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  "What do you want with him?" The man said, "If you want money, he doesn't have any, you're wasting your time."

  "It's not money I want, he has something of mine, or he knows where it is," she said defiantly, the awkward position of the boy's neck causing him to struggle in her grip.

  "Galvyn, don't move, she won't hurt if you have information that she needs."

  "I knew it was you, I knew it. Now you're going to tell me where I can retrieve what's mine."

  "I, er, sorry Galvyn, I didn't realize that she didn't—" the man said sheepishly, before adopting a more conciliatory tone, "Galvyn, maybe you could tell her what she wants to know. Then we could all go our separate ways, nothing more needs to be said and no harm done."

  "She's looking for the necklace," Galvyn gasped, "and I already told her where it is."

  Alyssa's eyes grew wide, "You liar!" she said, as vociferously as the situation permitted.

  Twisting and pushing the boy back against the other wall so she could face him once more. Astounded that he would lie so brazenly given the position he was in. Yet he wasn't lying.

  "Captain Tregarron has it, he took it from me," Galvyn said, gasping for breath, "he said to tell whoever it belongs to, to go and claim it," another deep breath, "So if you want it, you need to ask the captain of the guard."

  It was Alyssa's turn to gasp.

  "No! How could you let him just take it? Even when you knew—" she said, her mind now consumed with the difficulty of getting it back. Distractedly she dropped her hand to her side and before she could recover her composure, there was a sudden movement by the silhouetted man and the dagger was gone from her grasp. In her intense despondency, she didn't care, before sensing herself in a far from safe situation.

  "Give it back," she said, trying to summon some anger into her demand but only managing to sound plaintive.

  "You're joking right?" The man said, but by way of a disarmingly friendly gesture, placed the dagger in the scabbard on his belt.

  "Please, it's mine."

  "No, you're dangerous."

  "Perhaps you should return it," Galvyn suggested, reaching up and rubbing his neck.

  "And you're crazy," the man said, incredulous, "It's the second time today someone's tried to kill you for that necklace, next time, you're on your own."

  Alyssa let go of Galvyn and tried to make sense of what the man had said.

  "What do you mean, the second time? Who else is looking for it?" Alyssa's mind immediately turned to her brother, had he come back to help her? But this thought was quickly dashed.

  "A Coralainian called Decarius," Galvyn said, "He was furious when he heard it had been taken to the fort."

  I know the feeling,

  "Hayden here saved me from him," Galvyn continued, "or else Decarius might have killed me."

  "Galvyn, your promise not to mention my name to anyone lasted five minutes." Hayden said, with an air of resignation.

  "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. Anyway, you told her my name."

  "Yes, that was careless of me, I'm sorry."

  "It's just that, nobodies held a knife to my throat before, it has unnerved me a little."

  "Yes," Hayden replied, "but someone's tried to strangle you before, so you should be getting used to it by now."

  "Well I'm not," Galvyn said miserably, soothing his sore neck some more.

  Alyssa looked at him apologetically, "Perhaps I shouldn't have done that but I don't have much time, when I realized you had recognized the symbol and knew something—" she said, trailing off as a thought occurred to her. "How did this Decarius know you had it?" she asked, thinking of the Coralainians at Tansley's trading post and wondering if there was a connection.

  "I don't know," Galvyn said, "maybe Tansley, a merchant I know, told him. He gave me the necklace to repair so he knew I had it. He left the workshop with my boss, Mr. Croneygee and a short time later Decarius arrived."

  "Yes, that could be it," Alyssa nodded, "I overheard that someone called Croneygee had been attacked."

  "What?" Galvyn said, with a look of shock on his face.

  "Hit about the head and taken to something, or someone, called the pryor."

  "Pryor Jervay, he helps the sick," the young man said quietly, as he digested the news. Alyssa considered the new information, too.

  "This man, Decarius you said his name was, he must have somehow known Tansley had it, followed him to the workshop and then attacked Croneygee sometime after they left," Alyssa said, still curious as to why the Coralainian would be looking for her necklace. It was valuable, maybe that was enough of a reason.

  Galvyn continued her chain of thought, "Tansley must then have told Decarius it was with me, or else the man guessed as much when he couldn't find it," Galvyn said, his face ashen.

  Alyssa could tell he was shaken with the news about his boss.

  "I don't want to interrupt," Hayden whispered, "but I don't think we should should stay here," while motioning that they should move.

  "You're right," Alyssa said, speaking quietly, too, and the three of them them began to walk out of the alleyway.

  68

  Reaching the top of the stairs and moving onto the gantry, Tregarron climbed the ladder and tried the trapdoor, it wasn't bolted but was held shut by other means. He pushed the door harder and, as it opened wider, he heard something slide off.

  "Light," he demanded.

  Phelan held up a lamp and Tregarron took it to illuminate the coal bunker above. Seeing it empty, he climbed up the last few rungs of the ladder and into the room, Phelan followed, with the rest of the guards in tow.

  Climbing into the coal bunker, Tregarron could see that the weight that had been holding the door down was the chain that was used to raise and lower the coal tub. The tub that had been abandoned in the mine below. Why had it been left there? It struck him as unusual, but he could think of no reason for it. He walked to the door only to find it locked.

  "The door's locked and I don't have—" I do have the keys, he remembered now, he took them from Croneygee when he found the man unconscious. He reached for the keys and opened the door. It allowed them to leave the bunker and let in some light at the same time.

  Tregarron hadn't been able to see into this room when he'd looked through the south window earlier, and it wouldn't have made much difference if he had. Since what he saw on the floor of the bunker would have lead him to go for reinforcements anyway. Among the coal dust was patches of drying blood, not a huge amount, but certainly more than the result of a cut finger or other minor injury that were common place here.

  "Looks like trouble," Phelan said, climbing the ladder and seeing the object of Tregarron's interest.

  "Everyone of out the mine. Quickly men, we're going to Tivitay," Tregarron said, as the remainder of the guards piled out of the mine.

  He waited for all of the men to emerge, before closing the trapdoor and leaving the coal bunker. Stepping into the shop, past the workbench and to the front door. He unlocked it and got everyone outside, before closing the door behind him.

  As he left, he once again noticed the long handled hammer leaning against the wall. He thought of Croneygee. Had the armorer been hit with a rock or a hammer? Either way, the assailant was less well armed than he had been, that much was clear. With that in mind, Tregarron left the armory and started running toward Tivitay.

  Chapter 11

  69

  The area directly behind the houses of the village was open ground but thirty yards further on, the forest of the glades began.

  The trio walked anxiously toward the tree line, before relaxing, as it became clear they hadn't been seen. They remained silent for a time, before the young apprentice turned to her and spoke.

  "We haven't been introduced, I'm Galvyn," the boy said, "and this is…er…"

  "Hayden, I know, you said."

  "…Horton."

  "Pleased to meet you Horton," she said, finding it hard to resist a smile, as the man rolled his eyes. The
three of them had walked fifty yards into the forest.

  "Pleasure," Hayden said, "but I don't think we should go any further into the glades."

  "You're right," she agreed.

  "Why not?" Galvyn asked, before looking at her, "Oh, it's not safe for you."

  "Actually, since she's a Fennrean, it's not safe for us," Hayden said, deadpan.

  She smiled.

  "I'm not joking," Hayden said.

  "I know you're not," she laughed, and Hayden gave a little laugh too, while Galvyn just looked confused.

  The three of them stood in silence, each considering their next move. For Alyssa, there came the growing realization that the Ettinshel was now in the possession of Tregarron, and that she was going to need some help in getting it back. She turned to the younger of the two men.

  "Is there any chance that you can get my necklace back from the captain?"

  "I don't know. I will certainly try, but from what you've told me about my boss, things might be more difficult now, and Tregarron will be suspicious. If I'd been honest with the captain, and told him that it was Tansley who had given me the necklace to repair, he might not have taken it, and Mr. Croneygee might not have got hurt."

  "I doubt you could have prevented it," Hayden said, "don't blame yourself."

  "I do blame myself though, and Tregarron will blame me, too."

  "Why didn't you tell Tregarron who gave it to you?" Alyssa asked.

  "He asked me who owned it, and since I knew it didn't belong to Tansley, I said I didn't know."

  "What made you so sure that it didn't belong to Tansley?" She asked, watching Galvyn carefully.

  "I just knew," he replied, returning her look.

  "That was perceptive of you." It had spoken to him. She could feel it.

  "I will go back to Tivitay," Galvyn sighed, "I need to think things over."

  Alyssa looked back at the village still visible through the trees.

  "Which is your place?"

  "That one," he said, pointing at one of the larger buildings, "you can see my window from here, third floor and furthest to the left."

  The window was just visible through the branches. Hayden looked at where Galvyn was pointing, before placing a hand on his shoulder.

  "Whatever you decide to do, and however you answer the inevitable questions you face, I would appreciate it if you could keep my name out of it."

  "It's the least I can do."

  "I have to be going," Hayden said, "I can't wait any longer."

  They said their goodbye's and Alyssa watched as the man set off through the forest. Once Hayden was gone, she walked over and sat down on a tree stump a short distance away, resting her head in her hands. Galvyn walked over and sat down next to her.

  "Aren't you going back to your room?" She asked, but not minding that he hadn't.

  "I was just thinking about you, will you head home as well?" Galvyn said, indicating north toward the marshes.

  "I should really. My family will be worried and it will be dark soon, and haven't slept for…however long it's been," she said quietly.

  They both sat in silence for a while, lost in their thoughts.

  "You didn't tell me your name."

  "No, I didn't, did I."

  "It might be for the best, if you did return home to your family, that is."

  "I don't want to, not without my necklace, but If Tregarron has it then I might not have any choice. Recovering it now is going to be difficult, if not impossible."

  Her tiredness crept up on Alyssa and she rested her head on the young man's shoulder, he didn't seem to mind. She could go to sleep right now but resting her eyes would have to do. They had only been closed for a few seconds, when she opened them again and raised her head, surprising Galvyn with her sudden movement.

  "What is it?"

  "How far has Hayden gone?"

  "He's out of sight already," he replied, "Why?"

  "Did he ask you about any iron grippers or gauntlets?"

  "No."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes, I'm sure. The only thing he was looking for, was a dagger."

  Alyssa's attention had been so focused on recovering her necklace that she had forgotten about the Coralainians hunting for her brother's iron grippers. Hayden might well be one of them and the direction he had started walking in made her suspicious.

  "He's heading to Fennelbek, why?"

  "He said he was traveling north but he didn't say where to, he said he was coming back after the winter."

  Alyssa relaxed again, and rested her head back on Galvyn's shoulder. It seemed Hayden was unconnected to the other Coralainians. The fact didn't surprise her. The Coralainians at the trading post were violent, whereas Hayden had seemed helpful, he'd protected Galvyn, or so the boy had said. Defended him from another aggressive man from the south, or so it seemed.

  Could that man be searching for the grippers? His violent behavior seemed to be in keeping with those at the hut, but he was asking after her necklace…she raised her head again.

  "Galvyn."

  "Yes?"

  "This Decarius, are you sure he was looking for a necklace?"

  "Well," Galvyn said, with a look of concentration on his face as he tried to recall, "I assumed he was. He was asking about something valuable that he said Tansley had brought to the workshop. Your necklace was the only thing that fitted that description, everything else was junk."

  "And you told him Tregarron had taken it to the fort?"

  "Yes."

  "And after that he became aggressive?"

  "No, he was aggressive before that, after I told him he tried to kill me."

  Alyssa nodded.

  "Did I do wrong, telling him I mean?"

  "No, you did the right thing, even if it did nearly get you killed."

  "Well, at least I've managed to do something right today."

  Alyssa smiled at the apprentice. He had helped more than he realized. How effectively had it put the men off the scent of the grippers? She couldn't be certain. But at least her fellow ferguths would now have some time to decide what to do about the inquisitors.

  It also meant that she could put thoughts of the iron grippers to one side. They were her brother's problem. All that she cared about right now, was her necklace.

  The Ettinshel had been entrusted to her. It was her responsibility, her birthright and it was powerful, too. Yet it was now in the possession of Tregarron and that worried her.

  She rested her head once more and realized something else was worrying her, Hayden, and his imminent journey into Fennelbek. She knew the marshes, and the people who lived there well. Hayden would be wise to move quickly.

  The Fennelbek Way was only safe during the hours of daylight, he wouldn't want to be there at night, not if he knew what was good for him.

  70

  Tregarron slowed as he neared Tivitay and signaled the guards with him to do likewise. A six man patrol was never going to be able to enter such a small village unseen but he didn't want to draw too much attention to their presence.

  Despite their caution, the cacophony of boots on cobblestones, invited the few residents still out in the street, that it was time for them to decide where it was they needed to be.

  Leading his men through the village, he could see a few lights were on in the windows and with most of Tivitay's buildings on the right of the street, he and his men began to move that way, before making a direct path for Willard's guest house.

  It was an imposing building.

  Built in the same style as many of the houses Demedelei Town. With alleyways either side, exposed timbers, limewashed walls and an ornate porch at the front. The large building seemed incongruous in the small village.

  He strode up to the front door, with the other guards following behind, and entered. Only to be immediately confronted by Mrs. Willard.

  "Ever thought of knocking, Captain Tregarron?" the woman said angrily, obviously irritated at his uninvited entrance.

 
"Does an apprentice called Galvyn lodge here?" He retorted, ignoring her pugnacious greeting.

  "He does, what do you want with him?"

  "Is he here now?"

  "No, he's most likely at Croneygee's armory."

  "He isn't, which is his room?"

  Mrs Willard crossed her arms and gave a defiant look, so he started up the stairs.

  "Men, check every room."

  "Third floor, last door on the right," the landlady called out, elbowing a few of the guards out of the way and starting up after him.

  Tregarron stopped, "This won't take six of us, you three search the ground floor," he said, before continued to climb.

  Glancing down, he noticed Mrs. Willard was caught in two minds as to which group to follow and keep an eye on. She decided to go with him up to Galvyn's room.

  The old staircase wound up through a narrow stair well, and the floorboards groaned under the weight of the four of them. Their boots clattered on the exposed wood and reverberated around the house. If Galvyn had managed to sneak in without his landlady seeing and was here in his room, he would be well aware of their presence by now.

  Reaching the third floor, Tregarron was along the corridor, through the door and into the room in an instant. A quick look around, showed it to be empty.

  Without breaking stride he moved to the window. It was closed. Looking out, he could see there was nobody directly below. He tried the window. It looked like it could be opened with some effort, but suspected that Galvyn hadn't climbed out that way, since there was a thick layer of dust on the sill.

  Instead, Tregarron looked through the glass, but found it hard to see much apart from trees. The trees tops of the glades could be seen for some distance as they sloped up the foothills.

  He looked down at the area of open ground between the guest house and the tree line, but could see no discernible movement there and didn't dwell on the view outside.

  Instead his attention turned to the contents of the room, where his search was interrupted before it could begin.

  "You need just cause to enter here Tregarron, this is not Demedelei where you can enter as you please," Mrs. Willard said, with a determined expression.