He led them through a maze of passageways, one dizzying turn after the next, with stairs rarely to be seen. The deeper into the fortress they traveled, the narrower the passages became, fewer tapestries lined the walls, and the windows began to disappear. The tiles and smooth stone that had decorated the outer halls became rough and coarse. Itri stopped before the last window was out of sight. “It is just a bit further,” he said. “The Stacks are right here on our left. Pass it and you will take a right and follow the hall to the gates. There are guards patrolling the area, and one of them can show you to your rooms after you look around. And take this.” He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a large medallion with engraved writing on the edges.

Itri held out the medallion. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a meeting to attend.” Itri swept past them and strolled back down the hall. Eva took the medallion and turned it over. It was blank on both sides but had some engraving on the outer edges. Eva handed the medallion to Ceron.

“Did he just abandon us?” Ceron asked.

“It looks like it,” Eva said.

Ceron looked the medallion over. “Don’t they give this for an audience with the Kevah? I don’t think it gives us permission to go wherever we please.”

“Does this mean we can’t see the gates?” Ilona asked. “Maybe he gave us the wrong—”

The sound of something crashing to the floor filled the hall, and the door to the Stacks flew open. A multitude of scrolls rolled out of the doorway at breathtaking speed, and a disheveled scribe chased after them. And a man with tangled brown hair and glasses perched on the end of his nose followed close behind.

“Oh, forgive me, Kevah-lin,” the scribe said, “things are falling over left and right.”

Ceron bent over. “Do you need some help with that?”

“No, that’s alright,” the scribe said, “I’ve nearly got them all.”

The Kevah looked in their direction and pushed his glasses further up on his nose. “Who are you all?” he asked.

“Keepers of the Northern Pass,” Eva said, and snatched the medallion from Ceron and held it out. “We’d like an audience with you, Kevah-lin.”

The Kevah reached for the medallion. “Who gave you this?”

“A Councilor named Itri,” Eva said.

“On purpose?” the Kevah asked.

“We’re not sure,” Ceron said.

“We were on our way to inspect the gates,” Eva said, “And Councilor Itri gave us this. But he had to go back to the Council meeting.”

The Kevah chuckled and tossed the medallion back to her. “You won’t make it very far with this. But, I’m not surprised. They’re trying to repair the gate; they don’t want anyone going near it. You can look at it from a distance, though.

“How far away?” Eva asked.

“Quite far,” the Kevah said, “You wouldn’t be able to see even a fraction of the gate itself from down the hall where the first line of guards are posted.”

Eva held the medallion out again. “Will you take us there? We need to at least inspect it and write a report for Councilor Samel.”

“Who?”

“Councilor Samel is the one who sent us here,” Eva said. They couldn’t go back empty-handed.

The Kevah scratched his head, and then let out a sigh. “True, I suppose. They’ll let you through if I’m with you. I’m still the Kevah, and you are here by my request after all. Give me a second, and I’ll take you there.” The Kevah disappeared back into the Stacks and emerged again with his overcoat and a massive book wrapped in brown cloth. He tucked the book under his arm. “Shall we?” he asked and started down the hall.

* * *

Ironclad gates stared back at them through a gaping hole in the wall. The gates reached the ceiling and were covered in jagged symbols, just like the letter had described. A crack started from the floor, then climbed up and got suddenly wider half-a-foot off the ground. The rest of the company held back. But Eva stood close at the Kevah’s direction, reached out a hand, and touched the gate. A thread of electricity ran through her, and she jumped.

“The cold tingles a bit,” the Kevah said from beside her. “Look at the lock.” His hand pointed toward a small lock embedded with protective letterers. It barred the gates; impossible to open without the use of blood. She’d held onto a small shred of hope, but now that shred was disappearing.

The Kevah turned his head to the guards nearby. “Give us a moment, will you?” The guards bowed their heads and moved down the hall, out of earshot.

Eva glanced back at Ceron, who took a step closer and looked over her shoulder. She picked up the lock and inspected it more closely. Her fingers traced the letters. The lock felt light in her hands and a smaller shock ran through her than before. Open the gates. Spare us all the suffering. Her own voice ran through her head, unprompted, and she dropped the lock back into place. To open the gates… that is why they were here.

“Can you open it?” the Kevah asked, intruding on her thoughts.

“We can open it,” she said and swallowed. Her mouth was dry. Silence filled the hall, and Eva felt the tension rising behind her. She looked back at the rest of Company Twelve. “Have a look,” she said, and moved aside.

Ilona quickly moved closer, but Agim held back, looking from a distance. The Kevah stared at the gates; his eyes lingered on the lock. “The sooner the better, I suppose,” the Kevah said.

This lock… this kind of lock… this kind of gate… would require blood. But who knew what was behind it… Eva felt a weight grip her chest. She cleared her throat. “Yes, the sooner the better. Ilona, can you map it?”

Ilona shook her head. “Not from out here. Even if I incanted using blood, I doubt I’d be able to see beyond the gate.”

“That’s alright,” Eva said.

“Are we doing this now?” Agim asked.

“The sooner we get in and out,” Ceron said, “the sooner we can report back to Councilor Samel and go home.”

“And don’t worry about the guards,” the Kevah said, “Bisera there is captain of my personal guard. He will make sure no one breathes a word. If you are waiting for permission, I give it to you. You have my express permission to open the gates.”

Eva looked at the guards, who remained stationed at the end of the hall, and then turned back to face her team. “Keepers, form up,” she said.