C H A P T E R  F I F T Y - T H R E E

UNDER THE
VALE

Micah Bayar wasn’t making it easy for Han to do the right thing. He’d been raising doubts since they began their journey through the tunnels. No doubt his missing father and sister were on his mind. He’d be wondering if Han didn’t mean for him to disappear, too.

“Two days ago, you had no idea how to get into Fellsmarch Castle,” Micah said. “Today, you do. Where did you get this information?”

Han grunted. He didn’t want to get into that. He preferred to say as little as possible to Micah Bayar. It was hard enough spending time with him.

“Well?” Micah persisted. “How do we know you are not leading us into a trap?”

“I told you. I heard from a reliable source that the tunnel once existed,” Han said. “If you don’t want to do anything chancy, you shouldn’t be here.”

That shut Micah up for a blessed mile or two.

Nobody else said much. Weighed down by the dangers in front of them, wary of mixed company, Shilo and Bird soft-footed along as Demonai always did. Even Mordra seemed subdued.

The plan was that Han, Mordra, and Micah would launch a magical assault from within the keep—spectacular enough to distract the enemy forces in the city so the Demonai and highlanders could cross the Vale and surprise them. Bird and Shilo would provide cover.

First, Han would get Raisa and her sister out of harm’s way, so he could focus on the job they’d come to do. He’d winnowed his dreams to this one thing—that Raisa survive this disaster and remain on the throne of the Fells, married to whomever she chose.

Gryphon had wanted to come, too, but his wheeled chair couldn’t navigate the tunnels. So he’d remained with the main forces, ready to use his power in support of the assault. Dancer, too, was with the army gathering in the foothills. He would provide magical cover for the assault, and use his knowledge of weaponry and green magic to increase their chance of success.

Han and his party had first navigated the somewhat familiar network of tunnels from Gray Lady toward Hanalea. Until, following Crow’s directions, Han walked on past the turnoff to Hanalea. Where several tunnels came together, he made a sharp turn to the east.

When they came to another intersection of tunnels, Han pulled out the map he’d drawn from memory after returning from Aediion. The next thing he knew, Micah was leaning over his shoulder, doing his best to get a look at it.

Han swiveled away, stuffing it back under his jacket.