The Blood Knight - J. Gregory Keyes [159]
But Gobelin Court was neat, clean, and colorful. The buildings were tall and narrow, with roofs so high-pitched that they were comical. They were all tidily painted: rusty red, mustard, burnt orange, violet, teal, and other muted but cheerful shades. Bright clothing flew like banners from lines stretched between upper windows, and umber signs with black lettering proclaimed the shops of diviners, card readers, apothocaries, and other outlandish businesses.
“Majesty,” Sir Leafton said, breaking the spell, “we’ve little time to spare.”
“Very well,” Anne said. “What do you suggest?”
“The Fastness is the most important thing,” Leafton said. “We’ll need to scale it and take control of the Saint Ceasel and Vexel towers and everything in between. Next we need to throw up a barrier north of here; I think Werton Cross would be the best place. And we’ll need men on Nod’s wall, too. That’s easy; we’ve stairs on this side. The Fastness will be a bit more difficult.”
Who says I don’t know anything about strategy? Cazio thought to himself. Aloud, however, he offered a suggestion.
“That mansion in the corner goes almost to the top,” he said. “We might be able to climb the rest of the way.”
Leafton nodded. “Possibly. I’ll have some men strip their armor.”
“That will take time,” Cazio said. “Why not let me get a start?”
“You have to guard Anne,” Austra pointed out.
“But I’m already without armor,” he said. “If we give anyone time to position themselves up on that wall, they’ll be dropping stones on us before we know it.”
“He’s right,” Anne said. “Sir Leafton can guard me until he’s done. Go on, Cazio. The Craftsmen will be with you as soon as they’ve stripped.”
They rode up to the house, where Cazio dismounted and knocked at the door. After a moment a Sefry woman answered. She was so swaddled in red and orange cloth that Cazio couldn’t see much of her save a single pale blue eye surrounded by a patch of skin so white that he could make out the veins through it. She didn’t even give them a chance to speak.
“This is my house,” the woman said.
“I am Anne Dare,” Anne said from horseback. “This is my city, so that is also my house.”
“Of course,” the woman said matter-of-factly. “I’ve been expecting you.”
“Have you?” Anne asked a little coldly. “Then you know that my man needs to find the shortest route to your roof.”
“No, that I did not know,” the woman replied, “but of course I will help.” She focused her eye again on Cazio. “Go straight in. There is a central stairway that spirals to the top. The small door opens onto the uppermost balcony. You’ll have to climb from there to the roof.”
“Thanks you, lady,” Cazio said pleasantly. He doffed his hat and waved it at the girls. “I won’t be long.”
Anne watched Cazio vanish up the stairs, feeling Austra stiffen next to her.
“He’ll be fine,” Anne whispered. “This is the sort of thing Cazio lives for.”
“Yes,” Austra said. “And the sort of thing that will kill him.”
Everyone dies, Anne thought, but she knew it wasn’t the politic thing to say at the moment. Instead, she turned her attention back to the Sefry woman.
“You said you were waiting for me. What did you mean?”
“You mean to use the Crepling passage. That is the reason you have come.”
Anne glanced at Sir Leafton. “Can you repeat what she just said?” Anne asked the Craftsman.
Leafton opened his mouth, then looked puzzled.
“No, Your Highness,” he said.
“Sir Leafton,” Anne said. “Organize the rest of our defense. I’ll be fine here for the moment.”
“I’m not very comfortable with that, Majesty,” he said.
“Do it. Please.”
He puckered his lips, then sighed. “Yes, Majesty,” he said, and hurried off to direct his men.
Anne turned back to the Sefry. “What is your name?” she asked.
“They call me Mother Uun.”
“Mother Uun, do you know what the Crepling passage is?”
“It