The Doom of Kings_ Legacy of Dhakaan - Don Bassingthwaite [139]
Vounn looked out at the rising smoke again. She could recognize one of the burning buildings now as Deneith’s small enclave in Rhukaan Draal. It wasn’t nearly as important as the Gathering Stone, but it still belonged to the House. She rose. “Tariic, I must go. Good day.”
She didn’t wait for his reply, but swept after Pater. Thuun was waiting outside, milling around with the other guards of those still in the gallery. She snapped her fingers at him. “We need to go into the city—the Deneith enclave is on fire. I want Aruget and Krakuul with us.” After her experience the night of the famine march, she didn’t go out in Rhukaan Draal without at least two of her escorts.
“I’ll take you to them, lady.” Thuun stepped in front of her and led the way, pushing aside anyone who found themselves in his path. Vounn made plans in her head. If the clerks at the enclave knew their jobs, their first move would be to ensure that enlistment records and contracts, more valuable to the House than gold, were saved. She would take charge of the papers first, then worry about saving the building.
The smell of food—goblin food, sharp with vinegar—hit her, and she emerged from her plans to look around. They were somewhere near the kitchens of Khaar Mbar’ost. Unlike the grand halls, these passages were cramped and dim. “Where are we going?” asked Thuun.
“Aruget and Krakuul spend their time off-duty close to the kitchens, the better to get at the richest scraps,” her guard said. “Stay close, lady.”
Vounn looked around. There were few hobgoblins in sight along the corridor or through the doorways they passed. There was an atmosphere of uneasy excitement. It seemed word of the fires in the city had already spread down here. “Haruuc has called an alarm,” she said. “It’s possible Krakuul and Aruget have already gone looking for us. Perhaps I should return to my quarters and wait for you all there.”
“This would be the worst time to be alone. We’re almost there. Have patience, and I’ll go back with you.”
She could smell a draft of fresh air. They must have been approaching a rear gate or kitchen entrance. It seemed unlike Aruget, she thought, to spend his time lounging near the kitchen. The hobgoblin was a brisk and efficient soldier. If he wanted something from the kitchen, he would have sent a runner for it. From what she knew of Krakuul, he might have gone to the kitchen on his own, but he would have stayed near there until he had what he wanted. Judging by her glimpses through the corridor, she and Thuun were already past the kitchen.
And was it strange that Thuun, the least talkative of the three guards, had just said more to her than he ever had before?
Vounn looked at her guide sharply. His broad shoulders hid his hands, but he had pulled something from his belt and was manipulating it where she couldn’t see. A prickle of unease crawled up Vounn’s neck. Keeping her pace steady, she narrowed her eyes and concentrated on the dragonmark that curled around the inside of her right arm. A gentle warmth passed through it and the power of the Mark of Sentinel manifested around her, an unseen barrier that brought with it a feeling of safety.
That feeling was only an illusion. The danger, Vounn felt certain, was real. Something was wrong. Between one step and the next, she turned and ran as fast as she could back the way they had come.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Thuun didn’t curse or cry out. In an instant, Vounn heard his long, heavy strides coming after her. She looked around for help, but all of the goblin servants seemed to have vanished like mice. The lady seneschal fumbled for her stiletto as she ran, but couldn’t get at it. She drew breath to scream for help—and a strong arm wrapped around her and lifted her off her feet. Her unseen shield could do little against such a direct attack. A hand went over her face, holding a wet rag across