Page 50 of The Study of Fire
“Not yet. But give me a couple days.” Fisk grinned.
“And it’ll cost me?”
“Of course. Nothing is free.”
Such a sad statement. Valek met Fisk’s hard gaze. “You’re wrong. Lots of things are free.”
“Yeah? Name one?”
“Friendship. Love. Kindness.”
“Yeah, well, you can’t buy food with those.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve been living on the streets for my entire life. I’m sure.”
“And you used to beg. Right? Getting coins from others to buy food?”
“That’s not kindness. That’s pity. That’s shame.”
“So, when Yelena gave you all her coins?—”
“That’s different. Yelena’s different.”
“While I agree that Yelena is unique in so many wonderful ways, there are other people who also give because of kindness and not due to pity or shame.”
Uncertain, Fisk stared at him. “Come to the market in the mornings. If I have more information for you, I’ll let you know.” He disappeared into the crowd.
* * *
Valek spent the rest of the day watching the guards at the Council Hall. The multi-story building was located across from the entrance to the Magician’s Keep. Stone steps led up to the main doors. These steps extended the full length of the building. He would eventually need to get into the hall, which he could easily do dressed as a citizen, but he wanted access to the council meetings and not all of them were open to the public. He could change into a guard uniform once inside. However, the ideal time to get in would be when the guards changed shifts.
Huddled in his blanket on the steps, Janco looked miserable. As people left and entered the Council Hall, a group of beggars approached them, but Janco pouted, appearing to be too proud to beg. Impressed by his acting abilities, Valek suspected there was much more to Janco than the easy-going, overly dramatic, and irreverent persona he had donned.
Despite his lackluster posture, Janco spotted Valek. He signaled by raising his eyebrows, which meant, ‘What’s up?’ Valek replied, motioning that all was well. Once Valek had marked the late afternoon shift change, he returned to the safe house.
Gabor had just woken up for his shift. Yawning, he cooked eggs and tried to smooth the wayward strands of his black hair. Soon after, Ari arrived.
“You weren’t exaggerating when you said they needed people,” Ari said. “The Keep’s manager took one look at my shoulders and hired me to work in the infirmary.”
That was unexpected. Valek had guessed he would be assigned as a gardener or be trained as a guard. “Doing what?”
“Working as an orderly. Apparently, unconscious people are heavy. And crazed patients are strong.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t sound like it happens too often, but my boss, Healer Hayes, said I could help with other duties. He wants me to stay in a small furnished apartment near the infirmary, just in case they need me at night. I told him I had to pack my stuff and tell my mother about my new job. He’s expecting me back tomorrow morning.”
“Good work. What’s your cover name?”
“Denus Krystal. I’m too pale to be a Bloodgood. Too bad, that’s a great clan name.”
Ari’s full name was Ardenus. “Perfect. Did you find anything out about Yelena?”
“Not yet.”
Brigi joined them in the kitchen. “What a fun day!” She laughed. “Worth the stink to see Janco in action.”
“You can see him from the stables?” Valek asked.
“Yeah. He mostly hung out on the east side of the hall. It has the best view of the Keep.”
