Flight of the Nighthawks by Raymond E. Feist Page A

vigor and washed Caleb’s wounds. She instructed McGrudder to use the metal ladle to fish out the bandages and let them drip on the floor, holding them before the fire so they would dry. When she was satisfied they were dry enough, she bound Caleb’s wounds and said, “Now, carry him up to a room and let him sleep.”
    McGrudder picked up Caleb as a man might a child and lugged him up the stairs. Zane asked, “Will he live?”
    The old woman fixed him with a skeptical eye and said, “Probably not. But he’ll linger, and that’s important.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Tad.
    The old woman gave him a faint smile and said, “Wait.”
    McGrudder returned and asked, “What more can we do?”
    â€œYou know what you must do,” and she turned to leave.
    â€œWait?” said Zane. “That’s all? A cup of wine and bandages?”
    â€œMy potion is more than a cup of wine, boy. It’ll keep him alive long enough for McGrudder to fetch more help, and that help will save Caleb, son of Pug.”
    â€œWhat help?” asked McGrudder.
    â€œDon’t dissemble with me, you old fraud,” said the woman. “I know who your true master is, and I know if an emergency warrants you can send word in haste.” She hiked a thumb toward the stairs and said, “His son lies dying, and if that’s not an emergency, I don’t know what is.”
    McGrudder looked hard at the old woman and said, “For a simple woman who claims to practice only herbs and root lore, you know a great deal more.”
    â€œLive a long time and you learn things,” she said as she reached the door. “But Caleb did me a favor, and his father did one years ago, and there was another, a friend of his father’s who did me a great service, as well, so that in the end, there is a great debt still. But to you and your masters I owe nothing; let us not be confused on that matter, McGrudder. The next time you disturb my sleep, you do so at risk.”
    Saying nothing more, she left the inn, and Tad and Zane exchanged glances. McGrudder saw the look and said, “You boys can sleep in the room with Caleb, the second door on the left at the top of the stairs. He’s in the only bed, but there’s a large mat rolled up under the bed you can share.” He glanced at the girl and said, “Get yourself back to bed, girl, we have a long day tomorrow.” He then motioned to his wife, who had been quietly washing the blood off the table and floors, and said, “I’ll help you in a moment, Elizabeth.”
    She nodded. “I know. You need to send that message.”
    He returned the nod and left the common room through the door in the rear. The innkeeper’s wife looked at the boys and said, “Go up and get what rest you may. It is only three hours until sunrise, and there will be work for all tomorrow.” She indicated a candle on the bar.
    Zane picked up the candleholder and the boys mounted the stairswithout a word and paused a moment before the door, then entered. Caleb lay in his bed, a heavy down comforter pulled up to his chin, his face pale and drawn.
    Tad knelt and pulled out the rolled-up mat, and the boys lay on it.
    â€œWhat do we do now?” whispered Zane after a while.

FOUR
D ARK G ODDESS
    T ad came awake suddenly.
    Someone was opening the door and he nudged Zane awake as it swung aside. It was near sunrise; the sky outside the window displayed a slightly rose-tinged gray light, but it was still too dark in the room to make out the features of the man who stood there.
    â€œHuh?” said the half-asleep Zane as Tad fumbled to where he had put the candle.
    â€œYou won’t need that,” said the figure in the doorway as he held up his hand. Suddenly light filled the room, an unnatural white glow that held a hint of blue. Zane blinked and Tad stood up as the figure entered the room.
    He matched Caleb in height and resembled