“Viktor, Ahlana, got it.”
But then, once word got around who we were, people began coming up to us with a very similar question: “How are things in the north?” Or “Are you worried for your lands?” We answered with generalities and hedging vagueness, which people seemed to accept, but still. I began to wonder… what was happening in the north of Vauphan?
Then the dinner began.
We all sat, and the king and queen entered from the far end of the hall, a proud couple in their forties, but even from where we were at the far end of the hall, I could see the lines of worry and weariness on their faces.
The first two courses were served, which was great, as I was famished, lunch having been a bit sparse. There was a break before the third course, during which the king stood. Everyone looked to the monarch.
The king sighed heavily and when he spoke his voice was rich and full, filling the hall, yet his tone held a note of heavy fatigue and concern as well. “We have received word from the Fey of the Ne’erwald Hills. They have agreed to help us in our cause. They can see the threat from Elista as well. They’ll be sending several patrols of Haryagars to the front, along with some Kuznmeisters.” The king sighed heavily, shaking his head. “I do not wish for what is to come. I did not start—”
He didn’t get to finish as a building murmur turned to startled screams and cries of alarm.
“They’re here!” someone shouted. “The Elistans are attacking the king! Protect him!”
I turned to Ant, startled, but he was just as shocked as I was.
And the Nobles in the room weren’t looking at us… they were looking at an unnatural, billowing mist, which was seeping into the hall.
Oh no!Auwei breathed.
Ant and I said it at the same time. “Mistweaver.”
“There must have been another besides the one hunting you,” Ant whispered urgently. “These people have no chance against one.”
He was right. “Neither do we,” I pointed out.
Ant nodded. “Things are going to get chaotic in a second. Use that to veer and find some crack in the wall to get out of here, I’ll meet you on the outside, we can’t help these people.” He sounded like he didn’t like what he was saying, but it was the truth.
Guards rushed to the king, while courtiers tried to flee, but any who tried opening a door found it sealed. We were trapped in here as the fog filled the room, as thick as could be.
“I had hoped you’d be here,” a voice whispered in my ear. A voice I knew very well now.
I spun, trying to get away, seeing Hazra right there beside me.
“How…?”
She laughed. “I must kill the royals first, then I’ll come for you.” And she faded into the mists from which she’d come. The fog was all around us now, I couldn’t see farther than a few inches.
Blackened, bloody bones!My heart was thundering in fear. I reached through the haze for Ant, wanting the comfort of his solid presence, but he must have already veered and fled, as he wasn’t where I thought he should be, and I fell from my chair.
I did the only thing I could think of and turned into a spider. I scampered around, finding a table leg, then crawling up that and onto the underside of the table. I felt safe here, at least for the moment.
Ant’s words came back to me:find some crack in the wall to get out of here, I’ll meet you on the outside.But I didn’t want to venture out into the chaos of running feet and swirling mists.I huddled where I was, terrified.
Somehow Hazra had escaped the bonds holding her at Hedgewild and gotten here… and she was going to kill…
Her words finally sank in.
…Kill the royals…
What in the Blackest Pits was going on here? My mind wasn’t working. I didn’t understand any of this.
I think I may be starting to understand part of what’s going on here… though I still have no idea how Hazra got here. That woman terrifies me in a way I’ve never known.
Me too. So, what’s your theory? I’m all ears.
Technically you’re all legs at the moment. Sorry, I’m nervous and I joke when I’m nervous. Anyway, I think Hazra’s attack on Hedgewild was a feint, she let herself get caught so we’d feel safe and you could go on this mission. A mission that came that same day!
