Chapter Sixty-Two. The Promise of an Overlord.
Sixty-Two
The Promise of an Overlord.
The Outpost’s ruler is dressed in another one of his finely fitted black suits, and he has a top hat with a purple band above the brim pitched on his head.
When the maid sees who it is, she ducks her head and scurries for the other entrance, clearly terrified that she’s been caught outside when she needs to be at the oven.
“Lalah,” he says sharply.
She freezes in mid-step—and I realize I’ve never known her name. I should have asked—
Abruptly, he switches to that other language and I’m surprised.
I don’t know what he’s saying, but his tone is gentle and the tension in the girl’s body dissipates like the stormwater that is even now evaporating in the sunshine all around us.
When he’s finished speaking, she glances up at him from the side, and as he nods a dismissal, she takes a deep breath, and continues on at an easier pace.
Well, what does one know. It appears that he intends to keep his word.
At least in front of me.
Thale saunters over, his tall hat accentuating his height. “Nice horse. And I see you’ve been well provided for. Those packs are quite full, are they not.”
Across the muddy lane, people loiter and glance over with curiosity that they cannot hide.
“In spite of the Outpost’s reputation,” I say roughly, “I’ve found the people here to be quite kind.”
“Hmm. That is more a commentary on you than this place, I suspect. You have a way with others.”
I recall the mob who wanted to kill me in my village, and decide that’s one word for it.
“I hear you’re heading south, then.” He glances down the lane. “You’ll be back soon when you see the flooding. You’re the type of woman who must experience things for herself, however. We’ll hold your room.”
I glance to the entrance Lalah used.
“That wasn’t just a show for you,” Thale says softly. “I will protect her. Worry not.”
“And the other maids.”
He slides me one of his sly smiles. Then touches the brim of his top hat and inclines his head. “The others as well.”
“Thank you.” I have to clear my throat. “For being honorable.”
“You sound surprised.” He places a hand in the center of his chest, right below the diamond tiepin. “I would be insulted, if I were not aware of my, shall we say, well-deserved reputation.”
He steps in close to me just as a number of pub patrons peek out of the doors on the porch—and that’s when I notice that windows on the second floor have been cracked open as well. It reminds me of when Merc and I arrived here.
As if Thale reads my mind, he murmurs, “I do not know where your husband is.” There’s a pause, as if he expects me to fill him in. When I don’t, his lips press into a tight line of disapproval. “He should take better care of you.”
Before I can respond, he snatches my hand and I feel something so cold against my palm, I recoil—
The only reason I don’t drop the ice is because he forces me to hold on to it.
“Take this,” he says quietly. “Sneak it into your pocket. Use it if you need to.”
I open the grip he’s curled my hand into. It’s not ice. It’s some kind of octagonal crystal that’s been fastened into a—
I know exactly what this is, and my eyes nearly meet Thale’s.
“You grip the blade this way.” He pushes the shank part through the fore and middle fingers of my hand, then secures a right-angled hilt into the meat of my palm with my thumb. “Lightweight, very deadly. I believe you’ve seen it before.”
Yes, indeed. It’s the weapon his bearded guard was going to kill him with.
“There are a lot of ways to use a dagger like this, and as I said, you’re going to keep it in your pocket.
If you need it, you’re going to grip it out of sight, and use the element of surprise in your favor.
You’re going to drive it in like a punch to the gut and put your shoulder into the stab when you do it.
It’ll cut through a man’s stomach like a piece of fruit. ”
The sunlight gleams through the transparent stone. Each of the angles of the crystal core are sharp as a blade, but the flat faces fit perfectly against the V of my fingers—and the tip rivals any knife’s point.
“A gift, to you.” He points at the beautiful weapon. “Very expensive. Worth as much as a house—you can also sell it if you have to.”
“I … thank you.”
“It is, quite literally, the least I can do.” I feel his eyes traveling over me. “And you … you will call on me. If you get into trouble, you send a messenger for me and I will come. No questions asked, and I’ll even pay for the courier.”
Frowning, I find myself wanting to meet his eyes, but I stop at the hard line of his jaw. “You don’t strike me as a man who’s interested in being a savior. Why would you—”
“I am in your debt.” Thale steps back. “As long as my heart beats. And we can discuss this further when you return after you assess the flooding with your own little eyes. You aren’t going to get far, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride on your new horse—”
“What about the other way? The barrier … the Crystal Gate. Everyone talks about it, but no one’s told me what it is?”
“Ah, now, there would be another trick for you to pull off. In all of known history, no one has ever been able to get through it.” His smile is wide—and were he a different sort, I’d say it’s warmly fond.
“Go see for yourself. The cutoff is quite clear. And then tell me what you think when you come back here.”
I give him a nod, and gather my reins.
“Sorrel.” His tone becomes urgent. “Be back well before dark, yes. Your husband isn’t the only deadly thing out in the night around here. Unless you already know your own grave?”
“I wouldn’t want that information, even if I could have it.”
He chuckles a little. “Care to let me in on mine own, again? It has for sure changed.”
I shake my head. “You don’t want to be on that carousel. Besides, your wits and strength have kept you alive this long. They’re the only second sight you require.”
“That’s not what you first told me, is it. And I did need you, as it turned out.”
“I think you would have figured it out.” I shrug. “In any event, you go forth from here. As do I. Goodbye, Thale.”
“Call on me. Anytime.”
Mindful of the sun’s position in the sky, I give the stallion only the most minute of cues and we are off at a jog. As I proceed down the muddy lane, there are many more open shutters with faces staring out at me, but they are not hostile.
They seem … mesmerized.