Gallina shot her pensive glances throughout the ride, butshe knew better than to talk about Viv’s fears in front of the driver.
The cart rumbled onward as the sun plunged into the sea like hot iron into the quench, and blue night stole down the hills after it.
They heard the bells even before Murk came into view—distant, sonorous clangs. Only a rise or two remained between the cart and the outskirts, and Viv could wait no longer. Certainly not with that clamorous ringing giving shape to her worst fears. She vaulted over the side of the wagon with Satchel over her arm, hitting the sand hard.
Gallina started to follow, but Viv seized her halfway down and slung the squawking gnome onto her back like a cloak, so that she straddled Blackblood. Only when Gallina’s arms wrapped tight around her throat did Viv let go.
“You’re kiddin’,” hissed the gnome.
“Hang on.”
“What the hells do you think you’re doin’?” cried the driver as he reined in his mule team.
“Something stupid,” said Viv, and set off at a dead sprint, with Gallina’s knees digging into her back with every stride.
The city, the clapboard buildings skirting it, and the dunes piled around them all appeared serene. Only the sound of the bells bespoke anything amiss.
Viv pounded over the crest of the last hill, sand spitting behind every footfall, sweat already darkening her shirt.Gallina’s breath was hot against her neck, and the gnome grunted when her body slapped hard against the flat of the greatsword.
Viv had expected flames, screams, an army of the undead—but there was nothing she could see.
After a few weeks of desultory workouts and physical recovery, her lungs burned after a run that she would have easily managed a few months past. She didn’t let her pace slacken, though, as she charged down the last stretch of road before it branched off toward The Perch.
“Don’t see nothin’,” said Gallina.
“You ever hear those bells before, though?” panted Viv.
The gnome’s arms tightened a little, and Viv could tell she was shaking her head.
“Must be inside the walls.” Distantly, she thought she heard shouts. She spied lantern-glow winking in the window of Thistleburr.
Viv paused in front of the building, heaving huge breaths. Gallina released her grip and landed nimbly behind her. “Like ridin’ a horse made out of rocks,” she grumbled.
Fern, or Maylee?Viv was paralyzed by a sudden indecision. Thinking about it though, only one option made sense: she had to get into the city, had to find Iridia. “Check on Fern,” she said, stabbing a finger at the red door. “Lock up behind you.”
“What’reyoudoin’? I’m not sittin’ with a bunch of books while somethin’goodis goin’ on.”
“I’m making sure Maylee is fine. You don’t have tostay. Just check that Fern is all right and that she’s keeping safe.”
Without waiting for Gallina to object again, Viv got moving.
Sea-Song was locked—which was good—but Viv felt every second creep by as she hammered on the door. She wanted nothing more than to take a few steps back and bash the thing off its hinges, and if she hadn’t needed it locked again after she left, she might have done so.
The bells were louder here, and she couldn’t imagine Maylee had slept through them. Bakers turned in early, and she was probably tossing and turning upstairs.
In practical terms, it wasn’t long before she spied the glow of Maylee’s lantern gleaming through the window, but it felt like forever. When she appeared in the doorway, Viv was surprised by the magnitude of her relief.
“You’re back,” yawned the dwarf. “Can’t decide what’s louder, you or the bells.” She raised her lantern to spill the light across Viv’s face.
Viv seized her by the shoulders, leaned in, and kissed her square on the mouth.
“Well, hello to you too, hon,” breathed Maylee.
“What do the bellsmean?” asked Viv, and her grim tone startled any remaining drowsiness from Maylee’s expression.
“Fire, maybe? Couldn’t see from here. Nothin’ we can do anythin’ about.” She suddenly seemed to register that Viv was wearing two blades. “Hang on—”
Viv glanced over her shoulder, half expecting some shambling skeletal assailant to stumble up the boardwalk.
