Sylah watched as she jogged up to a captain in uniform. His pressed jacket was so crisp she wondered if it would crunch between her teeth. His hair was pulled into tight coils, neatly done.
There was something familiar about him, but Sylah wasn’t sure. He might have been one of the captains she had tracked during her research for the trial of stealth. Either way, he was familiar to Anoor. She watched him make her laugh. Sylah lingered for a few more moments, though jealousy eventually dragged her away, and she made her way back to their chambers.
“Hassa.” Sylah spotted her coming out of the kitchens. “Hassa, you’re alive.”
Sylah wrapped her arms around Hassa, noticing there was less of her than usual. She pushed her to arm’s length and looked in Hassa’s sunken eyes. “Are you okay? Where’ve you been?”
I’m okay, Sylah. I’ve been working.
“Where? Because you haven’t been working at the Keep.”
Hassa shifted her feet and looked down.
No. Marigold died.
“What?”
Hassa’s shoulders slumped.
“How?”
The tidewind.
Sylah winced.
“What can I do? Are you okay?”
Hassa tried to lift the corners of her mouth. I’m okay.
Sylah wasn’t so sure.
Is there somewhere we can go? To talk?
“I need to talk to you too. Can we meet later? I have to do a thing…In fact I really should be going…”
I’m not sure where I’ll be later. Here, take this.Hassa handed Sylah an eru leather sheath. If I can come later, I’ll find you.
“Come to the gardens this evening. To the left of the arena a hundred handspans in from the trees is an abandoned watch tower. Anoor and I will be there tonight after tenth strike.”
I’ll try.Hassa hadn’t taken her eyes away from the tube in Sylah’s hand.
Sylah heard the call of half strike. She needed to get in position. Where was Anoor anyway?
As if the thought conjured her, Anoor appeared from the steps below.
“Hassa, hello.” Anoor smiled at Hassa.
Hi, Anoor. Hassa waved, then she turned to Sylah once more. Read it, Sylah, but don’t tell anyone of what you see.
Sylah tilted her head toward Anoor. “Even her?”
Hassa looked at Anoor.
I think she can keep a secret, don’t you?
“Don’t we need to be…” Anoor shifted from foot to foot looking at Sylah pointedly.
“Yes, sorry, Hassa, we have to run. See you later?”