Page 109 of The Study of Magic
“Nature called.”
“What? You too good to use the manure pile?”
“I’ve a shy bladder.”
Minel laughed.
After a while, Yelena appeared. Her face was drawn, and dark smudges of exhaustion lined her eyes.
“Ah, that’s one of the kind ones,” Minel said as a couple beggars headed toward her.
Valek joined them.
“Sorry. I can’t help you today,” she called without slowing.
The others returned, but he followed.
Yelena turned. “I said?—”
“Lovely lady, spare a copper?” Valek asked.
She peered at him with a bit of confusion. But when she met his gaze, recognition flared.
“Can’t you spare a copper for the man who just saved your life?” Valek asked, guessing that was why she needed his immunity.
“I’m broke. I had to pay off the distraction. Those kids don’t work cheap. What?—”
“Unity fountain. A quarter hour.” Valek returned to the steps.
“Any luck?” Minel asked.
“You were right.” He dipped his hand into his pocket and removed all the Sitian coins he had on him, giving them to Minel. “She has a big heart.”
Minel squinted at him. “Uh huh.”
“I think I’ll go take that bath now.”
Instead, he headed to the Unity Fountain. It was a large jade sphere with holes that showed smaller and smaller spheres tucked inside. Water sprayed from eleven waterspouts around the statue. He found a doorway with a dark recess and removed a layer of rags, hoping to reduce the smell. Soon, Yelena entered the courtyard, she gazed at the fountain for a moment. He stepped from the shadows long enough to catch her eye.
She joined him and hugged him tight, trapping his arms. Then she released him.
“Thank you for helping me against Ferde,” she said. “Now go home, before you get caught.”
Valek smiled. “And miss all the fun? No, love. I’m going with you on your errand.”
She rocked back in surprise that he’d guessed her next move. It made sense to him that once she dealt with Ferde, she’d need to finish her business with Alea.
“There’s no way I can convince you to go to Ixia?” she asked.
“None.”
“All right. Although I reserve the right to say, ‘I told you so,’ should you get captured,” she said in a mock serious tone, but couldn’t hide the relief that shone in her tired green eyes.
“Agreed.” Valek would enjoy this mission for so many reasons. The best one, spending time with Yelena.
They arranged to meet at the edge of the Avibian Plains an hour after sunset. That gave him enough time to get washed, changed, put on a new disguise, gather a few supplies, including more Sitian coins, and grab his pack.
Brigi and Gabor both cautioned him to be extra careful when he’d updated them on his plans. There were still groups of soldiers out hunting for him in the Citadel. Plus, all the guards at the gates had been notified to keep an eye out for him. That presented his biggest challenge. Valek considered his options. He knew to avoid the south and east gates. The north gate was too far; he’d have to loop around the Citadel to reach the plains. That left the west gate.
