Page 102 of The Tribes of Magic
“And in exchange? What does the Government get out of this arrangement? What is the price they’ve set on the Apprentices’ lives?”
Conner’s voice was level, but I could sense the turbulence—the anger—building up beneath that layer of careful control.
“The Order of Kings has been providing your Government with supplies,” Harlyn said.
“Supplies?”
“Food. Materials. Other things they need to rebuild your civilization.”
“We needpeopleto rebuild our civilization,” Conner said tightly. “Knights and Apprentices and people who can fight the Cursed Ones. And they traded that forstuff?”
Harlyn watched Conner with a wariness that bordered on anxiety. “I’ve told you what I know.Allthat I know. Now are you going to fulfill your end of the bargain or not?”
Conner lowered his shaking fists. He looked down at them, then tucked them behind his back before he met Harlyn in the eye. “I will. I’ll get you past the Watchers so you can escape through the Spirit Tree.”
“Ok, then let’s go.”
“No. Not now,” Conner told him. “First, I need to get Savannah back home safely.”
“The Cursed Ones are afraid of her. She’s the only one who is safe!”
“Meet me tonight, just after sunset, at the north gate of the Park. We’ll head to the Spirit Tree from there.”
“Ok.” Harlyn turned to leave.
“Wait,” I said.
He looked at me. “I have to get moving. Unlike you, I actually have to worry about the Cursed Ones. I don’t have time for chitchat.”
“It won’t take long. I need to ask you about Kylie.”
“Who?”
“The Apprentice that the Polymage took from Gaia.”
“The dead girl?” Harlyn frowned. “What about her?”
“She’s not dead.”
Harlyn looked thoroughly confused. “She’s not dead?”
“No, she’s not. Her magic mark didn’t fade. That means she’s still alive. And, also, why would anyone want to steal a dead person?”
He shrugged. “Beats me. I thought the Polymage was just a weirdo who collected bodies.”
“So you don’t know where Kylie is?”
“No.”
“How about Asher? That’s the boy who fell through the Spirit Tree during the battle.”
“Honey, I have no idea where Kylie, Asher, or any of the other missing Apprentices might be. Can I go now?”
I released my hold on his arm, and he ran off. The trees were thick, and Harlyn was wearing camouflage. After a few seconds, I couldn’t see him anymore. And the birds and the waterfall and all the sounds of the wild drowned out his steps.
I turned back to Conner. “So all the pieces are coming together. The missing Apprentices. The mystery supplies. Everything.”
“Yes,” he said quietly.
