Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [175]
‘A little warning next time, if you don’t mind,’ Shaea said.
La Makee ignored the quip. ‘Follow me. They’re getting away!’
Shaea led the horses into the cavern. Neither baulked, which surprised her.
‘Been this way before, have we?’ she whispered.
‘Listen up, girl.’ Makee stood directly in front of her. ‘When the portal stops spinning, we’re going to be in a dark woods.’
‘Dumarka?’
She snapped her fingers. ‘Don’t interrupt. I’m laying a glamour on you that’s going to be a protection.’
‘What kind of glamour?’
‘One that’ll keep you safe among the Lupins.’
Shaea sucked in her breath, shooting a glance towards the horses. ‘Lupins?’ she whispered.
‘You’ll be fine. They won’t hurt you.’
‘But why the Lupins?’ She looked over her shoulder.
‘We’re going to find Rosette.’ Makee smiled. ‘Remember what she looked like?’
Shaea nodded. ‘I remember. She’s beautiful. A mother, or about to be, anyway.’
‘That’s right. You’re going to find her and you’re going to ask for a spell—the spell. It’s in a vial, probably hanging around her neck. You ask for it, like you mean it, and she’ll hand it over.’
‘A spell? In a vial? You want me to ask for it, just like that? What makes you think she’ll hand it over?’
La Makee chuckled. ‘You’ll be looking like someone she trusts.’
‘Who?’
‘You’ll be the spirit and image of the High Priestess Nellion Paree.’
Clay shivered under his cloak. The fog thickened and his horse stumbled to a halt at the crossroads. They were far behind Teg and Rosette now. He was cold, tired and hungry. Shane didn’t look much better; his lips were blue, his shoulders hunched. ‘We’ve got to stop for the night,’ Clay said. ‘The horses have had it and I don’t know about you, but if I don’t eat soon there’ll be nothing to feed.’
Shane nodded. ‘Which way?’
‘To the town of Dumarka.’
He turned his horse, taking the north fork. Shane trotted to catch up.
‘How far away is it?’
‘Should be over this rise.’ Clay smiled when he saw the town below; the main street was lined with lamps, glowing softly in the fog. The wharf was filled with boats, lanterns swaying from the clipper ships’ masts.
‘I didn’t know it was such a big harbour,’ Shane said.
‘Biggest capacity on the north coast, save for Romanon Bay.’
‘You know your way around Gaela.’
‘That’s the life of a bard.’ He tipped his hat. ‘Come on, I can smell dinner from here.’
The horses picked up on his enthusiasm and trotted the rest of the way to town. They stabled them, tossing the grooms a few extra coins to rub them down and check their hooves.
‘I thought we could hire their care tonight, unless you’d rather do the work.’ Clay could see the relief on Shane’s face.
‘It’s a good call.’
They made their way to the central pub, the warmth splashing over them as they pushed through the double doors. Clay went straight to the bar to order, leaving Shane to find a table. He grabbed two mugs of hot spiced wine and turned to the crowd. He stopped short. Shane wasn’t alone. ‘Kreshkali? What are you doing here?’
‘I could ask the same of you.’
Clay cleared his throat. ‘Have you eaten?’ he asked.
She shook her head.
He put down the mugs and headed back to the bar to order a third meal. He returned, placing a fresh mug of hot wine in her hand. She thanked him, but her eyes looked stern.
‘How did you end up here? I sent you back to Treeon. Are you taking the long way around?’
Clay frowned. ‘Treeon?’
‘You did, at first,’ Shane said.
‘At first?’
‘But you came back, Kreshkali. Shortly after.’ Clay looked at her sidewise. ‘You told us to follow Rosette. And we have.’ He ended with a smile, quickly letting it drop.
‘Didn’t you?’ Shane asked.
‘Tell me, boys. How did I come to you, when I said to follow Rosette?’
‘You flew in,’ Clay answered. ‘Just like always.’
‘Black as night,’ Shane said.
‘A black falcon?’
Shane shook his head. ‘No, Mistress. A raven.’
‘A Lemur raven,’ Clay added, his voice a whisper. ‘Are you saying it wasn’t you?’
‘It wasn’t me.’
‘Who then?