The Peaks of Autumn: Book of Never #4

Australia

Chapter 1.

Tsolde threw an apple over her shoulder.

The red orb spun through the air. Never stretched to catch it, the hard skin slapping into his palm. He ignored the slight twinge in his thigh as he lowered his arm. You’d be more accurate if you faced your target, you know, he said before crunching into the fruit. A wind had picked up where they climbed the mountain trail, needles falling from the tall pine trees.

She tossed her curls. The next one will give you a black eye.

Luis laughed from where he brought up the rear.

Never took another bite, slurping at the juice. Well you can pay for your own. I didn’t use the last of my silver to put up with such wanton insubordination.

Tsolde offered no response, adjusting the pack and striding on – though she probably rolled her eyes first. He grinned. The pack, along with his own and Luis’ packs, were filled with supplies for the Folhan Range’s perilous Iron Pass. Ropes, lamp oil, torches, even small hand shovels and a pick axe, along with food and water – though he’d also rely on mountain streams.

Leaving the Silver City had been easy enough – and now that he’d put a few days between himself and its walls of stone, he wondered whether Snow had taken a hand in the ease of escape? A fire had started south of the palace, drawing much attention from the guards, attention which was already focused around the damaged Temple of Jyan, and allowing Never to lead his small group through an underground passage.

Another expense that drained his purse. But then, had the innkeeper of the Silver Bell not told them where to find a man willing to sell a discreet way out of the city, they might not have escaped at all. Especially with his leg slowing them – yet today, it moved easily. Only minor quibbles; he was close to fully healed, most of the stitches had already fallen out. Elina had been right – he was healing too quickly.

Still, speed was important and if abnormal-healing helped, so be it. Prince Jenisan would surely send men in all directions. What Never wanted to know was whether the Prince would join the chase himself? With his father’s death and a kingdom to protect from rebels and the ever-greedy Vadiya, it seemed unlikely.

And more, how would Elina and her grandfather fare?

Never, I hear riders, Luis said.

Off the road. Never ran for a stand of trees and lay in the undergrowth to peer through the branches. Tsolde and Luis were not far behind – barely a heartbeat passed after they settled before the riders appeared.

Steel clanked and the jingle from harnesses were audible beneath the pounding of hooves. The riders charged on, steel flashing, soon disappearing beyond a bend in the trail. Never swore softly. Steelhawks. What were they doing? On their way over the mountain to continue filtering down into Marlosa? Or, searching for someone?

They’re after me, Tsolde said, her mouth set. Bastards; they don’t give up, do they?

Never nodded. They’re quite disciplined. He stood, brushing leaves from his tunic and pants before striking a parallel course to the road, keeping within the treeline. Luis and Tsolde followed. What makes you think they were for you? he asked her as they resumed walking.

Floriak met with them. I told you; they want the port. It saves them a long overland journey. She kicked at a stone. I told him I didn’t want them staying in my inn and he hit me, Never.

He stopped. What? You didn’t say that before.

The bruise is gone. She shrugged. He tried to lock me up but Augim... she trailed off. Tsolde had offered little about her escape but Augim hadn’t survived, Never knew that much.

But it hadn’t been without a cost to Floriak either; somehow she’d stolen his purse and then his horse on the way out.

And you think he wants you that badly?

She met his gaze. When he looked at me it was clear what he wanted.

He put a hand on her shoulder. If that was the case... then what trouble was it truly, for the man to tell Steelhawks – men who were already heading to Marlosa – to keep an eye out for Tsolde? I’m proud of what you did.

I had no choice.

Well, you do now, he said. He glanced at Luis. Both had a choice now. And you, Luis. Was it right? Could he really take them both into whatever danger lay ahead? Snow would use them as leverage; Never knew that. And of course there was Jenisan too, who would punish them for travelling with Never.

And his curse... he had more control of his blood now but accidents were accidents for a reason; they disdained the illusion of control.

The treasure-hunter shook his head. I’m staying, Never. You’ve tried this before, on Ferne’s ship and at the Silver Bell – you’re stuck with me.

Never had to smile, even as a twinge of fear tugged at his heart. Could he truly protect Luis? And Tsolde both? Or was it vanity that let him believe it?

What about you, My Lady?

Tsolde folded her arms. You’re not leaving me in some mountain village in the middle of nowhere. I can handle myself.

Then it’s settled; we’d better keep going, he said. The way my luck has been changing of late, Jenisan will be the next one up the trail.

Chapter 2.

The dark, purple mass of mountain peaks roared up to the sky; the rising autumn wind trapped there, moans hidden within. It whipped at Never’s cloak and cast hair into his eyes. He’d cut it when they stopped for the evening; if the mountain decided to let them survive.

A deep chasm plummeted down one side of the winding road. Though it was wide enough for wagonloads of iron and silver to run down to City-Sedrin, he fancied the wind was trying to pull him toward the drop.

Naught but a fancy; yet it seemed the kind of trick the Gods would play.

He shook his head. Even if Snow believed the Gods were gone... who else would revel in such misfortune? Perhaps it was Never’s own bitterness that sought something to blame. A familiar routine.

We need to find shelter, Luis shouted. He pointed to their back trail. Black clouds massed – an autumn storm. Grand. Never nodded, and pushed into the air current, squinting at the dust. Tsolde walked beside him, using his bigger frame as a partial shield. Even so, she soon had to fight for every step.

He steered her nearer the rockface and continued climbing. There was a cave somewhere ahead, yet what if the Steelhawks had already taken it? If luck held; the Vadiya would have already ridden beyond now that the storm had hit.

And if they turned back to seek shelter...

Well, that’s up to you, isn’t it? he murmured to the Gods. Pacela should be watching out for him. But then, the Steelhawks would have prayed for exactly the same thing from Osya. Maybe the dice would know? He could roll them, high for the cave, low to pass, but the storm would devour them if they risked pressing on.

When the cave mouth finally did come into view he signalled for Luis to watch Tsolde while he scouted. She frowned at him, saying something, but the wind snatched her words. Luis nodded and Never slunk around the bend. He kept himself close to rock but if anyone lurked within the darkness of the cave mouth, they’d see him approach.

The cave rested beneath an overhang where the mountain road widened. There was little to stop the gale when it blew across the face of the range, striking down from the east as now, but inside the cave lay a half-screen of wood and brush. A new feature. Whoever had built it knew their business.

Never slowed as he neared the opening. He drew a knife and let the blade hover over the back of his hand. His blood wouldn’t help if there were Steelhawks within. Or ten men of any country for that matter. At the best, he could draw them out and head away from Luis and Tsolde. Find a way back later.

He crept within; raising the dagger as his eyes adjusted.

Blackness resolved to grey, a stony floor underfoot. Further in lay a wide space with shelves cut into the stone. A ring of brick encircled years of ash and soot but there was no store of fuel for a fire.

Nor were there any people.

He sighed. Finally, some luck. He returned to the mouth of the cave and waved Luis and Tsolde into shelter.

*

Out of the storm, screen raised, it was possible to at least hear one another, even when the rain started. It slashed across the face of the opening, but could not reach them. They’d lined their packs before one wall. With no fuel for the fire, the best they could do was use bedrolls and cloaks as blankets and sit close together.

Tsolde put her water flask down. You haven’t told me what you’re looking for in the mountains above Marlosa.

Something to help with my curse, Never said.

I know that. But what is this thing exactly? How will it help?

Never shrugged. The Altar of Stars is the something I need to locate by the night of the new moon. It will help; that’s all I know. Snow had no reason to lie; but doubtless there would have been reasons he held back.

Luis looked up from where he was cleaning his nails with a belt knife. That’s all? The library had nothing else?

Time for another half-truth – how many had that been? And when would they all add up to a lie? Yet, to protect them it was still the best way. I was interrupted; but I did learn something else from the Amouni books – I can read some runes, after a fashion.

Like on the river? Luis asked.

More like being given images in my mind when I see them.

So what did you see? Tsolde asked. Her curiosity had not warn off since first learning of his curse as a child.

Nothing good.

You don’t have to hold back, Never. I thought we’d agreed.

Luis was grinning.

Never sighed. It’s not pleasant – but I’m not telling you only because there’s no reason to believe we’ll ever encounter what I saw. And yet, only a fool didn’t expect the worst. Such an attitude had saved him a great deal of disappointment over the years – not to mention keeping one step ahead of death. Always a nice side-effect to such pessimism.

Or realism.

You’re trying to spare us, she said. She pointed. I saw your expression; you’re not sure.

You don’t give up, do you? He shook his head. I saw a... creature in a cave. Like a skeleton with grey skin stretched over its bones. It faced off against one of my ancestors, who held two globes of blood, but there was no attack. I could tell that it wanted the man’s organs – but I don’t know what for, truly.

Her face had paled. In a cave?

Yes. He gave her a smile. But there’s no way to know which cave – or how old the vision was. You’ve lived in Hanik all your life – have you ever heard of such creatures in the Folhan Ranges?

A frown. No.

And neither have I.

Luis nodded to himself. Who’s to say such creatures didn’t die off centuries ago?

Exactly, Never said.

Tsolde still bore a furrow in her brow. But people have always been afraid of the Iron Pass. They say it’s haunted.

Never shrugged. It didn’t seem to be the last time I passed through.

She didn’t answer but Luis had another question. What can you tell us of the Pass? There’s a way through the collapse?

There is. The avalanches blocked most of it but Mal showed me and my brother the way, when we were young. Some passages within the mine are intact.

When did you last take it? Tsolde asked.

All was well two years past, he said.

And if it isn’t, this time?

We try the long way – the Silver Pass, and hope we are swift enough. And that we don’t all freeze to death in an early winter storm.

And once we emerge on the Marlosa side of the range? Where is the Altar?

I only know that it lies beyond the border. I have a feeling I’ll be able to sense it.

That’s all? Tsolde asked. Her expression was not one of confidence.

He grinned. You can head back down the mountain and try your luck with Jenisan and Floriak if you like.

She glowered at him. No, thank you.

"Then we’ll worry about the Iron Pass once we reach it. For now,