Sarabande: River of Falcons Book 4

30. A Strong Breeze

As Onuma approached the Palace, she spotted Arty's villagers at their posts. There were two Artulan guards behind the big front gate, each holding a spear, and here and there she could see archers in balconies. She hoped the archers would not mistake her for an attacker. To be cautious, she landed well short of the gate, shifted, and walked the final stretch. By the time she got to the gate, the guards must have alerted Arty, because he was just coming out.

"Greet, Onuma," he said. "What brings you to the Palace? I was just about to head your way. Actually, beyond. The Queen wants me to take a search party down to the marsh where Drift disappeared. Do you want to join us?"

Onuma put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't go quite yet," she said. "A large fishing boat is headed this way with a lot of our enemies and a mysterious cargo. Something's going on. We need to alert the Queen at once."

"Huh," Arty said. "Is it an attack, do you think?"

"I don't know what they have in mind, but they'll be here shortly."

Arty frowned, then turned and went into the little gatehouse where the guards sheltered in rainy weather. He came out holding a big bronze horn shaped in a spiral. He put it to his mouth and blew. A deep, resonant ringing sound came out of it. "Wow," he said.

"I've got to get back," Onuma added. "I left Arnica hiding in the woods with an injured arm. They're hunting her."

"What's wrong?" The Queen, who must have been close by, arrived at a jog. "What is it?"

"There's a boat coming up the river carrying a chest guarded by a large number of sorcerers. Magus is on board, and so is Nautilus," Onuma summarized.

The Queen frowned. "If they mean to attack us, why come by boat? It's too slow for a surprise attack."

"I think they're transporting something important up the river," Onuma said.

Nighthawk and Ubi arrived at that moment, followed closely by Thistle. "What is it?" Ubi asked.

"A boat's coming—" Onuma started to explain.

The Queen cut her off. "Our enemies are coming up the river," she said. "I want everyone at the ready in case of attack. Arthur, go wake the off-duty guards and have them armed and ready."

"Onuma thinks they're going to Vultan's Keep," Arty said. "If you want to engage them, we could ambush them along the way. There are places where the forest comes right down to the river."

"Arthur, do not—"

"Artur," he interrupted.

"Do not question your orders," the Queen snapped. "And everyone, to your posts!" She turned and stalked back toward the Palace.

"What shall I do?" Onuma asked.

"Stay here and help secure the Palace," the Queen said as she walked away.

"But what about Arnica?" Onuma asked. The Queen did not look back. Onuma watched her go with a worried frown.

"What's the matter with Arnica?" Arty asked.

"I left her behind because she was injured. I'm worried."

Arty turned toward one of his guards. "Can you please get the others? I have to go on a quick errand."

She nodded and took off at a run, her bow slung over her shoulder.

Thistle frowned. "Now, now, otter boy, you heard the Queen. No one is to go out."

"But Mother!" Nighthawk objected. "What about Arnica? We can't let them catch her."

"And weren't you about to go out with me, Thistle?" Arty asked. "We were going down to the salt marsh to search for Drift."