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“We’re looking for food entering Tal without passing through the official channels,” I said. “And the people who bring it.”
“There’s no more than usual—less with the royals buying up everything for the Day of the Dead.”
Dimitri tensed. “It would be a lot—hundreds of cattle.”
Pebble snorted. “Have you seen the food prices? If that kind of meat was sold for cheap, most would be gnawing on a rib. Instead, I have to haggle and fight to get enough for the Spoon.”
“What if someone’s waiting for the price to increase even more?” the prince asked.
Pebble shook his head. “Then they’d have to wait until winter. At the festival the royals’ll finally open the coffers, and we’ll all eat well—more than usual with the wedding—and that’s the start of fall markets. If anyone had food, now would be the time to sell for maximum profit. Ask around, everyone with any sense will tell you the same.”
Dimitri looked like he would argue again when Pebble raised his hand to stop the words.
“There’s nothing more than you see. If you want black-market food, you’ll have to go to the farmsteads yourself and buy it up. I’m giving you this for free because there’s nothing to know.”
The prince slid two silver coins across the bar. “And if someone went to the farmsteads and brought in the food without anyone noticing, how would they do it?”
The coins disappeared into Pebbles large hands. “If someone was stupid enough to do all that and not sell, they might bribe the night guard at North Gate and store it in the Gateways. Though if you’re stupid enough not to sell, who’s to say you’re smart enough to hide it all?”
Dimitri nodded, seemingly satisfied. I placed a hand on his arm. “Any guard who might be talkative?”
Pebble tapped on the bar until the prince slid over another coin. “Runner’s a good man. Say you came from me and bring that wallet. If something’s going on, he might talk.”
“Thank you,” I said and meant it. “For all the times…”
Pebble’s face softened. “Take care of yourself, girl. This city is getting worse. In Sorach we only had pirates to contend with.” He turned to the prince. “Pleasure of doing business with you,Sasha. This is a good one, no matter what mess she might have gotten herself into.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
Regret flashed in Dimitri’s eyes. Before I could read more, he offered me his arm and turned away. Back to the royal, distant and proper.
Still, as we crossed the gangplank arm in arm, I soared so high on hope that I did not feel my feet hit theground. It did not matter that he played a role earlier. We had done so together—and I knew he had enjoyed it.
The letter burned against my side. He did not question me again, but I knew he needed answers to trust me. I would find him some—or find him someone else who could explain. Then I would give him everything and hope it did not crush the fluttering thing between us.
As we walked toward North Gate, I promised myself I would find a clue.But you already have one, my inner voice said,the bloody mark means it is all connected.Ealhswip and cults and empty farms.
There were still too many missing pieces for me to see the game—why did the wedding have to happen? Was the gate Morovara mentioned the same one Ealhswip sought under the crypt? How did it connect to the glass crowns? And where was my sister?
There was one more place I could search.
A place even I would not risk bringing a disguised prince.
Nobody fooled Popova.
The silence between me and Dimitri stretched as the crowded streets grew wilder. Twice someone pushed into us, forcing closer us together.
I was too wrapped up in my own problems to notice the hard notes of violence vibrating in the air before it was too late.
Chapter seven
Dimitri
Awoman somewhere ahead of us yelled. I only caught a few words above the rumbling of the crowd, but they were enough.Death to the nobility. Bring Tal forward. Take what you’re owed.
I tilted my head down and pressed closer to Tempest as more people spilled onto the street. If they recognized me here, I would be torn apart and it did not matter what consequences my father might enact later.
More raised their voices; the wind whispered of danger.
