Page 60 of The Study of Fire
As he walked away, footsteps sounded behind him. He glanced back.
Janco approached with his hand out. “Spare a copper, sir?”
Valek fumbled in his pocket for a coin.
“None of the councilors or magicians are in the hall today,” Janco whispered. “Only Roze and the general of the Sitian army.”
He dropped a few coppers into Janco’s palm. “Thanks.”
Janco nodded and returned to the building. A couple beggars surrounded him. One clapped him on the back. Valek wondered if he was Janco’s first mark. The timing worked out for the newbie to finally swallow his pride to survive.
Since he had unexpected free time, Valek went to the market. He purchased a few supplies, but he kept an eye out for Fisk.
After thirty minutes, the boy appeared by his side. “That’s a much better disguise.”
“Yet, you still recognized me.”
“You have a certain…way.” Fisk motioned with his hand as if to pull the right words from the air. “You know, gait. How you walk. It’s…smooth. Like a dancer.”
Interesting. Valek had altered his appearance, his speech, and clothing, but he never considered modifying his gait. “Not everyone is as observant as you.”
“That’s good for you. Or the guards would be swarming.” Fisk glanced at the two people patrolling along the edges of the market. “Anyway, I’ve got some news.”
“How much?”
“A gold.”
“Four silvers and if it’s something I don’t know, I’ll give you two more.”
“Nope. I don’t trust you to tell me the truth. Nine silvers.”
“Seven.”
Fisk sighed dramatically. “I’ve a family to feed.”
Valek smiled. “That line only works if you’re an adult.”
“Yeah? Tell my parents that. They have it backwards. Eight.”
His grin faded as a pang squeezed his heart. “Eight, then. What do you know?”
“Those Sandseeds who arrived yesterday are not Sandseeds.”
“Who are they?”
“I dunno. They split up and are staying at different inns and are haunting different locations. Sandseeds stick together. Like the group that arrived the day before yesterday, the ones who brought the bad news that their clan was attacked and most of them were killed. Who would do such a terrible thing?” Fisk’s young face creased with sadness.
“There are terrible people in this world, Fisk. And it’s one of my jobs to track them down and stop them.”
He brightened a bit. “And I’m helping.”
“You are.” It was impressive that Fisk learned the news of the massacre. And figured out about the not Sandseeds. No doubt they were Daviians sent to observe the council’s reaction to the Sandseed genocide. “Do you know who attacked the Sandseeds?”
“No. But the people around here are more worried over the council’s silence. And there are more Sandseeds arriving. They could be survivors or more not Sandseeds.” He shrugged.
“Do you know where these new Sandseeds are staying?”
“No, but I can find out.”
