Page 74 of Truth's Blade

She lifted the rope up and put her hands through the loops, and felt a sudden weight in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She had spent her life being quiet, helping from the shadows. Now she was standing in the spotlight, helping her enemy bind her.

Nausea burned in her throat, and she swallowed it down.

“Open a path,” she said, lifting her arms to show him the loops were over her wrists. “Caro will stay back and tighten them when everyone else is through.”

Caro moved to her side, standing with her stoically as they watched Marchant move the white stone that touched the left side of the building. He set it down a little way away.

“That stick is magic.” She kept her voice low as she turned to the others. “It might be what he used on Ric.”

They nodded in understanding as Ivan, Gallain and Jacinta picked up their packs and the children’s packs, Ivan slinging two over each shoulder.

She knew they were looking for a way to attack Marchant as they left, she could read it in their body language, but if they failed to take him, if he had his usual array of tricks up his sleeve, all this negotiation would be for nothing.

“Just focus on getting the children away,” she warned softly.

She saw Ivan hesitate, then finally give a nod.

“I’m not generous enough to return your cloak, girlie.” Marchant flicked a hand at Viviane. “Thank your aunt of the north for me, won’t you?”

“You should hope I do not so much as mention your existence to her, old man,” Viviane said, using the term of disrespect he seemed to like right back at him. “You would not want her to turn her attention, or the attention of her husband, your way.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” He rubbed his hands together, his face twisting in what might have been a smile, and Melodie wondered, not for the first time, if there was something wrong with him.

He had brought over three horses, and they looked like the ones from Illoa. One danced a little, as if nervous or disturbed, and Melodie caught the briefest glimpse of a glow.

“Stop.” She raised her voice and everyone stopped, obeying her without question. She very deliberately let the rope loops slide off her hands onto the ground.

No one had yet gotten through the semi-circle.

Marchant’s gaze went to her, and then he frowned at the sight of the rope on the floor.

“Get whatever it is you put under the saddle of the middle horse out. Show me what it is and then put it down.” She should have known he’d try to play dirty. It was the only way he played.

“Well, well. Thisisinteresting.” He tried to sound calm, but he wasn’t. He was thrilled and disappointed at once.

He moved to the horse, loosened its saddle and lifted it, slid out a small piece of cloth and put it carefully in his pocket. Melodie saw he was wearing gloves.

“Thank you,” Caro whispered. “I bet whatever that was, it was nasty.”

Melodie nodded. “Be so, so careful, and don’t wait. Don’t sleep. Just ride.”

“We will.” Caro’s words were a vehement promise.

“Rope, or no one goes.” Marchant waved his hand at her, and Melodie bent and put the rope loops over her wrists again, waggled her hands.

Gallain went first, sliding carefully along the wall for a few steps and then turning to keep an eye on the others coming through, as well as watching Marchant.

One by one the children made it through, and then Ivan and Jacinta walked out, grabbing the horses by their trailing reins.

“Now your turn.” Marchant smiled.

“I hate this.” Caro walked with her to the exit point and stepped on the boundary. Melodie held her hands out to her, and she pulled the middle piece of rope down and the loops tightened around her wrists.

Her hands came together, and just to test things, she slid her left hand down her right sleeve and touched the handkerchief with her fingertips. It settled her.

“Go.” She watched Caro turn, run to grab one of the horses from Jacinta, and then they sprinted toward the forest, avoiding the path with the trap on it.

---