In three days, my destiny would be decided. Freedom, or the gallows.
2
Chapter 2
The greatest heist the Merchant’s Isles had ever seen would occur tonight—assuming I succeeded. More likely, town criers across the continent would spin the tale of the idiot woman who tried to steal that which could not be stolen.
A mere three days. That’s how long Laverna had given me to prepare. I’d blinked and the days had disappeared; the Sundering Ceremony was upon me.
Fitting the mask of flowers over my eyes, I smoothed down my opal gown and stepped into Sundering Square. Once, years ago, I’d attended this grand ceremony with Ainwir, awed by the beautiful ladies and their splendorous masks.
Drunken merriment clashed in an unintelligible rush of voices. Masks of every design, from animals to gilded gold, concealed the people’s faces. Togas of finest silk and those of tattered tartan swathed their bodies, dividing those with wealth from those with nothing.
Lanterns glowed on the water channels flanking the long stretch of pavement. Past the rows of ancient marble buildings, peaked with bronze roofs, the channels converged into a lake that bordered the temple.
I made myself small as I slipped through the crowd, avoiding attention. Grabbing a glass of wine from a passing harlequin’stray, I sipped idly on the bitter drink while my eyes feasted on the main event.
An enormous boat bobbed on the lake’s calm waters, more stage than vessel. Flat and wide, it would never be seaworthy. It was atheater. Atop its stage, the sermon would be held, and the re-enactment of the Maiden Brizo and the creation of her Bloodstone would be performed.
Any other night, I would have enjoyed the show. But I needed to get aboard the grand vessel and leave without being seen.
Two wooden bridges connected the boat to the square, but both were in plain view. Even a shadow could not slip across unseen. Once the show began, the crowds would flock to the lake’s edge—hundreds of eyes would be watching.
Across the glowing lake, a stone pathway connected the back of the theater ship to the temple looming over the city, its windows bright spots of gold. The Maiden’s Bloodstone was stored in a vault beneath it, emerging only once a year for the festival of the Sundering.
A heavy troop of guards would escort the Bloodstone to the ship. And once the ceremony concluded, they would return it to its vault. That left but one tiny window for me to steal it.
Leaning on the stone banister guarding drunken attendants from falling into the lake, I reconsidered my plan. I was a fool for thinking this heist was possible.
Laverna probably just wanted to get me killed in the grandest way she could imagine.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A soft voice met my ears as a masked man joined me at the lake’s edge. “Though I don’t imagine it’s seaworthy.”
I quickly scanned the stranger—shoulder-length brown hair, a simple white toga with a scarf, and a mask of owl feathers. A scholar, or maybe a priest?
Harmless, either way.
Shifting to face him, I smiled sweetly and spoke with an elegant, noble accent. “Is this your first time attending the Sundering ceremony?”
“Yes. I’ve never before had the pleasure.” He admitted.
I glanced over his shoulder, watching a procession of women in sea-colored robes approach the bridges and kneel in silent prayer. My opening was drawing near.
“I hope you brought a suitor,” I said idly. “There’s a dance after the rite.”
A sly smile crossed his lips. “Not this time.”
“Shame.” I passed him, bowing my head. “Merry sailing.”
“Ah, one moment,” he said, studying me intently. “I didn’t catch your name.”
I curtsied. “Lady Terpsichore,” I offered my fake alias, and walked away.
“Merry sailing, my lady.” He called after me.
A ring of guards protected the maidens and nobles from the riffraff. Standing a few paces away, the crowds jostled past me as I gathered my thoughts and prepared my lie.
Pulling an envelope from my satchel, I approached the guards: men with heavy helms covering all but their eyes and mouths, and red tabards flapping in the breeze.
