Dawn Study

by Maria V. Snyder

“Why are you following us?” Onora asked.

  “I...thought you were...someone else.”

  “Lame, boy. Try again.”

  He sagged as if in defeat. “I thought you might need some help.”

  Yelena stepped closer. “This is a strange place to offer help.”

  The boy craned his neck to see her. “Circumstances aren’t important when lending a helping hand.”

  She smiled. “He’s one of Fisk’s. Let him up.”

  Onora pulled him to his unsteady feet. “Why didn’t you say so?”

  He wiped off his pants. “Because it was just as likely that you would arrest me.”

  “Then why follow us?”

  A shrug. “A hunch. I thought you might be part of the resistance, but I wasn’t sure since I didn’t recognize you.”

  “How about now?” Valek asked. “Do you recognize us?”

  “Not really, but I know Master Fisk was working with a number of adults, and when I saw you two...well, there’s not many adults who visit the Unity Fountain in the middle of the day without kids.”

  Valek had heard enough. It would only be a matter of time before they drew unwanted attention. “Let’s continue this discussion at the safe house. Actually, it’s the apartment above Alethea’s bookshop. Onora, take...”

  “Phelan.”

  “...Phelan, and meet us there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Um... I’m not sure...” Phelan tucked his hands into his pockets. “I don’t even know who you are.”

  “It’s safer for you if you don’t,” Yelena said. “But we are friends of Fisk’s. And we’re hoping to free him if possible.”

  “Yeah?” He glanced around. “Where did you hide your army?”

  Sarcasm, or a sardonic assessment? Valek would discover that eventually. Onora led the boy back the way they’d come.

  Valek linked his arm in Yelena’s as they headed in the opposite direction.

  “Is there food at the apartment?” she asked.

  “Probably not.”

  “Then we should stop at the market and purchase some supplies.”

  “Hungry?”

  She laughed. “Always. Or so it seems. I think that must be Leif’s problem, too.”

  “I doubt he’s pregnant, love.”

  “Ha. No. He must be always starving. Lately all I can think about is Ian’s beef stew and the raspberry pie Opal’s mom bakes and the sweet cakes Sammy cooks and—”

  “I get it. You’re hungry.”

  “Famished.”

  “Let’s get to safety first. I’d like to learn from Phelan how dangerous a visit to the market would be.”

  “Probably not as dangerous as having a hungry pregnant wife.”

  Valek hoped she was joking.

  A layer of dust coated all the furniture in the cramped two-bedroom apartment above Alethea’s bookshop. The agents who had been assigned to this safe house had aided in Valek’s rescue from the Krystal garrison and then returned to Ixia. Though small, this was one of Valek’s favorite locations. The windows overlooked the busy market. Lots of interesting things happened there. He’d neglected to mention the second safe house to Yelena. That one was near the Council Hall. And while it would be an ideal place to watch Bruns and his minions as they scurried to and fro, it would also be perilous to be that close.

  While Yelena checked the cupboards for food, Valek built a small fire in the hearth. A cup of tea would soothe his wife for a while. Onora and Phelan arrived soon after he’d poured her a mug of her favorite blend. She chewed on a piece of beef jerky she’d found in her bags. Valek guessed Ari and Janco had taken the bulk of their travel rations with them to Booruby.

  Phelan sat on the edge of one of the armchairs. Onora settled in the other while Valek and Yelena occupied the couch. Since she was the least intimidating of the three, Valek had asked Yelena to take point on the questioning.

  “How did Fisk get caught?” Yelena asked.

  The boy gripped the armrests. “Do you know about the Problem Gang?”

  “No.”

  “They are a rival group that formed a couple years after Master Fisk founded our Helper’s Guild.”

  “I didn’t know they had a name.”

  “They dubbed themselves the Problem Gang because they cause problems. It’s all the kids who would rather bribe, cheat and steal from people than help them. They also sell illegal goods and services.” He rubbed a hand on his leg. “They managed to get a spy inside our guild, and he or she learned we did more than just help and ratted us out to the Cartel.” He flashed a scornful grin. “For a price, of course.”

  Yelena’s grip on her cup tightened, but her voice remained steady when she asked, “Was anyone hurt or...killed?”

  “Right before the soldiers raided our headquarters, Master Fisk told us all to scatter and disappear. A few of the guild were hurt resisting arrest, but no one was killed. Lots of us escaped, but after Master Fisk was in custody for a few days, the soldiers invaded all our hideouts and dragged in our field agents from outside the Citadel.”

  Valek hoped the Cartel had used goo-goo juice on Fisk to extract the information. He didn’t wish to consider the alternative, but Yelena’s rigid posture and clamped jaw meant she’d already envisioned poor Fisk being tortured.

  “How did you escape?” he asked Phelan to distract her from her morbid thoughts.

  “Luck. I was on a food run when the soldiers attacked our hidey-hole. Ever since then, I’ve been on the move, living on the streets.”

  “Where are they keeping everyone?” Yelena asked.

  “They sent most of the guild members to the garrisons. Bruns Jewelrose’s been telling everyone that he’s cleaning up the streets, and instead of begging and taking from the good people of the Citadel, these criminals will be rehabilitated so they can give back by protecting Sitia from the Ixians.”

  Interesting strategy. Who could argue with that? “And the Problem Gang?” he asked.

  “Lying low. I think the Cartel is paying them to keep up the ruse.”

  “And Fisk?” Yelena asked.

  “In the cells under the Council Hall. We tried to get to him, but no one goes into the Council Hall without being questioned. Even the kitchen and housekeeping staff are being searched when they enter. None of our usual methods will work to bypass security.”

  Onora met his gaze. She raised her eyebrows as if to say, Challenge accepted.

  “Do you know where Master Magician Zitora Cowan is?” Yelena asked.

  “Rumors have been flying that she’s back. We haven’t seen her, but many of us wouldn’t recognize her,” Phelan answered.

  “She has to be with Bruns,” Valek said. “She would head straight to the Keep, and when she saw it was closed, her next stop would be the Council Hall.” He considered. “Are there still watchers at the Keep?”

  “A few. Not as many as there were before the other gates were closed.”

  Good to know. “How many guild members are still free?”

  “No. We’re not going to endanger them any further,” Yelena said. “They’ve risked their lives for us already. Phelan, you and your friends are to find a safe spot to hide in until this is all over.”

  He glanced at Valek, then Yelena, and recognition shone in his gaze. “Lovely Yelena, we are not going to hide. There are only a dozen of us, but we already have shifts of people watching the gate, the market and the Council Hall. How can we help?”

  Yelena huffed in frustration. Valek understood her desire to keep them safe, but if they were determined to help, then he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

  Unable to remain seated, he stood. “How’s the market? We need provisions.”

  “Let us shop for you. There are too many soldiers in
the market, and they are all looking for new faces.”

  “All right.” Valek paced. It helped him think. “What is the status of the Council Hall?”

  “Guards inside and outside all entrances. Shift changes every four hours around the clock.”

  “Where does Bruns sleep at night?”

  “The Council Hall.”

  Valek clamped down on a curse. So much for targeting the man between locations. He mulled over the information from Phelan and developed a plan for the next couple of days. Giving the boy a few coins, Valek listed the items and food they needed.

  After Phelan left, Valek sent Onora to observe the Council Hall. “I’ll relieve you later tonight. While there, watch for Zitora.”

  “Yes, sir.” Onora prepared to leave.

  “Aren’t you going to eat first?” Yelena asked.

  “I’ll get something on the way.”

  “But Phelan said—”

  “No one will see me. Queen of blending in, remember?” She swept her arms wide in a dramatic fashion.

  Yelena laughed—one of Valek’s favorite sounds. “Just wait until I tell that to Janco.”

  “Go ahead. He’ll just argue with you that he’s the queen,” Onora shot back.

  “Don’t you mean king?”

  “Janco doesn’t worry about the details.”

  “True. He’ll just wave it off and say it’s all royalty.”

  The girls shared a smile.

  When Onora left, Yelena asked, “What’s my task?”

  He hesitated, knowing if he ordered her to eat and rest, she’d probably punch him. “I need you to go to the Keep’s library to search for information about those Harman trees and find Ellis Moon’s notes. But...”

  She leaned forward. “But what?” Her tone held an edge.

  “I’d like to check the security at the Keep first.” No response. “Please,” he added. “You can go in the morning.”

  Yelena relaxed back on the couch. “On one condition.”

  His heart paused in mid-beat. “And that is?”

  “That you tuck me into bed properly before you leave tonight.” Heat burned in her gaze.

  Desire shot through him. “As my lady wishes.” He bowed. “Perhaps you’d like to retire early? Like right now?”

  “Nice try, but food first.”

  Undaunted, he settled next to her on the couch. “Phelan will be a while.” Valek cupped her cheek, turning her face toward him. He ran his thumb over her lips. “Let me distract you from your hunger.”

  “When you put it that way, how can I resist?” she teased.

  He pulled her close and kissed her with the full depth of his love. It was a long time before he broke away. “Still hungry?”

  A pink flush spread over her skin as she gasped for air. “Oh, yes. But not for food.” Yelena laced her fingers behind his head and claimed his lips.

  They never made it to the bedroom.

  * * *

  Yelena was curled up asleep on the couch when Phelan returned with the supplies late that afternoon. However, the spicy scent of the still-warm meat pies woke her.

  She wolfed down two while Valek questioned the boy. “Do you know where General Cahil’s headquarters is located?”

  “No. Why?”

  “I want you to assign a few people to keep an eye on it and let me know when the general is there.”

  “All right.”

  Valek told him the address of Cahil’s safe house. After Phelan left, Valek ate and then tucked Yelena into bed. The lack of sleep caught up to him, and he curled around his wife and slept for a few hours.

  It was full dark by the time he reached the Council Hall. Onora signaled him with a faint whistle. Blending in a hidden corner, she was impossible to see. The lamplighters had finished their duties, and the air smelled of lantern oil. Heat pulsed from the buildings as the air cooled.

  “What do you think of their security?” he asked, staring at the Hall’s front entrance. The large square structure had multiple tiers and resembled a wedding cake. Constructed from the same green-streaked white marble as the city walls, it also sported jade columns at the grand entrance on the first floor. No windows or doors had been installed on the ground floor, and steps led up to the well-guarded double doors.

  “It’s tight.”

  “Can you get in?”

  “Yes, but I couldn’t get anyone out.”

  “Have you seen anyone significant?”

  “There’s a fair amount of traffic, but I haven’t recognized anyone.”

  “All right. Go get some sleep. Tomorrow night we’ll take a peek inside.”

  She grinned. “I’ll let you tell Yelena.”

  “Chicken.”

  Onora gave him a wave before ducking out of sight. Valek remained in place for another hour, but it appeared as if the Hall was closed for the night. Ghosting north to the Magician’s Keep, he checked for watchers and found a couple stationed near the main entrance, which was the only way in if you weren’t aware of the underground passage. A wall also surrounded the Keep, and four towers, one at each corner, rose high into the air.

  Satisfied that no one else lurked nearby, he traveled to the west side of the Keep. He slipped down a narrow alley and counted doors. The third one on the left was unremarkable. Valek pulled his lock picks from their hidden pocket and opened the door. Bracing for an attack, he entered the darkness.

  Nothing. All remained quiet. He drew in a breath. The dry scent of dust tickled his nose. Closing the door, Valek then groped for the torches and flint that had been set on a nearby table. With a quick strike, a spark flew, igniting the torch. The light burned his vision for a moment. When his eyes adjusted, he descended the stairs and used the tunnel to cross under the Keep’s wall. The passage ended in the basement of Second Magician Irys Jewelrose’s tower.

  Once Valek ensured the tower remained empty, he left the torch in a holder near the tunnel and did a sweep of the campus. It had been abandoned only about three months ago, but a cold, lifeless feeling permeated the air. After the Cartel had managed to position their cook in the Keep’s dining room, they laced most of the food with Theobroma. When all the students, staff and magicians had ingested enough of the drug, Bruns’s loyal magicians brainwashed everyone into believing that Ixia was going to invade Sitia. Determined to stop the Commander, the Keep’s personnel traveled to the garrisons and joined the Cartel. Valek had to admit it was a brilliant plan.

  Valek stopped in the library. It appeared as deserted as the rest of campus, but he searched for an ambush just in case. Happy to see it remained as desolate as the rest, Valek hurried to the exit tunnel.

  Back at the quiet Council Hall, Valek considered his options. Built to withstand invaders, the building had few places to enter. The tall, narrow glass windows of the great hall stretched three stories high but didn’t open. Valek wondered if a magical alarm had been attached to the slick marble walls. Only one way to find out.

  Looping around to the back, Valek stood close to the hall and lowered his mental barrier. No magic buzzed, other than from the power blanket around him. He pressed his palm to the cool stone.

  Nothing. Or so he thought. A...consciousness sought him, as if drawn by his magic. Valek quickly raised his shield, but distant shouts cut through the quiet night, and the unmistakable sound of drumming boots echoed. He cursed.

  18

  HELI

  When they arrived at the gate, Heli halted Thunder. “Are you sure your grandparents won’t mind?” she asked Teegan, who stopped beside her. “There are four of us.”

  “For the twenty-third time, no. My grandparents will be thrilled.” Teegan dismounted to unlock the gate.

  “Until you tell them we’re being hunted by the Cartel,” Zohav muttered dar
kly.

  Everyone ignored her. Zohav had an annoying tendency to exaggerate the direness of every situation, and Heli was too hot and tired to correct her. Yes, the Cartel sought them, but the Cartel had no idea where they were—unless they’d intercepted the message to Fisk, informing him of their new location. Which she doubted, since Fisk’s people were ignored by most adults. No, the missive would have reached Fisk by now.

  It had taken them forever to reach Teegan’s grandparents’ home in Booruby. They had traveled a circuitous route to ensure no one followed them, which added more time to the trip, so they reached the city on the fourth day of the heating season. And it was confirmed that Thunder was the slowest horse in Sitia. The cream-colored horse in the Stormdancer’s stable turned out to be Teegan’s mount—a sweet mare named Caramel. Plus Smoke showed no signs of fatigue, even with the twins riding together. Meanwhile, Heli could have walked behind and pushed her horse faster.

  The hinges squealed as Teegan swung the gate wide. He led them up to the large stone farmhouse. Instead of a farm, there was a glass factory, a few sheds and a small stable that looked new. Puffs of light gray smoke blew from a chimney atop the factory. The Avibian Plains surrounded the small complex on three sides, leaving only one direction open for an attack. Heli approved.

  A short woman with graying hair opened the door to the house. She put her hand up to block the sun from her eyes.

  “Hi, Grandmom!” Teegan gave her a quick hug. She peered at them over his shoulder. If she was surprised by their arrival, she hid it well.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked him. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

  “Oh, yeah, she sounds thrilled,” Zohav said in a low voice.

  “Hush,” Zethan scolded her.

  “The Magician’s Keep is closed. Haven’t you heard?” Teegan asked.

  “No. Why didn’t you go home, if that’s the case?”

  “Uh, Grandmom, can we discuss this inside?”

  Her demeanor changed in an instant. “Of course! Where are my manners? Your friends must be thirsty.” She gestured to the stables. “Please feel free to use our facilities. There’s grain and hay, but I’m not sure how fresh it is. It’s been a while since we had equine visitors.”