Page 133 of Of Serpents and Ruins
"He played on your desperation and your fears. It was smart of him. You will see him again. He won't be alone, though." Lorna looked up as Arjax returned. He carried black iron shackles as well as a change of clothes, all of simple black cotton.
Kine rubbed the back of his neck, his words haltingly. "I didn’t know. I didn’t… I’m shocked you could smell ink that had been set for that long."
"He didn’t. Arjax is a liar." Lorna tousled his braids as she held her hand out. "And he isn’t even that good at bluffing."
Arjax shrugged, his massive shoulders lifting as he offered a smile without showing any teeth. Then he cast an amused and annoyed glance in her direction. "Who says I can’t smell it?" He tossed her the clothing.
"I do." Lorna crouched beside me. Her gaze was hooded brown eyes soft. "Little cousin, listen now. Your veskare is resting, and we must prepare for the Keening Pass. Your heart is heavy, but summon up your strength. Arjax and I may know how to handle some of this. We need to think."
"And we will think of something," Arjax said. He tilted his head back, frowning a little bit. Then he gestured. "That's Hakon up there. Mages'll be coming for the venom soon."
Lorna nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on me, asking what I wanted to do.
I pressed my hand to his chest, my breaths shaking still. "The plan…" It might be too late for Brandt, but even if it was, I was the queen. I was fighting not just for us, but for Sepeazia.
My tongue moistened my lips as I spoke with effort, my fingertips curling along his high sculpted cheeks and the stubble of his chin. "We follow the original plan." I counted and re-counted, measuring the days and calculating the time. And there was only one fact.
Kine stooped beside me, his hand on my shoulder. He knew. "I’m sorry, Bug."
Brandt could be seized by the curse one more time. After that, his madness would be permanent.
STELLA
Lorna and Arjax dressed Brandt with care and then shackled his wrists and ankles.
"Just so we can make sure there's nothing else that will set him off," Lorna said.
I couldn't argue. Didn't have the strength to argue. Both Arjax and Lorna promised me that they weren't giving up. They might have something, but there were no specifics.
What was specific and what was real was that we were running out of time and fast and perhaps completely for Brandt.
Kine sent the crew back to the ship to make final preparations, including Elias's parasaur along with plenty of supplies and a promise that we would come soon. Arjax and Lorna carried Brandt back down to the fire in the main camp and placed him there.
Lorna fussed over pots and jars, moving items back and forth as she searched for something. The minutes ticked into hours. Numbly, I helped them pack what was needed and assisted in breaking down more of the meat so that nothing would be wasted.
Dawn was drawing near when Arjax drew me aside. He picked up a torch.
"Come on." Arjax gestured for me to follow him. "It'll do you good to walk a bit, and the mages are good folk. Bit quiet and secretive. Charming hawks. Kine and Lorna will finish tending the beasties. You should meet these folk."
I walked numbly beside him, not certain what to expect. There was little to say. At least, little from me.
Arjax made a few observations about the Wild Lands and all its wonders. I responded just enough, my words dull. He didn't seem offended, just walked with me and guided me down the path as the night seemed to darken even more.
The group of mages arrived soon after, silent on the darkened hill. There were five of them, two women and three men, all shrouded in hoods. They moved out from the thick-trunked trees, stepping into the torchlight.
A strongly built man strode forward, a hawk perched on his gloved forearm. He whispered something to it then turned his focus up to Arjax. "Arjax?" He asked the question as if he already knew the answer.
Arjax grinned and dipped his head. "Cyland?" His voice boomed heartily as he stepped forward.
Cyland extended the arm without the hawk.
Arjax gripped it firmly, giving him a solid shake. "You are expected. Will you join us back at our camp? You must be hungry after the journey."
"We are short on time," said one of the dark-haired men. He was a little shorter than Cyland, powerfully built, with long hair and fierce yet contemplative features.
His voice cut deep. Great tragedy and struggle had brought them here. Perhaps tragedy like Sepeazia's.
I offered a small smile and inclined my head in greeting as well, my own heart almost too heavy for words.
