The Blades

Chapter Eleven

June 23rd

"No, Atla, I have no idea where the fire started, or even why." Gossamer was tired of my badgering.

"My Lady Gossamer if you would just let me—"

"No! Go do something else! Steal from orphans, murder someone, I do not care. Just stop bothering me!" she turned and walked away, heading in the direction of the library.

I sighed and turned to walk towards the training room. I needed to get out here and investigate, I just had to but I needed someone who would break the rules with me, "Kodiak!" I caught his arm as he tried to pass me, "Come help me," I said, walking towards Commons and dragging him along.

"Anything for you, gorgeous. As long as you call me Kodi." He chuckled slightly as I rolled my eyes. I found Bayah reading a book, sitting on the edge of the cistern bridge, feet dangling above the water, her ankle wrapped and braced with a heavy bandage.

"Bayah, come with me," I said and she narrowed her eyes up at me as I crouched next to her.

"What for?" she looked back at Kodi and the back to me.

I didn't reply but stood and went back towards the training room, taking the tunnel that would lead past the library and towards the secret rock entrance.

Bayah had followed, still limping slightly, and I stopped and turned to the both of them, "We are going to find out why that forest burned down."

"Why do you care?" Kodi asked.

"Because a forest that old doesn't just catch on fire and I want to know why it happened."

"But why?" Bayah asked.

"I think there's something wrong about this. I don't know, it's just a feeling but please? Will you come with me?" I begged them.

They looked skeptical, "All right, fine, but is Gossamer okay with this?" Kodi raised his eyebrow.

I paused, "Not exactly."

"Did you call her Milady?" Bayah asked.

"I did but she just told me to go murder someone," I said. Usually, we called Gossamer 'Milady' if we wanted her to let us do something. She loved being called that.

They both gave in but didn't look happy about it. I led the way to the ladder, leading to the hidden entrance under the rock, following the gradually darkening tunnel until we reached the end. I climbed up first, emerging out of the rock and blinking in the sunlight.

The sky was less gray than yesterday but the smell of smoke clung to the air in a thick curtain. Kodi shifted into the form of a chestnut-colored horse and Bayah climbed onto his back so she didn't have to walk. I led the way on foot.

"We saw the fire coming from this area, by the large hill," I told them and Bayah nodded, Kodi-horse nickered in response.

"Yes, but what are we looking for?" Bayah asked.

I shrugged, "I have no idea."

The horse made an indignant sound and I rolled my eyes, "Shut up, Kodi. Use your magical hearing to track down anything weird," I told him.

The horse stopped, head held aloft and ears twitching in all directions. He turned to the left and bobbed his head. I set off in that direction, jogging through the dead remains of tree trunks, Bayah and Kodi following closely at a trot. As we went on, I began to notice all of the trees were leaning backward ever so slightly, away from the direction we were headed. I pointed this out to Bayah, who agreed we were going the right way.