The Study of Fire (The Study Chronicles: Valek’s Adventures #3)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

V alek would have whooped with happiness if he wasn’t standing on the grand staircase in the Sitian Council Hall. Instead, he silently celebrated the capture of Ferde and Cahil. Their wrists had been manacled behind their backs, and they were escorted by a ring of guards. Leif and Marrok also accompanied them. Scanning the rest of the crowd in the lobby, Valek searched for Yelena. She had to be with them. Except, she wasn’t in sight. Neither was Moon Man.

He kept his emotions in check. There were a dozen logical reasons for her absence. She could have headed to the Keep to find Irys and the other master magicians. Or she could be at the stables, taking care of Kiki before coming inside. Or she could have been killed in the Daviian’s attack.

Sucking in a steadying breath, Valek focused on the afternoon council session. It would be very informative. No doubt they would interrogate the prisoners, and he might learn Yelena’s fate. Valek needed to get into position before the session started.

* * *

Valek settled in the rafters just in time. The back door to the great hall flew open. Multiple voices shouted over each other, asking questions. Apparently, the councilors had not been informed of Ferde’s escape or Cahil’s involvement. Interesting.

Roze banged her gavel a dozen times before everyone quieted. “All your questions will be answered in time.” Then, she projected her voice, “I call Cahil Ixia to appear before the council.”

Valek leaned forward to get a better angle. The side door suddenly popped into view. It opened, and Cahil followed a guard inside. Two others walked behind him. Cahil’s blond hair and beard were matted and dirty. Dark circles lined his light blue eyes, and his rumpled and torn clothing indicated he’d had a rough trip to the Citadel. Valek hoped it was Cahil’s blood staining his shirt.

“Remove the manacles and leave,” Roze ordered the guards.

They hurried to release Cahil and left through the still visible side door. Cahil rubbed his raw wrists and winced before standing behind the podium and facing the council.

“Cahil Ixia, report,” Roze ordered.

“The mission was going well, until Yelena showed up with her goons,” he said.

Valek stilled. What was Cahil up to?

“Start at the beginning. The mission is no longer classified,” Roze said.

“I’d say not.” Cahil’s arrogant tone bordered on belligerence.

Harun Sandseed stood up. “Were you and Ferde part of the massacre of my clan?” he demanded.

“What?” Cahil gripped the podium. “What happened?”

“The vermin killed my clan!”

“I’m…so sorry, Councilor. I’d no idea. We weren’t there. When did this happen?”

“Harun, please sit down,” Roze said with compassion. “I know it’s difficult for you, and for all of us, but let Cahil report what he knows. Go on, Cahil.”

Cahil took a breath and said, “I went down to the special cells in the Council Hall to check on Ferde Daviian. My people had been hired to increase the number of guards watching him, and I wished to see how they were faring. When I arrived, Ferde was missing, and the guards were unconscious. Captain Marrok had been on duty, yet he was nowhere to be seen. I tracked him down. He refused to answer my questions. I knew time was critical, so I…” He swallowed, then cleared his throat. “Sorry. It’s been a rough couple of days. May I please have a drink?” His scratchy voice added a nice touch to his plea.

Cahil was quite the actor. Despite his hatred of the man, Valek was impressed.

“Yes, of course,” Roze said.

Pitchers of water had been set on the conference table. Cahil poured a glass and returned to the podium. After gulping half the liquid, he resumed his story.

“I forced…” He performed another emotional pause. “Marrok to answer my questions. He admitted to me that he helped Ferde escape, and that he planned to meet up with the Ferde at Blood Rock in the Avibian Plains.”

“Did he say why he committed this crime?” Councilor Sandseed asked. “Why he planned to collude with the Warper?”

“Marrok wanted to frame me for Ferde’s escape. He wanted to take my place, leading my people. He also confirmed I’m the King’s nephew and the true leader of Ixia.”

Denial? Or was Cahil angling to be put in charge of Ixia when Sitia finally decided to attack Ixia?

“What did you do next?” Harun asked.

“Once I knew where Ferde was heading, I reported everything to First Magician Roze Featherstone.”

A collective gasp sounded as all gazes turned to Roze.

“I asked him to travel to the rendezvous location and convince Ferde that he wanted to join him,” Roze explained. “The goal of the mission was to learn the Daviian’s plans, to identify their leaders, and learn the location of their camps.”

A murmurer of unhappiness rumbled. Valek approved of the scheme, it was something he’d assign to a pair of his corps. But he didn’t believe Cahil’s story for a second. Which meant, either Roze was somehow involved in the escape, or she had seen it as an opportunity to learn more about the Daviians.

Roze raised her hand. “I didn’t inform the council because the mission was top secret. These Daviians have magical powers, and they could have learned of the plot from any one of you. I did inform the other master magicians of Ferde’s escape. Except, I said Cahil helped him escape. I didn’t tell them about Captain Marrok. If he recovered from his injuries and thought he had gotten away with freeing Ferde, I wanted to track his next movements. I found it very interesting that he joined Yelena and Leif when they left to visit Moon Man.”

Smooth. Too smooth. Valek studied Bain’s and Irys’s expressions. Both of their faces were creased with concern and a bit of confusion. Unfortunately, Zitora was all in. She stared at Roze in amazement.

“Was your mission a success?” Bain asked Cahil.

“Partly. I managed to discover some of their plans. Again, Councilor Sandseed, I didn’t know about their scheme to attack your clan. But I managed to recruit a few Daviians to our side.”

“And their plans?”

“The Daviians are in league with the Commander of Ixia. Together, they plan to assassinate the councilors and master magicians. In the ensuing chaos, the Daviians will take over control of Sitia and, with the Commander’s help, turn Sitia’s government into a dictatorship.”

Nice twist. Cries of dismay ringed the room. Except for the conspiracy with the Commander, it was exactly as Roze had predicted just a day ago. How very convenient. There was a conspiracy all right, and Valek would bet a dozen gold coins it was between Roze and Cahil.

It took a while for everyone to calm down. Valek waited for them to sort through the logic. Bain Bloodgood didn’t disappoint him.

“Do you have any evidence of this treachery with the Commander?” Bain asked.

“They wouldn’t have been so bold to attack the Sandseed Clan if they didn’t have the Commander’s support. Otherwise, it would be suicide. I would have gotten all the evidence you’d want, but I was interrupted. Yelena and Leif swallowed Marrok’s lies. They joined with Moon Man. The Sandseeds had spotted the Daviians in the plateau. Oh”—Cahil glanced at Harun—“Is that when…the attack happened?”

“We are still working out the timeline,” Roze said. “Please continue.”

“At the time, I was in Booruby with Ferde, trying to get more information. Yelena and her goons attacked us there.”

Valek sagged with relief. Yelena hadn’t been killed in the massacre.

“What happened in Booruby?”

“They arrested us, and Yelena destroyed Ferde’s mind. No way to find out who the leaders are or where the Daviians are hiding now.”

“Destroyed his mind? Are you sure?” Irys asked.

“Oh yes.”

“How?”

“I’m guessing with her Soulfinder powers. He now has the mental ability of a two year old.”

Roze looked smug, but Irys frowned at Cahil. Yelena must have had a good reason to do it. In Valek’s opinion, the man deserved to die, this worked just as well.

“Cahil, you may return to the waiting room,” Roze said. “I call Ferde Daviian to appear before the council.”

Ferde was surrounded by guards, but it was obvious he was no longer a threat. Unable to comprehend or answer any questions, he was sent back to the cells.

Roze then called Leif Zaltana to appear.

When Leif arrived, he looked exhausted. Yelena’s brother had the same green eyes as his sister, but that was where their similarities ended. While her face was oval, his was square. He had brown hair and a muscularly stocky build, which was the opposite of her black hair and lithe grace.

“Leif, report,” Roze ordered.

Leif gave a tired laugh. “How much time do you have?” He gazed at the council and sighed. “I hope you’re comfortable.”

“Leif,” Roze warned.

“Fifteen days ago, Yelena received a message from Moon Man, implying the Sandseed Clan had found Ferde. We traveled to the Avibian Plains to meet up with him.”

“Why did you take Marrok with you?” Roze asked.

“He said he could convince Cahil to surrender, could talk some sense into the idiot. Yelena read Marrok’s intentions and confirmed he was telling the truth. Plus, he’s a good tracker and we might have had need of his skills. Turned out we were right.”

“What happened after you reached the plains?”

“The Sandseeds had found a vermin camp in the plateau and planned on attacking it. Moon Man thought Cahil and Ferde might be hiding with them. We joined the warriors for the ambush, except it was an illusion. Instead of a bustling, crowded settlement, it was empty. Well, except for the warper who created the illusion. He killed himself before we could interrogate him.”

“Didn’t they trick you the same way before?” Roze asked with an exasperated tone.

Valek remembered when he had joined Leif, Yelena, Moon Man, and his warriors. They didn’t exterminate the Daviians as planned, but Valek had killed Alea, which he considered a win.

“Not quite. Last time the illusion showed only a few people in a camp when, in reality, there was a large force waiting for us. This time was the opposite. However, there were signs that the area had been occupied by dozens of people. With Marrok’s help, we tracked them to a trench they had dug. Apparently, they knew they were being watched by the Sandseeds and used the trench to relocate to the northeast without being seen. We also discovered that a much smaller group went west. Worried about the clan members they had left behind, the Sandseed warriors headed home, while I went west with Yelena, Marrok, Moon Man, and Tauno.”

The councilors exchanged glances at this news, but no one told Leif that the warriors had been ambushed and killed when they returned home. Valek wondered if they didn’t wish to distract Leif.

“Who is Tauno?” Bain asked.

“A Sandseed tracker of some renown,” Harun Sandseed said. “He’s one of our best.”

“He’s also the one who found the vermin camp,” Leif said. “The five of us located a cave west of the encampment. I used my magic to determine that some vermin and Cahil used that cave. We entered and eventually reached the Illiais Jungle.”

Councilor Bavol Zaltana jumped to his feet in panic. “Our clan?”

“They’re fine. Mostly.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m getting there.” Leif rubbed a hand over his face. “When we exited the cave, we were ambushed by the vermin.”

Valek held his breath and squashed the urge to yell at Leif to hurry up and tell them about Yelena. He reasoned that she had to be okay. Otherwise, Leif would be grieving. The siblings were growing close when he’d last seen them together.

“We didn’t sense them. They hid behind a null shield and hit us with arrows dipped in Curare.”

“Hold on,” Councilor Shaba Greenblade said. “What is a null shield?”

“Another magic skill that the Sandseeds Story Weavers, and now the Daviian Warpers, have learned. It’s an invisible shield that blocks magic. The warpers hid behind this shield so when Yelena used her magic to sense if anyone was lurking in the jungle, it couldn’t pierce the null shield and detect them. Fun, eh?” Leif’s tone was far from jovial. “Thank fate Yelena brought along Theobroma and was able to counter the paralyzing effects of the Curare for herself and Moon Man. Together, they rescued us. But while we were under their control, the warpers talked about performing an ancient ritual on us called the Kirakawa.”

“Another ancient ritual?” Shaba turned to Harun. “These Daviian Warpers are originally from your clan. How many rituals have you been hiding?”

“We have not hidden anything. The knowledge about how to perform them was destroyed long ago.”

“Yet everyone seems to know about them. The information must still be available,” Shaba said in exasperation. “Tell us, Leif, what horrors does this one entail?”

Leif glanced at Roze, who nodded.

“I don’t have any details on how it works or why. But the premise is the warper traps a person’s soul in their blood. Then the warper cuts into the person’s body and removes their still beating heart. The blood inside the heart is tattooed into the Warper’s skin, increasing their magical power.”

Irys paled, then looked at Bain. “Blood magic.”

“Whatever you call it, it’s powerful. The warpers we’ve encountered are strong and apparently can keep increasing their power with each victim,” Leif said. “In fact, one man has achieved the power to stand in a fire without burning. We call him the Fire Warper. His command of the flames is unbelievable. We barely escaped.”

“Fire warpers and this Kirakawa ritual are hard to believe,” Councilor Ruy Cloudmist said. “Are you sure the vermin weren’t telling you lies to scare you?”

Valek had the same thought. Disinformation and psychological warfare were an effective strategy.

Leif stared at the man as he spoke in an icy tone, “I witnessed this ritual firsthand. My cousin Stono and my father were captured by a second group of warpers that had been hiding in the jungle. They were staked to the ground, and the warpers were about to pull Stono’s heart from his chest. My father was going to be next. Yelena ran into the clearing to stop them when a man appeared in the flames of the fire and stepped over the stone ring.”

“Yelena has no fire magic,” Roze said. “How did she escape?”

“With help. Moon Man, Tauno, and I provided a distraction. We freed my father and Stono. Yelena healed him while Moon Man and Tauno chased the warpers. The Fire Warper disappeared back into the flames.”

“How’s Stono doing?” Bavol asked.

“He’s traumatized, but he’s alive.”

“Did the others capture the warpers?”

“No, but they did track them to Booruby. Cahil and Ferde found out we were there and captured Marrok. Then they tried to grab us, but we defeated them and brought them here.”

“Where are Yelena and Moon Man?” Irys asked.

Finally! Valek almost fell off the rafter as he leaned forward.

“They headed to the Avibian Plains with Tauno to check on the Sandseed Clan. If all is well, she should be back in a couple days.”

Valek leaned his head back against the wall. He was emotionally exhausted. Yelena had headed into an ambush. Yet, she had her Soulfinder powers. Would her magic warn her in time? Every fiber of his being hoped so.

Irys glanced at Harun. The Councilor clutched the arms of his chair in a death grip.

“Leif, you’re dismissed. Go get some sleep,” Roze said.

Valek wondered why she didn’t inform him of the massacre. Was it kindness, or did she worry he’d mount up his horse, Rusalka, and head into the plains? Rusalka was a Sandseed horse, and they had a unique gait that allowed them to travel twice as fast when in the Avibian Plains. Leif would beat the Sitian soldiers to the massacre site.

“I call Marrok Ixia to appear before the council,” Roze said.

Marrok entered. He, too, appeared tired. His rumpled clothes were similar to Leif’s. His hair had turned white since Valek saw him last. Probably a result of being beaten to within an inch of his life.

“Marrok Ixia, report,” Roze said.

“I joined Yelena and Leif on their mission because I wanted to help recapture Ferde and talk to Cahil.”

“Start at the beginning.”

“That is?—”

“No, before you were beaten.”

“That has nothing to do with Ferde’s escape. That’s between me and Cahil.”

“Cahil claims he beat you to find out why you helped Ferde escape. Would you like to confess now and save us all some time?”

Marrok gaped at Roze. “That’s not what happened. Cahil was angry because Valek told him he wasn’t the King’s nephew. He found out we’d been lying to him for years. He flew into a rage.”

“Why did you lie to him?”

“We wanted revenge on the Commander. He killed the entire royal family, including the children. We were supposed to protect them. We decided we would do everything we could to kill the Commander and put a King back on the Ixian throne. Cahil might not have royal blood, but he was born in Ixia.”

“And we’re supposed to believe that after you recovered from almost dying, you joined Yelena and Leif to help? And not to get revenge on the man who beat you?”

“Uh, yes.” Marrok looked flustered. “Cahil wasn’t thinking clearly. He has a temper. I don’t know why he freed Ferde, but I practically raised him, and I know him better than anyone. I was hoping he’d surrender without a fight.”

“After you joined Yelena and her brother, what happened next?”

Marrok’s report matched Leif’s until they separated in the Illiais Jungle.

“Moon Man, Tauno, and I chased them through the jungle, but then Moon Man faltered. He said Yelena needed extra energy to heal that poor man whose stomach had been cut wide open.” Marrok shuddered. “By the time Moon Man recovered, the warpers were gone. We waited until morning and then tracked them to Booruby, where we lost them. Tracking is near impossible in a city. We rented a room at one of the inns to wait while Moon Man returned to the jungle to let Yelena and Leif know what happened. Every day we went out to search for the warpers. A few days later the others joined us, and we continued to search.”

“How long did it take to find them?” Roze asked.

“They found us. Well, me and Tauno. We were jumped and taken to an abandoned building. They beat poor Tauno, but Cahil pulled me aside. He told me he’d been working undercover, that we were hindering his efforts even though we’d just corroborated his cover story. But he acted like he was glad to learn that I survived and even joked.” Marrok drew in a deep breath. “I know I said I knew Cahil the best, but I fell for his lies. He pumped me for information that night, and once he had what he wanted…” He rubbed his jaw. “They had released Tauno, and I managed to escape to warn the others. Cahil and the warpers followed me, and there was a brief skirmish at the inn. We won, Cahil was arrested, and Ferde…was neutralized.”

“Do you know why Yelena used such extreme measures?” Irys asked.

“We were outnumbered at the inn. The fight wasn’t going in our favor, and the fire in the hearth started growing. I think the Fire Warper was coming. Yelena did what she had to in order to save us. Again.”

“Marrok, you may return to the waiting room,” Roze said.

That wasn’t a good sign.

Roze stood and walked to the podium. “We’ve all heard the reports. As for who helped Ferde escape, it’s a matter of Cahil’s word against Marrok’s.”

“You talked to Cahil after he learned about the escape,” Irys said. “Did you use your magic to determine if he told the truth? Yelena used hers on Marrok. She wouldn’t have allowed him to join her if he’d been lying.”

True. She would have turned him in to the authorities.

“You’re way too fond of her,” Roze said. “We can’t trust you to be impartial.”

“And you didn’t answer my question.”

“Using my magic would have been a breach of our Ethical Code. Besides, Cahil came to me. Why would he do that if he’d aided in Ferde’s escape? He’s well aware of my powers.”

Powers that she claimed she wouldn’t use. Didn’t she listen to her own words?

“Leif corroborated Marrok’s claim,” Irys countered.

“He had gotten the information second hand. Yelena could have lied about Marrok’s intentions.” Roze held up a hand. “Plus, we all know Leif tends to exaggerate and see danger where there is none. I’ve no doubt he’d fall for the Daviian’s lies. I propose we release Cahil until Yelena returns. He discovered valuable information about the Daviian’s plans by risking his own life. I’d also like to detain Marrok until that time. I fear he’s a flight risk.”

“What happens if Yelena doesn’t return?” Irys asked.

“We will have an official trial where I can use my magic to determine the truth,” Roze said.

“And if she returns?”

“I will assess her involvement in these events.”

“No,” Irys said. “It’s obvious you hate her. You won’t be impartial. She can make her report in front of the council like the others.”

“No. That is too dangerous. She destroyed Ferde’s mind. You all saw him. If she survived the massacre, her mental state might be further unhinged. I won’t risk the council. However, Bain and Zitora are welcome to witness my assessment. Will that appease you?”

“No. I need to be there as well.”

“Your objectivity is compromised by your friendship with Yelena,” Councilor Thema Cowan said. “I think First Magician is being reasonable.”

In the end, the council agreed to Roze’s proposal. They filed out of the room while Valek mulled over the reports, teasing out the inconsistencies. Cahil had to be lying. Had Roze backed him up because he provided evidence that the Commander had allied with the Daviians to attack Sitia? That would give Roze a legitimate reason to go after both Ixia and the Daviians. But why not include Ferde’s release to Cahil’s tale? Why implicate Marrok? Because purposely releasing Ferde from jail was too dangerous for the council to accept. However, if Marrok did it and Cahil swooped in to save the day, that was more palatable.

One question remained. Would Roze go after Ixia and the Daviians at the same time or focus on one before the other?

After the great hall had been empty for a while, Valek shimmied down the ropes and exited through the waiting room. He had to send a warning to the Commander.

When he left the Council Hall, he signaled Janco. Valek needed to update him. He’d send a message to Ari in the morning. Gabor and Brigi pounced on Valek the second he entered the safe house, asking him questions without taking a breath.

He held up his hands. “Slow down. One at a time.”

Gabor gestured to Brigi.

“I saw they brought in Cahil and another man. Was that the infamous Ferde?”

“Yes, and I’ll tell you all about what happened when Janco gets here.”

As if on cue, Janco entered through the back door.

Brigi wrinkled her petite nose. “Perhaps we can have the meeting in the park.”

“On behalf of all the people without homes, I’m insulted,” Janco said. “Don’t worry, I left my smelly blanket and cloak hidden in the alley.”

Valek studied Janco. His clothes were still in good shape, and his scruff was thicker. And…he sniffed…he didn’t stink. But, then again, he’d only been on the streets for three days.

Janco noticed the sniff. “Your friend, Minel, badgered me into bathing. There’s a free bathhouse near the market. The rest charge you to use their baths.” Janco’s tone was outraged. “Clearly, we’re not in Ixia anymore.”

“That’s because the Sitian government doesn’t fund them like the Commander does,” Gabor said. “They have to charge a fee so they can pay their staff and buy supplies.”

“Why is the one by the market free?”

“The market stall owners fund that one. It’s to lure shoppers to the market.”

Janco creased his brow. “But they’re the only game in town.”

“Not really. There are shops in the residential districts.”

“I haven’t been there yet.” He eyed the kitchen. “Any chance there’s tea? And a chicken roasting? Or a steer? Or a pig? Perhaps all three?”

Gabor laughed. “Coming right up.”

“I’m assuming this meeting is due to the excitement this morning,” Janco said. He scootched his chair close to the fire and warmed his hands. “My new friends have a ton of wild theories. All were overjoyed to see Cahil arrested. He not only refuses to give them a single coin, but he’s nasty to them. One lady claims she saw him kick a child who got in his way. They’re hoping he is hung for treason.”

The sound of the back door opening brought them all to their feet. Valek drew his dagger and investigated. Ari stood by the door. He removed his cloak and hung it on a hook, revealing a white uniform.

“White?” Valek returned his dagger to its sheath.

“I didn’t have time to change. I saw Cahil in the Keep’s infirmary.”

Alarmed, Valek asked, “Did he see you?”

“No. I stayed out of sight. Healer Hayes healed his wrists; they were raw from manacles. But he wasn’t under guard. He acted like a free man. I followed him to the bathhouse and then to his house in the Citadel. Then I came here. Do you know what’s going on?”

“Come into the kitchen, I was just about to update everyone. Do you need to be back soon?” Valek asked Ari.

“No. I told Healer Hayes I was going to visit my mother. He told me to check in with him when I got back.”

In the kitchen, Ari was greeted with a warm welcome. Janco teased him about working in the infirmary, but Ari just shrugged.

“I’m helping people heal, what’s not to like?” he countered.

After the tea was poured, Valek updated the team on what happened. The tale took many cups of tea and ran through their entire meal. The jovial mood drained with each revelation.

“That lying sack of potatoes,” Janco said. “If Yelena’s hurt, I’m gonna peel that beard from Cahil’s face and give him a brand-new red smile just under his chin.”

“She can handle herself,” Ari said. “No way she walks into an ambush. She’s too smart.”

Valek appreciated the words, but he wondered if Ari was trying to convince himself.

“What’s the plan?” Janco asked. “You want me to pick up Cahil and bring him here for a private chat?”

“Not yet,” Valek said. “Gabor, I need you to deliver a message to the Commander. You can take one of our horses. Janco and Ari, continue with your undercover surveillance. I’ll keep spying on the council meetings.”

“The public sessions have all been cancelled,” Brigi said. “But they aren’t calling for emergency meetings. From what you said, I think they’re trying not to scare the public.”

That made sense. “They’ll still have discussions that I can listen to.”

“Too bad you can’t get into Roze Featherstone’s office,” Ari said.

“I could, but it’d be very difficult. Why?”

“It’s obvious she’s working with Cahil. To go after both the Daviians and the Commander will be a tremendous effort. She has to know her army isn’t up to both tasks. I think there’s more going on there, but I don’t know what.”

Valek had similar suspicions. “If I get the opportunity to eavesdrop on Cahil and Roze, I’ll take it.”

Ari walked with Janco to the back exit. “How’s it going? You okay?”

“Yeah. It’s not fun, and I’m not getting any sleep on the Council Hall’s steps. The guards shoo everyone off them every couple hours, but we return like the tide. It’s pointless, but they do it every night. And then there’s the grind. You know? The uncertainty if there’s gonna be another meal. I know I’m not going to starve, but they don’t. The worry constantly gnaws at them. Even if they get food, the relief is only temporary. I want to bring them all to Ixia, tell them they’d be treated so much better there, but I can’t.”

Ari put his big hand on Janco’s shoulder and squeezed.

Janco smiled. “It’s not the worst assignment. Remember the mud? I’d take this over the mud any day.” He gave them a jaunty wave and left.

“Mud?” Valek asked.

Ari shook his head. “You don’t want to know. If you need to contact me, send a messenger. Say it’s from my mother. Apparently, we’re very close, so it won’t seem strange.” He donned his cloak and slipped out the door.

Valek spent the next hour writing a message to the Commander. It was proving harder than he’d expected. Too much information and the Commander would send his army to make a preemptive strike. A battle wasn’t his style, but if time was a factor, it was the quickest way to conquer. Valek had to convince him to wait, to trust him, but to still be ready just in case. Easier said than done.

* * *

With the message in hand, Gabor left for Ixia early in the morning. Valek hoped it would be well received. In the meantime, he donned a new disguise and went to the Council Hall. Since the morning meetings had been cancelled, the Council Hall was closed to the public.

He looped around the building, but there wasn’t an easy climbing route. Plus, it was daylight, and the beggars kept drifting his way. Valek would have to switch into a guard’s uniform and return during the shift change later that afternoon. He doubted anything new would be discussed at the council session, but he still hated to miss it.

As he walked away, footsteps sounded behind him. He glanced back.

Janco approached with his hand out. “Spare a copper, sir?”

Valek fumbled in his pocket for a coin.

“None of the councilors or magicians are in the hall today,” Janco whispered. “Only Roze and the general of the Sitian army.”

He dropped a few coppers into Janco’s palm. “Thanks.”

Janco nodded and returned to the building. A couple beggars surrounded him. One clapped him on the back. Valek wondered if he was Janco’s first mark. The timing worked out for the newbie to finally swallow his pride to survive.

Since he had unexpected free time, Valek went to the market. He purchased a few supplies, but he kept an eye out for Fisk.

After thirty minutes, the boy appeared by his side. “That’s a much better disguise.”

“Yet, you still recognized me.”

“You have a certain…way.” Fisk motioned with his hand as if to pull the right words from the air. “You know, gait. How you walk. It’s…smooth. Like a dancer.”

Interesting. Valek had altered his appearance, his speech, and clothing, but he never considered modifying his gait. “Not everyone is as observant as you.”

“That’s good for you. Or the guards would be swarming.” Fisk glanced at the two people patrolling along the edges of the market. “Anyway, I’ve got some news.”

“How much?”

“A gold.”

“Four silvers and if it’s something I don’t know, I’ll give you two more.”

“Nope. I don’t trust you to tell me the truth. Nine silvers.”

“Seven.”

Fisk sighed dramatically. “I’ve a family to feed.”

Valek smiled. “That line only works if you’re an adult.”

“Yeah? Tell my parents that. They have it backwards. Eight.”

His grin faded as a pang squeezed his heart. “Eight, then. What do you know?”

“Those Sandseeds who arrived yesterday are not Sandseeds.”

“Who are they?”

“I dunno. They split up and are staying at different inns and are haunting different locations. Sandseeds stick together. Like the group that arrived the day before yesterday, the ones who brought the bad news that their clan was attacked and most of them were killed. Who would do such a terrible thing?” Fisk’s young face creased with sadness.

“There are terrible people in this world, Fisk. And it’s one of my jobs to track them down and stop them.”

He brightened a bit. “And I’m helping.”

“You are.” It was impressive that Fisk learned the news of the massacre. And figured out about the not Sandseeds. No doubt they were Daviians sent to observe the council’s reaction to the Sandseed genocide. “Do you know who attacked the Sandseeds?”

“No. But the people around here are more worried over the council’s silence. And there are more Sandseeds arriving. They could be survivors or more not Sandseeds.” He shrugged.

“Do you know where these new Sandseeds are staying?”

“No, but I can find out.”

“No. Never mind. It’s too dangerous.”

“No, it isn’t. People like me are invisible. They’ll never notice.”

“I think these people will notice. Besides, it’s not that important. Here.” Valek handed him a gold coin.

Fisk flashed him a smile. “Happy doing business with you.”

Valek watched him disappear into the crowd. Then he found a place to observe the people in the market. Soon enough, he spotted a few shoppers who resembled the tall and muscular Sandseed warriors. They didn’t make any effort to blend in. In fact, their gait—as Fisk would say—was confident. Their demeanors were bold. And they didn’t appear to be grieving.

Fear swirled around Valek’s heart. The Daviians used to be Sandseed warriors before they left to form their own unsanctioned clan.

One of the men reached for an apple on a seller’s cart. His sleeve snagged on the edge of the wood, exposing his forearm. Red tattoos swirled on his skin.

Not Sandseeds. Daviian Warpers.