Freida Waters's Arc

Chapter 6 of 6

For three days Freida watched the dock. She had sent Corvina toward the beast with a sack of warty green beans and a white blade from the smithy. If those instructions failed, Corvina would come back angry, and Freida had no second lie ready. She fed Drake and pretended to sort books. Her hands would not stay still. Corvina had gone to the lair at dawn. She waded through rancid water into the dark cave. Inside, the stench thickened. She heard the beast grunt, low and wet. She also heard a child crying. Deeper in, the huge creature crouched on a mound of gleaming treasure. Gold, coins, and one ruby necklace hung across the pile. In the far corner huddled a small girl. Dirty. Thin. Her hair tangled with twigs. Corvina's chest went tight. The girl was Clara, her little sister. She had never come for treasure at all. She had come for this. The beast had taken Clara weeks ago, and every scheme since had been Corvina clawing a way inside. She dropped to a crouch. She dug the bog beans from her sack and hurled a whole pile in front of the beast. The creature lowered its head and began to eat. It crunched the knobbled green things, ignoring her. The bookseller had told the truth about that, at least. Corvina caught Clara's eye. She pressed a finger to her lips. Then she waved the girl toward her. Clara rose on shaky legs. She crept across the muddy floor, past the feasting beast, one small step at a time. Corvina held the white blade ready, but she did not need it. The beans kept the monster busy. The sisters reached each other. Corvina wrapped an arm around Clara and pulled her toward the light. They tiptoed out of the cave, into the cattails and morning air. Only then did Corvina breathe. That afternoon, boots thumped on Freida's dock. Freida braced for fury. But Corvina walked in holding a small girl's hand. The girl clung to her leg and stared at the floor. "The beans worked," Corvina said. Her dangerous smile was gone. "I fed it. I took my sister out while it ate. I never needed the sword." Freida's breath left her in a rush. The gamble had held. "Your sister," she said softly. "Clara." Corvina looked down at the girl. "The beast took her. That's why I wanted inside. Not the gold." She set the ruby necklace on the counter. "I grabbed this leaving. I don't want it. You've earned it." Freida shook her head. "Keep it for Clara." She knelt to the girl's level. "Would you like a book? I teach reading here. Every book comes with a cookie." Clara looked up. For the first time, the corner of her mouth twitched. Corvina studied Freida with new eyes. "You steered me right," she said. "I owe you." Then she paused. "But you should know. The beast still guards that hoard. And I am not the only one who knows."