“Remind me again where you’re going,” Nitara said, glaring over at Abel from her chair in Stella’s kitchen.

  Oh boy, Micah thought to himself. I know that look.

  “Just to meet with some old contacts while I still can,” Abel replied. “With access to the palace they might have a lead we could work with.”

  “Anyone we’d know?” Nitara asked.

  “Probably not.”

  “Convenient.”

  Micah flinched a bit at Nitara’s words. And here we go again.

  He, Abel, and Ezra had just come back downstairs after getting their cloaks, and the arguing was starting right on cue. No matter what they were doing Abel and Nitara always managed to butt heads. It was impressive really, sometimes they got very creative. Micah sighed. I just hoped we could skip this for once. After all this time working together though, he probably shouldn’t be surprised. The two of them hadn’t gotten off to the best start. I guess none of us did, really.

  “Believe it or not,” Abel said with a laugh. “I knew people before I met all of you.” He stepped a little closer to Nitara now. “Where’s this coming from anyway?”

  “It’s just occurring to me that we’re all pretty much sitting on our hands waiting while you look into this,” she said. “And you just reminded me that maybe that isn’t the best idea.”

  Can’t say I blame her, Micah thought to himself. We are keeping something from her. The whole scene at Mona’s wasn’t conclusive on its own, but taken together with these fires and all the extra security Gad’s been using… he groaned at the thought. Something was going on, and right now Arbiters seemed to be the most likely culprits.

  “The only people I’m expecting to sit around are you and Clergy,” Abel said. “And for good reason.” He nodded over towards Clergy. “You hardly seem worried about what he’ll be doing anymore.”

  “What, Clergy?” Nitara said with a scoff. “He’s helpless. He almost died just following us around.”

  “Then why don’t you show him how to defend himself?” Abel said. “You could even keep an eye on him while you do.”

  Micah had to hold back a laugh. Seriously?

  Nitara looked unamused. “You want me to train him?”

  “If you’re looking for something to do,” Abel said. “I’m sure you could give him some pointers without harming your recovery.”

  For a while Nitara just glared, until she motioned over to the door. “Just go,” she said at last. “I’d rather you not kick me when I’m down.”

  Abel just chuckled at that. “Fair enough,” he said. “Then we’ll be back.” He started to head for the door again. “Let’s go Micah.”

  After that, the two of them headed out the back and let the door groan shut behind them.

  As they stepped into the alley Micah grabbed Abel’s shoulder and spun him around. “We have to tell them.”

  “We can’t,” Abel said, “not yet.”

  “Why not?!” Micah snapped. “You wanted to hear the news about the fire, and it’s worse than we thought. David and Caleb are gone, Gad’s about to take the crown, we— we need to let everyone in on this.”

  “And we will,” Abel said. “When we actually have a place to start.”

  “A place to— what about Mona?!”

  “Oh, you heard Malachi in there! Saadya doesn’t want us anywhere near the place! No one in the Basin will help us now.”

  “That’s why we should bring everyone in on this!” Micah said. “The others might know something we don’t. They could point us in the right direction!”

  “Or we’d end up chasing leads to nowhere all while Saadya works against us,” Abel said. “Making it harder to cooperate and distracting us all from the clearest danger in front of us.”

  Micah sucked his teeth. “Gad.”

  “Gad,” Abel affirmed, then his gaze fell away as he let out a sigh. “I… I want to find out what happened to Caleb. He was… a good man.” He let those words stand for a moment before looking back at Micah. “But we need to find out because it could give us something on Gad. Now, Arbiters might be a part of that, but Gad is the immediate danger. We can’t risk getting caught up in all this without solid proof.”

  “So what are you saying?” Micah asked. “We just sit on this until an Arbiter jumps down our throats?”

  “I’m saying if there’s a connection here, we’ll need help to prove it.”

  “And where do you plan on getting that?”

  Abel smiled. “I meant what I said in there,” he said. “We’re going to meet an old friend of mine. Someone I think will be able to shed some light on what happened at the palace.” His smile started to fade. “If we’re lucky he’ll have proof Arbiters had nothing to do with this.” His frown sagged even deeper until he wore his classic worried look. “Hopefully…”

  Micah sighed. He would’ve loved a little more confidence there but— that does make sense. “Fine,” Micah said. “Let’s just get this done. The sooner we know the better.”

  With that he stepped past Abel, and together they joined the crowded street beyond. Huddled masses gossiped along the road, as a looming sense of outrage left the public scene tense.

  Stella was right, Micah thought to himself. Things aren’t great out here.

  They continued on down the path, sifting through the masses until the cobblestone began to dull and fall away. The buildings grew sparser, smaller, and far less picturesque. A roof and four crude walls of wood, stone, and plaster hobbled together just well enough to keep the cold away.

  They passed a few more of those houses before Abel turned and walked up to one on the right.

  “Here we are,” he said.

  Micah stepped up beside him now. “And who lives here again?”

  “An old friend,” Abel said. “And someone I know keeps an ear to the ground with the guard these days.”

  “Can I at least get a name?”

  Abel stepped up to the wooden door. “His name’s Tobias,” he said before knocking. “Oh, and try not to stare.”

  “Why would I—”

  “Quit making all that noise and come in!” A coarse voice called from behind the door.

  Abel chuckled. “Same old Tobias.”

  This is normal? Micah thought, but Abel had already pushed open the door and stepped inside.

  The space before them was a mess. The wooden floors and plaster walls had both seen better days, with dings and dark spots marring much of their usual hue. A long table to his left was besieged by a mass of clutter that spilled off its sides and littered the space around it. An unruly pile of papers, scrolls, old coats, and crates, each brimming with a weird assortment of odds and ends. Broken swords and wooden carvings of animals and men, a wagon wheel on the floor— what does this guy not have?

  Shelves along the walls gave the heap room to climb, filling every inch of storage with a scroll, chest, or trinket of some kind. The only space left bare was an open doorway that led to what Micah could only assume was a bedroom.

  Abel stepped over a pile as he trekked deeper into the space. “You just let strangers stroll in here now?” he called out. “We could’ve just robbed the place.”

  “Jokes on you then,” That same coarse voice replied. “Ain’t nothin’ worth stealin’ here anyways.”

  A new face stepped out from the doorway now, and it was… different to say the least.

  Tobias was a hunched over graying man, with close-cropped hair that was balding down the middle. A monocle with several lenses covered his right eye, while the dark brown of his left hung lazily to the side. With his wide, once broken nose and scruffy beard there wasn’t a bit of symmetry to his face. It was kind of jarring really. His clothes were normal enough at least, just a well-worn white shirt, dark pants and boots, but… Micah stared at his face again. It’s almost… hypnotic—

  “Your boy here must think I’m pretty cute,” Tobias said with a glare.

  Micah nearly jumped. “What? No I—”

  “He’s young,” Abel cut in, as he stepped over to Tobias. “And you look like a crazy old bastard now. He’s just not used to it.”

  Ok… Micah thought as he looked over at him. I thought we needed this guy’s help.

  Tobias snorted as he lifted the monocle off his right eye. “Rather be an old bastard than a self-righteous prick.”

  “I doubt that,” Abel said. “Pricks keep their hair.”

  They glared at each other for a moment more, before Abel’s face cracked with a grin and they both started to laugh.

  “Come here you old dog!” Tobias said, stepping over to give Abel a hug. “It’s been too long since someone with a little fight came in here! City guards don’t have any bite in ‘em.”

  Abel let out another laugh as he returned the friendly gesture. “Well, that’s why I had to come.” He pulled back and jabbed Tobias in the gut. “Can’t let you get too soft.”

  “Ha!” Tobias slapped his stomach. “It’s good to see you again!” He nodded his head over at Micah. “So, who’s your wide-eyed friend here?”

  Yeah, let’s not make this a thing. “Hi, sorry, I’m Micah,” he said with a grin and a bit of a wince. “Didn’t mean to stare before. I guess you did catch me a bit off guard.”

  Tobias looked him over a moment before he finally scoffed and shook his head. “He’s honest too,” he said. “You must’ve picked this one fresh off the branch.”

  “He’s a good kid,” Abel said. “And he’s tougher than he looks.”

  What’s that supposed to mean?

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Tobias said, then he smacked Abel’s shoulder.

  “Well, come on. I know you didn’t come down here just to poke at my fat. What do you need?”

  “It’s about Caleb,” Abel said with a sigh. “He’s—”

  “He’s dead,” Tobias cut in. “I heard.“

  Huh, Micah thought. And you’re clearly broken up about it.

  “Then you’ve already talked to some of the guards who responded,” Abel said.

  Tobias nodded. “Couple city boys on patrol filled me in.”

  Wait, Micah thought. “Why would they come tell you?”

  Tobias and Abel both turned and looked over at him.

  “No offense,” Micah said.

  “What? My good looks aren’t enough?” Tobias asked as he raised a brow.

  Micah squirmed again. “Well, I… uh—”

  “Ha!” Tobias cut in, before looking over at Abel. “Seriously, where’d you find him?”

  “It’s… it’s a long story,” Abel said.

  “Yeah, yeah ain’t everything,” Tobias said with a wave of his hand, then he turned back to Micah. “Guards come around to kiss my ass every now and again. They think an old Durai vet will show ‘em the fast track to a squad out in the plains.”

  Abel snorted at that. “You say that like it isn’t true.”

  “Bah! It barely is,” Tobias said. “Bunch a hot heads looking for action and coin. They hear you fought at Taroden and they damn near trip tryna shake your hand.” He shook his head. “I tell ‘em if they keep me in the loop, I might put in a good word.” That made him chuckle. “Helping out a few is just good for business.”

  Then he nodded over at Abel. “They’d suck up to Abel here too if they knew he was in town. Lot of people earned some pull at Taroden. Ain’t that right, sergeant major?”

  Taroden? Micah thought to himself. He’d heard that name before, pretty much everyone in the city had. It was the small river that flowed down from the mountain and cut through the plains. As far as he knew it was the main source of fresh water for miles, and the site of one of the most brutal conflicts in the Second Native War: The Battle of Taroden.

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  Eight years ago, Gad’s brother Durai led the bulk of the King’s forces against the last Amarian holdouts to Joshua’s Mandate. Under Caleb I’s rule, Amarian tribes and the Council had begrudgingly coexisted. A scuffle here and there flared tempers over the years, but there was never any real escalation. Decades went by and Dargas continued to expand. The little farmland Amarian tribes didn’t attack though, wasn’t enough to feed the growing population. Under pressure from the budding crisis, King Joshua proclaimed in his mandate that everything from the city to the Niffelheim Range was Council territory and ruled by the King. Amarian’s resisted of course, and so began the First Native War. That lasted thirteen years, until the bloody stalemate brought both sides to the table. New territorial lines were drawn and a new peace was formed; but the mandate was never rescinded, only left unenforced.

  Then, two years before the Battle, a church caught fire, killing the fourteen Travelers within. The Council blamed the Amarians and brought back the Mandate in full force, giving Durai free rein to end the threat. Their message was clear, assimilate or die. Two years of fires and bloodshed left both sides feeling scorned, until on the banks of the Taroden they clashed one final time.

  It was there Durai all but destroyed the Amarian resistance, though the battle cost him his life. That was the day that defined his legend, the bloody end of Durai the Conqueror.

  Micah looked over toward Abel now. His face was caught in a placid frown, but in his eyes Micah saw the storm of emotions within. Remembrance, horror, resignation, and grief. Micah rarely saw him like this, but when he did it was always because of his past. His life as a guard, as a Warrior. He still never really talked about it. Micah hadn’t even known his rank.

  “I’m on leave,” Abel said at last. “As far as they know I’m just a guy, and I’d like to keep it that way.” He sighed as he rubbed his forearm, and the old Warrior tattoo beneath. “Besides,” he said after a moment. “Nothing good happened that day.”

  Tobias groaned then looked away. “Yeah…” he said at last. “Ass-kissing’s the least they owe us.”

  The room stayed quiet and tense for a moment, until Tobias finally cleared his throat.

  “Well, I ain’t gonna mope with you all day,” he said. “Why’re you asking bout Caleb? You already know he’s dead. You must’ve heard bout the fire too.”

  “I did,” Abel said, “but not how it started. Do the guards have any leads? Any suspects?”

  “Why do you care?” Tobias asked. “Coward died alone like he wanted.”

  “That’s not fair.”

  “Fair?” Tobias snapped. “Taroden wasn’t fair! That whole damn war wasn’t fair!”

  “He didn’t know what would happen,” Abel said. “And when he found out he tried to make things right.”

  “Bah!” Tobias waved the words away. “Lotta good that did anyone. He made a little fuss, then hid in the palace when things got tough.”

  “You know that’s not the whole story.”

  “I know what I saw!” Tobias snapped. “We needed him and he ran away!”

  Abel made a face like he wanted to argue, but then he stopped and took a breath. “It doesn’t matter,” he said at last. “He still deserves justice. Everyone does. If someone killed him that can’t go unanswered.”

  Tobias rolled his eyes. “If that’s how you feel then let the guard handle it. They’ll sort it out eventually.”

  Abel raised a brow at that. “After everything we’ve seen you’d really trust them with this?”

  “No,” Tobias grumbled, before turning to head into the back room. “But you should stay out of this,” he said.

  “What do you mean?” Abel asked, as he trailed behind him. Micah quickly followed suit.

  The space they entered was just as messy as the main room. There was an unmade bed to his right, with an axe hanging off its frame. A wooden chest sat beside it, too filled to close all the way. On the longer wall to his left a table fell victim to the heap. Its surface was littered with clutter, save for a conspicuous spot in the middle, where a few candles flickered before an odd bronze metal box. It showed off a bit of wear as it laid on its side with a sphere attached to the top. Micah couldn’t see a clear purpose for that. The side facing away from him appeared to be open. Its square face was detached and left beside the cube, along with some circular bronze pieces he didn’t recognize and a few tools he did. A couple overtaken shelves lined the adjacent wall, with a reinforced wooden shield hanging between them. Its scorched boss sat bulging out the middle, surrounded by a snake eating its tail: the Warrior’s crest.

  “Come on, talk to me Tobias,” Abel said, filling into the space. “What’s going on?”

  “You’re not the only one asking questions,” Tobias said. “Military sent a guy to look into things.”

  The military? Micah thought to himself. Seems a little outside their wheelhouse.

  “A guy?” Abel asked.

  “A Warrior.”

  Micah had to hold back a grimace. Well, this gets better and better.

  Abel’s face showed the same reaction. “And you don’t know him?”

  “No,” Tobias said. “He’s a lieutenant, Jensen was his name I think, and Abel,” his face darkened with his next words. “Galahad sent him.”

  “What?”

  Galahad?! Micah thought. Why is he getting involved? If any of the General’s were going to investigate the King’s death, he’d expect it to be Raz.

  Of the four generals that served the King only three were ever seen in public. General Raz was the head of Dargas Intelligence, Gendra was the head trainer and combat specialist, while Galahad led the Territorial Forces, the domestic corps built to deal with Amarian aggression. The last one, General Nezer, was in charge of Foreign Relations, and was as close to a ghost as a person could get. ‘Nezer’ was just an alias, their true identity was a well-kept secret, and as far as Micah knew they only ever met in person with the King. Micah wasn’t even sure what ‘foreigners’ they dealt with, but they must’ve been good at their job. Almost nothing from the outside made it past the Niflheim Range. The only real interaction Micah had with anything beyond the mountains was with trade goods at markets.

  Funny, he’d never thought about it like that before.

  “Why would Galahad be involved?” Abel asked Tobias. “Doesn’t he have his hands full out in the plains?”

  “I don’t know,” Tobias said, “but I know what it means: trouble. A punk like that doesn’t replace Durai unless he’s got some real pull and a lotta skeletons in the closet. You need to be careful.”

  Abel let out a small laugh. “You know, after all this time I don’t think that matters. Trouble finds you either way.”

  Tobias scoffed. “‘Specially with that attitude.”

  Now Abel just rolled his eyes. “You know where he is?”

  That made Micah’s stomach squirm a bit. Why is he—

  “Can’t get nobody to listen—” Tobias shook his head— “he’s supposed to be up by the Hall. Council’s meeting before they announce the empty throne. Last I heard he was joining them.”

  “Thanks Tobias,” Abel said with a nod. “We’ll let you get back to it then.” He started to head out the room, but then he turned back around and pointed over at the box on the table. “By the way, what is that over there? You making your own clutter now?”

  That got Tobias laughing. “Oh that?” He said. “No, I picked up a bit of a tinkering habit a couple years back. That was a little before your big moment in Jibral wasn’t it?”

  Micah held back a grimace at those words. Jibral always stirred bad memories in him, and he knew he wasn’t the only one. He looked over at Abel now, who hid his emotions well with a slight grin. This is just how it has to be. He knew Abel hated to lie like this, but his story was the only thing that got the guards off their scent.

  “That sounds about right,” Abel said.

  “Yeah, one of those tinkerer types came to the village near my old hideaway. He had all kinds of ideas, could barely understand any of it, and weird little doo dads like this. God, what was his name?” He rubbed his forehead a bit. “Sando!” He said at last. “That was it! Matthias Sando! Used to call him Matty, he hated that, ha!”

  Daniel’s father… Micah thought to himself, though after all this time he still didn’t really know anything about him. Daniel rarely brought him up anymore, and he’d died before they’d all met. That’s why all this started, really.

  “Sando…” Abel said, peering down into his thoughts. “Can’t say I’ve heard of him.”

  Good call, Micah thought as he looked over at him. At this point a small lie was better than inviting questions.

  Abel pointed over at the box again. “So, he gave that to you?”

  “More like he left it,” Tobias said. “He was an odd one, always jittery, you know? Took a bit of pestering, but he started to show me some things. A real troubled, gifted type that one.” He shook his head. “Anyway, that went on for a few weeks then one day he just up and left. Found this busted on the floor at the inn he was staying at. Been trying to get it to work ever since.”

  “What did it do?” Abel asked.

  “Don’t know,” Tobias said. “Most of the ones he had like this just had a crank that made the top spin around, but he always talked about this one like it was special.”

  Huh, Micah thought to himself. He wasn’t really sure what to make of that. Maybe I’ll ask Daniel about it later.

  “Well, you’ll figure it out,” Abel said. “You usually do.”

  “Damn straight,” Tobias replied with a nod.

  Abel returned the gesture and smiled. “Catch you later then.” He looked over at Micah. “Time to go.”

  With that the two of them stepped carefully around the heap, out the room, and back onto the street beyond.

  Once they were outside Abel quickly started heading towards the Hall, but— there’s something I need to know first. Micah quickly caught up to him and grabbed his arm.

  “Abel,” he said. “Tell me you’re not thinking of talking to this investigator.”

  Abel turned and looked over at him. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

  Micah sucked his teeth. “Come on Abel! You know that’s a bad idea!”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Abel said. “It’s the only one we’ve got.”

  “Let’s just go back to Mona’s,” Micah said, letting go of Abel as he threw his other arm back. “We don’t have to tell the others yet. We can just go there and wait until we catch her alone. Get her to tell us what she knows about Arbiters—”

  “Even if she did help us,” Abel said. “Which she probably won’t now, Saadya would still find out. You know she’ll have people looking out for us. We’d still end up butting heads when we need to be focused on Gad.”

  “That doesn’t mean we do this!” Micah said. “You heard Tobias, this guy is bad news!

  “I know!” Abel snapped, “But we’re out of options!” He took a breath. “And besides, him being with the military could work for us. He and the guards have access to the Basin we can’t get anywhere else. We need the help, and as far as I can tell this is the only place we’re going to get it. If you’ve got a better idea now’s the time.”

  Micah scowled and grumbled a bit, until Abel grabbed his shoulder.

  “We’re not siding with him,” he said. “But if we’re going to keep everyone safe we need this information.”

  Micah sucked his teeth. Sometimes I hate it when he’s right. “What’re you even going to tell him?”

  “The truth,” Abel said. “Abel Nielsen’s in town and wants to help find out who killed the King.”

  “And you think they’ll go for that?”

  “They just might,” Abel said. “Like Tobias said, I still have a little pull left.”

  Micah groaned again. He didn’t like it, but this was at least worth a shot. “Alright,” he said with a sigh. “Let’s go find the guy.”

  After a quick bit of walking the two of them approached the plaza before Caleb’s Hall. The crowd here was clearly agitated, as the growing mob corralled before a line of guards at the Hall. Well this is a good sign.

  Abel’s face had much the same reaction, as he groaned at the sight. “Come on,” he said after a moment. “One of those guards must know where he is.

  They slipped into the crowd, sifting their way up through the raucous masses until they’d finally reached the front. As they stepped up past the line of onlookers one of the guards approached them and held out his hand.

  “Hold there,” the guard said. “We need everyone not on official business to wait out here. Someone from the Council will be out soon with news on what’s going on.”

  “Actually, we’re here about something else,” Abel said. “We’re looking for a Lieutenant Jensen.”

  “And you found him,” a new voice replied.

  Out from behind the guards a man started to stride towards them. He had long black hair that he kept combed out of his angular face. The guy was definitely a Warrior, judging from their signature armor, though his tattoos were covered by a long sleeved dark tunic, pants, and boots.

  That was a little strange.

  He wore a pleasant enough smile as he stepped up to them, but there was a look in his sharp hazel eyes that made Micah feel uneasy.

  The lieutenant placed a hand on the guard’s shoulder. “I’ll take it from here.”

  “Sir,” the guard said with a nod, before leaving the three of them with as much privacy as the moment could afford.

  “Why don’t we talk over here?” The lieutenant said, pointing over a little further behind the line of guards.

  “Certainly,” Abel said, and together the three of them walked the short distance away from the crowd.

  “So,” the lieutenant said after a moment. “What can I do for you gentleman? “It’s a little odd for someone to ask for me by name.” He looked them both over for a moment. “Especially when I don’t know them.”

  “I apologize for that,” Abel said. “I realize this is unconventional. I’m Abel Nielsen, and this is Micah. He’s been helping me out while I’ve been in town recently.”

  The lieutenant perked up at that. “Nielsen?” He asked. Then he thought about that some more. “Not the Abel Nielsen from Jibral?”

  Abel smiled at that. “The very same,” he said.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sergeant major.” he said, as he reached out to shake Abel’s hand. “You saved a lot of lives that day.”

  “I appreciate that, lieutenant,” Abel said, as he returned the gesture.

  “Jensen is fine,” the lieutenant said. “I’d rather not be so formal with a local legend. Forgive me, I heard you were on leave.”

  “I was— am,” Abel said. “I just thought I’d come spend some time in the city for a change.”

  “I see,” Jensen said, as he brought his hand back to his side. “So, what can I do for you?” He asked.

  “That’s just it,” Abel said. “I heard about Caleb, and I wanted to help with the investigation. I heard you were the man to talk to.”

  Jensen raised a brow at those words, as he raised his hand to his chin. “The city is just full of surprises,” he said, then he brought his hand back down and smiled. “But I’d be honored to have the support of someone as capable as you.” His smile faded a bit. “Though I admit your timing seems a little… conspicuous.”

  Micah’s stomach squirmed at that. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.

  “How’s that?” Abel asked.

  “Well, between here and Jibral that’s two high profile incidents you’ve been in town for. Jensen gave him a knowing look. “Trouble just seems to follow you around.”

  That almost sounds like an accusation, Micah thought to himself. That made him nervous.

  “Right place, wrong time,” Abel said with a shrug. “It’s a bit of a skill.”

  Jensen smirked at that. “Fair enough,” he said, “and what exactly do you think you can do for me?”

  “I can give you some more options for one,” Abel said. “I’ll have a lower profile than a squadron of men. I can go places they can’t. Plus, I have my own connections. Pooling our information could work for both of us.”

  “And I should trust your connections?”

  “I found out about you didn’t I?”

  That made Jensen smile. “But why offer to help?” He asked. “As you said, you’re on leave.”

  “Well,” Abel said after a moment. “Whether I’m on active duty or not Caleb was a good man.” His pleasant demeanor started to fade as he put on a stern look. “And some of us are still loyal to the crown. The King deserves justice.”

  “Hmm,” Jensen said, then he turned toward Micah. “And you feel the same?”

  Micah smiled a bit. “I just want to help out however I can.”

  Jensen sat on those words for a moment before finally looking back at Abel. “Alright sergeant major,” he said, then he looked them over again with that same knowing sheen in his eyes. “Maybe I can find a use for you.”

  What did we just get ourselves into, Micah thought, as Jensen extended his hand to Abel. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Micah caught a flash of black and white near the top of the Hall’s stairs. He turned towards it and— is that a Councilor? It definitely looked like someone in one of their robes. The figure was walking towards someone now. That almost looks like a Traveler. Micah tried to make out their faces but—

  “Then it’s decided,” Abel said suddenly, reaching out to shake Jensen’s hand.

  That pulled Micah’s gaze away for a moment, but when he looked back towards the stairs the figures were gone. Was I just seeing things?

  Jensen took back his hand with a smile and a nod. “I believe Caleb’s funeral will be in a couple days. Come find me after, and I’ll see if I have some work for you.”

  Abel nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Until then,” Jensen said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I should head back to the Hall.” And with that Jensen nodded to them both then started to head towards the stairs. A moment later Abel and Micah dipped back into the crowd, wading through the masses until they were back out on the other side.

  “That guy is definitely up to something,” Micah said, once they were out of earshot.

  Abel groaned at that. “Maybe,” he said, “but now we have access.” He mulled on those words a moment more. “Working with Jensen is just the price.”

  The conversation ended there as the two of them continued on down the street. A looming sense of unease stalked them along the path, as they made their way back to the bakery.