Amy grimaced. Don’t talk about my shoulder that way, she snapped, rubbing it defensively. Bernard’s not stupid, and whether he wants me dead or not he needs me alive long enough to deliver his little message. Let’s try and think of something outside of horrible curses.

He shrugged. The only way to know for sure is to invoke it. The problem is, we don’t know what it is. It could be a message, or it could be something that kills you, it might just be how indel magic interacts with a ‘fy tattoo. I don’t know, I just know that leaving it on you is a bad idea.

Amy saw Rat give a small encouraging nod, and something inside made her relent. Do what you must then.

Good, the Invoker said. He sat down next to her and eyed the tattoo. Take a deep breath, in– she felt his cold fingers touch her tattoo, –and out. She let her breath out, and then hissed as pain flooded through her system. What he was doing wasn’t right. The tattoo flared an ugly green color, and she felt herself slipping, without her permission, into indel form.

Is this right? she managed to ask before her words were lost to an ermine throat.

The Invoker dived for her, and she felt power flood through her, working against the undertow that pulled her into her other form. The collision of wills made her queasy. She closed her eyes against the sensations, and willed herself human once more.

Rat made a strangled noise next to her, and he too began to drop into his indel form. She backed out of the way as he crashed to the ground rather than dropped with his usual grace, and then moved again when Schreber fell as well.

The Invoker seemed to bow under the weight of each new indel dropping, and when the guard fell, he collapsed as well. She felt rather than saw Bernard’s magic consume him, and then without warning he was gone.

She screamed as her tattoo began to burn, and curled in on herself. This wasn’t happening. Why did everything have to go wrong?

Schreber stumbled to his feet and gave a low growl of rage. He ran at Amy not checking his speed even after plowing through her straight into the door. Amy pulled herself free of his windmilling limbs, and barked at him until he stumbled backwards, seeign the door for the first time. His idnel tattoo, she saw as he began to pace the room, had the faitnest trace of green.

Her tattoo flared again, so bright that for a moment all she could see was green, and then the dreams took her, the same dreams she had escaped only hours before.

Pleasant warmth surrounded her as she looked down from the castle parapets at inner and outer Kaluna. Things had changed in the short time she had been gone. Lavender flags with the bright white Eberhard Boar in the center flew from every roof top, and candles sat in every window, even though it was day.Cold air blasted her from a broken window when she opened her eyes once more. Schreber was gone, and she guessed that it was he who was responsible for the window.

The roads were being swept by indelfy, and indel horses were hauling loads of lumber for the rebuilding of outer-Kaluna. A proud indel beaver sat on top of one of the loads, and both indel and indelfy waited in front of each derelict building to stack the lumber.

The people have been united, Bernard said, as he brought her closer to his body. we have you to thank for that.

His words were soft, but there was something about the situation that was wrong. She watched a procession of big cats hustle by with offerings from the forest to give to indelfy cooks.

She tried to turn human to ask if it was real, but his grip held her back. Not just yet little indel. You can turn back after you deliver my message to the king. It’s locked in your tattoo, just like equality was.

It was then that she figured it out. Bernard had made them equal, by making sure neither side could shift.

She scrambled to get free of his grip, and then she remembered\it was only a dream.

Rat was still there, huddled in a corner, fur raised, eyes staring but not seeing. He was dreaming too, she realized, but his dreams could not have been good.

A howl set up from the other side of the door, a howl that turned into a long wail of terror. Amy ran across the room as the door shuddered, and something big sniffed at the crack. She couldn’t tell if the indel on the other side had hit the door as Schreber had, or if it wanted to get in.

She didn’t have time to decide. Rat let out a piercing shriek, and then he was climbing up the furniture and out the window as well.

They feel it, she realized as she took off in pursuit. Rat was getting snow-sick, but he did not know how to control the madness. She had to catch him, she had to get him warm, and then she had to get him to Lokeli.

She lengthened her stride, bounding with the agile grace of her species, and pushed back the memories of her own dreams. She had faced her dream, she had conquered it, and knew now that what she saw could not be true.

Rat came into view again, the fur along his back standing straight up as he snarled in defiance at a small dog. The dog snarled at him, white eyed and bare toothed, fear making him brave.

Amy let out a blood curdling scream as she approached, snatched Rat up by the scruff of his neck, and ran for the Wolf Trap’s doors.

It was considerably harder to run with Rat in her mouth. He squirmed and fought, angry at the sudden restriction, and she had to stop several times to readjust him and avoid his clashing teeth. He stopped when they were out in the snow, and the cold breezes locked him up with fear. She hated to do it to him, hoped he would be sane when they made it some place safe.

She paused in the open snow, gaining her bearings, and shrunk slightly at the sight of an enormous silver fox blocking the path. It stared at them, the same white eyed fear in its eyes, and growled. She came to a stop, pondering, and felt something come into her mind. A familiar voice, Bernard’s voice, whispering at the back of her skull. Come to me, he whispered. I can help you.

She turned toward the voice, and a wave of comfort and pleasure surged from her tattoo, as if in reward for her obedience. When she turned away from them again, the pain swarmed back. She pushed past it. She had other things to pay attention to.

Rat whimpered in her grasp, as if he could hear the voice too. The fox that blocked their path wavered, ears twitching, and then turned and began trotting briskly down the path. Rat squirmed in her grasp. He seemed to want to join them too.

She tightened her hold, hesitated, and headed for the underground, the tunnels she knew would be warm, and well away from the reminders of snow.

She found a sleeping chamber, stuffed Rat in it, and curled herself around him until he stopped nipping and began to relax in her grip. I’m going to have to leave him. She realized. He doesn’t know how to handle the dreams. Fear crushed her at that thought, the fear of going alone, the fear of being unable to talk. She’d wanted all this time to be a true indel, but now she was worse off than ever before. Would the spell really break in Lokeli? She didn’t know, but it was the only thing she knew now to try. She had to stop Bernard, and the first step was freeing herself.

She curled herself tighter around Rat, her ultra-warm fur covering his, and untangled a few tufts of his hair with her teeth. He was in control of himself now, but she had no way of telling him how to fight the dreams. He opened his eyes after a little while, the same kind of tired happiness she had always experienced when she had survived one of those episodes reflected in them.

She nibbled his ear again, nudged him, and then stood up. It was time for her to go.

She backed out of the burrow carefully, doing her best to push dirt back in to prevent him from being exposed to cold air, than stopped in annoyance when Rat scratched himself free and followed. Don’t you understand? You have to stay! She shoved him firmly back. He merely waited till she’d let go and then started off behind her again. She stopped, grumbled at him, and shoved again. No luck.

He moved in the dirt, rubbing his cheek on the tunnel space between them, the pungent smell of his scent coloring the ground. She waited till he stepped back, and then investigated it curiously. He had drawn the Invoker symbol with smell.

Did he understand then? She strained to remember what the lokeli symbol looked like, and found she could not. She knew only the ranking symbols, and no more. She could not tell him where she was going, or anything more. She touched her nose to his, turned, and went out. Rat still followed.

He doesn’t know where I’m going, she realized, he doesn’t, and he chooses to go with me anyway. It was the first time anyone had trusted her, and she liked it.

Don’t move just yet, the voice said again, and she found herself being pinned against a soft, squishy surface. Carpet, she realized. She was laying on carpet.

What happened? she murmured.

Rat’s face popped into view. You fainted, he said. Will went and got the Invoker. He thinks you’re under some sort of spell.

She closed her eyes again. Great, more good news. Rat poked her, and kept poking until she opened her eyes to see a new face joining his.

Have you been to Lokeli recently? The man asked. He wore the same style of clothing Bernard had fancied, and when he felt the flesh around her tattoo tiny sparks leapt out to join the fire-lights already there.

She wasn’t quite sure if it was just getting used to being indel, but something felt wrong in his movements. It was like he was doing something wrong, but she couldn’t quite figure out what.

Unless the border got up and moved recently, no. She gave him a sour glance. Do I look like the sort of person who can afford to travel?

The Invoker flushed a guilty red, and she guessed he had thought as much himself. I’m just trying to figure out what’s happening to you, he explained. Invokers can only manipulate magic that already exists. Bernard couldn’t possibly have changed you from an indelfy to an indel, so how did you get an indelfy tattoo?

Amy struggled to an upright position, and glared down at her body. None of your business. How did I get from being an ermine to being a human?

None of your business, Schreber interrupted in a clipped, business like tone. Amy jumped. She hadn’t realized he was there. The Invoker said you are not in any immediate danger. Before he removes the magic on your tattoo however, I would like to have a word with you.

After our last few discussions, I think I’ll pass, she answered.

Schreber laughed, and shooed the small crowd of people surrounding her towards the door. Don’t worry. You’ll live as long as you’re a guest in my house. He waited until the door clicked shut, and then locked it securely behind them. I hope you’re comfortable, we have quite a lot to discuss.

She met Schreber’s gaze as he turned to look at her, indel to indel. Your going to need a proper indel name now that you’re one of us, he said conversationally as he took a seat near her. Stoat, Ermine, something that describes what you are.

Amy blinked at him. Is that why Rat wanted me to call him by his form all these years? You guys gotta start telling the indelfy these things or they’ll just make up a bunch of superstitious\that’s what you want isn’t it?

Schreber gave her a thin, flavorless smile. You’re catching on. Tell me, if I let you go, will you deliver that message to Derico?

Amy thought about it, and then shrugged. It wasn’t so easy to give a straight answer anymore. I want to know what Bernard’s up to first, she admitted.

This is a change, Schreber said, leaning back in his chair. Last I saw you were prepared to die rather than admit he had a fault.

Last you saw I was trapped behind stone walls with an infinite number of snobby indel, bristling with weapons. That kind of stuff does things to your perceptions.

He studied her, and then gave a slow nod. Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, you go and do something different. As it happens we have no choice but to keep you here, or kill you. The only reason you’re not dead now is that I think, somehow, your death is part of the Invoker’s plans.

He hesitated a moment, and then got up to look out the window. At least, we think you are important somehow. The Invoker has shown obsessive interest in you since he arrived. Do you know why this is?

The gentle questioning was making her suspicious. It wasn’t like Schreber to ask in a considerate manner. Something was up.

I don’t know what to think about him anymore, she admitted. When he first arrived at Shadowfy all he could talk about was how much he missed me. Then he had to bring up the Duke and all these problems. Now I wonder if he was setting me up from the beginning, or if he’s just single-minded in his efforts to free the indelfy.

Schreber nodded, staring thoughtfully off into the distance. The answer to that lies in why he wants to free the indelfy. Was it because of you? Or did you just present yourself as a handy pawn to be used and thrown away? So many indelfy are like that. So stupid.

The conversational manner in which he spoke chilled her. Was he really speaking the truth? So few people did anymore. She had no real way of knowing. What do you think are Bernard’s plans? she demanded.

I wish I knew for certain. That’s why I was paying you. Do you know?

Amy’s first reaction was to give a snappy retort, but then her Informant training took over. She leaned back, closed her eyes, and ran her mind over the information she had gathered over the past few days.

Bernard’s voice came through her mind first, shaking with tension. ‘Eberhard can’t be a strong country until everyone is equal’. Everyone knew he wanted equality though. Didn’t they?

He’d told her that he could put a ward around all of Eberhard with the rock Schreber had stolen from him. Yet the wards around the Duke’s castle never seemed to work. Only an Invoker could drain them. Had they been drained?

She opened her eyes. Who started the fight between the Stronghold and Kaluna?

Schreber smiled. Now you’re thinking like an indel. Keep it up and you might figure it all out before it’s too late.

Why did everyone want her to do all the figuring? The only education she’d gotten was what could be stolen from listening at the doors of great houses.

You don’t want me to deliver this message because you’re trying to do the opposite of what Bernard wants. It’s not going to help you. He’ll figure out what you’re doing and begin issuing orders specifically designed for you to counter. You’ll start walking into traps time after time.

Schreber shrugged. He hasn’t done it yet.

Bring in that Invoker of yours and lets be sure. Let’s find out exactly what this tattoo is doing, because I’ll wager my message to Kaluna it’s Bernard who changed it.

He’d been chattering non-stop since they’d reached the foot of the waterfall. Every time they rested he was popping into human form, as if it were so easy, to chatter in her ear. It was hard to listen as an ermine, but easier than struggling back and forth between forms.

If you’re tired we could stop at the Wolf Trap anyway. I don’t really want to go there though. That’s where The Wolf and BB hang out when they’re not off on their own business, he paused and his voice faltered somewhat. That’s where BB used to hang out. I saw him. Bernard did it didn’t he?

Those words were worth changing for. She focused her mind on the process, on making her snow white fur recede and her soft human skin to return. Yes, Bernard killed him. He’s done a lot of things that he insists are for the good of the nation. I think we’d better stop at the Wolf Trap. I want to find out what it is Schreber’s talking about before I continue on to Derico.

Rat stared at her, round eyed, then nodded. Schreber won’t be back for a while if he’s going somewhere else though. He never leaves the Wolf Trap unless he’s got a place in mind to go.

Amy shrugged. We can’t afford to wait too long. If he’s not there, we’ll just have to take our chances. She rubbed her shoulder, wondering why the shift would make it ache so much. Come on, lets go.

She started to shuffle off, and then stopped when Rat didn’t follow. He was staring at her, eyes rounder than ever.

I’m not waiting for you all day, she grumped. I want to get this scratch taken care of and see what’s going on.

Rat didn’t seem to register her comments. He stared at her for a long time, and then half raised his hand, as if wanting to touch something. Um, Amy?

She opened her mouth to bark something, and then thought better of it. What? she demanded instead.

Your tattoo is glowing.

His comment could not have startled her more. She twisted her head to look at her tattoo, and swallowed hard at the unusual sight before her. Her tattoo wasn’t just glowing. Greenish shadows, half way between flames and fog, flicked up and down the lines that marked her indelfy.

That’s bad, Amy managed after a moment. That’s very bad. Have you ever heard of something like this?

She hoped he had, because in all her years as an informant, glowing tattoos had never come up. Things like that just didn’t happen in Eberhard.

Rat shook his head, and glanced toward the tunnel under the waterfall. The Wolf will know where to get an Invoker. We’ll just have to hope she’s in. Come on, let’s go.

It felt odd to let the boy lead for once, but she allowed it anyway. Rat might have been young, but when it came down to indel things, he knew more than she. They had to crawl to get up the slimy damp stones under the waterfall, and climb the sixty or so feet to the top of the falls. They were soaked by the time they made it, but then there was nothing between them and the Wolf Trap.

An osprey wheeling above shrieked a warning to the people below, and dove down towards a low slung building a scant hundred yards from the river. It was a beautiful building, Amy decided, despite the intimidating circle of spears that jutted outwards at regular intervals on the wall. The Wolf Trap had been made in a perfect circle, and there were doors in the roof to allow flying indel to come and go as they pleased.

Rat tugged on her to get her attention, and then began to approach the might iron gates blocking the front. She touched the smooth edges of an iron wolf trap dangling from the top of the door, a warning she guessed, to indel who were not welcome. A perfect touch for the miniature fortress, and such a step up from even the wealthiest indelfy house. Had she really been missing so much?

Rat grabbed hold of the iron trap and pulled it hard, producing a jangling noise from somewhere inside the gates. A moment later a squirrel frisked at the top of the gates, staring down at them with perky interest before dropping to their side in human form.

What’s your business? he demanded. She could practically see his tail wiggling despite the fact that he no longer had one.

We need to see Will, Rat said. He paused, then winced, And if you have an Invoker, that would be good too. We have an…issue.

The squirrel-indel straightened to his full height. Will huh? Got an injury? How bad? How did it happen? You weren’t the ones who trashed Schreber were you?

Amy froze, but Rat didn’t. He had it coming. Let us in, and we’ll tell our side of the story.

It didn’t sound like a good idea, but the squirrel-indel didn’t seem to agree. He said, ‘hmm’ once, nibbled on his lip, and in a trice was over the gate again. The heavy doors slid open moments later, and then Amy was following Rat into the Wolf Trap.

Everyone stopped working when she came in, a familiar reaction to Amy by now. She squirmed under their gaze, her eyes drifting over the sea of faces until they came to rest on the two most dangerous indel she knew of, Schreber and The Wolf.

You picked the wrong bar to walk into indelfy, The Wolf growled. A low mutter of ascent from the surrounding indel backed her up.

You have to change, Rat whispered, grabbing her arm as he spoke. If you don’t they’ll kill you. I’ve seen them do it before, he added with a shudder.

Amy reached for her indel form, but something was wrong. She couldn’t change. She was too tired.

Rat saw the tiredness in her eyes, and took her weight as she began to sink to the floor. She’s an indel, he cried to the approaching warrior. She’s who Schreber was fighting when I came across them. Please believe me!

Amy winced, and felt unconsciousness rolling over her like a black cloud. She had to change somehow. She closed her eyes for a minute, forcing herself to reach for the indel side. The last thing she remembered was Schreber limping towards her, hands outstretched to accept her fragile indel body.

It looks like you’re going to be quite a popular person if you ever come back to us, Tanya said.

Amy balanced on Tanya’s thigh and put her front paws on the door so she could look out the window. There were indeed plenty of people outside, but were they cheering for her? How did they know it wasn’t the Duke?

A child indelfy, clutching her mother, saw Amy’s face peaking over the rim and pointed, her action raising another cheer. It was because she was indel, she thought as she settled back down on Tanya’s lap. If she was still trapped in a permanent human cage, they’d never have paid any attention. No one ever did.

Amy had never minded her status in life, had never really felt the pinch of being indelfy like she felt now. Molly had sheltered her from indels like the Duke. Inside Shadowfy she’d been as good as an equal. Perhaps there was a glimmer of truth in Bernard’s words, even if everything else about him was wrong. The indelfy did need assistance.

The carriage slowed to a halt as they reached a busy mixture of snow shoveling indelfy and burrowing animals working to clear the road. There was nothing but snow for miles now, deep snow that horses would sink into and humans would take forever to walk through. Tanya got out of the carriage, carrying Amy in her hands.

The cold air hit Amy’s fur like daggers, but to her indel mind it was the softest kiss of ice. She felt warm in her fur coat. A warmth that her human body would never be able to understand. It felt good to be here, just experiencing the cold, without a single vision impeding her mind.

Derico is twenty miles to the north, Tanya murmured into her ear. You can take the road if you like, but the indel path is much quicker. Run through the forest until you see a waterfall, take the tunnel behind the waterfall to the top, then follow the river till you see the walls. The castle is in the center of the city. She paused for a minute, lightly stroking her fur. Be careful. The forest is unicorn country, and forest unicorns aren’t really known for their friendliness.

Amy nodded, nuzzled Tanya’s fingers, and waited till she had been set down. Whatever Tanya’s motives, she’d proven herself kind. As long as that remained so, Amy would do her part. There was that little bit of the world she could hold onto.

Bye now, Tanya said.

Amy looked over her shoulder and squeaked what she hoped sounded like a goodbye, and then took off over the snow. The thin crust of ice frozen over the snow easily supported her weight. It was remarkable how fast she could travel without the limitations of a human body. She hoped whatever Bernard had done was not temporary. Whatever happened, she didn’t want to be indelfy again.

In moments she had left the road behind and had plunged into a pine forest. She didn’t need a trail to mark the way, the smells told her where to go.

Small animals had crossed the path several times over. Mice, rabbits, all easy to hunt animals. Several times she found herself straying from the path, her nose questing after some scent. It was beautiful to be indel, but also remarkably distracting.

Amy forced herself back onto the path, and then stopped. There was something about one of the smells she thought she ought to know. Her nose worked at the scent, but she couldn’t figure it out. She hadn’t been indel long enough. Some things had to be learned.

She continued on, entertaining herself by attempting to identify smells as she ran, pausing when the familiar scent came and went, until she came to an open clearing in the middle of the forest.

There was something familiar about this clearing too. Something she wouldn’t have recognized as a human. Her heart spiked almost before she realized it was the clearing from her dreams. The rich ruff of her fur stood up on end, and a low growl escaped from her throat. If she saw it, she could beat it. She would choose another route. There was no need to go straight through the clearing.

A shadow overhead had her diving for the bushes, and before she could even think what to do she was digging underneath the snow. Soft, padded feet crunched across the snow above her as she dug. She didn’t need to look or smell to know who it was. The demon of her dreams had come for her at last.

She crouched for a moment, and then began digging again, this time downwards. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of her own claws scraping the snow. Then she caught a loud purr and the carpet of snow above her was all but peeled back.

She screamed as rapier claws pierced her back. Instinct prevailed where all other senses failed. She rolled onto her back and savaged the cat’s tender underbelly.

It was enough or her to escape. She snorted blood and fur from her nose and flung herself across the clearing. The indel was after her in a trice. He was the faster.

She spun to face him only when he was one deadly pounce away, and let loose a blood curdling snarl. There was no hesitation this time. The cat snatched her, and she wasn’t quite quick enough to leap away. Only the badger’s den beneath her saved her from death right then. She fell into it, Schreber just behind her, snow cascading around them.

Amy was on her feet first, her agile stoat body far more suited to the tunnel environment. She scampered down the tunnel, toward the fresh hot smell of badger, and prayed the badger had not yet awoken.

Schreber was floundering in the snow, but he righted himself at last, growling in rage. Amy skidded to a halt when she heard something stirring in the large hollowed out space in front of her. The badger had heard their tussle, and was coming to investigate.

Amy twisted around like lightning, but Schreber was in her face, teeth bared and a hiss deep in his throat. She bit him, squealing as his claws tore at her delicate skin and calling on a strength she didn’t know she had, she pulled Schreber deeper into the burrow.

Schreber saw the badger too late, and thrashing in her grip, tried to get free. Amy grimly hung on, knowing the only way she was going to get out of the burrow alive was if the badger ended it. Schreber gave up trying to back his way out and thrust upward instead, leaving a red stain in the snow as he carried them both out of the burrow.

Amy released him as soon as they were clear, and they squared off, eyeing each other with newfound respect. Amy kept her claws dug firm into the snow, although she knew the muscles behind her shoulders were torn. Blood flowed freely from them both. Blood she had little doubt the badger could smell as he dug his way out of the fresh avalanche.

When Schreber came forward again, Amy didn’t back away. The clearing echoed with the sound of their fangs striking each other as they both sought to get a hold. It was Schreber who managed to sneak past her guard and take her head in his mouth, but before he could bite down, he abruptly pulled away, an agonized scream in his throat.

He surged sideways, one of his hindlegs limp and dragging behind him as he turned to meet the attack of a fierce juvenile rat. Amy caught the smell she’d been detecting all along. She didn’t dare hope. Her eyes weren’t good enough as a stoat to know for sure. She merely accepted the help for what it was, and dove at Schrebers back as soon as it was turned.

Schreber turned again, frustrated, and suddenly he was in human form. You fools. Both of you are fools. Do you think I care if the indelfy are equal? Do you think I care if the Stronghold is taken? Assassins can live anywhere, in any fortress. Save yourselves. Get out of Eberhard while you still can.

And then he was gone, racing away in his feline form, slowed only a little by a bad hind leg.

Amy glanced at the rat, now quite sure of who it was, and flicking her tail at him, bounded to the edge of the clearing. The rat took enough time to glance over his shoulder at the enraged badger not far behind him, and fled after her. The badger gave chase for a short while, and then satisfied they were suitably chastized, returned to his burrow.

Amy slipped back into her human form, amazed at how easy it was, and waited for Rat to change also. He stared at her, looking more like a small boy than the man he was on the verge of becoming.

Amy. I didn’t\I know you think I–

She didn’t let him finish. Instead, she pulled him into a rough hug. I have to get to Derico before the assassins get to Kaluna. Will you come?

Rat nodded, and glanced around the dim pine forest. If we cut through there we can get to the water tunnel faster. I’ve been this way a lot. Follow me!

They returned to their indel forms, and with a heart lighter than the air around them, Amy followed Rat through the woods.

Bernard settled in a chair next to the new Duke. Doubtless you have a lot to say for your treatment. I was unaware you were put in the E block until I went down to release you.

She sneered at him. Even after a year in Outer-Kaluna you’re still a terrible liar. There is no excuse for what you did, or what you let the Duke do. The Duke was just protecting his people. What were you doing? You don’t deserve my help, and you don’t deserve any kind of forgiveness.

Bernard had the grace to blush, but it was probably an act. He needed her after all. I’m sorry Amy, he said. Please understand all of these things are happening for the good of Eberhard, he glanced at the boy, And for indelfy. You’ll be such a great example to the people when this is over. The indelfy who became indel. Think about it.

She shook her head. I’m not part of your crew anymore. I’m here because Tanya asked me to come. If you don’t know, she was the only one who checked to see if I was even still alive down there. Alone. In the dark. In the snow.

When you can sit at a royal table and not have people gasp at your presence, you’ll thank me, Bernard said softly. Whatever the reason for your decision, I thank you for your help. He picked up the book, now resting on the desk. You’ll need this to get there quick enough though.

She crossed her arms, and didn’t move. If you expect some promise or token of trust that I’ll follow your orders, you’re going to have a long wait. After this moment, I’m done with you. After I finish my task, I’m done with your little gold encrusted friend there, and don’t count on me being here to see your grand vision completed. I may go so far as to be done with Eberhard.

She noticed his hands shook slightly, but he held it out anyway. Be indel, he whispered, and murmured some words she did not understand.

Magic rocked her body as Bernard touched her tattoo. She could feel the thin veil that had separated her human mind from the indel mind tearing apart. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing but a thin squeak came out. The world had gotten awful small, awful quickly. Bernard said something else, the human language dull and uninteresting to her sharp, inquisitive mind. She felt her tattoo warm, and an odd musky odor engulf her. It reminded her of the way Bernard sometimes smelled. It was comforting, soothing, and somewhat addictive. She wanted more of it.

That thought stopped her indel mind cold. She hadn’t been in the dungeon long enough if she still thought any part of Bernard was attractive. She climbed out of her clothing, shaking the scent from her coat, and stared up at Bernard in annoyance.

You’re a weasel! Bernard said, and then laughed. I won’t say it doesn’t suit you Amy. I knew you’d be something small and fast when you told me about those dreams.

Tell the king of the problems here, the Duke called over the desk, And godspeed, little stoat.

She scratched at her snow white fur, considered Bernard’s toes briefly, and then bit him.

Tanya flushed. I can do other things. I don’t have to fight.“

Amy hesitated, then went back to packing as she heard the sound of metal boots clanging up the stairs. The guards were searching the halls. No doubt they’d check this room right after hearing the noble woman’s story. You’re just going to be killed. She pulled a basket down from the shelves. Besides, the assassins killed all the messengers, remember?

Bernard said you weren’t really ‘fy, you just looked it. He said he could fix you. Why don’t you let him?

Amy’s hold on the basket faltered. The woman next door was talking in a loud voice.

Please just help me, Amy begged.

Tanya folded her arms. Help us and I’ll help you. I’m sure you’ll be rewarded.

Amy snorted. After my last little reward for helping? No thank you. I’m half ready to join the other side. Who’s to say they are wrong anyway? Did they attack us? No. Did they threaten us first? No. They only killed because we gave them no choice. Eberhard is a big country, and they have no army. Assassination is the only way they can make their point.

Tanya shrugged. I don’t think that should matter. It doesn’t matter if Eberhard is right or wrong. All that matters is that we’re here, and we should be loyal. Weren’t you ever part of some street clan? Don’t you know what that’s like?

Not only was she incorrect, Tanya was out of her mind. Clan warfare and national warfare were two different things. Besides, Amy had less reason than anyone to be loyal. She had liked the Duke. Who had thrown her in prison? She had trusted Bernard. Who had turned his back on her in her one moment of need? She had been right. She had always been right.

Her fingers tightened on the basket, and at last she gave it a bad tempered little shove back into its spot. Did you have a particular plan in mind? Something, I don’t know, sane?

Tanya didn’t have time to answer. The doors opened and guards poured inside, weapons at the ready. Get away from her, indelfy! one of them screamed, coming forward with what looked like a short handled sickle. Get away from her or I’ll cut you down.

Tanya grabbed hold of the blade’s handle and pushed it down. She’s not looking for a fight, Tanya snapped. Take her to see the Invoker and be gentle about it. This is his lover, and if he sees a new bruise on her he’ll be sure to uninvoke you, and then you’ll be less than an indelfy all the rest of your days.

The guard pulled back at the word uninvoked, flinching as if she’d touched him with a coal. If he loves her so much, how did she end up in the dungeon?

Mistaken identity, Tanya lied promptly. The Invoker was very displeased about that too.

Amy stared at Tanya with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. If she ever returned to Eberhard, she would have to pay a visit to Tanya and learn a few of her tricks.

A sword wielding guard took her gently by the elbow and pulled her to the door. This way, he said.

Amy followed along, more because of the variety of sharp, pointy objects surrounding her than out of any docile quality. The guards took her to the Duke’s office, where Bernard was hovering over a twelve year old boy and speaking into his ear. The boy listened and nodded, the Duke’s signet too big on his fingers.

The Duke’s guards stepped forward and bowed respectfully. Indel Tanya suggested you would wish to speak with your…with this indelfy, the sword-wielding guard said.

Bernard nodded, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. Yes, thank you I do. Have you reconsidered my request? he asked. The kindness was back in his voice, the kindness that had not been there when she needed it. Enough was enough.

She pulled out a chair and flopped in it, ignoring the new Duke as he pulled back, nostrils quivering. I’ve reconsidered quite a few things. My opinion of you for starters, not to mention the Duke, Eberhard, and being an indel. Why don’t you dismiss these guards, and have a seat while I tell you all about it.

The Invoker glanced at the boy beside him, then waved his hands. Please excuse us gentlemen. We have some arrangements to make.

She took refuge in an alcove housing an entrancing display of swords, and a less entrancing collection of cleaning supplies behind them. The main entry was filled with people coming and going, carrying arm loads of mourning clothes, food for guests, and enough wood to heat the remaining guest rooms. Despite herself, her eyes lingered on the wood. The life of the upper floors was a far cry from the death just below their feet. Did they even know what pain went on beneath them? Did they care? The three steps they had to walk up every day to get into the castle merely gave the dungeons below enough height for a window. Hatred burned in her heart. She ought to kill every one of them. Everyone who knew anyway.

The entry way cleared after what seemed like an eternity, and at last there was only one single footman left at the door. She could take down one man, if his other form was small enough. She leaned outward, trying to see where his tattoo was, and what the animal was. He turned his head toward her, eyes searching the darkness, and she saw the work pass dangling around his neck. Indelfy.

He saw her then, and her hand slid toward the box of cleaning supplies at her feet. She doubted there was a handy way to kill someone using only a scrub brush, but if he turned out to be untrustable, as so many people were, she would make do.

It’s alright, he said. They didn’t see you. They’re gone now, the footman whispered.

Amy glanced at the scrub brush, and made the decision to leave it. There was nothing she could do if he was another person fooling her into thinking he was kind. She would have to take that risk.

She tip-toed out of the shadows, sliding around the wall, and checking above her to see that no one was looking down from above. Keep your silence a moment longer, there are some things I need to attend to here, she answered in the same low voice. The walls seemed to echo louder words, and she feared someone would hear.

He nodded his ascent, and she didn’t wait to see how long it would take for him to change his mind. She ran lightly up the steps to the second, or third if the dungeon was counted, floor. Her room was the third door on the right, at least she thought. Amy came to an abrupt halt. What if she opened the wrong door? Perhaps she should just leave without taking anything. Her money had probably already been stolen anyway.

Voices sounded down the hall, and heart pounding she ran the rest of the way down the hall and threw herself into what she thought was her room. Her senses keened when the door shut, and all she heard inside was crying.

She reached to her belt for a knife, and cursed silently when she found it missing. They’d taken it from her of course. They’d taken everything else, why not the knife? She reached out for the candlestick holder, and almost dropped it when the crying woman sitting on her bed let out a scream that could have shattered stone. Every guard in the castle had to have heard it.

Amy closed her eyes and willed a silent prayer to any listening gods for patience. It’s alright. I’m not here to hurt you. I was just\trying to find my room. They all look alike to me.

The woman threw a veil over her face, and wrapped a fur coat around her like it was a shield. You’re the one they’re looking for, she cried, and threw herself at the signal rope for the servants.

Amy backed out of the room and slammed the door shut. Perhaps the next room would provide some protection. She darted inside without looking, and ran straight into Tanya.

I’m so sorry, Tanya began, then stopped when she saw who it was. Amy! I thought they’d killed you when I brought more bricks and you weren’t there. How did you get out?

She’d brought more bricks? How long had she been waiting in that alcove? Never mind, there wasn’t enough time to find out. We have to beat the assassins out of here. Our best bet is to head for Lokeli.

Tanya eyed her doubtfully. The assassins aren’t going to Lokeli.

Which is precisely why we are, Amy said, reaching for an empty basket. I don’t like traveling alone, and I presume you want to live. Plus you have my money. Start packing.

Oh\I didn’t spend any of it. I was saving it for you.

A kind lie. Don’t worry about it. Can you get any food?

Tanya stuck her chin up. I’m not going.

Amy stopped her movements completely and stared. Why not?

Someone needs to stay and fight the assassins. The duke is gone, but if we can hold them off long enough for a message to get through, we can save Kaluna.

They’re already here, he said jerking at the cell door to get it open. Come on. I’m releasing you.

She rolled over to face the wall. I’ll take my chances in here, thank you.

We’re taking the heir apparent to the capital where he’ll be more protected. At least the Duke got his final wish. There’s sure to be a war over his death. Eberhard will not see its nobility murdered.

No. Just everyone else. Amy sat up. I’m not going. You won’t make it out of town anyway. Every assassin in the Stronghold is coming this way. They’ll take the Dukedom, and then they’ll take you.

She couldn’t see him well in the dim light, but the lengthy pause suggested he was weighing her words. She didn’t much care if he believed her or not. The time for belief was long past them.

How do you know? he asked at last.

Why did they wait to kill the duke? Why did they take the wards down when it’s obvious they had another way in? Why did they kill all your potential messengers? Everything they did was planned, and you walked right into it. There’s no messenger to send to Derico now. You’ll die here, just like your servants did, or you’ll die by their hands some other way.

He reached into his robe and pulled out the book she had seen in the library. Funny how he would bring the method of helping himself, instead of something to help her. Tanya had brought her food, warmth. Even Schreber had given her a blanket. What did he bring? Death. She sneered at it, tightening her hold on the blanket. I’m not going.

He ignored her. I can make you an indel with this. Think about it. When peace is restored to Eberhard, you can be an example to the indel, and to the indelfy. We can unite everyone.

She closed her eyes against his words. The world was a white sea of crystal as she tunneled beneath the snow. Above her a demon prowled, wicked red tipped claws seeking to spill more of her blood. She’d already gone so far. She was so tired. Why did she have to go?

She didn’t.

No.

He stepped forward, expression eerie in the light. It’s the only way.

Resentment bubbled up from where it had been burning in her guts since the day they’d locked her up, alone, in the cold. You’re wrong. It’s the only option for you. I on the other hand have several options. I can goad you into killing me. I can wait till the assassins release me, or if you did give me that power, I can run away and leave you with nothing but false hope.

His fingers tightened on the book, and he pulled it closer. What do you want?

Nothing anymore. It’s too late for that.

It can’t be too late. He sounded almost as despairing as she had felt, and she gloated over it. It served him right to get a little of the same pain back. To be abandoned as soon as he was no longer needed. This time it was he who could feel like nothing but trash. The tables were turned, and he deserved it.

Send an indelfy messenger. They’re used to abuse, or send Tanya. I saw a fish tattoo on her shoulder, so I doubt she’ll be much help in a fight. If you give her a horse, she could be there in less than a day.

He put the book back in his robe. You’re heartless.

She shrugged. Not my fault. You had my heart, and you threw it away.

He left without another word, but the door remained unlocked. Trust? Or merely no more use for her? She didn’t know. She waited until the dungeon’s silence engulfed her, and then slipped out of the prison. It was time to find her coins, and head for freedom. She didn’t owe anything to anyone.

She scampered across the clearing, dipping into holes here and there were a previous hunter had made an easier way for the small ones who came after. Most of the time she spent above ground however, absorbed in the beautiful landscape.

Strange smells that did not match the beautiful landscape caused her to stop beneath one of the trees. It was as if the clumps of grass were moldy, and had frozen that way. Her eyes did not work quite as well as her nose, but the grass looked fresh enough. Why did it smell like poorly cut hay?

There was a shadow above her. Something was leaping. Claws!

Amy’s eyes flew open, and for a moment she saw duel images, half snowy clearing, half snowy prison. It was the jingling sound of the chains that brought her around. The chains, and the creak of the iron door swinging open.

A dark silhouette appeared in the door, and threw a course blanket over her before she could get out of the way. The person bent closer, a key in hand, and the chains were unlocked. Don’t worry little indelfy, it will be over soon, Schreber whispered, and then he was gone, the door locked securely behind him.

She glanced out the window, wondering how long she had been trapped. Funny how of all the people who knew her, it was Schreber who came when she needed help the most. The dreams began to eat at the corner of her mind again, and she paused only long enough to wrap up in the blanket before letting them have her. At least the dreams gave her company.

The Duke seemed content to let her rot in the prison, for no one else came that day, or the next. If people came and went, she did not know it. She only became aware of another visitor when something burning hot after her acclimation to the snow was placed nearby. She reached out with one stiff, frozen hand and felt a blazing hot mug. She jerked her fingers back, but sat up to take it again. The burns felt good. They meant she was warm.

Tanya seemed smaller than Amy ever remembered, nervously looking over her shoulders at every unusual sound. It was the dead of night, Amy realized. The only sounds were made by the one guard remaining, and he only snored. Tanya held up the key in shame. I can’t leave this here, but I heard where they put you. I heard about the dreams too and I\wanted you to be warm.

She pushed a sack towards Amy, and she could see from the way the air waved above it that whatever was inside was very warm. I heated bricks for you. I’ll come again tomorrow with more. No one will check except to see that you live.

She didn’t wait for Amy to say anything, but slipped out the door, locking it up tightly and disappearing into the dark. For once, Amy didn’t much care. She pulled the sack to her, and buried herself in the warmth. When her senses returned, she regretted not stealing the key from Tanya. She hadn’t been doing it out of pity, after all. No doubt it was out of guilt for the coins. A fair trade. Warmth was worth any price.

Had there been a time when she actually believed in kindness? Molly had been kind, about female things. Did that then make her right? Were the assassins really all that bad? She was beginning to wonder.

Despair enveloped her as she felt a tiny fleck of snow descend from above. The storm had broken at last, and the warmth of the bricks could not last forever.

She crawled forward to peer through the bars at the guard on the other side, and discovered to her surprise, that he had somehow disappeared.

Amy, Bernard whispered abruptly from the dark. She jumped, then made a face and slumped back down. He waited, as if for a response, and then spoke again. The duke is dead.

Bernard signaled to them and they fell back a step or two, but her trust was shattered. Sweat began to form under the silk collar of her gown, and she wondered if an escape was possible now. Bernard was quiet as they walked, and a quiet Bernard was not a good thing.

She slowed down as they headed towards what she guessed was the office door, her feet unwilling to carry her into the unknown.

The duke looked up when she did at last make in appearance, and his gaze was not friendly. Where is the assassin? he demanded upon her entry. What is your connection to him?

In your garden somewhere, Amy answered, her voice wavering. He’s an Informant, like me.

Like you? Are you an assassin too then? The Duke countered.

Her heart thundered in her chest. They were going to lock her up forever, kill her, for something she didn’t do. She could see it in the Duke’s face. He’d gotten his use out of her, and now he was looking for a handy way to dump her. Her face clouded under visions of damp dungeon cells open to the wind. She cowered.

No. I deal in information, not death.

The duke brushed that damnation aside. Do you have any proof? Any at all? The wards were fine until you came, and the very night you arrive the wards stop working. Tell me. How did you turn them off?

I didn’t turn them off. His abrasive attitude was beginning to change her fear to temper. She stood a little straighter, the shaking in her bones starting to fade.

Then who did? he demanded. Your little escort? Did you send your messenger boy to the Wolf Trap to inform them you were en route? Was this whole thing a set up?

I didn’t know you until yesterday, she snapped I hadn’t seen Bernard in ten years until you sent him specifically to find me. The way I see it, you’re the one setting me up. I don’t know, I can’t answer, and just now I really don’t want to.

The duke’s voice was cold, as he addressed not Bernard, but the guards behind him. Lock her up. Put her under constant guard.

She dropped like a stone under Bernard’s grasp and dove between the guards’ legs, but as fast as she was, they were faster. Before she could so much as claw her way out the door they were piling on her, and the cold bite of iron cuffs snapped around her wrists.

She struggled to her feet and turned an accusing glare not on the Duke, whom she did not know, but Bernard. You set me up for this, she whispered.

He looked down and away, avoiding her eyes. There’s nothing I can do.

He left a long pause, as if he wanted to add ‘right now’, but right now was the only time she cared about.

The betrayal burned in her guts all the many staircases down to the dungeon. She’d trusted him. She’d given them their answers. She’d been honest. For once in her life she put faith in the upper class, and what was her reward? The loss of her freedom, and everything else in turn. Her coins were still under her pillow in the guest bedroom, how long would they stay there? Would Tanya help herself upon finding them? Did it matter? Would she ever see daylight again?

Fury burned inside her. This was not how her life was supposed to be. Everything had changed, was always changing. It was too fast, too soon, and her fear was quickly converting to anger. By the time they arrived on the dungeon floor itself, she felt as if she could break the chains themselves.

A tall, hardened man stepped out of a room off to one side and paced down to meet them. He didn’t flinch under the blackened glare she gave him, his faith in her bindings supreme. What’s this? he demanded.

The Duke wants to have our guest here put under your management, the guard said grandly. The best cell, she’s to be treated kindly.

The guard glanced at her, his gaze zeroing in on the delicate snowflake revealing her tattoo. She’s indelfy, he spat. She’s nothing at all.

If that’s how you define nothing at all, Amy whispered, Then the Duke’s son must be included in your opinion. He is indelfy as well, is he not?

The man slapped her hard across the cheek. You will not speak of noble blood in that fashion. Put her in the last cell. We hauled the last guest out of there a couple hours ago. It won’t stink that bad. Maybe.

Amy felt the burn of her tattoo long before she saw the drifts of snow piled in the cell he mentioned. She screamed when she got close to it, and for the first time since she arrived in the dungeon, she put up a real fight.

Don’t put me in there! she shouted at the top of her lungs. The chains would not break after all. She kicked at the guards. Not in there! She screamed, even as the wind rushed out of her lungs from a hard fall. She rolled away from the cell and dragged herself under a chair, kicking hard when she felt them grab her feet.

She felt herself being dragged backwards and writhed in agony at the first touch of snow. All she could do was scream as the dreams consumed her. She’d been wrong to trust any of them. She was wrong about everything. It had to be so.