Assassin of Truths(34)

"What is that?" I raised my voice to be heard over the crashing waves.

Bastien turned his head to see where I was pointing. "It's the Aqualian city. The sea is named after them." Just as he finished, a large whale-like animal with a long, flat nose and whip-thin tail jumped the waves. A bald man with blue skin and gills instead of ears rode its back, clutching a silver chain fastened to its neck. "That's a wallow. There are many unusual, creatures in the Aqualian Sea, some dangerous. For safety, the inhabitants of Veilig only swim in the bays."

"Oi," Edgar yelled, waving his hands over his head. "This way."

Just behind him, massive cliffs soared into the sky. On the very edge of the highest one was a fairy-tale castle constructed from sandstone, complete with turrets and spires, and a village of matching buildings spread out behind it. Edgar made it to the base and headed up the stone steps leading to the top.

"We're climbing those?" I stopped and glanced around. "Isn't there an elevator or bucket with a crane?"

Bastien laughed before ascending the steps.

I breathed out a long sigh and headed after him. "But it's such a long way up."

A gust of wind hit the back of my hair, so strong it whipped my ponytail across my face. Suddenly a claw wrapped around my waist and lifted me off the steps.

Bastien caught my leg. "Gia!" There was desperation in his voice.

My body jerked up, and his grip tore away. The huge bird that had snatched me flapped its golden wings, carrying me higher into the sky.

I grasped the claw and screamed.





Chapter Fifteen


The side of the cliff sped past as the bird as large as a glider soared up, holding me in its claw. It hovered over the flat surface at the top of the cliff. Somewhere a high-pitched whistle sounded; the bird chittered and lowered me to ground, my feet barely touching when it let go of me. I stumbled forward and landed on my hands and knees.

I bent over, trying to catch my breath. My leather breastplate tightened with every heavy rise of my chest. It was like time halted and the world moved slowly around me until Bastien and Edgar made it up and rushed to me.         

     



 

Bastien dropped down, panting. "Are you hurt?"

I held up my hand to signal that I wasn't able to respond.

"Are you all right?" Bastien rested his hand on my back.

"I'm good." I pushed myself up and tottered on unstable legs.

Edgar dunked his head in a modest three-tier fountain, then rubbed the water across his buzz-cut hair. I hobbled over, plunged a cupped hand into the water, and splashed my face, welcoming the coolness.

Bastien dumped two hands full over his head. "Ah, that feels splendid."

"My apologies if Kiti scared you." A woman's soft voice came from behind us.

I whirled and came face-to-face with Akua, the High Wizard of Veilig's wife. We had met briefly in Asile when the Wizard Council interrogated Bastien and me about Conemar's disappearance.

"Kiti?" I looked up to the sky.

"She meant no harm," Akua said. "All she wanted was to give you a ride up."

Her kind brown eyes went from me to Bastien. She was beautiful in a cream linen sheath, her black hair tied in intricate braids that wrapped around her head. A thin crystal whistle hung from her neck by a silver chain.

"Bastien, I'm delighted to see you." She smiled, her lips turning up slightly at the corners and pressing a dimple into her left cheek. "And Gianna. You take a risk coming here. There is a price on your head. We must get you out of sight immediately."

Edgar shuffled over. "We shouldn't stay long. If we were found, there would be tough consequences for your haven."

Akua inspected him. "And who are you?"

"Philip's guard," he said. "He had me escape Asile before he was arrested."

The kindness on her face before had turned into a scowl. "Why have you come to my haven? We have enough troubles to add more to our situation. My husband is on his deathbed. The council is pushing my people to remove Enitan as high wizard and appoint a new one. Half my Sentinels and guards have fallen ill with the disease. We haven't the strength to aid you."

"But I can help you," I said and removed the pouch from around me. "I brought the cure. My nana is a Pure Witch. She gave me the recipe. Your curers can make enough to help your people."

"How do I know it will work?" The look on her face said that she hoped it would. "It could be poison."

Bastien took a few steps forward, his stare on her. "Because it was tested."

"The council sent word that there wasn't a cure."

"They lied," I said.

"Do you mean Conemar or the council?" she asked.

"I believe the two may very well be in agreement with each other," Bastien said.

Akua uncrossed her arms. "That is my belief, as well. You have an ally in Veilig. Follow me."

She brought us inside the castle. The rooms were decorated with silver and gold accents, cream-colored furniture, flowy, pale drapes, and colorful walls. She ushered us into one of the rooms facing the sea. Statues rested in every corner of the room. A huge fireplace made out of shells and pearls dominated one of the walls. Across from it was a wide bed that could fit six people in it. Tucked under the covers slept a large man with gray streaking his black hair, and skin the color of ash. He twitched and groaned.

It was like watching a gazelle cross the room as Akua went to the man. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "My poor lion. He used to be fierce, but gentle. His people love him. He treated them with such kindness. It breaks my heart to see him like this." And she kissed him again. "Enitan, my love, you will be well soon."

Edgar fell back into a chair by the hearth, finally showing signs of being tired.

I removed a syringe and a small bottle of the cure from the pouch and joined Akua and Enitan. After assembling the shot like Nana had shown me, I inserted the needle into Enitan's arm and administered the pink-tinged liquid. Enitan closed his eyes, and I joined Bastien on a small settee across from Edgar.

Akua pulled on a golden rope near the door, and several minutes later, a man with a stern glare, dressed in colorful clothes, entered the room.

She handed him the pouch. "Take this to the curers. It holds what they need to stop the disease."

"They'll need my blood, too," I said.

Her gaze shifted to me. "You should eat. Gain strength before giving your life's essence away."

"You don't have to go to any trouble," I said. "It only takes a few drops of blood for a hundred cures."

Edgar gave me the stink eye and rubbed his stomach.

"I am starving, though," I added.

"Very well." She nodded to the man, and he promptly left the room.         

     



 

Akua pulled the drapes across the room, shutting Enitan off from us. She had fish, fruit, cheeses, and breads delivered, and we ate around the small table in front of the hearth. I gobbled down everything but the fish. Not that I had anything against fish, but I preferred them in a tank rather than on my plate.

"Why is there a party going on in my room?" Enitan's voice came from the other side of the drapes.

The man dressed in colorful clothes dragged the drapes to the other side of the room.

Enitan struggled to get up.

Akua's face lit up. "Enitan!" She rushed over and helped him sit up against the pillows. "You look better," she said, relief sounding in her voice.

He struggled to raise his arm, resting his open palm on her cheek. "My love, I'm so sorry I worried you."

It was as if my spirit elevated to the ceiling at watching Akua and Enitan. Just a little of my blood had saved him.

"Don't exert yourself," Akua urged.

"I feel well." He absentmindedly rubbed his arm where he'd received the shot. "Food smells good. I'm famished."

"I'll get you a plate." Akua crossed the room to the table and piled bread and cheeses on a small plate. There was a hop to her steps as she returned to him and sat on the bed. Lovingly, she fed him small bite after small bite.

I wiped my mouth with one of the cloth napkins on the table and went over to them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is something I need."

Enitan stopped chewing. "What is it?"

"I must have a drop," I said with a shrug, "maybe two, of blood from the Fifth Heir's closest living descendent. It's needed to stop Conemar from controlling the Tetrad. I can't tell you any more than that. You'll have to trust me."

"And why should I put all my trust in you?" He coughed, and Akua lifted a glass of water to his lips.

Edgar shot to his feet and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "She's the presage. Not to mention she just brought your people the cure. You'd be dead by tomorrow without her."

Enitan pushed the glass of water away from him and looked up at Akua. "Is that true?"

"It is," she said.

He studied my face for a long while before saying, "All right. The oldest living heir of the Fifth is my great-grandfather. He's nearly five hundred years of age. Lives in the home of the prophets. Koluka will bring you there."

"Thank you," I said. "Can she … or he … take me to the curers first? They need some of my blood for the cure."