A Gathering of Gargoyles by Pierce Meredith Ann

Author:Pierce, Meredith Ann [Pierce, Meredith Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative Fiction
ISBN: 9781439597996
Google: FZ6KPwAACAAJ
Amazon: B005IUT8PU
Barnesnoble: B005IUT8PU
Goodreads: 92718
Publisher: Tor
Published: 2013-02-23T05:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

11

A Nameless Man

Aeriel found herself coming out of her thoughts. How long she had been sitting, lost in contemplation, she did not know. The lamp Erin had set upon the floor was burning very low. She looked up then, and realized it was not the flame that had dimmed, but the room that had grown more light. Dawn lit the highest spires of the villa. By the window, Erin awoke and seeing the dawnlight, gave a cry.

Aeriel stood up. "We must flee this place, at once, while darkness holds. I dare not stay another hour."

Erin was also on her feet. "We cannot pass the gate. I tried to once. The guards refused to let me by."

Roshka shook himself, arose. "There is a door in the wall I picked the lock of years ago, that I might steal in and out again unseen. If we can make our way..."

His words were interrupted by a rapping at the door. Erin jumped. Roshka bit his whisper into silence. Aeriel turned.

"Who knocks?" she called.

"My lord's chamberlain," came the reply. "The suzerain requests you to come to him upon the terrace." ,

"Do not go," the dark girl hissed. "Say you are ill."

"He would only send his herbalists."

"Lady?" the chamberlain called.

"Tell your lord," Aeriel said, "that I will join him shortly. I am only just awake."

She listened carefully. Slippered feet beyond the door padded away. Erin plucked at Aeriel's sleeve.

"Quickly. While we have the chance."

Roshka was already on the balcony. "Come. We can flee west. The high families will take us in."

But Aeriel hung back. "If we go now," she said, "we are sure to be taken, for the suzerain will soon grow impatient and send to see why I have not come. You two go on and I will follow."

"No," said Erin, coming back from the window. "I will not be parted from you."

"I will eat nothing he gives me," said Aeriel, kissing her cheek. "You knew his game from the moment you saw him, and I should have listened to you at the start. Wait for me by the plum tree. I will come when I can."

Then she turned and caught up her walking stick, went from the room too quickly for Erin to even cry after her.

Aeriel went out upon the terrace overlooking the garden. He stood at the balustrade, gazing westward toward the dawn. As Aeriel approached, he turned, smiling.

"Forgive me if I woke you," he said. "But dawn over my garden is too beautiful for you to miss a second time."

Aeriel joined him.

"You look weary," he ventured.

"I... slept badly," she murmured.

Solstar arose, slowly, taking an hour to pass from where its rim first edged above the near, tall hills until the last of it broke free. The suzerain held up his hand, shielding his eyes from the light.

"Aeriel," he said, "all Pirs, all I hold could be yours." His gaze took in the gardens, his estates beyond. "These things I would give you if..."

A Nameless Man r*$ 195

Aeriel felt weary and distracted.

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