Chapter 21

Cricket

Ipat Slinger on the rump and turn her loose to graze. "Don't go far, girl. We're camping here tonight."

She snuffle-snorts as if she understood and wanders off to a thicket of vegetation. Dusk settles in around me, the light slowly fading as the rising crescendo of bugs sings out to the night sky.

We had a long day's travel, pushing hard to get to the northernmost outskirts of Irondale. Tomorrow, I'll secure a stall at a local barn for Slinger until it's safe to come back for her and continue on foot. I should make it to the docks by lunch.

And what then? I don't know yet. I won't get any of my neighbors involved. I'll steer clear of them until I'm sure there's no danger. Meaning…I search for Julian alone? One thief among a den of guildsmen?

How shall I even go about it?

Scour the docks for the seediest-looking characters, then tap them on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me, but have you seen a handsome but grumpy sorcerer wandering around in a disguise that looks vaguely feminine with overly large shoulders?" Yes, perfect. That should work wonders.

I huff and grab my bag. I'm unpacking my bedroll when the coin lets out a piercing wail that freezes the blood in my veins.

I snatch it from my pocket. "What do you want? I nearly peed myself just now."

The coin only gets louder, rocking in my hand like it's a toddler having a fit over bedtime.

"I don't know what you want me to do," I fuss at the thing.

To my surprise, Slinger comes running into my camp, nostrils flared, wide-eyed, looking at me as if I've grown a second head and the second head is on fire.

"What, you too? What is it?"

Slinger puts a knee to the ground and, in a move far more graceful than I'd ever given the old nag credit for, bows, inviting me to climb on.

I stand there, blinking stupidly at them both. Am I really about to listen to a semi-sentient pissed-off coin and a crotchety old pony over common sense?

Yes.

Yes, I am.

"All right, all right. Two seconds." I stuff my bedroll back into my bag and throw it over my shoulder, then climb onto Slinger's back. Before I properly settle, she's off at a quick clip and headed straight for Irondale.

Reality sets it. I clench the coin in my hand. "It's Julian, isn't it? He's in trouble."

I swear the coin gives a sigh of relief. Yes, finally, you've caught on, dummy.

"You'll help me find him, then?"

It warms in my hand.

"And you talk to horses?"

A faint whining echo of laughter haunts my ears.

Enough with the questions or I really will pee myself.

We ride into the night, and though I worry about Slinger, that this is too much for her, that she needs rest and food, that her poor eyesight wasn't meant for a midnight gallop through sleeping city streets, she shows no sign of slowing.

She's like an animal possessed, on a mission by which nothing can deter her.

I'm glad one of us is sure of ourselves because I'm certainly not. I fear Julian's got himself into trouble or, worse, done something he'll never be able to take back.

The coin pulses where it rests against my chest as if giving me strength and propelling me forward. It's the middle of the night, and I haven't slept a wink. I should be tired, but I'm not. Hungry, but I'm not.

Perhaps the coin is working similar magic for Slinger as well. I hope so.

I don't pretend to understand its powers, but I'm coming to know its motives. The coin is most content when Julian and I are together. So at least I don't have to worry about finding him. I have a strong suspicion the coin will lead me straight to him.

But what to do then?

I'm not much of a brawler. I prefer to hide, to creep, to sneak, and then to run. What if it comes to a fight?

I'm getting ahead of myself. It will serve me better to focus than to fret. With that in mind, I cast the shield Julian taught me to the best of my ability and concentrate on my surroundings.

We're traveling straight through the heart of the city toward the sea. Toward the docks. Toward whatever fate has in store.

There are just enough faerie lights to see by and only a sliver of moon hanging low in the southern sky. In the distance, waves crash on the shoreline.

I take stock of myself. Coin in my pocket. Dagger in my boot. Bag slung across my shoulders with provisions. Wide awake. Muscles too tense.

A deep breath helps to release some of the nerves and unclench the knots in my shoulders. Like Julian said. Focus.

I call a tiny fire just to be sure it still works. The orange flame flickers on my finger, then around my hand. "Thank you, pretty one. Sleep for now, but be ready if I call you, yes?"

It flips and spins, then snuffs itself out.

I'm as ready as I can be for whatever the coin is leading me to.

Hold on, Julian.

I'm coming.