“No. You can ride with Janco, since only the three of us will be returning to Ixia.” Valek grabbed Onyx’s tack.
The Stable Master filled feed bags and helped them get the three horses ready. With five of them working, they were soon mounted and exiting the south gate of the castle complex.
The trip to the Citadel took two and a half days. During the journey, Valek and Gabor updated Ari and Janco on the situation with the council and the Daviians.
“You know what we really need,” Janco said. He didn’t wait for a response. “Permission to assassinate all the magicians in Sitia. Except Yelena, of course.”
“That won’t work,” Ari said. “There’s always a few that will escape. Plus, they’re born with the ability. It’s not predictable which families will birth magicians.”
“But it works for Ixia. There’re no magicians there.”
“That we know of,” Valek added. “Some could be in hiding, some flee to Sitia, and some have no idea they’re using magic.”
“We need more Valeks,” Janco said. When they all glanced at him in confusion, he waved his hand in a circular motion. “You know, people who can detect magic. People who are immune to its effects.” Then he brightened. “More Jancos, too. Since I’m sensitive to it.”
They groaned in unison at the thought.
“That’s how we’ll defeat the Daviians,” Ari said. “Send an army of Jancos. The enemy will commit suicide.”
“Ha. Ha.” Janco deadpanned. “It’s just a shame that there isn’t a way for normal folk to know when magic is in use.”
“That would certainly even the playing field,” Valek said.
* * *
They changed into Sitian clothing and approached the Citadel from the north. The high white, marble walls that encompassed the capital of Sitia reflected the sunshine. As they drew closer, the thin green veins that lined the stone became visible.
Since it was mid-afternoon and plenty of traffic flowed through the gate, they entered without trouble. They stopped at Horses on Mane Street Stables; the farm would take care of their horses while they were in the Citadel. Then they split up into two teams. Valek and Gabor headed southeast, while Ari and Janco went southwest. They would rendezvous at the safe house.
Even though it was the seventeenth day of the cold season, the sun warmed the air. Taking advantage of the good weather, the citizens bustled through the streets. The Citadel’s rectangular shape contained six quadrants, with the market located dead center. Valek and Gabor walked through the oval rings of businesses and factories that filled the inner heart of the city. The Magician’s Keep occupied the northeast corner, the Council Hall and all the government buildings were in the southeast section. A labyrinth of residences sprawled throughout both the northwest and southwest quadrants.
Their safe house was located in the southwest section. Tucked in the middle of a row of houses, it was a few blocks from the outer ring. Looping around to the alley, they entered and left the door unlocked for Ari and Janco.
Valek’s throat tightened as the memories of his last visit threatened to overwhelm him. Cahil had captured him and tried to strangle him by hanging. That had been the closest he’d come to dying in a long time. If he hadn’t been rescued by Gabor, his partner Brigi, and Ambassador Signe, Valek wouldn’t be alive.
Shaking off the dire thoughts, Valek set his pack on the couch and hung his cloak on a hook along the long hallway. “When will Brigi return?” he asked Gabor.
“Her shift at the council’s stables ends at dusk. How about some tea while we wait?” Gabor piled logs in the hearth and lit a fire.
Ari and Janco arrived, joining them in the kitchen. The space suddenly seemed too small to house four men.
“I call dibs on the extra bed,” Janco said.
“There isn’t an extra,” Gabor said. “This place has only two bedrooms, and the second room is where all our disguises are located.”
“You share a bed with your partner?”
“Not at the same time. She has the day shift.” Gabor filled a kettle with water and hung it over the growing fire.
They were sipping their tea when Brigi entered. She waved a hand in front of her face. “Oofboys, you need to visit the bathhouse.”
“Hello to you, too,” Janco said.
She smiled. “I call it as I smell it.” Then she sobered. “There hasn’t been any more news about the escape. And Yelena hasn’t returned from her mission.”
Disappointment burned in his chest, but Valek ignored it to focus on the job at hand. At this point, collecting information was vital.
“Starting tomorrow morning, I want eyes on the entrances to the Council Hall and the Magician’s Keep at all times,” he said. “Janco, there’s a group of beggars who squat at the base of the Council Hall. I want you to disguise yourself as a beggar and join them. There’s a man named Minel who was part of that group. If he’s still there, make friends with him. He’s sharp and might know something of value. Also, if Yelena returns to the Keep, let me know as soon as possible.”
