Page 123 of Keeper of the Word
“Stars,” Barrett uttered.
The witch’s laugh-cough caused her to hack up something. “This is more entertainment than I’ve had in years.”
Another racket sounded.
“I must go. Her wards hold strong. None may enter but those who’ve committed true wrong.”
“What does that mean?” Joss asked. “True wrong?’”
The witch appeared only too glad to explain. “It means someone who is a true villain. Someone who has committed at least three acts treacherous and terrible. Treason. Thievery. Murder. Kidnapping. Master deception. You have the idea. Terrible.” Her laugh was low. “Can any of you virtuous souls claim that? You may think what you like, but I cannot.” She wiped the spittle from her chin onto her sleeve.
She shifted back into the shadows of the alley from where she’d come.
“Wait!” Elanna shouted. She gathered her skirts and dashed after her. “Wait!”
Tara exclaimed after Elanna; she called for the others to remain where they were.
Around the corner, the witch stood in the darkness. There was no torchlight nearby, and the only detail Elanna could make out was her clouded eye.
Stars, help me.
“Why did you not side with your coven?”
She gave no answer.
“Witches weren’t always thus. I have read the histories. Scryers or Shroud witches, they were called during the era of the Night Caller, but ’twas not the same. They weren’t evil. They were not consumed with the Curse. They and the StarSeers had a council. The Night Council. That banishment to the Skyward Mountains was a century ago. You’re misunderstood, Mistress…?”
The witch gave a lowhmph.“Gethwin. I’m called Gethwin.”
“Gethwin, if you care not for the realm, why are you not with your coven?”
The witch coughed until she was hunched over, fighting for breath.
“Your cough. What ails you?”
Gethwin raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting Elanna’s words. “I was cursed by my coven when I left. ’Tis the Fachna. I’ll be gone by the Prodigal Full Moon.”
“Is it true what legends say? Are witches afraid of death?”
“Hmph.Afraid? Nay, but there is no afterworld in the stars forus. The end of this life is the end. Turn into shadows, some say. Some say the roots of vile plants. Beetles who burrow underground. ’Tis why witches live so long. They will it thus so as to not find out.”
Elanna nodded along; comprehension clicked into place. “Fachna is only cured with nyxpaun herb, correct?”
“Impossible to find.”
“Not so impossible.” Elanna held up the leather pouch of the dried, crushed plant she’d brought from Ashwin, never understanding the purpose. The pouch, which she’d tucked into her cloak tonight for no apparent reason. “Help us. And I shall give you this.”
The white eye drew to Elanna’s hand. “Even if I say I shall help, ’twill not matter. I still need an orb, and you have no one who can collect it.”
Chapter
Forty-Six
ELANNA
They only had two hours before sunrise. The group had split up into three groups in search of a villain. Despite the dark, seedy tone of the boroughs, they’d had no luck. The quality of Asalle’s citizens either upheld or people were frightened off by a group of knights, two StarSeers, and a witch.
One man at the tavern that Hux had entered burst into laughter, saying why would anyone admit to being a murderer?
