Page 61 of The Study of Fire
“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.
CHAPTER10
Warpers were in the Citadel.
Warpers who had enhanced their magical powers with that Kirakawa ritual.
Warpers who would be hard to fight with mundane tactics. Valek could kill a few, but how many of them were already here? Enough to overrun the council and take over? This was bad.
Valek hurried back to the safe house. Now that he’d seen them, he spotted them everywhere. He’d been so focused on the council; he hadn’t given any thought to what the Daviians might do after they’d decimated the Sandseed Clan. It made complete sense that they would attack the council before they had time to respond to the massacre.
He had to warn the council. Scoffing, he imagined the Scourge of Sitia informing the Sitian Council they were about to be attacked by warpers. That would not go over well. Should he gather his people and leave? No. The only thing he could do was warn Irys. She was the only person who might trust him. Valek just needed to figure out the best time and place to approach the Master Magician.
* * *
“I’ve news,” Brigi said, when she returned from her shift at the stables.
“Go on.” Valek set the kettle on the hearth. A storm had swept in from the north and sleet rattled against the windows. Poor Janco.
“There’s going to be a special meeting tomorrow morning,” she said.
“An emergency session?” Maybe they already knew about the warpers. One could hope.
“No. This is different. More of a strategy conference. They invited their aides and specialists. I think they’re planning their attack, deciding which clans are providing soldiers, and working on logistics. Stuff like that.”
At least it was progress. But it might be too late. “I’ll make sure I’m in position.” He’d slip inside during the early morning shift change. “Have you noticed more Sandseeds in the Citadel?”
She cocked her head at the change in subject but creased her brow in thought. “Actually, yes. I assumed they were the survivors. Yes, I know, I know. Never assume. Sorry!”
“I missed it as well. My ego took a serious blow when a ten year old boy pointed it out to me.”
She smiled. “What does it mean?”
“It means you need to be ready to leave if things go south.”
“I don’t think I will be a target. They would go after the councilors and magicians, but I’m part of the work force. It doesn’t make sense for them to kill everyone. Yes, they did murder all the Sandseeds, but like you said, they were a real threat. I think having someone on the inside would be beneficial. I could send messages.”
“You would risk your life for the Sitians?”
“Of course. They’re not our enemy. Sure, they bark at the Commander because they’re afraid, but the real villains in this case are the Daviians.”
True.
* * *
