Page 73 of The Jester

“Anything,” Finn says quickly.

“We break the Leafborne out of the dungeons and bring them with us.”

Frowning, Yarrow opens his mouth to object, but Finn cuts him off. “Of course,” he says. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“All right, then tell me what you need me to do.”

“There is no map of the tunnels,” Finn says. “We never created one because we didn’t want it to be found or used against us.” He taps his head playfully. In the dim light, shadows fall on his scarred cheek and make it look smoother. Gentler.

One day, I will ask him who gave him that scar. But I think I already know the answer.

“So, you’ll have to stick with Briony. Do not get separated.”

I nod, and slip my hand into Briony’s. She nods at me and nudges my shoulder with hers.

“We’ll do it tomorrow night. There’s to be a feast. I’ll perform.” Finn is thinking on his feet, speaking as the thoughts form in his head. “I have a little disappearing act I’ve been working on.” He grins at me, his eyes twinkling. “They’ll think it’s part of the act, and it’ll take them a while to realise what’s happening.” He nods at Yarrow. “You’ll be on guard tomorrow night. Bring those you can trust. When they start to grow restless, tell them to be patient. Then, slip away and lock them inside the Grand Hall and run.”

“You’ll come here, and I’ll go to the dungeons to free the Leafborne.”

“I’ll make sure everyone knows that when the drums start, they should make their way to the tunnels.” A blond woman standing behind Yarrow nods firmly.

“What about Briony and me? We’ll be in the Grand Hall, too?”

Finn shakes his head and bites his lower lip. “No,” he says, ruminating as he starts to pace up and down. “No, you’ll go to Eldrion early. You’ve done that before. And after what he told you tonight, he’ll expect you to want to talk to him.”

I exhale slowly and brush down my skirt.

“Distract him. Keep him talking as long as you can. When the Sunborne are safely locked in the Hall, Briony will come to tell Eldrion. He’ll rush down there and let them out. There will be chaos for a while – I’ll be sure to leave a few tricks to keep the show going. Then We’ll meet in the dungeons. We won’t have much time. But there is a tunnel entrance there, too. Hidden at the back of the dungeons. Yarrow will make sure the guard on duty is one of ours.” Finn turns to Briony. “Take the west exit.”

She frowns a moment, then says, “All right. West.”

“But Alana, this is the important part.” Finn turns to me. “You’re our only chance of fighting back. We have weapons we’ve fashioned, and we can fight with our bare hands. But compared to Eldrion and the rest of the Sunborne, we’re weak. If we’re followed – when we’re followed. We will need you.”

The significance of his words solidifies in my stomach. “Not just your water affinity. Your empathy, too. You can take people’s feelings away, remember? That means you can take their courage, their bravery, their loyalty.”

My head is swimming. I start to breathe heavily and bend over to brace my hands on my knees. Finn puts his hand on my back.

“What is it? Alana? Are you sick?”

Shaking, I look up at him. “It all rests on my shoulders.” I run my hand up his arm and rest it on his elbow. “You’ve been planning this for two entire decades, and it is all dependent on me.”

“No.” Finn lowers his voice. “No, don’t look at it like that. You’ve given us hope, Alana. And that’s what we’ve been waiting for. A glimmer of hope that would spur us to do what we need to do to be free.” He pulls me into his chest and holds me close. “I can never thank you enough for what you’re about to do for us.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

ALANA

THE NEXT DAY

Eldrion’s usually smooth hair is tousled, and he looks as though he hasn’t slept. His whisky bottle is empty, and he’s sitting slumped in an armchair cradling a glass with just a thimbleful of liquid remaining inside.

He doesn’t even look up when I enter, just swills the last dregs of his drink around in his glass, then drinks it in one small sip.

Standing, he rubs his temples. He looks pained, but I have no idea why, and I’m not going to ask.

Finally, after I have stood in silence by the door for what feels like an eternity, waiting for him to speak, he says, “Did you ask him?”

I don’t pretend to be unsure of what he’s asking, just reply, “I did.”

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