Page 120 of By the Horns
I blink at him, surprised. I’m touched at his loyalty. Support from a stranger isn’t expected, but I’m grateful for it.
“I agree,” Rooster says, clasping his hands and eyeing our group. “It’s obvious to me that Gwenna is not a mancer. There has not been a mancer for a hundred years. Instead, it is clear that Gwenna must have known all of this because she was, in fact, working with Mistress Umala.”
I make a sound of wordless protest. “I would never—”
Rooster raises a hand in the air. “Working with Mistress Umala,” he continues in a firm voice, “as a double agent. That is how she knows about the tunnel. And their plans. And how to get out of the cavern. They simply started the story of her being a mancer to throw us off. It’s nothing but fairy tales. Because of her involvement, there will, of course, be a hefty fine to be paid. But I’m certain that once she becomes a full-fledged artificer, she will be able to pay it back. Am I understood?”
I don’t know what to say. My ability is to be…swept under the rug? And paying the guild back? Considering I know where a bounty of things are in the caverns…it won’t take long. I stare at Rooster.
He gives me a knowing look back. Oh. He knows that it won’t take long, either.
“Just as it should be,” Smythe says after a moment.
“Nothing but a nasty rumor,” Hawk agrees.
“You will, I trust, show us the passageway that the guilty parties were using?” Rooster inquires.
I nod. “Of course.”
“And if anything else should arise—some sort of assistance that the guild might need in the future in locating someone or something…” He arches a white, shaggy brow.
“Of course,” I say again, breathing a bit easier. So that’s the way of it. I’m to get a slap on the wrist and be available for the guild if they should need my help in the future. “I am absolutely loyal to the Royal Artifactual Guild, sir.”
“Good. See that your conduct remains unimpeachable, fledgling.” He waves a finger at us. “All of you can go. Tell Master Jay that I need tosee him at some point. There’s the matter of one of his students being unfortunately killed. We need to speak of a replacement, as it’s not fair to the rest of his Five for them to be condemned without ever getting to a test.”
Raptor squeezes my hand with excitement. “I’ll pass it along, sir. I’m sure Master Jay will know of someone who will want to join our Five, motley though it may be.”
“Just…see that they’re not involved in a thieving ring this time?” Rooster looks tired. He runs a hand over his curling mustache. “I’ve had my fill of thievery for quite a while.”
“Haven’t we all?” Hawk mutters.
Rooster waves us out, and Raptor all but drags me through the door. “Let’s go before he changes his mind,” he murmurs.
“Do you think he will?”
“No, because he likes coin far too much, and he sees a lot of coin when he looks at you. But I’m also not keen to press our luck.” His hand slides to the small of my back, and he guides me out of the main guild hall.
Smythe walks at our side, silent. Once we’re outside, he turns to me and gives me a polite nod. “Perhaps this is inappropriate, but…thank you for saving my men. I feared yesterday would go a very different way.”
My heart warms. To think that someone’s grateful that I can talk to the dead. It’s so strange. “I appreciate you keeping my secret.”
His brows go up. “What secret? I don’t know anything.”
Before I can get flustered, he gives me an obvious wink and turns and walks away.
Raptor pulls me a little closer. “You look tired. Shall we—”
“Gwenna!”
I turn to see Sparrow racing toward me, her archivist robes flapping around her legs as she runs to my side. She flings her arms around me and holds me tight, rocking back and forth. “I’m so glad! I’ve been so worried!”
Should I laugh? Should I cry? I want to do both. It’s terrifying to hear how so many people were also worried about me, but at the same time, I’m safe now, I think.
“We’re not done yet,” I tell her, hugging her back. I’ve never been much of a hugger, but since Sparrow loves them, and I adore her, I guess I have no choice. I let her hug it out, patting her shoulder awkwardlyuntil she gives a happy little sigh and releases me. “There’s still more to do. I need to show them the tunnel, and the rest of the thieves are to be rounded up. I should probably consult with Hemmen again before they bury him, to see if he has more names—”
She shakes her head. “You need to go home and rest. That’s what you need.”
“I’ve been saying that as well,” Raptor calls out from nearby, amused. “Gwenna’s not a very good listener.”
