The Thief's Daughter (Kingfountain #2)

Evie rode at the front of the column with Iago, who was spouting off incessantly about the wonders of Atabyrion—the majestic rivers, the fords, the lumber trade, how the speed of his hawks exceeded the falcons of Ceredigion. Owen rode comfortably in the saddle, next to Evie but slightly behind her, so he could hear the majority of what was said. In some ways, Iago’s vigor for life, and love of conversation, reminded Owen of Evie herself. It was a bit annoying, actually.

Their horses were used to the rugged terrain, so they easily climbed higher into the mountains. The Ceredigic portion of the hunting party consisted of Evie, Justine, Owen, Clark, Etayne, and a lawyer named Sadger, and the Atabyrion contingent included King Iago, two of his knights, his birdmaster, a hunter, two lawyers, and several servants on mules hauling the food they would eat.

Owen listened with growing agitation as the dialogue continued, unable to participate in it at all since he was pretending to be a knight. He watched the woods for signs of trouble or ambush, the reins held loose in his gloved hands. He had been expending his energy looking for threats, and he was beginning to feel his power recede a little each time he used it. He still had plenty in reserve, but just being in a foreign land, with all its unique dangers and risks, was beginning to tire him. If he were not careful, he realized, he could drain his magic completely—something he’d never let happen before.

They spent the morning hawking, using the powerful birds to strike down smaller animals. Iago yelled with satisfaction each time one of the birds swooped down and caught something in its talons. His demeanor, while hunting, was all affability and good grace, as if nothing Evie had said the day before had troubled him in the slightest.

As it approached midday, they reached Wizr Falls.

Owen heard the falls before he saw them, and he had to admit, they did remind him hauntingly of the North. This waterfall started its descent in a series of steps, the water churning so violently it was nothing but froth and foam. The river twisted and turned at sharp angles along the way, cutting across the mountain path they had been following. The area was made of jagged, volcanic debris of various kinds. It was interesting to look at, especially the rocks that had naturally formed into thin columns and were crumbling in places like fallen tiles. The cliffs were fairly sheer and steep. Ferns and vegetation overhung the trail, forcing the horses to go single file through the narrow gaps leading up to the falls.

Wizr Falls was impressive, but then, the sight of so much water coming so quickly had never failed to strike Owen with awe. As they stopped to eat, he groomed Evie’s horse himself, patting its withers and brushing it down, just as a knight in service would do.

“I must show you this part!” Iago said eagerly, grabbing Evie by the arm and pointing toward the edge of the narrow road leading to the falls.

Owen didn’t want her out of his sight and noticed Clark’s frown as well. They tied off the horses and hurried to follow the pair. Iago half dragged her through the brush.

“I’ve come here a hundred times if not a thousand,” he said. “See the rocks hanging from the side of the cliffs? They look like Wizr pieces, do they not?”

“I can tell,” Evie said, a little breathlessly. “They are like sentinels. They’ve not been carved?”

“Only by the river,” Iago said. “They have always been here. Remnants of the Wizrs of old! I wish they existed today. Duke Maxwell claims to have a Wizr. It’s all a bunch of rumors, of course.”

Owen’s ears perked up at the comment.

“We live in such drab and dreary days. It’s all about laws and treaties now. In the past, during the age of King Andrew, when kingdoms had conflicts, they went to war! Sword against sword, that’s how you managed things. I would have gloried in it. The past was truly the best of times. Our modern days are filled with blather.”

“But war rarely solves problems,” Evie countered. “It drains the coffers, grieves the mothers and widows.”

“True, but plague and disease have much the same effect. There is always a new reason to weep. War is decisive. It is the ultimate test of manhood. It is a force, much like those churning waters. Ah, I love feeling the mist on my face!”

The wind had shifted, bringing some of the mist from the falls over to them. When Owen reached them, he saw them standing at the edge of the cliff, the river continuing far below them amidst a sea of rubble.

“Let’s go farther down,” Iago suggested, grabbing her arm.

Owen’s heart leaped with fear. A little farther down from the crest was a series of boulders hanging over the river, each one wide enough for one or two persons. A slip would mean plummeting into a deadly chasm. The waterfall was to the right, almost bearing down on them with its never-ending flood.

Evie stared down at the boulders. “You’ve done this before?” she asked.

“Every time I’ve come here. The best view is from that one,” Iago said, pointing to the farthest one, which was practically hanging off the cliffside. Owen’s stomach shriveled at the sight. “Are you courageous, Lady Mortimer?” he taunted.

Owen wanted to rush down and shove the king off the cliff himself. He froze in indecision, wanting to speak up in warning, but he could already see the look in her eyes, the eagerness and daring that reached down to her very soul.

Iago let go of her arm and then ambled down the cliff like a goat, his footing confident and experienced. He went down to a lower stone and stood there, posing for her. “The rocks are a little wet, but you have sturdy boots. Come, I’ll help you.”

No, Owen willed her in his mind. Clark touched his shoulder and gave him a worried look that doubled as a question: Should we intervene?

But before Owen could say anything, she was scrabbling down the mountain after Iago. There was a grin on her face, an undeniable pleasure at braving something so risky. Sure-footed and fearless, she followed him all the way down to the shelf of rock overhanging the river. Iago held her hand as she descended the final part, and Owen realized he had stopped breathing.

“She’s mad,” Clark whispered.

“You’re not far off the mark,” Owen said, staring in bewilderment.

Iago looked up at Owen and Clark. “If you’re too timid to join us, would you mind throwing a bag of food down?”

Owen needed no more goading. He ambled down the cliff himself, his heart in his throat, following the stair-like boulders and trying to ignore the screaming thoughts of what would happen if he fell. Well, he was Fountain-blessed. He didn’t truly believe he’d die by waterfall.

When he reached one of the lower shelves of rock, near the one where Evie and Iago were sitting, he noticed the king was looking at him with admiration. Clark followed in his wake, his eyes wide with terror at the unnecessary risk they had taken.

“You have brave knights, Lady Mortimer,” the king said to her, then nodded to Owen and Clark.

“The men of Ceredigion are fearless. The waterfalls of Dundrennan are even more impressive,” Evie said mildly, acting as though the adventure were nothing out of the ordinary.

“So I have heard, so I have heard!” the king crooned.