James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

"The Northwarden discovered that a faction within Administration is behind the attacks." It was one of the more credible theories she’d formed after the Sanctuary, when she’d been waiting for Elocien to find her at the Tol. Asha stared Teran in the eye, willing him to believe her. "He’s trying to cover it up, but there are documents that prove it. Signed orders."

Teran snorted. "And I suppose you want us to just let you go, so you can retrieve them?"

Asha did her best to look disdainful. "Even if you did, I can’t just go and get them. The duke has been using me as a go-between for an Administrator who was involved, but who doesn’t want anything more to do with it. That’s who has agreed to get the documents for us - and once he’d given them to me, I was going to head straight for the Silver Talon and hand them to the Shadraehin’s people there." She scowled at the two men. "So as you can see, a few more days, and none of this would have been necessary."

Teran eyed her narrowly. "We’re not letting you out to meet him."

"Then go yourself." Asha shook her head in disgust. "The White Sword. I was supposed to be there each night this week, and he’d meet me when he could. His name’s Erran. Big man in a blue cloak. He’s hard to miss."

Teran looked at her, wavering. "And what do we say to him?"

"Tell him Elocien sent you to collect the documents instead of me. Don’t worry, he’s not too bright. He’ll hand them over."

Teran stared at her for a long moment, then gave a sharp nod. "Good enough. But if a week passes and there are no documents, things will go very, very badly for you."

"He’ll be there," said Asha, with more confidence than she felt. Erran had told her that Elocien regularly sent him to the White Sword for information… would he try Reading people there, once he and the others realised she was missing? She could only hope so.

The door closed, and Asha settled back down against the wall, closing her eyes and breathing deeply to slow her pounding heart. She’d look for another way out soon; she couldn’t pin all her hopes on this plan working.

At least now, though, she felt that she had a chance.

Asha’s heart sank as she awoke in the cold, and the dark, and the damp.

Her muscles, stiff from disuse, screamed at her as she shifted. The rope around her wrist - re-tied and viciously tightened by Teran after she’d managed to slip the knot three days ago - burned where it chafed against her skin. She winced as she felt her hands slick, blood trickling down from where the cords had bitten too deeply as she’d struggled against them.

She stared around blearily, though there was never anything to see in the utter darkness she was left in each night. Something had woken her, and it wasn’t the pain, or the stench, or even the gnawing hunger. She’d had one meal since she was captured, and Asha was fairly certain that had just been to keep her alive until her story was confirmed - until Teran had the evidence he so desperately wanted.

She grimaced as she rolled her shoulder, wondering if anything was broken. Teran had kicked her, hard, when he’d returned this evening from another unsuccessful trip to the White Sword. Asha could see his mistrust mounting each time he came back empty-handed, but she pressed her case, putting everything she had into sounding convincing.

She had to. She knew now that her captors were too thorough, too alert for her to escape on her own. She still kept looking for a way out, but all of her hopes were realistically pinned on Erran.

She wasn’t sure how long had passed, but she’d almost fallen into a restless sleep again when she heard the soft voice.

Asha .

She flinched and looked around, peering into the murk. "Who’s there?"

Quiet. It’s Erran. I’m outside . A pause. I’ve linked our minds. Just think your responses, don’t say them out loud. Another pause. Are you okay?

Asha took a couple of deep, shuddering breaths of pure relief. I’ve been better. Glad you’re here though. She hesitated. You’re alone?

Kol and Fessi are here too. Elocien wanted to send men, but I Read the Shadow you sent to the White Sword. Teran. He’ll kill you if he gets even a hint of a problem. He’s got a plan to kill Pyl, too, if it comes to that. Then blame your death on him and say he was trying to save you.

Of course he does, thought Asha grimly. She’d never heard his name, but Pyl must be Teran’s partner. So you’ll sneak me out?

Fessi just went through the house; she’s figured out which door is your room. Pyl’s on guard, and Teran’s asleep. She’s going to come in, take the keys from Pyl, unlock your door, and get you out before anyone knows what’s happening.

Asha hesitated. I’m hurt, haven’t had much to eat or drink. Tied up too. Not sure how fast I can be.

Doesn’t matter. You’ll see. Just get ready.

Asha shook out her muscles as best she could, then as quietly as possible raised herself to a standing position against the wall. Her shoulder felt like it was on fire; when she looked down she could see the black, red and purple of an ugly bruise through the torn and bloodied cloth of her shirt. She staggered a little once she was upright, and her vision swam.

Okay. Here she comes.

"Fates."

Asha blinked. The door was open, the light from a lamp outside spilling in, hurting Asha’s eyes. Fessi was standing a couple of feet in front of her; the word had been whispered, but the horror on other girl’s face told Asha just how much of a mess she must look.

"I need cleaning up," whispered Asha with a weak smile.

Fessi shook her head, then reached out and grabbed Asha’s arm, thankfully not the one attached to her bad shoulder. The Augur closed her eyes for a moment, then quickly released the cords that bound Asha’s wrists.

"Okay. Let’s move," Fessi said. "Don’t let go of me for any reason."

Asha leaned heavily on her friend as they made their way towards the doorway, Asha certain with every step that Pyl or Teran would appear in their path. As they reached the door and gazed out into the room beyond, though, Asha frowned.

Pyl’s back was to them as he shuffled cards at the table, but that wasn’t what Asha noticed. He was moving… sluggishly. More than sluggishly. She watched, eyes wide, as individual cards inched through the air from one hand to another, slowly enough that as one flew out of Pyl’s right hand, she could have walked the ten feet between them and plucked it out of the air before it hit his left.

It wasn’t just Pyl, though. The air itself seemed thicker; the candle on the table flickered, but so gradually that in each moment it almost seemed frozen. Asha clutched at the black-haired girl a little tighter as she understood what was happening. Fessi had said just the other night that her best ability, her Augur talent , was to slow time. It seemed she hadn’t been exaggerating.

Asha made to move towards the back door, but Fessi gave a silent shake of her head. She shut the door behind them. Locked it. Then she guided Asha over to where Pyl sat, the cards still moving between his hands, and calmly placed the keys back on his belt.

Then they were away, out the back door and into the fresh, cool night air. It was late enough that the streets were empty, but Fessi didn’t stop slowing time until they were in the shadows of the alley opposite and standing alongside Kol and Erran, who were watching the house pensively.

Both boys blinked as the girls appeared in front of them; Fessi collapsed against Kol, the strain of what she’d done clearly taking a toll. The street was dim, but there was enough light to see by, and both Kol’s and Erran’s eyes widened as they took in Asha’s appearance.