Page 40 of A Fractured Song

“That’s the way it always goes when it comes to conflicts, isn’t it?” the elf went on as he nonchalantly tied her wrists so tightly her hands began to feel numb. “Whoever wins the conflict gets to write the records—ornotwrite them, as their preference may be. If winning the conflict wins them enough power, they can even get rid of other records they don’t especially like.”

“So…you had conflict with the singers?” Zev asked. He was studying the elf carefully, his stance back to its usual calm confidence in spite of the bound hands.

The elf gave a snort. “Conflict is a nice way to put it. They tried to wipe us out altogether. Why do you think we’re skulking down here?”

“We’re not skulking,” Rissin cut in reproachfully, strolling up to the group.

The first elf just shrugged.

“What happened between your kind and the singers?” Zev asked, directing the question to Rissin.

The elf considered him steadily, his eyes glittering. “What will you give me in exchange for the information?”

“In asking, I promise nothing, only inquire,” Zev said carefully. “What do you seek?”

“I wish to know first, whether you know why the magic pooled around you, and second, the reason it did so,” Rissin countered much too quickly and smoothly.

Marieke expected Zev to disclaim any knowledge of the reason, but he just looked back at the elf in uncommunicative silence. Did he not want to engage in a discussion of magic, or did he actually know something he wasn’t sharing?

As always, she wished she could read what was in his mind.

The silence stretched out long enough for Rissin to give up.But Marieke could see the calculating way he assessed Zev as he turned away.

“I wish to reach Svetlana’s group before dark,” he said to the other elves. “Let’s go.”

The elves set off, Marieke and Zev following behind. To her relief, they weren’t blindfolded like she had been last time, and their packs weren’t taken from them. She wished she could retrieve her cloak. Judging by the color of the strip of sky visible to them, the sun hadn’t set yet in the world above the gorge. But down at the base of Sundering Canyon, the light was low, and night’s chill was already seeping through her light clothes.

They walked for half an hour before the elves turned suddenly sideways, stepping between two offset boulders and onto a staircase that had been hidden from view until they were right upon it.

“They still don’t even know we’re here. We would have come and gone without interruption if not for these two,” sighed the elf with the blade.

But Rissin didn’t seem bothered by the change in their plans. “It’s good to check in with the humans every now and then. Wait here with the prisoners.”

He ducked into an opening above them, leaving them standing for a full quarter of an hour. The light had become so low that Marieke could barely make out Zev’s expression. They didn’t attempt to speak, just waited in silence until Rissin reappeared, accompanied by a middle-aged woman with gray eyes and grizzled hair.

“Svetlana!” Marieke felt a surge of relief which she knew made no sense. Last time this woman had tried to imprison her. But it was just so reassuring to see a human after the unnerving discovery that another intelligent species existed within the canyon.

The older woman stared at her. “Do I know y—ah.”Understanding came into her eyes, a spark of curiosity with it. “You’re the one who fell from the bridge! You’ve got your voice back.”

“Not every aspect of it,” Rissin broke in. “She’s a singer, but seems unable to sing down here.”

Svetlana’s eyes sharpened, and she looked Marieke over again. She made no comment, however, merely beckoning the group in. “We can discuss this further inside.” Her eyes flicked to Zev. “Who’s he?”

“My name is Zevadiah.” Zev spoke with dignity, but Marieke caught his rueful look—bordering on humorous—in response to the dismissive way Svetlana noticed him.

“I suppose you’d best come in, too,” the middle-aged woman said.

Hands still bound, Marieke and Zev followed her and the elves through a tunnel network that eventually led them to a furnished cave. It was much nicer than the cave Marieke had been taken into the previous time. Wooden doors had been built over the various entrances to keep out drafts, and the space was lit by lanterns. Clattering from behind the far door suggested that it might be a cooking area, a realization that made Marieke’s stomach grumble. She and Zev had found only minimal opportunity to safely stop and eat on their precarious descent into the canyon.

A glance around the main room revealed several other people clad in the same nondescript gray as Svetlana. One stood by each doorway, and the others hovered not far behind Svetlana, saying nothing but watching the new arrivals closely. Svetlana gave them a subtle nod as she passed, before gesturing toward a number of chairs.

“Sit.”

It was more of a command than a sign of hospitality, but Marieke sank gladly into a chair regardless. It was a relief to be off her feet. Two of the elves remained standing, but Rissinapproached a chair, putting his hands lightly on the seat and then vaulting himself up onto it. Marieke had to fight a sudden and slightly hysterical giggle at the way his legs dangled above the ground. Like a child at the adults’ table.

“What’s your name, child?” Svetlana asked her.

“Marieke,” she said.

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