Page 71 of A Wayward Movement

“You couldn’t draw on magic?” In her curiosity, Alina forgot her determination not to put herself forward. “What do you mean by that?”

The man’s eyes found her, seeming surprised to discover a young woman amongst the group of somber investigators.

“Well, there was plenty of movement around. The trees, even my own scarf, which I can use quite well to generate Dust at a pinch. I could sense the Dust like normal, I just couldn’t harness it.”

Alina frowned. She’d never encountered anything like that before, and it unnerved her.

“What happened next?” Captain Mitchell took back control.

“I think they must have hit me with something physical,” the victim said. “From behind, though. I didn’t see anyone. But next I knew, I was waking up in the back of a cart, and my head hurt like the—” His eyes fell on Alina, and he coughed. “Well, it hurt a lot.”

“Who was driving the cart?” Xavier asked.

The man swallowed, ducking his head again at being spoken to by royalty. “I didn’t see, Your Highness. It was dark by then, and I was under a canvas. But I managed to wriggle out from under it, and roll off the cart.”

He pulled up his sleeve to show bruises from the elbow to the shoulder. He looked quite proud of them.

“I shuffled into the forest, and followed the road back to the city. I reported to the bailiff soon as I got here, and he told me to stick close. Not like I’m in a hurry to wander around on my own anytime soon!”

“I would imagine not,” Captain Mitchell said.

He asked a great deal more questions, about the direction the cart had been traveling, and all that the man had observed in his short time of captivity. Alina listened carefully, not hearing anything else that sounded very useful.

“We’ll be lodging here for one night at least, but when we return to the town where we’ve made our base, we’d like you to travel with us,” the captain eventually told the man. “You’re the first actual witness we have. It may be necessary for you to make a report to His Majesty.”

“Go to the capital?” The man’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t look displeased. “I’ve never been before.”

Alina slipped outside as the discussion turned to more practical details. She hadn’t realized Xavier had followed until a quiet voice made her turn.

“Not trying to sneak off, are you?”

She gave him a look. “Of course not. Just getting some air.”

“This is where your aunt lives, isn’t it?” Xavier asked. “Does that mean you lived in this city?”

She nodded. “For two years. But it never really felt like home.”

“You were fresh from the loss of your parents,” Xavier said softly.

Alina nodded. “The house is no more than ten minutes from here.”

“Do you want to go and see them while you’re in the city?” Xavier pressed.

Alina gave a twisted smile. “I do, a little, but I think I’d better not. I’ve dropped by unannounced twice in the recent past, and I think I might be wearing out my welcome.”

“Surely not,” Xavier said, frowning. “They’re your family. You can’t wear out your welcome with family.” Seeing her reluctance, his tone became firmer. “I can’t for a moment believe you wouldn’t be welcome, Alina. I’ll go with you if you like.”

She laughed at that. “You? Come to my aunt’s house? Why in Ryki would you do that?”

“Impertinent curiosity,” he replied readily. “I want to see your old house.” He turned to a guard hovering nearby. “Tell the captain that Alina and I are going for a walk. If he’s finished here before we return, we’ll meet him at our lodgings. And we’ll need four guards with us.”

The man was obviously well trained, because he obeyed without so much as a blink.

“Xavier,” Alina protested. “This is ridiculous.”

“It’s not,” he contradicted. “I feel like stretching my legs anyway.” He held out his hand in a gesture of invitation. “Please, show me the way.”

Alina hesitated only a moment before starting to walk. She hadn’t liked the idea of leaving the city without seeing her family, but she’d thought it too optimistic to expect to be given the chance.