As much as he longed to find Yelena, Valek knew she needed her rest. She would forgo sleep to get reacquainted. And to pump him for information. They’d be up all night talking. No, best she had a peaceful night. He’d find her tomorrow.
Brigi had returned to the safe house along with Janco, who sat on the edge of the hearth, warming his backside. They were both excited that Yelena was alive and safe inside the Citadel.
“It is just as dangerous here,” Valek said. “We’ll have to see what the council decides about her actions with Ferde. They’re normally logical, but something has spooked them.” He explained about their behavior during the meeting.
“Now that she’s back, am I off duty?” Janco asked with a hopeful tone.
“Not yet. I need you to keep an eye on the movements of the Daviians.”
Janco wilted.
“There’s wool socks and wool long johns upstairs with the disguises,” Brigi said. “No one will see them underneath your clothes.”
He sighed. “Thanks. The others have built a campfire back behind the hall to keep warm. But that ruins my night vision.”
“It’s only for another couple nights,” Valek said. “I get the sense things are about to blow up.” He filled them in on what he’d learned.
* * *
Dressed as one of the cooking staff in a gray tunic and pants, Valek headed toward the Magician’s Keep. Fast footsteps sounded behind him. He whirled around, but it was only Fisk. And from the gleam in the boy’s eyes, he had some hot gossip for Valek.
“How much this time?”
“This news is worth five silvers. It comes directly from one of the housekeeping staff.”
Valek didn’t bother haggling; he just handed over the coins.
“The Sitian Council is going to have a special trial tonight. Someone named Captain Marrok has agreed to testify under oath, which means the First Magician can use her magic to ensure he’s telling the truth.”
Interesting and worth the five silvers. “Thanks, Fisk.”
“Anytime!” He took off, running back the way he’d come.
Considering the recent news, Valek believed it to be a good move. Marrok’s testimony would reveal Cahil’s lies and reveal Roze’s involvement in freeing Ferde.
He entered the Magician’s Keep without trouble. From what he’d overheard yesterday, Moon Man and someone named Gede would visit Bain Bloodgood to examine his books. No doubt Yelena and Irys would also be in attendance.
Valek arrived just in time to see Yelena and Irys exit the dining hall. They headed toward the southeast corner of the Keep, entering Bain Bloodgood’s tower. There were four towers that stood in each corner of the Keep. These towers housed the master magicians. Since there were currently four masters, they each had their own. But with ten levels, they could easily share. Yelena was living in Irys’s tower in the northwest corner.
Valek found a hidden spot to watch. After a few minutes, Moon Man and Gede arrived. Gede was the man who had been with Councilor Harun. Did that mean the man who entered the great hall with Moon Man and Yelena had been Tauno? He’d find out when he was reunited with Yelena. That thought warmed him.
Unfortunately, after the meeting at Bain’s, Yelena went into the infirmary. Immediate worry bloomed in his chest. Was she wounded? No. Her stride had been easy. Perhaps she was checking on the patients. Yelena had powerful healing magic.
As Valek waited for her, Bain and Irys crossed the campus toward Roze Featherstone’s tower. But halfway there, Irys turned into the Administration building, while Bain continued on. His white hair blew in the wind. Valek wondered why Bain would leave his tower at all. With the ability to communicate with the other master magicians, he could be warm and cozy next to his hearth instead of facing the elements. In fact, they all could work separately. Instead, they had offices in the Administration building and in the Council Hall, and also had their studies in their towers.
Eventually, Yelena left the infirmary and headed toward Roze’s tower. Keeping to the shadows, he followed her. She hesitated outside the doorway. This was the second time Valek had witnessed her hesitate. Something wasn’t right. And then he remembered Roze planned to assess Yelena when she returned from her mission. To test if she was a danger to others.
The door opened and Bain peered out. “Come in, child. It is cold outside.”
Yelena followed him. Valek wished he could go with her. She would be facing three master magicians. But she had her Soulfinding power and had withstood Roze’s attack before. Well, with his help. And he’d been far away in Ixia at the time. Now, he was much closer. If she needed him, he wouldn’t hesitate to give her all of his strength.
After an hour, Yelena left. Her worried expression, quick pace, and fisted hands didn’t bode well. She went straight to Irys’s tower and didn’t bother to lock the door behind her. Another bad sign. The tap of her boots sounded above him, and he followed her up the steps.
On the third level, he spotted Yelena standing in the middle of a round room with her back to him. It was sparsely furnished with an armoire, a desk, a single bed, and a night table. He doubted she spent much time here.
Yelena laughed.
He leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms. “What’s so funny?”
