Crown of Stars (Crown of Stars 7)

“Here I am. What do you want?”

“The answer to my question. That creature murdered a child, four adults, and many precious goats in its passage through our land. Flensed them to the bone. Is this your way of doing battle against us?”

“Lower down more food and drink. Then I’ll tell you.”

“I know how much you have. There is enough, if it’s rationed.”

“I want more. And a knife.”

She laughed. “No knife. Knives you will have enough of, if I decide to give you to the priests.”

After that came silence, but later, listening, Liath heard a faint scraping and a fainter thump.

Out of the darkness, Kansi spoke. “Answer my question. I have done as you asked.”

She is above me.

“I will,” said Liath, “once I am sure I have what I want.”

Since Kansi-a-lari was speaking from above, surely the provisions should have hit the floor in the same place she had found them the first time. Since it had not, there must therefore be other openings, hidden to her salamander eyes. Kansi-a-lari could not be speaking from a place where daylight gleamed, or Liath would have discerned any least particle of light’s being. A cave above a cave? Rock sheltered Kansi. Liath could get no sense of her position, her scent, or even her presence except for her voice.

She walked the circuit of the wall, sweeping her feet and finding her leg aching, but sturdy. After 435 footfalls she struck riches: a dozen bulbous fruits; a dozen flat circles of bread; three big leather pouches swollen with a sweet-tasting nectar; a cheese that tasted better than it smelled; eggs cushioned in greasy uncombed wool.

No knife.

“I am satisfied,” she said, pitching her voice to carry upward, “that you have dealt fairly with me in this particular matter. Set me free.”

“I will not.”

“Then listen. The creature is called a galla. It comes from another plane of existence.”

“From the aether?”

“I think not. Step sideways through a crack in a wall and you may come to a lost garden. Step sideways through the spheres, and there may be other worlds.”

“A curious notion,” said Kansi. “Go on.”

“The galla are called, with blood, to this world. The one who calls them grants them their freedom in a name. This person they must hunt down and devour. When they have devoured the one they sought, the crack in the wall opens, and they can return to their home.”

“Why did you call it?”

“I did not call it. I have been attacked by such creatures before. That is how I know what they are.”

“How did you rid yourself of it? Is there a spell?”

She choked, but eventually found her voice, because she had to speak. “Griffin feathers dispel the galla. It is the only way to banish them, that I know of.”

“You came to us naked except for your clothes. How did you banish this one?”

“You may believe I came to you with nothing, but I banished it nevertheless.” She had to push on, before she thought too hard and burst into tears. She burned with anger, and she must remember the right person to blame. “I have no griffin feathers now. If another galla comes for me, I am helpless.” She could not swallow; she could not speak lest her voice tremble. Yet, why not? Let Kansi believe her terrified. It was the truth.

“If you want me alive, understand that I am helpless now against the galla. And understand this: The galla are after your son as well.”

“Zuangua says Sanglant has griffins. He is well protected. Wise boy!”

“He had griffins. They are flown back into the east to breed. He has seven feathers left him. For each galla that comes, he has one less. Do you mean to let him die once he runs out of griffin feathers?”

“I cannot fight these galla without griffin feathers? Then tell me, Liathano, if you care for my son: what sorcerer calls the galla to pursue you?”