* * *
As he headed to the safe house, Valek passed groups of soldiers still searching for Yelena and Leif. Knowing she was safe outside the Citadel made it worth the long night of dodging patrols. The house was empty. Valek should update his team, but exhaustion had soaked into his bones. And that was when mistakes were made. Best to get a few hours’ sleep.
When Valek woke in the afternoon, he changed into nondescript Sitian clothing and went to the market. At first, nothing appeared out of the ordinary, but soon he spotted more Daviians. And it didn’t take long for Fisk to join him.
“Where’s Yelena?” the boy demanded.
“Why?”
“The authorities are looking for her. She needs to leave.”
“She’s already gone.”
Fisk shot him an annoyed glare. “Why didn’t you say that first?”
“You’re in the business of selling information. I had to make sure of your reasons.”
“I would never sell information about Yelena. And I’m insulted that you think I would.” Fisk scowled. “Tell her to stay away. And you should leave, too. It’s too hot for you both. Consider thatfreeadvice.” Fisk dashed off.
While happy that Yelena had such a loyal ally, Valek hoped he hadn’t just made a new enemy. He headed to the Council Hall. There was significant activity, with people arriving and leaving the building, but Valek didn’t want to risk being spotted. Instead, he caught Janco’s gaze and signaled. Then he looped around the stables. Brigi hefted a saddle onto a horse’s back. She noticed him and gave him a small, relieved smile.
That evening, Janco joined Valek and Brigi for dinner. Valek updated them both on Yelena and Leif’s status.
“I’m glad they escaped,” Janco said. “Things are getting scary around the Council Hall.”
“Scary, how?” Valek asked.
“The place is buzzing with creepy vibes.”
Which was Janco speak for magic.
“There’s been a lot of emergency missives going out,” Brigi said. “The council’s messengers have been busy. I don’t know what type of messages they’re sending. Sometimes I can chat them up and they’ll tell me where they’re going. And if I flirt, I can get more information. This time, it was all business.”
“Can we go home now?” Janco asked.
“Not yet.”
Instead of pouting, Janco perked up. “Phew. I thought you were going to try to stop these Daviians with just the four of us.”
“We need to find out who is in charge. Roze is either a willing accomplice or she is being manipulated.”
“I find it hard to believe anyone could manipulate her,” Brigi said.
“If they offer her what she desires, which is to neutralize the threat of Ixia, she might not care how they plan to do it. In any case, we need more details before we can construct a counter strategy.”
After having thirds, Janco returned to his post. Valek planned to sneak into the Council Hall during the early morning shift change, so he settled on the couch for a few hours of sleep.
When he pulled up his blanket, the back door opened and then clicked shut. Valek pulled his dagger, but relaxed when he recognized Ari.
“You have news?” Valek asked.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Ari said.
“Try me.”
“A few hours ago, I heard voices in Captain Marrok’s room. There’s been no guards watching him, and Healer Hayes already checked on him, so I peeked. Two Sandseeds were helping him to stand. They cajoled him into changing and gave him a cloak. I suspected they might be using him for the Kirakawa ritual, so I hid in another room until they passed. I followed them outside and they…” Ari swiped a hand through his short curls. “They disappeared in a shaft of moonlight. All three of them.”
If this had been Janco reporting, Valek would have thought a shaft of moonlight was code for something else. “Can you describe the Sandseeds?”
