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out.”

Gaylen’s exclamation was joined with a solid palm to the table. Gaston jumped at the quick violence, and I could feel his indecision. No, stay. I put everything into the push, but this was not the kind of link that worked that way. He moved toward the door, still reluctant, but moving. My heart dropped. I knew that I had lost him.
    The knowledge infuriated and frightened me, and I released Aine’s hands and made for the door, but Bertrand barred the way and Aine had a strong hold on my tunic. “Stop, Tormod. Ye risk yer brother’s life if ye don’t let this meeting follow its course,” Bertrand said firmly.
    I knew his words to be true, but it was a sore trial to heed him. The call of the Holy Vessel was strong. Though I could not feel Gaylen’s presence, I felt the Vessel, and I knew he had it. To be this near and not wrest it from his body and make him pay for the nightmare of his previous trespass was torture.
    Aine’s song rose in my head and when I felt the need begin to grow less insistent, I slammed up my shields to her. I would not be whispered into forgetting he was here.
    Aine recoiled as if I had struck her. Long moments pulsed between us. Then a soft knock at the door broke the tension. Bertrand put up a warning hand for silence, and Aine and I backed away from the sight of whoever waited there. He opened the door a sliver, then reached quickly into the hall and jerked the visitor in.
    Gaston’s gasp was sharp, and I exhaled abruptly.
    â€œI have been dismissed by one of the party.” His guilt for failing in his duties hung over him like a foul smell. “I found nothing. I thought ye should know that I’d been put out, so that ye could follow another path.”
    Gaston had found far from nothing. He had located the one person I detested more than any other in the whole of the world, the one I would gladly kill if I had the chance. “It’s all right,” I said. “There was nothing ye could have done.”
    â€œHave ye seen this one before, lad?” asked Bertrand.
    â€œ Non , this is the first time he has been here,” he replied.
    â€œWe have to get into that room,” I said, beginning to pace in the confined area. “We need to hear what’s said.”
    â€œI will read the room once they have gone. Ye an’ Bertrand will follow Gaylen when he leaves. I will catch up to ye when I can.” Aine seemed to have it all worked out, except for the part that there was no way I was leaving this to her and slinking away.
    â€œAlone? With a tavern full o’ cutthroats below an’ no idea where ye are?”
    â€œAye.” Her answer held challenge. “I can find my way.”
    â€œYe know it’s a bad idea. We have to stay together.” I was frustrated. “There has to be something we can do.” Aine dropped heavily onto the pallet, and Bertrand went back to his chair, a resigned expression flattening the furrows above his brow.
    â€œI’d best go below before I am missed,” said Gaston. “I’ll be back for your trenchers when I can. I’ll tell them you need more ale.” I handed him a copper to cover the expense, and he was out the door, a shadow in silence.
    As the door swung shut behind him, I caught it, grabbed my cloak, and moved beyond it. “I’m going to have a look around,” I mumbled. Aine’s protest followed me into the empty hallway, where I drew the dark wool about me and ducked into the hood. The need to hold the carving was so heady I nearly hesitated before their door, but the soft murmur of voices and the thought of Torquil kept me moving past.

The end of the hall was in near darkness, and the window I had seen from below easily swung open at my touch. The bite of cold air filled my chest as I leaned out and laid my hands on the overlapping boards. They were moist and rough beneath my fingers, and I clenched the wood tight.
    Climbing