Read Online The Doorway and the Deep by K.E. Ormsbee - Free Book Online Page B

in existence. That task has fallen to me.”
    â€œAnd a shoddy job you’ve done of it,” said Lyre. He turned to Fife. “If you want an explanation for why wisps are still dying, boy, ask your precious healer here.”
    Fife looked close to bursting, but still said nothing.
    â€œI may not have found a cure in my travels,” said Lyre, “but I lighted upon the next best thing. Too long have thewisps lived under Starkling’s embargoes and threats of invasion. It was due to his extortion that my people could not afford inoculations—when there were still inoculations to be had. Long has he wanted us weak, and dead. He’s been wearing us down, readying to strike and take Wisp Territory for himself. My people deserve justice. Starkling will suffer for what he has done.”
    â€œThat’s all good and well,” said Fife. “Everyone wants the king dead. But why are you telling
us
?”
    Lottie wondered this, too. They had never before been invited to the Royal Bower or been privy to Silvia or Mr. Wilfer’s conversations. Why were the adults now freely sharing their secrets?
    â€œThey want something from us,” said Oliver. He was studying Lyre with cold blue eyes. “That’s what it is.”
    â€œNot from
you
,” said Lyre, “but from the Fiske girl, yes.”
    â€œWhat?” said Lottie. “Why me?”
    â€œI believe the addersfork will destroy Starkling,” said Lyre, “but the place it grows is dangerous terrain. None but Northerlies know how to cross over the Wilders, and fewer still know where to find this addersfork. Rebel Gem has offered to retrieve the plant for me in return for something else.”
    Lottie’s throat felt dry. “You mean
someone
else.”
    Lyre produced a thin smile. “Rebel Gem is under the impression that
you
are a far greater asset than addersfork,Miss Fiske. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the name of Fiske has caused quite a stir up North. Rebel Gem thinks your presence alone would be a great boon to the court.”
    Silence circled around the bower, and Lottie finally understood.
    â€œYou think—you think you can just
force
me to go north?”
    â€œMy brother and I do consider it rather fortuitous,” said Silvia, “that the Heir of Fiske resides in our territory.”
    â€œFortuitous?” said Fife. “That’s rich. You can’t just give Lottie away to Rebel Gem, like she belongs to you. You haven’t even asked if she’d like to go.”
    â€œIn the end,” said Lyre, “it does not matter whether or not Miss Fiske wants to go. She’s a fugitive, and she’s a guest in my court. Unless you all wish to fall into the hands of the Southerly King, you must rely entirely on me. And if I say you must go north,
you will go north
.”
    â€œBut I
can’t
!” Lottie shouted. “Eliot and I are going home for Thanksgiving. Silvia said we could use the apple tree to go back to Kemble Isle. We had a deal.”
    â€œLittle girls with unsharpened keens aren’t in a position to make deals,” said Lyre. “Things have changed. I refuse to let you use our apple tree.”
    â€œSo, what?” said Fife. “Lottie’s supposed to forge her way to the Northerly Court all alone, just in time for winter?”
    â€œOf course not!” cried Silvia, throwing her hands up. “Fife, darling,
really
. As though we would ever send anhonored guest northward unprotected! We’ve discussed the matter at length with Moritasgus. The Northerlies intend to do all they can to make Lottie’s journey safe and worth its while. Rebel Gem has personally arranged for comfortable lodging in the Northerly Court.”
    â€œMoritasgus also informs us,” said Lyre, “that none of you are particularly happy with your arrangements here in Wisp Territory. As outlaws, you have no fellow sprites to help you