Page 52 of The Dragonrider and the Void
Hardin nodded slowly. “I agree. Cheyanne is due to arrive soon with her wagons. Tomorrow night gives us time to make final preparations and for you both to establish your merchant cover more thoroughly.”
Lark looked around at her companions, “Once we cross that ward boundary,” she said softly, “there’s no turning back. If something goes wrong, you can’t come in after us.”
“We know,” Hardin replied, his eyes meeting hers steadily. “But the alternative is waiting for the Void Drinker to gather its strength and the Flashover to begin. We’ve seen what even asingle rimeshade can do. Imagine an army of them, backed by something that can tear down the barriers between realms.”
Venrick took Lark’s hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a gentle reminder of their connection. He stared into her deep green eyes and said, “We can do this. I believe in us.”
Lark drew a deep breath, feeling White Eye’s steady presence at the edge of her consciousness. Even from miles away, their bond remained unbroken. She thought of everything they had survived to reach this point. The cursed amulets, Joc’s manipulations, Barrik’s betrayal, the revelation of her identity, the rimeshade’s threat and releasing the entity in the Northern sanctuary. Each challenge had nearly broken them, yet here they stood.
“Tomorrow then,” she agreed.
14
BENEATH THE KEEP
The Vermillion Keep reflected deep shades of red in the setting sunlight, the massive structure dominating Astral City’s skyline like a mountain of carved stone and soaring spires. The festival had drawn enormous crowds, with nobles and commoners alike filling the main thoroughfares that led to the Keep’s grand courtyard. Street performers entertained the masses while vendors hawked commemorative trinkets bearing the King’s likeness.
Lark adjusted the fine merchant’s coat Cheyanne had provided, feeling the weight of Nightfang concealed beneath its folds. The brismil sword was masked by a clever enchantment Yarla had managed, making it appear as an ordinary blade to casual observers. The magic wouldn’t fool a Paragon up close, but it would serve for their approach.
“You’re fidgeting again,” Venrick murmured, his hand light on her arm as they merged with the stream of festivalgoers moving toward the Keep. “Merchants from the east are supposed to be poised.”
“I spent more time than you realize planning how I would escape that Keep if I were ever caught,” Lark replied underher breath. “Now, I’m walking in willingly, and under false pretenses. The wards would kill us if it weren’t for Hardin being here.”
“It’s like walking into your own execution,” Venrick supplied with a grim smile. “I’ve done this once before.”
“And look how that turned out,” Lark quipped.
“All things considered, I’d say pretty good since it led me to you.”
“Now’s not the time for dewy eyes and bright smiles,” Lark said, playfully nudging him with her elbow.
The pendant against her chest pulsed with heat. Nix remained hidden, her connection holding to the necklace as she conserved her energy for when they would truly need it.
They passed through the first security checkpoint with the forged invitations created by members of Cheyanne’s organization who were embedded in Astral City. The guards barely glanced at the documents, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of visitors entering the Keep’s outer courtyards for the evening’s spectacle.
“Can you hear me?”Yarla’s voice whispered directly into Lark’s mind, channeled through the enchanted communication stone tucked into her ear.
Lark gave a subtle nod, knowing the elf would sense her response through the stone’s magic.
“I got you loud and clear,”Cheyanne’s voice came through.
“What’s your progress, Cheyanne?”Yarla asked.
“We’re in the Keep, planting distractions for those still working. I think they’re having a hard time keeping ahead of trying to stop the spread of our propaganda. I know most of these knuckleheads won’t see these pamphlets and copied documents as anything but fake news, but maybe someone will stop to think.”
“It sounds like they’re doing their job, keeping those still working in the Keep distracted,”Yarla said.
“I’ll keep the line open for you and Lark. Unless something else comes up, we’ll speak through another stone,”Cheyanne said.
“Got it. Lark and Venrick, know that Hardin is in position at the eastern service entrance. He says the patrols are exactly as expected. You have a window of approximately seven minutes between guard rotations.”
Venrick squeezed her elbow gently, signaling he’d received the same message. They continued with the crowd into the main courtyard, where hundreds of lanterns floated in intricate patterns above. On a raised dais, court magi performed elaborate illusions that drew gasps from the assembled guests. Perfect cover for what they were about to attempt.
“Now,” Venrick whispered as a particularly spectacular burst of illusory dragons drew all eyes skyward.
They slipped away from the main gathering, moving casually toward a less populated section of the outer courtyard. A narrow passage between two guard barracks led to a small service yard where provisions were delivered to the Keep’s kitchens. As they’d hoped, the area was nearly deserted, with most of the staff either serving at the festival or enjoying their own celebrations in the lower town.
“Thirty seconds until the next patrol,”Yarla warned.
