Page 46 of Insolence
“Come on,” I lower my chin, taking the bottle back. “How hard can itactuallybe?” I’m laying it on a bit thick. But this is what I’ve been working up to since we sat down.
Just as I hoped, Kael rises to his feet. Sways slightly. “Give me another sip of that and I’ll show you. Since you’re so sure of yourself.”
And there it is. “You’re on, old man.” I get up and sway, blood pressure dropping to my socks. The heavy cloak hanging from my shoulders threatens to drag me back into my chair.
Against all odds, I manage to stay upright. Surrender the bottle to Autry. It’s still half full. More than enough to see us through.
With how my head feels pleasantly detached from the rest of me, I certainly don’t plan on drinking any more.
Over the next hours I’m walked through the rudimentary aspects of sand casting. Shown how to moisten the aggregate of sand, clay, and pulverized charcoal the right amount. Directed to arrange the prototype in the center of the mold frame. Shown where the parting dust is kept.
Then forge and crucible. All fairly straightforward to my mind. Not that it isn’t hard, hot work.
The whole time Autry practices new tricks with his juggling balls. Between giving pointers and gulping brandy. He excuses himself to bed shortly before the impromptu lesson comes to an end.
Sweating, cloak discarded, my hands and clothes streaked with grime, I collapse in my chair. “All right. I see what you do. In all seriousness, I respect your craft.”
Kael issues a satisfied grunt, eyelids at half-mast. I’ve got no idea what time it is, butbothof us will be having a difficult morning tomorrow. Of that much I am certain.
“So if I ever wanted to play around with this stuff. Try my hand at making something—”
Kael rumbles, “Not while I’m working.”
“Course not. Deirdre’d have a conniption if she heard about me mucking around in front of the girls. After hours, maybe.When you and Autry are all cozy and tucked in your sweet little beds.” I push what remains of the brandy into his bear paw of a hand. “Mind if I tool around out here?”
Deep in contemplation, he swirls the clear liquor in its bottle. “So long as you clean up after yourself and don’t make too much noise.”
“Done.”
“All right then. Don’t know why a pretty thing like you wants to get dirty, but suit yourself.”
“Ah. Well.” My hand goes to the back of my neck. “Parts of me may surprise you, friend.”
He looks me up and down, eyes bleary, before swilling half the remaining liquor in one breath. “I doubt there’s much you could get up to that’d surprise me much, your holiness.”
I smile before excusing myself. Next stop—Maida’s rooms.
Chapter 13
Itissa
Ilose track of how long I sit, paralyzed with fear and disgust.
The terror of it surges in my mind, mirroring the panic tearing at the edges of my heart. The Screamer’s horrified face and bloodcurdling shrieks confront me every time I blink.
At some point I decide I’d rather take my chances with no money, memories, or identity in the outside world than spend anotherminutein this hellhole.And I’m not leaving without Sadrie.
I’m instantly tearing around my room, hurriedly preparing to leave and berating myself for wasting so much time panicking.
We’ll need to be cautious, sticking to shadows and watching where we’re going, but we might be able to pull off sneaking out at this early hour.
How do we distract the guardsmen at the Entrance Arch?I pause to rack my brain. Realizing we can hide and wait for the sun to come up, I grab my hand mirror.
A small fire would surely send them running. Then we can leave.
I slip it into my cloak’s interior pocket before wrestling on a pair of sturdy wool socks and lacing up my heavy boots. Cracking the door a little, I scan for any patrolling sisters.
Gods, we need to hurry.Through the dome, the sky is already lightening when I slip onto the walkway. I descend to the second floor, my heart thudding in my throat.
