The Queen of Stone_ Thorn of Breland - Keith Baker [83]
“So they expected to be petrified, then the wizard fills the room with fire, killing you, leaving the corpses intact and the blame on Breland.” Thorn’s mind raced. So was Aundair behind this? The sorceress wore the Aundairian crest, but Breland and Aundair were allies. “But why would Toli agree to this?”
Sheshka wound an arm ring around one bicep. “Because his true loyalties lie elsewhere, of course. You saw what he became.”
“A werewolf.” Thorn knew almost nothing about these creatures. Legends said they were all but extinct.
“Yes,” Sheshka said. She placed a ring on her finger and hissed sharply as she released it, as if it caused her pain. She turned to face Thorn, closing her eyes as she did. “And Zaeurl and her children have always been loyal to the Daughters of Sora Kell.”
“So you think the Daughters want to kill you and make it look like Breland is responsible?”
“I believe they already have,” Sheshka said. Sheshka paused for a moment near Szaj’s corpse, then strode out of the room. Thorn followed her into the main chamber. “The evidence is here, and all they need to do is ensure my death. My people will certainly demand vengeance. Why they would want war with the east I cannot say, but it seems inevitable. I don’t know what stakes you hold in such a conflict, but there’s nothing we can do alone.”
“Ber—” Thorn caught herself before she said the name. Surely Sheshka knew she was one of the envoys, but didn’t know which nation she was from. “What about my companions? I can’t leave them here.”
“There is nothing to be done for them,” Sheshka said. “If the Daughters are behind this, we will be lucky to escape with our lives. If your comrades are diplomats, it’s more likely that they will be kept as hostages than killed. If you help me escape, I can get word to my people. We cannot stand against the full might of Droaam alone, but I can help you. At the least, I may be able to find Harryn Stormblade, though I fear it won’t be easy.”
Only then did Thorn realize that she’d been throughout the medusa’s chambers and had seen no petrified warriors. “So Harryn isn’t here.”
“No. Until recently, he stood in the Great Hall. Two days ago he was moved beyond the walls of the Great Crag, at the orders of the warlord Drul Kantar. If you are willing to remain until my soldiers arrive, we might be able to find him. But until then, he could be anywhere in the city. Searching for him would be … what is your phrase? Like searching for a tree in a forest.”
“Or a bone in an ossuary,” Thorn said glumly.
Sheshka’s reaction surprised her. The medusa’s head snapped toward her, and her snakes coiled back as if preparing to strike. “What did you say?”
Thorn took a step back, closing her eyes. Something dangerous lurked in the medusa’s voice. “It would be like finding a bone in an ossuary. It’s a container for holding—”
“I know what an ossuary is,” Sheshka said. “Why did you say it now?”
“A note was left for me at the welcoming feast. That’s what it said.”
“Let us go.” A rack of weaponry hung in the main room, and Sheshka selected an ornate short bow and quiver. She turned to face Thorn. Her eyes were closed, and she had regained her composure. Bow in hand, armor gleaming, she was every inch the warrior queen. “We may not survive the journey. The gates lie above us, and they will be guarded. I can no longer say who in this place can be trusted, but we will not die alone.”
“Could we use the sewers?” Thorn said.
Four of Sheshka’s serpents turned to look at her, their posture suggesting surprise. “I suppose …” she said. “There must be a path leading out. But I do not know the way, and it would be a gruesome journey.”
“Honestly? I’ve seen worse,” Thorn said. “Besides, I know a ritual to help with that, and to keep trackers from following. If you’ll allow me, your majesty.”
Thorn had held back from casting the shielding spell, because she’d hoped to include Harryn Stormblade