Chapter 10

Thousands upon thousands of Ty’Goth were pouring from the forest. It was as if a giant’s hand had laid a dark shroud over the plain, blotting out any glimpse of grass, shrub or flower. Only this mantle seethed, it boiled, a teeming beehive of intensity coming steadily closer. Our doom, Eve thought. That black sea will break upon our walls, and the walls will not hold it.

“How long until they reach us?”

“Perhaps ten minutes. Not more.” His hand was on the door to leave, but she beckoned for him to stay.

“My friend, I tell you plainly that our one hope rests in finding Archen at once, before it is too late,” she said.

“That is no hope at all, then,” replied the doctor tensely. “By what means could we hope to do that now?”

“By Suffering.”

***

Jeed made it only as far as the gate of the courtyard. There he was stopped short by a boy in common clothes who barred his way. "Please Sire," he said, and Jeed recognized him for the castle's youngest stableboy. "A word first."

***

“I don’t follow, your Highness.”

“Suffering.” She put a hand to her neck, pulling out the silver chain that had been concealed under the bodice of her gown. On the end of the chain flashed a small glass bottle, the color and size of a strawberry. “You know that my Father has a gift of Prophecy. I also have a gift. This is the Vial of Suffering. I am told that with a drink of this, I can get an answer to any question I ask.”

He peered at the bottle, turning it over and holding it up to the light. “How is this accomplished? Have you used it before?”

“I have not. My father charged me to employ it only at great need.” Trembling slightly, she took the vial back in hand and removed the stopper. A faint scent of cinnamon rose into the air. “I think our need may never again be this great.” With her lips pressed to the bright glass, she hesitated. "I wonder, do I drink first, or ask first?"

"I am inclined to think, ask first, then drink for the answer."

She nodded, threw her head back, and called out, "WHERE IS MY FATHER'S MESSENGER ARCHEN?" then gave a solemn toast and drank.

Fire. Eve choked and sputtered as the liquid flames licked down to her belly, spreading fingers of agony through her veins. She stumbled and collapsed against the doctor's arms, and he carefully lowered her to the floor.

A soft hissing sound came from her hand. With some difficulty she pried open the fist she had closed around the vial. Inside the glass the potion swirled a murky black, and a high inhuman voice issued out. "He passes under the likeness of your grandfather."

"He passes...?" Eve struggled for breath and clarity, the pain ebbing to memory. "What does it mean?"

"It is a riddle, of course."

"A riddle. Yes. Then the likeness...must refer to--"

"The statue!"

"Outside the Armory! Doctor, you must fetch him to me, quickly!"

He was already running for the door.