Dally walked with Connell and Edlyn. Nabu and Connell’s wolfhound padded ahead of them. Alembord’s and Edlyn’s dogs took up the rear. Dally found the odor of their wet, feral heat a comfort. Connell carried a long coil of rope, while Edlyn had a leather satchel containing food and the dragon’s elixir slung from her shoulder.
The curfew was still in place, so they kept to side streets as much as possible. Twice they spotted squads marching down the larger avenues. Which meant their timing was perfect, according to Edlyn. Soldiers weary from guarding a wet wall through an empty night were being replaced by guards drawn from their warm, dry beds. There was always a bit of friction at the change of shifts, a few minutes of confusion and too many bodies crammed along a narrow passage. Some would be impatient, others reluctant, everybody cold and wet. Perfect.
When the inner keep came into view, Edlyn began searching for the house Alembord had identified. She quietly tested each doorknob in turn, then walked on to the next. Directly ahead of them loomed the wall of the inner keep. And beyond that, unseen from their vantage point, stood the royal treasury. Watch fires gleamed from the ramparts, their light ruddy and feeble against a dawn that refused to appear. Dally watched Edlyn try yet another door and listened to her heart beat as fast as the falling rain.
“Here,” Edlyn said, and shoved open the portal. “Inside.”
The front of the house was one large room, with a long counter running a few paces removed from the left wall. The chamber smelled of flour and old bread and disuse. Behind the counter rose a pair of huge baking ovens. The building was cold and dusty and dark. But at least it was dry.
Edlyn told Connell, “Alembord found stairs to a deep cellar in the back room. Go make sure we’re in the right building.”
Connell left and soon returned, bearing a battered pail that splashed as he walked. “The stairs are there. And a hand pump that still works.”
The waiting was not as difficult as Dally had imagined. Edlyn unpacked her sack and prepared a second breakfast. She said, “Dally, take the dragon’s elixir. Then we should eat.”
Connell watched Dally shudder her way through another dose, then handed her a ladle filled with fresh water. He told Edlyn, “I am far too frightened to eat anything myself.”
“Oh, hush your nonsense.” She passed him bread with cheese and sausage. “There is no telling when we might have another calm moment.”
“Did Alembord sleep at all?” Connell asked.
“A few hours, perhaps.” She gave Dally her portion. “Alembord is a warrior. He has been trained to go without sleep. And food. And the slightest hint of safety. And still be ready for battle.”
Dally asked between bites, “Did Alembord find another house for his team?”
“A private residence directly across the main avenue from your tower,” Edlyn replied. “It appears there are empty buildings everywhere in Port Royal. Another symptom of the realm’s diseased state.”
Edlyn handed around portions, which they fed to the dogs. Connell observed, “You sound almost happy.”
“My entire life has been spent under the enemy’s shadow,” Edlyn replied. “It is good to be taking the initiative.”
Dally asked, “Despite all the risks?”
Edlyn smiled as she fed a slice of sausage to Alembord’s wolfhound. “Your plan is a good one, lass. Never fear.”
“Our plan,” Dally corrected. “It’s yours as much as mine now. Maybe more.”
Edlyn stroked the dog’s silver fur. “Not long now.”
As they waited for the bells to announce the end of curfew and the changing of the guard, the rain abruptly intensified. Water began falling in an almost constant sheet. Dally opened the front door and stood watching the sight. Edlyn and Connell walked over and joined her. The rain fell so hard they could not see the buildings across the narrow lane.
“This is not a natural storm,” Connell said.
“No,” Edlyn agreed. “This is marvelous.”
Dally asked, “Do you think the dragon is behind this?”
“If so, you must hug him for me the next time you meet,” Edlyn replied.
Dally tried to imagine embracing a beast whose left eye was larger than she was. Then somewhere in the distance, a bell began to ring. And another. More and more bells tolled softly, almost lost to the rushing water. The sound was as feeble as the dawn light.
Edlyn said, “We should begin.”