I crept away from the lock-up, still hearing the muted voices of Amaru and Ylin arguing inside. The cold air nipped at me as I scanned the empty road. No sign of Hutch or his friend. I quietly untied the horses and led them back down the road.

  After walking half a shot, I noticed two figures in the distance. They appeared to be heading toward me. Turning down a side street didn’t seem to be a valid option. Not only was I walking in a more lit part of the road, but if I could see them, they were unlikely to miss a man walking with three large horses. I sucked in a deep breath, realizing that only guards were likely to be out at this hour. Chances were, they were Hutch and Inca. I played out our potential conversation in my mind, trying to work out the perfect wording.

  “Timak, is that you?” Hutch asked as they closed in.

  “Wouldn’t it be strange if someone else led three horses down this road tonight?” I asked, expecting to get a chuckle, but instead he appeared concerned.

  “Is it wise to take such chances with your goods?” Hutch asked. “Being out here when the man from Palla Cahue still hasn’t been located.”

  “Especially when you’re carrying our merchandise,” Inca said.

  I pointed back to the lock-up. “The prisoners aren’t who Amaru claimed they were. Instead of a harlot and a wizard, he captured an old man and his quite robust lady friend.”

  Hutch glared at Inca. “Didn’t you confirm who he had captured?”

  He shook his head. “I heard it directly from the watch captain and figured he must have decided they were the right people.” He sighed. “Makes sense, though. The rider said Tye’s late father had ties to the capital. I’d think that would be their destination.”

  “Good point.” I nodded. “If not the capital, you’d think they would get outside the walls as soon as possible.”

  “Perhaps they did.” Hutch pursed his lips. “If they wander too close to the Forest of the Forgotten, we’ll never hear from them again.”

  “I heard the human came from the forest when he first tried to get inside Mallma,” I said. “They might be part of the forgotten.”

  Inca squinted at me. “Didn’t you tell Hutch you weren’t familiar with the man from Palla Cahue?”

  “Because I wasn’t,” I said. “I’m only repeating what Amaru told me moments ago.”

  “Amaru.” Hutch grinned. “How long have you wanted to bring that loudmouth fool down a notch?”

  Inca rubbed his chin. “Eventually he’ll mess up, and I’ll be there to make sure everyone knows it.” He raised his eyebrows. “As much of a fool as he is, I’m sure it won’t be long.” He turned his attention to me. “Hutch and I discussed our business arrangement and decided I’ll escort you to the market.”

  “Sounds good.” I wanted to scream. This guard inviting himself to join me would make it impossible to meet back up with Kiri and Sani. I could tell him I’m meeting up with two fellow merchants, but he’d become suspicious as soon as he saw Sani’s clothing, or Kiri’s green eyes. The only way to slip out of the village was to distract him long enough. I felt sick to my stomach when I realized the best way to cause the distraction. Amaru would end up paying the price for my escape from Raua. “What do you have against Amaru?”

  “His uncle is the watch captain. Meaning Amaru gets the best shifts and will be promoted soon.” He scoffed. “I can’t imagine having to answer to that fopdoodle.”

  I shrugged. “Besides being a little drunk, he seemed like an okay guy to me.”

  The guard’s eyes widened. “He didn’t appear drunk when I saw him at the lock-up.”

  “Really?” I scratched my chin. “Now that I think about it, he didn’t start drinking the whisky until after you left.”

  “What whiskey?” He asked.

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  “From the bar downstairs. He had me bring it to him.” I shook my head. “He seemed to hold his drink well at first. But I realized he was drunk when he tossed the bottle down the stairs, smashing it.”

  The guard clenched his jaw. “Before we leave for the market, I have to take care of something.”

  “The road ahead is a long one. If you don’t’ mind, I’m going to care for the horses.” I pointed to a nearby building. “I’ll stop by that watering trough and wait for you to return.”

  He turned to Hutch. “Let’s make haste.”

  As soon as they were out of sight, I broke into a jog, leading the horses down the road. Inca might become suspicious when he returns to find me gone. But he’d have a hard time explaining his concern to the watch captain without admitting that they were planning to profit from the gems they confiscated. His actions against the watch captain's nephew wouldn’t help him either.

  The cottages became smaller and less attractive as I moved to the edge of town. Still jogging, I kept going until traveling at least two shots. I glanced around, not seeing Kiri or Sani. I froze in panic. They should have been here well before me. Did I make them wait too long and cause them to be caught?

  I cupped my hands over my mouth, preparing to shout, but before I could, a delicate hand covered my lips.

  “Be silent.” Kiri’s soft voice was barely a whisper. “We’re being hunted.”

  Sani stepped out of the shadows and pointed with his head, asking us to follow. We moved until reaching a cluster of trees from which to gain cover.

  “Villagers,” Kiri said. “They came out with torches, searching for the man who practices the dark arts.” She shook her head. “They must have spotted us, but we lost them.”

  “For now,” Sani said. “They are watching the road and will spot the horses if we go through the trees.”

  “Did you hear that?” Someone shouted far off in the darkness.

  Another voice followed. “Sounded like a horse.”

  In the distance, the light from several torches glowed. They moved toward us.

  “I have an idea.” I pulled the bags from the horses and handed them to Sani and Kiri. “Be ready to run.”

  Moving quickly, I led the horses back to the road. Using some rope that I pulled from a bag, I tied a tar-dipped torch to each of their saddles, leaving enough line so it would drag behind them. I lit the three torches, then one at a time, stuck them against the horses’ backsides. Not long enough to harm them, but enough to scare them. Then I slapped them on the rump and gave the command to gallop.

  All three horses took off at a full sprint, heading down the road. The torches, still burning, followed each one.

  I scurried back to Sani and Kiri, leading them through the woods, parallel to the road, but far enough away to keep hidden.

  Kiri kept pace beside me. “We needed the horses.”

  “Not more than we needed not to be killed by angry villagers,” I said. “I pointed at the two large pouches lashed to my waist. “We can buy more.”

  We didn’t stop running until exhaustion set in. After the three of us caught our breath, we scanned the road, seeing the three horses scramble as they kicked up a trail of dust, glowing in the light from the torches. Half a shot behind them, a group of villagers carrying their own torches followed, gradually falling behind.

  As we continued forward, the first yellow light of Patra peeked up over the horizon. I turned to Kiri. “We should be in Kusi Vilca by Mid-Patra.”

  “Do you think Lar sent riders to Kusi Vilca?” Kiri asked.

  I nodded. “But it is much larger than Raua, and more heavily populated. Merchants from many villages in the area travel there, making it much easier to blend in.” I thought for a moment. “While we might be big news in smaller villages like Palla Cahue and Rala, there are more notorious criminals in all of Mallma. The guards of Kusi Vilca won’t be as eager to seek out a man who had magic paraphernalia and his two otherwise innocent accomplices.”

  She smiled. “Good, I wanted to spend some time enjoying the market, without the dread of being captured hanging over me.”

  “I have something that will help you enjoy the market.” I untied a sack from my belt and opened it.

  She put her hand to her mouth. “Did you steal those?”

  I shook my head. “A guard gave them to me, asking me to sell them.” Patting the other sack, I continued. “They aren’t as valuable as they once were, since the royals have deemed them not legitimate tender for trade, but we should be able to sell them for their ornamental value.”

  “Won’t the guard expect you to return with the proceeds?” Sani asked.

  “He’s right,” Kiri said. “When you don’t return, they’ll know where we are.”

  “We won’t stay in Kusi Vilca for long. We’ll sell these quickly, then buy horses and supplies for our travels.” I rubbed my chin. “Let us make some friends in the local taverns, being loud about our intentions to continue on our path.”

  Kiri’s eyes widened. “Because we are not continuing on this path. We need to change directions if we plan on heading to the capital.”

  “Rule number one of surviving when on the run, never be where they expect you to be.” I stopped and pointed ahead. “There it is, Kusi Vilca. Let’s go blend in.” I turned to Sani. “Speaking of blending in...”

  He crossed his arms. “Are you suggesting I stay hidden out here while you visit the markets?”

  “No.” I patted my bag. “But I have some clothes I took from Lar’s cottage that I believe may fit you.” Shrugging, I added, “I should have considered that when we were moving through Raua. I’m just getting used to thinking like a Yaksha on the run.”

  After I handed him the clothing, he moved behind a tree to get changed. Patra rose higher in the sky, warming us with its yellow glow. Filus barely peeked over the horizon, adding some red to the view.

  Letting the light wash over me, I said, “The hard part is behind us.”