Illsey allowed us a short inspection of the southern fortress, which we found to be exactly the same as the northern one. Ivan and I didn't linger long, making sure to loudly announce that we saw no defects in the iron, and that we would be providing our queen—and Ilara—with a glowing report.
The ride downriver to Neveri was much quicker, and since most of the soldiers had been awake all night on their shift, the deck was quiet. I leaned over the railing, watching the landscape slide by and thinking through the loosely connected ideas that would eventually form a plan.
It was possible to open the gates, but I would have to subdue a literal boatload of soldiers to do it. I twisted through all kinds of scenarios, from trying to move the wheel from above to infiltrating as a soldier and turning it on when no one was looking. Each plan was more ridiculous than the last, until I was contemplating asking the Nestori if they'd invented anything for invisibility.
Once in the city proper, we returned to the Wicked Duck, where we met with Asdis and swapped clothes. Luard and Ivan disappeared into the city with her in search of food and drink, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I washed the makeup from my skin, sliding my dark tunic and pants back on and feeling more like myself.
Around dusk, Luard reappeared with a napkin full of bread, dried meat, and soft cheeses. "Dinner, since I assume you'll be going out under the mask tonight."
"Perhaps," I said, taking the food and chewing on it. "Both times I've revealed myself to Maarit haven't worked out well for me."
"Then perhaps you should quit playing around and start executing some kind of a plan," he said, sitting down on the other side of the bed. "Ammon won't wait around forever, you know."
"I know," I said, swallowing hard. "I just can't figure the best way to break into the fortress."
"Can't you?" he asked with a look. "Use the ond. Problem immediately solved."
I didn't want to dismiss him immediately, as I could tell he was growing tired of my delay tactics. "What happens if we do that?"
"So glad you asked," Luard said, kicking his feet off the bed and sitting up. He pulled a small piece of parchment out from his back pants pocket. Spreading it out on the bed, it revealed a detailed sketch of the gate, including the gatehouses and the underground spindles we'd seen.
"Ivan's handiwork, I had him work on it this afternoon," he said, by way of explanation. "The ond is potent, but that's a lot of iron to work through. Basically, we'll need to place it at strategic points on the gate to get the maximum effect." He drew his finger down one of the chains to the gatehouse. "And even better, by the time the ond works through all that iron, it'll have enough energy to take out both gate houses. Especially with that giant spindle in the center of the room made of ore."
The faces of the Forcadelians I'd seen underground flashed in my mind. "Is there any way we can destroy the gate without destroying the gatehouses?"
"And why would you want to do that?" Luard asked.
I gave him a look. "Because there are people down there, Luard."
"Mother, now is not the time for this nonsense," he said, running his hand through his hair. "Listen, you have to level the playing field. It's the only way this harebrained scheme is going to work. You can take out a hundred soldiers of the three hundred we have to contend with."
"The soldiers who'll die…they won't only be Severians," I said. "There'll be Forcadelians amongst the dead. You're asking me to sign a death warrant on my own countrymen."
"Then what do you suggest?" Luard asked, sitting back. "Do you have some magical powder that will suddenly make them fall asleep?"
"Actually, I do," I said slowly. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought about it already. "I use knockout powder all the time. And it's an enclosed space, so with enough of it…" Just as quickly, I shook my head. "But then we'd be susceptible."
"Can't you use that foul-smelling herb?" Luard asked. "That smells bad enough to wake the dead."
A smile curled onto my face as my brain tumbled over thoughts. "No, but…maybe… Luard, you're a genius."
"That was never in debate, my dear, but for what this time?"
I couldn't find it within me to react snidely. "When I was in the mountains with the fur trader, we were attacked by a group of kids who used this herb—hyblatha—to give me vivid hallucinations. It's pretty common, but up until recently, I hadn't known it could be used for that. But more importantly, tinneum, that foul-smelling herb, dulls the effects. Which means that if we can get enough hyblatha inside the fortresses, we can use the tinneum to keep our heads and effectively take out all the guards for an extended period. Turn on the water, open the gates, and then return to the city!"
I grinned at Luard, but his expression was only mildly interested. "And where will you get this powder?"
My smile grew. "Celia has a ton of hyblatha—she uses it as a calming tea. They've got rows of it growing at the camp. And the stuff is so potent, much more than the knockout powder, only a little goes a long way…"
"I suppose that could work," he said. "But there will still be at least two hundred soldiers in the city to deal with."
"When I'm at Celia's, I'll ask her for more help," I said. "And with those soldiers, and with this plan, Ammon is sure to find that worth aiding. I don't think we'll be looking at two hundred either. Riya said there are about fifty from Felix's old guard here who would back me when they find out." I couldn't help the flutter of excitement in my chest. "Luard, this is it. This is the plan I've been waiting for. We can get what we want and no one has to die."
He surveyed me for a long time before nodding. "Fine. I suppose I can let you play this out a little longer. Where is this Celia woman?"
"About a day's ride from here," I said, looking out the window. "I'll see if Riya can get me out of the city tonight. From there, I'll continue to Ammon's to get more forces. I should be back within two days and ready to execute this plan."
"Fine," Luard said, coming to sit up. "But just remember: Ammon's not the only one who's risking a lot to be here. If you dawdle too long, you might just find yourself without any allies at all."
I didn't miss the steely-eyed glare he sent my way as I left. I was granted a reprieve for now, but soon Luard's unending patience would run out.
With the setting sun, I moved quickly to locate Riya. I found her in the farmer's market, giving stern lectures to the citizens about staying out too late and receiving more than her fair share of dirty looks.
"Hey," I said softly.
"You need to get out of here," she said. "Maarit's on the warpath tonight, especially as The Veil hasn't been seen in a night."
"Well, The Veil won't be seen much longer because I'm headed out of the city," I whispered.
"Where to?"
"Going to get some reinforcements," I said. "Think you can help me sneak out?"
She shook her head. "I already used up whatever goodwill I had with Maarit taking Luard to the gates. And right now, she's pulled all the Forcadelians off border patrol since they apparently let a wanted criminal into the city. You'll have to go through a very unfriendly Severian border patrol."
I blew air out from my lips. "So what do I need in order to pass muster?"
"Papers proving you're a citizen," Riya said. "Or a good bribe."
"Bribe, probably not." I had no coin left, and I doubted Luard would give me any, not after the way we'd parted. "But I can figure something out."
"When you come back, try to come in on the northern road, during the day," Riya said. "If you're not seen for a few days, I'll pressure Maarit to reassign the Forcadelians to patrol that route again. And if worst comes to worst," she grinned devilishly, "I'll leave a present for you in the forest so you can sneak in easier."
"Better to leave it with a woman named Norah," I said with a nod. "She helped me get into the city the first time, and I'm sure she'll be willing to help again. She lives on a farm up that way."
"Will do," Riya said. "Good luck, with whatever you're doing. And hurry back. I don't know how much longer the people can stand things as they are. If you don't do something, someone else might."