Sunset of the Wandering Souls
Chapter 21

It was close to a year since Pili and I had first arrived at Port Riverwhistle, when Innin found me and dragged me back to the Interior. We walked through the crowded, oddly placed streets, people making way for the two knights accompanying Innin, Pili, and me. My cloak seemed to serve no purpose in hiding my identity in Port, not with two knights with royal insignia flanking me. If anything, it was a comfort for Innin, something to give a second more to confirm my identity. An extra second that could potentially save my life.

Innin lead us through Port, looking for a specific stall. I tried not to think about how soon Pili would leave us as I kept up with the pace set by the knights. If he keeps his promise with his uncle, he wouldn’t be able to see it all through. I pushed the small bits of fear that told me it was better that way down. Diplomacy would be pushed off the table, and a war would break out. A war I was certainly have no active part in, a war that would cost Pili his life. I decided to listen to the shouts of the venders, to the customers trying their hardest to haggle. My focus on this was the only reason I didn’t walk into Innin’s back, as Pili did, when he suddenly stopped. It was the strong, loud shouting of a woman, the words, “Is that the Lord Knight Innin? I thought you were too refined to leave the palace walls?” that gave him pause.

I didn’t need to see his face to know how irritated he was at her voice. He marched over, composing himself only a second or two before he stood in front of her stall. She leaned on the counter, black cat ears twitching and a smug look on her face. “Khaa,” Innin said, “just the loud-mouthed scoundrel I was looking for.”

She looked between me and Pili, twisting her body to get a better view of me halfway behind Innin. “You’re taking on knight apprentices now?”

He ignored her question, sliding two copper pieces on the counter. “I need information.”

“About?” She put her hand over them, as if scared Innin would take them back.

“Whereabouts of a noble.” He placed another copper on the counter. Khaa let out a laugh as she snatched the third piece. She was about to speak when Innin placed an official looking document next to her hand. Her laughter died down as she stared at it, picking it up gingerly. “I have it on good authority a Jakeki noble is here. Have you heard where?”

Her bright blue eyes never left the paper, one hand resting overtop her enormous necklace. “You must mean the Duke of Shu’al. Yes…he’s at the Uauab.” She folded the paper in half. “I wouldn’t bother him, Innin. He’s been running himself and his servants ragged looking for crow’s tears.”

“Whatever for?”

Khaa’s ears twitched, eyes darting around. “Well, word is his favorite concubine is sick.”

“You said the Uauab?” Innin asked.

Khaa nodded, and Innin gave his thanks, pulling Pili and me along. She called after Innin when we were a few feet from her stall. “Thank you for this, Innin,” she said holding up the paper. “I’ll be there.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” he turned his head forward. “You are the worst gossip I’ve ever met…but you do good work.” He tightened his grip on my arm and we continued down clogged streets.

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