She tried to think how far sixty feet was but the words meant nothing to her. Her body trembled in fear.
"Keep your hands inside your sleeves so you don't hit the mountain and burn your skin on the way down."
She used her arms to push off from the cliff face as Shamed lowered her, and she made it down with only one small ice burn on the knuckles of her right hand.
She managed to wriggle out of the loop of rope, no easy task with Bramble snuffling at her pockets, and let it go so Shamed could pull it back up.
A minute later, Tigen came over the top of the cliff and began bobbing his way down the face. Shortly after him, Sober followed.
Tigen rode on Bramble, sitting in front of Repentance, while Sober walked as a slave should, leading the yak his mistress sat upon.
They were going, then. They were escaping. They were going to be free. Repentance sucked in a breath—she felt free already.
Sober led the yak down the deserted road that ran along the palace grounds. Soon they would turn and head away from the palace—away from the king and the prince and the sentence of death.
"Where are we going?" Repentance asked. "And how long do we have before they come after us?"
"They shouldn't discover you missing until tomorrow. When Goodwoman Hardscrabble's girl takes you your meal, she'll report the escape."
"So we have to get through the city gates tonight." Repentance said. "They'll be looking for us tomorrow. When do they lock the gates? Are we too late?"
She looked at the moon, hanging low in the eastern sky, testifying to the early evening hour.
"The gates are locked at sunset," Sober said. "But they'll open them up for emergencies."
"What's our story, then?" She looked at Tigen. "Traveling at night because the doctor told me I had to get my sick brother to the healing house immediately or he'd die?"
Sober gave her an approving grin. "I like that one better than the one we planned. Only we can't take Tigen out of the city. He has to go back with the yak. He took Bramble out this afternoon as if he were going for a ride. We mean for him to go back tonight saying the beast ran away from him and that's why he's late."
They turned onto the main road, then. The one that ran in front of the palace. Talking ceased. Repentance could see the two huge statues of dragon hunters that guarded the palace gate. She knew a guard shack stood there, too, though she couldn't see it. They were far away, but she, a condemned assassin, was moseying along in plain view, kidnapping the prince's son. It hardly seemed like a good plan.
Long before they reached the palace gate, though, Sober cut into an alley that led down to the next level of the city.
Repentance breathed a little more freely as the palace fell behind. "Tigen, you took Bramble this afternoon? How did you sneak back into the palace without being seen?"
"There was no other way to get the yak out of the palace grounds," Tigen said. "But I had to get back in to take the boat under your cell. Shamed pulled me up the same way we came down."
She hugged him, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "You are so brave, Tigen."
"I'd go with you all the way, too. Only if I don't go back tonight, I'll never be able to go back. They'll know I helped you."
"Of course you must go back. And someday, when you're grown, you'll visit me. And we'll laugh over this adventure."
"Remember the dragons, my Lady?"
"Dragons?"
"The picture I drew in class?"
"Ah, yes, you were a big dragon and you had your wing wrapped around me."
He nodded.
"And now here you are saving me." She hugged him tighter. "Thank you, Tigen, my brave friend." Her voice broke and she gave her eyes a quick swipe with the back of her hand.
Sober turned to the right onto a major street—this one busy with yak carts going up and down and with people shopping in the stores, which lined both sides of the thoroughfare.
Repentance stiffened, seeing all the overlords.
Some wore hats and vests made from sun cloth, so they looked like giant lanterns bobbing about. Tall posts hung with suncloths and mooncloths were set at regular intervals, too, pouring more light into the street. Repentance shivered, feeling exposed and vulnerable.
She couldn't enjoy the sparkling street, the icy storefronts, or the frozen sculptures scattered willy-nilly along the walkways. All she wanted was to get out of this city. Fast. She pictured in her mind the map carved and painted on the wall of the queen's suite. She had memorized every turn. Two blocks down and three blocks to the right was the slave market with the swing frame in the courtyard. The more distance she put between herself and that, the better.
But Sober walked along at a slow pace, as if there were no place he'd rather be.
"If you were to lead us off the main street," Repentance whispered, "and into an alleyway, you wouldn't hear me complain. For all we know the troopers may be out looking for Tigen now. How long have you been gone, Tigen?"
"There are no troopers looking for me, my Lady. No one in my family will notice me missing until I return. They'll think I'm in the kitchen or some such."
"Still, I'd as soon get off this busy stree—"
A trumpet blast ripped through the thin mountain air. Repentance nearly lost her seat as Bramble jumped and bawled out his fright.
Three more blasts rang out.
"The alarm!" Tigen's whisper was full of dread. "They know you're gone."
Despise not the people you meet on the trail--
whether strong or weak or healthy or frail--
always may mercy bind you.
People will come and then people will go,
people will change, and then people will grow,
and when you are lost they'll find you.
~Songs for the Circumspect
Chapter 30
Sober dragged the skittish Bramble into the first alley he saw, stopped, and slugged the wall. "Ow!"
Repentance slid off the yak. "You do have a back-up plan, Sober Marsh, don't you?"
He ignored her, looking at his ice-burned knuckles.
"Tigen," she said, taking Bramble's reins from Sober and handing them to the boy. "You go home. If you see troopers along the way, slow them down if you can. Tell them about how your yak ran away and how glad you are to be found."
Sober looked up, a spark of hope in his eyes. "Maybe the trumpet blast is for Tigen. Maybe they've discovered him missing and not you, Repentance."
Tigen shook his head. "The alarm is just for when slaves escape. All the guardsmen come out and line up all along the wall."
"Insist the troopers escort you safely home," Repentance continued as if she'd not been interrupted. "Tell them they must, for you are far too scared to go alone."
He would be able to play that part all too well, she knew. His small face was white with fear, and tears threatened.
"I have help outside the city," Sober said. "A place to stay, food, traveling clothes. But the entire plan hung on our getting out of the city tonight."
"But I know of a safe place in the city," she said. And she'd memorized how to get there, too. "Go Tigen, and Providence go with you." She reached up and touched his soft cheek one last time. "Don't worry about us, we'll make it."
She turned the yak around and slapped his rump to get him moving.
Follow me," she said to Sober, and she took off running.
Three blocks down and another three blocks to the left. Rounding a corner from an alley onto a busier main street, she came to a sudden stop.
Two troopers on the walkway came right toward them.
Repentance spun around and stared into a shop window, her heart drumming against her ribs in utter panic. Sober stood beside her, his head down.
The troopers approached. "Pardon, my Lady," one said.
"Yes, what is it?" Repentance said without turning around. She leaned forward to look into the window, as if she had never seen anything as interesting as the men's under garments displayed t
here.
"Is this slave with you?" the trooper asked.
"Of course he's with me, who else would he be with?"
"Did you hear the trumpets? A slave has run away."
She turned to look at Sober. "Not mine. He's still here, as you can see."
"Yes, I do see," the trooper said. "Maybe you'd better get off the street, all the same. The runaway could be dangerous."
"Now that is a worthy trickle of advice, sir, and I'm going to take it." She turned and swept up the street, ignoring Sober, as she'd seen overlord women do with their slaves.
She heard him dutifully shuffling along behind her.
They turned into an alley and took off running again. Two more blocks down, one jog to the right—
"Stop!" Someone hollered from the main street.
Feet pounded on the icy ground behind them.
They were only a half a block away from safety, but Repentance jagged to the left. She couldn't go straight to Lord Carrull's with someone following.
They ducked into one alley, crossed a main road, dove into another alley and quickly hid behind a garbage receptacle.
The bell of a yak cart sounded from behind them, and a man, presumably the driver of the vehicle, cursed. "You were born without all your faculties? What are you thinking running into the road like that?"
Footsteps slapped into the alley, going full speed.
Repentance crouched beside Sober, her heart keeping time with the footsteps of their pursuer and feeling like it would burst out of her chest any moment.
The trooper flew past their hiding place.
They crawled out from behind the garbage and took off. She backtracked, re-crossed the road, slipped into another alley and skidded to a halt in front of Lord Carrull's side door.
She stopped, leaning over, trying to quiet her panting so she could hear if they were pursued.
Nothing.
She lifted the knocker and tapped it several times quietly. Each tap sent a deafening echo through the alley. Repentance looked around half expecting to be captured right there on the doorstep—on the edge of safety.
Finally an old slave woman opened the door a crack.
"Thank Providence," Repentance said. "I need to see Lord Carrull." She pushed through the door without waiting to be invited.
The woman, eyes wide with fear, left them in the hall and disappeared into the great room where Repentance had eaten dinner the last time she'd been in the house.
Seconds later, Lord Carrull burst through the door.
He stopped and stared, and then he smiled. "Repentance Atwater from Hot Springs!" He looked as she remembered. Same pale green eyes. Same tan, suede britches. "Running away again? And this time you've brought a friend. How delightful." He clapped his hands together in glee. "I will get a double reward for returning the two of you."
Repentance stood panting. What was wrong with the man? Ah. She remembered. He was playing that part. Whiney overlord letch. He played it so well it was unnerving.
"Stop acting," she said. "We need help! They're after us."
Lord Carrull gave her a hard look, his eyes going from stupidly amused, to dead serious. "Who is after you?"
"Troopers."
"And you've led them to my door? Selfish girl."
"No one saw us come here," she said. "We need a place to hide."
"Don't be ridiculous," Lord Carrull said. "Do you not remember what happened the last time you ran away? I captured you and took you back to Madam Cawrocc."
Sober looked over at her. "The last time you ran away?"
Repentance sighed. She and Sober didn't know each other well at all. There hadn't been much time for talking. That would have to come later. If they managed to survive. For now she needed to deal with the overlord standing in front of them.
"Lord Carrull," she said, "This is my friend Sober. He's assured me that this time it's different. He says my family is safe." She took Sober's hand. "My family is safe. Right?"
He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to himself. "They're fine. Everything is taken care of."
She pushed back far enough so that she could look at his face, "How do you know they're safe?"
He shook his head and threw a glance at Lord Carrull. "This is not the place to speak. Come away with me, and I'll tell you all as we go."
"Yes, that is an excellent idea," Lord Carrull said as he strode to the door and yanked it open. "You go back out in the streets. I'm sure some trooper will come along straight away and give you a ride back to the palace."
"Stop!" Repentance said to him. "Why are you being so mean?"
The overlord opened his eyes wide in surprise. "Two slaves, with troopers on their heels, show up at my door. One is a man completely unknown to me. And you think I ought to invite them in for dinner?"
"That would be a start, yes."
Sober pulled Repentance toward the door.
She resisted, locking her gaze on Lord Carrull. "Sober won't turn you in. If he wasn't trustworthy, I wouldn't have brought him here. We need your help."
"You've been on the mountain, what? Three or four months? And you've run away twice. That I know of. You aren't wise, Repentance. I can't afford to help you. I've heard that you are concubine to the king. I can't get involved with you."
Tears sprang to her eyes. "I had no choice. I had to run."
"You always have a choice."
"I'm sentenced to the frame," she said softly.
The lord's eyes flared open in surprise. His expression softened and he shut the door. "Come sit down. I can put you out as easily after I hear your story as before." He motioned them into his great room.
They took seats before the fire.
Lord Carrull rang for his servant. "Cakes and wine, please, Compassion."
When she left, he turned to Repentance. "Now tell me. Why are you sentenced to swing?"
"For trying to assassinate the king."
Lord Carrull pulled back in his chair. "You're having a joke on me. Not even you could be so hotheaded and stupid."
"I do not jest. I'm accused of trying to kill the king."
The lord gave Sober a long, hard look. "And who are you? Assassin's apprentice?"
"I am her friend." He put his hand on Repentance's shoulder.
She melted under his touch and words. Of course she knew he was her friend. He'd risked his life to save her. But to hear him say it—to have him claim her—sent a flood of warmth spreading out from his hand on her shoulder.
"Well, I won't be able to help you. But you might at least tell me why you did it before you go. Couldn't stand the thought of the king having her so you decided to kill him?" He challenged Sober with his look.
"Stop accusing us," Repentance said. "I didn't really try to kill the king. I was blamed for it, is all. Besides, you're the one who owes some explanation. The last I saw of you, I was jumped from behind and whacked over the head!"
Sober took Repentance's hand. "We're leaving."
Lord Carrull gave him a cold look. "Where do you plan to go?"
"Sober, please," Repentance said. "Lord Carrull can help us."
"Did this man capture you and hit you on the head and return you to Madam Cawrocc?"
"Not exactly. He returned me to Madam Cawrocc and then he hit me on the head." She turned to Lord Carrull. "Why did you hit me?"
"I hit you to keep you from dying with Cawrocc's gnarled fingers wrapped around your tender neck. But I must admit that I rather enjoyed hitting you. There are few selfish, unthinking, hysterical girls whose skulls I'd rather crack. You were screaming like a hog at the slaughter."
"Cawrocc was threatening to kill my sister."
"Which, of course, she couldn't do, since she didn't own you. Jadin did."
"You knew that?"
"Oh, please!"
"You could have told me, instead of almost killing me."
"I should have simply explained it all, so Madam Cawrocc would have known what good friends you and I were, h
mm?"
Sober sank back into his chair. "The two of you are friends? Repentance, could you not have simply made friends in school like other girls? Must you do everything the hard way?"
Lord Carrull broke out in hearty laughter. A moment later Sober was laughing with him.
Repentance did not see the humor of the situation.
Before she could think of a sharp retort, Compassion came with wine and cakes.
Repentance sat staring into the fire and kept her peace while the servant quietly poured and served.
After she left, Lord Carrull patted Repentance's knee and said, "Of course we are friends. And of course our friendship is an odd one. This mountain makes for odd friendships. I am afraid, though, that my friendship will be of little help to you. If you are blamed for trying to assassinate the king—" He shook his head. "Entire villages have been wiped out for less."
Repentance gasped. He spoke the truth. She had learned of several village-wide slaughters in school. But surely the king wouldn't ... he was not evil as some of his predecessors had been. The prince, though, was another matter. She could believe he would kill innocents without blinking an eye.
"Sober?" she asked in a shaky voice. "Tell me how you know my family is safe."
"Last week, Mistress Merricc sent through a request to buy your family."
"Mistress Merricc?" Lord Carrull said. "How do you know her? A fine woman, that."
"I work for her."
"Why didn't you say so earlier? She actually pays her slaves. Lets them earn their freedom. Amazing woman."
Repentance had forgotten that. She looked at Sober. "You gave up a farm where you could earn your freedom, to become a runaway slave with me?"
"Get back to the request to buy Repentance's family, please," Lord Carrull said. "Where is the family now?"
"The king granted Mistress Merricc's request to buy the family." Sober looked at Repentance. "The Hot Spring slavers knew they would get no babies out of your sister or your brothers. They knew no one would agree to button with them. So they were happy to sell. Mistress sent the king recompense for his loss, and paid the Hot Springs slavers the balance. Your whole family is at the farm."
It was all she could do to keep from kissing him. Comfort was in the sunshine and the little boys were cavorting with colts and calves. She'd never dreamed it possible.
The Button Girl Page 25