He had put the children on surveilling Gladdis’s house by the docks for six days now. They learned that the man Devadas called Safani came and went from there as if it were his own home. Whenever the children reported that Safani was at the house, Cain had slipped into the run-down house to check on the Power generator hidden there. It had disappeared from the basement yesterday, as if it had never been there. Whatever was going to happen, Cain’s time was running out.
He had been preparing to infiltrate Gladdis’s house for almost twenty days, which flew by on account of his having had so muchto do. He had to convince the local thieves that his suspicious-looking activities did not pose a threat to them. He had to make deals with the dockworkers and patrollers. Then there was the actual casing of the joint, for which he had enlisted the children’s help. It was the longest time and the most effort he had spent on a single job. Everything had to go right. He could not afford to be careless in any way; the stakes were too great.
During all that time, he spoke not a word to the three Ministry agents about the hidden Power generator or his suspicion of Gladdis’s plan to destroy the Capital. He rationalized his silence by telling himself that the information was not reliable, coming from a cadaver of a sorcerer, and that Arienne might get into even more trouble if he revealed how he came by it.
“And we saw something you might like.”
“What did you see?”
Ayana looked up at him and held out an empty palm.
Cain frowned. “I told you I’d give you more once the whole business is done. Unless you want to get some now and much less later.”
Ayana looked peeved.
“Well, an old woman with expensive clothes was there.”
Gladdis was finally in the city? That was somewhat reassuring. They wouldn’t blow up the city if Gladdis was in it. If that was what they were going to do…
“What did she ride in on?”
“Carriage.”
“Was it dusty?”
“Dust, dirt… A lot. And that cloth hanging on the side…” She mimed its shape, moving her hands up and down.
“The dust screen?”
“The dust screen was torn a little. It had the same emblem as the one on the house gates.”
“And the horses?”
“Covered in mud.”
Gladdis had come a long way, then. Maybe she just arrived from Lontaria. Which meant today was his perfect chance.
“What was she wearing?”
“A fluttering blue dress.” She mimed the motion again. It looked like dancing.
It reminded Cain of when he’d first come to the city. Not knowing the language, he had used every gesture he could muster. Even after Fienna had taught him the language, it took awhile for him to drop the habit of gesturing. He had a sudden memory of watching Fienna’s lips move as she taught him words.
“Was her dress ripped as well?”
“No, it was like new. Not dirty. Very pretty, and shiny.”
Cassian velvet. It didn’t stain or wrinkle.
“And shoes?”
“Shoes…” She turned to the others, who all shook their heads. “We didn’t see her shoes.”
Cain nodded. “It’s okay. Not important.”
Ayana continued to report on the security and the general feel of the place. There didn’t seem to be much change, even with Gladdis’s arrival. That was a good sign.
“Good. Well done. Come back here tomorrow and I’ll give you your prize.”
