Yet the news they shared as they ate wasn’t good. Sparrow reported no interesting news from the Royal House. Silence and Foggy were working together to explore the warren of tunnels under the Slippery Eel that led to the Royal House. They reported seeing many people moving through the tunnels, but they hadn’t found Hale yet, nor heard any other indicators of betrayal and subterfuge. Midnight had been within the Royal House, moving carefully. Specifically, she’d been trying to find out more about the queen and her supposed retreat away from society. Yet as much as she could go unseen, she could not get into some areas and had had no luck finding the queen. She wasn’t in her royal rooms nor any of the easily accessible parts of the house. Two days, and they still had nothing.
“We need to be patient and persistent,” Midnight said stoically. “We’ll find something to help the others, I know it.”
That night, Sparrow and Silence slept together, holding each other close for comfort but both uncertain about what the next day would bring.
They all went their separate ways early the next day, though a spring storm had moved in and high winds and lashing rain meant Sparrow would not be doing much flying. So, she bundled herself up in a heavy oiled cloak and stood across from the Slippery Eel, in the shadows of a dark alley, and watched the place.
Understandably, few people were out on the streets, so she stood there for some time, seeing no activity. Though her cloak kept her mostly dry, the shifting winds and driving rains managed to trickle some moisture down within the confines of the garment and she began to feel a chill.
But just as she was thinking of leaving, a large figure ducked out of the doorway of the Slippery Eel. The massive man looked quickly around before heading off at a quick pace into the rains.
Sparrow didn’t know Lord Hale, but this man matched the general description: larger than Ant with thick arms — especially the forearms — and blond hair. She’d caught sight of a few strands of pale hair peeking out from under the cowl of his cloak.
She hesitated only a moment before following him. She slipped from alley to alley, shadow to shadow, keeping the large man in sight through the sheets of rain inundating the city. He’d check behind him every now and then, but that large body of his telegraphed his movements, and when she saw his shoulder shift and twitch, she’d make sure she was safe in an alley or duck into one quickly.
Whoever this was, he was certain of his destination. He made his way through back streets and dark alleys, a circuitous route, but definitely heading across the city. Sparrow was half-certain of where he was going, and her suspicions were confirmed when he reached the walled compound of Pegasus House. He spoke quickly with a gate guard and was admitted.
Interesting.
She’d not be able to follow beyond this point… unless…
It was difficult, but not impossible to fly in such downpours of rain. She’d have to make several trips, most likely. But it was important enough to risk. She veered into her sparrow form and asked her Lumani Ahena to lend her strength, then flitted to the top of the wall around the Pegasus compound. She made it there in time to see the large man entering a small side door.
She wasn’t certain, but she thought she might know where in the house he was heading. When Legs had come here — only a few days ago, but seeming like a lifetime — Sparrow had done a full scouting of the house and knew where Lady Silvermane’s rooms were, as well as Lord Horn’s, Hale’s father.
She made the quick trip up to a window of Silvermane’s room to perch on the large stone sill. Peering within, she found Lord Horn there as well. This wasn’t uncommon, since the large protector-knight was usually close by his charge.
And as suspected, the large man was admitted a few moments later. This had to be Hale.
Her hearing wasn’t as good as Midnight’s and the three in the room gathered close, speaking in hushed voices. But Sparrow had learned a few tricks. Her eyes in bird form were keen and she’d learned to read a person’s lips from a great distance. And as luck would have it, Hale was the one facing her as he spoke. Yet the other two occasionally got in the way, and she had trouble reading their lips from the sides, so she only got bits of the conversation.
Hale was speaking: “…most dire… in danger… madwoman, Maverick has trained as an assassin. I don’t think she’d hurt her sister, but she’s quite crazy, so I can’t be sure. Even with all my skills I… protect my beloved and… away, killing three men. It’s clear now Maverick House is working against Elista, though to what end I do not know.”
Sparrow was more than a little shocked at this. The man was blatantly lying about the events of a few nights ago. Though, what was more worrying was that Silvermane and Horn seemed to believe him wholeheartedly.
“Maverick is… not think him a betrayer…” This from Silvermane. She shook her head. “This is dire news indeed. I am worried for young Dove.”
Horn nodded at this.
“There is more,” Hale said. “They are conspiring with Vauphan against us.”
Well, that part was sort of true, but they only sought to stop the coming war, not betray Elista.
“That woman, Legs has seduced their prince and whispers in his ear encouraging their war.”
Silvermane shook her head again. “To what end?”
Hale looked weary and sad, clearly an act. “That I do not know. The queen worries we may have a war on two fronts, that Maverick and his seductress will entice the Vauphani to come ashore in the South, while a smaller force, reinforced by the bedeviled Fey, holds the North. They will have us caught in the middle, fighting on two fronts. That is why…” Horn adjusted his position and blocked Hale for a moment. “… the north and overcome their forces now.”
Silvermane was nodding. “What do you need?”
“Your most powerful spirit-gifted to bolster the forces in the North. Also, your portion of the army to march south and take Hedgewild.”
A cold shudder ran through Sparrow. She hadn’t thought it possible they would march on one of their own Noble Houses, but she’d clearly been wrong. Each of the top five Noble Houses controlled a portion of the army of Elista, a precaution from putting too much power in the hands of whatever House currently held the Royal name. Currently, that meant Panther protected the East, Pterolycus the North, Wyvern the West, Pegasus the South, and Owl the Central Capital Region. Though, Pegasus’ army hadn’t truly been in the south for some time, remaining close to the capital since there was no great threat upon the lands of Southern Elista. The only threat there were pirates occasionally raiding the coast, and Maverick House dealt with them. But if Pegasus did march south… their army of five thousand men would easily overcome the few Nobles at Hedgewild; it would be a massacre. She wanted to run and tell the others now, but forced herself to remain and see what else she could learn.
“I’ll do what I must to free Dove,” Silvermane said, jaw firm, eyes cold.
“Finally,” Hale said, rising. “Spread word to the other Houses of Maverick’s betrayal. None in their House can be trusted.” He sighed rolling his heavy shoulders. “And if your army or any other House manages to capture Legs… try to keep her alive. I want to make her pay for what she did.”
