Outside the stables, night had descended on Harval, and bright lamps illuminated the walls of the buildings. Galiana led them up a path, and before long, they traversed cobbled, drain-lined roads next to cliff homes. They encountered few people on the streets as most of the populace had retired to their homes. Those they came across wore thick fur coats and hats. Ancel shivered despite his clothing. The temperature had dropped considerably, the wind wailing through the pass. In counterpoint to the slight reek of the drains along the streets, the air was refreshing on the bridges. The incessant work at the smiths continued as if the day had only just begun. Higher and higher they went, crisscrossing from one side to the other. Below them, the town sparkled, lamps and windows like small lightflies.
Soon, they stood in front of a four-storied structure, a sign outside proclaiming it to be the Stoneman’s Inn. Shin Galiana pulled open the door, and held it while they passed inside. The soft tinkle of music and shaded lamps greeted them. Ryne had to duck to enter. Mirza found it funny and copied Ryne’s entrance, which held its own humor because the door dwarfed Mirza. Ancel smiled.
They stood in a spacious, plain room with several stone benches against a wall. A table, made of smooth, milky-white stone, dominated one side of the room. Ancel had never seen the like. A buxom woman with earth-colored hair sat behind it.
The woman’s eyes grew round at seeing Ryne and narrowed when they took in Charra. But when her gaze reached Shin Galiana, her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She jumped to her feet, smoothing her blue dress.
“Blessed Shin, welcome to the Stoneman.” She bowed from the waist. “I’m Hylda. One moment please, I will fetch Master Gebbert.”
Before Shin Galiana could utter a word, the woman had slipped through a door behind her.
Glass lamps hung from metal braces around the room. No flames flickered within the glass. Ancel crossed the room and examined one of the lamps. He could feel the heat from it, but still could not discern any actual flames. A red hue emanated from within. Even without his Matersense, he understood. He sucked in a breath and turned to Mirza.
“I know. Firelamps,” his friend said with a grin that he soon wiped away.
Ancel started to reply when a man with a chest like double doors, bright eyes and a mouth that snarled when he smiled, entered the room with Hylda at his heels. Burn scars crawled down the side of his face until they disappeared under his shirt. The skin was blotchy and layered in a few places where it had grown over itself several times, leaving that side of his face leathery.
The man ignored Ancel’s stare. He gave a small start when his gaze took in Ryne before he composed himself. “Welcome, Shin Galiana. Hylda, prepare the steam baths.” With a frown in Ryne’s direction, he added, “And the pool.” The good half of his face twisted in distaste at the sight of Charra. “We don’t normally allow animals, Blessed Shin.”
“Make an exception in this case,” Galiana said. “Charra is a well-mannered daggerpaw.”
Gebbert sighed. “Come, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Shin Galiana thanked the innkeeper. They followed him through to the next room. This time, Ryne did not need to duck.
They entered a circular walkway where the music’s volume increased. Loud laughter and the buzz of conversation mixed with the tinkle of dishes. Mirza signaled for Ancel to follow him next to the chest-high wall on their left. He copied his friend and peered over the side.
The inn had nine floors in all, five below them, all lined with similar walkways. Pillars supported each floor at specific intervals. Flights of stairs on opposite sides led to landings. The walls, pillars, and floors were all of the same smooth, white stone. Ancel rubbed his hand along it. Marble.
“The Stoneman is one of the most expensive Inns in Harval.” Mirza had a twinkle in his eyes. “And the most fun.”
The expanse of the bottom floor contained the common room, filled with dancing and carousing patrons. The Whitewater Inn could easily fit inside the Stoneman ten times over. Liveried servers bustled from table to table to patrons, and on a marble stage, a scantily clad woman danced and sang.
She swayed seductively, her melodious voice like the sweet tinkles of a chime, as she sang to the strumming of a harpist sitting behind her. Seeing her dance immediately sparked memories of Kachien and Irmina. Would he see either of them again?
Mirza snickered. “That,” he said, pointing at the girl as if she did not stand out, “is one of the reasons I love this place.”
Ancel reluctantly turned away from the wall and hurried to catch up with the others, Mirza chuckling next to him as they continued on their way.
“Master Faber,” Gebbert said, “I would welcome you downstairs, but your father gave me a scolding the last time. The man has a tongue like salted steel.”
Disappointment flashed across Mirza’s face, but one look from Shin Galiana wiped it away. Ancel grinned at his friend this time as they reached the stairs and went up several flights.
“Ah, Master Gebbert,” Shin Galiana said, as if she just remembered something. “I heard that a few Ashishin have visited Harval. Are they at the town hall?”
Gebbert shook his head. “I see old Master Ewald has been blabbering again. No, Shin Galiana, they aren’t.”
“Oh?”
“Each one was dispatched to a weaponsmith. From what the smithies been saying, they’re helping the Imbuers. I’ve never seen this many divya. Not in my lifetime. Some say it’s the Luminance War all over again.”
Shin Galiana had a thoughtful look on her face. “Thank you, Master Gebbert.”
“Well, here we are, Shin Galiana, these are the only two rooms left. Yours is down the hall, one door over.”
“Two are more than enough.” Galiana’s brows were drawn together in a tight frown. Ancel wondered what troubled her.
“They’re both royal suites,” Gebbert added, the good half of his face beaming, “usually reserved for dignitaries and such. I can have some attendants bring over a couple of beds for the young men.”
Shin Galiana shook herself. “Thank you again.”
“You’re most welcome.” The innkeeper hesitated.
“Yes?”
“I’d be careful around the other Ashishin if I were you, Shin Galiana.” Gebbert paused.
“Continue,” Galiana encouraged.
He cleared his throat. “Two months ago, several Pathfinders and a High Shin, think his name was Cantor, came to Harval. They were asking after you four.”
A sense of panic grew in Ancel’s chest. Mirza hissed.
“Are they still here?” Galiana asked.
“No, but almost everyone knows they were looking for you. Especially with him.” He nodded to Ryne. “Not too many fit the description of a giant with tattoos. If I were you, I’d leave as soon as I can. Harval may be a neutral town and all, but it’s only a matter of time before someone sends word to the Tribunal.”
Galiana nodded, her lips drawing into a tight line. “Well then, Gebbert, pass the word among the Matii here. Reclamation has come.”
Chapter 37
Three months. Irmina let out a resigned sigh as she stared out the stained glass windows. From her vantage, the Iluminus’ eastern spires and towers spread like shiny javelins. Beyond the structures and the latticework walkways, the Vallum of Light was a white serpent devouring the darkened countryside. Within the city, the resonance of the essences imbued in the fabric that made up every structure took on a soft, muted glow. As usual, not a shadow formed within the vast city. A reassurance of the superiority of the Streams, of Ilumni’s blessing, of the strength of light and heat, and yet, the luminosity failed to shed light where darkness resided. Within the hearts of men.
Three months and still no sign of Ancel, Ryne, and whoever else had been with them. Not even the slightest hint that the link she had with him ever existed. She wondered if it had even been real. By the time the other search party had come close to retaking the Eldanhill refugees, they’d crossed from the territory near the Kelvore River and into Doster proper. Rather than spark more animosity, they had retreated to avoid a clash with the waiting Dosteri army.