Shadowfell: Raven Flight Part 2

aThat was a impressive.a Regan sat down cross-legged a little behind Hawkbit. aSit down, all of you.a This was addressed to our own people, who seemed incapable of moving after the startling display.

aAye,a said Hawkbit, grimacing. aDinna loom.a aThank you,a I said. aThat was the best map I could ever imagine. Am I right in thinking Ronanas Isle is not the farthest island to the west? I thought I saw one or two beyond it.a aAye, ane or twa,a said Woodrush. aBut dinna gae beyond the spot Twayblade showit ye.a aWe are deeply grateful,a Regan said.

aI willna say weare happy tae help ye.a Hawkbitas dour expression left no doubt of that. aThe la.s.sie seekina out the Big Ones, thatas ane thing. Us gettina wrapped up in fightina, thatas different.a aItas not all fighting.a The Northie guard, Bearberry, spoke directly to Regan. aWe ken your people head out in spring on their various missions. Whatas to stop one or two of ours traveling with every team of yours? While you conduct your business, we could pay a wee visit to our own kind, for they can be found everywhere in Alban. We could pa.s.s on the word that things have changed, that weare all working together now. You wonat find any traitors among our people, though there may be some closed ears and closed doors. Thereas ways of knocking on those doors, even those that are barred fast, and being heard.a An outraged muttering arose from the Northies at this speech, which was indeed remarkable in its boldness. Bearberry, I thought, had the courage of a true warrior.

aUs travel wia the likes oa them?a aYeave lost your wits, laddie!a And then, from Hawkbit, aYeare suggestina we travel ower the border? Oot oa the Watch?a aHave you thought,a offered Sage, athat there might be no need to go in company with the human folk? Weave our own ways of crossing the land, and they carry us far quicker than a pair of human feet or the hooves of a riding horse. All you need do is find others of our kind within the Watch of the North and carry Reganas message to them. Tell them that a rebellion is afoot, and that thereas a Caller in training, and that when the time comes, we need to be sure of their support. Thatas what this is all about, isnat it?a Every eye turned to me.

aI believe so,a I said. aHowever many of the chieftains we have on our side, at the end Keldec wonat go down easily. Not only does he have the most powerful army in Alban, he has magic. We must fight magic with magic, or we cannot win. Once Iam properly trained, I can bring uncanny folk together to fight against the kingas forces. Bearberryas suggestion sounds very good to me. You could get the word out to your own kind all across the north.a aYou say we can carry the word in our own Watch,a Woodrush said to Sage. aBut what about the other Watches? Youall have told your own folk in the west. But thatas only two from four.a aAye.a Sage sounded dour. aAnd I canat say Iave spoken to every clan in the west, nor convinced every single body that this is a good idea. There are some stubborn folk among us, but I donat suppose thatas a surprise to you. As for south and east, I know little of them.a aBut ye dinna care about borders,a put in Vetch. aYe can hop ower there and tell aem yersela.a aAch, hold your tongue, you silly wee man,a snapped Woodrush, startling me. aIs Sage a sorceress, that she can be in aa parts oa Alban at the same time?a She stood up and looked around the circle, and folk fell quiet. aWe need tae take a risk,a the little woman said. aYe know it as well as I do. We must go out, not only through the north, but ower the border as well. If Sage and Red Cap can do it, so can we. We ken whatas afoot. We ken itas a time oa great change for all oa us. I say we divide up. Some gae north, some south, some east. If more workas needed in the west, Sage and Red Cap attend tae it. Each time we find a clan thatas willina tae help, their ain folk can move out and spread the word farther. Start small, grow bigger. Thatas the way itall be.a aAye, if weare noa squashed under the boots oa kingas men before the summeras ower,a muttered Vetch.

With impeccable timing, Milla came back at that moment bearing a deep bowl from which fragrant steam arose. My mouth watered. aI couldnat help overhearing some of what you were saying,a Milla said, setting the bowl down in the circle and fis.h.i.+ng a wooden ladle from her ap.r.o.n pocket. She had an eye on Vetch, whose wrinkled face wore an intractable look. aOf course, youall have noticed that not all of us go away over the summer. Thereas always work here preparing for the next cold season. Drying and salting fish, not to speak of catching them; trips out onto the fells to find and gather herbs; picking and preserving the berries that can be found in the valley. Sewing, mending, cleaning, storing things away. And, of course, there must be someone here to keep the place ready when our people pa.s.s through and to relay messages. Usually thatas Eva and me. I imagine itas the same for you folk; always something to be done back home. So you canat all go.a aOh, aye,a said Vetch. He looked somewhat relieved.

aNow, who will try my hot pot?a Milla asked as Eva brought a stack of little bowls. aThereas plenty for all. I used the plump hens someone very kindly left at the door this morning, and Iave stuffed them with mutton-fat porridge. Itas a tasty old dish my grandmother taught me to cook. Brasal, will you fetch the mead, please, and pour everyone another cup?a I think perhaps we wore down their last resistance with our good hospitality. All of us ate, the rebels from larger bowls, and it was indeed a hearty midwinter feast, the sort of meal I remembered from my early childhood. The fire crackled on the hearth. One of the Northies had brought out a miniature set of pipes, whose sound blended surprisingly well with that of the wee harp. Little Don found his fiddle, others added whistle and drum, and Brasal was persuaded to sing. He started with a sad ballad and followed it with the goose ditty, which the Northies greeted with riotous applause.

At a certain point Regan and Bearberry went out into the hallway, where they stood in earnest conversation for some time. A little later, Tali went to join them, and then Woodrush. I stayed where I was, between Sage and Red Cap, enjoying the music and good fellows.h.i.+p. If Regan needed me, he would call me.

Red Capas infant had fallen asleep, cradled in its fatheras arms.

aDoes the child have a name yet?a I asked.

Red Cap shook his head. aThatas given at one year old. If they live so long, theyave a chance of growing up.a I was silenced. I had never asked him if the child had a mother or where she was. I had a.s.sumed the babe was strong, or Red Cap would not have brought him halfway across the highlands, following me.

aBairnies are rare among our kind, and so doubly precious. The wee one looks robust, I know, but heas fragile like all of our infants. Heas done well to thrive so long.a My mind filled with things I could not say. Folk had to make their own choices. If his words had made me sad, it would be wrong to say so. aYouare a brave spirit, Red Cap,a I told him instead, aand a fine father. The wee one is lucky in you.a Red Cap gave a nod but said nothing.

aYou know, donat you,a Sage said, athat we wonat be traveling with you in springtime, even if we all head west. That fellow, Bearberry, was righta"itas time for us to go back home and make sure Silver and her cronies havenat undone the good work we started.a aIall miss you.a aYou wonat be on your own,a Sage said. aThat fellow of yours might be back from court by then, and if he isnat, no doubt Regan will give you one of the others as a guard.a She glanced around the chamber, where human folk and fey folk were engaged in a number of animated discussions. Big Don was trying out the harp, which looked like a toy on his knee. Finet sat cross-legged, drawing with a piece of charcoal on a sc.r.a.p of bark from the woodbox; the five tiny folk were cl.u.s.tered around her, watching and chattering in their high voices.

aI understand.a The thought of bidding Sage and Red Cap farewell made my chest hurt. They had been staunch friends to me, loyal, brave, and true. But even if we were all heading west, I knew it would not be safe for us to travel together.

aDonat look so downcast, la.s.sie,a said Sage. aWeall meet again, I know it. Maybe by then Iall have persuaded Silver to set her doubts aside.a aDo that, and you can do anything,a said Red Cap.

The fire died down; the midwinter feast was consumed; the mead cups were filled and drained, filled and drained again. The musicians played fast reels and slow laments and a few tunes that were without question of fey origin. Brasal sang a lullaby; he and Bearberry together rendered an old song of farewell. Last, we sang the ancient anthem forbidden by Keldec: the song of truth. Not all of us had singing voices as pleasing to the ear as Brasalas or Reganas, and many of us were weary, but when our voices rose as one, fey and human together, I felt the stones of Shadowfell come alive with the power of it. My skin p.r.i.c.kled. Tears started in my eyes. The last line seemed to echo on in the chamber long after we fell silent. My spirit is forever free.

Then, without another word, the Folk Below collected their belongings and formed a procession as before, Hawkbit leading with the lantern, the others following in turn. Pearl-Wort carried the basket that was our gift to them. Milla had packed up some leftover cakes and other morsels, and these were borne away in the small baskets and bags the Good Folk had brought with them.

Woodrush lingered beside Sage. aBlessings oa the season on ye, wise woman,a she said, and took Sageas hands in hers.

aMay the White Lady light your footsteps, wise woman,a said Sage, and for an uncanny moment, as they looked into each otheras eyes, they seemed as alike as twins. The moment pa.s.sed; Woodrush turned toward me.

aTravel safe, Caller,a she said. aThereas a long road ahead oa ye.a I bowed my head respectfully. aI hope you too will be safe. Your presence here tonight honors us.a aYe comina?a Vetch looked back over his shoulder at Woodrush. The others had all filed out of the chamber, on their way to the stair.

aAye, Iam comina, foolish wee man.a Her tone was affectionate as she moved away.

I got up and followed her out. Regan was standing at the top of the stair. As the Northies pa.s.sed down, he bade each a grave farewell. For Bearberry he had more words, and the young Northie lingered to talk to him. I thought each had recognized in the other something of himself. Fingal stood by Regan, watching. When our guests were halfway down the stair, they began to sing. This time there were words in it, but they were in a tongue I could not understand. I guessed the song was of renewal, a ritual chant to honor the night of turning, when the wise crone sinks into her long sleep and the bright warrior awakens. Tonight the year began its slow ascent to light. The human folk of Alban had allowed such lore and wisdom to fade away. Yet here, in this unlikely place, the hand of friends.h.i.+p had been extended between folk long distrustful of each other. We had not only reached a truce, but also found a shared pathway forward.

The last of our visitors vanished below; the light from their lanterns faded and was gone. We stood there in silence for a few moments. Then Fingal, who had hardly said a word all evening, spoke in a tone of awe. aThey told me they have healers. Imagine what we could learn from them, given time.a aSuch cooperation did not take place even in the years before Keldec,a Regan mused. aThis eveningas work has been truly astonis.h.i.+ng. The enchanted map a This is beyond anything I hoped for, Neryn. Bearberry confirmed that some of his kind have the power of flight, and that some can communicate with creatures, including birds. I hardly need tell you what an immense difference that could make to us.a aAnything they share with us we must use with caution,a I said. aThe power of such gifts is balanced by peril.a aOf course,a Regan said, but there was a light in his eyes that told me his thoughts were far ahead, seeing the day when Alban would be free again.

Tali came strolling through from the dining area, a half smile on her lips. aSo,a she said, coming to lean on the wall beside me. aYou did it.a aI did it? Hardly.a aYou think theyad have come up here for the first time ever, and eaten our food, and offered us all kinds of help if we hadnat had a Caller among us? Come on, Neryn, youare no fool. Itas your presence that draws them out. Itas your canny ability thatas finally turned them to our way of thinking.a This thought made me deeply uncomfortable. aAll of us did this togethera"Milla with the food, Eva with the gift, Regan with his stirring speeches, you and your warriors with your readiness to clear the place of iron and do without your weapons for a day. Besides, they spoke of changing times and the Master of Shadowsa"only a small part of this is my doing.a All three of my companions were smiling as if I were saying something mildly amusing.

aA Caller,a said Fingal. aMaybe weare starting to realize what that is. And maybe itas more than any of us expected.a IT WAS HARD TO LEAVE SHADOWFELL. FOR SO long I had been without a proper home, without the certainty of enough food and a roof over my head at night. For years my only purpose had been keeping my father out of trouble and surviving one more day. Now I had a purpose so grand it hardly bore thinking about, and it was time to move on with the journey.

The plan was to seek out the Hag of the Isles, then head northward to find the Lord of the North in time to get home to Shadowfell before autumn storms made the mountain tracks impa.s.sable. An ambitious plan, with little allowance for the vagaries of the weather or the possibility either Guardian might choose not to cooperate. But it was the only one we had.

Sage and Red Cap, with the child, were already gone, heading west toward their home forests and their own people. They would carry the message out among the Good Folk in their Watch. As for the Folk Below, once they had made up their minds to help us, they had startled us with the efficiency of their preparations. They had organized their clan into groups that would set out soon to spread the word across the Watch of the North. Bearberry had been up the stairs many times, often with Hawkbit or Woodrush, to discuss strategy with Regan. The rebels had various missions to undertake before midsummer, when folk would return to Shadowfell to report their progress. Regan and Fingal were heading south to meet with a rebel group in Corriedale.

Regan and Fingal. That had been a shock to everyone, and most of all to Tali. She always traveled with Regan as his personal guard, standing at his right hand, keeping him safe. Always. Her presence by his side meant Shadowfellas leader survived to inspire and invigorate us. There was no doubt his stirring speeches, his bright-eyed enthusiasm, his unswerving dedication to the goal were what kept us all strong.

But when the time had come for Regan to allocate tasks to his team, he had announced that in view of the vital nature of my mission, Tali would be going with me as my guard and protector. Tali hadnat said a word. It was not her way to lose control in public. But Iad seen her face turn sheet-white. Iad seen her clench her jaw and curl her hands into tight fists. I doubted shead heard what Regan said next, about how my safety was his first priority, so he was giving me Shadowfellas most able and versatile warrior as my companion on the road. Had there been any chance Flint would reach Shadowfell in time, he would have been the one to travel with me; but he had not come yet, and we all knew it was unlikely he would be here at all. Regan did not include him in the plans.

There followed some challenging days. Regan and Tali argued behind closed doors. Tali stalked about with a face so shuttered and grim that n.o.body but Fingal dared speak to her, and when he did, she snarled at him. Our bedchamber was a place of tight silences and averted eyes. Tali was like a storm confined in a small s.p.a.ce, near bursting with wounded fury, but too proud to talk about it save in her private protests to Regan. It was not that she objected to the job of guarding me, Fingal told me, but that she believed Regan would not be safe without her. Since Fingal himself was to be Reganas guard now, that suggested Tali had a lack of faith in her brother, and I could see that Fingal was somewhat put out by this.

aAt least, if Regan is hurt, heall have you there to patch him up,a I told him, attempting a joke. Shadowfell was too small to hold Talias rage, and everyone was edgy. The only good thing that could come of this was that Shadowfellas warriors would head out on their expeditions in top fighting condition, thanks to the extreme rigors of their current training. An angry Tali made a fearsome taskmaster.

At a certain point she accepted the inevitable and the arguments ceased. She gave me curt instructions about what to pack and told me, without consultation, which path wead be taking. She avoided talking to Regan.

He seemed much as usual. He sat down with Bearberry, Hawkbit, and me, and we went over what the Folk Below had shown us at midwinter. Tali and I both knew the way to Darkwater, a settlement on a western sea loch. But we would not pa.s.s through the place where my father had died. Instead, we would make for Pentishead, some miles to the south, and embark on the voyage Twayblade had demonstrated in the nest-boat: out between the inner islands, then to Ronanas Isle, steering clear of the skerries.

aWhat about a boat?a I asked.

aLeave that to Tali,a said Regan. aOnce youare out of the mountains, youall travel as a pair of women seeking work. Itas the best choice for avoiding notice. Once you reach the coast, youall likely find someone to ferry you over for a few coppers. Flint has been expert thus far at keeping the kingas attention away from the outer isles, using the argumenta"true enougha"that theyare hard to reach and not many folk live there. That can only be to your advantage.a aThere are sure to be Enforcers on the road now springas come, especially around Summerfort. The idea of traveling openly does scare me.a aBetween Talias good judgment and your instincts, Iam confident youall reach the isles safely.a A pause here, as he turned his searching blue eyes on me. aBelieve me,a he said, ait never gets any easier to send the folk of Shadowfell out across Alban, not knowing how many will come back in one piece. Weave lost a few over the years and never found out what befell them. But we have work to do, a message to spread abroad. With Tali to protect you, youave a better chance than many of making the journey without coming to harm.a I said nothing, only nodded. A look pa.s.sed between Bearberry and Hawkbit. It told me they, like me, were thinking this perceptive human leader had missed the important fact that the Good Folk had played a significant part in keeping me safe on my journey to Shadowfell, and perhaps in those difficult years before. Sage had been watching over me from a distance for some considerable time. Never mind that; Sage was gone. I did need a strong human companion, and there was no doubt Tali was strong, though whether she could be a good companion was yet to be seen.

The rebels left Shadowfell a few at a time, taking advantage of breaks in the weather, going their separate ways. The night before Regan and Fingal departed, I dreamed of Flint riding out from Winterfort with his Enforcer troop, though I could not tell where they were headed. When I woke, Tali was sitting on her bed, polis.h.i.+ng an already gleaming knife by the dim light of the lantern that hung out in the hallway. I caught her eye, but the look on her face told me to hold my tongue. I lay awake for some time, as was usual when Flint had appeared in my dreams, and she said not a word. Later, when I had dozed fitfully and woken again, she was folding garments into a pile with meticulous precisiona"she, who tended to throw clothing in a heap on the floor, unless it was her combat gear, which was cleaned and oiled and stored with as much care as her weapons. I thought of things to say and discarded each of them in turn. Eventually I slept again. When I woke, soon after dawn, she was up and gone. Perhaps she talked to Regan before he left, perhaps not. When the time came, I bade him and Fingal farewell with the best smile and the bravest words I could find. But it seemed to me that when Regan went down the mountain, Shadowfell lost its heart.

Tali and I were next to go. As we made our way down to the river and across the shaky rope bridge, I tried not to wish it were Flint walking beside me. The longing for him was a physical ache in my chest, all the stronger because we had walked this path together, coming the other way.

We pa.s.sed the place of last autumnas ambush, where the bodies of Flintas Enforcer comrades had been piled up and burned. No sign was left of that carnage. If there had been remains, the rebels had made sure they did not lie there long. We went by quickly, not talking.

We did not take the path along the valley past Corbieas Wood, the burned village that had been my childhood home, for we wanted to avoid the busier tracks as long as possible. Instead, we went by Lone Tarn, along the ridge that looked westward over the valley. It was a journey of several days from Shadowfell to Three Hags Pa.s.s. By night we sheltered in caves, or under overhangs, ora"oncea"in a tumbledown hut: not the place where Flint had tended to me when I was sick, but a ruin that was home only to spiders and beetles. Tali and I barely spoke to each other, except for her curt instructions about taking the left fork or the right, or keeping quiet, or waiting while she scanned the territory ahead. When we camped for the night, she set snares; a rabbit or two supplemented the supplies we carried.

I had wondered if Silveras clan, the Good Folk who had helped me when I came the other way, would appear again. Once past Lone Tarn we were back in the Watch of the West, their home territory. But then, Tali was armed; Silveras people had steered clear of me while I was with Flint because of his iron weaponry. My own knife traveled in its protective sheath. Tali would not s.h.i.+eld her blades. aI understand the difficulty,a shead said. aBut there are many dangers between here and the coast, including troops of Enforcers, and I canat protect you without iron. I need my own weapons and I need them ready to use.a Traveling with Tali was quicker than it had been with Flint. I was fitter, of course, after a winter of warmth and good feeding, not to speak of all that running up and down the Ladder. But there was more to it. I began to realize how careful Flint had been for my welfare on that earlier journey, making sure I rested and ate well, pacing the walks to suit my shorter legs, often refusing to let me help with the tasks of making and striking camp. Tali treated me as an equal or, on occasion, a not especially useful underling. She made few concessions. When night came, I slept the sleep of sheer exhaustion.

Once we were over Three Hags Pa.s.s, Tali changed into her female clothing. From here on we would encounter more and more other travelers, and the less of a warrior she appeared, the less likely shead be to attract attention. There was no need for her to say she hated wearing a skirt; the way she walked in it made it perfectly clear.

With the pa.s.s behind us we were in the Rush valley, where the river tumbled and roared and swept its way down to lose itself in Deepwater, close by the kingas stronghold of Summerfort. So early in the season it was unlikely Keldec would be in residence, but there would be Enforcers guarding the place, and folk coming in and out with suppliesa"while the king only lived at Summerfort in the warmer months, he maintained permanent households both there and at Winterfort in the east. There was only one road down the valley, and that was the kingas road, which crossed the Rush by the kingas bridge, where there were always guards. We wouldnat be using that bridge.

aHollow will let us over,a I told Tali as we descended the upper valley in our working womenas clothing. Tali had a swathing kerchief around head and neck, concealing her unusually short hair and her tattoos. aHeall provide a nightas shelter too. I just need to speak to him nicely, make sure he remembers me.a aA brollachan.a aA brollachan, yes. No stranger than some of the others youave encountered in recent times.a aArenat brollachans fiercely territorial? Thatas what I recall from the old stories. The idea of sheltering in oneas house doesnat sit well with that.a aHollow can be fierce; when I first met him, he almost knocked me off his bridge. But we soon became friends. Itas just a matter of saying things in the right way.a Tali glanced at me sideways. aOr being a Caller.a I shrugged. aIt probably helped, though I never called Hollow. His job is to leap out when anyone sets foot on his bridge and stop them from crossing. But weare approaching the other way this time.a aWonderful. What happens when a brollachan thinks heas being attacked from the rear, by stealth?a aIt will be all right, Tali, I promise. Just one thing.a aWhat?a aYouall have to wrap up your weapons. Not so much to protect hima"Iam sure he has the strength to withstand iron, or he wouldnat have been able to hold the bridge for so longa"but as a sign that we mean no harm.a She said nothing, simply looked ahead down the track, where now we could see a scattering of farmsteads on either side with strips of grazing land behind, and farther down the hill the narrowing of the valley that signaled the entry to the defile. In that place, for the length of two miles there was only room for the track and the river; sheer rock walls rose on either side. When Enforcers had caught up with me there, only my gift had saved me.

aNo need to put your knives away until weare nearly at Brollachan Bridge,a I told her. aIt took me half a day to walk between there and the defile last time. Of course, I was sick then. Weall be a bit quicker.a aYouare not looking so well now.a Tali glanced across at me.

aThereas a farm farther down where I sheltered and woke to find myself cornered by folk with pitchforks,a I said. aJust about everyplace on this path has bad memories. Even Hollowas lair. A friend of mine died by the bridge. That was the only time Iave seen iron used as a weapon against the Good Folk, and it was hideous. If youad been there, youad understand why I insist on knives being guarded.a After a moment she said, aI do understand, Neryn. I just donat like it much. Iad rather fight with a good blade than use my hands or a nearby lump of rock. Letas hope this Hag of the Isles has some insights into the problem of iron. It looms as serious if weare expecting these folk to stand up beside us when the time comes.a We pa.s.sed the farm where Flint and I had been sheltered overnight. We pa.s.sed two more dwellings. There was n.o.body around, though smoke from hearth fires threaded up into the cold morning air. Then without warning Tali grabbed my arm and pulled me down into the concealment of a drystone wall.

aWhat?a I whispered, my heart juddering.

Tali put a finger to her lips. We waited, motionless. After what felt like a long time, there came the sound of bleating, movement on the path down the hill, a sharp whistle, the bark of a dog. Memories crowded me. I clenched my teeth and tried to concentrate on the here and now. Let these folk pa.s.s; let us get down to the defile unnoticed. Let me not meet someone who remembered me from last time I was here.

aNow,a murmured Tali, who had put her head up to scan the track. aQuick.a No running; I knew that without being told. Instead, it was a creep from stone wall to outhouse, from outhouse to trees, from trees to rocks, each time waiting under cover until Tali gave the sign that it was safe to go on. I could hear the sheep still, up behind a run-down barn. The barking had ceased; maybe the dog was too busy to scent strangers close by. Only when we were clear of the scattered settlement and within a few hundred paces of the defile did I risk speaking, and I kept my voice down.

aThanks. I didnat see them coming.a aDoing my job, thatas all. Now wait here while I go and look through the defile. Weare not going in until the roadas clear ahead.a The canny gifts possessed by some human folk, thanks to a fey ancestor, were of numerous kinds. Talias gift was unusually sharp eyesight. I stayed crouched in the concealment of some low bushes while she went forward. The way she moved made a mockery of her disguise; every part of her body was finely tuned, on guard, ready for whatever might come. Before we left Shadowfell, shead set out for me what I should do if we were attacked: keep out of things and let her do the fighting. Escape by any means I had at my disposala"my staff, my knife, my canny gift. I had reminded her that if I called the Good Folk to help us and others saw the encounter, word would soon get back to the kingas men. If you must use it to save yourself, use it, shead said. Regan needs you. And, Neryn? Never forget the rebel codea"the cause comes first, no matter what. If you can escape by leaving me behind, thatas what you do. Each of us had a little packet of hemlock seeds concealed in her clothing. Since the death of Andraas brother, the rebels had carried these close to their bodies, within quick reach. When Fingal had given me mine, I had asked him whether anyone had ever used the seeds. His face had gone very still. And head said, aBest that we donat speak of that.a Tali was back, crouching down beside me. aFolk approaching the defile from the other side. Not Enforcers; people on foot, with children. After them itas clear. We wait. Up there.a She jerked her head toward the oaks on the hillside behind us.

The trees were leafless still, providing scant cover, but we found a hollow sheltered by rocks. There we waited, taking the opportunity to drink from our waterskins and eat a little of Millaas waybread. There was no talking. After some time a family of five came out from the defile: a man and a woman, each carrying a sack of grain, three weary-looking children with bundles, and a little dog. As they pa.s.sed the point nearest to our hiding place, the dog p.r.i.c.ked up its ears and turned its head toward us. But one of the lads had it on a rope lead, and when it pulled in our direction, he cursed it and hauled it after him.

They moved on up the valley and out of sight. Tali checked the defile again, and now someone else was coming. We waited until a boy had pa.s.sed through with a bow over his shoulder and a pair of rabbits dangling, limp, from his hand. Someone would eat well today. Tali checked a third time and gestured for me to come down; the defile was clear.

aRight,a Tali muttered. aStraight through, and if Iam wrong and someone comes, we donat speak unless we have to. And if we do have to, we stick to the story.a aIt would help if you could walk a bit less like a warrior,a I murmured. aCouldnat you slump a little?a aNot every woman of Alban is a downtrodden drudge, Neryn. I donat see you doing any slumping.a aNo, but a never mind.a It was shadowy in the defile. The river coursed along beside us, swollen by the melting snow. Its voice clamored in our ears. The rock walls threw back the sound, making one river into many. Tali set a quick pace; I made sure I kept up. As I pa.s.sed, I murmured a belated thank-you to the stanie mon somewhere in the cliff above us, the one who had hidden me when the Enforcers came. Not his fault that the farm folk had found me and apprehended me soon afterward. He had answered my call straightaway; he had saved me from torture, enthrallment, maybe death.

We were nearly through when Tali halted suddenly, and I just avoided cras.h.i.+ng into her. She put a hand up, signaling silence. I felt the thump of my heart; I made myself breathe slowly. Then she turned and mouthed one word. Enforcers.

No going back. We sprinted forward to the place where the defile broadened and the Rush valley opened out again. I still couldnat see anyone on the road ahead, but Tali led me at a run onto the open ground that lay between track and river. Here, the remnants of old drystone walls ran across barren terrain dotted by coa.r.s.e gra.s.ses and the odd scrubby bush. A few goats grazed on the spa.r.s.e pickings. The only farmhouse was at some distance, on the eastern side of the track.

aQuick!a Tali glanced back over her shoulder, toward the road. Ahead was a stretch of wall less broken than the rest. aCome on, Neryn!a We reached the wall; dived down behind it, lying flat on the hard ground with our packs beside us.

aDonat move,a Tali muttered. aDonat make a sound.a The wait felt endless. My throat was dry; dust went up my nose and I had to force down a sneeze. My body ached with cramps. But Tali had trained me well, in both endurance and strength. I held still. I kept quiet. And eventually, over the sound of the river, I heard hoofbeats on the road from Summerfort. I stayed flat, listening as they pa.s.sed us and moved on into the defile. At least three riders, maybe more.

aNow,a breathed Tali. I rose to my feet, wincing as a cramp stabbed through my legs. Tali shouldered one bag; I grabbed the other. Dust was still rising from the ridersa pa.s.sage as the two of us headed toward the river, keeping low. The ground was uneven. My foot went into a sudden hole and I almost twisted my ankle. My breath was coming hard; my chest hurt. aHere,a Tali muttered, reaching for my hand. aUp ahead, those trees. Keep your head down.a We reached the trees. Only then did I see that the natural contour of the land in this spot provided a hiding place. The riverbank was higher here, and between the alders was a sheltered hollow that would be invisible from the road. We threw the bags down and clambered after them. My heart was racing. If not for Talias canny eyesight, wead still have been in the open when the kingas men came by.

aMy guess is theyall ride back down before long,a Tali said. aThey were traveling too light to be headed over the pa.s.s. Must have some business at those farms. Just as well we werenat caught higher up.a aSo we wait here until they go by again?a I tried to match her calm tone.

aMm-hm.a She settled in a spot where she could see over the riverbank to the road, which lay some two hundred strides away.

aWhat if they donat? What if youare wrong and they are headed over the pa.s.s?a aUnlikely, in my judgment. Now tell mea"this brollachan cave weare headed for, can we get there straight along the riverbank? Pity we donat have a boat.a She took her gaze off the road for a moment to look down at the river, a churning ma.s.s of gray water from one bank to the other.

aYouare joking.a aIt would certainly get us downstream fast. The problem might be stopping before we washed up at the river mouth in full view of the Summerfort sentries.a As a joke, it was distinctly unamusing. aWe can get most of the way along the bank,a I told her. aRight at the end, thereas a sort of stony hill on this side, and we have to climb that to reach Hollowas cave and the bridge.a aI think I remember the spot, though I never saw any bridge in this valley except the kingas bridge.a aBrollachan Bridge is hidden by the hill. Itas only a log.a Only was hardly the right term for the monumental tree trunk that spanned the gap between rocky rise and cliff face. aI hope Hollowas in a good mood today.a aWhatall he do if he isnat?a aHe likes games. The kind of games that could end up with someone falling a long way.a Tali gave a slow smile. aWeall see about that.a aHeas a friend, Tali.a aAs I said.a * * *

It was late afternoon before the three Enforcers rode back through the defilea"long enough for my imagination to provide a picture of what might be happening in one or another of those lonely farmsteads. At a certain point in the afternoon, a column of smoke arose from the approximate direction of the farms. Neither Tali nor I made comment. We heard no screams, no sounds of weapons being drawn, no dogs barking. But maybe we were too far away for that. The smoke was thinning by the time the kingas men came riding by, the silver on their bridles glinting in the sunlight, their horses uniformly tall and black. The menas faces were concealed by their Enforcer masks, dark cloths wrapped over nose, mouth, and chin. None of them was Flint. I would have known him instantly, mask or no mask.

As soon as they were out of sight, we moved on. We followed the east bank of the Rush, staying in whatever cover we could find, but there was n.o.body on the road now, and nothing stirred in the valley save birds pa.s.sing high above us and a goat or two in the fields. I had no sense of Good Folk anywhere nearby. Perhaps Talias weapons were keeping them away.

We reached Hollowas hill not long before dusk. Tali was edgy. I had asked her to wrap and stow her weapons when the hill came into view and she had complied without a word. Now her hand kept moving to her belt, reaching for a knife that was not there. The hill loomed dark under a sky now thick with clouds; it would rain tonight. Hollowas hearth fire would be welcome.

aHe might jump out and yell,a I warned Tali. aKeep your weapons wrapped up. He knows Iam a friend. It will be all right once he sees me.a aAs long as he recognizes you before he rips our heads off, fine with me.a aIall go first.a I climbed the narrow path between the rocks, using my staff to help me balance. The light was fading fast. At every step I antic.i.p.ated a great shout from above, for when I had dared set foot on his bridge the first time, Hollow had hurled a fearsome challenge. I found I was holding my breath, waiting for the moment when his booming voice would ring from the rocky hillock.

We climbed and climbed, and there was nothing. Only the moon low over the horizon, and a high-pitched sound as something flew overhead. Now we must be almost level with the cliff path on the far side of the river, where Sorrel had died and Sage had held off two Enforcers to allow my escape. And still the place was quiet. Could it be that Hollow only guarded the front door, not the back?

We reached the end of the path. A shadowy pa.s.sageway led straight into the hill. No sign of the brollachan. I could see no light from within Hollowas lair, neither the warm glow of a lantern nor the flicker of a hearth fire.

aCall him,a Tali whispered.

No need for a canny call here, only the kind a traveler might make at a friendas doorway. aHollow, are you there? Itas Neryn.a Nothing. I tried again. aHollow! Itas Neryn, Sageas friend. You helped me last autumn when I was in trouble. Iam here with another woman. May we come in?a Silence. I looked at Tali; Tali looked at me. Soon it would be too dark to move around safely on these rocks. Besides, there was nowhere else to shelter.

aDonat tell me,a she said, taking off her pack and setting it on the ground so she could rummage inside. aMake fire without using a knife, light a candle, then walk into some creatureas lair with only my bare fists to defend both of us. Yes?a aUse your knife. But wrap it up again as soon as the candleas burning. He canat be gone. Guarding the bridge is his mission, his solemn trust. Head have come with me and protected me on the journey if not for that.a aReally?a Tali was working efficiently with flint and knife; she had a supply of compressed tinder in her bag, and a beeswax candle in a holder. aSo where is he?a aMaybe asleep. Or on the bridge. I donat know.a She said nothing more until the candle was alight and her materials were stowed in the pack again. aNeryn, this could be a trap.a She was keeping her voice to a murmur. aThere could be anyone in there. The two of us, with no proper weapons at hand, wandering along a narrow tunnel with a nice little light to warn folk weare cominga"thatas asking for trouble. If your friend were here, surely he would have come out by now.a aWe must go in. Maybe heas sick or hurt.a aWead be better off finding a place to shelter among these rocks, and having another look in the morning.a aIf itas some kind of ambush, whoever it is will have heard us by now. So your suggestion doesnat make much sense. We need to go in. If Hollow isnat there, we can at least make a proper fire and sleep under cover.a As if in answer, rain began to fall in pattering drops. Tali put up her hand to s.h.i.+eld the candle. aBlack Crowas curse! All right, but you carry the candle. I want my staff ready.a There was no ambush. We made our way cautiously through a network of dark tunnels, guessing at the right direction. Our candle was the only light. It felt a long way. It felt much farther than I had walked last time I was here, when Hollow had bid me farewell at the back door.

aHope youare right about this,a Tali murmured. As she spoke, I felt a movement of the air suggested the narrow tunnel was opening out. We stepped forward and into Hollowas cave.

aThis is it,a I breathed.

The fire on the broad hearth was a pile of whispering ashes. Above it the roof arched high; shadows moved oddly in the candlelight.

aThere are bones everywhere.a Talias voice was hushed. aHundreds of bones.a aHe collects them.a I set down my bag and staff. aWe may as well make a fire; thereas a woodpile over there. We should save the candle.a Where was Hollow? Surely he wouldnat leave the bridge. Had the Enforcers been here? Had I been wrong about the brollachanas ability to withstand cold iron?

Tali set her belongings down and fetched an armful of firewood. I stirred the ash heap with a long stick.

aTali!a She was by my side in a moment.

aThere are glowing embers here. He hasnat been gone long.a She made no comment, simply went about getting the fire burning again with the efficiency she turned to every task. I took out some provisions and set them on one of the flat stones that furnished Hollowas lair.

Tali started suddenly. aWhat was that?a I listened, and for a while heard nothing. Then it came, a thready whimpering from somewhere in the dark recesses of the cavern.

aGive me the candle.a I moved cautiously in the direction of the sound, taking care not to trip on the bones, which were not in a tidy arrangement as Hollow liked them, but scattered here and there on the ground.

Over by the wall was a pile of old sacks, and from deep within, a pair of frightened eyes peered out. I released my breath and knelt down, not too close, for I knew from experience how hard the pookie could bite. aItas his friend,a I told Tali, feeling suddenly cold. aSomething bad must have happened. Hollow wouldnat go off and leave the pookie on its own.a As if it understood, the catlike creature began a mournful wailing, but when I tried to coax it out, it hissed and retreated farther into the sacks.

aFood,a I said. aCheese, in particular. And it likes to be warm, so letas build up the fire.a Tali was doing so even as I spoke. aWhat in the name of the G.o.ds is a pookie?a she asked.

aIad never heard of one until I came here. Itas Hollowas only companion.a It took me a while to get the little creature out, even with morsels of cheese as a lure. Eventually it crept toward the fire and settled itself on my folded cloak, s.h.i.+vering. The embers suggested Hollow had been gone less than a day; the pookie was not starving, though once it was out, it ate as if it hadnat seen a meal since my last visit in autumn.

Tali settled herself out of biting range, watching the creature as we ate our own meager supper. There had been no hunting or trapping today, and we needed to make our provisions last. aCan we get over this bridge without the brollachan?a she asked after a while. There was no need for her to spell it out: with Enforcers active in the valley, it was doubly important for us to avoid the kingas bridge. And Brollachan Bridge was the only other way.

aWe could.a I glanced at the pookie, which had sidled closer and was curled up against my leg. aItas a matter of keeping your balance and not looking down. Once weare over, thereas a small settlement to pa.s.s through, then a track that leads to the woods above Deepwater. Last autumn the king had sentries along the hill on this side, and the local people were in the habit of telling them when strangers pa.s.sed through.a aHmm. Well, this place is good shelter. I never knew about this bridge, and Iave been up and down the valley more times than I can count.a aPeople donat talk about it. If you ask them, they either tell you there is no bridge, or they say whoever attempts to cross ends up being washed down the river, stone dead. That would be Hollowas doing.a aBut he let you across.a aAfter testing me, yes. Hollow is old and strong. I canat think what has happened to him.a aThereas nothing we can do about it,a Tali said, aso letas get some sleep. Weall move on in the morning. And, before you ask, weare not taking that creature with us. If I wanted another traveling companion, it wouldnat be one with a shrill voice and a bottomless stomach.a Morning came, and still Hollow had not returned. We packed up in silence while the pookie perched on the rocks, staring at us. It was an odd-looking creature, a little like a cat, but with a hairless tail and enormous ears. Perhaps I was imagining the look of reproach in those gleaming eyes.

aWhat about the fire?a aIall bank it up; itall keep the cave warm for today, at least. Maybe heall be back soon.a I hoped the pookie could find food in these underground ways or on the hillside beyond. It felt entirely wrong to leave it on its own. What if Hollow never came back?

aDonat even think of it,a Tali said over her shoulder. How she knew what was in my mind was a mystery. aThe creature is a burden we canat afford. We must go swiftly and quietly. Weave lost half a day already. I want to be in the safety of those woods before thereas too much movement on the road. Whereas this bridge?a I dealt with the fire, then led her out through the pa.s.sageway to the west. The bridge was a single log of immense length, set high above the Rush. At the far end it rested on a ledge partway down the cliff face. A precarious path led from there to the high track toward Deepwater. It was barely dawn; I hoped it was too early for sentries.

It had rained during the night and the bridge was wet. I reminded myself that when Iad done this before, I had been weak and ill, and Hollow had leapt up onto the log to challenge me. He had made me play a game of catch, using the pookie as a ball. And I had fallen, as so many had before me, but Hollow had caught me. After that, wead been friends. aThe thing is not to look down,a I said, my stomach churning.

aCheck that your packas secure.a Tali was a.s.sessing the bridge and the hillside beyond, perfectly calm. aHold your staff crosswise and use it for balance. Scuff your boots in the soil here, youall get a better grip. Best if you go first; youave done this before.a That was ridiculous, since this was the kind of feat she excelled at; most likely she wanted me to go first so shead have some chance of grabbing me if I slipped. I hitched up my bag, tucked the hem of my skirt into my belt, and gripped my staff with palms suddenly slick with sweat. I stepped onto the bridge. Fixed my gaze on a point at the other side where there was a rock a bit like a dragonas head. Said Flintas name to myself a few times, silently, as if it might be a lucky talisman.

aIf youare ready, go on. Iall be right behind you.a Tali sounded completely confident, as if she hadnat the least doubt that I could walk across quite steadily. It helped. I headed out onto the log, one foot before the other, not trying for speed but maintaining a rhythm, because if I hesitated, I would have too much time to think. One foot. The other foot. Adjust the staff. Keep looking at the dragonas head. Keep breathing, in, out, in, out. A long way. In the middle a fresh breeze caught us, coming down the river from the snowy mountains to the north. In, out, in, out.

aYouare doing well,a came Talias voice, a murmur now. aMore than halfway there.a One foot. The other foot. The staff a little up, a little down. Donat drop it, Neryn.

aStop!a Talias voice was tight with alarm, but quiet enough not to startle me into falling.

I froze in place, my heart hammering. aWhat?a I squeaked.

aThereas something over there. On the path. Back up, Neryn.a Back up? It was hard enough going forward. I couldnat see anything on the ledge at the end of the bridge. I turned my head carefully, making myself look up the path toward the cliff top. And there, coming down from above, was a nebulous dark shape, a thing of mist and shadow. Within that strange veil could be discerned legs like tree trunks, fists the size of platters, dark penetrating eyes above a grinning mouth full of formidable teeth.

aBack up!a repeated Tali in an urgent whisper.

The dark form was moving fast; he was at the bridge before I could take another step, walking out toward us, reaching out a huge hand. aHold on tae me, Neryn. We canna hae ye fallina.a He led me forward, and in no time I was safely on the ledge, and Tali was coming down after me, her eyes wide with shock. aSorry I wasna hame tae greet the twa oa ye,a Hollow said, giving Tali a good look up and down.

aYouare safe; thatas all that matters. I was worried about you. Hollow, this is my friend and guard, Tali. We sheltered in your cave last night; we fed the pookie and made up your fire.a aAnd now weall be getting on,a said Tali.

aOh, aye,a said Hollow. aI was comina tae that. Will ye noa cross back ower, and Iall maka ye a bittie breakfast tae see ye on your way? I ken yeare in a rush, but this ledge isna the coziest spot for a chat.a Tali glared at me, as if this delay were my doing. aWeave no time for this,a she said.

aYeare headina off on a mission, and yeave nae time tae heed a warnina?a The strange mist was dispersing from around Hollowas ma.s.sive form, revealing more clearly his blockish frame and his rough-hewn features. aYead be plannina on headina up that way, aye?a aWeare going west,a I said. aTo the isles, to find the Hag. This is the safer path down to Deepwater. We wanted to avoid the kingas bridge.a aWeel,a said Hollow, scratching his chin, aye wouldna be wantina tae taka this path. But ye shouldna be followina the kingas road neither. The wee wumman, Sage, was by here noa sae lang since, and tellit me whatas planned. I took it on masela tae check the coast was clear for ye, knowina yead be by here soon. Thereas kingas men on guard by the track up yonder.a He gestured up the path we had planned to take. aGae that way and yeall walk right intae them.a Tali stared at him. aYou checked the coast was clear, you say. That took all night?a It was a challenge.

aTali,a I said, aHollow is a friend. I told you.a She narrowed her eyes at me. I reminded myself that it was her job to keep me safe; I might need to get used to this kind of thing.

aWeall come back over with you,a I said, making the decision. aYouare right, this is not the place to discuss things.a Chances were I was standing on the very spot where Sorrel had died in agony; chances were Tali was in the place where Sage had fought a desperate battle to keep the kingas men at bay while I fled across the bridge. aEspecially if there are Enforcers just around the corner.a aOa course,a Hollow said, aI could hae got rid oa them for ye. But that didna seem wise. I dinna want them comina up in numbers, stormina the brig wia fire and iron. Yon caveas a handy shelter; chances are your folk may need it again.a We walked back over the bridge. Hollow insisted on going sideways and leading me by the hand while Tali came behind, her silence heavy with doubt. When we were halfway across, the pookie emerged from the entry on the other side to stand by the bridge, quivering and giving out little shrieks.