I rounded the corner of the alleyway where I’d killed the three would-be robbers. I was resolute and focused. Prepared for my grimy task. When I saw the alleyway itself, my heart dropped. It was empty, the only trace of the ill-fated attempt to relieve me of my possessions being several smears of blood that led to the opposite side of the alley.

  The bodies themselves were gone. My heart pounded in my ears, and prickles erupted down my neck and spine. Had I been discovered? Was I in more danger? I forced myself to suck in lungfuls of breath and hold it. The action lowered my heart rate and allowed the roiling maelstrom inside my head to slowly ebb away. Within a few seconds, clarity returned to me. No. The bodies had been moved. By someone, or something. We were in a city, which meant it was likely to be the former.

  I ran down the alley, nearly slipping in the still-wet blood of my assailants. I managed to keep my footing, however, and soon reached the end of the alley where the trail stopped. Blood had pooled here, which meant it had spilt out for longer. A straight line running through the edge of the blood and heading toward the centre of Cemfyllen told me that the bodies must have been loaded onto some kind of wheeled object. Perhaps a cart.

  I rubbed my medallion. Someone had taken these bodies for a reason. I started following the line of blood, which gradually faded the farther I covered. All in all, I think I got about ten meters before the trail of blood had disappeared, and I could no longer track it. I swore. I had no chance of disguising my bladework now.

  With nothing else to do, I made my way back to the Mummer’s Stage. With some luck, I could get a few hours' sleep before dealing with this new mess.

  #

  The door to the Mummer’s Stage was unlocked, and so I passed into the tavern unhindered. I whispered a quick thank you under my breath to the Mummer, because they could have easily added to my misfortunes tonight if they wanted. Perhaps they felt merciful for once. There was no sign of Kizran, any other patrons, or my friends. I slowly closed the door, taking care not to let the latch clunk. I didn’t want to wake anyone if I didn’t have to. A ruined sleep was a cruelty to anyone, and I’d avoid it if I could. Padding through the tavern, I made my way up the stairs, taking care to step on the edges of each step to make a creak less likely. I slipped the room key into the lock and twisted. The key didn’t budge. It was already unlocked. Someone had been here.

  Slowly, I slid my blade out of the stick as I made an exaggerated yawning sound. Playing the part of someone who had drunk their fill of ale. In one smooth motion, I opened the door and stepped through, blade at the ready.

  Sayo sat on my bed, hands resting on top of her lap. Blades sheathed about her shoulders.

  “Oh, it’s you.” I said, sheathing my blade, “scared me half to death.”

  “You’ve been gone hours, Tullen.”

  “Told you all I was going out.”

  “We all waited; the others went to their beds.” She cast her eyes down, then up again.

  “You didn’t,” I said, a small smile spreading across my face.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I was debating whether to come and find you now or at dawn. I was starting to think you had gotten into trouble. What were you even doing?”

  “I found the butchery and walked most of the area around us. Then trouble found me.” I said, holding up my bloodied sleeve.

  Sayo jumped up, reaching for a pouch at her side as she took my hand delicately. Her skin was warm and smelled of spices.

  “You are injured?” She said.

  “The blood isn’t mine,” I answered, my heart pounding in my throat.

  “What happened?” She sat on my bed and patted a space next to her. I sat down and took a deep breath.

  “I was down an alley when five men penned me in. They wanted the medallion. I didn’t give it to them. Two escaped. The others I killed.” I traced a finger down the side of my neck, feeling each link of the chain. Reassuring myself, Eggs was still there. What I’d give to rub the side of their neck and hear a chirrup right now.

  “Were you seen by anyone other than the two who escaped?” Sayo asked, her voice level.

  “I’m not sure, I killed one. I have the other's location. I went back to mask my bladework on the three bodies but when I returned they were…gone.”

  “Well, that’s not good,” Sayo said.

  “You’re telling me.”

  “We should deal with this last witness of yours and figure out where the bodies went. Can’t have anyone coming after you or us. I will not have Sila or Melrisia at risk.”

  I tilted my head at her, she was so…different to normal in this moment.

  “My thoughts exactly, then we need to get you and Sila into that butchery,” I said.

  “I don’t like this city, Tullen. I don’t like that the Drake rider is here. Yet we must go into the Lizard nest, and we know nothing about what to expect.” She crossed her arms and leaned forward.

  “I feel the same, but we have a plan. We’ll deal with the witness, get you and your brother into the butcher,y and that should hopefully reveal our next step.”

  “So long as we don’t get caught first.” She said.

  “Let’s not get caught then, eh?” I smiled.

  She smiled this time, and I was glad. I hadn’t wiped it away forever.

  “Ok, I’ll see you in the morning,” I said, standing to go to the door.

  “No, Tullen, we’ll go now, while we still have night cover.” Sayo stood, pulling the blades from her back, sheaths and all, and placing them onto my bed's blanket. She rolled them into it and tucked them under her arm.

  “If we’re seen by people or guards heading to our witness's location, we’ll be the first to arouse suspicion,” I said.

  “Lots of men take beautiful women to their rooms and houses, Tullen. Trust me. No guard will bat an eyelid at a man with an Outlander draped off his arm. You’ll simply be the conquering hero after a night on the barley.” She grinned and took my arm. My heart continued to pound and I found myself holding my breath a second.

  "You're beautiful, are you?" I said.

  "I'm out of your league at least." She laughed. It wasn't a cruel laugh, but I did feel a pang.

  “He’ll know my face, he was a big man. Could get loud, could get messy and draw attention.” I said. Wanting to get us back onto the matter at hand.

  “Yours won’t be the last face he sees, Tullen.”

  I raised an eyebrow, “Sayo, this doesn’t seem…like you.”

  She paused for a moment, her eyes locked with mine as she moved from eye to eye.

  “We all have our pasts, Tullen. Sila and I had to nurture many different ways of being ourselves to get by, especially when Melrisia was taken from us.”

  I nodded slowly, understanding blooming in my mind. I had no doubt they’d had to do some grim things to get by as parentless Outlanders. Especially any time they were beyond the Nomad's support.

  “That explains why my door was unlocked then, shadow skills?” I smirked.

  Sayo smiled back, “Looks like I’m getting my walk after all.”