posture was tight with tension.
“Exactly! Our clients are well aware of the cost of our services up front. And no one is forcing them to hire us.” Fisk smiled as if he and Ulrick had come to an agreement. “Now, Lovely Opal, what can I do for you today?”
I showed him my list of supplies. He wrinkled his forehead in concentration for a moment.
“I know a woodworker from Owl’s Hill. He’s new, but does fine work and the best part is he’s still hungry for clients. His prices are reasonable. And he’s fast. Come on.”
Fisk led us through the market. His popularity evident by the number of people who called his name and waved. Various members of the guild would appear by his side for advice before scampering off on unknown missions. He guided us to the woodworker, and then to a blacksmith. In one afternoon, we had commissioned several pieces of equipment. More progress than even I expected.
Ulrick stayed sullen. Pouting or annoyed or suspicious, I couldn’t tell. I paid Fisk for his time, arranging to meet the following afternoon.
“We’ll finish your list tomorrow,” Fisk said. He slipped a folded paper into my hand.
I placed the note into my cloak’s pocket, remembering my promise to send a message to Yelena for Fisk. If Ulrick saw the motion, he didn’t mention it.
On our way back to the Keep, I said, “Once we order all the items, we can leave for Booruby. Did you bring a horse with you?”
“No.”
“The Stable Master probably has a few extra horses. Do you know how to ride?”
“Yes. But it doesn’t matter,” he said in a rush. “I’m not going to Booruby with you.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t need me.” He increased his pace.
I hurried after him. “Look, if this is about Fisk—”
“It’s not. You were right about him. It’s just …” He stopped in midstride. “I told my family I was never coming back to Booruby again.”
“Why would you say that?”
Ulrick raked a hand through his short hair. “I was angry. My mother insisted I was on a fool’s errand. She predicted the Masters would send me home soon after I arrived. She griped about having to find a temporary worker. I lost my temper. Told her to hire a permanent employee because no matter what the Masters said, I wasn’t coming back.”
I tried to put myself in his place. My family had always supported me. They had made a fuss over my glass animals even though they couldn’t see the glow. No doubt my life would have gone in a different direction if they hadn’t encouraged me.
“That’s a hard promise to keep,” I said. “If you become a glass magician, you might be sent to Booruby for a mission.”
Surprise flashed. “I hadn’t considered that possibility. I guess I’m trying to keep from getting my hopes up, but returning to my hometown on a mission for a Master Magician would be different than returning a failure.”
Hadn’t I worried about the same thing? I understood his dilemma. “You don’t need to come with me. My father will be happy to help.” And here I was, running home to him again. But my list was bound to have a few essential items missing, and I would need a second opinion. Since my father had constructed eight kilns, he was the best person to consult.
Uncertainty lingered in my stomach. What about Sir and his gang? Or Blue Eyes? They hadn’t been caught. I was safe in the Keep. Or was I?
I glanced at Ulrick’s long shadow cast by the sinking sun. Tricky had convinced me he was Master Cowan. He could easily sneak inside. And I would be fair game on the road to Booruby. I wrapped my fingers around the handles of my sais. Searching the area near me, I looked for Tricky’s shadow. An armed escort to Booruby wouldn’t be enough against the magician. Perhaps Zitora would want to come along.
We continued toward the Keep. I jumped at every noise.
“Opal, what’s wrong?” Ulrick asked.
“Just my overactive imagination.” Although I wondered where the line was between caution and paranoia. I hated the feeling of unsettled worry creeping along my spine, and the burning conviction of Tricky watching me, waiting for a moment to attack. I promised myself Ulrick’s warning about being taken advantage of wouldn’t come to pass. But those promises were difficult to keep, and I had been exploited before. Alea used me as a weapon. I shivered and forced the horrid memory from my mind.
Ulrick must have sensed my distress. “Did you see Sir or Tricky?”
“No.” Thank fate.
“You should really stay inside the Keep. It’s safer.”
“I know, but I won’t hide. I’ll take precautions and be vigilant,” I vowed.
He kept quiet for a few blocks. “I can’t tell you what to do. But I’m pretty good with a sword. I’ll make sure to have it with me when we’re together.” He linked his arm in mine, pulling me closer to him.
The warmth of his body and the heat of his touch traveled along my skin. All unpleasant thoughts leaked away as I enjoyed his solid presence.
All too soon, we arrived at the Keep. Despite being dinnertime, Zitora still worked in her room in the administration building. Here she presented her public face, and her bare office lacked the softness of her tower home. A few sterile paintings of bridges hung on the walls, parchment and ink littered her desk and a handful of lonely books leaned against each other on the single shelf. Two empty chairs faced her desk.
We settled in the seats, reporting the day’s progress and my plans to travel to Booruby for the remaining supplies.
“Very good,” she said. “I’ll see who we can get to escort you south.”
Disappointment dragged on my shoulders. “Can you come? My mother’s apple cobbler is worth the trip.”
“Tempting, but I can’t leave right now. There’s too much going on.”
Her comment reminded me about this morning’s discussion on the Moon Clan and Fisk’s note. I pulled the paper from the pocket of my cloak. “I have a message for Yelena from Fisk.”
Zitora turned to Ulrick. “Go and have dinner before the dining hall closes.”
“What about Opal?” he asked.
“She has a riding lesson with the Stable Master.”
“She shouldn’t be alone.”
“She’s perfectly safe inside the Keep.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. We assigned an extra magician at the gate.”
I listened to them argue over my safety as if I wasn’t in the room. With so many magicians around, I knew I only had to scream and help would be mere steps away. My
