Stephen King has always had a thing with the number 19. My step-daughter has a similar fascination with the number 16. Numbers are epic in stories and can mean so much. Though this story has drifted far afield of its humble beginnings (Baroness asks a soldier to cross battle lines to deliver a message) I still think there is a chance to invoke meaning on so many levels, and even in the way things are carried out by chapter. As such I present to you…
Chapter 16
They see the riders approaching with obvious designs to enter the keep. While they know little about these people or their capabilities, Ikrivain instructs the ladies to ready long weapons. He plans to kill these riders and take their mounts and clothes before they ascend the hill to the keep.
They hesitantly make the attack, because it is clear that Ikrivain is far beyond the point of no return and very much not in his right mind. He claims this is the only way to get Thea’s sister to safety and healing. He spouts many lies and doesn’t even feel as though he is lying. The low grade magic is moving through him like a drug and he feels this place as its source. He demands that one of the men be kept alive and learns that they are in fact soldiers and priests here to bless this place for something very terrible must be afoot. They don’t know what but know they were contacted in order to do the blessing. The group kills them nonetheless and steals their clothing. They ride up to the keep and are let in.
They demand to be directed to the prison and demand to be directed to who is in charge. Things are very wrong here and they know it. Yet the power is very strong now. The bubble that pushed out across the world from here has no immediate local effects but people here seem on edge. The chapter ends with them being introduced to the person in charge, their ruse seemingly intact. Ikrivain has used his skills of upbringing and communication to get them this far, but as with all good stories that power he relies upon is about to fail him.
They are in the courtyard and waiting for the man to arrive and as they wait Thea’s sister slumps heavily in the seat of her mount and then falls to the ground.