“I’m going to sneak in there and take a look around, see if I can find anything about the Pil—aboutthem.”
“Do you think there’s something there from them?”
“There might be. There was a note about shipments in the cleric’s papers and I haven’t seen any other warehouse that looks associated with the tournament.” Eira slowed to a stop, situating herself against a building as people flowed around them. She wanted her back against a wall in case someone was tailing them. This way, she could keep a better awareness of her surroundings.
“Would they really hide something nefarious right under Lumeria’s nose?”
“They hid their base of operations right under the city of Risen. I don’t see why this would be any different.” Eira kept watching the people milling about the warehouse. “Even if there’s nothing physical stored there, if they’re hiding among the tournament’s organizers, I might be able to hear an echo they hadn’t intended to be overheard.” The Pillars had been obnoxiously careful about what they said in the coliseum and village. There was nothing useful. But perhaps that was because they knew she would be there. In a place where they didn’t expect Eira to be, mistakes might happen. “I can sneak in, take a listen, and sneak out.” Eira hastily added, “Assuming you’re all right with it.”
“You know, I appreciate all this asking.” Alyss smiled. “I’d prefer if I could go with you…but I assume you want me to keep watch.”
Eira nodded. “I want eyes on the outside.”
Alyss took Eira’s hand, and smushed the same blob of clay on the back of it as she had earlier in the day. “Same rules as before.”
“Sounds good.”
“Is there anything in particular you want me keeping an eye out for?”
“If you see anyone go in, I want to know. Make a line for that so I can get out quickly. If there’s anything more alarming, a triangle and I’ll bolt at all costs.”
Alyss nodded. “One of these times, I’m coming with you.”
“Absolutely.” Eira smiled. “It’s not that I want you to hold back.”
“We all have a role to play, I understand. I’m just relieved to hear you say you’ll run.”
“I’ll be careful, I promise.” Eira dipped her chin to look her friend in the eyes.
“Good. Come back quickly.”
“I’ll do my best.” Eira stepped back around a particularly large pillar supporting an entryway of a nearby stately building. Alyss remained on the other side. Eira crouched down and looked around several times. There seemed to be a lull in the people moving around. Now was as good a time as any to make her move.
“Do it now; no one’s looking this way,” Alyss whispered.
Eira wrapped her magic around her and stood. She moved slowly and methodically, keeping to the shadows around the docks. Using the night to help conceal the imperfections in her magic. Was her illusion good enough? Could people see her if they looked too closely? Perhaps, if she asked nicely enough,Olivin might give her some pointers on how he crafted such impeccable illusions.
As she neared the warehouse, a shadow darted across the road ahead of her. At first, Eira thought it was a rather large rat. But it ignored the fishmongers’ stalls and traveled across the ropes and bridges with purpose. It wasn’t just any wild animal…But could it be?She squinted. ItwasDucot. She’d know that silhouette anywhere after following it halfway across Risen.
He slowed, dashing into a small, unassuming boat tied up not far from the warehouse. So, the Court of Shadows was hiding on the water for the tournament. It was a clever position—they could see everyone coming and going, and make quick getaways themselves. Knowing where they were gave her a boost of confidence. Simply having knowledge of how they were operating, without them knowing she had it, made her feel that much more in control.
Eira didn’t try the front door of the warehouse. That’d be too conspicuous. Instead, she headed around the back, waiting as two attendants passed and then continuing. There were some windows for venting high above the perimeter, all shut.
But in the back was a single, lower window that looked into an office.This will work. Eira looked around. Seeing no one in the alleyway connected to the warehouse, she took her chance and dropped her illusion to focus her magic on getting in.
Eira pressed both hands against the glass. Frost crept up the opposite side, condensing into ice behind the latches. They popped open. Eira shifted her focus, power building at the sill. Two pillars of ice slowly pushed up the window and Eira shimmied inside.
The first thing she did was go to the only door—the one that led to the warehouse proper—and lock it. Judging from the desk and shelves, she presumed this to be the office of some kind ofsupervisor. Or at least a place for records. Perfect to rummage through.
What are you shipping?Eira asked silently, flipping through the heavy ledger on the desk. Most of the listings were benign. Flour, lots of flour. Meat, vegetables, herbs, mortar, cloth, all practical things… Eira’s finger paused on the page.Iron rounds. That must’ve been what they used in the last tournament.
So this was the place where supplies for the games and village came through. Eira briefly wondered if she could get a clue for what was coming next and then promptly stopped herself, remembering refusing Vi and Taavin’s offer of help. Was this a step backward in her attempt to not cheat? Or had that been a lie? Was it different if she found the information on her own? It hadn’t been when she’d done it with Cullen. But things were different. This was about more than the games. She had made her decision to sacrifice whatever it took of herself to bring down Ulvarth the moment she’d killed Ferro in front of the nobility and dignitaries of five nations.
Eira kept reading.
Rope. A lot of heavy rope. Custom blocks, also made of iron. Even more masonry supplies. Hay.
She repeated everything in her head several times. Nothing seemed out of place or suspicious. Eira pursed her lips. Perhaps Alyss was right and they weren’t hiding their nefarious deeds in here.
