Set in Stone (61 page)

Chapter 69

Two burly soldiers ushered Connor and Hamish into the big barn where Wolfram stood beside a makeshift table, speaking with Captain Ilse. The general looked up when they entered and raised one singed eyebrow in surprise. His uniform still bore the marks of ash and dirt from the scramble to escape the burning command tent earlier that evening.

He made a sweeping gesture at the large open space. "You might find this structure a little harder to burn down."

"I am sorry about your tent. I'm glad you weren't hurt."

Kilian stepped out of the shadows that clung to the far side of the large barn. "You've got a lot of nerve returning here, boy."

Connor had hoped to avoid Kilian. He tried to mask his fear with boldness. "I thought I'd give you a chance to be a better host."

Kilian laughed.

Connor just barely kept from sagging visibly with relief.

The Water Moccasin dropped into a nearby camp chair and slapped one leg with an open palm. "You've got spirit, boy. No brains, but plenty of spirit."

"Your friend can wait outside," General Wolfram said. "I imagine you have another message from Carbrey."

Hamish quickly departed, and Connor silently wished him luck. "No message, general. Just a proposition."

"A proposition from Carbrey?"

"No, from me."

Captain Ilse spoke. "What could you possibly propose that might be helpful if you lack Carbrey's blessing?"

"I believe you about Nicklaus."

"That's a good start," Ilse said.

"I want to help return Nicklaus to you, but I need something in return, a show of good faith."

"Such as?"

"The weakening agent you used against the Boulders."

Captain Ilse barked a laugh. "Nice try, Connor."

"I'm serious."

General Wolfram stroked his dirty mustache. "Why would we share this secret with you?"

"I can use it to barter for Nicklaus' release from General Carbrey."

Captain Ilse stared at him, hands on hips, her face incredulous. "You think after sacrificing so many lives, we'll just hand over the powder Carbrey's so desperate to obtain?"

"It's a powder?"

Of course it was. Why hadn't he thought of that? Powdered stone granted strength. Why not a different stone to remove it?

General Wolfram said, "Even if I believed you acted in good faith, how can I know Carbrey will support you instead of just taking the powder?"

"Don't tell me the name, just give me some of the powder. You can give me the name when I return with Nicklaus. And I swear, General, that I won't give the powder to Carbrey until he promises to exchange it for Nicklaus."

"And for Verena," Kilian said.

"And for Verena," Connor said with more confidence than he felt. He quivered with cautious hope as he waited for Wolfram's answer.

Captain Ilse said, "I don't think we can trust you, Connor. You've hurt us more than anyone."

"Perhaps," Wolfram said, "but our primary objective is Nicklaus' freedom. If we can obtain it through this exchange, I cannot ignore the possibility."

"I advise against it," Ilse said.

"Noted. Now fetch the powder."

"Carbrey might be able to determine the name of the powder once he obtains the sample," Kilian said.

"I will take that risk," Wolfram said. "If Carbrey betrays the deal, I will see him dead and his army shattered."

Captain Ilse left the barn and Wolfram said sternly, "Connor, I am trusting you."

"You won't regret it sir. Promise me that when Nicklaus is returned you'll leave."

Kilian said, "Don't you know the trail has been blocked?"

"That hasn't worried you before," Connor said with sudden realization. "You can leave whenever you choose to, can't you?"

Kilian grinned. "Maybe not so dumb after all."

"We can leave, and we will," Wolfram said. "Return the prisoners to us, and you have my word."

"I will."

Wolfram extended his hand, and Connor took it. The general held him in a firm grip, "If you betray me, Connor, your entire town will suffer the consequences."

Connor forced himself to meet the general's stare. If he failed, everyone might die anyway. Still, the weight of responsibility settled heavy on his shoulders.

"I won't fail, General."

"Then we have an agreement."

Captain Ilse returned with a small pouch. She handed it to Connor, and he gripped it tight.

"May the Tallan guide you," Wolfram said.

Connor cringed. "I'd rather he didn't."

"Some day, you may change your mind," Kilian said softly.

Connor left, and as he rounded the burned-out remains of the manor house, Hamish caught up with him.

"Did you get it?"

Hamish patted a leather satchel that hung over one shoulder. "Got it." Then Hamish stopped dead in his tracks.

Connor followed his gaze and was stunned to see Jean round the blasted ruins of the manor house. For a second, his heart sang with the sight of her. She couldn't have done what Hamish said. It must have been a misunderstanding.

Jean saw them then, and her face reddened with shame. She turned away to pass wide around them.

"Jean," Connor called. He ran after her, but she threw out a hand for him to stay away.

"Don't come near me, Connor." She looked so frightened, he stopped.

"Jean, what happened to you?"

Her fear vanished, replaced with anger. She glanced back in the direction of Alasdair and said, "I grew up, that's what."

Then she ran around the manor house.

Connor stared after her for a long moment until a sharp hiss from Hamish drew his attention. Cinaed, flanked by two Grandurian soldiers, was approaching from Alasdair. It didn't look like she had seen them yet.

Hamish growled, and his hands tightened into fists.

"Easy, we can't start a fight right now." Connor said.

With an effort, Hamish controlled himself, and they moved far to the edge of the plateau where the deeper shadows concealed them.

After Cinaed passed, they headed back to Alasdair. "I hope this works," Hamish said. "But I'm starting to wonder if Alasdair can ever be saved, even if the Grandurians leave."

Connor gripped Hamish's shoulder. "It'll work. Don't ever give up."

"Good luck, Connor."

"If I fail . . ."

"You won't."

Hamish handed over the satchel, and Connor tapped basalt and raced south, with the pouch of precious unknown stone gripped tight in his fists.

He barely winced when his legs Fracked, and he didn't fall this time as he raced south, bearing with him the one hope of salvation for Alasdair.

Chapter 70

As soon as Connor passed the last sentry outside camp, Donald the Strider found him. "Connor, Lady Shona is looking for you. Down by the river."

Perfect. Connor grinned, "Donald, I Fracked tonight."

The thin fellow clapped Connor on the shoulder. "You're still walking. It's a good sign."

Connor's grin faded. "What do you mean?"

"Just kidding, but you should've waited till I was with you. Sometimes it's a little freakish the first time."

"You can say that again."

"Tell me all about it later."

Connor waved and headed for the river. He found Shona standing alone near the bank, draped in her deep blue cloak. In the darkness, her face glowed and her finely sculpted beauty filled him with the same awe he'd felt when they first met.

"Connor, where have you been?"

"Running."

She smiled and took his hand. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Actually, I feel great right now."

"I'm glad. I was worried you still doubted Carbrey."

Connor took her hands in both of his. "Shona, we have to stop this war before more people are killed."

"If only it were that simple."

"It is simple. We just need to return Nicklaus and let them go."

She slipped her hands from his and stared out over the silver ribbon of the river. She wrapped her arms around herself, and even in the shadows, her face looked troubled.

Connor said softly, "You know it's the right thing to do."

"My father ordered the Grandurians defeated."

"But what if we can't?"

"You have so little faith in us, Connor?"

"It's not that. They're not fighting fair. Besides, is it worth the cost when all they want is one little boy? If we sent Nicklaus back to them, they'd leave, I know it."

"How can you be so sure?" She turned to him and slid one hand down his cheek. "What drives your faith?"

"It's the right thing to do."

She smiled sadly. "The right thing."

"Yes." If only she could see. "You feel it, Shona, I know you do."

"What I feel doesn't decide the fate of this war, Connor. Carbrey's in charge and he will not be swayed by feelings."

With a triumphant grin, Connor held up the small pouch of weakening powder. "He might be swayed by this."

At her questioning look, he made an extravagant bow and said, "Lady Shona, I present the weakening powder."

"Powder?"

She extended a hesitant hand. "How . . . ?"

Connor forced down a flutter of unease, pressed it into her hands. He had to trust Shona in this. Together they could save the town, and he could know her heart for sure.

If she betrayed him, he had already lost.

"I told you I went running. I ran back to the plateau, and Wolfram gave this to me."

"Why?"

He laughed at her stunned look. "Because it's the right thing to do, of course."

Shona laughed too and then pulled him close and kissed him hard on the lips. She smelled like roses and clean summer nights, and radiant joy rippled through Connor.

Shona broke the kiss and said in a breathless voice, "Connor, you're amazing! This is the top priority, and he just gave it to you?"

"In exchange for Nicklaus and Verena."

At Verena's name, Shona's exuberance faded.

"I promised an exchange."

"I can work with that. The weakening agent threatens the viability of the entire army. Knowing its source is priceless."

She gave him another kiss. "Carbrey needs to know about this."

She led him quickly through camp, past the guards outside the command tent, and swept through the flap without slowing. Inside, Carbrey and his captains stood at the table. A new soldier stood with them, a giant of a man who rivaled even Captain Peadar for size. He wore such thick plates of steel armor Connor wondered how he could stand without tapping granite.

"General, the weakening agent is a powder," Shona declared.

"How do you know that?" All eyes followed the pouch that she lifted high.

"Because we have it."

The captains all exclaimed at the news, but Carbrey rounded the table and reached for the pouch. "How is it possible?"

Shona withdrew the pouch just a little, and Carbrey frowned but did not pursue it.

"Connor obtained it."

Despite the heavy weight of everyone's stare, Connor stood tall. This was the moment he'd worked toward. He would be strong. "I returned to the plateau to give Wolfram another chance for peace."

"You are not a negotiator, lad."

"Well, I got it, didn't I?"

Carbrey reached for the pouch again. "What stone?"

"I don't know the name yet." Connor stepped between Carbrey and Shona. "Wait. I agreed with Wolfram that if you take the pouch, you accept it in trade for the prisoners."