The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell Page B

mercenary—they never do anything except for payment, or to avoid punishment. Once her hold over them is broken, they’ll probably just run off. But place the stone before you try anything else. Just in case.”
    In case he died in the attempt. “I see.” Tobin drew a deep breath, his gaze wandering over map, chest, stone, and charm. “Isn’t there any other way?”
    Master Lazur shook his head. “The barbarians are coming. We have no place to go except north. They have no place to come except here. There is nothing in this world I would not sacrifice to get the Bright Realm behind the goblin wall in time. How high do you weigh the life of a sorceress, one who has killed again and again, against the survival of this whole realm?”
    Tobin’s finger traced the river curve that marked his home. He couldn’t imagine living in the woodlands, but he’d seen the barbarian armies for himself. Master Lazur was silent, letting him figure it out. Tobin didn’t like it, but surely the priest was right. How many knights, men Tobin knew and respected, had already died? If it would end the war, save the whole realm, then the life of one sorceress was a cheap price to pay.
    “All right,” said Tobin. “I’ll go find this sorceress, and do what I can, though I don’t promise to kill her.”
    “If you plant the stone so we can find her, you’ll have done enough. And if you survive, all the honor you’ve lost will be restored, in the eyes of the law and of the world. In fact, you’ll be a hero. Remember that tonight.”
    Master Lazur took the chest and the charms and put them away. “I’ll see that these things reach you later. We won’t be able to meet again, for the goblins’ eyes are everywhere. This room is protected, but others may not be.
    “I think I’ll take your brother into my service for a time. It wouldn’t be wise to place him in the Hierarch’s service until he’s had time to become a little more…politically sophisticated.”
    Was this for Jeriah’s protection, or was he a hostage for Tobin’s good behavior? Either way, if the priest would keep his suspicions to himself, and keep an eye on Tobin’s impetuous brother, he could only be grateful. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me. Your mother mentioned it.”
    “My mother?”
    “Yes, she’s an old friend of mine.”
    Tobin knew he should have guessed. Any scheme this devious was bound to have his mother behind it. Her friends were everywhere. Tobin knew what his father had paid; wondering what his mother was trading for these favors was downright unnerving. But he could hardly complain—this scheme might save his future, and Jeriah’s as well. He should have known she wouldn’t abandon him to disinheritance and disgrace, even if Jeri was her favorite.
    “I’ll be watching you when I scry for the stone,” Master Lazur continued. “I can see and hear what happens around it, so you don’t have to worry about reporting to me. Just remember—if you succeed, you can get it all back, and more.” He paused, eyeing Tobin gravely. “And remember also that the Seven Bright Ones are watching over you. Whatever happens, you are always in their hands. May their grace go with you.”
     
     
    A whip cracked and someone snickered. Tobin tried to meet their gazes boldly, defiantly, but he couldn’t seem to raise his eyes from the wet, torchlit stones of the courtyard. It had rained that afternoon while he huddled in his cell thinking about Master Lazur’s offer and trying to prepare himself for this.
    His heart pounded sickly, and his hands, bound in front of him, shook despite his efforts to keep them still. It was a sign of manliness to pass through the gauntlet without screaming or fainting, and Tobin had resolved with all his will to do it. Now he couldn’t even raise his head to meet the eyes of the men he had fought beside. Men who had trusted his honor.
    His first flashing glance over the courtyard had told him that only twenty of his