Page 58 of Aubade Rising
“Is that what he told you?” he scoffs.
I glare mutely at him.
“Ah. Dervla. Yes well, I’m sure she spun quite the tale.” He rakes a hand through his hair and regards me warily. “Perhaps I’ll tell you my side of the story one day… Maybe over dinner?”
It takes me several seconds to register the question. Not an order, definitely a request. Or the closest approximation that a royal Mordros could ever manage.
Before I can respond, the King huffs and turns from me. Silently we walk through the palace together, my mind spinning wildly.
Chapter 58
Dungeons have no business being wet. I doubt any other dungeons in Trevesiga or elsewhere are quite this damp. I’m aware I’m fixating on the water droplets trickling down the wall and the slimy residue that clings to my skin, instead of replaying scenes from my nightmares of the old Almanac forcing Eskar to torture me. It nearly works, before my magic perceives the rocky cells as a threat and tries to break out. My heart hammers loudly in my ears as I fight to bring it under control. The last thing Haelyn needs is me spooking the guards with a light show. I’ll be thrown in the cell next to hers, King’s favourite or not. And there’s no denying Cado’s favouritism now, not with his invitation lingering over me. As if we’re not on the brink of civil war.
I tiptoe round the huge puddles coating the floor, avoiding drips from the ceiling. The cells are built into the rock and we must be underneath the riverbed as water is seeping through the stone roof, its incessant dripping making my skin crawl. It is a bit of an oversight, holding prisoners with so much water around but then I realise the Mordros likely wouldn’t ever be imprisoned. They would be allowed to remain under house arrest on their fancy islets, or their summer houses, if they ever stepped out of line.
Huddling in the corner of her cell, Haelyn flinches as the light from the guard’s torch illuminates her face. She looks unharmed, but cold and dishevelled. Her normally neat and tidy plait is undone and deep shadows underscore her brown eyes. I’m not allowed to touch her; the guard makes it clear if I step too far inside her cell then the unoccupied one next door will bemine.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, leaning further into the cell, inwardly suppressing my magic as it rebels from being enclosed. Her large eyes stare at me, unblinking.
“Haelyn, I’m so sorry. I need to ask you some questions. If you can answer me truthfully then the King will let you go.” I cast a look over my shoulder and meet Cado’s eyes. He fixes me with a blunt stare, seeming to ask what I will give him in return for his compassion, for letting me see my friend. I narrow my eyes – we can discuss his terms later but Haelyn will walk out of here with me once she’s proved her innocence.
I turn back to her, attempting a weak smile. “Please Haelyn. I need you to talk to me, then this will all be over.” I reach for her hand. “Trust me.”
It takes only a few answers before I turn back to the King, convinced of Haelyn’s innocence. I don’t expect an apology but he surprises me by coming into the cell and gesturing to the guards to close the door, sealing us in.
“My apologies to you will have to wait, Archivist. I’m sorry to ask but I need Haelyn to remain here for the time being.” I open my mouth to protest, but the King holds up a hand, silencing me before looking directly at Haelyn. “I still believe there’s a traitor in the palace. I need time to work out who it is and, right now, the circle of people I trust is small.” Haelyn slumps against the wall, the spark of hope in her eyes extinguished as though her torment has just begun.
“I’ll make sure the guards treat you well. It will only be for a few weeks at most.”
“Weeks!” I exclaim in horror before lowering my voice. “She cannot be expected to remain down here for weeks. She’s a member of the Concord!”
“It will be less if she consents to help me.” Cado turns back to Haelyn and says, “I need your help understanding Tanwen’slayout. Dervla has received news that the Kevren Gwir have moved to a new base there with the locals’ support.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. The locals would be happy to support anyone with money and a reason for them to fight.” These are the first words she’s willingly spoken to him so far and her voice threatens to crack.
“I need your opinion on where they would have their headquarters. And if there’s a route I can use to send in a small group of fighters unnoticed.”
I wait patiently, not wanting to influence her thinking anymore.
“Can I have a pen and some paper? It’s complicated to describe.”
The King is prepared and pulls a sheet and pens from his pocket. I jump forward to hand them to her. We watch silently as she sketches.
Eventually she chews the pen thoughtfully and adds in one more section before spinning it round.
“Here – the town splits in two with the market in the middle.” She gestures to the map. “Most houses are here, shops and grain stores here, closer to the Haag. If I was leading the rebels, I’d camp out here.” She points to a few grain stores. “Anyone approaching the town will have to go through the residential area first, so the rebels have a wall of civilians to hide behind.” I nod. “Remember, strangers are immediately recognised in Tanwen. Even if my knowledge is a little out of date, that fact won’t have changed.”
“And, if we wanted to get in undetected?” Cado’s eyes fix on the crude map, as if committing every street to memory.
“Practically impossible. Originally, I’d have said the aqueduct would have been the best option as it’s so rarely used, but now…”
I ponder what she’s said, the aqueduct system is drained but not impassable at Tanwen.
“A small group of soldiers could make their way along theempty stone channels if the structure is still intact.” My finger traces Haelyn’s pen strokes. “The watchtower will likely be manned but is too small a space for a large number of guards.”
“Thank you, Archivist.” Ignoring my input, Cado cuts the conversation abruptly before we can discuss tactics any further. “That’s all I need. I promise you will be released soon.”
“You have a plan?” I question after we’ve left the dank cells behind and climbed up through the floors of the palace.
