Book 2 - Chapter 19

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Mara panted an hour later, still out of breath. “They closed several of the roads for—”

“The prince, yeah,” Noah cut in, nodding. “We met.”

“You met?”

“Not on purpose.”

“What happened?”

“Let’s just say I share your opinion of him,” Noah replied. “He’s an idiot.”

She chuckled, peering past him into the visitor’s house. “Want to let me in? I have news.”

Raising an eyebrow, Noah stepped aside. She carried several leather‑bound books, loose papers, and pens. Ever the gentleman, he took her coat and hung it in the closet before leading her to the kitchen table, where Ciri sat.

“Hi, Ciri!” Mara said brightly.

“Hello, Mara,” Ciri replied, looking up from her books with interest. “What is that?”

Mara set her things down, unfolded the largest sheet—revealing a map—and answered, “I did some light research into Rennick Vael and found something interesting.”

“This is… light research?” Noah asked, gesturing at the pile.

“I had a little time over the last few days.” She flashed him a grin.

Shaking his head, he leaned over the map. “Okay. What are we looking at?”

“An enlarged view of Braemont, Crownspire, and the lands between,” Ciri said immediately, then pointed. “What do the colored dots represent?”

“Reported bandit attacks over the last five years. All two hundred and six of them. All known or suspected to be by the same group: the Tollmen.”

That’s where Lucien was killed. Noah’s jaw tightened.

“And Rennick Vael is connected to the Tollmen somehow?” Ciri asked.

“Very much so,” Mara said. “Vael is a broker. He takes money and requests, then finds people to do the things.”

“Illegal things,” Ciri clarified.

“Sometimes. He has enough legitimate dealings that nobles can justify associating with him. He’s very well connected.”

“I would like to know more about how he is linked to the warehouse and this specific crime,” Ciri said.

“That’s where I don’t have all the details yet,” Mara admitted. “What I do know is that someone hired Vael to kidnap people and transport them somewhere. He turned to the Tollmen, who carried it out.”

“Someone,” Noah repeated.

“Yes. I’m not sure who.” She tapped the books. “But I have enough evidence to prove Vael was involved.”

“This appears to be an opportune moment to involve the guard,” Ciri said. “They can perform an arrest, and—”

“A great idea,” Mara said quickly, shaking her head. “Unfortunately, I already did that late last night. By the time they got to his office, Vael was gone.”

“Someone tipped him off,” Noah growled.

“That’s my assumption too. Like I said—he’s very well connected. He even had time to set fire to his office and destroy any evidence. That just leaves the Tollmen.” She gestured at the map.

“You believe you can locate their base,” Ciri inferred.

“Exactly.” Mara pointed to the main road between Crownspire and Braemont. “See this stretch? Most of the attacks happened here. On either side for several kilometers are vælorin nests, and nobody wants to mess with them.” She tapped again. “Every single attack here was by the Tollmen. It’s the only safe passage between the cities, and that’s how they control the flow of illegal goods. Nothing passes through without them knowing. They probably have members elsewhere—dockworkers, for example—but the concentration and the fact that they like to steal from traders here – legitimate ones as well as illegal ones - suggests a base nearby. A sizable one. One that they’re using stolen goods to resupply.”

A cold rage settled over Noah. His hands curled into fists as he stared out the window. “Mara.”

She turned, eyes widening. “Are… you okay, Noah?”

“You said every single attack in that area was done by the Tollmen.”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure? Every one?”

“Yes.”

He finally looked at her. “I am burning that base to the ground and killing every one of them.”

“Not that I disagree, but… what’s gotten into you? I’ve never seen you like this.”

“They killed my brother there.”

Silence fell over the table.

“Noah, I… I am so, so sorry,” she whispered, stepping toward him.

He resisted for a moment as she wrapped her arms around him. Ciri joined from the other side, and he relented, holding them both. They stood like that for a full minute, staring down at the map.

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“I’ll help you,” Mara said, still holding him. “I don’t trust the city guards—some are clearly corrupt—but my family has a few private guards I trust. Professional and discreet.”

“I will also join you,” Ciri added.

“Neither of you have to. I don’t want to put you in danger.”

Ciri narrowed her eyes and switched to Fae. “Æven thyræl quoris velæn. I do not wish for you to be in danger either. And my presence will ensure you are in less danger, given that I can protect you.”

“I don’t know what she said, but I agree,” Mara said in Common. “We’re doing this together.”

He squeezed them both. “Æven thyræl quoris ænthor,” he murmured to Ciri, then looked at Mara. “Thank you. I appreciate you.”

They finally stepped back, and Mara spoke again. “We’ll need a plan. I don’t know exactly where the base is—just the general area. And I don’t want to risk disturbing a vælorin nest.”

I need Ken’s opinion, Noah thought, studying the map. Maybe even his help with the attack. An idea struck him.

“I need something from upstairs,” he blurted.

Before either woman could stop him, he jogged out and up the stairs. He opened Ken’s bedroom door and slipped inside. The elderly Fae looked up from his book, confused.

“I need Piper.”

He barely finished the sentence before the griffon darted out from behind the bed, scurrying toward him. She leapt into the air, and he caught her gently against his chest. Ken rose as Noah opened the door again.

“I might need you in a second,” Noah said quietly.

“With or without my knife?” Ken asked.

“Without. Just… listen for us.”

“I will,” Ken promised.

He moved down the stairs at a more measured pace, careful not to spook Piper. By the time he reached the bottom step, the sound of his heartbeat was loud enough to drown out Ciri and Mara’s voices, forcing him to slow. He took a steadying breath and looked down at the runt griffon in his arms. She met his gaze with a curious tilt of her head.

Alright, Lady Frostwing. Here’s hoping you were right.

With slow, deliberate steps, he walked back into the kitchen. Both women looked up. Mara’s eyes went wide at the sight of Piper, her jaw dropping. For several seconds she was uncharacteristically silent, mouth opening and closing without sound.

“This is Piper,” Noah said.

“That is…” Mara finally managed.

“She’s a griffon. A runt griffon, to be exact.”

“Incredible,” Mara whispered.

Piper wiggled her head from side to side, pleased with the attention.

“She’s intelligent,” Noah added. “She understands what we’re saying.”

“I… see.” Mara glanced between Ciri, Piper, and Noah. “How did you get her? And…I’m not trying to be rude, but why are you showing her to me now?”

“The answer to your first question involves a much longer story I’d rather not get into right now. To answer your second question though: it’s because I’m hoping Piper can help us. If we get close enough to the Tollmen’s base, I’m pretty sure she can lead us the rest of the way.” He paused. “But for obvious reasons, I’m hoping you can keep Piper a secret.”

“I promise,” she said immediately. “Whatever oath you want to hold me to, I’ll do it.”

Noah looked down at Piper. “What do you think?”

She blinked a few times, then scratched lightly at his arm. Understanding, he set her gently on the floor. She looked up at him once, then made a beeline for Mara, rubbing against her legs and purring.

“Can I… pet her?” Mara asked hesitantly.

“Don’t ask me.” Noah raised both hands. “Ask her.”

Piper looked up at Mara and bobbed her head enthusiastically. Mara reached out and stroked her back, and Piper shivered with delight. Her tail curled around Mara’s wrist, tugging her hand closer to encourage more petting.

Well, if Piper approves… Noah thought before turning to Ciri and switching to Fae. “I think we should bring your father downstairs.”

“Are you certain?” Ciri asked.

He weighed it for a moment, glancing between the two women. “You said we should ask her for something outside our arrangement. I just asked her to keep Piper a secret, and she agreed without hesitation. I think we can start opening up more to her.”

Ciri fiddled with a strand of hair, then nodded. “I agree. I will ask him to come down.”

She left the room, heading upstairs. Mara was so enthralled with scratching between Piper’s wings that she barely noticed her absence. It wasn’t until a minute later—when Ciri returned with Ken in tow—that she finally looked up.

“I’d like you to meet Oubryaeth Kenael’thir Qoræthis,” Noah said, gesturing to the elderly Fae.

“Ken is fine,” he said with a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mara.”

Mara reeled for a heartbeat but recovered quickly. “You as well.” She extended her hand.

He shook it, then turned to Noah. “So. You asked for me to come down?”

“Yes. Mara’s found the general area where a gang is operating—the gang that killed my brother and was kidnapping people.” Noah pointed to the section of the map she’d marked earlier, then met Ken’s eyes. “I want to kill them all.”

“Save for one or two prisoners to interrogate,” Mara added. “We need to figure out where Rennick Vael is—or who he’s working for.”

“And I’m assuming you want my help,” Ken said.

“Yeah. I’ve never attacked a bandit camp before. How would you plan this?”

Ken pursed his lips, then switched to Fae. “Revenge will not bring your brother back.”

“No,” Noah replied in the same tongue, “but it’ll prevent others from losing loved ones.”

“Are you certain this is the path you want to take? Acting in self‑defense is one thing. Launching an assault… that kind of aggression leads down a dark path.”

“You once offered me a favor,” Noah said. “This is the favor I’m asking.”

Ken exhaled, nodded, then studied the map before switching back to Common. “Will it just be the four of us?”

Noting that he’d included himself, gratitude swelled in Noah’s chest. “Mara said she can get some of her family’s guards.”

“How many?” Ken asked her.

“Eight, maybe ten.”

“And how large is this gang?”

“Large enough to carry out all the attacks marked in blue over the last five years,” Mara said.

Ken scratched his chin. “And you don’t know exactly where they are? Or their defenses?”

“No.”

“Then we need more information. Charging in blind is suicide. We need…” He paused. “Can you get a carriage? Or three? Preferably ones used for transporting goods.”

Mara frowned. “Sure. Why?”

He looked at Noah expectantly. “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Battles are won by deception.”

The idea clicked. “You want to set a trap.”

“A trap?” Mara echoed.

“We use the carriages to travel along here,” Ken said, pointing at the road. “Preferably at night. If the pattern holds, they’ll take the bait.”

“That will endanger all of us,” Ciri countered.

“Not if we appear weak. They’ll expect three to five traders, not a dozen armed soldiers—including at least two conduits. They’ll attack, and we’ll kill them.” He turned to Ciri. “Are you prepared to subdue at least one with the spell I taught Noah?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I am.”

“Good. Then we interrogate the captive, learn the base’s exact location and strength, and strike from there.”

“What if the one we capture lies and sends us into a vælorin nest?” Mara asked.

“That’s where Piper comes in,” Noah said before Ken could. “She can guide us through the forest.”

Piper squawked happily.

Mara looked down at the map, then nodded. “It’ll take time to get everything together.”

“How long?”

She bit her lip, thinking. “We could leave late Saturday night.”

The King and Queen won’t reconvene court for at least two weeks, Noah thought. Even if they do it early, it won’t be on a Sunday. We could be back before Monday.

Ciri and Ken exchanged a look, then nodded. “Good,” Ken said.

“I’d better get going. We have a lot to do and not much time.”

“Wait,” Noah said as she started toward the stairs. “One more thing.”

“If you’re going upstairs to get someone else, I swear to the Almighty I will—” Mara began.

“It’s not that,” he assured her. “Can you ask your family’s artificer to build a few things for us? I’ve got designs in a notebook that I think will help.”