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"Korey, what is down there? How could I get across the lake to the woods?"
Before Korey could speak, a knock sounded on the door.
"Quick," Hedí said, and lifted the quilt off Korey."Under the bed."
Korey scurried away on all fours and wriggled out of sight, and Hedí spread
the quilt roughly over the bed. She returned to the door and opened it a
fraction.
A middle-aged guard stood before her in the corridor. He looked distraught.
"Forgive my disturbing you, lady," he said. "Baron Milea has arrived and is
waiting in the meal hall. Our lord sent word last night that you wished to see
the baron. But all this happened before "
"Before today's commotion," Hedí finished for him.
"Yes, my lady. Our lord has granted the baron ashort visit."
"Thank you. I will be down in a moment."
She closed the door and rushed to the cherry-wood desk, grabbing a scrap of
parchment and a feather quill.
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"Korey, come out," she said, and dipped the quill in the inkwell, scribbling
a note. "You must get back to your room quickly. Wait& how did you open and
close the door with paws instead of hands?"
Korey scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "I don't do it while I'm a cat! I take
my clothes off in my room, wait till no one's in the hall, then go out and
change. No one notices a cat around here 'cause they're supposed to be
catching rats and mice."
Hedí shook her head. If only she had met this little one years ago. "Hurry
back to your room. Julia may be there soon with your dinner. I will come for
you later, and you can show me how to find this portal."
"I'll wait up for you," Korey agreed.
Hedí fought down guilt again. What she did was for the sake of her people her
lost mother and sisters, and her father, and even for Korey.
"Good girl," she said. "Now, change."
Korey's body began to shrink, darkening with fur that sprouted from her soft
skin.
Hedí watched the reverse process with fascination instead of horror.
When it was complete, she cracked the door open, and Korey, the little
black-brown cat, scurried out and down the corridor. She closed the door and
folded the note she had written until it fit into the palm of her hand. When
enough time passed that Korey would be well on her way, Hedí left and went
down to the meal hall.
Emêl stood within the archway in his green tunic and watched her enter. She
almost smiled at the sight of his face. Then she saw Darmouth standing further
into the hall.
"My lady," he said, and the tone made her feel like property.
She ignored him and held out her hands to Emêl in greeting. Confusion
replaced the sadness in his eyes as he returned her polite gesture, taking
hands. His brow creased when he felt the folded paper she pressed into his
palm.
"It is good to see you," he said calmly. "Lord Darmouth tells me you left
unfinished business at the Bronze Bell?"
"Yes, I have not paid Mistress Dauczeck at the dressmaker's. It is two
streets west of the inn. She will be waiting for the coins. Also, I never got
to the letter for your sister regarding plans for the winter feast. Would you
see to that for me?"
Emêl nodded politely.
The following moments of inane chatter were torture, standing so close to
him. Hedí wanted to touch him and to ask how he was or assure him of her
treatment. Darmouth remained vigilant at the rear of the hall. When she ran
out of conversation and imaginary tasks for Emêl, Darmouth became restless and
approached.
"Is that all?" he asked.
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She could think of nothing else. The note in Emêl's hand was urgent, and
hopefully he would understand and follow her instructions. She studied his
reddish hair and kind eyes, wishing she were leaving with him.
"Then I've other matters," Darmouth said. "You're dismissed, Emêl."
He crossed his arms over his breastplate. Emêl nodded his good-bye to Hedí,
his subtle sadness returning, and left the meal hall.
Hedí was left angry and adrift as she heard the entryway door clunk shut. It
strained her to remain polite and submissive in Darmouth's close presence.
"Perhaps you think me harsh," he said, "to lock up that scholar."
Neither denial nor confirmation would please him, so she remained silent.
"Your scholar girl is bait for a dangerous criminal," he continued."Another
traitor to be dealt with. You even know something of him, as I suspect you've
never lost interest in what happened to your father."
Hedí was now confused. She remained passive, and answered truthfully, "I do
not understand, my lord."
"His name is Leesil," Darmouth answered slowly."Son of my former servants,
Gavril and his elven wife, Nein'a, who betrayed me."
He looked her up and down, watching for her reaction or something else. She
wanted to spit bile in his face.
"I do not understand," she repeated, doe-eyed.
"That half-blood drove the stiletto through the back of your father's skull
while he slept."
Chapter Thirteen
Shortly past dusk, Chane and Welstiel stepped into the Ivy Vine inn. They
retreated to the privacy of their room, their task completed. Chane had awoken
Welstiel after the sun dipped below the trees. The two had gone in search of
the inn called Byrd's, where they knew Magiere hid with this would-be
revolutionary. Chane had only to glimpse the location to hold it in his mind
for later use, and Welstiel shielded his presence from Magiere's or Chap's
awareness. Still, Chane was relieved to be back in their room.
Removing his cloak, he dropped to his knees beside the robin's cage and
carefully lifted out his bird. Welstiel stood silently as Chane opened his
hands and watched the robin fly into the night. Chane closed his eyes and
guided his familiar.
Leesil's anxiety grew through the afternoon. When he put on his cloak to
leave in search of Magiere, Byrd stepped in his way.
''I'll do it," Byrd said. "I'll put up my 'closed' sign, and you lock the
door after me."
"I'm sick of sitting here. They take too many risks just because I might be
seen by someone who knows me. That's over. I'm making the decisions now."
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