Page 58 of Chained Knight

Darjeth’s breathing was ragged as Hannixe changed the poultice. She dabbed more crushed leaves on the slice, frowning in the bloody light of sunset. “Is it very bad?”

“Not so much. I simply cannot dance at the moment.” He gave a tight smile, but his forehead was damp, his cheeks hollow-gaunt as the chained man’s had been at first.

Ari peered at the wooden guidepost. A length of rusted chain fell from an eyelet carved in its top and trailed across dusty gravel, vanishing into the gravel-floored cleft between two massive, glossy spires. The rock towers looked very sharp, and the combing windsong mounted as evening rose. “A guide?”

“Gaps are few, and at some there are guides. Before the misfortune, all one had to do was follow a chain in order to arrive safely.” Keners frowned, staring into the gap. “I had hoped the renewal would bring them to some kind of repair.”

Huh. Ari stepped closer, studying the wood’s grain, the thick rust on the chain. It looked ancient, many links rotten enough to snap under their own weight.

“Perhaps enough remains of this one, and we can feel our way through.” Hannixe shook out a fresh scrap of fabric and bent once more, accomplishing a neat compression bandage with a few swift movements. Darjeth obeyed her slight prodding, lifting his arm and twisting to grant her greater access—but slowly, his teeth bared in a grimace.

“Unlikely.” Keners shook his head, examining the chain as well. “If we step into a false passage we may well wander starving for a hundred mortal years. That is, if the windsnakes do not descend. They would not approach the chain, but if ’tis broken or we stray, they will feast well.” He glanced at Ari, pale eyes narrowed, and the message was clear.

This is a really bad idea.

“Well, you are canny enough to elude both the Golden and the restless dead.” The Grey Lady straightened, stretching and shaking her hands briskly. “Finding the way should be little trouble for you, no?”

“If my lady asks it, I will do all I can.” The Fox didn’t sound happy about the notion. “Even in darkness.”

“There is no hope,” Darjeth said, clamping his arm against the bandage and sagging atop his rounded grey boulder-seat. “You have done all that is possible, Hannixe—you and our lady queen. Perhaps you should simply leave me, and withdraw to some safety.”

Like hell I will. Ari bit her lower lip, gently; the torc with its white jewel warmed against her breastbone, safely tucked under her mantle. The forest had healed itself in fast-forward, the Mere had turned to clean water. It was ridiculous, but maybe…

She stepped closer to the post. It trembled slightly, but that could have been the wind.

“Be careful,” Keners said. “My lady queen, do not?—”

Ari’s fingers met dry, rough wood.Please. I’m doing the best I can here.

For a moment nothing happened, and she felt utterly ridiculous. Evening breeze mounted, the Spires keening, and the sound went right through her head like the grinding shatter of a car accident.

An image of the chained man rose in Ari’s head, sharp and vivid. Head cocked as he rode, he stared at some point past her, the big black equine shaking its mane impatiently. Splinters quivered under her fingertips, sharp edges jabbing. Metal crackled and rang, drowning out the wind’s voice.

Do you doubt now, Ariadne?

She snatched her hand back, her entire arm tingling as if waking from nerve compression. The wooden post stood straight and tall now, sleek and darkly varnished; a last gleam of blood-red sunset passed down the dull iron chain, snaking whole and untarnished into the gap. Pebbles shifted, gravel settling, and somewhere in the distance a low rolling growl like thunder echoed.

“By silver.” Keners sounded wondering, and not a little awestruck.

Darjeth did, too. “I have heard that before; ’tis our lord prince’s displeasure. I think he has ascertained our aim.”

I certainly hope so. “He’ll follow us?” Ari couldn’t squash the thin thread of hope blooming in her chest. She turned to Hannixe and the guys, shaking out her hand. The buzzing in her fingers wouldn’t abate.

“I think it likely he feared you taken, and was already riding hard through the Blight to attack the Mirrored City.” Hannixe shivered, cupping her elbows in her palms, hugging herself very much as Ari habitually did. “The traitor will be so busy with that event, we shall pass near unnoticed.”

“Good.” Ari hoped it didn’t mean the chained man was angry ather. But if she was going to get a beating—or worse—she’d damn well better make it worth the price.

Like filching cash from Wanda Lee’s purse to add to her getaway fund or fleeing from a big white house where her ex-husband’s body lay on hardwood, some things just had to be done.

“Keners,” she continued, “how are the equines?”

“Strong enough for one last effort.” There was a new note in the Fox’s tone, suspiciously like respect. “As am I, and my friend Darjeth.”

“I am ready.” Hannixe helped the blond man to his feet. “Let us make what speed we may.”

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