Page 22 of Staff of Nightfall

Chapter 9

Mother and Regulusplayed checkers while Adelaide laid on her stomach, hanging off the end of her bed. She tossed her dagger and caught it. Father had gone to write messages to all the dukes, several barons, and to a few lords. All she could do was wait. She hated it.

Mother had beaten Regulus for the third time, much to his clear disappointment, when the door burst open and Father flew in. “They’re dead. Almost all of them.”

“What?” Adelaide caught her dagger and sat up. Father’s face was drawn and pale. He clutched an arrow in his hand.

“A servant went to the aviary to feed the birds.” Father shook the arrow. “This was on the floor, with a small pouch and a note tied to it.” He thrust out his other hand and opened it, revealing a shredded off-white wool pouch and a rolled-up piece of parchment. “The pouch was full of seed. The birds got into it.” He clenched his fist around the pouch and note. “Poisoned. Most of them are dead, and a few are close. We’re not sure if the others didn’t eat any or if they haven’t reacted yet.”

Mother cursed in Khast, her eyes wide with horror. Adelaide gripped her dagger tighter. It seemed impossible. The aviary was located at the top of the south-eastern tower. Even though it had the largest window in the entire outer defense, someone would have to be a phenomenal shot to make that.

“We found a few identical arrows wedged in the moss on the sides of the window, and another inside,” Father said, as if reading her thoughts. “They didn’t have the pouch or note. He must have tried several times to ensure he would make the window.”

“Who poisons an entire aviary?” Mother asked.

“The kind of person who orders a horse hobbled to send a message to its owner,” Regulus muttered.

“I have to send messengers,” Father said. He leaned back against the door. “And pray he doesn’t kill them all.”

“You can’t send them to their deaths.” Adelaide tossed her dagger onto the bed. “We have to figure out a way to send them safely!”

“Our king is in danger. Our home is under attack.” Father’s expression hardened. “This is war. Sacrifices must be made.”

“But—”

“He’s not wrong, Adelaide,” Regulus said, his voice quiet.

She turned toward him, hurt and surprised. “They’ll die.”

“Many more people will die, including the king, if he’s not warned,” Father said. “It is my duty to try.”

Adelaide shook her head. ShehatedNolan. If only she had her magic. With her magic, she could keep Nolan from getting close enough to reach her. Keep him far enough away that his enhanced strength and speed and his immortality wouldn’t matter. “Fine. But we need a back-up plan.”

Father raised his brows. “I’m listening.”

“Send the messengers.” Adelaide looked at Regulus, then back at Father. “But let Regulus and I leave right after them for the neumenet tree.” Mother and Father started speaking at once, so she shouted over them, “Listen!” They quieted, but neither looked pleased. “Nolan will be focused on the messengers. Send them out, and we can sneak out without him noticing us. If the neumenet tree can restore my magic, I’ll be better able to defend myself. And if none of the messengers get through, then I’ll go. If I have my magic back, I can get past him, I’m sure.”

“That’s a lot of if’s,” Father said with a shake of his head. “It’s too dangerous.”

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