From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [125]
Only Jax remained on the ledge. “If you will navigate, Master Fox, I will row. My arms are aching for exercise.”
Noam nodded, and he and Bran moved to the front bench. Jax nearly capsized the craft when he climbed in, but soon had them sailing through the dark cavern with surprising speed.
“Is there a way south by water?” Averella asked.
“Aye,” Jax said. “Just get me out to the canals.”
While Noam gave Jax directions, Averella bloodvoiced Harnu. Where are you now, Master Poe? Are you well?
My lady, I’m fine. What of Gren?
We are all well, Master Poe. Our only concern is you.
I’m fighting with your sword, my lady. All my life I’ve created them, but never have I used one.
It is a sad specimen. Tell me what is happening.
The battle rages. Many have fallen. Old Kingsguards somehow got inside. I found a man who was killed and took his red cape so I wouldn’t get stabbed by the good side. And now I’m keeping pace with the Old Kingsguards. We’re trying to kill as many as we can, but there are beasts and sorcerers who shoot green fire. It’s like living a long tale.
Averella’s heart smiled at Harnu’s excitement. We have freed the knights and are coming back toward the stables. I will let you know when we arrive.
Thank you, my lady.
Averella opened her eyes. Torchlight lit the surrounding canals and buildings in a dull glow. They were back in the canals. A squawk turned her gaze up. A black bird soared along the path of the canal. She tracked its progress. It joined three other birds and passed over a building, out of sight.
Jax turned the boat at the keep but paddled along the pier platform that ran under the courtyard above as if he had no intention of stopping.
“We should dock here. The stables are up that staircase.” Averella pointed to the narrow steps that led to the courtyard.
But Jax continued to row. “As Sir Rigil said, we’re safer in the boat. I won’t stop until we’re out of Mahanaim.”
“But we have a man in the bailey,” Averella said.
Sir Rigil took Averella’s elbow. “My lady, we must do what we can to see you safely out of—”
“Master Poe risked his life for us, Sir Rigil. How dare you suggest I leave him behind? You feel his life is worth less than mine?”
“That is not what I meant, my lady. I simply—”
“And Kopay? My horse is in the stable. My horse!”
“A fine animal,” Sir Rigil said, “but there will be other horses. And perhaps, after the war, he will still be there.”
“You cannot possibly believe that, Sir Rigil. I know enough of pillaging to know that, with no lord ruling Mahanaim, there will be little left of— Wait.” Averella’s gaze tracked two more black birds. A memory flashed. A gowzal. A man in a tower. A dark voice. “Dock the boat, Jax. This instant! Stop, Jax!” Averella stood up. “I shall swim if I must.”
Sir Rigil sighed. “Jax, do as she says.” He gripped her hand. “But sit, my lady, please. For I am told that swimming in the Mahanaim canal is a fate worse than death.”
Since Jax was coasting to a stop along the platform, Averella sat. “I survived such a swim, did I not, Jax?” Her statement surprised her. But she had fallen into the canal. Jax had been there, but he had not rescued her. Achan had. She blushed at the instinctive way she was now thinking of the prince by his first name alone—and not even his given name, Gidon, but his familiar name.
Mercy. Did she truly know him that well?
Jax chuckled as he looped a rope over a peg to secure the boat. “That you did, my lady. Swam off with the prince.”
Averella met Bran’s eyes across the boat.
“Regardless, my lady, it’s best you do not swim again. Let me help you out.” Sir Rigil stood and offered his hand. “Now, where will we find this man of yours?”
“We will find Harnu later. First we must kill a man.” Averella reached for Sir Rigil’s hand.
“But you just said…” Sir Rigil withdrew his hand. “Kill who?”
“I know not his name, but he is godless. His heart resembles that of his master, Gâzar. He is the one who controls those gowzals overhead.