headed. We need to warn my family that Araroa knows about me—about where I’m from. And that Hunters are heading their way.”
Nile’s brows are furrowed as he carefully considers what to say next. “M’lady. You are right about that. Your family is in danger. I do not think you should go yourself, however. There are Hunters everywhere—if they are headed that way, they’ll be sure to find you. You must stay hidden …” His voice trails off, but I can tell he has more to say.
I wait.
“And I have to admit that the note going missing is not very good news. If it fell into the wrong hands, that’s very bad. Or could be.”
“What did the note say, Nile?”
“Oh dear,” he repeats. More beard stroking.
“Nile?” My eyes glint, demanding he tell me the truth. Now.
He puts his hands together and rests his finger under his chin.
“No, no. It will be all right,” he mumbles, mostly to himself.
“What did the note say!”
“Well, it’s not what it said, really. All I wrote was to come in this direction until further instruction arrived. Which you’ve done. So that is good.”
“Except I don’t have Leif with me.”
“Yes. But the bad news is I addressed it to both you and Leif. And if somebody has intercepted the note, Leif could be in a very bad position right now. If they do capture him—”
“They’ll torture him until they get him to admit where I am.”
“Yes. That is what I fear. I am so very sorry, m’lady. I’ve not had this happen before. My people are very trustworthy. My words normally get to where they’re intended.”
I press my lips together, wanting so badly to scream out at him. How could he put it in writing that Leif and I are together? How could he be so careless?
“Well,” I finally say, doing my best to keep my voice even. “These are not normal times.”
“No, they’re not, m’lady. Indeed, they are not at all.”
Nile and I watch the fire for a few moments while I digest what he’s said. I need to go back and find Leif. If the King’s Hunters find him first, he’ll be in mortal danger. They could find out from him that I’m heading to Baldachin, and at the rate I’m going now, they’ll surely be waiting for me when I arrive. And now I’ve got Rosie to worry about, and Tui, of course. As usual, everyone I love is in peril. All because of the decisions I’ve made.
Maybe Nuimana is where I should have stayed, after all.
But I’m here. And something needs to be done.
“Nile—do these people know who I am?” The others at the camp have been watching us talk, under the ruse of going about their tasks. But I can’t help noticing nothing’s really getting done. Even from a distance I feel the burn of their eyes.
Nile looks at me warmly. “They do, m’lady. They’ve been waiting for you. Long before they even knew they were.”
“Treasoners as well, then? Like those Imogen was with? Have they also sworn allegiance to—” My heart skips a beat, and I can’t finish the sentence.
“Yes, to you, m’lady. The Bastion is no longer safe for us. At least out here we can stay in hiding until the time is right.”
“What time is that?”
“When old King Araroa dies and you can be crowned Woman King of Nadir.” He’s grinning at me, emerald eyes twinkling under his white brows. “I hear Sufa has been very pleased with how you’ve been leading on Nuimana.” He notices my shocked look. “My sea captains always bring me reports when they return for more … shipments.”
Of course. But all I can manage to say is this: “Yes, Sufa and the people of Nuimana have been very kind to
me. I miss them.”
Nile pats my knee, then stands. “I’m very certain they miss you too.” He offers a hand to help me up.
Nile shows me around the camp for the next hour, introducing me to the various members. Most everyone is part of a fractured family: missing mothers, fathers, aunts … all taken by Araroa and held for treason. Or possibly worse.
I speak with one young man called Hamish, whose wife was imprisoned six months ago. She’d been a laundress at the Palace but had quit, declaring she wouldn’t take another penny from Araroa after he’d killed Seraphine. They’d ordered her back to work but she’d refused.
“Where is she now? Do you know?”
Hamish shakes his head sadly. “No, I do not, m’lady. She wasn’t executed—not publicly, at least. She is simply gone.”
Gone. Like Rosie’s parents. Like so many others I’m hearing about. “Are they taking them somewhere else, do you think? Outside of the Bastion?” I direct my question to Nile.
“It’s possible. Very possible, in fact, that Araroa has set up a prison camp away from the Bastion. So many have disappeared …” His voice trails off, and I know exactly who he’s thinking about. Because I’m thinking of the same person: Leif.
With Leif’s image still in my mind, I look at Hamish, right in the eyes. “We’ll find her. We’ll find your wife.” I hold out my hand. He takes it and bows, planting a kiss on the back of it. Still lowered, his eyes join mine again, and this time his are wet with tears. “Thank you, m’lady. Thank you kindly.”
I smile at him, even though I have no idea how we’re going to do it. But we will find them. We’ll find them all.
It’s dark in my tent when I wake up, although I had intended to take only a short nap. When I emerge into the clearing, the first thing I notice is the fire has been built up to an enormous size. There’s a large form roasting above it, sizzling. The Treasoners are milling around, and there’s a buzz of excitement.
But when I reach them, I nearly fall down. Four of the men are wearing violet Hunter’s coats. I turn to run back into my tent, or into the woods, somewhere away from here. Tui grabs my arm first. “Raven! You’re up! What’s wrong?”
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