Page 53 of Soul of Fire

A skald shuffled along the corridor in an almost comical resemblance of Branka’s imitation. His hood was lowered, and wispy white hair gathered at his temples and in patchy spots along his jaw.

“We’ll follow from a distance,” Branka said, clutching my hand. “Tell me when he’s just out of sight.”

“You have no idea where he’s going!” I argued, watching as the dark blue robes swished slowly down the corridor until, at last, his frame disappeared behind the wall.

“Do you have a better idea?” Branka hissed, shoving me forward. I didn’t have time to argue as I found myself standing on the opposite side of the alcove. “Come on!”

Arik.I realized he still hadn’t replied, and a prickle of concern lifted the hairs on the back of my neck.Idunn?

They are fine.She sounded uncertain, but I knew she would tell me immediately if she sensed any danger.Something is strange though.

Iron?

She flickered agitatedly.I am not sure.

Keep trying them.

We followed the skald at a tedious shuffle, trying to keep him in our sights without alerting him to our presence.

When he stopped in the middle of the hallway before a vast set of doors, I had to quickly backtrack so as not to be spotted.

“Oof,” Branka murmured as I walked right into her. “What is it?”

“I think we’re here.” I peeked around the corner again to see the skald fumbling with a key. “We should wait a few minutes before–” I stopped as the sound of a familiar voice behind us made my blood run cold.

The king.

“In here.” Branka tugged me across the hall to another door, which was of course locked. Her eyes went wide with panic. “Shit, hold on.”

She crouched a little until her face was level with the door handle and blew. I felt Bryndis coming forward and saw her eyes shift to gold slits as a jet of fire emerged between her lips.

The lock gave way into melted metal. Branka pushed me inside the room and closed the door quietly behind us.

It was a broom closet. Branka nearly tripped over me as something with a hard, wooden handle hit me in the shoulder. She pressed her hand over my mouth to muffle my cry of pain.

“Shhh!”

“Tell that to the mop,” I hissed, rubbing my sore shoulder as Branka released me. “Where did you learn to do that?”

Could we do that?I added to Idunn.

Probably.Idunn sounded thoughtful.I never considered a partial shift. It raises interesting possibilities.

“Jorgen taught me,” Branka whispered back, her ear pressed to the door. “Listen.”

“…still ill, sire. Should I send for the healers in the city?”

I didn’t recognize the voice speaking, but I definitely recognized the owner of the voice that replied.

“No. No healers. It will be good for him to…”

The rest was lost to me as their voices faded down the hallway.

“They think you’re still sick,” Branka suggested, tugging me back from the door. “Perhaps Arne’s doing?”

“Perhaps.” I frowned. It made sense, pretending I was still abed so that we would be left alone. I wondered why Arne and Arik hadn’t mentioned it as part of their plan.

“I think it’s safe.” Branka tugged at my arm and poked her head out of the door. “Let’s go.”