Words wreathed in fire came to his mind. He did not know what released the memory from the background shadows of his mind. He had stood before a Bandit commander in the governor’s palace of Landmoor. Your death is hardly of any consequence to me. Thealos had replied that it was—that the Shae army would descend on the Shoreland in fury if he were killed. Maybe I’m counting on that.
A hand on his shoulder—a soft touch. Twisting his neck, he saw it was Laisha.
“I’m sorry, Thealos. You asked to see them again and again. I didn’t let you. I should have let you.”
He felt …broken inside. A cup shattered to pieces. “If I had been there with your permission, my lady, I would be dead right now as well.” A pitcher of water or wine sat on a table nearby, and he quelled the violent urge to strike it. To start kicking and punching and thrashing on the floor. Anything to act out the madness ringing in his ears.
“You are safe here, Thealos,” she said, reaching out with her other hand and smoothing some hair from his shoulder. She looked conflicted, as if resisting the impulse to hug him and comfort him. “It will not be able to cross the warding. I’ll send someone else to Landmoor…”
“No.”
He whirled and caught her hand and squeezed it, boring his gaze into her deep eyes. They were nearly the same height. He felt her try to tug her hand away, but he gripped even stronger.
“It was sent to Avisahn to kill me. I have no doubt about that. How many other Shae will it kill trying to hunt me in here? I don’t know what strength your Warders have…or how many Crimson Wolfsmen it would take to bring it down. But I do know that the Silverkin will destroy it, and that is a weapon we do not have in our hands.” He saw her draw in a breath to speak, and he stepped closer, pulling her in. “Listen to me, Laisha. I must leave Avisahn. Right now—with no delay. Send some Wolfsmen with me and a Warder. We will start the journey south to Landmoor and draw this abomination after us. Prepare another heir of Quicksilver to leave as well. Another if necessary. But I must leave Avisahn. Staying here will endanger every person in this city. You know this is true. Give the order.”
She squeezed his hand, tears dewing up on her lashes. “Are you sure you want to do this? I would rather send an army to protect you.”
He felt her breath on his chin. “I wouldn’t mind an army. But they will move too slow and I know the way to Landmoor. A smaller group will be easier to slip into the city. But we’ll need help once we take the Silverkin. We need to know the army is coming behind us.”
“You’re right. You’re right. It will come. I promise you.”
Thealos lifted their entwined hands and kissed hers. “Thank you.”
“No—thank you. You show great courage, Thealos Quickfellow.” Her fingers tightened in his. “I’m truly sorry. You will never want or lack for anything. This sacrifice you make for our people will never be forgotten.”
His mouth tingled. Suddenly, he realized that everyone was staring at them and felt an awkward blush rise to his cheeks. Thoughts swirled and churned inside of him. Loss of his parents and family. A new beginning in Avisahn. An opportunity to get to know her better—to be chosen by her instead of forced on her. A premonition signaled through the current.
Unless he died on the journey. And that was a very real possibility.
He nearly kissed her, not knowing if he would ever again have the chance. He had taken a liberty like that with Stasy, but he dared not with a queen.
“When I come back,” he said, “promise me you won’t confine me any more.”
“Not unless you betray me. Go, Thealos. Quickly!” She turned to Xenon. “Ready your men, Lor Xenon. I’m sending you back to the Shoreland.”
*
“This way, Thealos. Over here.”
Abtalion raised a blue stone and it shone against the stone underwall of the palace. He traced the corner with his finger and then released a hidden catch and the wall opened. Xenon looked both ways and plunged into the darkness of the tunnel with the first quaere. Their leaf-bladed swords illuminated the dark.
Thealos started to follow, but Abtalion gripped his shoulder. “Laisha asked me to prepare these for you. Here is a travel pack with bedding, clothes, and boots. You can change on the barge. This bundle is a…”
“A bow,” Thealos said, recognizing the dimensions and the wrapping style. “Thank you.”
“This one is a sword,” Abtalion said, handing over another one. “It belonged to Laisha’s brother. Take good care of it—she’ll want to see it again when you return. Remember—take the Silverkin and return with it to Avisahn. Our first obligation is to defend the Shae. Use it if you must down there, but remember the warning in the archive texts. It can kill you if the danger is too great.”
“Thank you, chancellor. I won’t forget. How close to the docks will this tunnel take us?”
“It will take you all the way to the docks. There are other escape passages out of the palace as well. A barge is being fitted with supplies and weapons as we speak. It will be ready to launch when you get there.”
“Thank you. Keep her safe, chancellor.”