Maybe they should enter the Prison, Finn muttered. We never had any trouble. Jared glanced at Claudia, and they both thought of the watch, which she wore now, safe in her deepest pocket.
It was two leagues to the fringes of the Forest, and almost midday when they approached it.
The road to this point had been broad and well-usedtraffic between the Court and the western villages was steady, and the ruts of wheels had cut deep in the baked mud.
But once under the green canopy the trees gradually closed in, and vast deer-nibbled boughs of mighty oaks gave way to the tangled undergrowth of the wildwood. Branches hung heavily overhead, the sky barely seen through their meshed leaves.
Finally they came to the crossroads and the track that branched off to the Academy. It ran downhill through a green clearing, crossed a stream on a clapperbridge and wound its way up the other side into the wood again.
Jared stopped. Ill go on from here alone, Claudia.
Master . . .
You need to get back. Finn must be there for the investigation.
I dont see the point, Finn growled.
Its vital. You have no memories, so you must impress them by your personality. By the strength you have, Finn. Finn gazed at him. I dont know I have any, Master.
I believe you do. Jared smiled, calmly. Now, I ask you to look after Claudia, while Im gone. Finn raised an eyebrow and Claudia snapped, I can look after myself.
And you must look after him. I depend on both of you.
Dont worry about us, Master. Claudia leant over and kissed him. He smiled, and turned the horse, but she saw how under his calm there was a tension as if this separation meant more than she knew.
Im sorry, he said.
Sorry?
For going. She shook her head. Youll only be a few days.
I did what I could. His eyes were dark in the forest shadows. Remember me kindly, Claudia. She suddenly had nothing to say. A chill struck her; she wanted to stop him, to call after him, but he had urged the horse and it was already striding away down the lane.
Only when he had reached the bridge did she stand in the stirrups and yell, Write to me!
Hes too far Firm muttered, but Jared turned and waved his hand.
His hearing is excellent, she said, foolishly proud.
They watched until the dark horse and its slim rider disappeared under the eaves of the wood. Then Finn sighed.
Come on. We should get back. They rode slowly and silent. Claudia was moody; Finn barely spoke. Neither of them wanted to think about the Pretender, or what decision the Council would come to.
Finally Finn looked up. Its darker. Isnt it? The slants of sunlight that had lit the Forest earlier had gone. Instead clouds had gathered, and the breeze had become a wind, threshing high branches.
Theres no storm ordered. Wednesdays the Queens archery day.
Well, it looks like a storm to me. Maybe its real weather.
There is no real weather, Finn. This is the Realm. But in ten minutes rain began. It came as a pattering and was suddenly a torrent, lashing with tremendous noise through the leaves. Claudia thought of Jared and said, Hell be soaked?
So will we! Finn glanced around. Come on. Hurry! They galloped. The ground was already soft; the hooves splashed into puddles that spilled over the track. Branches whipped at Claudias face; her hair flew out across her eyes and plastered itself to her cheek. She shivered, unused to the cold and the wet.
This is all wrong. Whats going on? Lightning spat; from overhead the low, heavy grumble of thunder rolled down the sky. For a moment Finn knew it was the voice of Incarceron he heard, its terrible, cruel mockery, knew he had never Escaped at all. He turned and yelled, We shouldnt be under the trees. Hurry! They whipped the horses up and raced. Claudia felt the rain like blows in her chest; as Finn pulled ahead she shouted at him to wait, to slow down.
Only his horse replied. With a high whinny it reared, hooves kicking the air, and then to her horror it fell, crashing on one side, and he rolled from it, slamming into the ground.
Finn! she screamed.
Something slashed past her, whipping into the wood, thudding into a tree.
And then she knew it wasnt rain, or lightning.
It was a hail of arrows.
Ruined, Like the Moon
15
Each man and woman will have their place and be content with it.
Because f there is no change, what will disturb our peaceful lives?
KING ENDORS DECREE
Claudia! Finn rolled over as a firelock blazed; the tree next to him was scorched with diagonal fire. Get down! Did she have no idea how to act in an ambush? Her horse was panicking; he took a deep breath and ran from cover, grabbing it by the bridle. Get down! She jumped, and they both fell. Then they were squirming into the bushes, lying fiat, breathless. Around them the forest roared with rain.
Hurt?
No. You?
Bruised. Nothing serious. Claudia dragged soaked hair from her eyes. I cant believe this. Sia would never order it. Where are they? Finn was watching the trees intently. Over there, behind that thicket, maybe. Or high in the branches. That alarmed her. She twisted to see but rain blinded her She wriggled further back, her hands deep in leaf- flitter, the stink of decaying foliage rich in her face.
Now what?
We regroup, Finns voice was steady. Weapons? Ive got a sword and knife.
Theres a pistol in my saddlebag. But the horse had already bolted. She glanced sidelong at Finn. Are you enjoying this? He laughed, a rare event. It livens things up. But back in Incarceron we used to be the ones doing the ambushing. Lightning blinked. Its brilliance lit the wood and the rain came down harder, hissing through the bracken.
I could try and crawl to that oak: Finn muttered in her ear.
And get round
There might be an army out there:
One man. Maybe two, no more: He squirmed back, the bushes rustling. Instantly two arrows thwacked into the bole of the tree above them. Claudia gasped.
Finn froze. Well, maybe not.
This is the Steel Wolves, she hissed.
Finn was silent a moment. Then he said, Cant be. They could have killed me last night: She stared at him through the downpour. What?
They left this next to my head. He held up the dagger; the snarling wolfshead dripping in his fingers.
Then as one, they turned. Voices were approaching through the hissing forest.
See them?
Not yet. She eased forward.
I think our enemy has. Finn watched the small movements of branches. I think theyre puffing out.
Look. A waggon was rumbling along the track, precariously laden with mown hay, the loose cover flapping in the wind. A brawny man walked beside it and another drove, sackcloth hoods covering their faces, their boots thick with mud.
Peasants. Claudia said. Our only chance.
The archers might still be
Come on. Before he could stop her she scrambled out.
Wait! Please, stop! The men stared. The big one swung a heavy cudgel up as he saw Finn behind her, sword in hand. Whats this? he said sourly.
Our horses were frightened and ran off. By the lightning. Claudia shivered in the rain, puffing her coat around her.
The big serf grinned. Bet you had to hold each other tight then? She drew herself upright, aware that she was soaked and her hair dripped in a tangled mess, made her voice cold and imperious. Look, we need someone to go and find our horses, and we need...
The rich always need. The cudgel tapped against the raw red hands. And we all have to jump but it wont always be like that. One day soon
Enough, Rafe. The voice came from the waggon, and Claudia saw that the driver had pushed back his hood. His face was wrinkled, his body bent. He seemed old, but his voice was strong enough. Follow us, missy. Well get you to the cottages, and then well find your horses. With a low hup! he whipped up the ox, and the heavy beast lumbered past. Claudia and Finn kept close under the shelter of the towering load of hay, wisps slipping off and drifting down on them. Above the trees the sky had begun to clear; the rain ended quite suddenly, and a shaft of sunlight broke through, lighting the distant aisles of the forest. The storm was passing as quickly as it had come.
Finn glanced back. The muddy track was empty. A blackbird began to sing in its stillness.
Theyve gone, Claudia muttered.
Or theyre following. Finn turned. How far are these cottages?
Just here, lad, just here. Dont you fret. I wont let Rafe rob you, even if you are Court folk. The Queens people, are you? Claudia opened her mouth indignantly but Finn said, My girl works for the Countess of Harken. Shes a lady maid. She fixed him with a stare of astonishment, but the wizened driver nodded. And you? He shrugged. A groom in the stables. We borrowed the horses, it was such a fine day. . . Well get into terrible trouble now. Beaten, probably. Claudia watched him. His face was as doleful as if he believed the story himself; something about him had changed in a moment to an apprehensive servant, his best livery ruined by the mud and rain.
Ah well. We were all young once. The old man winked at Claudia. Wish I was young again. Rafe guffawed with mirth.
Claudia set her lips tight, but tried to look miserable. She was cold and wet enough for it.
When the waggon clattered through a broken gateway she muttered quietly to Finn, What are you up to?
Keeping them on our side. If they knew who we were
Theyd jump to help! We could payHe was watching her strangely. Sometimes, Claudia, I think you dont understand anything at all.
Such as what? she snapped.
He nodded ahead. Their lives. Look at this. Cottages was hardly a word for them. Two lopsided, squalid buildings squatted at the edge of the track. Their thatch was in holes, wattle and daub walls patched with hurdles. A few ragged children ran out and stared, silent, and as Claudia came closer she saw how thin they were, how the youngest coughed and the oldest was bow-legged with rickets.
The waggon rumbled into the lee of the buildings. Rafe yelled at the children to find the horses and they scattered, and then he ducked under one of the low doorways. Claudia and Finn waited for the older man to climb down. His hunched back was even more evident when he stood, no taller than Finns shoulder.
This way, lords groom and ladys maid. We dont have much, but we do have a fire. Claudia frowned. She followed him down the steps under the wooden lintel.
At first she saw nothing but the fire. The interior was black.
Then the stink rose up and hit her with its full force, and it was so bad she gasped and stopped dead, and only Finns shove in her back made her stumble on. The Court had its share of bad smells but there was nothing like this; a stench of animal dung and urine and sour milk and the fly-buzzed remnants of bones that cracked in the straw under her feet.
And above all, the sweet smell of damp, as if the whole hovel was settling deep into the earth, tilting and softening, its wooden posts rotten and beetle-bored.
As her eyes became used to the gloom she saw sparse furnishingsa table, joint-stools, a box-bed built into the wall. There were two windows, small and wood-slatted, a branch of ivy growing in through one.
The old man dragged up a stool for her. Sit, missy, and dry yourself. You too, lad. They call me Tom. Old Tom. She didnt want to sit. There were certainly fleas in the straw The miserable poverty of the place sickened her. But she sat, holding out her hands to the paltry fire.
Put some kindling on. Tom shuffled to the table.
You live here alone? Finn asked, tossing on dry sticks.
My wife died these five years. But some of Rafes young ones sleep here. He has six, and his sick mother to care for Claudia noticed something in a dim doorway; she realized after a moment that it was a pig, snuffling the straw of the adjoining room. That would be the byre.
She shivered. You should glass the windows. The draught is terrible. The old man laughed, pouring out thin ale. But that wouldnt be Protocol, would it? And we must abide by the Protocol, even as it kills us.
There are ways round it, Finn said softly.
Not for us. He pushed the pottery cups towards them.
For the Queen maybe, because them that make the rules can break them, but not for the poor. Era is no pretence for us, no playing at the past with all its edges softened. Its real. We have no skinwands, lad, none of the precious electricity or plastiglas. The picturesque squalor the Queen likes to ride past is where we live. You play at history. We endure it. Claudia sipped the sour beer. She realized she had always known this. Jared had taught her, and she had visited the poor of the Wardenry, ruled over by her fathers strict regime. Once, in a snowy January; seeing beggars from the coach, she had asked him if more couldnt be done for them.
He had smiled his remote smile, smoothed his dark gloves.
They are the price we pay, Claudia, for peace. For the tranquillity of our time. A small cold flame of anger burned in her now, remembering. But she said nothing. It was Finn who asked, Is there resentment?
There is. The old man drank, and rapped his pipe on the table. Now, I have little food but...
Were not hungry. Finn hadnt missed the evasion, but Claudias voice interrupted him.
May I ask you, sir. What is that? She was staring at a small image in the darkest corner of the room. A slant of sunlight caught it; showed a crude carving of a man, his face shadowy; his hair dark.
Tom was still. He seemed dismayed; for a moment Finn was sure he would yell for the brawny neighbour. Then he went on knocking dust from his pipe. That is the Nine-
Fingered One, missy. Claudia put down her cup. He has another name.
A name to be spoken in whispers. She met his eye. Sapphique. The old man looked at her, then Finn. His name is known in the Court then. You surprise me, Miss ladys maid.
Only among the servants: Finn said quickly. And we know very little of him. Except that he Escaped from Encarceron. His hand shook on the cup. He wondered what the old man would say if he knew that he, Finn, had spoken to Sapphique in visions.
Escaped?The old man shook his head. I know nothing about that. Sapphique appeared from nowhere in a flash of blinding light. He possessed great powers of magicthey say he turned stones into cakes, that he danced with the children. He promised to renew the moon and free the Prisoners. Claudia glanced at Finn. She was desperate to know more, but if they asked too much the old man would stop. Where exactly did he appear?
Some say the Forest. Others a cave, far to the north, where a charred circle is still burnt on the mountainside. But how can you pin down such a happening?
Where is he now? Finn asked.
The old man stared. You dont know? They tried to silence him, of course. But he turned himself into a swan. He sang his final song and flew away to the stars. One day he will return and end the Era for ever. The fetid room was silent. Only the fire crackled. Claudia didnt look at Finn. When he spoke again his question shocked her.
So what do you know of the Steel Wolves, old man? Tom paled. I know nothing of them.
No?
I dont talk of them.
Because they plan revolution, like your loose-tongued neighbour? Because they want to murder the Queen and the Prince, and destroy Protocol? Finn nodded. Wise to keep silent then. I suppose they tell you when that happens the Prison will be opened and there will be no more hunger. Do you believe them? The hunchback stared back evenly at him across the table.
Do you? he whispered.
A tense silence. It was broken by the stamp and rattle of hooves, a childs shout.
Tom rose slowly. Rafes boys have found your horses: He looked at Claudia, then back at Finn and said, I think perhaps too much has been said here. Youre no groom, lad.
Are you a prince? Finn smiled ruefully. Im a Prisoner, old man. Just like you. They mounted and rode back as quickly as they could.
Claudia had given all the coins she had to the children.
Neither spoke. Finn was alert for another ambush, Claudia still brooding over the injustice of Era, her own unthinking acceptance of riches. Why should she be rich? She had been born in Incarceron. If it hadnt been for the Wardens ambitions she would be there still.
Claudia, look, Finn said.
He was staring through the trees, and glancing up at the alarm in his voice she saw a tall plume of smoke rising ahead.
It looks like a fire. Anxious, she urged her horse on. As they emerged from the forest and clattered under the barbican the acrid smell grew. Smoke filled the inner courtyards of the Palace and as they galloped in the wind was crackling. A frenzied army of ostlers and grooms and servants were running, dragging out horses and squawking hawks, hauling pumps, buckets of water.
Where is it? Claudia swung down.
But she could already see where it was. The whole ground floor of the East Wing was ablaze, furniture and hangings being tossed out of windows, the great bell ringing, flocks of disturbed doves flapping in the hot air.
Someone came up beside her and Caspars voice said, Such a pity, Claudia. After all dear Jareds hard work: The cellars. The Portal. She gasped, and raced after Finn. He was already at one of the doorways, black smoke billowing out into his face, flames flickering deep in the building. She grabbed him and he shook her away. Then she grabbed him again and hauled him back and he turned, his face white with shock. Keiro! Its our only way to him!
Its finished; she said. Dont you see? The ambush was to keep us away. Theyve done this. Following her gaze, he looked behind.
Queen Sia stood on the balcony, a white lace handkerchief to her face. Behind her, calm and unconcerned, his eyes on the collapsing crash of stone and flame, was the Pretender.
Theyve sealed the Portal, Claudia said bleakly. And its not only Keiro. Theyve trapped my father Inside.
16
A great Fimbulwinter will close down on the world.
Darkness and cold will spread from Wing to Wing. There will come one called the Unsapient, from far away, from Outside.
He wiIl plot and scheme with Incarceron.
They will make the Winged Man
SAPPHIQUES PROPHESY OF THE WORLDS END
Attia, holding tight to Keiro on the horse, stared past his shoulder.
They had finally reached what seemed the end of the spiny jungle, because the road led out and downhill. The horse stood wearily, snorting frosty breath.
Framing the road was a black archway. It bristled with spikes, and on its top perched a long-necked bird.
Keiro frowned. I hate this. Incarceron is leading us by the nose. She said, Maybe itll lead us to some food then. Weve eaten nearly everything. Keiro kicked the horse on.
As they neared it, the black arch seemed to grow, its massive shadow stretching out towards them until they entered its darkness. Here the road glittered with frost; the horses hooves rang with metallic clarity on the iron paving.
Attia stared up. The bird on the summit was enormous, dark wings spread wide, and just as she rode under it she realized it was a statue, and not of a bird but a man with great wings, as if he was ready to leap, and fly.
Sapphique, she whispered.
What?
The statue . . . its Sapphique. Keiro snorted. What a surprise. His voice doubled, echoing. They were well under the vault; it smelt of urine and damp, and green slime ran down its walls. She was so stiff she wanted to stop, to climb down and walk, but Keiro was in no mood to linger. Since they had spoken to Finn he had been silent and moody, his answers viciously sharp. Or he had ignored her altogether.
But then she hadnt wanted to talk much either. Hearing Finns voice had been a sudden joy, but almost at once it had soured, because he had sounded so different, so full of anxiety.
I havent abandoned you. I think about you all the time.
Was that true? Was his new life really not the Paradise hed expected?
In the darkness of the vault she said angrily, You should have let me tell them about the Glove. The Sapient knew there was something. It might have helped...
The Glove is mine. Dont forget it.
Ours.
Dont push me too far, Attia. He was silent a moment, then muttered, Find the Warden, Jared said. Well, thats just what were doing. If Finns failed us we have to look out for ourselves.
So it wasnt that you were scared to tell them, she said acidly.
His shoulders tightened. No. It wasnt. The Glove is none of Finns business.
I thought oathbrothers shared everything.
Finn has freedom. He isnt sharing that. Suddenly they rode out from the archway, and the horse stopped, as if in astonishment.
In this Wing the light was a dull red. Below them was a hall larger than any Attia had ever seen, its distant floor crisscrossed by transitways and tracks. They were high in its roof, and from their feet a great curving viaduct carried the road across, so that Attia could see its arches and tapering columns disappearing into the mirk. Fires burned like tiny Eyes on the floor of the hail.
Im stiff.
Get down then. She slid from the horse and the road felt unsteady under her feet. She crossed to the rusty railing and looked over.
There were people down there, thousands of them. Great migrations of people, pushing trucks and waggons, carrying children. She saw flocks of sheep, a few goats, some precious cattle, the herders armour gleaming in the coppery light.
Look at this. Where are they all going?
The opposite way to us. Keiro didnt dismount. He sat tall, gazing down. People are always moving in the Prison.
They always think theres somewhere better. The next Wing, the next level. Theyre fools. He was right. Unlike the Realm, Incarceron was always in a state of change; Wings were reabsorbed, doors and gates sealed themselves, steel bars sprang up in tunnels. But she wondered what cataclysm had caused such numbers to travel, what force drove them on. Was this the result of the dying light? The growing cold?
Come on, Keiro said. We have to cross this thing, so lets get on with it. She didnt like the idea. The viaduct was barely wide enough for a waggon. It had no parapets, just a surface potholed with rust and a gulf of air on each side. It was so high faint wisps of cloud hung unmoving across it.
We should lead the horse. If it panicsKeiro shrugged and dismounted. Fine. Ill lead, you come behind. Stay alert.
No ones going to attack us up here!
That remark shows why you were a dog-slave and I was . . . almost . . . Winglord. This is a track, right?
Yes . . .
Then someone owns it. Someone always does. If were lucky therell be a toll to pay at the far end.
And if were unlucky? He laughed, as if the danger had cheered him. We make e quick descent. Though maybe not, because the Prisons on our side now. It has reasons to keep us safe. Attia watched him lead the horse on to the viaduct before she said quietly, Incarceron wants the Glove. I dont suppose it cares who brings it. He heard her, she was sure. But he didnt look back.
Crossing the rusting structure was precarious. The horse was nervous; it whickered and once sidestepped, and Keiro soothed it continuously in a low irritated mutter, swearwords merging seamlessly with comfort. Atha tried not to look to either side. There was a strong wind that nudged slyly against her; she braced her body, aware that with one gust Incarceron could topple her over the edge.
There was nothing to hold on to. She paced in terror, foot before foot.
The surface was corroded. Debris lay on it, scraps of metal, abandoned filth, snags of cloth caught from the wind and fluttering like ragged flags. Her feet crunched the frail bones of a bird.
She concentrated on walking, barely lifting her head. Gradually she became aware of empty space, a giddiness of air. Small dark tendrils began to sprawl across the track.
Whats that?
Ivy. Keiros mutter was tight with tension. Growing up from below. How could it grow this far? She glanced briefly to the right and giddiness swept her like sweat. Tiny people moved beneath, the sound of wheels and voices faint on the wind.
Her coat flapped against her.
The ivy thickened. It became a treacherous tangle of glossy leaves. In places it was impassable; Keiro had to coax the terrified horse along the very edge of the viaduct, its hooves clanging on metal. His voice was a low mutter.
Come on, you scrawny nag. Come on, you useless beggar. Then he stopped.
His voice was snatched by the wind. Theres a big hole here. Be careful. When she came to it she saw its charred edge first, crumbling with rust. Wind howled up through it. Below, iron girders corroded, old birds-nests in their joists. A heavy chain looped into emptiness.
Soon there were other holes. The track became a yielding nightmare, creaking ominously wherever the horse trod.
After a few minutes, she realized Keiro had stopped.
Is it blocked?
As good as. His voice was tight, oddly breathless. His breath frosted as he looked back at her, We should go back.
Well never cross this.
Weve come too far!
The horse is on the edge of panic. Was he scared? His voice was low, his face set. For a moment she sensed weakness, but then his hissed anger reassured her. Back up, Attia! She turned.
And saw the impossible.
Masked figures were swarming up over the sides of the viaduct, through holes, up chains and bines of ivy. The horse gave a whinny of fear and reared. Keiro dropped the reins and leapt back.
She knew it was over. The horse plunged in terror; it would fall, and far below the starving people would butcher its body.
Then one of the masked people grabbed it, flung a cloak over its eyes and expertly led it away into the dark.
There were about ten of them. They were small and shin, and wore feathered helms, all black, except for a tagged lightning flash across the right eye. They held Keiro in a ring of aimed firelocks. But none of them came near Attia.
She stood, poised, the knife ready.
Keiro drew himself up, his blue eyes fierce. His hand dropped to his sword.
Dont touch that. The tallest raider took the weapon, then turned to Attia. Is he your slave? The voice was a girls. The eyes in the mask were mismatchedone alive and grey, the other with a pupil of gold, an unseeing stone.
At once Attia said, Yes. Dont kill him. He belongs to me. Keiro snorted but didnt move. She hoped hed have the sense to stay silent.
The masked girlsfor Attia was sure they were all girlsglanced at each other. Then the leader made a sign. The firelocks were lowered.
Keiro looked at Attia. She knew what that look meant. The Glove was in the inner pocket of his coat and theyd find it if they searched him.
He folded his arms and grinned. Surrounded by women.
Things are looking up. Attia glared. Shut up. Slave. The golden-eyed girl circled him. He doesnt have the bearing of a slave. He is arrogant, and a man, and he thinks himself stronger than us. She gave a curt nod. Throw him over.