Page 106 of Prisoner of Darkness and Dreams
“Yes, I think they’ll definitely take Mariste Avenue. It’s the only route that makes sense.”
My stomach clenches when I look at her focused expression. She’s so clever and determined—and soyoung. I’d not wanted her to come on this mission, but she’d insisted, pointing out that she knows Qimorna better than any of us. That knowledge was too useful to deny, and she’s been crucial to shaping our evolving plan.
We disembarked Ravesley’s ship a few miles from the city, then rushed to the outskirts on horses supplied by the rebels’ contacts in Godom. Thanks to Alastor, we were able to pick up the solari escort’s trail. After he askedsome questions at the coach houses on the main road into the city, we learned that an escort and carriage matching the description we were looking for had passed through an hour and a half before. Then all that was left was for us to hire a carriage of our own and set off for the city.
The fact that we’re here without meeting any trouble is a testament to Caledon’s utter control. Unlike Elmere, there are no gates or guards on his precious holy city. He believes Qimorna doesn’t need them. The Temple keeps its city secure through fear and fear alone.
“What makes you sure they’ll take that road?” Damia asks Lafia. I know it’s not a question of her distrusting Lafia. It’s just that we can’t afford to get this wrong.
“It’s a direct route to the high temple, on a street wide enough to accommodate a carriage and multiple riders,” Lafia says. “Nearly all the streets that size are main avenues. Mariste’s the only one that isn’t so busy. It’s the best option to avoid attracting a lot of attention.”
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” I say. “How do we get there from here?”
Lafia gives me the directions, and Corrin relays them to the coach driver—the rebel Deedus in disguise. Meanwhile, I concentrate, reaching out to Leon with my mind.
“Leon, we need to take Mariste Avenue. It should be coming up on your left in less than ten minutes.”
“Got it,”he replies.
We sit in silence for a few agonizing moments, waiting for news from the riders up front. I notice Damia and Corrin are sitting as far apart from each other as the carriage allows and wonder what happened to the camaraderie I witnessed between them before.
Then it comes—Leon’s voice calling to me through the mooring.
“We’ve spotted the escort. Esther’s sent Cettar to give word to the others.”
“They’ve found it,” I say out loud.
The tension in the carriage rises a few notches, and Lafia folds up the map. It strikes me as symbolic. The time is done for planning, and now we have to put that plan into motion.
The first step is a diversion.
That’s where everyone else is—Stratton, Harman, and the rebels with explosive powers. They entered the city at the same time we did. The Hand let my brother come this time, even if it is right into the belly of the beast. We all know this is the best shot at stopping Caledon gaining more power. That’s a risk worth laying all our cards on the table.
My brother’s group have gone straight to a Temple neighborhood. Once they get Cettar’s signal, they’ll set off all manner of bangs and fires, encouraging Qimorna’s most powerful clerics to congregate on their attack—meaning backup will be slow to come when we strike at the escort.
If we can get in and out quickly before the clerics get to us, if Hyllus can help the other group wriggle free oftheirclerics with his hallucinations, then we might just pull this off.
Except…
“We should have heard it by now,” Damia says, twisting in her seat to peer out the window. The carriage continues to travel along the avenue, but there’s no distant boom echoing across the buildings—no sign, in fact, that the peace of the city has been disturbed.
Has something happened to Harman’s group? My mind starts to conjure all kinds of worst-case scenarios, though I tell myself they probably just got held up.
“No signal,”Leon’s voice sounds in my mind.
“I know,”I send back.“Should we keep waiting?”
“If we don’t move soon, we risk getting too close to the city center and losing the carriage. This is the ideal spot, and we won’t be here long.”
If the others are okay, then they may start their distraction any moment, and if they’re not—I try not to dwell on that possibility—then we’re wasting time for nothing
“We’ll just have to go now,”I say.
I sit up taller, swallowing. “Something must’ve delayed them, but we can’t afford to wait.”
“You want to go ahead?” Corrin says.
“Yes, tell Deedus.”
