Shadow Road

by A. E. Pennymaker

  37. The Rimrocks

  Floubeste: (Tettian): n. a mythical creature that feeds on the nightmares of children and the anger of men. The floubeste spends its larval stage building itself a frame for its soft, formless body to move about in. To do this, it invades the bodies of whatever animals it can catch, consuming the parts it needs. Its last acquisition is the skin of a human, which it uses to blend in with human society and draw close to its real prey. In some cases, it will abduct particularly naughty children to take back to its communal lair. If that happens, the rest of the village children are spared for ten years. For several centuries, this myth was used by village women to frighten disobedient young children.

  Meet the Author

  A. E. Pennymaker, ("A" for Anna, "E" for Elizabeth, "Pennymaker" because Moneymaker seemed too on the nose... *bah-dum-tshhh*), grew up in small-town Pennsylvania as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and an artist.

  Anna fell in love with writing when she was young and went to school to be an English teacher. Life took a wild detour into one globe-trotting husband, five kids, and a forest of houseplants. Now, *cough cough* years later she balances the urge to write with the urge to procrastinate doing the laundry.

  (Writing 365, Laundry 0).

  Anna enjoys dark chocolate and a good plain latte, the smell of approaching thunderstorms, and chasing the aforementioned five kids around the wilds of Wisconsin.

  Psalm 139

  Connect with A. E. Pennymaker

  You can usually find A. E. bashing about on the following online platforms.

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  http://amazon.com/author/aepennymaker

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  https://www.aepennymaker.com

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  https://www.goodreads.com/aepennymaker

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  @a.e.pennymaker

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  Rather than cluttering up inboxes with newsletters, Anna announces all of her special offers and new releases through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. Feel free to favorite her work, follow her, leave a review, or send a message through whichever platform you prefer. You may even bump into her while she's working on her current project. She will not mind.

  Books by A. E. Pennymaker

  The Shadow Trilogy

  Shadow Road: Book 1

  Shadow Dance: Book 2 (Coming December 2020)

  Shadow War: Book 3 (Coming June 2021)

  Sneak Peek at Shadow Dance

  (Shadows Rising Trilogy, Book 2)

  With the discovery of a new lead in Nimkoruguithu, Bren Warring is pulled back into the intrigue surrounding her father's death. After having a chance at a new life on Aethscaul Island, Bren hopes that all she'll have to do is solve another code, but it soon becomes clear that there is much more at stake than finding her father's last binder full of secrets.

  When a devastating betrayal nearly costs Bren her life, trust becomes a treacherous commodity, and friends become suspects as the fight to bring the Coventry down moves from the jungle of the Colonies to the ballrooms of high society on the Altyran Coalition continent.

  Through it all, Bren must discover just how far she is willing to go to finish what her father started – and how much of herself she is willing to lose.

  Keep scrolling and you will find bonus content from the next book in Pennymaker's Shadows Rising series, coming December 2020.

  1. Three Days Aboard the Coralynne

  22nd of Nima

  With a sigh, Raggan sat down at the tea table outside my cabin, then lowered a grain sack from his shoulder to the floor. He gave me his famous gap-toothed grin as he fished around in his breast pocket for his clay pipe and tobacco pouch. "How goes your first morn back at sea, Miss Westerby?" he asked, tamping a pinch of tobacco into the bowl of his pipe. He lit it with a pocket flint, then sat back and took a long, easy draw on it, watching me expectantly.

  I couldn't formulate a reply, so I just lifted my mug of hot Praidani. That was all the breakfast I could handle. I might as well have thrown the piece of toast overboard without eating it first.

  "Ah," Raggan grunted. "Land legs gettin' to ya."

  I gave him a tight little grin and turned to stare at the passing scenery again.

  Another island, dark rocks, vibrant greenery. They were getting smaller, now. This one was too steep and too 'new' to support large trees, and there were only small signs of wildlife here and there.

  Parading through the islands from largest to smallest wasn't the only difference between this trip and the last. This time we were aboard the Coralynne, which was smaller and sleeker than the Stryka. It was also built with creature comfort in mind. Where the Stryka had cannons and grappling hooks, the Coralynne had a full formal ballroom and canteen. Where the Angpixen had a large forward hold and a handful of cabins for the officers, the Coralynne had thirty-five individual cabins, four of which were staterooms, and all of which opened onto a generous promenade deck overlooking the sea. We even had individual lounge chairs and tea tables.

  Another change on this ship was that NaVarre wasn't NaVarre. The crew referred to him as Lord Braeton, and they treated all the rest of us as if we were guests on a luxury vessel. This was done on purpose. We had to look like what our papers said we were: legitimate civilians sailing about as Lord Braeton's retinue of servants, bodyguards, and hangers-on. There wasn't a single Navy-issue anything on board, and everyone – even Raggan – was wearing civilian clothing.

  I felt distinctly like I had stepped through a hole in reality and landed on a holiday trip.

  I wasn't alone. Raggan snorted lightly as he looked around, taking in the high-gloss polish on the woodwork, the gleaming brass accents, and the cushions in each lounging nook. There was even insect netting gathered in tiers at the edge of the overhang above us.

  "Sure makes workin' fer 'ome and country look right dull, don't it?" He shook his head. He pulled a small knife from his pocket, then dug in the bag at his feet and came out with a small chunk of driftwood. The fragrant scent of pipe smoke drifted in the air around us as he loosened his new neckerchief, propped his legs out straight, crossed them at the ankle, unfolded his knife and began whittling.

  Grim, I took a sip of tea, wondering if Ydara and the girls were done making breakfast, and what Jinny would think when I didn't show up. I had only been there nine days, hardly long enough to do more than leave several tasks unfinished. A pile of personal records was still sitting on my desk waiting to be translated, for one. I wasn't there to help the Doctor, either, but Jinny could do both. Would anyone even notice I was gone?

  "Don't you worry, lass," Raggan said quietly. "You'll find yer way back."

  I shot a glance at his blunt profile. How much had Arramy told him? I knew the captain trusted Raggan more than many, which was why he was among the dozen or so men Arramy had hand-picked to come on this mission, but did Raggan know why I was there? Did he know how dangerous this might actually be, or what would happen after?

  Questions flew around like moths in my brain. My stomach knotted up again and I closed my eyes, only to snap them open a second later when the captain's singular tread sounded on the nearby stairwell, descending from the observation deck.

  "Well, there's me cue," Raggan said, folding away his knife. He flashed a little smile as he tapped out his pipe and swept wood shavings off my tea table. Then he bent and tucked his bag of driftwood beneath his chair. "Cap'n got us doin' heavy drills an' such, puttin' the pirates through their paces. Save me spot?"

  I nodded carefully, then had to swallow down a surge of nausea while he jogged off after Arramy.

  23rd of Nima

  There was another strategy meeting this evening. NaVarre – no, strike that, Lexan Rammage, Lord Braeton, the Earl of Anwythe – said that we should arrive at his plantation landing in two days. From there it would be a day's ride to Nimkoruguithu by horseless, whereupon I would have to walk into the Lion's Perch. Alone.
Or nearly. There was still some debate as to how many should go in with me. NaVarre said it should be just me, so we didn't spook the pub owner. Arramy wanted a complement of at least five.

  Weary of listening to their vicious back and forth, I left before they had reached any sort of agreement.

  Penweather was on the promenade, leaning on the rail, smoking a cheroot and staring out at the mist lying low and pale between the islands in the light of a dying sunset. He heard me coming down the stairs from the command deck and turned to look at me.

  "Miss Westerby," he said, dipping his head as I passed.

  "Mr. Penweather." I offered him a smile, polite, but distant, just like every other time since that night on the beach.

  "Miss Warring, might I ask..."

  My heart skipped a beat, apprehension settling cold in my middle. I paused, giving him a sidelong glance.

  He took the cheroot from his mouth, gesturing with it as he said, casually, "Pardon me. It's not really any of my business whose company you keep, but I can't fathom why NaVarre would want to bring you along. It doesn't make any sense."

  "I think maybe you need to ask the captain," I said stiffly.

  That got his attention. He took another drag on his cigar, making the ember glow bright in the gloom, illuminating eyes narrowed in thought beneath lowered brows.

  I firmed my chin and kept walking, heading straight for the door to my cabin.

  My fingers were shaking so much it took three tries to slide the bolt into the lock.

  24th of Nima

  We left the last of the Rimrocks behind, today, and started up one of the main tributaries that twist like snakes through the Ulba River Basin.

  The plan: to arrive at the plantation landing late tonight, then set out at dawn for Nimkoruguithu, with Braeton, Arramy and I hidden in the back of a draft wagon carrying a shipment of sugar cane.

  2. The Lion's Perch

  25th of Nima

  Nimkoruguithu basked in the late morning sunlight, a sprawl of metal and concrete buildings put up side by side in a hurry and added onto even faster. The streets were wide, though, much wider than they were in Edon. Everything in Nim K was like that; big, with lots of open spaces.

  It felt very much like I was walking right out into a test-shooting field with a target strapped to my head. I had to keep telling myself to breathe as I strolled along the boardwalk, scanning all the signs that jutted from the second story.

  There it was, halfway down the block, just as it had been described: dingy yellow shingle, faded red lion perching like a bird in the branches of a grey tree, the words 'Lion's Perch Saloon' in plain red letters along the bottom.

  Just go in and sit down. This will all be over soon. Just go in and sit down... I reached the front doors. This will all be over... soon... I placed my hand on the handle of the accordion door, took a breath, and pulled it open, my heartbeat thundering even though I knew the captain was supposed to be right behind me. I hesitated just inside, and there he was, swaggering in on my heels, brushing past me and aiming for the bar as if I had merely been an annoying obstacle in his way.

  I shot a glare after him but didn't say anything. The great argument over who and how many should come in with me had resolved into Arramy grudgingly assigning himself the job of undercover bodyguard because NaVarre had a famous face, and for all his grumbling about it, I had to admit I really didn't mind. The people of Nim K had a bad reputation for shooting first without bothering to ask questions later. If things went sideways, I could probably do much worse than the man who had outsmarted the Bloody Red Fox.

  Glancing around, I tried to get my bearings. The interior was dim, with no decorating scheme to speak of, unless mismatched and off-kilter could be called a style. Scores of antlered animal skulls were mounted on the wall above a huge fireplace, the floor was covered in nut shells and a fine layer of sawdust, and there were barrels and crates in place of chairs. None of which really mattered. I needed to find a table. There was no receptionist or usher, NaVarre had said. I simply had to find a spot and sit, and one of the kitchen workers would come over to take my order.

  It sounded like barbarism, but thankfully it wasn't complicated.

  There weren't many other customers. Three men were playing a game of cards on a barrel by the only window facing the street. Two women who looked every bit as battle-hardened as Arramy were sitting at the far end of the bar. Neither the women nor the men paid Arramy any mind. He fit right in, with a few days' worth of stubble darkening his jaw, and that metal-studded leather vest buckled over a scruffy grey shirt, and the set of pistols slung low at his hips. No. It was me they all looked at.

  In my refugee clothes, I must have seemed drab and unremarkable, though, because their interest faded after a cursory once-over, and to my relief no one stopped me as I began walking toward the row of booths along the far wall.

  I chose the one in the left-hand corner and tried to keep from looking as nervous as I felt as I scooted into the bench facing the room.

  It wasn't a long wait. A young woman about my age came out of the kitchen, and when she saw me, she made a beeline for my table. She gave me a warm, welcoming smile, which seemed out of place in such a cave of an establishment, and asked in heavily accented Low Altyran, "Wakinagitcha?"

  I smiled back. "Butter cones, please."

  "Roit," she said brightly. "Beritba." Be right back. The 'with that' apparently had to be understood. Interesting.

  She told someone in the kitchen that there was another order of butter cones, and then one of the biggest men I had ever seen, overlarge pirates and a certain Navy captain included, came lumbering out, wiping his huge hands on his apron as he walked down the inside of the bar. He bent over by the money box, reaching for something under the counter. When he stood again, he had a clay bottle in one beefy palm, and he was reading the label as he turned to go back into the kitchen. Just before the door closed behind him, he looked in my direction, his gaze skating over my features. Then he continued on through the serving doors with no other indication that he had seen me.

  That was it. That was the moment NaVarre had been so terrified about. One split-second study.

  I chewed my lip and tried not to fidget.

  A few minutes later, the girl came back with a plate piled high with butter cones. She also brought a pot of cane syrup and a thick wedge of creamy white sweet cheese.

  There wasn't anything else to do, so I waded in, and I had to admit the big man knew his way around a butter cone. They were perfectly crisp on the outside, light and airy on the inside, the top forming a crunchy little peak, the hollow inside filled with fluffy cream. In different circumstances, I might have actually enjoyed them.

  Then the girl came back with an urn of Praidani and poured some into a mug without being asked. I glanced up at her, mildly confused. Her eyes widened as she put the mug down in front of me. Carefully, so I could see the note stuck to it, but anyone watching couldn't.

  "Taya," I whispered. Thanks.

  "Yawellca, Miss. I'll giyit wenyadun."

  I nodded. She wasn't talking about coming back for the dishes. I was going to have to memorize what was on that note.

  I picked up the mug as she left, made sure no one was looking, then took a closer peek at the scrap of wet paper.

  2200 tonight. Park bench on Lagrossa. He'll find you.

  I took a sip to give myself a reason for holding the mug near my face, then grimaced and put it down again. That part wasn't pretend. I might as well have been drinking tar.

  Like magic, the girl came bustling back out, exclaiming, "Y'askin fer'randge n'alosye. Gongoroitoumemindamorn!" ("You asked for orange and I forgot. Going right out of my mind this morning!") She proceeded to remove the mug and replace it with a chipped little porcelain cup of orange provincial. Then she went back into the kitchen, taking the note with her.

  Apparently, our transaction was over.

  I took a few more bites of butter cone and sipped my tea, then put my fo
rk on my plate.

  That was Arramy's signal. Immediately, he finished off whatever he had ordered, tossed a coin on the bar, and went striding out of the Lion's Perch like he had somewhere to be. He did. He was supposed to make sure nothing happened to me while I walked down to the 'extraction point,' as the two of them kept calling it, where I would meet NaVarre.

  I paid the bill when the girl came back to collect my plate, then got up and made my way out into the early morning sunlight. I turned right and began wandering down the boardwalk.

  Wherever Arramy had gone, I couldn't see him. To my annoyance, not seeing him made me feel very, very alone again. I gave myself a mental shaking, but still that creeping-insect sensation snuck up my spine.

  'Act like a tourist,' NaVarre had said. Tourists took their time. Tourists window-shopped. They didn't rush along with their head down like they were running from someone. I tried not to, but I started moving faster and faster the farther I got from the pub. I couldn't help it. My neck was prickling, the sensation of being stalked clinging to me the entire way down the street to the corner where NaVarre was waiting in a hired horse drawn cab. I was out of breath by the time I climbed inside and collapsed in a heap on the threadbare cushion across from him.