“Nothing of that sort will take place until we ensure the streets are safe for competitors and citizens alike.” Deneya drew a slow breath and seemed to inflate until she towered over the senator. It was a trick Eira wanted to learn so desperately she found herself inhaling slowly without realizing it. “Until then, all the competitors and dignitaries will be sequestered in safe houses, provided by Her Majesty.”
“Allthe competitors?” Eira asked.
“Yes, all. Now, come along. Our escort is here.”
Sure enough, a legion of elfin were waiting on the docks at the end of the gangplank for them. Half wore armor plate covered in white with deep purple sashes around their shoulders, pinned with a medal. Each had a short sword on their hip with a bejeweled hilt cast in gold. The other half of the honor guard were in plain silver plate and had capes of red.
“What do the different soldiers mean?” Alyss whispered to Eira.
“I think the ones with the swords are the Swords of Light—the militia of the Faithful of Yargen. Think of them like a religious army. And the red capes I think are the queen’s knights?”
Deneya gave a glance over her shoulder that Eira caught. It almost looked approving. Deneya wore a red cape today.
They marched up the docks, surrounded by guards, and into the empty streets of Risen. The hush of the city was prickling. The silence made the buildings and iron window boxes loud with whispers Eira’s magic snagged on. She worked to keep the echoes of voices out of her mind, an easy feat when distraction was so readily available. Already, Eira was looking over her shoulder and scanning for the violet eyes of Ferro.
More than once…she could’ve sworn she heard his whispers among the echoes.
He was one man—a horrible, twisted man, certainly—but onlyone. Risen had to have its share of murderers, as all cities did. So why was every man, woman, and child sequestered? There was so much more to the web Ferro was tangled within than Eira had realized back on Solaris.
Without issue or discussion, they arrived at the safe house. It was a large compound in the heart of the city with a manned gate upfront, archers in roosts overlooking the front courtyard, and a five-story building of curling marble, wooden shutters, iron balconies, and domed roofs around decorative leaded windows.
“This is where you’ll be staying,” Deneya said as two of the soldiers opened the heavy wooden doors.
Alyss gasped. “It’s marvelous.”
“It truly is,” Noelle agreed.
Eira opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a rogue whisper.How I have… She jerked toward one of the large door knockers as though it had sprung arms and struck her. The voice had come from there.
“Are you all right?” Cullen asked under his breath.
“Fine.” The word was a little too sharp, but Eira was more focused on tearing her gaze from the knocker and stepping into the main atrium. She was imagining things. That voice…it couldn’t be. She returned her focus to Deneya and the quick overview of the manor she was giving.
“Beneath us on the ground floor are the public common areas,” Deneya said. Eira hadn’t realized there was a basement on entry. “Then every kingdom has their own space. The first floor is Meru; second is Solaris; third is the Twilight Kingdom; fourth will be Kingdom of the Draconi; and fifth will be the Republic of Qwint. The last two have yet to arrive.”
Eira stared at the doors opposite her at the other end of the atrium. Behind them were the competitors from Risen. Her competition. But also people she desperately wanted to meet.
“Senators, you and the ambassador will be staying at another manor. There’s only room for one chaperone here per group and that will be Instructor Levit, as a fellow sorcerer.”
“We should be—”
“I wouldn’t question it, Yemir,” Ambassador Cordon discouraged. He plastered on a fake, placating smile. “You’ll be with the other dignitaries, nobles, and guests of honor in our own safe house. There are many coming for the tournament. We can’t all stay in one building.”
“Oh, of course.” Yemir bowed his head at Deneya. “Your queen is most generous.”
“She really is.” Deneya smiled thinly then said to the guards, “Escort them to their lodging.” Then, she faced the four competitors and Mister Levit. “You five, come with me.”
They wound up a curving stair that reminded Eira somewhat of the Tower of Sorcerers. It spun up the atrium, a landing at every level. Deneya led them through the doors of the second level and into a common area that stretched toward the back of the house.
This…way…Voices continued to follow Eira’s steps. The house was noisy, its din threaded together by her paranoia. Ferro could be anywhere. She could almost feel him lingering in her shadow, ready to pounce. She heard him in every shadow.
“You should have everything you need. Your personal effects will be behind shortly.” Deneya stepped away from them, oblivious to Eira’s plight. “If anything is amiss, tell the guards. Otherwise, you’re not to leave this compound without approval and an escort. Understood?”
“Yes, thank you, Deneya,” Mister Levit answered for them.
“Take care.” With that brief goodbye, Deneya left them all.
“Look at this place.” Alyss spun. “It’s a dream—just like a storybook!”
