Page 41 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
The driver pulled on the reins. Four black horses ground to a halt, adorned with jewelled harness and blue feathers. “Who goes there?” he called.
“I cannot give you my name, but your mistress knows me. Please allow me to speak with her.”
“I cannot,” said the driver, drawing a pistol, “I must ask you to move.”
The clicking of three other pistols sounded in the undergrowth, and Merry, Wren and Onyx stepped out of the shadows.
“This isn’t a hold-up, man,” said Onyx, grinning, “but it also isn’t a request.”
The driver put down his weapon. The footman held up his hands.
Eirwen raced towards the carriage, clambering in as quickly as her dress would allow.
The occupant let out a sharp gasp, clutching and the mounds of frosted, ice-blue fabric she was stitched into. She was a pretty, plump girl, with grey eyes and brown tresses curled in perfect ringlets. Eirwen recognised her in an instant.
“Saints and stars!” screeched Marie. “Who are you?”
Eirwen undid her mask. Marie paled, the breath falling out of her.
“No, surely… it… it can’t be.”
Eirwen smiled. “You recognise me, then? I wasn’t sure you would. I know it’s been a long time–”
“Along time?” Marie hissed. “You’re supposed to be dead!”
“The rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated…”
“The funeral–”
“Was spectacular, or so I hear. I wasn’t there for it.”
Marie’s eyes rolled slightly back in her sockets. She clutched her chest. “Sorry, this is… rather a lot.”
“Yes, sorry, I did think about writing to you, only I wasn’t sure you’d believe me if you couldn’t see me.”
“I… I don’t… Where have youbeenall this time?”
“Here, in the forests. I was taken in by a family of dwarves.”
“But… why? Why not go back to the castle, to your–” She stopped, reading the look in Eirwen’s face. “Oh, I see. So, now what? You’re going to take back the throne?”
“Yes. At some point. Tonight is more of a… reconnaissance mission. I’m gathering intel.”
“And you need my help getting in?”
Eirwen nodded.
“Oh, how thrilling!” Marie banged the roof of the carriage. “Albert! Please resume the journey. We have an extra guest tonight.”
Albert did not reply, but the carriage began plodding along again. Eirwen glanced out of the carriage and saw the dwarves slinking off into the night. Wren saluted as she disappeared, and Eirwen tried to swallow the bout of fear that was bubbling inside her. There was no thrill here, like when she journeyed into the mountains, only quiet dread. She knew what she was doing in the Underground. The palace, however familiar to her, was a new beast entirely.
Marie stared at Eirwen as they slid through the forest. “You look good,” she said.
“For a corpse?”
“In general. Fabulous dress.”
“Thanks, I made it.”
