"Huh." She threw the dagger again. "That's a fine idea. I'll let you out so I can . . . Wait. Ooh, you almost got me."
"I meant when I'm released, of course."
She glanced back. He was looking out the window, grinning.
"You're in a fine mood now," she said.
He shrugged. "I realized you were right. I ought to be grateful that I'm safe. You defended me, and I truly appreciate--"
She cut him short with a burst of laughter.
"Moria!" Ashyn said.
"He's playing us." Moria sauntered to his cell. "We brought him food and a game, so he sees opportunity. Perhaps even a couple of foolish girls he can charm with his city manners. I brought you stew because I consider you my responsibility. Ashyn brought you a game because she's kind. We'd do the same if you were old and toothless."
Daigo growled. Moria thought he was just echoing her annoyance, but he kept up a low, humming growl until Tova whined and rose.
She glanced at the guard. He was in his chair, trying to stay awake. No sounds came from above. Considering everything that had happened, though, it seemed unwise to ignore any sign of trouble, however slight.
"Daigo's telling me we've been down here much too long," she said. "Our father will be back from his meeting and beginning to worry. Ashyn can finish the game. She almost has you beat. I'll check in with our father and return."
Ashyn hesitated, but Moria insisted. If she had concerns about what might be happening above, her sister was safer down here.
"I'll be back," Moria said. "Don't leave without me."
As she passed the guard, she murmured, "Don't let her leave without me."
He nodded, and Moria and Daigo headed for the ladder. When she climbed from the cells, she found the barracks still and silent. That gave her pause. Then she remembered that half the garrison was in the search party, the other half on duty. No one would be in here until the searchers came home.
As she stepped into the hall, she heard footsteps.
"It's Moria," she called.
A door slapped shut. Then silence. Someone must have snuck back for a few stolen moments of rest. She glanced into a barrack room and saw dark red droplets sprayed across the sheets. Even as she hurried over, though, she could see it wasn't blood. Too dark and too thin. She bent to sniff the drops. Berry wine. A guard sneaking back for a drink, then spilling it when he heard her coming.
Daigo was already at the door, growling again. She pushed it open. The wildcat walked out, his nose lifted, ears twitching.
She peered around. Darkness had fallen. Complete darkness. It was much later than she'd thought. The day had been so chaotic that they hadn't eaten dinner until night was falling, and it was well past their usual bedtime now.
"Where are the lights?" she murmured.
She looked up into a gray-black sky, devoid of stars or moon.
Dark and quiet. No, not quiet. Silent. The village was absolutely, utterly silent. When she sucked in breath, the whistle of it startled Daigo.
"Something's wrong," she murmured.
He chuffed in agreement. Moria glanced back at the barracks. If there was trouble, Ashyn should stay right where she was. And just because the village was dark didn't mean anything was wrong. People would have gone to bed, and with half the garrison away, the village was bound to be quiet. She wouldn't panic Ashyn for nothing.
As she walked along the barracks, the carpenter's dog, Blackie, howled. A normal sound of night. She exhaled. Then the howl stopped. Midnote. The hair on her neck rose. Daigo growled.
"We're going home. We'll speak to Father and make sure everything is all right, then we'll return for Ashyn."
Daigo grunted, approving the plan. As they continued on, Moria slowed, rolling her footsteps so she walked as silently as her wildcat. When something moved to the left, she wheeled but saw nothing. Still she stood there, watching the spo
t until she was certain it'd been a trick of the eye.
A few more steps. Then a low groan sounded to her right. Moria looked over at the village square. She saw only an empty patch of rocky ground with a few precious beds of dirt, fresh turned, seeds planted for summer flowers.