Page 78 of The Study of Magic
Once they were out of sight of the castle complex’s wall, they turned south and looped back to the west. No doubt Star would head for Castletown. She’d need supplies and money. Valek had left a bottle of White Fright with Kenda to give Star her antidote each morning. It had enough to cover three weeks.
They took turns watching the west gate, while they camped in the Snake Forest. During the down time, Janco taught Maren how to ride a horse.
“…my heelsaredown, you dolt,” Maren said. “My backisstraight. Are you blind?”
“Grab the horse’s mane if you’re going to fall,” Janco shouted. “It doesn’t hurt the horse. I can’t keep catching you. You’re not light— Ow! What did you do that for?”
Valek tuned their bickering out. It was much quieter when Janco was on watch. That evening, Ari returned before the end of his shift.
“Star’s on the move,” Ari said. “She headed straight for Castletown like we figured. I trailed her to a house on the southern edge of town. Trevar’s watching the place now.”
Valek had assigned Trevar to Castletown for this exact scenario. The young man was very familiar with the city. “Is there a back entrance?”
“Not that I saw.”
“All right, time to move.”
While Janco and Maren took the horses to a stable in town, Valek followed Ari to the house. They joined Trevar. He’d been watching it from a shadow across the street.
Trevar gestured to the building. “That’s an old smugglers’ hideout.” Then he pointed to a house at the end of the street, which was almost pressed up against the forest. “There’s a tunnel to that house, which has a direct exit into the forest.”
“Shouldn’t you be there instead?” Ari asked in alarm.
“No need. Adrik is watching.”
“Adrik? I don’t remember assigning him to this mission,” Valek said in his flat tone.
“This town is full of hidden entrances, tunnels, and fake fronts. I figured I’d need backup. And I did.” He flashed Valek a grin.
“Next time, clear it with me first.Ifthere is a next time.”
Trevar’s grin faded. “Yes, sir.”
“Show Ari where the exit is. Then take Adrik and go to the Silver Stirrup Stables and tell Janco and Maren where we are. After that, go to the safe house.”
Trevar sighed. “Yes, sir. This way, Ari. Try not to make any loud noises.” Trevar moved deeper into the shadows.
Ari frowned but didn’t move.
“Shouldn’t you be following him?” Valek asked.
“Please. He’s making enough of a racket; I know right where he is.”
“That sounded like a Janco boast.”
Ari grinned. “It’s not boasting when it’s true.” Unlike Trevar, Ari melted into the shadows.
Valek focused on the building across the street. It was an unremarkable three-story structure that could pass for either a residence or a place of business. Like the others on the street, it stood alone. Lantern light peeked from the slits in the curtains on the ground floor windows, but otherwise, there wasn’t any activity.
Janco suddenly appeared at Valek’s elbow. “Do we need the puppy dogs on this mission?” he asked, referring to Trevar and Adrik.
“Yes. I want two watchers on each exit at all times. Besides, Trevar knew about the tunnel and back exit. He’s been useful.”
Janco harrumphed.
* * *
Star stayed at the house for two days before leaving with five others early on the third morning. They slipped out the back entrance and headed southwest through the Snake Forest. Janco had been on duty with Trevar. He sent the young man to alert Valek and the others while Janco followed Star’s group.
