to them, uncertain what to do. He couldn’t fight all these boys—he probably couldn’t fight just one of them—but he had to do something. He pulled his horse up and called out, “Well done, boys! You’ve captured the queen of Pitoria!”
“And who might you be, pink-hair?” one of the boys said.
“I work for Noyes.”
Ambrose needed an excuse for his sudden appearance, and spying seemed the only vaguely plausible one. “I have information about the queen. Don’t be fooled—she’s still a danger. She uses smoke too, to give her strength.”
“Well, she ain’t got any strength now. She’s as weak as a kitten.”
Ambrose looked at Catherine. There was blood around her nose, and her right eye was blackened and swelling. Normally the sight would have filled him with rage, but Ambrose felt only relief. She wasn’t healing, which meant she hadn’t taken any smoke. Catherine stared back at him in disbelief, and Ambrose had to break his gaze in case he gave himself away. He said, “Has she any smoke with her, though? If so, she could still be a danger. I believe she keeps a bottle of it within her armor.”
“How do you know that?” The boy speaking was older and was now pointing his spear at Ambrose’s chest. “And what did you say your name was again?”
“Daniels. I work for Noyes. And I’d be glad if you pointed that somewhere else, boy.”
“I’m Gaskett, leader of the Stags,” replied the youth, lowering his spear a fraction. “And what are you doing here, Daniels?”
“I’ve been sent to protect the queen. Aloysius wants her alive.”
“Indeed he does. I’m not stupid. But I still don’t under-stand what you’re doing here, or why you’ve got pink hair.”
Ambrose sighed. “I told you, I work for Noyes. I’ve been undercover in the Pitorian camp.”
“Well, as it happens, Noyes got back to our camp last night. I’m taking Her Majesty there, and you’re coming with us too.”
TASH
DEMON TUNNELS
TASH RAN on, the smoke giving her speed beyond anything she’d experienced before. It was wonderful to move at such a pace, even though her speed was driven by fear for herself and the Demon Troop. As she approached the cavern, a cacophony of clanging warned her that something was wrong, and she emerged from her tunnel into the middle of another battle. Geratan and his men were fighting Brigantines on the lower terraces, and more enemy soldiers were storming out of tunnels on the far side of the cavern. Clearly the Brigantines were trying to retake control of their precious smoke farm, and although Geratan and his men were fighting back fiercely, they were outnumbered and giving ground. The cavern itself seemed smaller still, and the billowing funnel of smoke in the central core was a pale lilac color rather than purple.
But it’s not white yet. We’ve got time.
Tash headed toward Geratan, leaping down a terrace, but a huge Brigantine soldier blocked her way. He advanced slowly, his sword by his side, grinning at her. Urgh, it’s a game to him, is it? Well, let’s see if he likes how I play it. She grinned back and beckoned him forward before running directly at him. Full of strength and speed from the smoke, she barged his chest with her shoulder, sending him toppling off the terrace, arms and legs flailing.
But behind him was another soldier, and behind him more were coming.
Geratan’s men were retreating up the terraces now, falling back toward the lopsided tunnel that Tash had marked as the way out. Tash had to head there too, but the Brigantines were coming from all directions. She was trapped. But then another figure leaped down to her.
Twist!
Grabbing the head of the nearest soldier, Twist yanked it round, breaking the man’s neck, then lifted the soldier’s body and used it as both shield and weapon to force three other Brigantines off the terrace. Twist took Tash’s arm and ran. His thoughts flashed like images in her head, so she knew immediately what he wanted to do as he bent and held out his hand. She stepped on it, and he boosted her into the air with such force that she landed three terraces up, close to her lopsided tunnel. Twist then leaped down to help the crimson-hairs, bowling through Brigantines from behind and clearing the path for the Demon Troop to retreat upward toward Tash.
Tash grabbed Geratan’s arm as quickly as she could.
Listen, this whole place is going to close in and burn. We’ve got to get out of here.