Even with multiple layers draped over me, I could feel my blood chilling as my steed galloped down the dirt road. I wasn’t certain, but I thought the one I rode belonged to Bella, the only member of the council who might give us aid. Once we cleared our names, I would ensure the animals were returned to their owners. Except for the one Lar claims ownership of—the one ridden by Kiri.

  I slowed as we approached Raua, a village nearly as small as Palla Cahue. Kiri and Sani stayed beside me, also guiding their horses to a trot. We all stared ahead. While I didn’t know what my two new friends were thinking, my mind obsessed over anything that could go wrong once we entered that town.

  I’ve been in Raua several times, sometimes socializing with a few of the locals at the tavern. Someone might recognize me. Since the council dispatched a rider, they might have discussed my potential capture with one of those someones.

  Pushing the thought from my mind, I tried to concentrate on the positive. We made it past the open road and hadn’t seen anyone searching for us along it. Now we just had to avoid a couple of guards, and we would be in good shape.

  Like Palla Cahue, the streets of Raua were commonly bare at night. Patra still hadn’t peeked over the horizon, so only the guards would be awake. However, instead of standing their normal boring watch, they would have been dispatched on a manhunt. While likely not skilled in apprehension, they would be eager. “They are going to be looking for a group of three traveling together,” I said.

  “Are you suggesting we split up?” Kiri asked.

  “That might be our best chance of getting through the village without incident.” I took off my gloves and cupped my hands, huffing warm air into them. “Once through Raua, we can make it to Kusi Vilca before night fades away.” I put my gloves back on.

  “Will they dispatch riders to Kusi Vilca?” Sani asked.

  I nodded. “But it is much larger than Raua. As long as we don’t have men chasing us when we arrive, we should be able to blend in for a night or two.”

  Kiri grinned. “I always wanted to visit the market of Kusi Vilca.” She raised her eyebrows. “I’ve heard it dwarfs even the capital’s commerce.”

  I lowered my voice. “But we must make it through Raua first.”

  “Sani is good at hiding in the shadows. We could follow his lead,” Kiri suggested.

  “Not with the horses.” I petted my steed’s neck.

  “What about going around?” Sani asked.

  “We’d need to take the horses off the road.” I shook my head. “Without light, we risk the horses losing their footing.”

  “Unless we walk them,” Sani suggested.

  “That is an interesting idea.” I rubbed my chin.

  “How long will it take to walk them around the village?” Kiri asked.

  “Too long. But I could lead them right down the main road.”

  Kiri’s face scrunched. “How does that help?”

  “They’re looking for three travelers. But not for a sole merchant.” I grinned. “If stopped, I can tell them I’m bringing the horses to be sold at the market.” I nodded my head toward Sani, “You can join him, keeping to the shadows as you move through the village.”

  “Won’t they check the brands on the horses?” Kiri asked.

  “They wouldn’t be looking for these horses, not yet. The council sent the rider before we stole their horses, and we didn’t see any other riders on the road.”

  “You’ve been here before. They might recognize you. Perhaps one of us should pose as a merchant.” Kiri said.

  “Have you ever seen a Yaksha merchant dressed like that?” I pointed at Sani.

  Kiri shook her head.

  “Nor would they believe a woman travels alone at night with goods. Only a few know my face enough to recognize me. It’s our best chance.” I stopped to read a sign posted roadside.

  ‘Earth Gems forbidden in the village of Raua. Attempting to use or even transport them will result in confiscation and swift judgement.’

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  Earth gems, unlike those mined in Vanaheim, had no known use in potions. As such, after the portal allowed transport between the two realms, they were used mainly for trade and eventually as decorations in the jewelry of those with the means to purchase luxury goods.

  We continued down the road, seeing the first signs of civilization. The cottages on the edge of town were often depressing. Many of the dwellings needed repairs. The smell of human waste filled the air, as this area is downhill from the village hub.

  I ordered my horse to stop, as did Kiri and Sani. After climbing out of my saddle, I helped Kiri down from hers. Sani struggled as he dismounted, but managed not to fall on his face.

  “You haven’t ridden much, have you?” Kiri asked him.

  “Only a few times since arriving in Vanaheim. We didn’t have them back home.”

  I grabbed the reins of all three horses. “Keep a steady pace, but stick to the shadows.” I pointed down the main road. “I’ll keep on this path, walking about two shots after I pass the last cottage. We can meet up on the side of the road.”

  Sani led Kiri into the shadows while I rifled through my bag, looking for clothes that would make me look more like a merchant.

  Walking warmed me up a bit, but I still felt the chill deep in my bones. As I moved, the cottages I passed became larger and in better states of repair.

  I nearly reached the town square before running into a guard.

  “Halt.” The man said as he moved toward me. “What brings you out so late?”

  “I’m passing through.” I nodded toward the horses. “On my way to Kusi Vilca.”

  “You came from Palla Cahue?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’re looking for three dangerous individuals who came from there.” He studied my face. “Have you seen anything suspicious during your travel?”

  “Dangerous men?” I widened my eyes. “I didn’t know Palla Cahue had any dangerous men.”

  “Do you know a fellow by the name of Tye Axius?”

  “He works as a guard.”

  “Not anymore. Now he travels under the cover of night, with two unnamed accomplices.” He leaned closer and whispered, “A wizard and a green-eyed harlot.” His eyes shifted from me to the horses. “Are you bringing them to the market?”

  “I am.” I patted a bag on the back of my horse. “Along with some other wares.”

  “Come with me,” he said. “I have a couple of questions for you.”

  I considered running, but that would rule out our plan to travel to Kusi Vilca. Drawing my sword was another choice. But despite my plans to train more, my fighting skills didn’t guarantee the quick victory I’d need. Plus, this man wore armor, and I dressed as a simple merchant. Instead, I decided to follow until a better opportunity presented itself. “May I ask what the questions pertain to?”

  “You said you were a merchant, right?”

  “Yes.” We moved away from the main road and passed several cottages. He led me deeper into the village. I had expected him to take me to the lock-up, which occupied one corner of the town square.

  “By the way, my name is Hutch. I don’t think I caught yours.”

  Instinctively, I started saying my name, but caught my error in time to sort of salvage it. “Ty-mak.” My heart sped up as I watched his face, trying to determine if he believed me.

  “Timak.” He raised his eyebrows. “Huh. An unusual name.” Shrugging, he added, “Well, Timak, my cottage is just up ahead.”

  “Your cottage?” I studied his demeanor, trying to figure out why a guard would bring me to his place.

  He must have read the confusion on my face. “I wish to use your services as a merchant. In a manner of speaking, I’ve gotten lucky enough to come into possession of some salable items. I don’t have the time to travel to the market, let alone the skills in gaining a fair trade.” He paused. “I hoped we could make a deal.”

  I felt both relief and frustration. While happy not to be arrested, the guard had kept me in the village longer than necessary. If the council sent a second rider, with news of our horse theft, I wanted to have the village behind me before he arrived. Despite the setback, I managed to put on a convincing smile. “I’m not buying at this time.” I patted my pockets. “Until I sell my goods, I lack the coin.”

  He studied my face again. “I’ve always prided myself on being an excellent judge of character. You strike me as an honest man.”

  “I get that a lot.”

  “Can I trust you to bring me back my part of the profit when you pass through on your way back to Palla Cahue?” He stopped at his front door. “You don’t have to agree without seeing the goods.”

  I nodded. “If they are sellable, I shall return you half of what I get from them.”

  “Half.” He rubbed his chin. “Seems fair.” Pushing the door open, he asked me to wait.

  When he appeared back at the door, he held two pouches almost as large as my head. “Look through them.” He lowered his voice. “But make haste.”

  I unlatched the strap on the first one. It was packed full of human gems. I felt a lump form in my throat. He wanted me to sell the gems he confiscated under the authority of the village. It was no secret that the royals had become weary of the gems, as their existence could affect the value of the coins they insisted we use for trade deals.

  “I’d rather keep the details of this arrangement between us.” He glanced around, as if making sure nobody approached. Being weary wasn’t something done on his part out of an abundance of caution. I was fairly certain that what he proposed could land us both in the dungeons. But these gems could also finance my travels to the capital.

  The town bells rang, causing us both to flinch.

  Hutch waved for me to take the bags. “I need to report in.” He began speed-walking toward the town square. “I look forward to seeing you on your trip back.”

  “Do you know why the alarm sounded?” I asked as I followed him.

  “No, but I imagine it has something to do with those men from Palla Cahue.”

  “Perhaps I should be on my way then.”

  Before he could answer, another guard scurried around the corner. “Hutch!” He shook his head. “I knew I would find you here.”

  “What is going on?” he asked.

  “Amaru caught them.”

  “Who?”

  “The ones they told us to look for, from Palla Cahue.” He threw his hands up. “Just two of them for now. The other shouldn’t be far.”

  My heart felt like it froze, and my stomach flipped upside down.

  “Who is that?” The guard asked, pointing at me.