The Woven Crown (Completed)

Chapter 27

Ryla followed Raav to the edge of the room where the stone dropped off into the jagged forest. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness again. Pin pricks of light appeared in clusters until the entire night sky was scattered with stars.

"What can Killian and I do?" asked Ryla. The industrious hivers moved about, checking ropes, tying on shin guards, going up and down ladders to retrieve necessary items.

Raav kept his eyes on the stars. "I'm not sure if you did the right thing in coming, Ryla. If they find you and capture you, it could mean the end to us all."

Ryla was quiet for a moment and then said, "For me, there was no other choice. I'm part of this mess now, whether I want to be or not. The Prestige wants me, for whatever reason, and I can no longer keep relying on others to stand in my defense while I hide. I'm... Woven"

These last two words seemed to sum up everything she was feeling. These powers were given to her and she was now responsible for them.

This explanation seemed to be enough for Raav. "You've learned some defensive magic, yes?"

"They taught me at the refuge, but only for a season. Killian's had much more practice than I have."

"We could use some defenses woven around these openings," he said, pointing out dwellings along the cliff face like the one they stood in. "Do you think you and your friend could manage that?"

"Yes, that we can do. How much time do we have?"

"I believe they'll move at first light. As much as I hope they'll be unable to find their way easily, I doubt the Prestige would have sent this group here without any idea on how to navigate the stone forest. It's been a long time since we last had a visit from the capitol, but I'm certain there are still people who remember the way. I wouldn't give it more than an hour past dawn until they arrive."

"Will they try to come up the stairs?"

"No one but the hivers and the Caravan know about that entrance. Harlow told me she spotted climbing equipment among their gear. My guess is they are planning to scale the cliff and attack while we sleep."

"Would the Prestige really order you all killed? What happens when he needs to replenish his stores of melith?"

"If he's smart, he'll have told his army to spare a handful of hivers so our harvesting knowledge doesn't die with us. And he's given me no reason to think he's foolish, if but a little rash." He turned to face her. "After the defenses are woven, I think it's best if one of you goes with the ground troops and the other with the hivers above. I'll let you decide that between the two of you."

To the tops of the pillars for her, then.

A hiver woman came over to ask Raav about supplies. Ryla left him to it and went to talk to Killian who watched with trepidation as hivers gathered ropes and prepared them with knotted harnesses. "They aren't expecting me to use one of those, are they?" he asked.

"Raav needs one of us on the ground. I thought you might like to volunteer for that position." Ryla thought she'd never seen Killian look so relieved. But then he quickly hid it, saying, "But that means you... you'll be the one up there. Ryla, I can't let you do that!"

Ryla put a hand on his shoulder. "I've climbed before. I'll be ok. And besides, you'll be no help at all if you're glued to the rock face the whole time."

Ryla could tell her words rang true with him. "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "We didn't make a mistake in coming here, did we?"

"Even if it was, it was one worth making."