Page 157 of The Cradle of Ice
The alchymist interrupted, struggling to stand in his chains. “If we’re going, we should hurry.”
Tazar nodded. “He’s right.”
Outside, the sounds of battle had abated, but Tazar knew it could not hold. Reinforcements from the mooring fields would fall upon them before long.
Even Emperor Makar felt confident enough in this fact to glare across the room. “This will not stand!” he threatened.
Before anyone could respond, the Augury slipped past the emperor, running a finger across Makar’s cheek. “Hush.”
The emperor stiffened at this touch and stumbled back. He trembled for a breath, his eyes rolling white—then he slumped to his knees, where he stayed. His eyes returned to normal, but as he gazed around, his face was a mask of confusion.
“What did you do?” Rami blurted out.
* * *
AS RAMI RUSHED toward his father, Kanthe was content to remain on his knees. The continuing whirl of events dizzied him. His neck hurt from the strain of trying to look everywhere at once.
The Augury glanced at Rami. “No harm’s been done, I assure you—well, no lasting harm.”
Rami reached his father, but Makar shied away from him, as if not recognizing his own son.
The Augury crossed to stand before the rest of them. “As your alchymist has warned, we don’t have much time. I’ve gone to great efforts to get you all in one place. And we dare not waste it.”
Frell rattled to his feet. “You gathered us here? How?”
“It would’ve been easier if you all didn’t keep thwarting me at every turn.” He pointed at Kanthe and Aalia. “All you two had to do was get married as planned and come here for a postnuptial divination. Would that have been so hard?”
Kanthe, flummoxed and confused, looked at Aalia.
“I had to act quickly.” The Augury waved across the chained group. “I risked much exposing your location in Malgard. To ensure that the emperor brought you all to my palacio.”
Pratik gained his feet, too. “But how did you know where we—”
The oracle ignored him and pointed to Tazar. “And you! I had to contact the Razen Rose. To arrange for Symon to pass you an old skrycrow message, letting you know your beloved Aalia was coming to Malgard.”
Kanthe’s head spun, struggling to understand this puppeteer. “You’re part of the Razen Rose?”
“No. Though I’ve worked with them in the past. They often serve as my eyes and ears from afar. Together we’ve accomplished much.”
“Then who are you?” Frell asked.
The Augury rested a hand on his chest. “You can call me Tykhan.”
Kanthe challenged him, wanting a clear answer. “A name alone doesn’t truly explain who you are.”
“I suppose that’s true. Perhaps it’s best if we follow the example of the Shayn’ra and throw away our masks.”
“What mask?” Kanthe asked.
The Augury lifted an arm. Bending it, he used the crook of his elbow to rub his face from brow to chin. As he did, the rich Klashean ebony wiped away—revealing the bright sheen of bronze beneath.
“I’m who you all came to find,” the Augury explained. “The Sleeper of Malgard.”
THIRTEEN
THE FANGS OF THE CRÈCHE
To reach the worldes Mouthe, yu must fyrst survive its Fanges. Lette that be warn’n enough.
