against Hierem, then we’ll come back to this conversation again, okay? And I’ll at least know more about the layout of his rooms-we won’t be going in blind.”
She stayed stiff for a moment, but then he saw the cords in her neck soften.
“Okay,” she said. “Don’t get yourself killed.”
“I won’t,” he said. He hesitated, and then leaned forward to kiss her, but she drew back.
“Not now,” she said. “I-just not now.”
“That’s fine,” he said, feeling something twist in his gut.
It was still twisting when he was back out in the sewers. Did she think she’d made a mistake? Did she regret what they had done? If so, he ought to be relieved. It wasn’t like they were going to get married, raise children, and live in the country. There was no sort of future for them, and pretending there was would only make them stupid now, when they needed all their wits about them.
But it didn’t make him feel any better, and it took him longer than usual to find his way into the darkness that few could see into. But he finally got there, and made his mind as clear as it could be, and moved to the secret door that led into Hierem’s private office and quarters. The key fit, turned, and the door opened.
And, as in the house of Delia Huerc, there was something waiting for him.
SEVEN
Attrebus jumped back with an inchoate shout, reaching for his sword, but of course it wasn’t there. He realized his hands were up in a defensive position, and left them there.
“Who is it?” he demanded, backing quickly toward the light of his room.
“I-I’m sorry,” a woman stammered. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Well, you did,” he said. “Sneaking around in the dark-who are you?”
Her face appeared then, a young woman, probably about his age, with golden hair and a quirky, wide mouth and very blue eyes. He’d seen her before, at dinner.
“My name is Irinja,” she said. “I’m just a serving maid.”
“What were you doing outside my door?”
“I made up your room,” she said, moving a bit more into the light. He saw that she was wearing a heavily quilted robe and thick, knitted footwear. “I was just coming to make sure everything is good for you.” She looked up boldly. “Anyway,” she went on, “it looked as if you were about to do a bit of sneaking on your own.”
“Why didn’t you have a lamp, or something?”
“I grew up here, sir. I know these halls like I know my own toes. Besides, I have excellent vision at night. They say I get it from my grandfather.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding. “Everything is fine. The room is acceptable.”
“Good,” she said, but continued to stand there.
“That’s it, then,” he said. “Thanks for your concern.”
“Right,” she said, nodding. “I’ll just be going.”
“Good, then.”
She started to turn, but then spun back.
“What are you really about, your highness?” she asked. “I won’t tell anyone, I swear.”
“What?” he managed.
“No one else reads in this bloody castle,” she said. “They really don’t have a clue who you are. They completely fell for your story. But I’ve read every adventure about you I could get my hands on.”
Attrebus felt a peculiar warmth steal over his face, and realized he was blushing. “Listen,” he said, “I think you’ve mistaken me-”
“Don’t you dare!” she said. “You’re not really going to lie to me and tell me you’re some sort of horker- watcher? I’d know your likeness anywhere.”
He sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to be convinced. “Very well,” he said. “But you really mustn’t tell anyone my true identity.”
“I knew it,” she said. “You’re incognito, on some sort of adventure, aren’t you?”
“Well, now that you bring it up,” Attrebus said, “yes, I am. And it’s of a very secret nature.”
“Oh, I want to help,” she said. “Surely I can be of help.”
As he was considering that, he saw a ghostly face appear over her shoulder. The smoldering eyes were those of Sul, and in that instant he felt the girl’s life was hanging by a thread. He shook his head violently.
“Oh, please?” she said, mistaking the object of his gesture.
“Come in,” he replied. “Shut the door.”
“Your highness,” she murmured, lowering her eyes, “I hope you don’t take me for the sort of girl-”
“No, no,” he said. “I just want this conversation to be private.”
“Well-okay, then.”
She stepped in and closed the door, but even before she did, Sul was no longer visible.
“Irinja, you say?”
“Yes, highness.”
“Okay, Irinja. The first thing is you have to stop calling me highness, or prince, or anything like that. I’m Uriel-do you have that?”
“Yes, hi-Uriel.”
“Good. The next thing-tell me about this place. You say you grew up here. Tell me about Lord Sathil. I’m puzzled that I haven’t met him.”
“Well, he’s changed,” she said. “When I was a little girl, he was always around, always in good cheer. We all went on excursions to the sea, and in the summer played bowling on the lawns. My brother used to hunt with him. It was nice, back then.”
“And now?”
“Well-things happened,” she said. “He’s not the same now. He hardly ever comes out. But he doesn’t mistreat us. You shouldn’t think that.”
“Things happened? What sort of things?”
Irinja looked uncomfortable. “I’m not really supposed to say,” she replied. “Nobody talks about it.”
“You said you wanted to help me,” he reminded her.
“And I do,” she replied. “But if this is about Lord Sathil…”
“I mean Sathil no harm,” Attrebus assured her. “Or anyone here.”
“There are just things we don’t like to talk about,” she said, sighing.
“Okay,” he said. “Have a seat. I’m going to explain to you why I’m here, but it will take some time.”
“Very well,” she said.
And so he told her about Umbriel and its undead army, and Annaig, and how he and Sul had gone through Oblivion, first to Morrowind and now here. He showed her his scar.
When he was done, she looked down at her knees.
“You’ve come here for the sword, then,” she said. “For Umbra.”
“Yes. Because I believe it is the only thing that can stop Umbriel.”
“Don’t tell anyone else that,” she said softly. “Don’t ask about the sword at all.”
“Why?”
She looked up at him. “I want to help you,” she said. “But I have to think.”
“Listen,” he said. “Every moment we wait, more people die, and the more soldiers the enemy has. Minutes are precious, days are treasures.”
“I know,” she said. “But I can’t just-I have to think.”
“Will you come back here, tomorrow night?”
She nodded. “It’s probably the only time we wouldn’t be noticed and heard.”
“Good, then,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She left, and when he was certain she was gone, he went next door to Sul’s room.
Sul was waiting for him.
