Page 48 of Sightwitch
“I don’t knowyourname,” I said, an attempt to change the subject.
“Something we have in common, then,” he replied. “I don’t know what my name is either.”
I blinked. “No idea … at all?”
“No idea at all.”
“I think I saw you,” I began, scooping up the healer pouch and folded paper. “You’re an officer in the Nubrevnan navy, and you were building a watchtower.”
“Perhaps.” He glanced down at his wound, the first time he’d shown any interest in it since waking. His forehead bunched tight, and I don’t think I imagined that the room turned suddenly colder.
Then I remembered. “You’re an Airwitch too.”
“Oh, right.” He lifted his left hand, where sure enough, mingled amid the oil was a diamond tattoo. “I saw that earlier, but if I have magic, I can’t seem to find it.”
“I don’t think that’s how witcheries work.” I stepped toward him, already planning all the ways we could use his magic to navigate the rest of the mountain. “A little time, and I’m sure you’ll be able to use it again.”
The Rook piped up then, crowing his agreement. Not that the man understood. He just nodded at the bird. “A pleasure to meet you too. And your name is … ?”
“He’s the Rook,” I answered.
“Very nice.” The young man saluted, fist to his heart.
The Rook liked this, for he instantly flapped over to the man’s side and started purring.
Traitor. He knew I wanted to leave. After all, I had healed the Nubrevnan. Now it was time to go.
I glared at the Rook—and at the man—but they were so wrapped up in crooning to each other, they didn’t notice.
My glower deepened, and I slapped the leather kit onto the closest table. Yet before I could return the paper to its rightful place, I caught sight of a single word scrawled upon its edge.
MAP.
My mouth went dry. Could it be? Surely Sirmaya would not favor me so. In a crinkling flurry of speed, I unfolded the page.
And sure enough, my eyes landed upon a map of the mountain.
It was all there. This workshop, the ice pathway from before. Even the shadow wyrm nest was marked along with the all the tunnels and passageways I’d tried earlier.
None of that interested me, though. All I cared about was what waited ahead. The massive spiral on the bottom-most corner of the map that saidSUMMONING.
That was where the Sisters must go when Summoned, sothatwas where I needed to be.
My breaths turned shallow with excitement. There was a long route that would cut me all the way around, tunnel after tunnel, passage after passage, or there was a shortcut.
A blessedshortcutthrough a space labeledPaladins’ Hall.
According to the map, crevices, cliffs, and dangerous drop-offs filled the triangular cavern, but I had an Airwitch at my side. And though he might not know how to use his magic now, I was certain we could figure it out by the time we reached this Paladins’ Hall.
Grinning, I folded the map neatly back into shape and stowed it in a pocket right above my heart. Then I pinned my gaze on the Nubrevnan.
“I have to call you something,” I declared, marching toward him. “So what will it be?”
His eyebrows ticked up a notch. He paused his scratching at the Rook’s neck. “How about … your hero and savior? That has a nice tone to it—”
I smacked him on the head.
He laughed, which I had to admit was a nice sound. Though perhaps it was simply my own excitement brightening the moment.
