A few customers waited at the counter, drooling over their selection. Behind the counter, a thin man with sandy-blond hair waited on them, smiling as he boxed up their pastries. He looked up to greet his newest customers, and his smile broadened into a full-fledged grin as he beheld Killian.
Killian smiled back at Gideon. The baker’s delight had always been infectious. There was something about the twinkle in his eyes that never seemed to dim. Killian had been working with Gideon for years. Somehow, the baker always seemed to know things that weren’t privy to public knowledge. As far as Killian knew, he wasn’t an occultist. He didn’t use magic or any sort of devious ways to collect secrets. He was merely someone who people opened up to. He was like a bartender, listening to people spill their troubles, but he dealt in sweets instead of ale.
Gideon excused himself from the counter, passing his customers along to another employee before joining Killian and the others in front of the great window.
“It’s great to see you, Killian,” he said as the two men clasped hands.
“You too, Gideon,” Killian replied. “You remember Manny?” He stepped aside to let the two of them get reacquainted.
“Of course,” Gideon answered. “I’ll never forget the man who vomited in front of my store after eating a dozen tarts.” He winked at Manny.
Manny scratched the back of his neck, smiling with a sheepish sort of pride. “Sorry about that. It’s a compliment, really.”
Gideon raised his hands, as if to ward off Manny’s remorse. “No apologies necessary. It was great for business, actually. You have no idea how many men wanted to prove they could outdo you, eating more and keeping it down.” He shook his head. “Arrogance is a funny thing.”
Gideon pivoted to face Sera. “And who might this lovely lady be?” he asked as he stepped forward and kissed her hand.
Sera batted her lashes. Killian was sure it was a practiced action, but she made it look so naturally coy.
“Sera,” she cooed when Gideon released her hand.
Manny wrapped an arm around Sera’s shoulder. “She’s with me,” he beamed, pointing a thumb at himself. “The vomiter.”
Gideon laughed, then turned his attention to Elyse.
“And you must be—” he began, but she cut him off.
“No need. We’re here for information.”
Gideon’s eyes were wide as he looked at Killian with both amusement and a touch of apprehension.
Killian could only offer a shrug. “Do you know about anything strange that’s happened in the last few days? Maybe not in Rhodan, but in the other kingdoms?”
Gideon shoved his hands in his pockets, his posture sobering slightly. “All kinds of strange things lately,” he said. “Just yesterday, a city up in Evaria was attacked by birds.”
“Birds?” Manny asked, brows raised.
Gideon nodded. “A hundred ravens. Left three dead.”
Sera bit her lip, her expression bleak. Killian’s own heart felt bleak at the news, even as hope tried to stir. They had their next location.
“What city?” he asked.
Gideon squinted his eyes, as if he could see the answer in the distance. “Levoy,” he said. “Way up the Saskia River.”
Killian’s teeth worked the inside of his cheek. Lazarus was moving farther north.
“Was that helpful?” Gideon asked. He looked as troubled as Killian felt, torn between good news and bad.
“Yes—thank you,” Killian said. “You’re always a great help, Gideon.”
He extended his hand toward the baker, but Gideon swatted it away.
“Anything for the man who caught my brother’s killer.”
Shamefully, Killian glanced at Elyse, hoping to see a glimmer of admiration at Gideon’s words. Of course, there was none.
“Before you leave,” Gideon said, heading toward the counter, “let me get you a box of cream puffs. Your favorite, right?”
