“Good point.” She returned for her water skin and filled it with fountain water.
Valek did the same. They could use the luck. The mist from the waterspouts cooled his brow. Glancing around, he searched for Onora. She should have beaten them here. He considered using his magic to locate her. Would it work in the crowded Citadel? And, more importantly, would it alert another magician that he was here?
The sphere chuckled. “Broad daylight. I can’t believe you didn’t notice me.”
Onora hopped down from her perch in one of the outer holes. Her tunic was wet from the spray.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding. She’s really good at blending in,” Yelena said to him with a touch of awe.
“I take it you had no trouble at the gate?” Valek asked Onora.
“I kept expecting people to give me odd looks or to point to me and alert the guards. ‘Look at that strange Ixian girl standing by the wall!’ But no one did.” Onora shrugged. “And here I thought my ability to go undetected was due to my mad assassin skills.”
Valek kept a straight face. Nice to see her relaxed and joking. “Anyone follow you here?”
“No. But you have an admirer,” Onora said.
“The brown-haired boy?” He’d noticed him when they first arrived.
“Yup. Friend of yours?” she asked Yelena.
“Perhaps he’s one of Fisk’s.”
“But would he recognize us?” Valek asked. If a kid could spot them, then they were in trouble.
“Fisk’s been training them,” Yelena said. “Besides, if they’re on the lookout for a couple on horseback, we fit the description.”
A good point. “Let’s get the horses stabled and see if our friend follows us. Onora, we’ll meet you at the Ninth Street stables.”
They took a circuitous route to the stables located near the market and the safe house. The boy kept his distance, but also kept them in sight. At the stable, Yelena asked the groom not to get Kiki’s face wet, remembering the horse wore makeup as well.
“She hates that and will kick you,” she said.
“Thank you for the warning,” the young woman said. “Where would you like me to deliver your bags?”
“I’ll take them,” Valek said. “We’re not far.”
When the groom removed Kiki’s saddle, the horse looked at Valek.
He opened his mind to her.
Home? she thought with longing as an image of the Magician’s Keep filled his mind.
Not yet, he answered.
Onora arrived after the horses were settled.
“Anyone else interested in us?” he asked her.
“No.”
“Good. Let’s have a chat with our new friend. There’s a narrow side street a few blocks up. When we enter it, find a spot to blend in and get behind the boy,” he instructed her.
“Yes, sir.”
Valek hefted their saddle bags, but Yelena kept her knapsack slung over her shoulder. The three of them sauntered along the sidewalk, then turned right. As soon as they were out of sight, Valek and Yelena hurried to the other end, while Onora disappeared. Too focused on them, the boy didn’t notice her absence. When they reached the end of the street, they retraced their steps.
Caught in the open, the boy froze for a second before whirling around and running into Onora. He tried to dodge past her, but she tripped him, following him down with a blade pressed to his neck. He immediately ceased struggling.
“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?”