“But he’s dead.”
“Despite the fact that he’s dead.”
“Meaning Lumiere…”
“Exactly. Because Lumiere has a strong mother. Because his strong mother has a terrible friend. The Connec is unlikely to become subservient to Arnhand with those two guarding Lumiere’s interests.”
“But…”
“I’ve known since yesterday. I was sworn not to tell Socia. The Navayans want to tell her themselves. But then that boy rode in.”
“Interesting times,” Brother Candle said. “Better go tell the lad not to spread his news. The Navayans could change their minds.”
“Terrible times. Cruel times. I’ll talk to the boy right now.”
* * *
Socia explained the entire situation to Guillemette and Escamerole, including her entanglement with the Night. She was in a rush. “This is what we’re going to do.” She answered questions while they proceeded.
Socia meant to sneak out of Antieux, avoiding the eagle demon. She and Guillemette were of a size and coloring. Guillemette would pretend to be Socia. She needed only lay low, being seen only from a distance, while the actual Socia was away.
The hard part was getting Escamerole fully engaged. Escamerole grew more timid by the day. She was afraid to leave the citadel. “If you can change shape you don’t need me. You can be me.”
“I need you to manage Kedle’s family, Escamerole. They have to be part of this. And I need them to keep quiet. If I tried to be you they’d know better first time I opened my mouth. So I’ll be Guillemette and you’ll do all the talking. By the time they realize that I’m not really Guillemette, they’ll be caught up in the plan.”
“It’ll do you good to get out of here,” Guillemette told Escamerole.
Escamerole sulked but gave in. “Tomorrow. I don’t want to go out there tonight.”
“It’s perfectly safe,” Socia said. “But I could have Willing Davids escort us.” Willing Davids was a handsome young man-at-arms related to Bernardin Amberchelle. Socia had noted that Escamerole became misty and even more timid when Willing was around.
Guillemette said, “Not fair, Countess.”
“No. You’re right. I’m sorry, Escamerole. That was almost cruel.”
The shy girl said, “We weren’t all brought up amongst teams of brawling brothers out at the edge of beyond.”
“Well said. Well done. Only one thing left to do. Guillemette, get undressed.”
Socia was shaky before that part was over but once it was she had become Guillemette’s mirror twin, wearing the girl’s clothing.
* * *
Socia stopped Escamerole outside the entrance to the house occupied by the Archimbaults and other refugees from Khaurene. “Now is when you need to be strongest. Stand up to their bullying. For Kedle’s sake.”
“For Kedle’s sake.” Said with quavering voice.
Socia rolled her eyes and hoped the mouse would hold out at least until she made her getaway.
Maybe she should do it right here, in the street, by the light of the moon, and let Escamerole collect her clothing. That would be easier than dealing with Kedle’s parents.
Maybe. But Socia had to come back once she had done this. Whatever this turned out to be. She was not sure. Something told her she had to help Kedle and had to do it without attracting the attention of that demon out there.
Escamerole found her courage first. “We’d best get on with it. If you’re going to get there before it gets light out.”
“We had best, hadn’t we?”
Kedle’s family surprised Socia. Her worries were all for naught. Escamerole did not hold up but neither did Kedle’s mother or father waste time on argument or recrimination. They remained true Seekers. They loved their only surviving child. They were prepared to play their part with few questions and no disputation.
The Archimbault home had a hatch accessing its roof, a common feature in the Connec. During summer people slept on the cooler roofs.
Roofs were not much visited during the winter, however.
The Archimbaults wanted to see Socia off. Escamerole discouraged them. “She has to undress before she changes.”
To which Madame Archimbault said, “Oh, my!” while Raulet said nothing-though there might have been a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Socia said, “I won’t waste time. I’ll be back before things fall apart.” She was confident she could make everything right.
The Archimbaults offered blessings on her, then withdrew. Socia readied herself. Her bag included not only clothing but the changing crystal. She anticipated having to make several shifts at the other end. Also, she wore the demon’s forgotten necklace. She had no reason to expect it to be useful but wearing it did seem right.
“Ready?” Escamerole asked, teeth chattering.
“Ready. And be brave, little sparrow. Whatever happens, be brave. And make sure this door doesn’t get locked.”
The chill felt extra bitter because a big part of Socia did not want to be out in it, in pursuit of this insanity. She quashed that timorous voice, made the change, took wing. She stayed low to avoid being silhouetted against the sky, though there was a heavy overcast. She thought it might snow. Only the timid girl marked her departure.
* * *
Aaron d’Fitac’s report had been clear enough to bring Socia to the site of Kedle’s amazing success at Vetercus. Just follow the Dechear north to its tributary the Nar, then that into its hilly watershed southeast of Salpeno, and look for a creek … The last few miles were the easiest. Her bird senses picked up the stench.
She settled into a huge dead tree standing alone, overlooking the killing ground. The branch creaked but held. She kept her form. She was tired to the bone. She had flown for eight hours, often into the wind.
False dawn’s light showed most of the corpses cleared away. The Vindicated had cared for their own. Fallen Arnhanders had been recovered by friends and family-excepting those who had no one who cared enough to come looking.
There were plenty of those sad ones still down there.
Socia imposed Aaron d’Fitac’s report upon the field. But to what point? Those events were more than a week old. Events had moved on.
She had to find the castle Arngrere, now.
She readied herself to take wing.
“Prithee, wouldst hold a moment?”
Socia gripped her perch tightly, turned her head slowly. Behind her, seated with knees under her chin, on a branch incapable of bearing her weight, sat the Instrumentality who had given her the crystal. She wore archaic clothing. Her hair was in a single braid wrapped around her crown.
Socia changed her head to something vaguely human, baby size, and squeaked, “Why don’t you talk like a normal person? And what the hell are you, anyway?”
That earned a wan smile. The Instrumentality stood up on her precarious perch, balanced on one foot, grinned, rose onto tiptoe, indulged in a pirouette. “I be the answer to what thee needs do to save thy headstrong friend.” Her gaze caught on the necklace Socia wore. Her eyes grew larger and troubled, but only for a moment.
“I’m listening.”
The Instrumentality smirked.
Socia revealed a neutral expression though her thoughts were not charitable.
“Thy Kedle doth be a genius at making use of what she receiveth but she doth be impulsive.” The Instrumentality’s pronunciations and rhythms remained odd. Her gaze kept drifting to the necklace.
Socia nodded. “That’s why she’s a prisoner.”
“Didst thou bring a plan?”
“I can’t keep talking this way. But if I change I’ll freeze.”
“Thou wouldst betray thy treasures as well. Follow.” The girl giggled, became a raven in a wink, took wing, headed west. Socia followed. There was light enough to see the unremembered dead and a few scavengers belatedly trying to find anything else worth taking from fallen plundered for a week already.
The entire countryside would hear about the giant birds by nightfall.