Barb Hendee - Through Stone and Sea

Wynn couldn't tell if the duchess applied any pressure, but it didn't seem so. Then she heard the sound of stone grating.

The block beneath the duchess's left hand shifted slowly inward. She lifted her hand, but the stone continued to sink. In another moment the grating grew louder as the block under her right hand sank as well. Wynn watched as the duchess repeated the process over painfully long moments, until prolonged touch sent five scattered wall blocks sliding inward, and all without any pressure applied.

The grating amplified even more, echoing down the passage.

Wynn had leaned so close to Chane that she felt him flinch with her.

All of the blocks before the duchess slipped and twisted, spreading away into a hidden space beyond the wall. As the opening formed, so did a risky notion in Wynn's mind.

Perhaps there was a reason Sliver and her mother had lost track of Ore-Locks.

No one with the duchess appeared surprised at what they saw. Yet none had opened the strange portal for her. Even if Wynn remembered which stones to touch, would the wall later respond for her or Chane? Did it even lead anywhere she wanted to go?

Duchess Reine stepped through the opening, and her entourage began to follow.

Wynn dodged around Chane.

"She will see you!" he hissed.

"And that's our only chance."

She scurried down the passage before he could stop her.

One Weardas saw her coming and jerked out his sword.

"Captain!" he shouted.

The only other one still in the passage was the tall elf in white. He twisted about, revealing a lined face of advanced age. Wynn hadn't covered half the distance when the duchess's voice carried from the opening.

"Wait here!"

All three Weardas encircled the duchess as she stepped out. The white-robed elf shifted closer, and everyone was watching Wynn. All of the duchess's people stood in the passage, so whom had she told to wait inside that hidden place?

"Wynn … Journeyor Hygeorht," the duchess began.

In those three words, her tone slipped from surprise to disdain. Wynn knew the duchess had gained more than a passing familiarity with the young sage who'd caused so much trouble.

"Ah, the curious one," added the elder elf.

When Wynn glanced at the crystal in his hand, the barest smile spread upon his lips, crinkling the corners of his mouth. He nodded slightly to her, but his eyes held no malice—unlike Reine's.

"Duchess," Wynn said, bowing respectfully.

Reine's gaze shifted slightly, and Shade and Chane stepped into plain sight.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "How did you find this place?"

"Domin High-Tower sent me … on a family matter," Wynn answered. Lying was getting far too easy for her. "I must speak with his brother among the Stonewalkers immediately. The domin said you would be at Dhredze Seatt, and if I located you, you could help."

"Answer my question!" the duchess ordered.

Wynn flinched, and then again for visibly flinching the first time.

"We've been looking for you for several days. The Off-Breach Market was one place Domin High-Tower suggested. This man was sent as my guard."

Wynn stepped slightly aside, gesturing to Chane.

Reine's lips parted, but the elf spoke first. "And you are far out of place."

Wynn wondered how this elf of no known guild order knew that Chane was a foreigner. But his gaze was low and to her other side. He was looking at Shade.

A quick laugh rolled out of him, and Shade answered with a rumble. Puzzled as Wynn was that the elf seemed to recognize Shade, she couldn't afford the distraction. Not if she were to gain more from the duchess.

Reine remained quiet and swept a hand downward before her bodyguards.

"My lady?" the chin-bearded one returned sharply.

"It's all right, Tristan," she said.

Unlike the other two, he only lowered his sword rather than sheathing it, and with visible reluctance.

"Very well, journeyor," the duchess continued. "Since our honored domin is in need, I would never refuse. Give me whatever letter you bear for him. I will see that Ore-Locks receives it."

Wynn caught Reine's slip. Not only did the duchess know the Stonewalkers, she knew High-Tower's brother by name. Duchess Reine advanced half the distance and held out her hand.

"Do not get any closer to her," Chane whispered.

He spoke in Belaskian, so only Wynn understood, but the captain, the one called Tristan, inched forward with his gaze fixed on Chane.

"I have no letter," Wynn replied.

"And I have no patience for more of your meddling!"

Wynn shook her head. "Forgive me, but as I said, this is a family matter … a private matter … difficult for the domin to speak of."

"Then tell me. I will pass it to his brother privately."

"Domin High-Tower's instructions were explicit. I must deliver it personally. Please take me to Ore-Locks."

The duchess dropped her hand. Suspicion mounted in her expression.

If the Stonewalkers truly guarded the texts, had Wynn just hinted too much concerning her true goal?

Chane slipped a hand beneath his cloak to his sword's hilt. He did not dare step in front of Wynn and cause this whole standoff to suddenly crumble. Beneath the duchess's suspicion, he saw discomfort and uncertainty surface. It was not hard to guess what troubled her.

If the duchess believed Wynn at all but did nothing to help, there could be repercussions with the guild. But if the duchess even suspected Wynn was lying …

Chane's gaze slipped to the saber's hilt protruding from the duchess's cloak.

It was not the weapon that troubled him but rather the way it hung, not high near the belt, dangling like the ornament of a royal. It was slung low, raked back, loose on its suspension strap.

Duchess Reine knew how to use it—or at least how to set it for a smooth draw. If something went wrong, she could be on Wynn as the guards came at him. Even if he broke Wynn free, they would be running with no hope of ever getting near the texts.

The captain watched him, never seeming to blink, but Chane ignored the man. He shut out everything, even Wynn, waiting for the duchess to speak again.

"Surely, even for a family crisis," the duchess began, "High-Tower would have faith in the royal family. He would trust my discretion, as we have always trusted his."

Chane caught no deception beneath those words—he felt nothing at all. Why could he not tell truth from lies when it mattered? Why did such warnings only come when he was not focused on trying to listen for deception?

The duchess shifted weight between her feet. She was obviously disturbed by Wynn's sudden appearance. But that was all Chane could discern.

"I can't break my word," Wynn insisted. "I'm allowed to speak only with Ore-Locks."

"And I cannot take you to him," Reine answered flatly.

Again, Chane could not tell if that was a lie. Wynn took a step forward, and he tensed.

"This is urgent, Highness," she pleaded. "Domin High-Tower assured me you would help."

"Of course I will," Reine answered sharply, and then sighed. "There may be a way."

All amusement washed from the tall elf's lined face. "My lady," he warned.

"I know, Chuillyon," she answered, and then studied Wynn. "Come with me."

As the duchess turned away, Wynn advanced, but Shade did not. Chane found the dog standing tense, eyes locked on the duchess's back. Was Shade trying to catch the woman's memories?

"Shade?"

The dog shook herself, peered up at him, and then padded after Wynn. Chane hurried onward, still dumbfounded at the risks Wynn took.

The duchess could detain them and send an inquiry to High-Tower, uncovering Wynn's deception. Wynn had already related that Duchess Reine, acting for Malourné's royals, had used her influence to keep the texts in the hands of guild premins. The Stonewalkers' involvement was still only an educated guess, but Chane was certain of two things.