Empire of Night (Age of Legends 2)

"And Gavril? Let's say they make you a warrior, and they present you to Alvar Kitsune. Do you not think Gavril would be at his side? That he'd not recognize you?"

"There would likely be many warriors present. Gavril wouldn't notice me."

He gave the argument weakly, and Ashyn could tell she was gaining ground.

"What about your brother and sister? How would you check on them?" She paused for a moment, thinking fast. "I'd have to do it for you."

"What?"

"Someone needs to stay with them. We can't trust Guin to do it. So I would."

"You, living in the city? The exact twin of the girl wanted for highest treason?"

She lifted her chin. "It's a risk, but if you're taking one, so will I. You'll infiltrate the ranks of Alvar's men, and I'll infiltrate the city. We must both do what--"

"Enough," he grumbled. "I may call you a genius, but I would prefer you used that genius to help me, not thwart me."

"I would never--"

"Don't give me that wide-eyed look, Ash. It worked well when we first met, but you've learned much since then."

"I have an excellent teacher."

His scowl deepened, but only for a moment before he shook his head and took her hands. He held them for a moment, fingers rubbing the backs of them.

"There are times when I think those teachings are for the best," he said. "And times when I regret them."

"Because I use them against you."

He looked up. "No, because I fear I am a bad influence."

She pulled her hands away. "I'm not a child, Ronan. I would have you teach me more. I ought to know how to steal, how to--"

"Absolutely not."

She looked him in the eye. "I'm not asking because I think it would be fun to take things that don't belong to me. I'm as much an exile as Tyrus and Moria, even if no one speaks my name with theirs. As long as I cannot walk into a town and ask for shelter and food, I am reliant on you."

That smile quirked the corners of his mouth. "I don't mind that so much. I ought to, I know, but--"

"That won't work. I'll not be distracted. I want to learn--"

Tova got to his feet and stared at the door. He looked toward Ashyn and whined.

"He hears something," Ashyn said.

She walked to the door and cracked it open. Lanterns and torches still lit the darkness, perhaps a few more than before, but the people carrying them only milled about, as if they weren't sure why they were out of doors and were looking for a cause.

Ronan brushed past onto the walkway. "I don't see anything . . ."

A man's voice sounded beside him. "If you're joining us, you'd best hurry. That was the signal."

The man passed the partly open door. Ashyn shrank back, but he didn't glance into the room. That would be rude. He wasn't much older than them, perhaps entering his second decade. A Northerner, with light hair and skin, dressed as a merchant. He bounced down the steps and into the night.

"The man I spoke to said they'd give a signal when they were ready to assemble and leave." Ronan glanced at Ashyn.

"I can't stop you," she said. "But I am serious. If you leave, I must stay with your siblings for you, so at least tell me where to find them so I'm not wandering the city."

He shook his head and reentered the room. "I'm not going. And not because you threatened--"