Page 115 of The King's Man
‘Because I don’t know if it was a warning from Melek, or a welcome from the Fallen—and guess which of those parties would forgive a misunderstanding and which wouldn’t?’
The moment he saidFallenmy blood ran cold.‘This is about Gall and Istral?’
‘I’m not sure—that’s why we’re skipping Tuskarr and going straight to Noctharrow.’
My brows shot up. Noctharrow Haven was a lawless city. Located at the intersection of three Kingdoms, it was nicknamed the Dark City because it was a haven primarily for thieves and fugitives. Ruled by crime lords and those loyal only to the next dollar, it had been established as neutral ground for negotiation between the three nations—Zaryndar, Tuskarr, and Dragtharn—but had become nothing but a bolthole for criminals, and anyone who wanted to disappear.
‘Jann, are you—’
‘I have allies there. And I need information from someone I know I can trust. Not to mention that it was always the place we were most likely to find information on any mission to take out Gall and Istral. Chances are, whoever took them was recruited there.’
‘I thought you thought the Fallen took them? Why would they need people?’
‘Because Gall and Istral are mortal. They have to bemoved.I can’t imagine Lucifer or any of the others walking the journey across the Continent with prisoners, even if it’s just Istral. Can you?’
Well, when he put it that way.‘No, I guess not.’
‘Then we’re in agreement?’
I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder.‘I wasn’t aware that you wereasking,’ I sent.
Jann huffed.‘Well, I do outrank you,’he sent, teasing. But then his tone became solemn.‘If you have thoughts or see a flaw in my plan, speak up, Dee. A challenge to my logic will either stand up under scrutiny and prove that I’m right, or reveal a flaw that I needed to see.’
‘In that case, tell me what you believe we’ll do there, and what you think will happen as a result of it.’
The earth tilted below as Jann rode an airflow. I sucked in a breath and clutched as his arm, but soon we were gliding again, then he spoke in my head.
‘Noctharrow is a center for rumor and intelligence—the tricky part is separating the two. If I appear in Noctharrow, rumor will follow me, and those I know who might help us will find me.’
‘And what of those youdon’twant to follow you? Won’t they hear you’re there as well?’
‘Perhaps—but if I disappear completely and quickly, it might be put down to rumor.’
‘So you want to be seen?’
‘I want to be seen by certain people, in certain places. Everyone on the Continent has spies embedded in that city. There will be deserters from every army, informants for every crown, mercenaries—anyone who benefits from politicalchange. If I allow myself to be seen, the news of Gall may simply come to me. And if we can find out what happened to Gall, that will lead us to Istral. But even if news of them isn’t there, I’ll have a chance to learn which power the self-serving believe is winning the fight for the continent—the most selfish among us are often the most observant politically. That may give us clues about how to help Melek.’
I chewed that over.‘And if the Fallen find us there as well?’
‘If they’re that close and that attendant, they’re going to find us well before we make it to Ebonreach. But even the Fallen I can handle. I just need more answers before I have to do that.’
I frowned.‘You canhandlethe Fallen?’
‘I only meant, speaking with them doesn’t necessarily spell disaster.’
‘Why would they want to talk to you if they weren’t going to hurt you?’
He huffed, deep in his chest, almost a growl.‘Have you forgotten so quickly, mate?’he sent dryly.‘I am the Halfling. The closest mortal relative to the Fallen themselves. More of their blood courses in my veins than any other being alive. To them I am a… curiosity.’
I shuddered at the idea of being a curiosity to those bastards and Jann hugged me tighter.
‘Don’t be anxious, Dee. If I was sure of my footing, I would have stayed back there and let them come to me. After all, what threat do I pose? But something stinks in all this. I need to better understand before I have to answer the clever fucks.’
A tiny knot of fear tightened in my chest. Jann felt it through the bond.
‘Don’t fret. I won’t let them anywhere near you—and if you do see one, youresist.Remember?’
I sighed and nodded, but his words only made my chest tighten further.
