Lukien and Mirage had made themselves at home in the library. Lukien bunked with the other officers, while Mirage had become comfortable with Breck’s own wife and family, who shared a large chamber with some other civilians. It was not an unpleasant arrangement for Lukien, who had long ago become accustomed to quartering with soldiers. He quickly began to enjoy their company, and the excuse it gave him to avoid Mirage. Since coming to the library they had spent very little time together, and when they did, mostly at meal-time, Lukien tried very hard not to sit with her or encourage her in any way. He had hoped that coming to Koth would somehow convince her that he did not love her and never would, and that she would see the truth of this and leave on her own. She did not. There was, Lukien supposed, nowhere for her to go.
On the morning of their sixth day in Koth, Lukien awoke while many of his new comrades were still asleep. Aroused by a disturbing dream that he could not remember once his eyes opened, he quickly dressed and left the chamber, hungry for some fresh air. A chill in the air made him grab his cloak, which he fixed hurriedly around his shoulders as he went through the quiet library. As he suspected, the sun was just coming up, burning off the haze of dawn. A handful of hearty people had already risen and started their day’s work, and as he passed them Lukien greeted them with polite smiles. As he made his way out of doors, he suddenly remembered bits of his dream. The unpleasant images drove him into the courtyard, which was completely deserted and wonderfully silent.
Lukien paused and considered the rising sun creeping above the city. Library Hill was surprisingly high. This morning, it seemed to tower over the whole world. As the sun spread its warmth Lukien let it touch his face. He smiled, glad to be awake and out of his cramped chambers. He had dreamed of Grimhold and of all the friends there he’d left behind. He had dreamed that the raiders had conquered Jador and taken Gilwyn prisoner, and no one knew if the boy was alive or dead, not even Minikin.
‘Just a dream,’ Lukien whispered, calming himself. He drew his cloak closer around his shoulders, surprised by the nip in the air. He began to walk, not really caring where he was going, hoping to exorcise his dark thoughts. Since coming to the library, he had never seen the courtyard abandoned, and realised suddenly how long it had been since he had truly been alone. The solitude relaxed him. It seemed like forever since he’d been free, since he’d not been obliged to anyone else, since the Eye of God ruled his life. .
He paused. Glancing down, he touched the amulet beneath his clothing and felt the round outline of its pulsing ruby. If he removed it, he would die. Not quickly, perhaps, though Cassandra had died quickly. But die he would; Minikin had promised it. Just for a moment, he wanted to remove it.
Just for a moment. .
There was a world beyond the one he knew. There was a realm where spirits like the Akari dwelt, and life did not just end the way a candle flame died when snuffed out. Life went on, Minikin had told him, in some strange world beyond this one. What did it matter then if he wore the amulet or not? What difference would his death make?
What difference had his life made?
It was not a question Lukien enjoyed. For now, at least, his life had a purpose — to save Thorin from the Devil’s Armour. And according to Amaraz — his own Akari — the means to do so existed. Somewhere.
‘So, Amaraz? Are you listening to me? Can you hear my thoughts?’
Lukien kept his hand on the amulet. He felt its warmth and knew it was alive with Amaraz’s power. Still, he felt nothing from the spirit, not even the smallest acknowledgment.
‘Will you ignore me forever?’ he asked.
The Akari gave no reply.
‘You are a hateful creature and I despise you,’ said Lukien. ‘And when I am done with this quest I will rip you from my throat and toss you into the ocean. Oh, I might die, yes, but so will you, Amaraz, in a way. You’ll have to live on forever encased in this blasted thing, maybe in the belly of a shark or stuck in the mucky sea bottom. How will you like that I wonder?’
Perhaps the Akari was accustomed to his curses, for again he spoke not at all. Lukien sneered and took his hand from the amulet.
‘Damn you forever, Amaraz.’
He continued walking, leaving the main yard and rounding the west side of the building, the side farthest from the city where the civilians quartered. Like the rest of the grounds the west side was quiet, still darkened by the long shadows of the library. A series of walls had been built across the grounds here to protect the civilians from attack. They were short walls, good for archers and crossbowmen and staggered to make them difficult to breach. A fair amount of planning had gone into their construction, impressing Lukien’s military mind. What surprised him most, however, was the unexpected sight of someone near them. Lukien stopped and looked across the yard, wondering why the man had awoken so early. He had a pile of stones near him and a barrow full of mortar and was hard at work on one of the walls, carefully laying stones then stepping back to check his work. He wore the uniform of a Royal Charger, but without the long, formal coat. Instead he had his shirt sleeves rolled up and stains on his trousers. His intense expression kept him from noticing Lukien even as Lukien came closer.
‘Good morning,’ Lukien offered, coming to a stop not far from the man. Startled, the fellow turned to reveal his young face. He did not seem perturbed by the interruption, only curious. ‘You’re up early,’ Lukien continued. ‘I thought I was the only one.’
The man lowered the stone in his hand and studied Lukien. It was the kind of look Lukien was used to, especially from younger Chargers. ‘You’re the Bronze Knight,’ he said.
‘You surprised me,’ said Lukien. ‘I don’t see any others eager to work this early.’
The man shrugged. ‘It has to get done, that’s all.’ He turned his attention back to his wall, which was roughly the height of his shoulders. Carefully he laid down the stone he was holding, setting it firmly into the mortar. ‘I heard you were here, Sir Lukien.’
‘But you didn’t come to see me. I thought I’d seen everyone by now.’ Lukien rubbed his hands together. ‘Cold. Why don’t you wait till it warms up a little?’
‘I like working on the walls. It’s important.’
‘They won’t keep out Jazana Carr’s army,’ said Lukien, thinking it best he tell the man the truth. ‘Not for long, anyway.’
‘I know about Jazana Carr’s army,’ replied the man. He turned to look at Lukien. ‘I was part of it once.’
Lukien smiled. ‘You’re Vanlandinghale,’ he said, understanding. ‘Breck told me about you. You were with Jazana in Norvor. One of her mercenaries.’
‘That’s right. For almost a year.’ Vanlandinghale smiled back. ‘I’m not an expert on her, though. Not like you or Baron Glass.’
‘Hmm, I hear challenge in your tone, fellow. Go on — say whatever’s on your mind. You won’t offend me.’
‘No, Sir Lukien, I have no argument with you — or with Baron Glass. I just have a wall to build, that’s all.’
‘Then you should know it won’t work,’ said Lukien. ‘You know how strong she is — these walls can’t protect us.’
‘Maybe not,’ said Vanlandinghale. ‘But you should know how stupid it was for Baron Glass to go see the queen. Everybody should know that, but they don’t. Instead they’re waiting around, hoping for Baron Glass to make things right. Sometimes I think I’m the only one who realises what danger we’re still in. That’s why I’m building the wall, Sir Lukien.’