Dino Riders, page 23
The boy gave a haughty expression like that had nothing to do with him, and the girl even laughed. He went on a rant and getsured to Sara and I repeatedly while Naona nodded in understanding.
“That’s what they want,” the purple-eyed woman said. “They’re true believers. And they think that by serving the King on High that their people will finally be safe from the Anglish. And they were promised that the plague will not come for their people.”
“That’s just idiotic,” Sara snapped and glared at them. “Disease spreads. That’s what it does. And anything that can come from the city through a village to the Anglish will leave a wide path of destruction. It will come for them.”
The girl responded the second that Naona finished translating, and I was positive that the tribal woman hadn’t watered down any of Sara’s rant.
“She says that the King on High has given them a vow,” Naona sighed. “And that he is a man of his word. Their people will be safe.”
“And what about the Trickster?” I asked and tilted my head to the side. “I’ve only just learned about the god, but it doesn’t sound like he keeps his word. At least, not to the letter. And what can a king do against a god?”
Silence fell on the sacrifices as the first sign of worry crossed their faces. They argued for a few seconds, and I caught the word that Butler had used for the Trickster. If they’d heard all the same stories, then they knew just as well as Butler and Naona did that the god couldn’t be trusted.
“They don’t want to disappoint their chief,” Naona said as the kids continued to go back and forth. “But the girl says that you are right. The Trickster never follows through on his word. And even the King on High cannot protect them from the evil god. She worries that they’ve been lied to.”
“They have,” Sara said.
“If they want to save their people, then they’ll hear me out and do exactly as I tell them,” I said.
Naona translated, and a heavy silence fell on the room as the two teens stared at each other. They must have grown up together, because they had an entire conversation with just their eyes, though it was easy to see that the girl was winning the argument. The boy finally nodded and motioned for me to go ahead, though the sour expression on his face said that he still didn’t trust me.
“Okay,” I said and took a deep breath. “This is going to be a hard one to swallow, but trust me that this is the only way to save everyone on the island. The Trickster has clearly convinced the king that young sacrifices are needed and that he can contain the plague, but that’s not how disease works. And don’t you think that the Trickster is going to be angry after being ignored for so many years?”
Naona relayed what I said, and realization dawned on the boy’s face. He went on a long rant that was so fast that even Naona looked confused for a second, and the girl hushed him with a nervous look at the door. He nodded and quieted down, but the way he stared at me had shifted completely as if I was his savior.
“What was he saying?” Sara asked.
“He was telling a very old story about the Trickster,” the purple-eyed woman said. “About when he was angry and convinced a chief to sacrifice his beloved daughter to end a drought. It worked, and the people had fields full of food, but then colrasas came and ate everything, and that drew the larger colrasas from further inland. Everyone was devoured and blood soaked the field. That’s why the ground in this valley is red. It is said that the Trickster lured the evil colrasas as punishment.”
“Naturally,” I said in a dry tone. “The gods are the same in my world. At least, the legends are. It’s the same all over the world. Once a god is angry, there’s always revenge. Not that I’ve ever actually seen one of these gods.”
“He sounds like the Governor General,” Sara huffed.
“So,” I said and looked back at the sacrifices. “They’re both on board?”
“Yes,” Naona said.
“Great,” I said and clapped my hands together. “Here’s the plan. Our friend outside will help them escape into the forest tonight. When it’s discovered that they’re gone in the morning, I’ll be there to offer my services. I’ll promise to have them back in time for the ritual. We’ll go find them and bring them back. The only people at the top of the pyramid will be the King on High and the priests. Once we’re alone, we can take them out and be gone before the soldiers can come get us. And these two will be free to go back to their village where they’ll be safe, and the plague will have been stopped.”
It took a little while for Naona to be able to translate everything, and the two teens had a ton of questions that the purple-eyed woman answered for me. I was pretty sure that most of them involved whether or not they should trust me or not, because the tribal woman nodded several times and even gestured a few times as well. She must have convinced them that the crazy plan would work, because they both looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in unison.
“They’re almost positive that we’ll all die,” Naona said. “But they say that an Anglishman with a racasar is better than the Trickster. And they’ve promised to kill you if you betray them.”
“Naturally,” I said in a dry tone.
A deep voice came from the doorway, and Naona turned to the doorway to see the giant guard poke his head in. The sacrifices responded with bright smiles, and the big man stomped in with a glare until he was about halfway through, and then he grinned from ear to ear and said something to the sacrifices and Naona.
“He’ll sneak them out before dawn,” she said. “But it’s time for us to go. We’ve been assigned to the racasar stables. Cleaning up after them.”
“Naturally,” I rolled my eyes and then turned as another guard came in.
The giant gestured to me and said something in an irritated tone while the sacrifices gave Sara and I their best disgusted faces. They made it seem like they really couldn’t stand us, and for a brief moment, I wondered if everything up to that point had been a trick, but then the big man motioned for us to leave and flashed a small smile when the other guard looked away.
“They’re going to show us to the stables,” Naona informed us as the two guards led us out. “And we’ve apparently passed the test since we didn’t try to kill the sacrifices.”
“Do we get our weapons back?” Sara asked. “I rather liked that blade.”
“I doubt it,” I said. “But we’ll get different ones when this is all over.”
“I suppose,” the colonial woman frowned. “But it would be nice to have the one that Butler gave me.”
“I’ll find you another one that’s even better,” the child said as he popped up beside the stables.
The giant patted Butler on the shoulder, said something to the other guard, and then led the way back to the sacrifices as if the kid was now our keeper. It could’ve been a lot worse, especially since there weren’t a lot of people around the racasar paddock, though that probably had something to do with the dinosaurs inside that looked like they’d gone ten rounds with Liberty. And lost.
“So?” Butler asked with a hopeful smile.
“It’s on,” I said with a bright smile.
All we had to do next was wait for the alarm.
And convince the King on High to let me hunt for the escaped sacrifices.
Chapter 16
“Finished,” I sighed with relief.
The raptor stables had been scrubbed until they practically sparkled, but the stench of blood and crap still lingered in the air. Every muscle in my body ached as the girls and I finally threw out the last bucket of dirty water, but at least the day was done, and we could officially turn in. The dinosaurs were still out in their fenced-off play area, so at least they hadn’t hung over us while we did our work.
I’d been a little worried at first that they’d try to eat us once the guards left the paddock, but Naona had assured me that they’d ignore us just like the ones in her village ignored the workers. Even so, I’d been happy when the girls’ raptors had hung out near the wide entryway like sentries, and the other dinosaurs had given them a wide berth rather than risk a fight. I strolled over to pat them both on the neck as I watched the other giant lizards trot around without a care in the world.
“Did you guys finish yet?” Butler asked as walked up to the fence.
“Yeah,” I waved and headed over to the kid. “Where can we wash up and get something to eat?”
Butler blanched at the question and glanced over his shoulder as if one of the nearby guards might overhear us. The men had been stationed there for the last few hours, but none of them had been brave enough to get close to the raptors, especially when the dinosaurs started to nip at each other. The kid nodded in respect to the men and then rolled his eyes as he turned back around to look at me.
“Strictly speaking, you’re supposed to just sleep in the barn at the back of the property,” he said. “But I can bring some food and something to boil water so you can wash up.”
“That would be fine,” I said. “As long as I can get the smell off of me.”
“You’ll have someone watching you the entire night,” he whispered. “The King on High expected the raptors to eat you, but since they didn’t, you are allowed to stay on as their handlers for now.”
“Such an honor,” I rolled my eyes.
“Isn’t it, though?” he said and laughed.
It was the first time that Butler had actually looked like a kid since I’d met him, but the moment passed, and the somber expression fell back into place. The boy had been through too much for someone so young, and I knew then that I would give him a place in our home once everything was all over. I was sure that Sara would be okay with that, and it would give him a way to stay informed about our plans against the Anglish.
“Where are Naona and Sara?” Butler asked as he looked around. “I know their mounts wouldn’t let them be harmed, which is probably why you’re all still alive.”
“They’re giving extra special care to their mounts’ new home,” I snorted and motioned to the stables. “Something about wanting them to be comfortable until it was time to leave.”
Worry flashed through me as my attention shifted to the woods at the valley’s edge. Liberty was still out there all by herself, and I had to fight the urge to go check on the massive dinosaur. She’d survived on her own long before I’d come around, and there was no doubt in my mind that the raptor could survive one night, even if it was hard to leave her behind.
“Butler!” Sara exclaimed as she and Naona emerged from the stables. “I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my entire life. Please tell me that you have a hot bath waiting for me?”
“No, ma’am,” the boy said with a grave nod. “But I can bring you dinner and a cauldron so that you can boil your own water for a bath. I might even be able to find some of the eucalyptus soap that the locals like so much.”
“That would be amazing, thank you,” the colonial woman said with a relieved smile.
“Are you here to show us to our quarters?” Naona asked.
“Yes,” he said and then motioned to the gate. “Please follow me. I’m afraid that they aren’t the most luxurious quarters, but they’ll get you through the night.”
“Where are you staying?” I asked. “And do you have access to food?”
“I’m being well taken care of,” he said and grinned from ear to ear. “But thanks for asking. Most people don’t.”
I nodded and glanced over my shoulder as the two guards from earlier were replaced by two more guards. They exchanged a few words in their language, glared at us, and then clapped their hands together in a warrior’s handshake like soldiers going to war. I rolled my eyes and then turned my attention back to where Butler was leading us.
The barn wasn’t too far from the stables, and I could smell the hay long before we walked through the tall doors. It was all made from the same red clay that made up most of the buildings in the city, and there were some strange goat-like creatures gathered on one end near a water trough. I eyed their sharp horns as Butler motioned to a wide bay scattered with hay and empty feed buckets.
“This will be your bed for the night,” Butler said with an apologetic smile.
“Better than being outside,” I said with a reassuring smile. “I’ve slept in far worse.”
“As have I,” Sara said.
“You’ve done well,” Naona said with a dimpled grin.
“I’ll be back with the cauldron and some food,” he said with renewed energy.
The boy ran off, and I turned to look at our new surroundings. There was at least a door to keep the goats out during the night, because the last thing I wanted was one of those little bastards to ram me while I was asleep. Goats had always been hit or miss for me, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way that this particular group didn’t like me, especially when I saw just how sharp their horns were.
“I’m going to get some water,” Sara said with a determined expression. “There was a well right outside. I’m sure that we could all use something to drink.”
“I’ll get the fire started,” Naona said. “There should be a fire pit on the side of the barn. We can use it to heat the water to bathe.”
“And I’ll get the hay ready to sleep in,” I said with a glance at the guards near the barn doors. “We just have to get through tonight. And hope that our friend and the sacrifices keep their word.”
The girls nodded, and I turned to get to work while they did the same. The hay was surprisingly soft compared to the stuff that I’d experienced back home, and exhaustion started to wash over me long before Sara came in to get me for dinner. Naona and the colonial woman had already cleaned up, and Butler had even managed to find each of us some fresh clothing.
We sat in silence as the guards watched us eat the scraps that Butler had brought for us, but at least they hadn’t chained us, and neither of them got close enough to hit us. I was sure that the King on High had something else planned to humiliate us besides cleaning the raptor paddock, but his plans would be derailed by morning, when mine kicked in. The girls and I all headed to bed a little after sunset, and sleep washed over me as soon as my eyes were closed while Naona took the first watch.
A high-pitched flute-like sound woke me after what felt like seconds, and I sat upright to look around for any attackers. Sara was already awake and waved excitedly as my brain worked to remember where I was. Gray light poured through the open barn doors, and I realized that the girls had let me sleep through the night instead of waking me for the watch.
“Your breakfast is ready,” Sara said and handed me a giant strawberry with some freshly baked bread. “Butler brought the bread this morning. It’s very sweet. I’ve already had mine. Naona has as well. She just went to get water.”
“I’m back,” the purple-eyed woman said as the guards escorted her into the bay. “Apparently something has gone wrong. The entire city is on lockdown.”
“Like invaders?” I asked as if I didn’t already know the answer to the question. “I can’t believe the Anglish could have made it this far. Besides, it’s not like they know about the plague. And even if they did, the Governor General is way too stupid. I sincerely doubt that he’d believe someone even if they did tell him about the plague.”
“I’m not sure what’s happening,” Naona replied and shrugged.
“Well, I’ll finish my breakfast,” I said and stretched. “And then I guess we should return to the stables.”
One guard glowered in my direction as if hearing me speak Anglish grated on his ears, but the other nodded in approval. I hoped it was enough to convince the guard that I had nothing to do with the sacrifices’ escape, so the King on High would have no reason to question me when I offered my services. Of course, guards had been on duty just outside the barn all night, so there was no way we could have helped the sacrifices escape. The guards were our best alibis, though it was still only a matter of time before we were called in for questioning.
“We have company,” Sara muttered a few minutes later.
I glanced up and saw that the giant from Naona’s village was walking toward the barn. I would’ve said he looked peeved, but that seemed to be his normal state.
“The King on High demands to see the Anglishmen,” the giant boomed from the barn doors. “Now.”
“Showtime,” I said.
I stuffed the last bit of bread into my mouth, hopped up, and followed after the guard. I could feel the girls were right behind me, and when I glanced back, I saw that Sara even managed to look nervous. Not that it was hard to fake with all the armed soldiers running around the palace grounds like chickens with their heads cut off. I reached over to give Sara’s hand a reassuring squeeze as we stepped into the main hall, and then I donned my best scared face.
“You!” the King on High shouted as soon as he saw us. “You had something to do with this!”
“With what?” Naona asked and blinked in apparent confusion. “What has happened, my king?”
The king tugged on his trimmed beard so hard that a few curls came out, but the pain seemed to bring the man back from the edge. His dark eyes were as crazed as a frightened cheetah’s, and there was no doubt in my mind that he’d be just as deadly when cornered. The King on High stomped down the stairs from his golden throne, glowered at all three of us, and then turned on our guards.
There was a quick argument in their language, but it was clear that the king wanted an account of our whereabouts during the night, and he wasn’t happy when the guards confirmed that we hadn’t gone anywhere. The King on High paced back and forth across the hall and then turned as the soldier from the day before rushed in. The guards tensed as if they were about to be punished, but then their ruler waved them away with a sharp command.
“What’s going on?” I asked in mock confusion. “Are the Anglish coming? Or is there some other enemy? Are the colrasas attacking?”
“Are you telling me that you don’t know?” the king asked as he whirled around to stare at me. “That you didn’t have something to do with the sacrifices escaping on the day that they were to be given to the gods?”
“That’s what they want,” the purple-eyed woman said. “They’re true believers. And they think that by serving the King on High that their people will finally be safe from the Anglish. And they were promised that the plague will not come for their people.”
“That’s just idiotic,” Sara snapped and glared at them. “Disease spreads. That’s what it does. And anything that can come from the city through a village to the Anglish will leave a wide path of destruction. It will come for them.”
The girl responded the second that Naona finished translating, and I was positive that the tribal woman hadn’t watered down any of Sara’s rant.
“She says that the King on High has given them a vow,” Naona sighed. “And that he is a man of his word. Their people will be safe.”
“And what about the Trickster?” I asked and tilted my head to the side. “I’ve only just learned about the god, but it doesn’t sound like he keeps his word. At least, not to the letter. And what can a king do against a god?”
Silence fell on the sacrifices as the first sign of worry crossed their faces. They argued for a few seconds, and I caught the word that Butler had used for the Trickster. If they’d heard all the same stories, then they knew just as well as Butler and Naona did that the god couldn’t be trusted.
“They don’t want to disappoint their chief,” Naona said as the kids continued to go back and forth. “But the girl says that you are right. The Trickster never follows through on his word. And even the King on High cannot protect them from the evil god. She worries that they’ve been lied to.”
“They have,” Sara said.
“If they want to save their people, then they’ll hear me out and do exactly as I tell them,” I said.
Naona translated, and a heavy silence fell on the room as the two teens stared at each other. They must have grown up together, because they had an entire conversation with just their eyes, though it was easy to see that the girl was winning the argument. The boy finally nodded and motioned for me to go ahead, though the sour expression on his face said that he still didn’t trust me.
“Okay,” I said and took a deep breath. “This is going to be a hard one to swallow, but trust me that this is the only way to save everyone on the island. The Trickster has clearly convinced the king that young sacrifices are needed and that he can contain the plague, but that’s not how disease works. And don’t you think that the Trickster is going to be angry after being ignored for so many years?”
Naona relayed what I said, and realization dawned on the boy’s face. He went on a long rant that was so fast that even Naona looked confused for a second, and the girl hushed him with a nervous look at the door. He nodded and quieted down, but the way he stared at me had shifted completely as if I was his savior.
“What was he saying?” Sara asked.
“He was telling a very old story about the Trickster,” the purple-eyed woman said. “About when he was angry and convinced a chief to sacrifice his beloved daughter to end a drought. It worked, and the people had fields full of food, but then colrasas came and ate everything, and that drew the larger colrasas from further inland. Everyone was devoured and blood soaked the field. That’s why the ground in this valley is red. It is said that the Trickster lured the evil colrasas as punishment.”
“Naturally,” I said in a dry tone. “The gods are the same in my world. At least, the legends are. It’s the same all over the world. Once a god is angry, there’s always revenge. Not that I’ve ever actually seen one of these gods.”
“He sounds like the Governor General,” Sara huffed.
“So,” I said and looked back at the sacrifices. “They’re both on board?”
“Yes,” Naona said.
“Great,” I said and clapped my hands together. “Here’s the plan. Our friend outside will help them escape into the forest tonight. When it’s discovered that they’re gone in the morning, I’ll be there to offer my services. I’ll promise to have them back in time for the ritual. We’ll go find them and bring them back. The only people at the top of the pyramid will be the King on High and the priests. Once we’re alone, we can take them out and be gone before the soldiers can come get us. And these two will be free to go back to their village where they’ll be safe, and the plague will have been stopped.”
It took a little while for Naona to be able to translate everything, and the two teens had a ton of questions that the purple-eyed woman answered for me. I was pretty sure that most of them involved whether or not they should trust me or not, because the tribal woman nodded several times and even gestured a few times as well. She must have convinced them that the crazy plan would work, because they both looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in unison.
“They’re almost positive that we’ll all die,” Naona said. “But they say that an Anglishman with a racasar is better than the Trickster. And they’ve promised to kill you if you betray them.”
“Naturally,” I said in a dry tone.
A deep voice came from the doorway, and Naona turned to the doorway to see the giant guard poke his head in. The sacrifices responded with bright smiles, and the big man stomped in with a glare until he was about halfway through, and then he grinned from ear to ear and said something to the sacrifices and Naona.
“He’ll sneak them out before dawn,” she said. “But it’s time for us to go. We’ve been assigned to the racasar stables. Cleaning up after them.”
“Naturally,” I rolled my eyes and then turned as another guard came in.
The giant gestured to me and said something in an irritated tone while the sacrifices gave Sara and I their best disgusted faces. They made it seem like they really couldn’t stand us, and for a brief moment, I wondered if everything up to that point had been a trick, but then the big man motioned for us to leave and flashed a small smile when the other guard looked away.
“They’re going to show us to the stables,” Naona informed us as the two guards led us out. “And we’ve apparently passed the test since we didn’t try to kill the sacrifices.”
“Do we get our weapons back?” Sara asked. “I rather liked that blade.”
“I doubt it,” I said. “But we’ll get different ones when this is all over.”
“I suppose,” the colonial woman frowned. “But it would be nice to have the one that Butler gave me.”
“I’ll find you another one that’s even better,” the child said as he popped up beside the stables.
The giant patted Butler on the shoulder, said something to the other guard, and then led the way back to the sacrifices as if the kid was now our keeper. It could’ve been a lot worse, especially since there weren’t a lot of people around the racasar paddock, though that probably had something to do with the dinosaurs inside that looked like they’d gone ten rounds with Liberty. And lost.
“So?” Butler asked with a hopeful smile.
“It’s on,” I said with a bright smile.
All we had to do next was wait for the alarm.
And convince the King on High to let me hunt for the escaped sacrifices.
Chapter 16
“Finished,” I sighed with relief.
The raptor stables had been scrubbed until they practically sparkled, but the stench of blood and crap still lingered in the air. Every muscle in my body ached as the girls and I finally threw out the last bucket of dirty water, but at least the day was done, and we could officially turn in. The dinosaurs were still out in their fenced-off play area, so at least they hadn’t hung over us while we did our work.
I’d been a little worried at first that they’d try to eat us once the guards left the paddock, but Naona had assured me that they’d ignore us just like the ones in her village ignored the workers. Even so, I’d been happy when the girls’ raptors had hung out near the wide entryway like sentries, and the other dinosaurs had given them a wide berth rather than risk a fight. I strolled over to pat them both on the neck as I watched the other giant lizards trot around without a care in the world.
“Did you guys finish yet?” Butler asked as walked up to the fence.
“Yeah,” I waved and headed over to the kid. “Where can we wash up and get something to eat?”
Butler blanched at the question and glanced over his shoulder as if one of the nearby guards might overhear us. The men had been stationed there for the last few hours, but none of them had been brave enough to get close to the raptors, especially when the dinosaurs started to nip at each other. The kid nodded in respect to the men and then rolled his eyes as he turned back around to look at me.
“Strictly speaking, you’re supposed to just sleep in the barn at the back of the property,” he said. “But I can bring some food and something to boil water so you can wash up.”
“That would be fine,” I said. “As long as I can get the smell off of me.”
“You’ll have someone watching you the entire night,” he whispered. “The King on High expected the raptors to eat you, but since they didn’t, you are allowed to stay on as their handlers for now.”
“Such an honor,” I rolled my eyes.
“Isn’t it, though?” he said and laughed.
It was the first time that Butler had actually looked like a kid since I’d met him, but the moment passed, and the somber expression fell back into place. The boy had been through too much for someone so young, and I knew then that I would give him a place in our home once everything was all over. I was sure that Sara would be okay with that, and it would give him a way to stay informed about our plans against the Anglish.
“Where are Naona and Sara?” Butler asked as he looked around. “I know their mounts wouldn’t let them be harmed, which is probably why you’re all still alive.”
“They’re giving extra special care to their mounts’ new home,” I snorted and motioned to the stables. “Something about wanting them to be comfortable until it was time to leave.”
Worry flashed through me as my attention shifted to the woods at the valley’s edge. Liberty was still out there all by herself, and I had to fight the urge to go check on the massive dinosaur. She’d survived on her own long before I’d come around, and there was no doubt in my mind that the raptor could survive one night, even if it was hard to leave her behind.
“Butler!” Sara exclaimed as she and Naona emerged from the stables. “I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my entire life. Please tell me that you have a hot bath waiting for me?”
“No, ma’am,” the boy said with a grave nod. “But I can bring you dinner and a cauldron so that you can boil your own water for a bath. I might even be able to find some of the eucalyptus soap that the locals like so much.”
“That would be amazing, thank you,” the colonial woman said with a relieved smile.
“Are you here to show us to our quarters?” Naona asked.
“Yes,” he said and then motioned to the gate. “Please follow me. I’m afraid that they aren’t the most luxurious quarters, but they’ll get you through the night.”
“Where are you staying?” I asked. “And do you have access to food?”
“I’m being well taken care of,” he said and grinned from ear to ear. “But thanks for asking. Most people don’t.”
I nodded and glanced over my shoulder as the two guards from earlier were replaced by two more guards. They exchanged a few words in their language, glared at us, and then clapped their hands together in a warrior’s handshake like soldiers going to war. I rolled my eyes and then turned my attention back to where Butler was leading us.
The barn wasn’t too far from the stables, and I could smell the hay long before we walked through the tall doors. It was all made from the same red clay that made up most of the buildings in the city, and there were some strange goat-like creatures gathered on one end near a water trough. I eyed their sharp horns as Butler motioned to a wide bay scattered with hay and empty feed buckets.
“This will be your bed for the night,” Butler said with an apologetic smile.
“Better than being outside,” I said with a reassuring smile. “I’ve slept in far worse.”
“As have I,” Sara said.
“You’ve done well,” Naona said with a dimpled grin.
“I’ll be back with the cauldron and some food,” he said with renewed energy.
The boy ran off, and I turned to look at our new surroundings. There was at least a door to keep the goats out during the night, because the last thing I wanted was one of those little bastards to ram me while I was asleep. Goats had always been hit or miss for me, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way that this particular group didn’t like me, especially when I saw just how sharp their horns were.
“I’m going to get some water,” Sara said with a determined expression. “There was a well right outside. I’m sure that we could all use something to drink.”
“I’ll get the fire started,” Naona said. “There should be a fire pit on the side of the barn. We can use it to heat the water to bathe.”
“And I’ll get the hay ready to sleep in,” I said with a glance at the guards near the barn doors. “We just have to get through tonight. And hope that our friend and the sacrifices keep their word.”
The girls nodded, and I turned to get to work while they did the same. The hay was surprisingly soft compared to the stuff that I’d experienced back home, and exhaustion started to wash over me long before Sara came in to get me for dinner. Naona and the colonial woman had already cleaned up, and Butler had even managed to find each of us some fresh clothing.
We sat in silence as the guards watched us eat the scraps that Butler had brought for us, but at least they hadn’t chained us, and neither of them got close enough to hit us. I was sure that the King on High had something else planned to humiliate us besides cleaning the raptor paddock, but his plans would be derailed by morning, when mine kicked in. The girls and I all headed to bed a little after sunset, and sleep washed over me as soon as my eyes were closed while Naona took the first watch.
A high-pitched flute-like sound woke me after what felt like seconds, and I sat upright to look around for any attackers. Sara was already awake and waved excitedly as my brain worked to remember where I was. Gray light poured through the open barn doors, and I realized that the girls had let me sleep through the night instead of waking me for the watch.
“Your breakfast is ready,” Sara said and handed me a giant strawberry with some freshly baked bread. “Butler brought the bread this morning. It’s very sweet. I’ve already had mine. Naona has as well. She just went to get water.”
“I’m back,” the purple-eyed woman said as the guards escorted her into the bay. “Apparently something has gone wrong. The entire city is on lockdown.”
“Like invaders?” I asked as if I didn’t already know the answer to the question. “I can’t believe the Anglish could have made it this far. Besides, it’s not like they know about the plague. And even if they did, the Governor General is way too stupid. I sincerely doubt that he’d believe someone even if they did tell him about the plague.”
“I’m not sure what’s happening,” Naona replied and shrugged.
“Well, I’ll finish my breakfast,” I said and stretched. “And then I guess we should return to the stables.”
One guard glowered in my direction as if hearing me speak Anglish grated on his ears, but the other nodded in approval. I hoped it was enough to convince the guard that I had nothing to do with the sacrifices’ escape, so the King on High would have no reason to question me when I offered my services. Of course, guards had been on duty just outside the barn all night, so there was no way we could have helped the sacrifices escape. The guards were our best alibis, though it was still only a matter of time before we were called in for questioning.
“We have company,” Sara muttered a few minutes later.
I glanced up and saw that the giant from Naona’s village was walking toward the barn. I would’ve said he looked peeved, but that seemed to be his normal state.
“The King on High demands to see the Anglishmen,” the giant boomed from the barn doors. “Now.”
“Showtime,” I said.
I stuffed the last bit of bread into my mouth, hopped up, and followed after the guard. I could feel the girls were right behind me, and when I glanced back, I saw that Sara even managed to look nervous. Not that it was hard to fake with all the armed soldiers running around the palace grounds like chickens with their heads cut off. I reached over to give Sara’s hand a reassuring squeeze as we stepped into the main hall, and then I donned my best scared face.
“You!” the King on High shouted as soon as he saw us. “You had something to do with this!”
“With what?” Naona asked and blinked in apparent confusion. “What has happened, my king?”
The king tugged on his trimmed beard so hard that a few curls came out, but the pain seemed to bring the man back from the edge. His dark eyes were as crazed as a frightened cheetah’s, and there was no doubt in my mind that he’d be just as deadly when cornered. The King on High stomped down the stairs from his golden throne, glowered at all three of us, and then turned on our guards.
There was a quick argument in their language, but it was clear that the king wanted an account of our whereabouts during the night, and he wasn’t happy when the guards confirmed that we hadn’t gone anywhere. The King on High paced back and forth across the hall and then turned as the soldier from the day before rushed in. The guards tensed as if they were about to be punished, but then their ruler waved them away with a sharp command.
“What’s going on?” I asked in mock confusion. “Are the Anglish coming? Or is there some other enemy? Are the colrasas attacking?”
“Are you telling me that you don’t know?” the king asked as he whirled around to stare at me. “That you didn’t have something to do with the sacrifices escaping on the day that they were to be given to the gods?”
