The smell of the sea was strong. The House of the Masons, where Rosa and the Brothers of the Hawk were temporarily staying, stood so close to the shore that they could see mist rippling above the water. The horizon itself was hidden, but the mist rose over the roofs, tracing a pale band against the sky.
It looked magnificent, but the mist was a nuisance in practice. The strong sea wind drove in its salt, making everything wear out quickly, rot, and come loose. The roofs sagged; a faint smell of damp came from the hall. The air carried a slight stench as well, for the shore received the refuse poured out by the enormous city.
The House of the Masons was one of the patrol lodgings belonging to the Hand of Ilmoram. Many of its residents had ties to the masons’ guild, hence their usual name. Their captain, Daniel, was friendly with Gene. On hearing what had happened to Hawk House, he had allowed them to stay. It was a generous favor, though he might now be regretting it a little.
The Brothers of the Hawk, dazed after nearly dying in a ridiculous affair, made the Masons irritable. The sudden influx had reduced their own space. The wounded occupied the downstairs rooms, and since none of the arrivals had properly packed, they borrowed everything from bottles of oil to thimbles. There had already been two quarrels today, and an uneasy atmosphere hung among the patrolmen idling about.
The senior men who should have mediated were absent. Hal had been summoned to explain the situation at the Hand of Ilmoram’s headquarters. Neups had gone to inspect the house so it could be repaired. The wounded Creses and the elderly Onil were sleeping downstairs. The rest were unused to surviving after such tension had broken, and had little attention to spare for their hosts’ feelings. All they could do was remain downstairs as much as possible to avoid conflict.
Rosa sat on the broken stone wall near the yard entrance. Her black skirt spread like the wings of a crow, covering her feet. From there she looked down a little and could clearly see anyone appearing across the road. The Masons glanced at her, traded remarks, laughed under their breath, or frowned. Of the Brothers of the Hawk, only Ashabel was outside. Being young, he too was something of an irritant, but he had decided in his own way that he must protect Rosa from them.
In truth, the Masons found her presence uncomfortable. A patrol lodging was not a place for a woman to stay. She did not even have the sense to hide in a corner, but sat openly and calmly, which made them needlessly tense. At first, they had been surprised there was a woman among the Brothers of the Hawk. Then they were disconcerted to learn she was neither family nor lover to any of them, let alone the Shadowhawk. The fact that they even treated her with respect struck them as absurd. They had heard the explanation, but no one believed it. That woman?
“Maybe they all saw things. Though I suppose it could happen, being hit by a catapult in the middle of Delphinad.”
“If it were me, I couldn’t blame them. If they claimed a cat commanded the battle and saved them all, you’d have no choice but to understand even that.”
They jabbered as though meaning her to hear. Rosa showed no reaction, but Ashabel was angry. No one listened when he hopped over the fence to warn them. Finally, he poked his head among the chattering Masons and spoke.
“You’re experienced masons, aren’t you, gentlemen? They say even if a piece of broken stone hits you on the head, you don’t get hurt. Is that true?”
“What?”
At first they did not understand. A few shrugged, thinking it might be praise. Ashabel went on.
“And even if a stone falls from the top of a tower while you’re working and hits you, you’re all right. Isn’t that so?”
“Well…”
They still did not understand. Only one narrowed his eyes.
“What’s this brat talking about?”
Unperturbed, Ashabel gave an innocent smile.
“So even a stone from a catapult wouldn’t crack those heads of yours, would it? Wow, if only our heads were made of stone too, nobody would have died. I’m terribly envious. I suppose I’ll have to understand, if you can’t even follow what I’ve explained.”
Only then did their expressions change. Ashabel sprang up without missing his chance. When a hand reached to seize him, he nimbly dodged, ran outside, and shouted, “A stone head’s the best thing for a long life, all right!”
The Masons followed. Ashabel stepped on the boxes piled by the entrance and climbed onto the adjoining house’s roof to the left. While they circled through the neighbor’s yard in pursuit, he had already jumped down, passed through the houses, and returned to their own front yard. He blew a kiss to Rosa, who watched expressionlessly, then performed an improvised dance of praise.
“Oh, goddess, I believe! I certainly do. But isn’t my dancing splendid?”
Unable to help it, Rosa laughed and said no more. When the Masons returned, Ashabel darted into the narrow alley behind the house on the right. It was scarcely a path, only a gap between two adjoining walls, half blocked by wooden boxes and discarded rubbish. Light-footed, he easily jumped over them and escaped. Cursing, the Masons dragged the obstacles aside, only to have to return from the other end again.
Both forks beyond that alley were dead ends, however, so whichever he took, he would have to come back. The Masons blocked the entrance to the fork and waited. If they caught the insolent brat, they meant to give him a fright and hang him outside the front door. Fighting the Brothers of the Hawk after doing them a favor would be awkward, and with so many of their guests injured, they would have to endure the humiliation.
They heard footsteps returning. The Masons grinned and opened their arms to block the way. Then Ashabel sprang from the alley, leaped behind them, and shouted, “Adjutant!”
The unfamiliar title kept them from grasping the situation at once. As they each seized one of his arms and hauled at him roughly, a shadow behind them spoke.
“Let go of that arm.”
Ashabel did not shrink back in the least, though they were holding him. This time he used the correct title.
“Captain!”
Gene raised an eyebrow slightly at the Masons as they turned, startled. Several recognized his face at once. Then, realizing their position, they hunched their necks and swallowed. Of course they released Ashabel’s arms. But unexpectedly, Gene spoke first.
“Where is Daniel?”
“C-Captain Daniel has j-just stepped out.”
“Has he?”
While the Masons stood frozen, Gene glanced at where they had been standing and said, “You’ve had a hard time because of my men.”
“Y-yes.”
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