“Watch it. Your attitude is not helpful. Do you need a reminder in how to be helpful?”

“No.”

“Good. I think we’ll leave the rest of your stuff here.” He closed my bags and pushed them along with my sais into a corner of the room. “Don’t want any of your little creatures to get in my way.”

Devlen handed me the smaller backpack, a cloak and a sheet of parchment. Three white diamonds decorated the black cloak.

“Just in case you’re seen and approached by the Ixians. You’ll tell them you’re a kitchen attendant returning home from visiting relatives in MD-7. You live in MD-1, General Kitvivan is the general in charge and the uniform colors for MD-1 are black and white. If you’re asked for papers, you are to give them that sheet without question.”

Permission to visit MD-7 was printed on the parchment. My first name was written in the bearer’s space. At least I didn’t have to remember a fake name.

“Don’t lose that paper. It cost a small fortune. Also don’t try to alert any Ixians about your situation. I will confess, telling them you’re a magician. And you know what they do to magicians in Ixia.”

Killed on sight. Depending on my circumstances, I might give myself up. Better than the alternative. I shuddered and Devlen seemed satisfied with my reaction.

“Horses?” I asked, wondering if Quartz was nearby.

“I stabled them. Only high-ranking officers travel with horses in Ixia. We’ll go on foot.”

“How do you plan to cross the border?”

“The Daviians set up a number of smuggling routes. Valek and the Ixian border patrol have discovered a few, but there is always a way through.” Strapping his sword around his waist, he shouldered a short cape and the large backpack. “Come on. We’re wasting time.”

I glanced at my sais four feet away. Could I reach them before he grabbed me? Devlen noticed my hesitation and hooked his arm in mine.

“Helpful, remember.” He dug his fingers into my wrist.

Spikes of pain shot up to my elbow. He kept the pressure until we were well away from the cabin. With his hand still around my arm, we walked through the woods, heading north.

Doubts about my tenuous plan nagged at me. My best chance to escape would be while in Sitia. One little spider wouldn’t save me. What if Kade was already dead? Muted by Devlen’s backpack, Kaya’s orb hummed an urgent tone. I guessed if Kade died, the tune would change.

Each step closer to Ixia brought more worries to my mind. By the evening, I had convinced myself it would be best to escape and return to the Keep to recruit help for Kade. Interesting how the memory of pain fades with time.

Unfortunately, he gave me no opportunity. As soon as we stopped, he hooked my wrists behind a tree trunk while he set up camp in a tight clearing. He released me only to eat then forced me to take a swig of his blood potion before securing me again. Knowing the ingredients made me gag, I slept sitting down, leaning my head against the trunk.

Cold nightmares invaded my dreams.

The next day we met up with a caravan of merchants with five wagons. One wagon was filled with sand, another with lime, but I couldn’t see what was beneath the canvas tarps of the other three. They had been expecting us.

One of the merchants, a heavyset man with thick eyebrows, approached Devlen. “Is this the cargo?”

“Yes.”

The merchant eyed the cuffs on my wrists. “An unusual request. We’re used to smuggling goods in and Ixians out. If she makes a sound—”

“She won’t.”

Hitching his pants over his ample stomach, the man chewed on his lip. “Gonna cost you extra.”

“How much?”

“Three golds, but I’ll give you a discount if me and my boys can play, too.” He gestured to the four men waiting by the horses.

Devlen turned to me. “Care to play with the gentlemen?”

Breathing became difficult as I guessed they weren’t referring to a game of tag. “No, thank you.” My voice quavered just a bit.

“How about two golds and, if she causes any trouble at any time, you can play for one night?” Devlen offered.

“Deal. Load her up.” The merchant returned to his caravan.

Devlen led me to the middle wagon. “Now you have extra incentive to behave.”

A small rectangular hole was at the bottom of the mound of white sand. There was a hinged door attached and I realized the sand covered a long box.

Devlen grabbed my arms and secured my wrists behind me.

“What—”

He shoved a hard rubber bar between my teeth and pulled the straps behind my head. “It’s too important to trust you when we cross into Ixia. I guess you could pound with your feet, but the sand should muffle it. However, our merchant friend would feel the vibrations and get his night of fun.” He stepped back. “Put her in.”

Two of the boys picked me up and shoved me feet first into the hole under the sand. A thud and a few clicks followed. It was dark, coffin-like and I puffed in alarm, convinced the sand or the gag would smother me.

My panic increased with the drumming sound of sand being poured to cover the box’s door. After a few terrifying moments, my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I rolled to my side to take my weight off my arms. Small holes had been drilled into the floor of the box, allowing light and air to seep in.

The wagon lurched forward. Through my peepholes, the ground slid past and my hope of escaping drained drop by drop with each passing mile.