Chapter Thirty-Five
THIRTY-FIVE
ASPETH
“There’s no accident,” Magpie announces after Hawk sets off with the guild messengers. She’s got five packed bags on the table in front of her, weapons laid out. “Or there was, but it was by design. Had to say something to get him to head out.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, distinctly aware of the wetness between my thighs. I want to go into our quarters and clean up and change, but Magpie and the others seem determined to talk right now. “What’s the accident? Who was hurt?”
“No one should be hurt,” Lark explains, casting a frustrated look toward her aunt. “We just knew that Hawk wasn’t going to leave your side for a regular retrieval. So we talked to the right people and they staged a cave-in at a tunnel far away from Drop Thirteen.”
“But no one was hurt ,” I emphasize. “Right?”
Lark looks over at Magpie.
Magpie shrugs.
I’m appalled. “So not only did we collapse a tunnel that might have precious artifacts and historical findings, but there might have been someone in there?”
“Do you want to do this or not?” Magpie demands. “Because if you want to wait for Hawk to come back and try to explain that you’re stealing from the guild to save your own neck, be my guest. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
She says it in a way that makes it very clear that Hawk would not, in fact, understand.
My heart sinks.
Gwenna moves to my side. “We talked this over with Magpie’s contact,” she says, voice soothing and even as she pats my shoulder. “The tunnel we collapsed is a training tunnel, and no one’s utilizing it at the moment because they’re all in the regular tunnels.”
“And Magpie’s friend planted a team flag in the rubble so it’ll look like someone was there, which means Hawk will be busy trying to dig them out, but it’ll be discovered later that it was a clerical error and oops, no one was ever actually down there.” Mereden offers me a wavering smile.
“It’s a good plan,” Magpie says, voice brusque. “Don’t weasel out on me now.”
I can’t believe this is the grand plan. Collapse a tunnel? Sneak away in the dark while Hawk is off saving people? Things feel as if they’re spinning out of control rapidly. “I thought we were supposed to get a counterfeit pass. Pretend like everything had been approved.”
“My contact suggested this instead. Do you want to go down or not?” Magpie’s impatience is evident. “The sooner we head into the Everbelow, the sooner we get back before Hawk suspects anything. He doesn’t have to know about stolen rings or anything we find. In fact, it’s best you don’t tell him at all. The moment he knows you’re a thief, he’s going to turn you in to the guild and then we’ll all be stripped of any rank and kicked out the door.” She gestures at me. “And then your father still won’t have anything to protect his hold.”
“Right. Of course.” The old anxiety returns, a tight ball of dread in my stomach. I’m out of choices. “It’s just that the timing is rotten. I can’t go. Tomorrow is the Conquest Moon.”
Magpie shakes her head. “It’s not a problem. We’ll be back before dawn.”
“How is that possible?” I think of the hours we walked last time just to get to our level. We know the area the ring will be in, but that doesn’t mean we’ll find it right away. There are no absolutes. “The timing—”
“I have a way to get us in and out quickly,” Magpie says, her gaze sharp. “We can be down in the tunnels within the hour. If we don’t have the ring before dawn, we’ll come back and try again.”
“It’s cutting it too close,” I protest, even as I’m filled with desperate yearning. Goddess, if this could work, it would fix all my problems….
“We’ll be back before dawn,” Magpie repeats. “I swear it on Lark’s life.”
“Hey!” Lark cries.
“Now, are we doing this?” The guild master straightens, her shoulders going back. “Or is it all for nothing?”
Her words make my innards clench with anxiety. All for nothing echoes in my head. What if she’s right? What if we can get there and back before dawn? Hawk will never know, and I’ll be here for the Conquest Moon. It can all line up perfectly.
“Tell me how we’re going to get down there,” I insist. “Because the path takes hours to walk.”
“An artifact. I can’t tell you more without getting someone else in trouble.”
Strangely enough, hearing that fills me with confidence. An artifact. Of course it’s an artifact. That’s how she’s going to get us in and out quickly. Even though it’s risky, I have to do this. I have to. Even if I hate it. Even if it makes me anxious about the timing. We know where the ring was found. We can locate the other, bring it back prior to morning, and return before Hawk suspects anything. “I promised Hawk I’d be here for the Conquest Moon,” I say to Magpie. “No later than dawn.”
“Dawn,” she agrees. “I’m fine with that.”
It’s decided, then. Even so, I shift my weight on my heels and am aware once more that Hawk’s seed is dripping down the inside of my thighs. “I have time to change, I hope?”
Magpie nods. “Quick, though. You’re gearmaster for this particular excursion. I’ll pack everything that you need but we have to be gone as soon as possible. Someone’s meeting us at the tunnels to drop us in and we have to be there before he gets skittish.”
Right. There’s no time to waste.
Our packs strapped to our backs, weapons in hand, we file through the streets of Vastwarren in the darkness, heading for the fiercely guarded heart of the city—the entrance to the tunnels of the Everbelow. I’ve changed into my now-comfortably-familiar uniform and washed up after my interlude with Hawk, and my hair is bound into a tight bun at my nape, my spectacles cleaned of all fingerprints and smudges. My body aches with fatigue, but I’m not tired—my mind is racing.
I can do this. I can save my father’s keep. Save the people there. Save my bloodline.
Save my own neck.
This time, instead of cutting through the impressive guild hall, we move along the wall that surrounds the drop zone. We meet a stranger there, lurking in the shadows behind a shop that touches the brick of the tall wall. He emerges from the darkness with a rope ladder, gesturing that we should hurry. “If you get caught, it’s on you,” he says, handing it over and then racing away once Magpie presses a coin into his hand. “Luck to you.”
“Encouraging,” Gwenna murmurs to me, but she always gets sassy when she’s worried. Me, I just get an anxious knot in my gut that grows larger by the minute. “Hope you feel like climbing a rope in the middle of the night.”
“Well, it was part of the obstacle course,” I have to admit, watching as Magpie hooks it against the crenellation with skill. A moment later, Kipp scales the darn thing without pause. “They did try to train us.”
“So they did, damn it.” Gwenna makes a face and steps forward. “Fine, I’ll go next. Let’s get this over with.”
Despite her griping, Gwenna clambers up the wall with little effort, and disappears onto the other side. Lark and Mereden each go up, both with a fair amount of skill, and I’m proud of them for how far they’ve come. A month ago we wouldn’t have been able to manage. When it’s my turn at the rope, I’m not nearly as adept as the others. I manage to get about halfway up before my arms get weak and I struggle. Magpie climbs up behind me and shoves on my backside, foisting me over the edge of the tall wall. There’s another rope down the other side, and I manage to more or less tumble down this one without hurting myself.
It stings to know that I’m the least skilled of our Five, but when they pat me on the back and murmur encouraging things, I know they don’t care. We’re in this together.
Magpie gathers the rope and ushers us forward. “Come on,” she whispers. “Mind your step and stick to the path. If you fall into a pit, I’m not coming after you.” She points ahead. “Follow me to the drop.”
We creep after her, and I’m at the back of the group. I can’t help but feel that with the grounds deserted at night, it’s like moving through a cemetery full of open graves. The wide-open pits yawn in the darkness, and I imagine losing my footing and stumbling into one, only to fall to my death in the ruins of Old Prell.
Quietly, I hook a finger into Gwenna’s belt ahead of me. “Wish we’d roped ourselves together.”
“There’s something about this that seems off,” she tells me. “It feels weird. Wrong.”
I know what she means. Seeing the guild grounds deserted like this is strange. “Of course it feels wrong. We’re sneaking in after dark to steal artifacts and lying to everyone.” Poor Hawk is really going to hate me after this.
“Does Magpie seem a little manic to you?” she asks.
I glance ahead. It’s true that Magpie is highly alert right now, her eyes bright with determination. Maybe she’s eager to help us steal? Either that or she just wants this done quickly. “Perhaps we’re just not used to seeing her sober.”
Gwenna snorts. “That could be it, aye.”
As we cut through the massive, deserted yard, a light flicks on and I see a man’s face in the shadows. It isn’t until we get closer that I see he’s holding the same strange wand I saw previously. It’s the man who was using the portal wand to transport rock. He’s wrapped in a dark cloak and looks at Magpie nervously. “Is everyone here?”
“Yes. You know how to direct that thing to the drop?”
“Wait, we’re not lowering ourselves down in the basket?” Lark asks, confused. “Whyever not?”
“Because I bribed the portal master, that’s why.” Magpie gives her an annoyed look. “Just shut your mouth and come stand next to me.”
“But don’t I need to tie in with my Five?”
“Isn’t necessary,” her aunt tells her, gesturing that Lark should come to her side again. “Come on.”
“But—” Lark hesitates, glancing over at Kipp and Mereden, and then where I stand behind Gwenna. “I’m pretty sure the rules state—”
“The rules state a lot of things,” Magpie snarls at her, “including that you shouldn’t steal from the guild, but we’re not paying attention to that part, are we?”
Lark jerks back in surprise, wounded by her aunt’s tone. “Sorry. I was just asking.”
“I don’t think it’s foolish to be cautious,” I say, stepping forward. “And we’ve taught ourselves to tie together quickly. We can do so now.”
“Fine. Whatever.” Magpie gives a cross look to the portal master. “I hope you don’t mind waiting on this nonsense.”
He shrugs, uneasy. “You’re paying me.”
I don’t like this. I don’t like it because it makes me wonder how many others bribe their way into the Everbelow under the cover of night and steal from the guild. I don’t like that I would normally condemn such deeds and instead I’m about to break the rules myself. I shove down all those unhappy feelings and rope myself in, passing it along to Gwenna quickly. She ties herself to me, and then we go down the line until we’re all tied together and in position, Lark behind Kipp. Magpie watches us with annoyance, and then shakes her head. “Fine. Get ready to step through to the drop when he opens the portal.”
We step through and immediately I can feel the cool shift of the air. The night was warm above but down below it’s chilly and slightly damp. I hug my cloak closer and move toward the others so I don’t jerk on the rope. The tunnel seems larger than before, which surprises me, but perhaps I misremembered it in my awe at being in Old Prell. Gwenna flicks on the lantern atop her staff—as she’s navigator this time—and holds it aloft, looking around.
My heart flutters in my throat once more at the sight of the glory of the ancient city. Of the toppled columns and the broken cobblestones beneath our feet, and the lichen that grows over everything. What I wouldn’t give to wander through all the tunnels and just drink it all in. Kipp pulls out his blade and eyes the tunnel behind us, taking a step forward and then patting his belt, frowning. He turns to Lark and then makes a gesture.
“Flags. Right. We forgot our flags,” Lark says. “To mark our place.”
“No flags tonight,” Mereden points out, tugging the hood of her cloak over her tight curls. She has no cap over her head this evening, because we felt it would be too obvious if we ran into anyone else in the guild. “Just ask Magpie.”
“The guild would have flags down here anyhow,” I say, touching a series of glyphs carved into the wall. It looks familiar, but it’s hard to tell for certain. “To ensure no one else digs in a spot that’s under investigation. Are we sure this is the right place?”
“Hmm, let me check. Wait right here,” Magpie says.
She turns and heads down the narrow tunnel, and then bends over. There’s something glowing in her hand, and she draws a line across the tunnel floor with it, leaving an iridescent mark on the stone. “Sorry, Lark.”
“Sorry for what?” Lark asks, pushing back to where her aunt is.
We move along after Lark, trained to walk together, and when she heads for the chalk line, she’s immediately thrown backward, as if she’s run into a wall. With a yelp, Lark stumbles, caught by Mereden and myself. I gasp in shock even as Lark struggles to her feet.
Magic.
Something’s not right.
“What the fuck is that?” Lark demands, dusting off her jacket.
Magpie holds up the chalk from her spot on the other side of the line. “Magic, of course.” She turns to the portal master. “You can send him down now.”
I approach the chalk line, cautious. The closer I get to it, the more my hair stands up from my nape, the air humming around us. I poke the butt of my staff against the chalk line, only to have it jerk violently backward in my grasp.
“It’s a spell,” I tell the others.
“No shit,” Magpie says. “And you the great scholar.”
I ignore her, turning to the others. “The chalk must produce an entrapment spell. We can’t break free without her rubbing the line out on her side.”
Lark struggles out of Mereden’s grasp and surges forward again. “What the fuck, Aunt Magpie?”
Magpie spreads her hands in mock apology. “I told you not to tie in with them, Lark darling. But you chose them over me. That’s fine. I’ll drink a bottle in your name.” She turns her head as the portal shimmers and two new men come through.
I gasp, stunned, as Barnabus arrives to stand at Magpie’s side, one of his soldiers close by him and holding a crossbow. “What’s going on?”
Barnabus smirks at me. “I made your teacher a better offer, that’s what’s going on.” He holds his hand out and Magpie drops the chalk into it. “Do you like my new toy?”
“If I say no, does it change anything?” I’m furious at him, of course, but my old training kicks in and I stiffen my back, putting on my bored-holder-lady expression, the one I wear at every social gathering. “You need to let us go.”
“I don’t need to do anything.” Barnabus tosses the chalk between his hands, then lifts it into the air, admiring the carved handle that holds the delicate piece of chalk in place. “Though it is rather fortunate that one of my other teams located this just yesterday. It makes holding you captive far too easy.”
“Is that what this is, then?” I ask, drawing myself up indignantly. “A hostage situation? Let the others go and you and I can figure out the problems between us.”
Barnabus just rolls his eyes and flips the chalk (and holder) once more, unbothered by my demand.
Lark takes another step forward to the barrier, only for Kipp to pull her back again. “Why are you doing this, Aunt Magpie?” She’s clearly heartbroken. “I don’t understand!”
“How do you not understand?” Magpie snarls, her expression full of venom. She gestures at Barnabus. “He’s paying me a great deal of coin, and I need security! The guild is going to remove my contract with them unless my team graduates this year, and I’ll lose my commission. And we all know your Five won’t pass the tests. There’s no way.”
Lark flinches. I just glare at our teacher. Former teacher. She’s sold us out.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Magpie rolls her eyes. “At least with this lordling’s money, I can drink myself to death without worrying about keeping a roof over my head.”
“It’s not all about you.” I tell myself to be calm and collected, even as my hands curl into fists. “How can you betray Hawk like this?”
“I’m not betraying him! I’m looking out for me. The two have nothing to do with each other!” She focuses her angry gaze on me. “And you. You spoiled, foolish twit. Do you have any idea how hard I had to work to get my spot in the guild? Do you know how many years I suffered through bullshit before anyone took me seriously? You can’t saunter in as some rich girl and expect the same treatment just because you’ll suck a Taurian’s cock. It takes more than that to be a damned guild master!”
I gasp at her words, stung. This is the person I idolized for so long? “I looked up to you!”
“Then that’s your mistake,” Magpie says. “All I’ve ever wanted was to get paid.”
Barnabus clears his throat. “Are you ladies done jabbing at each other? Because I’d like to talk with my fiancée.”
“I’m not your fiancée,” I retort. “You can’t force me to marry you.”
“I know this, seeing as how you hooked yourself to the first male who glanced in your direction. A Taurian, Aspeth? Truly?” He looks revolted. “Was a human cock no longer big enough for you? Is that it? You have to go for something a little more titillating?”
“You’re both horrid and disgusting. Hawk is worth ten of you.” I flick my fingers at them. “Both of you together.”
“Yes, well, you’ll be pleased to know I’m no longer interested in marrying some bull-man’s leavings.” Barnabus pockets the chalk and its magical holder and pats his clothing, reassuring himself that it’s in place. “In fact, you can stay married to him for all I care. I’m willing to let bygones be bygones…so long as you give me the artifact ring you found.”
I go still, because of all the demands I thought he’d make, I’d somehow forgotten about the artifact ring. How is it that he’s imprisoned us in the tunnel without stealing it for himself first? How is it that he hasn’t figured out that I’m penniless and he doesn’t need it to take over Honori? Or does he just think I’d steal willy-nilly from the guild? That might be the most insulting part of this, that he doesn’t know me at all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The ring,” he enunciates, his voice echoing off the narrow stone walls of the tunnel. “The one you found in the tunnel. Magpie told me all about it.”
I shoot a dirty look at my teacher, and Lark makes another outraged noise. Magpie ignores both of us.
“I want the ring,” Barnabus repeats again, pointing at the floor. “Take it off and kick it over here.”
Something doesn’t add up. “Why not come and take it, coward?”
He sneers at me. “I’m no fool. Your maid told Magpie all about the curse.”
Curse? What is he talking about?
In that moment, Gwenna steps on my foot. “It’s true,” she says to me. “I told Magpie all about how it can’t be transferred to another owner without permission once it’s been worn. That the runes on it are quite clear about that.”
Quick thinking, Gwenna. I could kiss her for being so smart. She anticipated trouble and lied to keep the artifact safe.
“Oh, you told them?” I pretend to be annoyed. “Well, it changes nothing. I still won’t transfer the ring’s power over to you, Barnabus. No matter how many times you ask.”
He keeps smiling. “It’s useless to you. We can make a bargain.”
I’m sure we can, one that involves me selling out my family or my friends. Or both. “It’s useless to you, too.”
“Yes, but I have the means to get the other half.” His smile grows broader. “I can have a team scouring every drop by morning, and you’re stuck here in this tunnel. You might as well give up.”
“You’re right,” I say neutrally. “Fine. You want the ring in exchange for letting us go?”
“I want the word of power, too.”
“It’s not a word, it’s a gesture. Here, I’ll show you.” And I make the rudest, crudest gesture I can think of.
Lark snorts with laughter.
Barnabus’s expression grows cold. “I see you choose to be a child about this.” He shrugs. “Fine. We can pull it off your dead body in a few weeks once the unfortunate cave-in has been dug out.”
Unfortunate cave-in—?
I eye the ceiling. It’s close, but it looks solid.
When I look back at Barnabus, he takes the crossbow from his retainer. Too late, I see it has a strange, rounded end. I’ve only ever seen that in a war treatise of some kind, and they were always filled with some sort of explosive….
Oh no.
The moment I realize it, Magpie ducks her head, racing away.
Lark flings her shield over us.
“Explosive!” she howls.
The rock walls of Old Prell move and shake above us, and then something hits my head. Everything goes black, and the tunnel collapses around us.