THEUNCROWNED

KING

BookTwooftheChroniclesofKing

Rolen'sKin

RowenaCoryDaniells

Firstpublished2010bySolarisanimprintof

RebellionPublishingLtd,RiversideHouse,Osney

Mead,Oxford,OX10ES,UK

www.solarisbooks.com

ISBN(.epubversion):978-1-84997-180-5

ISBN(.mobiversion):978-1-84997-181-2

Copyright©RowenaCory

Daniells2010MapsbyRowenaCory

DaniellsandLukePreeceTherightoftheauthorto

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ChapterOne

Byren'seyesburnedfromthepiercingcoldwind,andhecouldnolongerfeelhislegs.He'dbeenskatingsincelatelastnight,sinceDovecote'sgreathallwassetalight,sinceElinadiedinhisarms.Sincehistwinthrusthimoutofthehall,barredthedoorsandturnedtoholdofftheenemy,trappinghimselfinsidetheburningbuilding.

Grief,fuelledbyfury,grippedhim,drivinghimon.Byrenhadnotears,onlyaterribledetermination.Butheclungtoonehardkernelofsatisfaction.Theoldseer'sprophecy

hadbeenprovedwrong.Hehadnotmurderedhistwintogainthethrone.Despitetheirmisunderstandings,despiteLence'spig-headedconvictionthatByrenmeanttousurphim,Byrenhad

remainedloyaltohisolderbrother.And,intheend,Lencehadchosenanhonourabledeath.Somehow,itmadehislosseasiertobear.ButitalsomadeByrenthe

kingsheiragainsthiswishes.AfterthelieshiscousinCobalthadtold,hisfatherwouldneverbelievethis.No,theonlywayforhim

toprovehisloyaltywastotakewordoftheMerofynianinvasiontotheabbot.

Convincetheoldmantogivehimleadershipoftheabbey'sstandingarmyofwarriormonksandmarchagainstRolencia'sancestralenemy,Merofynia.HehadtosaveRolencia,savehisfamily.Byrenhadskatedthrough

thelongwinter'snightandtheshortdaywithoutrest,andnowitwasdusk.Butthetimehadnotbeenwasted,forhe'dplannedhisbattletactics.Havingmethisenemy,

ByrenknewthatOverlordPalatynewasaruthlessman,possiblyevenmorecunningthantheMerofyniankingheserved.PalatynewassuretohaveescapedtheburningofDovecote'sgreathall.Evennowtheoverlordwouldberegroupinghisforces,callingforreinforcementsandmakingplanstospear-headthroughRolencia'srich,unpreparedvalleytotakeKingRolen'scastlebefore

Byren'sfatherhadtimetogatherhiswarriors.Hisskatesscissoredover

theice,eachstrokepreciseandpowerful.Hisbodyranon,thighmusclespropellinghimovertheice,whilehismindranonhowtobeattheMerofynians.Theproblemwastiming...

itwaslatewinter.Hisfather'slordsandtheirmenwereathomeontheirestates,andthewarlordshadreturnedtotheir

princedoms.Everyonewaspreparingforthespringplanting,notwar.Hisfatherwouldbeluckyifhehadtwohundredexperiencedwarriorsinthecastle.Hemightgatheranotherfivehundredeager,untrainedmenfromthetown,butevenwiththemKingRolenwasn'treadytofacePalatyne.Therewasbutaglimmerof

hope.TheMerofynianoverlord'ssupplychainwas

dangerouslyoverstretched.IfByrencouldretakeCockatricePass,thenPalatyneandhiswarriorswouldbecutofffromreinforcementsandsupplies.ItallrestedonByren

reachingtheabbotintime,andconvincinghimtoplacethemonksunderhiscommand.ThetraitorouswarlordwhoruledCockatriceSparwasdeadandhismenscattered,soPalatynecould

expectnohelpfromthatquarter.OnceCockatricePasswas

secure,allByrenhadtodowasleadthewarriormonksdownintothevalley,force-marchthemtocatchupwithPalatyne'smenandprovokeabattleonhisterms.Heknewthelayoftheland,theoverlorddidn't.He'dmakesurehiswarriorshadthehighground.Byrenbelievedhecould

defeatPalatyne.Attwenty,he'dbeenleadingwarriorsagainstupstartwarlordsforfiveyears,andhisfatherhadsavedRolenciafromaMerofynianinvasionateighteen.AsCaptainTemor,hisfather'sfriendandadvisoralwayssaid,theworthofawarriorwasinhisheadandheart,notintheyearshe'dlivedorthestrengthofhisarms.Besides,heoweditto

Lence.AndheowedittoElina.Herlastwordshadnotbeenwordsofloveforhim,butofrevenge.Burnthemall,promise!Tearsstunghiseyes,

blurringhisvision.Asheroundedabend,

Byrenhitaslipperypatchandhisskatesslidoutfromunderhim.Hisbodyslammeddownontheice.Hefoundhimselfskiddingonhispacklikeanoverturnedturtle.Thefrozen

lakehadopenedinfrontofhim,buthewasnotheadedtowardsit.Hewasheadedforthebank,asolidwallofsnowthathidrocksforallheknew.Hehadtimetoprotecthisfaceandcursehisluckbeforeheploughedintoit.Theimpactknockedtheairfromhischestandsenthiswitsspirallingaway.

Byrenwokewithashiver.

Thebrillianceofthefrothing

starstoldhimitwasfulldark.Shudderswrackedhisbody,sendingpowderysnowslippingoffhischestandface.Withcaution,hetestedhislimbs...amazinglynoboneswerebroken.Anoddbirdcallsounded,

softyetimperious.Itwasthiswhichhadwokenhim.Turninghishead,hesawhe'dploughedthroughadriftintoaninletformedbyaneddyonthesideofthelake.Thiswas

ViridianLake,whichmeanthehadanothergoodday'sskatingbeforehereachedtheabbeyonthesideofMountHalcyon.Hewouldneedhiswitstomeettheabbot,sohedecidedtomakecampandstartoutfreshatsunrise.Assoonashegottothe

abbeyhe'dasktoseeFyn.He'dhavetotellhisyoungestbrotherhowLencehaddied.FynwouldbelieveByrenhadnotbetrayedhisowntwin.

Byrenhadalwaysgotonwellwithhisyoungerbrother,eventhoughFynhadbeengiftedtotheabbeyasaladofsix.Theoddbirdcallcame

again.Thistimeitwasmoreimperious,followedbyaharshcrythatfinishedonafurious,risingnote.Byrenrolledintoacrouch

tolisten.Aglowformedinthehollowbeyondtheslopeatthefarendoftheinlet.

Therehadtobeacampfire.UnlessitwastheMerofynians,andhedidn'tthinkascoutingpartywouldbethisfarfromthemaincamp,hecouldclaimtraveller'seaseandsharesomeofhisprovisionsinexchangeforaplacebythefire.Astheharshcryreturned,

theglowheightened.Hadthetravellerscaptured

abird,whichwasobjecting

whiletheypreparedtoslaughteritfordinner?Eventhoughhe'dhuntedthevalleysincehewasoldenoughtorideaponyathisfather'sside,Byrendidnotrecognisethecry.Somethingwasn'tright.

Themorehestudiedtheglowcomingfromthehollow,themoreitunnervedhim.Hewentverystill,hisbreathheld.Theglowdidnotflickerliketheleapingflamesofan

openfire.Itwastoosteady,likeconcentratedstarlight.Untyinghisskates,he

slungthemoverhisshoulderandcreptalongthebankoftheinlet.Afterworkinghiswayupthefarslope,hestretchedfulllengthinthesnowtopeerdownintothehollow.Foraheartbeathesimply

stared.Nothingcouldhavepreparedhimforthis.TwoAffinitybeastsfacedeach

other,bothwereasbigasdogsandbothweredisplaying.Whatwasthatbirdcalled,theonewiththeglowingcrestandtail?Thenamecametohim...

hercinia.Andhisbestiarystudiesproducedthetexthe'dmemorisedwiththeencouragementofhistutor'sswitch.Herciniaswererare,onlyfoundindeepforestsandgreatlyprizedfortheirglowingfeathers,whichwere

worthasmallfortune.Thisonemustbeafemalegettingreadytomatebecauseonlythefemalesglowedlikethisandonlywhentheywerefertile.Evenashewatched,the

herciniaopeneditstailfeathersinawidearclikeafan.Inthecentreofeachfeather'stipwasaglowing'eye',aniridescentpatchthatpulsedbrightenoughtoconfuseandscareoffa

predator.Evenifthebird'sfeathershadn'tbeenintheirglowingstateitwouldhavebeenmagnificent.Afine,diamond-tippedtiaraoflacyfeathersgrewfromthecrownofthehercinia'shead.Thebrilliantfeathertipsdancedlikeagitatedfirefliesasitconfrontedtheotherbird.ForamomentByren

wonderedifthiswasthehercinia'smateandhewaswitnessingarare,exquisite

danceoflove.Thentheotherbirdleaptintotheair,wingsflapping,longtailtrailingbehinditandherecogniseditasacalandrius.Arippleofshimmeringcolourracedupitslongneckcollectingarounditseyesocketsandbeak,heighteningitsalreadybrilliantcolouring.Tocallthosefeathersredwasaninsult.Theywerevermilion...aliving,pulsingvermilion.Calandriuswereprizedby

healersfortheirabilitytotellifasickpersonwasonthevergeofdeath.Thecalandriuscouldinhalethebreathofthediseasedperson,absorbingthepoisonousvapoursthatmadethemill.Butthebirdswereusedsparinglyfor,toovercomethedisease,theyhadtoflytowardsthesununtiltheillnesswasburntoutofthem.Oftentheydidnotsurvive.And,iftheydid,theywould

notreturntothehealeroncesetfree.AwestoleByren'sbreath.

HewishedOrradewaswithhimtoseethis,butthey'dseparatedaftertheyescapedfromtheburninghall.Withhisfather'smurder,hisbestfriendwasnowLordDovecoteandhe'dledtheestate'ssurvivingservantsandvillagersintothemountains.ByrenhopedtheyhadescapedPalatyne,whose

crueltyhadbeenillustratedonlytoographicallywhenhekilledalltheoldlord'sprizeddoves.Thosebeautifulbirdshaddonenothingbutbringpleasuretothosewholookedonthem.Unlikethesebirds.Oh,

theywerebeautifulcertainly,anyfarmerortraderwhocameacrossthemwouldtrytocapturethemtomaketheirfortune,butAffinitybeastswerenotdefenceless.The

twobirdswereofasimilarsizeandeachprobablyweighedasmuchasawolfhound.Sportingrazor-sharpbeaksandtalons,theycircledeachotherwarily.ThankstotheirAffinity,theywerehighlyintelligentandattunedtothreats.Byrenwatched,allelse

forgottenashetriedtomakesenseoftheconfrontation.Whatweretwosuchraregod-touchedbeastsdoingherein

Rolencia'ssettledfarmlands?Thentheherciniarefurled

itstaillikeclosingafanandletthedisplaydrop,sothatitsiridescenttailstretchedbehindit,twiceaslongasitwastall.Howdiditmanagetoflywiththatweight?Atthissignal,the

calandriusfoldeditswingsbyitssideandarippleofshimmeringcolourfloweddownitslongneckawayfromitseyesocketsandbeak,

sothattheintensityofthecoloureasedtoadeep,softlyglowingmagenta.Thecalandriusbackedupa

step.Theherciniaalsobackedupandthetwobirdsseemedtoreachanunspokenagreement.Asonetheyfluffedtheirfeathersandsankontothesnowtowritheabout,lookingforalltheworldlikechickensgivingthemselvesadustbath.Theabsurdityofitmade

Byrensmile,butthenhisskinwentcoldasunderstandinghithim.OnlyanAffinityseep

wouldelicitthisbehaviourfromgod-touchedbeasts.HehadnoAffinity,whichwaswhyhecouldnotsenseit,butheknewthesignsandhe'dheardmarvellousstoriesofthisphenomena.Affinityseepsweredangerousbecausetheyattractedallgod-touchedbeasts.Thelast

timehe'ddiscoveredone,ithadattractedalincis.Halfgreatcat,halfwolf,thelinciswerehighlyterritorial,andOrradehadnearlydied.Cautiously,Byrenchecked

hissurroundingsforsignsofanyfurtherAffinitybeasts.Asfarasheknewtheulfrpackwerestillontheloose.Adultulfrswerelargeasaponyandmoreintelligent.Thispackwasledbyaremarkablemalewhichhad

shownitsfollowershowtoavoideverytrapsetforthem.Byrenlistenedfortheir

distinctivehowls,buttherewasnosignoftheulfrpack,orotherbeasts.Herelaxedslightly.Thediscoveryofanother

seep,thefourthsincelastspring,wasdeeplyworrying.Aswellasattractinggod-touchedbeasts,theuntamedAffinitythatseepedupfromtheearthgoddess'sheartwas

asourceofpowerwhichcouldtriggerlatentAffinityinpeople.Andthiswouldmeanthepersonhadonlytwochoices,leaveRolenciaforeverorserveoneoftheabbeys.KingRolenwouldnotcountenancerenegadePower-workersinhiskingdom,notafterstandinghelplesslybywhiletheykilledhisfatherandolderbrotherduringthelastMerofynianinvasion.

Byrenhadtoreporttheseeptotheabbot,whowouldsendoutoneofhisAffinitywarderstocontainit.Theykeptastoreofsorbtstonesforjustsuchanevent.Oncetheseep'spowerhadbeenabsorbedintothestones,theabbeybecametheircustodian,protectingRolenciaanditspeoplefromuntamedAffinity.Heshouldleaveandmake

campelsewhere.

Byrenwasabouttogowhenaboyofnomorethanelevenbroachedthefarriseofthehollow.Hewasskinnyandpoorlydressedforthecold,andtherewassomethingoddabouthisface.Havinggrownupwithhisfather'sgeneration,allofwhomcarriedinjuriesfromthelastinvasion,herecognisedtheinjury.Thechildhadbeenbeatencruelly,breakinghischeekbone.This

madeoneeyesitslightlylowerthantheother.Catchingsightofthebirds,

adelightedsmilebrokeacrossthechild'sstrainedface.Hewenttoapproach,thenhesitated,hishandgoingtoametalcollararoundhisneck.Itwasconnectedbyachaintothemanwhofollowed.And,asthismanbroachedtherise,ByrenrecognisedhimforarenegadePower-worker.An

Utlander,judgingbythefilthysymbolsofpowertattooedontohisforehead,andthefetisheswovenintohismattedhair.'Iwasright,it's-'The

UtlandPower-workerbrokeoff,seeingtheAffinitybeasts.He'dbeenspeakingMerofynianbutByrenhadnotroubleunderstandinghim,thankstohismother'spatienttutoring.Withahappy,inarticulate

crytheboyrandownintothehollow,onlytohavethekeeperjerksohardonthechainthathislegswentoutfromunderhimandhesprawledinthesnow,gasping,handsgoingtothemetalcollar.Byrenwincedinsympathy.Bothbirdsgavecryand

leaptintotheair,justashalfadozenMerofynianwarriorscameoverthefarlipoftherise.Themenstoodstunned.

Theboyscrambledtohisfeet,panting.Duetotheirsizethebirds

hadtoworktheirbroadwingsfuriouslytogainheight,creatinggreatdowndraughtsofair,whichstirredupthefine,powderysnow.'Stopthem!'theUtland

Power-workerscreamed.Heswore,besidehimselfwithfrustrationasthemenfumbledtoremovetheirglovesandstringtheirbows.

'No.Notlikethat,youfools.Thecalandriusisworthafortunealive-'Thud,thud.Twoarrowsstruckhome.Bothlabouringbirdscried

outindistressanddroppedintotheseep.Theboyfelltohiskneesinthesnowwithawailofdistress.TheUtlanderignoredthechild'sweepingand,afterthrustingtheboy'schainintothehandsofthenearestman,heploughed

downtheslope.Severalofthewarriors

madetheMerofyniansigntowardoffevil,thoughwhethertheywereafraidoftheseeportheirownPower-worker'sanger,Byrencouldnottell.TheUtlandertoreoffhis

cloakandthrewitoverthecalandrius,whichhadcometoitsfeetandwastryingtocreepawaywithabrokenwing.Itgaveamournfulcryofprotestwhenhesweptitup

inhisarms.Staggeringalittlewiththe

weight,heturnedtofacehisescort.'You'reluckyit'sstillalive.Comehereandtakeit.Bringmypack,Ineedmysorbtstones.'Byrentensed.Hedidnot

wanttoseethepoweroftheseepfallintoenemyhands.Therewassomeconfusion

asthreemenslithereddownintothehollow,reluctantlyjoiningtheUtlanderinthe

centreoftheseep.Onetookthecalandrius,andanotherwenttoremovetheotherwoundedbird.Thethirdheldtheboy'schainandthePower-worker'spack.Theboyedgednearerthebirds,eyesfixedonthem.Illuminatedbythebrightstarlight,Byrencouldseeteartracksglisteningonthelad'sgrimycheeks.'Wait.Istheherciniadead?'

ThePower-workerchecked.

Hemusthavefoundsignsoflifeforhewrungthebird'sneckwithcallousefficiency,elicitingawhimperofprotestfromtheboy.'Stopyourmoaning,brat.'

Henoddedtooneofthewarriors.'Pluckitsfeathers.That'sallit'sgoodfor.Anddon'tpinchasingleone.I'llknow.''Whataboutthebody?'the

manwhoheldtheherciniaasked.'Seemsawastenotto

eatsuchaplump-''You'reright.'ThePower-

workermadeseveralsignsoverthebird,mutteringunderhisbreath.Byrenguessedhewassettlingthebird'sAffinity,whichhadbeenreleasedonitsdeath.Butthesignswerenothingliketheonesthecastle'sAffinitywardersused.'There,it'ssafetoeat.Makecampovertherise.''Soneartheseep?'theone

withthecalandriuswhined.'Yes,sonear.Istillhaveto

draintheseep'spower.Nowgetgoing.'Thetwocarryingthebirds

retreateduptheslope,whilethethirdunslungapackfromhisshoulderandopenedthebucklesothePower-workercouldrummagethrough.'Whatofthebrat?'he

asked.'Giveherabitofthebird's

whitemeatasareward.But

keepaneyeonher,she'sjustaslikelytotrytosneakbacktorollintheseep.Littlesavage,'thePower-workermuttered.Byrenthoughtthiswasabitrich,comingfromarenegadefromtheuncivilisedUtlandisles,andhefeltsorryforthegirl,whohe'dtakenforaboy.'Keepaneyeonher.OnceIsetuptheactivesorbtstoneitwilldrainpowerfromanything,includingher.''Howlongwillthistake?'

'Aslongasithasto.I'mnotleavingaseepforRolencia'ssanctimoniousmonkstohoard.'Heuntiedsomeclothtorevealtwostones,carvedsothattheyslottedtogetherlikelovers.'Thisisn'talargeseep.Shouldbedonebymorning.'Henoticedtheman'sexpression.'Don'tworry,we'llcatchupwiththeotherstomorrow.'Themanretrievedthepack

andturnedtoleave,butthegirlwasstaringatthesorbtstoneswithamixtureoffearandfascination.Thewarriorcasuallycuffedherovertheearandwalkedoff.Shewipedherfaceonhersleeveandhurriedafterhim,beforethechaincouldjerkpainfullyonhercollar.Herslavecollar...forthat'swhatitwas.He'dheardofsuchthings

inthetaleshismothertold.Parentstoopoortoeducatea

childbornwithAffinitymightconsiderthemselvesluckytosellthechildtoaPower-worker.Merofyniawasastrange

place.TheyconsideredthemselvesmorecivilisedthanRolencia,butthegapbetweentheverypoorestandtherichwasmuchgreater.Byrenwatchedasthe

UtlandPower-workerseparatedthetwostones.Heworeglovesbut,evenso,he

movedswiftly,touchingthesmallerstonethatfittedintothelargerverygingerly.Hetuckedthelargerstoneunderhisarmandplacedtheotherinthecentreoftheseep.Itssurfacebegantopulsatelikethecalandrius.Soonitwaspulsingregularlyasifitcontainedabeatingheart,growingbrighterwitheachthrob.'Welldone,mypretty.And

nowforsomeroastbird,'the

Utlandermuttered,soundinglikeabakerwho'dputhisloavesintheovenandwasdueforawell-deservedbreak.AssoonasthePower-

workerwentoverthefarrise,Byrensliddownthedarksideofhisriseandrolledtohisknees.ThereweresixwarriorsescortingtheUtlander,toomanyforhimtotackle,andthatwaswithoutevenconsideringthedanger

ofconfrontingaPower-worker.Helackedwardingtalismanstoprotecthim.Besides,thebestwardsthemonkscouldbuildhadfailedtoprotecthisgrandfatheranduncleallthoseyearsago.No,hecouldnotrelease

thecalandrius,savethatgirlandtakethesorbtstonesfortheabbot.HehadadutytoRolenciaandhemustnotendangerhimself.Heshouldturnhisbackonthem,bed

downforthenightthenleaveearlytomorrowtoseetheabbotandFyn.Feelingsickatheart,Byren

cametohisfeet.Butinsteadofheading

awayfromtheircamp,hecrepttowardsit.Atleasthecouldtakealookinthedipbeyondthehollow.Theywerefastworkers,

theseMerofynians.Alreadytheyhadconstructedthreelowsnow-caves,justbig

enoughforthetravellerstocrawlinsidewiththeirpacksandabrazier.Thecalandriusremainedrolledinthecloakbutwascradledinthegirl'sarms.Shecroonedtoit,feedingitsliversofsomethingfromapack.ThePower-workerignoredher.Theotherbirdhadbeen

pluckedandnowwasbeingdismemberedsothatpieceswouldcookquicklyoverthebraziersinthesnow-caves.

Themenworkedefficiently,retiringeagerlytothewarmthoftheirshelters.Onlyonewasleftonsentryduty-theythoughtthemselvessafe.Fewpeopletravelledthislateinthewinter,whenthecreaturesbegantostirfromtheirlongslumberandthosethathadstayedawakeweredesperateforfood.TheUtlanderkickedthe

girlashepassed.'Givemethebirdandgetinside.'

Withoutaword,shehandedovertheinjuredAffinitybeastandcrawledintothePower-worker'ssnow-cave,butnotbeforeByrensawhercasthermasteralookofpurehatred.'IsthereanythingIshould

lookoutfor?'thesentrycalledastheUtlanderwenttofollowthegirl,withthebirdinhisarms.'Nomorethanusual.The

seepisnolongerradiating

Affinityandwon'tattractbeasts,andtheRolenciansdon'tknowwe'rehere.'Thenhecrawledintohis

shelterwhilethesentryselectedaspotontherise,wherehehadagoodviewoftheundulatingsnow-shroudedbanksofthelake,andpreparedtowaitouthiswatch,unawareofByren.Onemanwasadifferent

propositionfromsix,buttherewasstillthePower-

workerandByrenhadnoweaponthatwouldworkagainsthim.Shufflingdowntheslope,hefoundanichebehindarockandpulledhiscloakaroundhisbody.Hewouldsleepandwake

early,thebettertogetawaybeforetheMerofyniansstirred.Hewasnotworriedaboutwakingintime.Eversincehecouldremember,he'dhadaninternalsenseoftime.

ButthemomentheclosedhiseyeshesawElinaleapinfrontofhim,tryingtoturnLence'sbladewithherown.Shemusthaveknownherwristsweren'tstrongenough.Hefeltherwoundlikeitwashisown,searingthroughhisgut.Withagroanhedoubledup.Elina...Deathwastoogoodfor

IllienofCobalt!Elinawouldstillbealive,

ifLencehadn'tbelievedCobalt'slies,ifByrenhadn'twrittenthatlovepoem...IthadbeensoeasyforCobalttotwistthewordstoprovethatByrenwasOrrade'sloverinsteadofElina's.IfOrradehadn'tconfessedthathewasaloverofmenlikePalosoflegend,thenCobaltcouldn'thaveconvincedLenceandthekingthattheServantsofPaloshadreformedtoputByrenonthethrone.

Frustrationragedthroughhim,fortherewasnosecretsocietycallingitselftheServantsofPalos.Thirtyyearsagotherehadbeen.Hisfatherhaderadicatedthetraitors,executinglordandcommoneralike.ButhowcouldByrenprovethatasecretsocietynolongerexisted,whensuspicionandinnuendowereenoughtounderminehisreputation?Cobaltwassogoodat

playingonpeople'sfears.ByrencursedthedayhiscousinhadcomebacktoRolencia.Shakingwithangerand

exhaustion,hevowedtokillCobalt.Elinawouldapprove,forshewasatruewarrior'sdaughter.ButfirsthehadtoexposeCobaltforthetraitorhewas.Decisionmade,Byren

welcomedsleep,lettingtheexhaustionthathadbeen

circlinglikeapredatorconsumehim.Thegreatmusclesofhiswearythighstwitchedfromover-workand,ashewelcomedtheoblivionofexhaustion,inhismind'seyehesawtheAffinity-slavegirlcradlingthewoundedcalandrius.Bothtrapped,bothinnocent.Howcouldhedefeat

Cobaltwhenhecouldnotsavethem?

ChapterTwo

Fynwokewiththefeelingthatsomethingwaswrong.Thenitcamebacktohim...RolenciawasatwarwithMerofynia.Herolledover,hishand

goingtohischesttostoptheroyalemblemfromtanglinginitschain,buthe'dleftthefoenixpendantinHalcyon'sSacredHeart.Thatwaswhenhe'dplannedtoleavethe

abbeytoprotecthissister'ssecret,andneededtohidehisidentity.Hehadn'twantedtoleave

buthecouldn'tstay,notafterPirohadrevealedherAffinitytohim.ThemysticsmasterwouldhaveuncoveredFyn'sguiltyknowledgeassoonashebegantraining.ButnowthatthemysticsmasterhadgoneofftoambushtheMerofynians,theunexpecteddawningofPiro'sAffinity

wastheleastofhistroubles.Hetoldhimselfhissister

wouldbesafeaslongasshestayedinRolenhold,forthecastle'sdefenceshadneverbeenbreached.Itdidnogood.FearforhismotherandPirognawedathisbelly.Beforethis,hehadneverunderstoodhowhisbrotherscouldcheerfullyleadwarpartiesagainstupstartwarlords,butthethoughtofthirteen-year-oldPirointhe

handsofMerofynianwarriorsignitedhisblood.Hesuspectedthesame

feelingshadkepttheotheracolytesawake,talkinglongintothenightboastinghowtheywouldprovetheirbravery,ifonlytheyhadthechance.ButHalcyon'swarriormonksdidnotsendchildrentowar,evenifthoseacolyteswereduetobecomemonksthisspringcuspwiththeresponsibilitiesofmen.

WarwithMerofynia...Fyndidn'tunderstandhow

ithadcometothis.Hisfather'sbetrothaltoKingMerofyn'sdaughterhadheraldedthirtyyearsofpeace.WhenMyrella'syoungerbrotherhaddiedinsuspiciouscircumstances,hercousinhadseizedtheMerofynianthrone.ThismeantFyn'seldestbrothercouldbecomebetrothedtothenewking'sdaughter,anditshouldhave

ensuredanotherthirtyyearsofpeace.But,earlyyesterday,amessagehadarrivedfromKingRolenaskingtheabbottosendthewarriormonks.Sotheweaponsmasterhadmarchedoutwitheveryable-bodiedmonk,leavingonlythefrailandtheladsinHalcyonAbbey.Atnearlyseventeen,Fyn

andhisfellowacolytesthoughtthemselvesmenand

hadrailedagainstbeingleftbehind.UnabletoliestillFyn

rolledoveragainand,onceagain,hishandwenttosettleontheabsentfoenixsymbol.Hefeltitsphantompresence,itsshape,itsweight...andthenigglingsenseofwrongnesssolidifiedwithanuncomfortablejoltoffear.Thesealontheking'smessagehadbeenafake.Thefoenixsymbolwastoosmall

tobelongtohisfather.Fynsatupinbed,nauseous

withtherealisationthattheweaponsmasterandnearlysixhundredofHalcyon'sfinestwarriorswereskatingintoatrap.Hesprangoutofthebunk,

heartracing.'Baddream?'Feldspar

whispered.'Don'tworry,yoursisterwillbe-''I'mnotworriedabout

Piro.'Fyncrouchedbetween

theirbunks.ForaheartbeatheconsideredtellingFeldsparhisfears,butdecidedagainstit.He'dcreepupstairstotheabbot'schamber,lightacandleandchecktheseal.Ifhewasright,theycouldsendsomeonetowarntheweaponsmaster.Asingleskatercouldtravelthefrozencanalsfasterthanhundredsofwarriors.Ifhewaswrong,he'dcomebacktobedandputitdowntoavividimaginationandno

onewouldbeanythewiser.'Gobacktosleep,Feldspar.

It'sprobablynothing.'FynkepthisvoicelowsoasnottodisturbHawkwingontheotherside.Alreadydressedinhis

breeches,Fynslippedonhisindoorshoes,soft-soledslippers,andtuggedhissaffronrobeoverhisshoulders.TheabbeywasbuiltintothesideofMountHalcyonandwarmedbyher

hotsprings,butevensothenightwascold.Leavingthesleeping

acolytes,Fynenteredthehallleadingtowardsthespiralstairs.Hewasalreadybeginningtodoubthismemoryofthesealandwonderedifheshouldsimplygobacktobed,whenanoddnoisemadehimstop.Itsoundedlikethedistantpatteringofrain.Theabbeyhadbeenunnaturallyquiet

sincethewarriorssetoff,itsemptyhallsandchambersmagnifyingeverysound.Fyntiltedhishead,

strainingtohear.Thesoundmadenosense.Itwastoocoldtorain.Silentonhisindoorslippers,herantothewindowwhichlookeddownintothecourtyard.Illuminatedbybrilliant

starlight,thecourtyardrippledwithlife.Hundredsofwarriorshurriedacrossthe

stoneflags,theirbootsmakingasoftsusurration.Fyn'smindrefusedtoacceptwhathesaw,evenasthemencreptacrossthecourtyard,flowingintotheabbey'sformalground-floorchambers.Howcouldtheenemyhave

penetratedthisfarwithoutsoundingthealarm?Theoldmonkonnightdutymusthavebeentrickedintoopeningthegate.Theabbey

wasdefenceless!Alarmmadehisheartrace.

Fyn'sfeethardlyfeltthegroundasheranbacktotheacolytes'chamber,wakingFeldspar.'Toarms!Weareunderattack!'Feldsparthrewbackthe

covers.Hawkwingrolledoutof

bed,reachingforhisboots.'Merofynians?''Ididn'tstoptoask,'Fyn

admitted.

'Didyouhaveanothervision?'Feldsparasked.'Isthatwhyyouwoke?'Hislastvisionhadbeenof

hisbrother'sbetrothed,Isolt.Whatmannerofkingwouldpromisehisdaughterinmarriagethenmakewaronhisfutureson-in-law'skingdom?Anunscrupulousman,a

cunningman.ThekindofmanwhowouldsendafakemessagetolureHalcyon's

monksawayfromtheabbey,leavingonlyacolytesandoldmentodefendit.Theboys...theydidn't

standachance!'What'sgoingon?'an

anxiousvoiceasked.'We'reunderattack,'

Hawkwinganswered.'Geteveryoneup.'Wordspreadlikeaforest

fire.Theirsurprised

exclamationsmadeFyn

impatient.Theyhadnotimeforthis.HegrabbedHawkwing'sarm.'Waketheabbot,tellhimtheabbey'sbeenbreached.'FynturnedtoFeldspar.Theboys,agedsixtotwelve,wereonthefloorbelow,betweenthemandtheintruders.'Feldspar,taketheboysdowntotheinnersanctumandboltthedoor.Doitquickly,beforetheMerofyniansfindthegreatstairs.'

'Thiswouldneverhavehappenedifthegrucraneshadn'tleftus,'Feldsparmuttered,puttingonhisslippers.Hewasright.Thegod-

touchedbeastshadlivedintheabbeyforgenerations.Oneoftheirflockalwaysstoodguardreadytocallawarning,but...'Notimeforifs,'Fyn

snapped,thinkingofthedaythegrucraneleaderhadbeen

injured,thedaytheoldseerhadforeseenthisveryattack.Whenshe'dspokenofHalcyonAbbeyinruins,he'dlaughed.Theseermustnotbeprovenright.'Hurry,bothofyou!'HawkwingandFeldspar

dartedaway.Fynturnedtotheothers.

They'dtuggedonbootsandrobesandfacedhim.'Therestofyou,comewithme.'Hesnatchedalamp

someonehadlitandranoutthedooranddownthecorridor.Behindhim,hecouldheartheacolytes'bootsslappingonthetiles,heartheirhurriedexplanationsastheyoungeracolytespouredoutoftheirsleepingchambers.Hecouldn'tpossiblyleadthirteen-andfourteen-year-oldsagainstgrownwarriors.Fynstoppedinhisheadlongraceforthearmouryandspuntoface

them.'You.'Hepointedtoa

youthoffourteen,whosenameescapedhim.'Taketheyoungeronesdowntothesanctum,therestofyoucomewithme.Wemustdefendtheabbey.'Therewasmuffled

shoutingasboysofthirteeninsistedtheyshouldstayandtakeuparms.ThethoughtmadeFynsicktohisstomach.True,they'dbeen

studyingweaponssincetheyweresix,butexperiencedwarriorswouldcutthemdownlikechaff.Besides,thebestweaponshadgonewiththewarriors,whichmeanttheabbey'sdefenderswouldhavetomakedowithbluntedpracticeswords.Furious,hesignalledfor

silence.Theacolytesobeyed,watchinghimexpectantly,hopefully.Whowashetodecidewholivedanddied?

Whohadelectedhimtheirleader?'Ineedtheyoungest

acolytestogodowntothesanctumwheretheycanprotecttheboysandHalcyon'sSacredFlame.Canyoudothat?'Putthatway,theynodded

andranoff.Heonlyhopedtheyreachedthesanctumintime.'Therestofyoucomewithme.'Downoneflightofstairs

andalongthecorridor,Fynflungopenthearmoury,hungthelanternhighonahookandbeganhandingoutpaddedchestprotectors,swords,longknivesandpikes,whateverhecouldfind.'Idon'tunderstand,'ayouth

muttered,'theabbeyshavealwaysbeensanctuariesintimeofwar.WhywouldtheMerofyniansattackus?''Booty,'Fynguessed.'Both

theabbeyscontaingreat

wealth,goldicons,jewelledchests-''Fyn?'Theabbothurriedin,

withhalfadozenelderlymonks.HawkwingbrushedpastFyn,intentongrabbingaweapon.'Abbot.'Fyngavean

abbreviatedbow.'ThemessagefromFatherwasafake.Thefoenixwastoosmalltobetheking'sseal.'Theabbotwinced.'You're

sure?'

Fynnodded.'Theattackontheabbeyis

alltheproofweneed,'mutteredSunseed,thegardensmaster.Gnarledhandsthathadnurtureddelicateseedlingsstrappedonaswordbeltwithequalefficiency.'So,ourwarriorswereluredintoanambush?''Whentherealtargetwas

theabbey,'Fynagreed.'Clever!'Old,half-blind

Silverlodebuckledachest

platebyfeel.'Whatoftheboys?'the

abbotwhispered.'Wemustprotectthelittleones.''Feldspar'stakenthem

downtothemystics'innersanctum,'Fynsaid.'It'sbigenoughforallofthemandthedoorslockfromtheinside.''Welldone,Fyn.''Abbot?'Hawkwing

shuffledtothefrontofaboutfortyladsoffifteenand

sixteen.'We'reready.''Good.Nowlisten.Their

Power-workersmustnotstealoursorbtstones,'theabbotannounced.Fyncursedunderhis

breath.Ofcourse.ThestonesheldpowerdrainedfromAffinityseeps.Inthewronghands...'Weshouldhavedestroyed

thestones!''Powerislikefire,itisonly

atool.Evilisintheheartof

theoneswhowieldit,'theabbottoldhim.'They'llbeheadingforthegreatstairs-''Tothestairs!'Hawkwing

yelledandchargedoutthedooranddownthecorridor,followedbyeagershoutingacolytes.'Theregoestheelementof

surprise,'oldSilverlodemuttered,thenranafterthem.Fynwasdrawnalonginthe

madrush.Hequicklyoutstrippedtheoldmonks.

Likethespineofagreatanimal,theabbeywasunitedbythegreatspiralstairs,whichconnectedthemystics'innersanctumfarbelowtothelibrariesandofficesoftheabbotfarabove.Betweenthemlaysevenfloorscontainingtheworkshops,thekitchen,thebathingchambersanddormitories.WhenFynreachedthe

stairwell,theyouthsweremillingonthelargelanding,

whisperingexcitedly.'Quiet!'Fynwarned.

'Quiet!'Athisordertheyfellsilent.

Farbelow,therapidtattooofrunningbootsechoedinthestairwell,gettingfurtherandfurtheraway.Fyncursedjustasthe

abbotandtheoldmonksjoinedthem.'We'retoolate.They'vesentscoutsdowntotheinnersanctum.'Theabbotturnedtothe

gardensmaster.'Holdthestairs,Sunseed.Fyn,comewithme.'

Pirohadbeeninhiding

sinceIllienofCobalthadturnedherfatheragainsther.AslordprotectorofthecastleCobalthadorderedherarrested,butshestillhadfriends.Andsoshewaitedinthesculleryforthecooktobringherfood.Foryearsshehadbeencomingtothe

kitchenstocollectthespecialmealspreparedforherpetfoenix.Nowshewaslivingonscrapsanddressedinamaid'spinaforestolenfromthelaundry.RolenholdCastlewas

hometosixhundredpeople.AndPirokneweachone,fromthelowlieststableladtothelordprotector.Tonightallthosepeoplehadbeenfedandthelastpotsfromthelastmealofthedayhadbeen

polishedandhungontheirhooks,gleaminginthelightofthekitchen'sremaininglamp.Likethekitchenboysandgirlswhosleptunderthetables,Pirowasterriblytired.SoonshewouldslipintoHalcyon'schantryandcrawlbehindthenavetosnatchsomerest.Sofarshehadchosenadifferentsleepingplaceeachnight.Thespit-turnershadcrept

offtotheirbedbundlesand

nowonlythecookremainedawake,planningthemenuforthenextday.Whenthelastofthewhispersdiedawayanditwasclearthekitchenchildrenwerefastasleepunderthelongwoodentables,thecookputhernotesawayandrose,glancingtothescullerywherePirowashidden.Piro'sstomachrumbledinanticipation.Justthentwoservantsreturnedwithladentrays.

'What'sthis?'thecookdemanded.'Didn'thetouchhisdinner?Butit'shisfavourite.'Pirowentverystill.'Thekingsuffers

somethingawful.Won'teat.Can'tsleepforthepainandthere'snothingthehealerscandoforhim,'theservantexplained,slidingthetrayontothetable.'It'sterribletosee.'Piro'sheartwentouttoher

father.Hewasnotthemanhehadbeenatmidwinter.BackthenKingRolen'sdeepvoicehadboomedacrossthegreathallashedemandedasecondserving.Itwasnothingforhimtositdowntoamealthatlastedforfourhours,consuminggreatqualitiesofrichfoodandfineRolencianredwine.Shehadalwaysfeltsosafewithhimbutnow...nowhehadbeendiminishedbytherenegadePower-

workerCobalthadplacedinhisservice.Underguiseoftreatingher

father'soldwarinjuries,themanhadbeenleachingtheking'sstrength,makinghimdependentonaconcoctionofherbsthatstolehiswillandlefthimashellofthemanwhohadsavedRolenciaateighteen.Piroandhermotherhaduncoveredthetrickeryandremovedthemanservant,butthedamagewasdone.

Despiteherfather'ssuddenfrailty-no,becauseofit,Pirolovedhimfiercely.Shehadtoseehim.She

wascertainshecoulddomorethanthehealers.Backbeforethesetroublesbegan,oneofthespit-turnershadburnthishandandshe'dhelpedeasehispain,usingherAffinitytodrawitoff,andnoonehadbeenanythewiser.Thecookglancedoncein

Piro'sdirectionanddismissedtheservants.Pirowaiteduntiltheyhadgoneandhurriedoutonsoftslippers.'ImustgotoFather,'she

whispered,nolongerhungry.'Cobalt'ssuretohavetold

theguardtobeonthelookoutforyou,'thecookwarned,plumpjowlswobblingwithworry.'Iknow.ButImustgo.''Cobalt'sofferedabagof

goldforyourrecapture,'the

cookrevealed.Pirofrowned.'Onlyone?'Thecooksmiledbriefly.

'Takecare,kingsdaughter.Cobaltcannotbecharmed.''Iknow,'Pirowhispered.

'Forhehasnoheart.'Whenshe'dlearnthowhisbridehadbeenmurderedbyUtlandraiders,shehadtriedtoeasehissorrow,andfoundonlyemptinessbehindhistears.Thecookshookherhead

asPiroslippedaway.

Byrenwokewithasmile

onhislips.He'dcomeupwithasimple,elegantwaytosavethechildandtheAffinitybeast.True,hecouldnotdefeataPower-worker,buttheUtlanderhadrevealedtheverytoolthatcouldkillhim.Byrenshouldhaveseenitrightaway.HisonlyexcusewasthathehadnoAffinity,sohewasn'tusedtothinkinginthoseterms.

Hemustn'tfallintothattrapagain.Rubbingsleepfromhis

eyes,Byrencheckedthepositionofthewanderersagainstthebackdropofstars.Good,itwasnearlymidnight.Risingcarefully,hewenttofindthesentry.Anothermanhadtakenthesameplaceastheotherandwasdozingathispost,shroudedinathickfurcloak.FromthisanglehewouldnotseeByrenenterthe

seep.Thehollowglowedsoftly,

litbytheaccumulatedpowerinthesorbtstone.Byren'sskincrawledasheapproachedthestone.ItwastheknowledgethatthisthingpulsedwithuntamedAffinitythatmadehimwary,notaninnateabilitytosenseAffinity.He'dbeentestedasachildandfoundtobeblindtoit,unlikehisbrother.PoorlittleFyn.

Hismotherhadputonabravefacewhenthesix-year-oldhadtogototheabbey,butshehadweptwhenshethoughtnoonewaslooking.AsaladofbarelytensummersByrenhadn'tknownhowtoconsoleher.Allhecoulddowashugherandbringherprettythingshe'dcollectedespeciallyforher.NowByrenpickedupthe

sorbtstone,gratefulforhisglovesandhislackof

Affinity,andtuckeditinsidehisvest.Heneededhishandsfreeforthesentry.Byrendidnotenjoykilling

amanwhileheslept,butitwasnecessary.Thesentrydidn'tknowwhathappened.Withluck,theotherswouldnotdiscoverhisdeathuntildawn.Bodythrummingwiththe

heightenedstateofawarenessthatcameduringbattle,Byrenglideddownintothe

dipandapproachedtheUtlander'ssnow-cave.Ithadbeenbuiltonaslightslope.Amandoesnotliketosleepwithhisheadlowerthanhisfeet,soByrenguessedthatthePower-workerwouldbesleepingwithhisheadatthehighestpoint.Feelingathiswaistforthe

huntingknife,Byrenbegantocutawindowinthesnow-cave.Thiswasthemostdangerouspart,forifthe

snowhadnotbeenpackedtightlyenough,finepowderwouldfallonthesleepingPower-workerandwakehim.Or,whenByrentriedtoeasehisknifeunderthecircularwindow,hecouldlosecontrolanditmightdropintotheshelter.Hewaslucky.Thecircleof

packedsnowliftedoutwithoutbreaking.Byrenturnedbacktothesheltertofindthegirlpeeringoutat

him,headthroughthegap.Silently,hecursedtheluckthathadledhimtochoosethesidesheslepton.Byrenliftedhisfingerto

hislipsandgesturedthegirlaside.Herheadsankbackintothesnow-caveandhepeeredinside.Bytheglowofthebrazier,hemadeoutthesleepingUtlander.SuchwashisaweofrenegadePower-workersthatforaheartbeatByrendoubtedhisplan.

Thecalandriusstirred,utteringasoftinterrogativesound.Thegirlhushedit.Toolatefordoubts.Byren

cutawayatthesnow-cave,wideningthewindowwithgreatcare.Toomuchandtheroofwouldcollapse.Thenhepulledthesorbtstoneoutofhisjerkinandshowedthegirl.Hereyeswidened.ByrenpointedtothePower-workerandmimedplacingthesorbtstoneintheUtlander'sarms.

TheAffinity-slavenodded.Lickingdrylips,Byren

watchedasshewrappedablanketaroundherhandsandacceptedthestone.Withgreatcare,shekneltnexttohersleepingmasterandslidthestoneundertheUtlander'sbarehands.Hesleptonhisside,sothathewasnowcurledaroundit.Byrenknewthesorbtstone

wouldabsorbthePower-worker'slatentAffinitywhile

heslept.Atbestitmightkill,atworstitwouldweakenhimseverely.ThegirllookedtoByren,

whonoddedandsmiledtoshowthatshehaddonewell,thenheldouthisarms.Hewasaheadtallerthanmostmenandeasilybigenoughtoliftheroutoftheshelter.Withoutaword,thegirl

crawledbacktothecalandriusandgathereditinherarms.Shepassedthebird

toByren,whosatitonthesnow.Itseemedverydocile,fed,warmandweakfrominjury.Evenso,ByrensuspectedthegirlhadbeenusingherAffinitytosootheit.Thenheturnedbacktolift

thegirlout.ButsheheldupthechainandglancedresentfullyatthePower-worker.Byrenrealisedtheendwasfixedtothemaninsomewaywhileheslept.

'Icanpriseopenthelinks,'hewhisperedinMerofynian,drawinghisknife.Thegirllookeddoubtful

butcreptover,offeringherthinneckwiththecollarandattachedchain.Byrenstudiedthechain.It

waswellmadeandsowasthemetalcollar.Theweakestpointwaswherethechainhadbeensolderedtothebackofthecollar.Slippingafingerinsideit,heputthetipofhis

knifeinthesolderandexertedpressureatanangle.Carefulnottoslipandcutthegirlorpushtoohardandcuthisownfinger,heincreasedthepressureuntilthesoldergaveway.Thechainfellawaybuthecaughtitbeforeitcouldmakeanynoise.Thegirlplaceditcarefullyontheblanket,soasnottowaketheUtlander.Thoughshehatedhimfiercely,sheobviouslyhadagreatdealofrespectfor

hispower.Byrencoulddonothing

aboutthemetalcollar.Ifhehadtimehecouldworkonthejoint,but,fornow,heslippedhishandsunderthegirl'sarmsandhoistedherout.Sheweighedlessthanhe'dexpected.Hesetheronherfeetand,

withasignalforsilence,ledherawayfromthecampandtheseep,towardsthelake.Heonlyhadonesetofskatesand

hewascarryingouthisfathertheking'sorders.Thebesthecoulddowasgivehersomefoodandsendheronherway.Thecalandriuswasalmosttoolargeforhertocarrysoshewouldn'tbeabletotravelfast.ButthePower-worker'sescortwouldnotbeconcernedwithher.They'dreturntoreporttotheiroverlord.IftheUtlanderdied,ByrenwouldhavedealtPalatyneaserious,thoughnot

devastating,blow.HeknewtheoverlordwasaccompaniedbyatleasttwomorePower-workers,rivalsfortheirleader'strust.'Here.'Byrenpausedatthe

lake'sedgetostraponhisskates,thenstoodupanddugintohispack,pullingoutthelastofhisfood,coldmeatandtwo-day-oldbread.Thegirlputthefoodawayforlater.Hecheckedthewanderingstars...midnight.Hestillhad

alongwaytogo.Pointingacrossthelaketo

themountain,whichwasadarktriangleagainstthefoamingstars,hespokeinMerofynian.'That'sMountHalcyon.

Aimforit.Goaroundthebase.Onthefarsideisafishingvillage.TellthemByrenKingsonsaidthatthey'retotakeyouacrosstoSylionAbbey.Thenunswilllookafteryou,protectyou.'

Ashiverranthroughthegirl'sthinframe.Byrenundidtheclaspof

hiscloakandswungtheheavyfuroverhershoulders.Sheraisedwonderingeyestohim.'Wedothingsdifferently

hereinRolencia,'hetoldher.'Foronethingwedon'tchainupchildren.''You'reakingsonandyet

youspeakMerofynian?''Mymothertaughtme.'

'QueenMyrella?Theysayherfatherwasagoodking.NoonelikesthenewKingMerofyn,'sheconfided,thencastaquicklookatByrentogaugehisreaction.'TheyalsosaythenunsofSylionstealchildrenwhohaveAffinityandturnthemintoslaves.''It'snottrue.Mybrother

hasAffinityandhe'sbeenwiththemonksinHalcyonAbbeyfortenyearsnow.Hecomestovisituseveryfeast

day.Theyfeedhimandteachhimatrade.AndhisAffinitywillbeusedtomakeRolenciaabetterplaceforeveryone.'Thegirlblinked.Thebird

stirred.Byrenglancedatit.'They'll

careforthebird,too.Imustleave.Remember,gothatway.''Can'tIstaywithyou?''I'mofftowar.''I'vebeentowar.'Byrendidn'tdoubtit.'In

Rolenciawedon'tsendchildrentowar.You'llbesafeattheabbey.''I-''You'dslowmeup.I'mon

theking'sbusiness.'Thegirlclutchedhisarm

butsaidnothing.Alightsnowbegantofall.Hesqueezedherhand.'The

snowwillcoveryourtracks.I'vegottogonow.'Shenodded,buthereyes

neverlefthisface.

Therewasnomorehecoulddoforher.'What'syourname?''Dinni.'Herealisedshewouldbe

veryprettyonceshewasfedandcleanedup,evenwiththelopsidedeye.'Halcyon'sluckbewith

you,Dinni.''Andwithyou,kingson.'

Shelethimgoatlast.Hewaswideawakenow,

sohesetoffatagoodpace.If

heskatedallnight,heshouldreachtheabbeybymid-morning.

ChapterThree

Piroliftedthekeyringatherwaistandunlockedthebackstairtotheroyalwing.Beforethetroubles,shehaddonenothingbutfightwithhermother,butnowshewasgratefulforQueenMyrella'squickthinking.Withthequeen'skeysofoffice,Pirohadaccesstoeverydoor.Everydoor,buttheonethatwaskeptlockedinthetopof

themourningtower,wherethequeenwasbeingheldprisoner.Cobalthadconvincedher

once-proudfatherthathisbelovedMyrellawasaspyundertheinfluenceofaMerofynianPower-worker.Well,thatwaspartlyPiro's

fault.Infrontofeveryoneher

motherhadbeenabouttoslipintoaseer'stranceandrevealherhiddenAffinity.Ifshe

had,hermarriagetoKingRolenwouldhavebeenannulledandtheirfourchildrendeclaredillegitimate.ThiswouldhaveleftthewayopentoLordCobalt.AsthelegitimatesonofKingRolen'sillegitimateolderbrother,IllienofCobalt'sclaimtothethronewouldhavebeenasstrongasLence's.AgainPirowasgratefultohermother,thistimeforinsistingshestudy

Rolencianlaw.AtbesttheambiguitywouldhavebeenenoughforCobalttoclaimthesuccessionandforceacivilwar.Tohidehermother's

Affinity,Pirohaddartedforwardsanddisruptedthetrance,claimingQueenMyrellahadbeentakenoverbyaMerofynianPower-worker.Everyonebelievedher,

everyonebutCobalt.He'd

seenthroughherbecausehewasamasteroftheartofdeception.He'dcaughtPiroonthebackstairsandaskedhisservanttoseeifshehadAffinity.OnlyanabbeywardercoulddiscernAffinity,awarderorarenegadePower-worker.PirohadrememberedFyn's

self-defencetricksandescaped.She'drunstraighttoherfathertowarnhimaboutCobalt,onlytodiscoverhe

believedhisnephewoverher.Thatwasabitterblow.Nowshecreptdownthe

hall,onehandoverthekeyssotheywouldnotclink.Hopefullythehealerswouldbothbeasleep,buttherewasstilloneoftheking'shonourguardatthedoortoherfather'schamber.Asoftsnoregreetedher

andshebitbackarelievedgiggle.ItwasoldSawtree,asleep

onduty.Shedidn'tknowhowhemanaged.Theseatswerebuiltatanangleslopingdownsothatamanmightresthisweightalittle,butifhereliedontheseattotakeallhisweight,he'dslideoff.Thiswingofthecastlehadbeenbuiltbyhernamesake,QueenPirolatheFierce,inthelastyearsofherreignandtheseat'swoodensurfacehadbeenpolishedbyahundredandthirtyyearsofguards'

bottomstoaglossy,slipperyfinish.Yetsomehowthisman,oneofherfather'soriginalhonourguard-whichmadehimatleastfifty-hadwedgedhissturdylegsatjusttherightanglesothathisshoulderstookenoughofhisweightagainstthewallfortheseattosupporthim.Pirosmiledtoherself.She

wasfondofoldSawtree.LikeTemor,thecaptainoftheking'shonourguard,hehad

alwaysbeenpartofherlife.Asasmallchild,sheusedtoteasehimmercilessly.Tonight,shewasgladhe

hadbeenchosentoguardherfather.Shewatchedandwaitedforhisdozetodeepen,tryingtojudgethemomentbeforehislegsrelaxedandtheslidingactionoftheseatwokehim.Shedidn'tthinkanythe

lessofoldSawtreefordozingathispost.Therewere

rumoursofaMerofynianinvasion,butthere'dbeennoconfirmation.Lastnightthey'dseenaglowtothesouth,possiblyfromtheDovecoteestate.Thenextbeaconhadn'tbeenlit,soitwasprobablyjustahousefire.Housefireswerecommoninwinter,inalandwherealmosteveryhomewasmadeofwood.Besides,theyweresafein

Rolenhold.Thecastlehad

neverbeentaken,notsinceKingRolencebuiltthefirsttowerthreehundredyearsago,sooldSawtreewaswelcometodozeathispost.Buthowlongbeforehe

waswokenbytheseat'sdesign?Pirodecidedshecouldwaitnolonger.Shesidledpasthim.Eyes

onthesleepingman,herfingersfoundthedoorlatch.Silently,sheslippedintothechamber.Thesmellof

powerfulherbalremedieshungonthestill,hotair.Someonehadbuiltupthefireandleftittoburndown,sotheroomwasstifling.Therewasnosignofthe

castle'stwohealers,thoughthedoortotheconnectingchamberwasahand'sbreadthajar.Nodoubttheyweresleepinglightly,readytospringtotheking'said.RivalrybetweenthenunsofSylionandthemonksof

Halcyonrantoodeepforonehealertolettheothergainanadvantage.Bytheglowofthebanked

hearth,Pirostudiedherfather.KingRolenwasstillabigman,aheadtallerthanaverage.But,sincetheyhadexposedthemanservantforthemanipulativePower-workerhewas,theking'sfleshhadshrunktorevealhisbones.Nowthatshesawhimfor

herself,tearsstunghereyes.Eveninhissleepherfatherlookedtroubled.Afrowngatheredbetweenhisheavybrows.Heshifted,rolledoverandmoanedwiththepainthiscausedhim,butdidnotwake.Theservanthadsaidthekingcouldn'tsleepsotheymusthavegivenhimsomething,probablydreamless-sleep,toeasehispain.Helookedsodeeplyunder

thatPirodoubtedifshewould

beabletowakehim.Itdidn'tmatter.Shecouldstilleasehisdiscomfort.Inawayitwasluckyhewasunaware,forhewouldhavehatedhertouseAffinityonhim.Eversincehe'dwatchedhelplessly,whilehisfatherandolderbrotherweremurderedbyrenegadeMerofynianPower-workers,hehadhatedallAffinityandonlysufferedthosewithittoremaininRolenciaiftheyservedthe

abbeys.Theironyofthisstruck

Piroassheliftedonehand,reachingforherfather'sforehead.Ahandclosedoverher

mouthandanarmswungaroundherwaist,liftingheroffherfeet.Indesperatesilence,shewrithedwithallherstrengthbutshewassmallforthirteensummersandhercaptorwasafull-grownman.RememberingFyn's

lessons,shethrewherheadback,connectingwithhischin.Hercaptorgaveagruntofpainbutdidnotreleaseher.'ForHalcyon'ssakestop

struggling,Piro.I'mtryingtohelpyou!'Recognisingthecastle

warder'svoice,shestoppedresistingandhesetherfeetbackontheground.'MonkAutumnwind?'

Turninginthecircleofhis

waryarmsshemethiseyes.TheHalcyonmonkhadservedherfamilysincethepreviouswardersdiedtryingtoprotecthergrandfatherandunclethirtyyearsago.PirohadneverbeenclosetoAutumnwind,butshebelievedhewasanhonourableman.'Can-'Hesignalledforsilence

andledhertothefarsideoftheroom,awayfromtheconnectingdoor.They

steppedbehindasandalwoodscreenintoanalcovewherethehealershadsetuptheirherbals.Amortarandpestlemadeofwhitestonegleamedinthedimness.'Whatareyoudoinghere,

Piro?''IcametoseeFather.''He'ssuffering.''Iknow,that'swhyIcame.'

That,andbecauseshehadhopedhewouldseereasonandreconcilewithher

mother.'Whenwillhebebetter?'Autumnwindhesitatedthen

gaveherapityinglookthatmadeherstomachcurdlewithfear.Shedidn'twanttohearwhathewasabouttotellher.'Thehealersaredoingall

theycan,butKingRolenmaynotgetbetter.'Heliftedhishands,turningthempalmup.'Youmustrealise,Piro,aman'slifeforceisheldinhisbodybymorethanhealth

alone.Theheart'sgoneoutoftheking.Hisqueenbetrayedhim...'Hesilencedherwithagesturebeforeshecouldobject.'Whethershemeanttoornot,theeffectisthesame.LenceKingsheirrefusedtoheedhisadviceandcalledhimacoward,saidhewastoooldtorule.AndByrenisaServantofPalos,aloverofmen-''Lies!Byren'sloyal,'Piro

whispered,fiercely.'JustasI

am.''Ibelievethatyoubelieve

this.Butitiswhatthekingbelievesthat'simportant.Andhebelieveshiswifeandchildrenhavebetrayedhim.Iwassenttoservehimafterthegreatbattle.I'veseenhowhestrovetorebuildRolenciatheselastthirtyyears.Nowitisallfallingapartaroundhim.''OnlyCobalthasbetrayed

him.Don'tyousee-'

'Iseeafrailkingwhotrustsnoonebuthisnephew,whohenamedlordprotectorofthecastlebeforehishealthbegantofail.''SoyouserveCobaltnow?'

Piroeyedhimnarrowly.'IserveHalcyon.'Pirounderstoodonlytoo

well.Kingscameandwent,buttheabbeyhadsurvivedthreehundredyears.Sheswallowed.'AreyougoingtoturnmeovertoCobalt,

Autumnwind?'Hegaveheralookof

exasperation.'Ishould.''But?'Hewassilentfora

moment.Thenhefixedonher.'Iamgoingtocheckontheking.IfyouarestillherewhenIturnaroundIwillcalltheguard.'Heleftherbehindthe

screen.Throughthegapsinthevine-leafcarvingshecaughtglimpsesofhim

movingaboutthechamberandcheckingthefire.Piroslippedoutfrom

behindthescreen,headingforthedoor.'What'sthis?'Cobalt

demandedfromthehalloutside,hisvoicemuffledbythethickdoorbuteasilyrecognisablebyitsdistinctiveOstroniteaccent.Therewasan

uncomfortablesilenceasPiroimaginedoldSawtree

straighteningupandsaluting,fisttochest.'Ishouldhaveyoupublicly

whippedforsleepingonduty!'Cobaltsnarled.'Please,Illien.'Thequeen's

voicewasbarelydiscernible.'Thismanhasservedmyhusbandfaithfullyforoverthirtyyears.'Therewasanotherpainful

pause.Piroimaginedtheoldwarrior'sproudsilence.Hewouldnotplead.Ifitcameto

theworsthewouldtakehispublicwhipping.'Don'tletmecatchyou

nappingagain,'Cobaltwarned.Thedoorwasthrustopen.

PiroonlyjusthadtimetodartbehinditasLordCobaltandhermotherentered.Likeherbrothersand

father,Cobaltwastallandwellmade,butPirocouldonlyseethemanforthesoullessmanipulatorhewas.

HenoddedtoAutumnwind,strodeacrossthechamber,peeredbehindthescreenandclosedthedoortothehealers'chamber.Whilehisbackwasturned,

Pirodartedovertohideinthescreenedalcove.Hermother'seyeswidenedandshestiffenedslightlybutdidnotgivePiroaway.Cobaltturnedtofacethe

queen.Thoughsafebehindthe

sandalwoodscreen,Pirohardlydaredtobreathe.

Fynraceddownthespiral

stairsbehindtheabbotwitholdSilverlodeonhisheels.Althoughheracedtoprotecttheboys,itfeltwrongtoleavetheotherstofacetheinvaders.They'dbeenconsideredeithertooyoungortoooldtofight.OnlythethoughtofLennyandtherestofthelittleboyshuddled

defencelessinthemystics'sanctumkepthimgoing.Behindandabovehim,Fyn

heardSunseedshoutingordersandHawkwingyelling.HerememberedholdingHawkwing'sfingerinplacewhenithadbeenseveredduringweaponspractice.Despitegoingwhitewithpain,Hawkwinghadjokedwhiletheywaitedforthehealers.Hisfriendhadlosthisfingerandnowhe'd

losehislife.AndFynwasrunning

away.Thesuddenclashofsteel

andshoutingtoldFynthemainforceofMerofynianshadreachedthecentralspiralstair.Hisheartswelledwithpridebecausehisfellowacolytesdidnothesitatetodefendtheabbey.Doublingovertocatchhis

breath,theoldabbotpausedatthebottomofthestairs.

Fynalmostcollidedwithhim,pulledupshort,andpeeredpastthetwomastersdownadimcorridor.Hecouldjustmakeoutthesilhouettesoffivelightlyarmedscouts,andbeyondthemwerethedoubledoorsoftheinnersanctum,securelyboltednodoubtbyFeldsparwhowashidinginside.Apairoflampslitthedoors.TheabbotnudgedFyn,

signallingforquiet,then

enteredthecorridor.Silentinhisslippers,theabbotcreptupbehindthelastmanandstabbedhimundertheribs,ahandoverhismouth.Shocked,Fynfroze.Hecouldnotreconcilethisefficientkillerwiththekindly,wiseoldabbot.Evenastheabboteasedthe

bodydown,theman'scompanionturnedanddrewhissword.Inthenarrowhall,itscrapedacrossthewall

throwinganarcofsparks.ThisgaveSilverlodetimetorunhimthrough,whiletheabbotpulledhisknifefree.Fynhatedtoseeananimal

suffer,letaloneaperson.Themanwho'dbeenstabbedinthebackwastryingtobreathe,bloodbubblingonhislips.Hewasasgoodashedead,butstillhestruggled.Theintruders'leader

signalledthelasttwomentodealwiththeabbotandhis

companions,beforegoingon.Thecorridorwasjustwide

enoughfortwomentostandsidebysidewithweaponsdrawn.Fyngrippedhisknifeinhislefthand,swordintheright,hearthammering.Thewarriors,both

seasonedveteranshalftheageofthemasters,fellupontheoldmonks.Fynknewenoughswordcrafttorecognisethemonks'skillbuttheirattackersweremerciless.

HowdidoldSilverlodeseethestrokes,whenhecouldn'tseewellenoughtoread?Fynfeltheshouldhelp,butthepacewastoofuriousandthespacetootighttointervene.AbarrageofattacksdroveSilverlodeback.Justafractiontooslow,theoldmonkfailedtoblock.Thetopofhisheadflewoffandhitthewall,followedaheartbeatlaterbyhisbody.Silverlode'sattacker,aman

withascarwherehisrightearhadbeen,turnedtohim.SoundroaredinFyn'sears.

Everythingfeltunreal.Hewasvaguelyawareofa

flurryofmovementbehindthemanastheabbotdispatchedhisopponentandprisedhisswordfromthebody.Theone-earedwarrior's

swordarcedtowardsFyn.Toolate,hisownweaponmoveduptodeflectit.

Efficiently,theabbotcaughttheone-earedmanfrombehindandcuthisthroat.Theswordflewfromthewarrior'snervelessfingers.BloodsprayedFyn,hotand

shocking.'Areyouallright?'the

abbotasked.Fyncouldonlynod.Theabbotstiffenedand

lookeddownasaswordpointappearedfromhischest.Withasavagekick,the

leaderoftheintrudersfreedhisswordandshoulderedtheabbotasidetochargeFyn.Stillreeling,Fynside-

steppedtheattack,deflectingthestrikewithacircularmotionthatdrovehisattacker'sswordhandintothewall,leavingtheman'sbodyopenforaknifeattackthroughthelacingsofhischestprotector.Fynlosthisgripontheknifehiltasthemansliddownthewall,

glaringathimevenashedied.Fyngavehimawideberth.

Steppingoverthebodies,hedraggedtheabbottoaclearpatchthenkneltinthepoolofbloodthatcoveredthefloor.'I'msorry,sosorry.'Bloodcoveredtheabbot's

chinandhisbreathbubbledinhischest,buthiseyesflutteredopenandherecognisedFyn.Hetriedtospeak.Failed.Hishandfelt

alonghiswaistsashforhiskeys.Tuggingthemfree,hethrustthekeysintoFyn'shandwithpainfulintensity.Ahissofairlefthislips.'TaketheboysandstonestoSylionAbbey.'Fynwassoattuned,hefelt

ittheinstantthelife-forcelefttheabbot'sbody.Guiltlancedhim.He'dfrozen.Thatwasthereasontheabbothaddied.Hestaredattheabbot's

keys.Dimly,heheardthe

roarofthefightingonthestairs.Whydideverythingsoundsodistant?Notimeforthis.Fynsprangtohisfeet.

Runningtothebolteddoors,hethumpedonthewood.'Feldspar,it'sme.Letmein.''Fyn?'Amuffledvoice

camethroughthewood.'Isitreallyyou?''Whoelse?''AMerofynianPower-

workerouttotrickme.'

Fynsmiled.TrustFeldspartobewary.Buthowcouldheconvince...revealsomethingonlyhewouldknow.'IgaveyoutheFate,soyoucouldjointhemystics.'Therewasthedullclickof

theboltbeingdrawnbackandFeldsparflungthedooropen.BehindFyn'sfriendhuddleddozensoffrightenedboys.'Areyouhurt,Fyn?'

Feldsparasked.'Idon'tthinkso.'

'You'recoveredinblood.''It'snotmine.'Helooked

downtofindhissaffronrobewasblackwithblood.Disgusted,hepulledthesoddentunicoverhisheadandletitdrop.Nowheworeonlyleggingsandaknittedvest.Heshouldbecold,buthefeltnothing.'Theabbot!'Feldsparwent

topushpasthim,butFynstoppedhisfriend.Thesoundoffightingonthestairshad

suddenlyceased.FeldsparmetFyn'seyeswithanunspokenquestion.'Theothersmustbedead,'

Fynsaid.'WehavetogettheboysoutofhereandstopthesorbtstonesfromfallingintoMerofynian-'Ashoutcuthimoffandthunderingbootsechoeddownthestairwell.'They'recoming.'FynpushedFeldsparback

intothesanctum.Asmallboytriedto

wrigglepastthem.Fynonlyjustmanagedtocatchhim.'Letmego,'theboycried.

'We'llallbekilled!''There'snoescapethat

way,'Fyntoldhimbuttheboywouldn'tlisten.Withoutaword,Fynthrewtheladoverhisshoulderanddartedthroughthearchway.Feldspardraggedthedoorsshut,slidingtheboltshome.FynmetFeldspar'seyes,

andturnedtofindJoff

surroundedbyaseaofboys.Joffheldabranchofcandles,toweringovertheothers.Althoughofficiallya'boy'hewasbiggeratfifteenthanFyn.HisAffinityhadsurfacedunexpectedlyandhe'dbeenfacedwiththechoiceofbanishmentorservingtheabbey,whichiswhatwouldhappentoPiroifherAffinitywasdiscovered.Atleastshewassafeinthecastle,Fyntoldhimself.

Astabofimpatienceflashedthroughhim.HehadtogettheboysandthestonesoutofheresohecouldgotoRolenholdtowarnhisfatherofKingMerofyn'streachery.DidKingRolenknowthat

MerofynianshadinvadedRolencia?Hadthewarningbeaconsbeenlit?Theboy,whoFyncarried

overhisshoulder,wriggledandFynsethimonhisfeet.NoonespokeasFyn

surveyedthechamber.Heestimatedtherewerenearlysixtyboysandyoungacolytesranginginagefromsixtofourteen.Bootedfeetpoundeddown

thecorridorandreachedthesanctum'sdoors.Fynheardshouting,andthenthedullthumpofweaponhiltsstrikingthedoor,muffledbythethickwood.'We'retrapped,'avoice

whispered.

'No.'Fynroundedontheboybeforetheotherscouldpanic.'FeldsparandIwerechosentoservethemysticsmaster.Weknowthebackwayoutoftheinnersanctum.'Theboys'desperateeyes

fixedonFyn.'Butifthey'vetakenthe

spiralstairsthereisnowayoutoftheabbey,'askinnythirteen-year-oldmuttered.Fynhelduptheabbot's

keys.'Yes,thereis.We're

goingintoHalcyon'sSacredHeart.'Theboysgasped.'It'sforbidden,'theskinny

oneprotested.'Normally,buttheabbot

gavemethekeys.'FyncaughtFeldspar'seye.'Hedidn'twantthesorbtstonesfallingintothehandsofrenegadePower-workers.Getthe-'Olderboysanticipatedthe

order,hurryingtotheorderlyshelvesofstackedsorbt

stones.'Keepeachpairtogether!'

Feldsparshouted.'Ifthey'reseparatedtheactiveonewillabsorballAffinityaroundit.'Theboysfroze.Feldspar

caughtFyn'seye.Sorbtstonesweretools,butlikeanypowerfultooltheycouldbeusedtokill.'Youheardhim.Takecare,'

Fynprodded,thencollectedhisthoughts.Whatelsewouldtheyneed?Hedidn'twantto

losehiswayunderneaththemountain.'Bringallthecandlesyoucanfind.I'llgoaheadandunlockthepassage.''WhataboutHalcyon's

SacredFlame?'Joffasked.Fynglancedtothelamp

whichhadbeenlitthreehundredyearsagowhenhisancestor,KingRolencetheFirst,hadgiftedMountHalcyontothemonks.Itwouldbegoodtohavea

protectedflame.'Bringthelamp.'Noonemoved.'Now!'Theyscrambled,some

grabbingsorbtstonepairs,somegatheringcandles,andotherstakingiconsfromtheirnichesandtuckingtheminsidetheirrobes.Joffliftedoneofthesmallerboysontohisshoulderssohecouldunhookthelamp.Allthewhile,theenemy

thunderedonthedoor.Feldspar'seyesflicked

repeatedlyfromthebusyboystothedoor.'I'lltakethelittleones

now,'Fyntoldhim.'Don'twasteanytime.TheymusthavearenegadePower-workerwiththem.Whenhegetsherewewon'tstandachance.'Littlehandstuggedon

Fyn'sleggings.Worriedfaceswatchedhiseverymove.Lennysidledupclose.LikeFyn,hehadbeenMaster

Wintertide'sservant.FynhadconsoledLennyasbesthecouldwhentheoldmasterdied.Nowhesqueezedtheboy'sshoulder.Feldsparglanceddownto

thelittleboys.'Go,Fyn.We'llberightbehindyou.'Fynnoddedandheadedto

thefarsideofthesanctumwhereahiddenpassageledtoamazeofprivatechambersknownonlytothemystics.Takingalitcandlefromits

bracket,Fynledthewaythroughseveralpassages.Heheardthesoftshuffleofbarefeetbehindhimandtheoccasionalwhimperoffear,followedbymutteredwordsofassurancefromtheolderboys.Asherecalledtherouteto

thesecretdoortoHalcyon'sSacredHeart,hedecideditwouldprobablybesafetousetheselowerpassages.Theabbeywashugeandmostof

theMerofynianswouldbeontheupperfloorsinthegreatpublicchambers,looting.Theoneswhohadcomedownthislowwouldbeconcentratingongettingintothesanctumtostealthesorbtstones.Asmallhandslidinto

Fyn'sandhelookeddowntoseeLenny.'Iknewyou'dsaveus,'

Lennywhispered.Fynlickedhislips.'We're

notsafeyet.'He'dfailedthe

abbot.Hemustnotfailtheseboys.

ChapterFour

Fynglancedbehindhim.Allthelittleoneswerewithhimandmostofthebiggerones.Evenashewatched,thelastoftheolderacolytesspilledfromthefardoor,millinginthecorridor.Feldsparnodded,thatwasit.Theywereallout.Fynhelduphiscandleand

signalledforsilence.Thesoftwhisperingstopped.Inthe

ensuingquiet,hecouldjusthearthedeepshoutsofmenandthesmashingoffurnitureandglassechoingdownfromfarabove.Itsoundedsowronginaplacewheretheclatterofbusyboysandthechantingofmonkswerenormallythepredominantsounds.'Followme.Quicklynow.'

Fynturnedandhurriedalongthecorridor,shieldingtheflameashewent.Hisslippers

stirredupdustandheheardafewsoftcoughsbehindhim.Heartthudding,heledthemdownaflightofstairsandalonganothercorridor.Downherethehoneycombcaveshadbeenadaptedforusebytheabbey.Downhereitwassilent,exceptfortherustleoftheirgarmentsandtheslapoftheirfeetonthestone.Fynrecognisedthe

storeroomdoorwaywherehehadhiddenonlyyesterday

morningtowatchastheabbotunlockedthesecretentrance.Itwasforbiddentoallbutthemasters.ThenFynhadbeenonasecretmissionforthemysticsmaster.HowhewishedthatMasterCatillumwasheretoadvisehimnow.Strange,hehadonlycometoknowtheyoungestoftheabbey'smastersinthelastfewdaysbuthemissedhimkeenly.Grieftuggedathim,forifhewasright,andthe

restofthemonkshadbeenluredintoatrap,MasterCatillumandtheweaponsmaster,andevenMonkGalestormwhousedtobullyhim,wouldallsoonbedead.'Isthisit?'Feldsparasked.Fynrealisedhehadcome

toastopinfrontofthesecretpanel.Heranhisfingersoverthecarvings,representationsofHalcyon'sbounty,thegrainsheaf,thelong-hairedgoatandmore.There,thatwasthe

indentationforthekey.Tallerthantherest,JoffheldthesacredlamphighsothatFyncouldseewhathewasdoing.Thefamiliarscentsofsandalwoodandcinnamonfilledthepassage.Eventhoughtheboys'

frightenedwhispersurgedhimtorush,Fynmethodicallytriedonekeyafteranotheruntilheheardthemechanismclickandthepanelslidopen.Awaveofreliefrolledover

him.Hestraightenedup,smiling

atFeldsparandJoff,andwhistledsoftlytogettheboys'attention.'Lineupinpairs,onecandlebetweeneverysecondpair.Remember...silence.'Theynodded,liningupas

theywouldtomarchintoprayer,fromtheyoungesttotheoldest.'They'reready,'Feldspar

whispered.

Fynnodded,judginghowmuchspacethelineofboyswouldtakeup.'Leadthemalongthepassage,turnleftthenleftagainandwaitatthetopofthestairs.'Feldsparenteredthe

passagebutLennydidn'tmove.'Goon,'Fynurged.'I'llbe

rightbehindyou.''Promise?'FynnoddedandLenny

enteredthepassage.Theboys

filedafterhim,jostlingintheirhaste.Fynglancedupanddownthehall.Asyet,nosignofpursuit.Whenthelastonehad

entered,Fyncheckedthehallonemoretimeandsteppedinside,lettingtheweightedstonepanelslideshut.Hecouldheartheboys,whispering,arguingoverwhogottocarrythelitcandles.Fyncuffedthenearest.

'Quiet,passiton!'

Thumpsfollowedbysilencerippleddownthepassage.'Youbringuptherear,Joff.

I'llgoahead,'Fynsaid,andpushedpastthepairedboys.Attheendofthepassage

hefoundFeldsparholdinghiscandlehigh,peeringdownaflightofstairscarvedfromsolidstone.'I'lllead.'Fynshieldedhis

owncandle.'Waithere,Feldspar,andfallintoline

halfwayalong.Telltheboystokeepquiet.We'renotsafeyet.'FeldsparnoddedandFyn

headeddownthesteps,shieldingthecandle'sflickeringflame.Yesterdayhehadcomethiswayinthedark,followingthesoundsofthemasters.Nowhecountedandwatchedhisstep,ignoringsidepassageshehadn'trealisedwerethere.Whenthemysticsmasterhad

madehimmemorisehowtogettoHalcyon'sSacredHeart,Fynhadn'texpectedtobeleadingwhatwasleftoftheabbey'sboysandacolytesdownhere.Thissecondtimetheway

feltmuchshorter,anditdidnottakelongtoreachHalcyon'sHeart.Silentwithawe,theboysfannedoutastheyenteredthehugecavern.Theboldestapproachedthekneelingmonks,masterswho

hadbeenmummifiedandpaintedwithapreservingglaze,thenhonouredwithaplaceinHalcyon'sHeart.Themummifiedmonkskneltonflat-toppedstones,withthejarscontainingtheirorgansarrangedinfrontofthem.SomehadbeenheresolongthatthesteadydripofHalcyon'smineral-richwaterhadencasedtheminashimmeringcolumnofstone.'Look,'Lennycriedin

delight.'It'sMasterWintertide!'Fynstrodeoverand

grabbingLenny'scurioushandbeforehecouldtouchthemonk.'Lethimrestinpeace.'Fynheldupthecandle.

SeveraldropsoftheclearglazehadfallendownfromthefingerofstoneaboveandtrickledoverWintertide'sfaceasifhewasweeping.Itwouldbemanyyearsbefore

hewascompletelyencasedliketheoldermonks.Thecandle,whichhadbeenleftinhiscuppedhands,hadburneddown.HiddeninitswaxpuddlewasFyn'sroyalemblem.Itcouldstaythere,safefornow.ItmightgivehimawaywhilehewastryingtocrossRolencia.'MasterWintertidelooks

happy.Imisshim,'Lennyconfided,thenlookedupatFyn.'Atleastwehaveyou.'

'Apoorexchange.'Fynfeltlikeafraud.Fromacrossthecavernaboyspoketooloudly,hisvoiceechoinginthevastchamber.Feldsparjoinedthem.He

helduptheFatebetweenthem.Itgleamed,anopalthesizeofasparrow'segg,shapedlikeaspiralseashell.Ithungonasilverchain.'Youmightaswelltakethis,Fyn.'Fynstaredatthestone.

DuringtheProvings,heand

FeldsparhadfoundtheFate,ensuringtheirplacewiththemystics.Backthen,hehadn'tthoughttheywouldbesavingitfromrenegadePower-workersbeforespringcusp.'Halcyon'sFate?'Lenny

marvelled.'Theysayitcanbringvisions.Whydidn'tthemysticsmastertakeitwithhim?''Whoknows?'Feldspar

shrugged.'Keepitsafe,Fyn.I'msurethemysticsmaster

wouldratheryouhaditthansomeMerofynianPower-worker.'Hewasrightbut,first

chancehegot,Fynintendedleavingtheabbey'ssurvivorstowarnhisfamily.'Youtakeit,Feldspar.YourAffinityisstrongerthanmine.''Butyouhadthevision

whenyoufoundit,'Feldsparcountered.Fynshookhishead.He

wasgoingtoleavethem.He

didnotdeservetheFate.'Keepit.''Fornow.'Feldsparslipped

thechainoverhisneckandtuckedthestoneinsidehisrobe.'Uh,Fyn,there'sonlyone

wayinandoutofHalcyon'sHeart,'Joffmuttered.'We'retrappeddownhere.''It'sworsethanthat,'

Feldsparwhispered.Heglancedtotheotherboysanddroppedhisvoiceeven

further.'There'sarichAffinityseep,hereinHalcyon'sSacredHeart.It'lldrawtheMerofynianPower-worker.He'llfindtheentranceeventually.He'llforcethelock.'Lenny'sfingerstightened

onFyn'shand,hisfearfuleyesglisteninginthelightofthesacredlamp.Fynsqueezedtheboy's

hand.'It'sallright.There'sanotherwayoutofHalcyon's

Heart.Sylion'sway.'Fynprayedhewasright.Yesterday,whenhe'dlistenedtotheceremony,he'dheardawoman'svoiceinHalcyon'sSacredHeart.Sincenowomanwasallowedtoentertheabbeyandthewomanhadansweredtheabbotashisequal,he'dguessedshewastheabbessofSylion.IfonlytheabbothadhadtimetotellhimhowtofindtheSylionpassage.

Aboymutteredsomethingaboutbeingtrappedlikeratsonasinkingship.Otherstookupthecry.'Quiet!'Fynleaptontothe

backofWintertide'sdais,silentlyaskinghisoldteacher'sforgiveness.'ThisisHalcyon'sSacredHeart.Unlesswewanttoremainhereandenduplikethemonks,wemustkeepgoing.Followme.'HenoddedtoFeldsparandJoff,who

herdedtheboysandacolytestogether.Fynjumpeddown,thenled

themthroughthekneelingmonks.Theboys'manycandlesreflectedoffthegleamingsurfacesofthenaturalcolumns,flickeringlikefierypearls.AtthefarsideofthechambertherewasawallofcarvedstoneembossedwithHalcyon'ssymbols,thegoat,thegrainandthefoenix.

Fynstudiedthecarvingsintently.ThehiddenentrancetoSylion'spassagehadtobehere.Hewishedtheabbothadtoldhimhowtofindit.Hecouldheartheboyswhisperingbehindhim.'Quiet,'Feldsparordered.'Yeah,quiet,'Lenny

ordered.'Fyn'sthinking.'Fynsmiledgrimly.Then

hesawasinglesylion,theembodimentofthegod.Thesinuouslizardhadbeen

carveddancingonabedofflames.Thegodofwintersometimestooktheformofasyliontowalkamongstthem,bringingfrostsinspringandautumn,andblizzardsinwinter.Thisman-sizedlizardcouldquenchtheflamesofthehottestfirewithitsicybreath.Fynstrokedthecarving'sembossedsurface,feltitgiveandpushedin.Lennygaspedasapanelslidopen.

Fynhidhisreliefandturnedtoothers.'Thisway.''ButIhaven'tgotanyboots

andI'mtired,'theskinnyboymuttered.'We'realltiredandI

haven'tevengotashirt,'Fynsaid.'Butwehavetokeepgoing.'Fynlookedintothedark

passage.UnlikethewaydownintoHalcyon'sSacredHeart,hehadn'tmemorisedthispath.Somehow,hehadto

leadtheboysthroughthemountainandouttheotherside.ThenhehadtoslippasttheMerofynianstowarnhisfather.AtleastPirowassafeinRolenhold.Pirowentverystilllikethe

trappedmouseshewas.Cobaltdismissedthe

warderwithawaveofhishand.'Getoutandshutthedoorafteryou.Thequeenneedsprivacy.'Autumnwindbackedout,

closingthedoorwithafinal,softclick.Cobaltgesturedtotheking.

'Thereheis,Myrella.'Sheranacrosstheroomto

thebed.'Rolen,canyouhearme?'Therewasnoresponse.

Sheliftedtheking'shandandsqueezedit,pressingthefingersofherotherhandtohischeek.'Rolen.I'mhere.''Hecan'thearyou.He's

takenadoubledoseof

dreamless-sleep.'Thequeenstraightenedup,

slowlyturningtofaceCobalt,herfacestiffandformal.'Thenwhydidyoutellmehewantedtoseeme?'Cobaltsteppedcloser.Her

motherwasevensmallerthanPiro,onlycominguptothemiddleofhischest.Heliftedonehandtothequeen'sface,brushingawayanerrantcurl.Shedidnotflinch,insteadsheglaredathim.

'Soimperious,Myrella.'Hisvoicewassoftandrichwithamusementandthethrillofpower.'Icanrememberatimewhenyouheldmeinyourarms.''Asyouweptoveryour

bride'smurder,'shesnapped,thenthrustpasthim,goingtothefireplace,amerebody-lengthfromwherePirohid.'Iaskagain,whatdoyouwantfromme?''LittlePirohaseludedall

mybesteffortstocatchher.Whereisshe?'Thequeenlaughed.'What

makesyouthinkIknow?''BecauseIknowthatyou

bothhaveAffinity.'Pirogavealittlestartof

fear,makingthekeysatherwaistclinkeversosoftly.Shecoveredthemimmediately,butitwasenoughtomakebothCobaltandhermotherglanceinherdirection.Thequeensteppedcloser

toCobalt.'WhydidyoucomebacktoRolencia,Illien?WhathappenedtoyouonOstronIsle?YouarenottheyouthIknewandloved.''BettertoaskmewhyIleft.

Myfatherwasbornonthewrongsideoftheblanket.That,onlythat,madehimunsuitabletorule.Myfather,theBastard,wasamanoflearningandinsight,akinglyman.Insteadwehadabuffoonforking,abrashfool

whowashappiesthuntingandroistering.Hedidn'tappreciateyou,Myrella.''He'smyhusband.''Andtheking.Iknow.I

grewupinthiscourtassuretyofmyfather'sloyalty.IwasfourteenwhenyoumarriedRolenonyourfifteenthbirthday.AndIwatchedhimtreatyoulikeaconvenience.Itwasn'tfair,notwhenIlovedyou,notwhenthethroneshouldhavebeenmy

father's.Astheeldestsonoftheeldestson,Iwouldhavebeenbetrothedtoyoutocementthepeace.Butno,myfather,cursehim,wasloyaltothebuffoon.IboreitforeightyearsuntilIcouldnolongerstomachthewayRolentreatedyou.SoIwenttomyfatheranddemandedwemakeamove.Hechosehishalf-brotheroverhisownson,sworetorevealmeasatraitorifIeverreturnedtoRolencia.

SoIspentthirteenyearsinexileonOstronIslelearningtheartofintrigue.'NowIambacktotake

whatshouldhavebeenmyfather's,byrightofbirthandworth.AndthatiswhyIwantPiro.She'sabrat,butaprettybrat.BythetimeIturnbacktheMerofynianinvasion,thepeopleofRolenciawillonlybetoogratefultohavetheBastard'ssononthethrone,especiallyifhe'smarriedto

KingRolen'sonlysurvivingheir.'Piro'svisionfaded.Were

Lence,ByrenandFynalreadydead,murderedbyCobalt'sassassins?'Illien,whathaveyoudone

tomyboys?'thequeenwhispered,stricken.'Nothing.'Hisblackeyes

fixedonherface.'Yet.'Thequeen'ssmallbody

grewrigid.ShetriedtostepawayfromCobaltbuthe

caughtherbytheshoulders.Herslenderframemadehishandslookhuge.'Soyousee,Myrella,you

mustbegoodtome,'hesaidsoftly,ashisfingersmadesmallcirclesonhershoulders.'IwantyoutohelpmefindPiro.Sendamessagetoher.Sayyouneedtospeakwithher.GivemePiro.RefusemeandIwillhavethewarderdiscoveryourAffinity.Bylawyour

marriagetoRolenwillbeannulled,makingyourchildrenillegitimate.'Heleantlowersothathecouldlookintohereyes.'LurePirooutofhidingandIwon'thavetoorderyourexecutionforhidingyourAffinity.''Iknowthelaw,Illien,'the

queencountered.'AllthosewhohaveAffinitymusteitherservetheabbeysorleaveRolencia.Thepeopleknowthelaw.'

'Butyouaretheirbelovedqueen.WhenitisdiscoveredthatyouhavebeenusingyourAffinitywilesonKingRolenalltheseyearsthepeoplewilldemandyourblood.'Hesmiledandtracedthecurveofhercheek.Capturingatearonhisfingertip,heliftedittohislipstosavourthetaste.'Don'tweep,Myrella.GivemePiroformywifeandyoucanremainhere,thedowagerqueen,lovedandrespected.

You'llhaveyourownwingofchambersandservantsandwecanbeloversatlast.I'vewaitedyearsforthis.'Thequeendrewina

shudderingbreathandthrustawayfromhim,turnedandstumbledafewstepstothesandalwoodscreen,wheresheclutchedtheworkedwood,restingherforeheadonthecarving.'IwillfindPiroeventually,

Myrella,'hewarned,'withor

withoutyourhelp.BegoodtomeandIcanbeverygoodtoyou.'ThequeenmetPiro'seyes

throughthescreen.Pirolickeddrylipsand

liftedherhandtotouchhermother'sforeheadthroughagapinthescreen.Shefeltalittlesurgeofwarmth,Affinitywarmth.Andforaheartbeatshedidnotfeelsoalone.'Myrella?'

ThequeenfixedfierceeyesonPiro,thensheshudderedandbowedherheadassheturnedtofacehertormentor.Herwholedemeanourwasoneofdefeat.'Iwouldhelpyou,Illien,butyouaretoolate.SeelaarrangedforPirotobesmuggledoutofthecastleearliertoday.She'sonherwaytoSylionAbbey,wheretheabbesswillgivehersanctuary.Ithoughtitwasthesafestplaceforher.'

'SylionAbbey?'Hisgazeturnedinwards.'Good.ShecanstaythereuntilIamreadytofetchher.''Pleasedon'texposemy

Affinity.''Exposeyou?'Helifteda

hand,beckoningthequeen.Sheapproached,stopping

atarm'slengthfromhim.'WhywouldIdothat,

Myrella?Asweet,compliantwomanneedfearnothingfromme.'Heclosedthegap

betweenthem,liftingherhandstohislipstokissherfingertips.Pirosawhermother's

shouldersstiffen,butCobalt'sheadwasbowed.Hestraightenedup.'Ithink

weunderstandeachotheratlast.'Thequeennodded.'Ithink

wedo.Atlast.'Thesilencestretched.King

Rolenmoanedinhisdruggedsleep.Pirofeltamoanof

sympathyechothroughherknottedstomach.'Iwouldliketogobackto

thetowernow,Illien,'hermothersaidsoftly.Heslidaprotectivearm

aroundhershoulders.'Ofcourse,myqueen.Come.'Whenthedoorclosed

behindthemPirosanktoherknees,herlegstooweaktoholdher.Onethingwasclear.Ifshe

remainedhere,someoneloyal

toCobaltwouldrecogniseherdespitethemaidservant'ssmock.Shemustgetoutofthecastle.Hermother'smessagewas

clear.SylionAbbeywasasanctuary,atleastuntilCobalttriedtoclaimher.Butitwouldnevercometo

that.SherefusedtobelieveherbrotherswouldfallvictimtoCobalt'sassassins.FynwassafeinHalcyonAbbeyand,liketheirfather,Lenceand

Byrenhadalwaysbeenlargerthanlife.Theywouldreturn,andwhentheydidtheywouldcrushCobalt.Tomorrowshewouldflee

thecastle.Fynkneltonthefloorof

thetunneltostudyanothercarving.Thefirsttimehecametoa

branchhehadhesitated.Thenhe'dnoticedasylioncarvedintotheflagstoneunderhisfeet.Theheadpointedthe

waytheyhadcome,thetailtothepassageontheleft.Recallingtheabbot'swords,Fynturnedleft.Nowhefollowedthe

sylion'stailandtheyploddedon.Fynwastiredandsore.Itfeltliketheyhadbeenwalkingallnight.Atonepointhe'dheardrunningwaterandthewallsfeltwarmtothetouch,buttheydidnotfindthehotstream.Thesmallerboysgrew

wearyandhadtobecarriedorhelpedalongbythebiggerones.EverytimeFyn'seyesglazedwithtiredness,herelivedflashesofthebattleinthecorridor,heardthealmostsilentgruntsasthewarriorsfoughtwithviciousintensityandsawtheabbotstareattheswordpointthroughhischest.Shamesearedhim.He'd

frozen.He'dfailedhisteachers.Heshutthememoryaway,focusingonthetask

theabbothadgivenhim.Gettheboystosafety.Anotherbranch,another

sylionpointingtheway.Wheredidtheotherbrancheslead?Hewastootiredtothink.HawkwingandMaster

Sunseed,theywouldallbedeadnowandtheMerofynianswouldbepillagingtheabbey.Itshouldhaveoutragedhim,buthewastootiredtocare.Hemust

notthink.Mustgoon.Lenny'stummyrumbled

loudly.'Theothersaregettinghungry.'Fynfeltasmiletugathis

lips.'Weareallhungry.'Henoticedhiscandlehad

burneddowntoastubsohecametoastopinacavernandturnedtofacetheboys.'Timetolightmorecandles.'Feldsparcaughthiseye

withawarning.Theydidnotknowhowfarthepassage

went.'Lighteverysecond

candle,'Fynordered.Theylithalfthenew

candles.Whatiftheyranout?Nopointinworrying.Theycouldnotgobackandheknewthepathledoutsideeventually.Fyntrudgedon.Wearinessdulledhismind.Hungergnawedathim,crampinghisstomach.Bruises,fromblowshedidn'tremember,throbbednowthat

hismuscleshadstiffenedup.Therewastimetowonder

iftheweaponsmasterandmysticsmasterhadbeendrawnintoambush.Itshamedhimtothinkthathewashalf-Merofynian.BitternessfilledFyn,leavingaviletasteinhismouth.Buteventhatdidnotlastashewalkedon,draggingonewearyfootafteranother.Wasthecastlealreadyunderattack?Firsthemustleadtheboystosafety

thenwarnhisfather.Surelythepassagewould

endsoon.

ChapterFive

ShiverswokeByren.He'dskateduntillackofsleepmadehimstumble.Thenhe'dcurledintoaballunderanoverhangandtriedtosleep.Hemustn'tbestupidwithwearinesswhenhemettheabbot,notifhewantedtoimpressthemanenoughforhimtohandovercommandofthewarriormonks.NowByrenrubbedsnow

onhisfacetowakehimselfandstretchedtogethiswearymusclesworking.Histhighsprotestedasheresumedskating.IthadbeenacoldnightwithouthiscloakbuthehadconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtofthePower-workerdrainedbyhisownsorbtstoneandlittleDinnifree.Histhighandcalfmuscles

soonwarmedupasheheadedacrossthelake.Afterafewbowshotshespottedthethin

trickleofsmokefromachimneyandgrinnedruefully.Tothinkhe'dbeensoclosetoafarmhouse,wherehemighthaveclaimedtraveller'sease.Afterroundinga

promontorywhichjuttedoutintothelakehespottedthedwellings,theirroofssoheavywithsnowtheywerealmostinvisible.Asturdydefensivewallprotectedthefarmbuildingsandanimals

fromraveningwinterbeasts,butByrenspottedagirlofaboutsevenwanderingalongtheshorewithnothingbutawolfhoundforcompany,sothefamilycan'thaveheardabouttheulfrpack.Behindthefarmhouse,in

themiddledistance,MountHalcyonrosehighinthemorninglight.WithrenewedenergyByrensetoff,hopingthefarmwifewouldgivehimbreakfast.Thedogbarked

once,adeepauthoritativewarning,thenfellsilent.ThegirlwatchedByrenapproach,curiousandonlyslightlywary.Hewantedtoshakeher,

warnher.'WatchoutforMerofynians,takeshelterinthemountains!'Butthatwouldonlyfrightenher.He'dtellherelders.Asheglideduptothe

roughjetty,hesmeltgarlicsausagesandfreshbread,and

hisstomachrumbled.Thedoggrowledsoftly.'Quiet,Rusty,'thegirl

ordered.'Soundslikehe'sagood

watchdog,'Byrensaid,hungercrampstyinghisstomachinknots.Hebenttounlacehisskates,hisfingerstremblingwithhaste.Shouldn'thavegivenDinniallhisfood.Hestoodup,slingingthe

skatesoverhisshoulder.

'Howaboutsomebreakfastforawearytraveller?''Thisway.'Thegirlledhim

uptheshoreandthroughthefarmyardwhereanotherwolfhoundbarkedawarning.Anoldmanandaboycameoutofthebarntolookathim.Byrenrealisedhowvulnerablehispeoplewere,goingabouttheireverydaytasksinthebelieftheywereatpeacewithMerofynia.Inthekitchen,themother

andgrandmotherwerecleaningupafterbreakfast.Theoldwomanlookedupfromscrubbingthekitchentable,thewoodalmostwhitefromcleaning.Themotherwipedherhandsonherapron,cheeksflushedfromhoveringoverthehearth.Noonewaswaryofhim.ThiswaswhatthirtyyearsofpeaceinRolencia'srichvalleyhaddonetohispeople.Theywereunreadyforwar.

'What'sthisIhear?Wehaveatraveller?'Thefatherstrodeinwiththeboyandgrandfather,agrinonhisweatheredface.Byrenpulledtheroyal

emblemfromunderhisvest.'ByrenKingson.IneedfoodandIbringbadnews.TheMerofynianshaveinvaded.'Theelderssenteachother

worriedlooks,whilethechildrenwatchedtheirfaces.'We'veseennowarning

beacons,'theoldmanmuttered.'Lasttimethebeaconswerelit.''I'monmywaytoHalcyon

Abbey,toalerttheabbot.Ineedhiswarriormonks,'Byrensaid,andhisstomachrumbledloudly.Thewomenlaughed.'Youneedsomefood.Sit

yourselfdown,'themothersaidandthegrandmotherhastenedtogettheirbestplatesfromtheshelf.

ThefatherlookedByrenupanddown.'Eh,you'reabigone,toobigforourcarthorse,butIcouldloanyouthedraughthorse.'Byrenleantbackasthe

womenladledaspoonfulofchoppedsausagesandbeansontohisplate.'Thanks.ButI'llskateifit'sallthesametoyou.'Theynodded,

understandinghischoice.Travelbyfrozencanaland

lakewasfasterthangoingoverlandthistimeofyear.'Howfararethe

Merofynians?'thegrandfatherasked.'Isawthemainarmyover

nearDovecotetwonightsago,'Byrensaid,talkingbetweenmouthfuls.'AndlastnightIranintoscoutsonthelakeshore,overthere.'Hepointed.'TheyhadafilthyUtlandPower-workerwiththem.I'dgetyourfamilyto

thenearesttownassoonaspossible.'Whilehegulpedhismeal,

theeldersdebatedtherelativemeritsofPortMarchand'sdefencesoverPortCobalt's.WhenhehaddoneeatingtheywalkedByrenoutontothelakeandsawhimoff,wishinghimluck,insistinghetakethefamily'sprizeulfr-furcloak.Hesetoffwithahalf-loaf

ofhotbreadinhistravelbag

andamealinhisstomach,headingtowardsMountHalcyon.He'dbetherebymidday.Oncehehadthewarriormonksathisback,hecouldreturntoRolenhold.Actionsspokelouderthan

words.Whenhereturnedtohelpdefendthecastle,hisfatherwouldhavetobelievehisloyalty.

BeneathFyn'sfeetthe

flagstonesgavewayto

unworkedstone.Theymusthavelefttheman-madetunnelsandenteredanaturalcavesystem.Here,heslowedhispace,wonderingwhathewoulddoifhecametoaforkandthesylionwasnotcarvedintothefloor,buthesawnomoresidepassages.Exhausted,theyoungest

boysfaltered.Somesatonthegroundandweptquietly,whileotherspleadedforfoodandwater.

'They'reonlylittle,'LennytoldFynandwenttohelpthenearestwhowasnobiggerthanhim.'Holdthis.'Fynhanded

Lennyhissecondcandle,whichhadburntdowntoastub,andkneltnexttoaboy.'Climbontomyback.'Thinarmsclaspedaround

Fyn'sneck,half-chokinghim.Headjustedtheboy'sarmsthenstood,hislegmusclesprotesting.

Feldsparpushedpasttheboys,joiningthem.'Howmuchlonger,Fyn?'Hedrewbreathtoconfess

thathedidnotknowthenstopped.Surelytheairtastedfresher?Hurryingonaroundthe

bend,hefoundthegroundandwallsilluminatedbynaturallight.Anotherturnandasliverofsilverdaylightgreetedhim.Itwassobrighthehadtoshieldhiseyes.He

lettheboyslidetotheground.Reliefmadehimtrytoshoutthenewsbuthisvoicecracked,evensotheycamerunning.'Stayhere.I'llseeifit's

safe,'Fyntoldtheothersastheyrushedtojoinhim.Hesteppedcautiouslyout

ofthetunnel,blinkingfiercelyinthesilverglowofawinter'sdawn.ThesunhadjustbrokenfreeoftheSnowBridge'shighestpeaksand

delicatelightmadethesnowglisten.Withthesunonhisright,

hefacednorth,intothecold.BackinRolenhold,southwouldmeangoingintothecold.Accordingtothemonks,HalcyonAbbeysatontheequatoroftheirworld,whichmadesensesinceitwasthesiteofthegoddessHalcyon'sgreatestseep.TheLesserBayopenedon

hisrightandtheGreaterBay

tohisleft.ThoughhewaswestofPortCobalt,wherethemonkstooktheboatsacrosstoSylionAbbeyfortheautumncuspfestival,FynrecognisedthedistantsheerwallandspottedthesilhouetteofSylionAbbey,safeonitscliff-topeyrie.Beyondtheabbeylay

SylionStrait.Liketwogreatarms,thecliffsformedapassagetotheStormySea.Fynhadneverbeenthatfar.

ThetripacrosstoSylionAbbeywasbadenoughforhim.Fromwherehenowstood,

thelandfellawayuntilitmetthebay.Fyncouldjustmakeoutthesnow-coveredroofsofasmallfishingvillagebehinditsdefensivepalisade.Rightnowthevillage'swharveswouldbewellabovethewaterline.Whenthesnowandicemeltedthewaterlevelswouldriseanditwould

becomesafeforthefisherfolktoventureout,pasttheUtlandIslestotheoceanfieldswherethegreatshoalsoffishwouldbefound.Afisherman'slifewasnotaneasyone,butthenitwastheharshnessofwinterthatmadesummerallthesweeter.Fynknewitwouldtake

untilearlyafternoontoreachthevillage,butthepromiseofhotfoodwouldspurthelittleboyson.Relieffilledhim.

TheyhadwalkedunderMountHalcyontothemountain'sfarnorthernslope.Hehaddonewhattheabbotaskedofhim.Soonhewouldbefreetohelphisfamily.'It'ssafe.Youcancome

out,'Fyncalled.Byrenshoulderedhis

skatesandstrodeuptherisetowardstheabbey.Thefamiliarpathbetweenthepineswascoveredindeepsnow.Fromthisanglethe

pinesthemselvesblockedouttheabbey.Worrygnawedathim.Otherthantheroyalsymbol,whatdidhehavetoconvincetheabbottohandovercommandofhiswarriors?Onlytheconvictionthathe

mustsaveRolencia.Intentonhisplan,Byren

strodethroughthegateswhichtraditionallystoodajarduringthedaytosymbolisethatthegoddess'slovingheart

wasalwaysopentoherchildren.Hewavedtotheshadowednichewherethemonks'gatemanstoodandstrodeacrossthefan-shapedcourtyard.Althoughitwasmidday,

theacolyteshadn'tsweptthelightcarpetingofsnowfromthepavingstonesaroundthecentralfountainanditspool.Beyondthepool'sstonelip,hotwatersteamedinvitinglyinthecoolair.

Byrenglancedtotheleftwheretheanimalswerehoused.Nosignoflife.Heglancedtohisright.Inearlyspringthosechamberswerewherethemonkshandedoutthehothouseseedlingssothatthefarmerscouldgettwocropsinduringtheintense,butbrief,summer.Heskirtedthefountainand

headedforthecentralarchway,directlyoppositethegate.Rich,formalwaiting

roomsopenedoffthispartofthecourtyard.Thegreaterpartoftheabbeywasdugintothemountainitself,andwasrumouredtoextendtohiddenchamberscontainingwealthdatingfrombeforehisfamilyruledRolencia,fromthelostcivilisationthathadleftthosestatuesonRuinIsle.Byrengrinned-treasure

huntsforchildren.Whatconcernedhimnowwasconvincingtheabbottohand

overcommandofhiswarriormonks.Anddirectlyahead,threelevelsup,weretheabbot'schambers.Byrenshadedhiseyesandcountedfloors.Theabbotwouldbebehindthatrowofarchedwindows,ifhismemoryservedhimright.Heheardnosingingfrom

thechantrysohemusthavejustmissedthemiddayprayers.Ahorseneighedandwanderedoutfromthe

archwayonhisleft.Frominsidetheanimal'senclosureacowlowedwithdiscomfortandseveralofthelong-hairedmountaingoatsgavevoiceincomplaint.Byrenrecognisedtheirtone.Theyhadn'tbeenmilkedthismorning.Thatwasodd.Was

everyonedownwithaterriblewinterfever?Thatmightexplainthesilenceandtheneglectoftheanimals.Byrenwentovertothe

horse.Heletitnuzzlehishand,threadedhisfingersthroughitsmaneandwalkeditbacktowardsthearchwaythatledtotheanimals'pens.Asheenteredthearch's

shadowhespottedseveralmonkscrouchedinacircleasthoughinspectingasickanimal.Perhapsthatwastheproblem.Byrenpulledtheroyal

emblemfromunderhisshirt.'Ineedtoseetheabboton

king'sbusiness.'Themenstaredathim.Wordsofjestdiedon

Byren'slipsashiseyesadjustedandherealisedthesewerenotpiousmon