Blood of Innocents (Book Two of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) by Mitchell Hogan Page B

sure you know what you’re doing,” Amerdan said.
    “What do you mean? There are soldiers here. We need to tell them about the invasion in Anasoma.”
    “And how are you going to explain Bells and why they shouldn’t take her off your hands? How will you heal Miranda when they do?”
    Caldan felt the blood drain from his face. “You’re right,” he admitted. “What do you suggest we do, then?”
    “You need their help, and as much as I don’t like it, we don’t have much choice with whoever has been trailing us. They want to rescue Bells first and kill us a close second. As we are, we’re vulnerable.” Amerdan gestured toward Miranda and Elpidia. “Can you convince the Quivers Bells is too dangerous to leave without you to counter her sorcery? We should be able to persuade them to give us an escort, and that will be safer for all of us.”
    Caldan hesitated. He couldn’t show the Quivers destructive sorcery, but maybe there was a way to convince them not to take Bells into their custody and out of his hands. He had to. If they took her, then he would have no hope of healing Miranda on his own. He nodded.
    “Yes, I can probably manage that. They won’t know much of sorcery, so will have to take my word.”
    Amerdan waved dismissively. “Lie, whatever you need to do.” He laid a hand on Caldan’s shoulder. “The quicker we get to Riversedge, the better. Elpidia can leave us and do whatever she wants. But… don’t you worry that the authorities there will take Bells from you? Lock her up for questioning, and you won’t have access to her?”
    Lying to the Protector’s didn’t sit well with him. They’d been nothing but good to him. He didn’t want to, but if it meant healing Miranda… “I’ve been thinking the same thing for the last couple of days. They probably would. She would be too important to them, and I have no rank of consequence. I’m not even a journeyman, so they’d not leave her with me. I might get access to her, but… it’s doubtful.”
    “They won’t allow you access to her. You know that. Bells is your best chance to heal Miranda; you can’t let them take her when we reach the city.”
    Caldan bit a thumbnail. “What, then? I can’t pretend to deliver her to them then run off with her.”
    Amerdan raised his eyebrows. “Why not?”
    “That’s…” sputtered Caldan. “I couldn’t! She has information on the Indryallans and the invasion that could be vital.”
    “Then you have to choose what’s more important: Miranda, or some scraps of information the Protectors might get out of Bells, if they break her, and if they can trust what she says. It’s up to you.”
    Caldan’s thoughts churned furiously. It was unlikely Bells would give her questioners any details of the invasion. And Amerdan was right: Caldan certainly wouldn’t have access to her once they realized he was only an apprentice.
    He turned to regard Elpidia and Bells, who both returned his stare with blank expressions. His whispered conversation with Amerdan couldn’t have been overheard by them. It would only take a day or two to reach the city, and he had to find a way to get Bells to talk by then or… he might have to do something he regretted. Not a situation he was comfortable with at all. If Bells didn’t respond to threats, did he have the courage to use force? And would he be justified?
    “I’ll decide what to do before we arrive,” he said finally.
    Amerdan nodded, a thin smile on his face. “I’m with you, whatever you want to do.” He glanced toward the market. “We need more supplies, and I have a few ducats left. While you convince the Quivers to help, I’ll buy a few things.”
    With a grunt of assent, Caldan wandered over to the others, while Amerdan headed for the market. Quickly, he outlined their plan and took charge of Bells. Elpidia placed an arm around Miranda, and they moved down the road and into the stone garrison.
    Inside, a few Quivers sat around a table behind a