Page 43 of Court of Talons
“I guess,” I mutter. I accept Caleb’s help in remounting Darkwing, and the warhorse snorts and stamps with anticipation. He too can feel the power of this place.
Power. My lip curls with irritation. What use is power in the center of the Protectorate, when treachery lurks at its borders?
Slowly, we pass through the great gates at the base of the mountain. Beyond the first turn of the castle road, we reach a checkpoint of guards. Nazar gives my name as Merritt of the Tenth House, and they stand aside—if not with deference, then with speed. Caleb straightens his shoulders and stares dead ahead, but I don’t think the men recognize him. Still, he doesn’twaver in his stance until we’re well around the turn, and we hairpin our way up the mountain at a pace slow enough to move forward but not tire the horses. There remains a steady stream of merchants coming down the mountain, but I pay less attention to them the closer we get to the main gates of the First House.
Then Darkwing noses around the last turn, and the fortress rises above us.
It’snothinglike the Tenth House.
Tall and slender, built in line with the mountain, the First House castle surges toward the sky in pinnacles and spikes, a mass of narrow rose-stone towers. Its foundation boulders are massive, and three large gates open at its base, with a drawbridge over a frothing moat. It looks most like a bird about to set flight from the mountain, and I sense the tension of its coiled strength.
The mountain trail opens out onto a wide plateau, and the castle dominates that space, surrounded by what looks to be a thriving village. There are people everywhere, rushing around as if it’s market day, and the air is filled with the smell of cooked meat and heavy spices, wine and ale. Beyond the castle, a waterfall crashes into what I assume is a small lake, which then feeds the moat and presumably the second waterfall whose mist I’d witnessed along the side of the mountain, pouring toward the wetlands below. Above the falls, the mountain surges up and up still higher, and I shudder to imagine winter in this place.
Now, however, the quaint village before the imposing castle is overflowing with laughter and cheer, and as we ride forth, the villagers take note of my warhorse. Many of them are children, and they rush closer with wide eyes and ready smiles. Beside me, Caleb sits almost painfully still, but no one points and laughs at him, no one seems to notice his missing arm. Instead, the current of their talk lifts and falls on the breeze, reaching my ears.
“Merritt of the Tenth House!”
I blink, looking down, surprised to see a line of young women ahead of us. Young women who smile and flutter, waving to me as if I…as if I…
“Merritt.” Nazar’s word is all the admonition I need, and I belatedly lift a hand in return greeting, bowing to the girls as I pass. Some of them are older than I am, and they all beam at me as I wave. It’s…unnerving.
Caleb snorts beside me. “You’re blushing so hard, I’m getting a suntan. Act like you’ve done this before.”
“I…” I shut my mouth, knowing he’s right. Nevertheless, I’m deeply grateful to leave the village behind us minutes later. Ahead of us, the wide moat of the First House roils, fed by the mountain waterfall. The main gate is open, however, and no guards stand at attention at its mouth. As we cross over the drawbridge, I look up at the archway—the sharp metal teeth of the interior gates held fast by a tight rope—and force myself not to shiver.
The courtyard of the First House is nearly empty, a shock after the chaos of the village beyond. The building is immensely tall—its entry stairway alone nearly as big as the manor house I’ve known all my life.
But the person who stands at the base of those wide steps is familiar enough, even surrounded by a cadre of guards liveried in shades of gold and black.
“Merritt of the Tenth House, hear our words,” Fortiss calls out, his voice rocking me with unexpected strength. “The Lord Protector of the First House welcomes you to the fight.”
Chapter 17
Almost before the echoes of his grand welcome die out, Fortiss launches into a treatise of what we’re supposed to do next, offering a million and one instructions as I try to look both intelligent and relaxed.
I’m completely unnerved to be talking to him again.Thisis why I wanted to leave the tournament early, I remember now—but it’s far too late for that. Fortiss thinks I’m Merritt, a warrior, a fighter. How would a fighter act?
Like he belongs, I decide. Like he’s always belonged.
My stomach churns, though I do my best to project an air of easy confidence as Nazar leaves with a servant to find shelter for the horses and prepare our lodgings. Though we’ll take our meals in the First House, all warriors and their personnel are apparently housed in the barracks beneath the castle, large cells built beneath huge stone arches that have been cut into the mountain.
“Lord Rihad awaits you, Merritt of the Tenth,” Fortiss announces far too loudly, and I sense he’s finally done with his recitation. Instead, he grins at me across the courtyard then gestures me to approach. “You and your squire, since he’s chosen not to leave you.”
“I won’t, either,” Caleb assures me, and I swallow my shaky laugh.
“Thank the Light.”
I stride with shoulders back, remembering to swagger as I approach Fortiss, but I feel his gaze on me too keenly. When I reach the base of the stairs, he lifts a hand.
“Your sister,” he asks, with an interest that makes my guts twist. “She is safely on her way back to the Tenth House? I enjoyed talking with her, did she tell you?”
“She did, but she didn’t share much else,” I say, too quickly. “She was—overwhelmed, I think. Embarrassed? She wouldn’t say much more. Caleb here…”
“Embarrassed, to be sure,” my squire pipes up, as guileless as spring flowers after a long and blustery winter. “She giggled a lot.”
“Giggled,” Fortiss echoes as I shoot Caleb a vicious glare. Then I swing my gaze forward again.
“I think she enjoyed speaking with you, Lord Fortiss, but well—she’s not used to so many people. She prefers the safety of the mountains. She’s a quiet and docile sort.”