I shuffled, inwardly cursing him and myself for not discussing the intricacies of what came next: how we were to find Demetri and the others; how I would survive one last night in thetemplum after three acolytes lay mutilated and dead in my rooms.
But it was not the pasty head of an acolyte framed in the doorway, but the boxy one of a sister. She shifted on her feet, her face hidden as she tapped Lycandor for attention, his mesh still fixed upon me. My eyes widened as she reached up and tugged it, forcing him to turn back to her. He peered down, her small hands twisting through a series of quick, fluid motions that I could not discern.
He nodded, seemingly able to understand what I could not. “If it’s to be done this night, then bring the lackwit to my office and lock the door.”
She motioned again.
“For the love of the pits.” He gestured behind him, waving to where I lurked. “She isfine. You think I’d harm her?”
Something scraped against the stone, and I glanced down to see her leathered boot nudging a pewter plate piled high with cheeses, bread, and fruit across the floor.
Huffing, Lycandor bent to pick it up, his armour clanking. She pointed to me before pinching her thumb against her forefinger and repeatedly bringing it to where I assumed her mouth was, masked in the shadow of her headdress.
“Yes, yes.” He faced me. “I’m under strict orders to make sure you eat.”
With one last sign, the door swung shut before I could offer her my thanks.
“You know that sister?” I asked, accepting the plate with both hands.
His laugh was bittersweet. “Yes, I know that sister. And she’s very strict, so eat. You’ll need your strength for what comes next.”
“What comes next?” I selected a thick wedge of bread and bit into its spongy flesh, depositing the rest on the table.
“I will most likely have to vie for the execution of Falstaff. He went against orders, after all, and sought to enact the inquisition himself. Insubordination is a far greater vice than a little smidge of murder to the High Druid.” He laughed, no mirth in the sound. “And anyhow, I may be able to claim their deaths for my own. Either way, His Eminence will demand penance, regardless.”
The bread turned to ash in my mouth.
“A penance is good, Ashara. A penance means time. And we need time—as much of it as we can get.”
“I care not for the penance, just why would you do this?”Take it off, I wanted to beg.Take off your mask of chain.
He raised a hand to the hem of it, skimming the metal, as if his blessing could scent my demand.
“An answer for another time, Seamstress. Ask it again when we are out of these walls, but know I hold no power over what happens beyond them. Without a decree, nothing is guaranteed.”
“I will take my chances,” I said, nibbling on the crust. “For what other hope is there?”
“The one here.” His hand reached out and pressed against my chest, slightly left, over my heart. “Perhaps it might unfurl just in time to save us all.”
“Perhaps,” I agreed, willing it to open, but my veins were as empty as my stomach, devoid of all warmth, save for the palm at my breast. “But what have I done to deserve it? I am no pious druid…could it be a penance rather than a gift?”
“Time will tell, another reason why it’s important to garner as much as we’re able. I must go.” His body leaned towards me, as if it longed to do the very opposite. “And find Falstaff.”
His hand drifted from my heart to cup my chin. I swallowed the mouthful of bread, long since chewed to mulch.
“The door behind me is solid iron,” he assured, fingers holding firm. “No one but I can enter. Not without this key.”
His other hand unhooked the loop at his belt. Holding it up to the candlelight, he revealed a large iron key, dark and heavy, its ridged teeth glittering in the flame like the spikes of his helm. “You do not answer that door. If anything happens to me—”
“Will something happen to you?” Something was wrong with my voice, my syllables coated in sawdust.
“Nothing will happen to me.” He scoffed. “Butifsomething did, the sisters know what to do. Just wait here and endure.”
“I am getting rather tired of waiting and sitting. I should like to see what happens when I hasten and move.” Better, but still cracked at the edges.
“We can do muchhasteningandmovingwhen I am back.”
“You mean, whenweare back.” It would bewe,all of us. “Remember your promise, Druid.”
