Lost in the dark and drifts of snow.
Trailing her, she met a beast,
With antlers black and eyes aglow.
“Shelter here,” the creature purred,
And took her hand to lead her home.
“You must be cold,” spoke velvet words,
And danced with her until she warmed.
The beast clothed her in moonspun silk,
And laid a feast to see her fed.
But as she ate of sweets and milk,
Her host touched nothing of the spread.
“Fair beast,” she said, “you’ve been so kind,”
“To show my thanks, what shall I do?”
The creature grinned, sharp fangs outlined,
“Tonight,” it said, “I’ll feast on you.”
—Poem from the Winter Plane,Lost to the Woods
24
At what cost?
Fi crouched beside Boden in a night-shrouded Winter forest, surveying the dark lines of Nyskya’s power center. Not a towering factory like the ones in Thomaskweld. The concrete walls were broken by a line of high windows, glowing silver. The yard sparkled with fresh snow. Above the rustle of shiverpine needles, a hum infused the air, one central copper energy conduit striking out across the ground before splitting into the village. A green aurora snapped overhead, glinting against the metal fixtures.
“I don’t see anyone.” Fi squinted into darkness, struggling to seeanything.
“Should be empty at this hour,” Boden said, “but better be safe. We could wait for—”
“Are you two finished?” Antal said from his perch on a branch above. “Or do you want to loiter all night? The place is empty.”
Fi didn’t appreciate his dry tone. “What, as if you can see in the dark or…”
Antal’s glowing eyes peered down at her, an insufferable tilt to his brow.
“You know,” Boden said slowly, “thatdoesmake sense.”
They let Antal and his night vision—apparently—lead the way into the building. They’d paid the daeyari his meal. Now came his end of the bargain: repairing the village’s faultyconduits. Sabotaged conduits, according to Cardigan.
Inside, Boden confirmed the admin office was empty before beckoning the others forward. “Nothing that will draw too much attention. We don’t want—”
“Don’t worry, Mayor Kolbeck.” Antal strode past him, tone flat. “The people of my city are no more accustomed to my presence. I’m used to avoiding notice.”
The hall opened into a large room of non-conductive stone, windows catching starlight two stories overhead. A brighter glow came from four towering glass tanks, stores of energy built up during working hours, three filled high with wisping silver, another brimming crimson. The fruits of Fi’s first donation of daeyari energy chips.
Plenty of energy. Distribution was the problem.
