Page 46 of The Study of Fire
“Did Marrok recover?” Valek strangely liked the captain.
“Yes. The healers saved his life.” Gabor snapped his fingers. “I’d bet he’s the one that went with Yelena and Leif. I didn’t see them leave, but the kid who reported it described the man and it just now clicked.”
“Kid?”
Gabor smiled. “Yeah. A bunch of kids without homes have formed a Helper’s Guild in the Citadel. They aid shoppers in finding and bargaining for goods, they carry packages and do odd jobs. They’re smart and observant and invisible to most people. I’ve been buying information from them.”
Valek remembered the young boy who had helped Yelena. “Is their leader named Fisk?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“He and a few of his friends helped me escape the Citadel.” Valek thought about the enterprising young lad. He might know what was really going on with the council. Worth a try.
“What do you need me to do?” Gabor asked.
“Have dinner and rest tonight. We’ll leave in the morning for Sitia.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
“…that’s not the signal for sword. It’s more like this,” Janco said.
“That means knife,” Ari countered.
“It’s a pointy stabby weapon. Close enough.”
Ari and Janco’s argument echoed off the castle walls before they appeared around the corner. When they came into view, they spotted Valek waiting by their door and stopped.
“Uh oh,” Janco said. “I’ve a bad feeling about this.”
“We’ve a new mission,” Valek said. “Prep for covert ops in Sitia. I’ll meet you in the stables at dawn.”
“Yes, sir.”
Valek hurried away. He had much to do and would update them on the journey south.
Behind him, Janco said, “Dawn. See I knew it was bad.”
“Brightside, we’re going to Sitia. It’s warmer there,” Ari said.
And best of all, Yelena might be there as well. Valek fervently hoped she had returned from her mission.
Valek spent the remaining day updating Kenda about Gabor’s intel and the Commander’s response, ensuring Brede knew about his absence, and packing his bag with Sitian clothing, coins, and the various tools—disguises, lock picks, weapons, blow pipe, darts, poisons—for all his assassinating needs.
After a restless night of sleep, Valek joined Ari and Janco in the stables.
“And here I was thinking it’d be at least a season before I had to ride a horse again.” Janco rubbed his backside.
“That’s your problem right there,” Ari said.
“Where?”
“Thinking. I believe that for our new jobs we shouldn’t expect anything. Right, Valek?”
“Correct. Anything goes. Missions are rarely predictable. If you can’t adapt quickly, then find a new job.” Valek checked Onyx’s legs for hot spots. The horse snuffled his hair.
Gabor arrived. “Should I saddle a horse?”
