occasional shouts from the city outside their window. Steiner took first watch, waiting outside their chamber door, watching for the Imperial soldiers he feared would surely come. Kristofine took a turn and Steiner was deeply asleep by the time Marek took a shift.
‘Is this how it’s going to be now?’ asked Kristofine the next morning as they packed their things. ‘Always looking over our shoulder for trouble?’ There was a stillness to her that Steiner hadn’t seen before, as if the gravity of their situation had settled on her shoulders overnight.
Marek nodded. ‘It’s been that way for us for some time now. Welcome to the family.’ He smiled but Kristofine didn’t laugh at the joke and Steiner felt a pang of guilt. He took her hand in his as Marek stepped out of the room.
‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered to her.
‘It’s not your fault,’ Kristofine replied, but her gaze was fixed on the floor. ‘When I left Cinderfell I simply wanted to be away from my father. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into.’
‘It is my fault,’ replied Steiner. ‘If we hadn’t spent the night together, the night before I was taken to Vladibogdan, then people in Cinderfell wouldn’t have suspected you of witchsign.’
‘Even if that hadn’t happened I’d still have had to flee Cinderfell. It’s not every day a man arrives on the back of a dragon and burns an Imperial ship to ashes.’ Finally she looked up and forced a brave sort of smile.
‘One day we’re going to find a place we can live without worrying about the Empire,’ said Steiner.
‘One day.’ Though the way Kristofine said it made Steiner wonder if that day would ever come.
They enjoyed a repast of warm porridge, hot tea, and dash of honey that made everything seem better. The canal was filled with boats that bumped up against one another. The air was filled with the sound of fraying tempers and stifled curses.
‘What’s happening?’ asked Kristofine.
‘People are trying to get their cargo out of town by canal now the port has closed,’ said Marek. ‘A lot of people, all with the same idea.’
Steiner took an anxious breath. An idea was starting to form. A woman passed them in the street and glanced at Steiner. There was a frozen moment as she recognised the three of them before she turned away. It was the Spriggani woman from Tikhoveter’s house. Steiner sprang forward and caught her by the arm.
‘Wait! What happened?’
‘What do you think happened!’ hissed the woman, one hand straying to her hood, making sure it stayed up. Now Steiner was closer he could see she had a pack on her back, just as they did. She too wore a cloak for the road and sturdy boots. ‘They killed Tikhoveter and waited nearby for you. I set fire to the house to warn you off.’
‘You set fire to your own house?’ said Kristofine.
‘I only stayed because he wanted me to. I’ve begged him to leave for Shanisrond for years but he couldn’t give up his old life.’ Her mouth creased with grief and tears shone at the corners of her eyes. ‘I think he liked the danger, but I didn’t need a hero. I just wanted a husband. Now I have neither.
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Marek. ‘Did he tell you anything before the soldiers came?’ The Spriggani woman blinked away her tears.
‘He was excited. Said he couldn’t believe it. The Emperor has learned of what happened on Vladibogdan and flew into a rage so terrible his own court feared to attend for three days.’
‘Did he mention any names?’ asked Steiner. ‘Anything about dragons?’
‘Dragons?’ The woman scowled as if he were simple. ‘How dare you speak to me of children’s stories now.’ She took Steiner by the hand, her grip hard and icy cold. ‘The greatest monster to stalk Vinterkveld is no dragon. The Emperor is by far the most dangerous creature to have ever lived.’ The woman looked away, her shoulders slumped as the energy drained out her, and then she walked away without farewell or a backwards glance.
‘We should follow her,’ said Kristofine. ‘If she’s headed to Shanisrond—’
‘No,’ said Steiner. ‘I made a promise to Kimi. I said I’d find a way to lead an uprising against the Empire. People are going to find out about Vladibogdan soon enough, they’re going to find out about the novices, and we need to tell people why these things are happening.’
‘Steiner, this is madness.’ Marek looked away. ‘We’ll be caught in no time at all and everything you’ve fought for will be for nothing.’
‘And if we don’t? Then what?’ Steiner struggled not to raise his voice. ‘How many more people like Tikhoveter will be killed? How many Yamali people, how many Spriggani will continue to suffer?’ Kristofine and Marek said nothing. ‘I’m going to catch a barge down river and start telling people what happened on Vladibogdan,’ said Steiner. ‘If you want to sail for Shanisrond’ – he shrugged – ‘I can’t stop you, but I’m headed for Slavon Province.’
Kristofine took his hand and kissed his scarred knuckles. ‘You can’t go on your own, I won’t let you.’
‘Just my bad fortune to have a son as stubborn as I am.’ Marek shook his head and gave a weary smile. ‘We do it your way. We tell people what’s happened, and we fight when we can.’
‘And we find Felgenhauer,’ said Steiner. ‘Now let’s find a barge and leave this place.’
The Envoy was true to her word and the novices worked through the night to unload the supplies though the chill was deep and bitter. Silverdust had no need to pack for he had long given up the mundane pleasure of possessions. He took a spare uniform and packed a handful of curios so that he might pass as human.
No one spoke as he headed across Academy Square. The gaunt novices, wrapped up against the cold, shared wary looks at Silverdust’s passing. The remaining Vigilants of the Synod assembled to watch Silverdust depart. None had words of farewell for the Exarch. He nodded to them and turned his back. It would be many hours until the sun rose at this time of year, yet Silverdust’s aura of arcane light emanated brightly around his feet. He turned to take in the brutal splendour of the four academies. It pained him to know he would not return here. Vladibogdan had been his prison these long decades but it had also been his home. The Envoy slunk from the shadows, the white fox stole that hung from her shoulders ghostlike in the darkness. She joined him at the centre of the square and followed his gaze to take in the buildings.
What will happen to these children?
‘Such sentimentality.’ Envoy de Vries grinned. ‘Come, pay no mind to them. The Emperor needs new Vigilants now more than ever. I am sure they will be treasured.’
Silverdust began the many steps down to Temnet Cove where the Imperial galleon waited in the darkness. The silver light followed him and threw weak shadows all around.
‘I’ve
