Page 151 of Sword & Sacrifice

Behind her, the door opened as other customers entered. They spoke in low voices before splitting off into the aisles. She had to decide quickly if she didn’t want to hold up the line.

The general store in her home village often accepted her mother’s cures and remedies in exchange for goods. She glanced up at the man, nibbling her lower lip. He had an open, cheerful face—even if he rejected her idea, she didn’t think he would be cruel. “Would you consider a trade instead?”

He eyed her up and down, then looked around. “Are you traveling alone, miss?”

She nodded, afraid that if she spoke aloud, the whole sordid tale—unbelievable bits and all—would spill forth.

His expression softened. “What do you have?”

Perking up, she looked through her bag first, pulling out a few simple tonics, and then searched through her mother’s supplies. They’d gone to Sparrow Hill to treat Valerian, so her mother had packed accordingly. Raw materials, basic magical tools, and potions to improve healing. She didn’t want to waste her mother’s hard work on a simple meat pie, so she chose the most basic potion—for blood loss—and offered it to the storekeeper. “This will help replenish someone’s blood after an injury or difficult birth.”

His eyebrows shot up. “That’s worth more than a few meat pies.”

She glanced around the store, making a mental list of supplies in her head.

Her eyes landed on a small section for stationary, which held pens and paper. “Does anyone here know how to send magical messages?” If she could send one to Archer, she could explain everything days sooner than if she had to wait until she arrived at the palace. He could send soldiers to save Mama and Penn!

The storekeeper shook his head. “Only magical messenger I know of is in Swallow’s Nest.”

Her heart sank as she realized he meant Valerian.

“But there’s a large port city a few hours ride from here. People are always coming and going, so there’s no guarantee a mage will be there right now, but it’s your next best bet.”

She didn’t have time to go out of her way for a possibility. But she had her mother’s supplies, and she’d managed to use magic to break herself out of a jail cell. Maybe she could figure out how to send a message on her own. “Can I get some parchment and sealing wax along with the pies?”

“Of course,” he said, handing her three pies. “How about some jerky? I also have a little bit of fresh bread, too.”

She smiled and thanked him for his generosity. She took an unwrapped pies to eat now and tucked the other two into her bag. When she turned around, she almost collided with the front person of a line that had formed behind her.

He held up a hand to either ward her off or steady her. Shaggy blond hair surrounded his face, and a black patch covered his left eye. A crooked smile softened the rough appearance. “All right, miss?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, excuse me,” she murmured, ducking her head as she stepped around him.

“How can I help you, sir?”

The man’s response faded into the background as Emmaline left the shop. Another man waited outside, leaning against the wall, smoking a sweet-smelling cigarette. His skin was past sun bronzed and edging toward burned. Emmaline considered offering him a soothing balm but knew she might need it later if she had to trade again for more supplies.

She had planned to write her letter on the porch, but the cloying smoke and witnesses made it less appealing. Instead, she grabbed Sugar’s reins and led her through the streets, looking for a quiet spot to sit down.

A cluster of trees off to the side of the road offered her some shelter from prying eyes and a green patch of grass for Sugar to graze.

Emmaline sat down cross-legged and pulled a book and charcoal stick out of her bag. She balanced the book on her lap, using it as a hard surface as she smoothed the parchment over it. First, she’d write the letter, then she would attempt to send it.

But what happened if the magic sent it to someone else? Pure force of will could crack open a lock—it couldn’t guarantee a message found the correct recipient. Pursing her lips, she considered how to give Archer the necessary information while being vague enough not to endanger herself further if the letter fell into the wrong hands. She’d already experienced the consequences of people’s disbelief.

Dear Archer,

Mama and Penn are in danger. Valerian made a mistake that awoke a slumbering threat. I last saw them at Causley Estate in Sparrow Hill. I’m heading toward Litus. Please send help.

-Em

“Trying to send a magical message?”

Emmaline jumped and smacked her hand over the parchment to hide the contents as she looked up at the speaker.

It was the one-eyed man from the store. He leaned against a nearby tree, hands in his pockets. “I overheard you bartering with the shopkeeper,” he explained.

“It’s rude to eavesdrop,” she said, stuffing her supplies into her bag.