Hierarchy (Book Four of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Twenty: For the Sake of Knowing, Pt 1

Katerin was awoken in the early morning by Heirum, who pounded loudly on the bedroom door. She supposed it was fortunate that she had not changed into any sort of nightgown, for when she answered the door, the dwarf tossed her a chunk of soft bread, and spoke with a cheery smile.

"We've got things to do! Lets go, kiddo. It's gonna take a while!"

"Let me grab my bag," she said, but Heirum shook his head.

"I've got food, water, and all the rest we'll need. You oughta' leave that sling behind, too."

"How long will you be?" Fykes asked, groggily, his hair shadowing his eyes.

"Maybe an hour, maybe a day." Heirum shrugged.

Fykes gaze sharpened.

Heirum held up a hand, "I promise I'll keep a good eye on her."

Fykes did not seem to believe him. "Katerin, I'm sure there are other ways to learn what we need."

"Maybe," she said in agreement. "But we don't have a lot of time." She kissed him quickly, and made her way out the door before he could make any argument. Maybe it was early enough that Brazen was not yet awake, and she would only have to justify and explain herself, later.

As they exited the inn, Heirum looked her up and down, and nodded. "I hope you're good at climbing, girl."

"Climbing?" Katerin's thoughts moved to her wrist, and her stomach dropped. "I... my wrist isn't healed."

Heirum paused. "Can it hold your weight?"

Katerin bit her lip. No, was her immediate thought, though she had not tried.

Heirum held up a finger and pulled something from his bag. "A brace," he said, reaching for her wrist.

"It's there's a fall, I can just use a spell," she said, looking out over the glow of the city.

Heirum eyed her with a look that told her whatever this was, it would not be so simple. "No magic. Defeats the point."

"What is the point, Heirum? And where are we going?"

"You are going to the archives, to see Kanara. They aren't something you can just walk into. The dwarves who built the city stored a lot of knowledge there, but, getting to it is a bit of a test. Of courage, for one. Strength. Tenacity."

"You're not coming?" Katerin's brow furrowed. Was it over lava? What if her arm failed? She could die in Lake Lagamar, and Fykes would never forgive her for it.

"Already been," Heirum said. "Besides, only one person should go, anyway. Its your best chance with Kanara."

Heirum finished wrapping her wrist, and it surprised Katerin. The wrap looked to be made of silk, but it was stronger. More tensile. Within it, Katerin's wrist almost felt as if it had never been hurt. He gestured, and they continued down the road. They walked up and down Lagamar's streets in relative silence. The lake and lava fall became more visible as they went, and Katerin's unease grew. A few feet away from an over look, across from the lava fall, Heirum stopped and looked at the ground.

It took him a minute, observing the chiseled stone, to find what he was looking for, but with a great heave, he lifted open what appeared to be a trapdoor. Katerin noticed the heat from the hole, first, secondly that a flickering orange light was visible beneath it, and third, that the whole of it was enchanted to dispel any magic one might use on themselves, or their items.

Heirum took the small pack from his shoulder and handed it to Katerin. "There's some rope, some medicine, food and water in there."

Katerin swallowed, gathering her courage. "Heirum?" she asked. "Did my parents visit the archive?"