“You haven’t told us what our part is,” Gyre said.

“You have proven to be skilled and resourceful,” Naumoriel said. “Our destination is a valley deep in the Shattered Peaks, known only to a few. We will certainly encounter the creatures you call plaguespawn. And, given your earlier failure, it is just possible that the Twilight Order will attempt to interfere as well. You will assist in the event of either contingency.”

“Sounds great,” Kit said. “Let’s get to it.”

What is she playing at? Gyre tried to catch Kit’s eye, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. He hesitated, then nodded his assent. It’s not as though I have much of a choice.

“Elariel,” the old ghoul said. “You understand your duty.”

She inclined her head. “I do.”

“Then take care of my city,” Naumoriel said. “Until I … return.”

The canopy of his massive construct swung closed. At some silent command, the soldier-constructs started their march, with the others following behind in perfect time.

“I wish you good luck,” Elariel said. She hesitated, ears drooping, then turned away.

*

For most of a day, they followed a curving tunnel, walking in near-total darkness. It was enough to make Gyre miss the carriage-construct. Eventually, their path turned upward, and after a leg-cramping hour or two, they reached a set of massive doors. These slid open at Naumoriel’s approach, letting in late afternoon sunlight.

They emerged onto the side of a mountain, sloping down to a narrow river valley. Scrub grass clung in patches to a rocky landscape, but at least they were well below the snow line. The door ground closed behind them, outward surface worked to resemble the stone all around it.

“Do you have any idea where we are?” Gyre said to Kit, looking up at the unfamiliar peaks all around them.

“Nope!” she said cheerfully. “Does it matter?”

“Not really, I suppose.” He raised his voice. “How far are we going?”

Naumoriel’s voice, slightly distorted, echoed from his towering construct. “Four days’ walk, given your human frailties. We follow this valley until it meets up with another, then turn upstream and follow the river to its source.” His construct extended a leg, testing the slope, then started its smooth glide forward. “Come. It will be safer to travel by day.”

Why? Gyre wondered as they tramped along in the huge thing’s wake. What could he be worried about? He was hard-pressed to imagine a plaguespawn big enough to challenge even one of the ghoul constructs, let alone a whole squadron of them. And he couldn’t see any signs of habitation in this valley, human or otherwise.