Кэтрин Фишер - Incarceron

She leaned her elbow on the table. "Is that what you came to tell me?"

"I came to tell you how proud I am." His gray eyes held hers, and the light in them was keen and sharp. "Today is the day I have planned and schemed for decades. Long before you were born. Today the Arlexi come to the heart of power. Nothing must go wrong." He stood up and strode to the window, as if tension would not let him keep still. He smiled. "I confess I have not slept, thinking of it."

"You're not the only one."

He looked at her closely. "You must have no fear, Claudia. Everything is arranged.

Everything ready."

Something in his tone made her glance up. For a moment she looked at him and saw under the mask, saw a man driven so fiercely by his dream of power that he would sacrifice anything to achieve it. And with a cold shiver she saw that he would not share it.

Not with the Queen, or Caspar. "What do you mean ... everything?"

"Just that things will turn out in our favor. Caspar is nothing but a stepping-stone."

She stood. "You know, don't you? About the assassination plan ... the Steel Wolves. Are you one of them?"

He crossed the room in one step and grabbed her arm so tightly, she gasped. "Keep quiet," he snapped. "Do you think there aren't listening devices even here?"

He led her to the window and flung it open. Strains of lute and drum floated upward, the shouts of a guard commander drilling his men. Under cover of the noise his voice was low and husky. "Just do your part, Claudia. That's all."

"And then you kill them." She tugged away.

"What happens after doesn't concern you. Evian had no right to approach you."

"Doesn't it? How long before I'm in your way too? How long before I fall off my horse?"

She had shocked him. "That will never happen."

"No?" Her scorn was acid; she wanted it to burn him. "Because I'm your daughter?"

He said, "Because I have come to love you, Claudia."

There was something there that stuck her. Something odd. But he turned away. "Now. The

Key."

She frowned, then went to the dressing table and opened the drawer. The Key gleamed; she took it out and laid it on the top, among the clustered flowers.

The Warden came and looked down at it. "Not even your precious Jared could have discovered all the mysteries of this device."

"I want to say good-bye," she said, stubborn. "To Finn, and the others. To explain to them. Then I'll give you the Key. At the wedding."

His eyes were cold and clear. "You always have to try my patience, Claudia."

For a moment she thought he would just take it. But he walked to the door.

"Don't keep Caspar waiting too long. He gets so ... sulky."

She locked the door after him and sat down, holding the Key in both hands. I have come to love you. Perhaps he even thought that was true.

She switched the field on.

Then she jumped back, so fast that the Key fell with a clatter onto the floor.

Attia was in her room.

"You have to help us," the girl said at once. "The ship has crashed. Gildas is hurt."

The field widened; she saw a dark place, heard a distant howling as of wind. Petals blew off the flowers on her table, as if a gale from that place moved here.

Attia was shoved aside; Finn said, "Claudia, please. Can Jared help ...?"

"Jared's not here." Helpless, she saw the wreckage of a strange craft littering the floor.

Keiro was tearing a piece of sail into strips and binding Gildas's arm and shoulder; she saw blood already seeping through. "Where are you?"

"The Wall." Finn looked weary. "I think we've come as far as we can. This is the End of the World. There's a passageway beyond, but I don't know if he can travel ..."

"Of course I bloody can," Gildas snapped.

Finn pulled a face. "Not for long. We must be close, Claudia, to the gate."

"There is no gate." She knew her voice was flat.

He looked at her. "But you said—"

"I was wrong. I'm sorry. It's all over, Finn. There is no gate and there is no way out. Not ever. Not from Incarceron."

JARED WALKED into the Great Hall. It was thronged with courtiers and princes, ambassadors, Sapienti, dukes, and duchesses. It was a bewilderment of colored satins and the smell of sweat and powerful fragrances, and it made him feel a little weak. There were seats along the wall; he made for one and sat, leaning his head back against the cool stone. All around him, the guests at Claudia's wedding chattered and laughed. He saw the bridegroom, with a gang of his wild young friends, already drinking, laughing uproariously at some joke. The Queen was not present yet, nor the Warden.

A crinkle of silk beside him made him turn. Lord Evian bowed. "You look a little tired, Master."

Jared stared back. "A sleepless night, sir."

"Ah yes. But soon now, all our worries will be over." The fat man smiled, and fanned himself with a small black fan. "Please give Claudia all my best wishes."

He bowed again and turned. Jared said suddenly, "One moment, my lord. The other day

... when you made a certain promise ...

"Yes?" Evian's smug manner was gone; he looked guarded.

"You mentioned the Nine-Fingered One."

Evian glared. He grabbed Jared's arm and hauled him into the crowd, moving so fast, people stared as they were pushed aside. Out in the corridor he hissed, "Never say that name aloud. It is a sacred and a holy name for those who believe."

Jared tugged his arm free. "I have heard of many cults and beliefs. Certainly all the ones the Queen allows. But this—"

"This is not the day to discuss religion."

"Yes k is." Jared's eyes were sharp and clear. "And we have very little time. Does he have another name, this hero of yours?"

Evian breathed out angrily. "I really can't say."

"You will say, my lord," Jared said pleasantly, "or I'll make such an outcry right now about your assassination plan that every guard in the Palace will hear it."

Evian's brow prickled with sweat. "I think not."

Jared glanced down; the fat man had a dagger in his hand, the blade hard against

Jared's stomach. With an effort, he met the man's eyes. "Either way, my lord, you would be discovered. Ail I ask is a name."

For a moment they were face-to-face. Then Lord Evian said, "You are a brave man, Sapient, but don't cross me again. As for the name, yes, indeed there is one, hidden in time, lost in legend. The name of the One who claimed to have escaped from Incarceron. In the most mysterious of our rites he is known as Sapphique.

Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

Jared stared at him for a split second. Then he shoved him aside. And ran.

KEIRO WAS wild with anger; he and Gildas were yelling at her. "How can you abandon us?" the Sapient scorched. "Sapphique Escaped! Of course there is a way out!"

She was silent. She was looking at Finn. He sat huddled up against a smashed angle of decking, stiff with misery. His jacket was torn and there were cuts on his face, but now more than ever she was sure he was Giles. Now that it was too late.

"And you're marrying him," he said quietly.

Gildas swore. Keiro gave his oathbrother a scathing look. "What does it matter who she marries! Perhaps she decided she likes him better than you." He turned, hands on hips, and faced her arrogantly. "Is that it, Princess? Was this all a little diversion for you, a pretty game?" He jerked his head. "Such lovely flowers! Such a sweet dress!"

He came up so close to her that she almost felt he would reach out and grab her, but then

Finn said, "Shut up, Keiro." He got up and faced her. "Just tell me why. Why is it so impossible?"

She couldn't. How could she tell them that? "Jared found some things out. You have to believe me."

"What things?"

"About Incarceron. It's finished, Finn. Please. Make a life for yourself there. Forget the