“Daniel.” He said his name with a smile. “Then this is just a friendly visit?”

Now wouldn’t that be a shock.

Ethan waved his hand in the air. “I’ve some business with Leah, and of course I always enjoy Hannah’s company.” He gave her a wink and a grin. “But yes, I just like to come out. This is a place that brings people together, and I think that’s the core of my job.”

The perfect answer, Daniel thought to himself. A pretty lie.

Philanthropy among the Council was a myth, one they usually employed to distract from the truth. He glanced over at Naki as she shook her head, then stormed off with Clergy in tow. At least she knows it too. It was the sad truth. All the good men on the Council were either senile or dead. David’s death marked the end of that breed, and someone had killed him.

He looked back toward Ethan and gave him a careful smile.

Daniel might not have known why Ethan was here, but he didn’t believe in coincidences either. Someone had known they were hitting the archive today. That was the only explanation for the failure, and now a Councilor was snooping around the aftermath with a smile and a lie. A well-groomed snake, Daniel thought to himself. Maybe David had it right. He’d overheard him talking to his father once, back before the Dals had lost their estate. Before his life was turned upside down. Before Gad had killed his— he nearly lost his grin.

“Amazing,” Daniel said. “Your heart’s really in the right place.”

He’s here for a reason, he thought to himself. I just need to find out what. If it had anything to do with why the wall was so well-fortified, it might be the only lead he was going to get. I have to see this through. For David. For my father. For everyone. He would finish the fight.

“I do my best,” Ethan said. “Now, like I said, I do have some business with Leah.” He looked back toward Hannah. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“I’ll be here,” She said with a smile.

“Of course,” Daniel said, nodding nervously before stepping out of his way. “After you.”

Better to play this timid for now, he thought as he trailed behind him. I can explain not wearing glasses, but my personality can’t be different too. As far as Daniel knew, no one had any idea he was responsible for the Jibral raids. They were just known as “masked fighters.” Anonymous boogeymen of the plains, striking against the military and still wanted to this day. For all the good it did, Daniel thought. At this point, we might be worse off than when we started. He took a breath and quickly forced the thought out.

They were still alive. That’s what mattered. Even if it came at a cost. They were heading back through the crowd now, where Micah and Abel were waiting.

“Councilor,” Abel said with a nod, as Ethan returned the gesture and briskly walked past. Then he peered over at Daniel and gave him a curious look. “I thought you were leaving.”

He met Abel’s gaze. Just play along. “Oh I will, but with all the commotion I completely forgot to make sure Leah got that Klair and Son’s delivery. Councilor Gray’s office is the one paying for the order after all.”

Abel eyed him for a moment. “That’s alright,” he said at last. Then he nodded toward Micah. “We were heading back in too. I need to talk to Leah about getting a new cast for Nitara. I think she’ll need the Nepis infusion now.”

“It did look pretty bad, didn’t it?” Micah asked with a grimace.

Good, Daniel thought. Micah doesn’t miss a beat.

Abel groaned in response. “It definitely wasn’t pretty,” he said. “But with a couple weeks of treatment she should recover.”

Ethan had gotten about halfway down the hall. Gotta stay with him. “Well, let’s get inside then,” Daniel said, as he strode ahead of the others. The three of them headed through the crowd and back toward the larger room.

The scene there had largely calmed down. The raucous patrons had simmered back into their seats, and the boisterous rhythm of the room returned as the clinic resumed its work. Now where is he? Daniel looked around the space until— there he is. He’d spotted Leah sitting by an Amarian man’s bed and was heading over to her. Daniel quickly trailed behind.

The man she was with had clearly been in a fight. He was beaten pretty well, with scrapes and bruises on his face, knuckles, and arms. He was adorned with typical Amarian jewelry, with the worn garb of a working man. No doubt the reason he’d earned a bed was his ankle, which was wrapped in bandages coated with plaster on top. Leah gently held his arm, laughing with him as she leaned in close, while in her other hand she held a small purple stone. A Nepis gem.

It had many names of course, as all old and powerful things do. ‘The Proof of God.’ ‘The Violet Ore.’ ‘Quill Dust.’ It was one of the few miracles you could hold in your hand, and the single greatest cause of death since the First Native War.

The church used it for their rituals and to help people heal. Mere contact with the skin could soothe pain away, and in this resin the effect could go deep and last, turning weeks long recoveries into days. God’s gift for his chosen people… until you mixed it with blood. Rubbed into small cuts it gives a wondrous sense of euphoria, but too much leaves people catatonic or dead. This clinic used to be filled with corpses covered in violet veins; but David’s life’s work had been ending that scourge, regulating it strictly for religious or medical use… or at least he tried. If it wasn’t Quill Dust it was Plain’s Flower, Gad knew all the tricks. Making coin off the blood of—

“Leah!” Ethan called out with a nod.

Daniel took a breath. Gotta stay focused.

Leah paused, straightened her posture, and tucked her laugh away, until only a pleasant grin remained. “Give me a moment.” She said to the man. Then she turned to face Ethan.

“Councilor,” she said. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

Daniel furrowed his brow. Why the hesitation? He was almost to them now.

“Likewise,” Ethan said. “If you have a moment I was hoping I could speak with a patient here. A guard that came in earlier today.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“I hope you don’t mean the man I was just with,” a voice called out beside Daniel. He knew it all too well.

Traveler Jonah Roe had quickly become a mainstay of Dargas. He was young, at least for a Traveler, but he was deeply popular, especially in the Basin. Daniel had some suspicions at first, but everything he’d ever found said that Roe was just a nice guy.

Ethan sighed, but never lost his smile. “He may have important information—”

“He was stabbed,” Roe said. “He needs to rest. He was very lucky it doesn’t seem to have nicked anything serious.”

“That’s not the man I’m looking for—”

“Well that’s a relief.” Daniel had finally caught up to Ethan. Abel and Micah were close behind. “We were worried he might not pull through.”

“It’s still early,” Leah said. “I’m holding him overnight for a reason, and he definitely needs to rest.”

“I agree,” Ethan said. “And I’m sure he’ll get plenty of it. The man I’m looking for would’ve come in from one of the Coves.”

The prisons? Daniel thought. What’s his interest with them? “Oh no,” He said. “Did something happen?”

Ethan eyed him for a moment. “There was an incident, but until the guard makes a statement I can’t really say more.”

And you’re skittish about it. Daniel thought. Interesting.

“Well, he’s not doing too much better,” Leah cut in. “I’m not even sure he’s awake now.”

“Like I said, this man has important information, and it’s time sensitive. The sooner I talk to him the better.”

“Not better for him,” Abel called out, as he and Micah joined the group. “Surely this can wait a call or two.”

Daniel had to hold back a grin. Always a team player in the end.

Leah almost seemed startled, but she quickly found her composure. “Oh Abel, Micah you’re here too,” she said. “I thought you’d all left.”

“We were hoping to get a Nepis cast for Nitara before we did. Her ankle has gotten worse. A brace isn’t gonna cover it.”

“Sure,” Leah said with a nod. “As soon as I’m done here. And Councilor I can’t let you talk to him yet, but I have the incident report. You can take it with you.” She nodded back to the Amarian man’s cast. “But I need to get back to this.”

“Well,” Ethan began, then he cut himself off and sighed. He nodded. “Of course.”

“Thank you.” Leah said, before she took the gem in her hand and crumbled it, dusting the remains onto the cast. Once that was done she took both her hands and started kneading in the powder. The man sighed as the violet sheen permeated quickly throughout the white plaster, until the new color was ubiquitous. “This is a low concentration, just keep weight off it for a few days and let the cast do its thing.”

The man nodded. “Thank you.”

Ethan cleared his throat. “Shall we?”

Leah paused for a moment as she finished with the cast, rubbing her wrapped fingers together before taking a breath. “Let’s go.” She said. With a nod she stood and started to walk away with Ethan.

Daniel sucked his teeth. I’d ask to go with, but Ethan will just say ‘it’s for Councilor eyes only,’ and if I push it’ll seem desperate. He sucked his teeth. I’ll have to wait for them to get further away. Then sneak in close and try to overhear their conversation—

“Traveler Roe!”

A young girl with cream skin, brown eyes, and dark hair tied in two short braids hurried over to him. She wore ill-fitting pants and a tunic, both of which had seen better days. Though the panic on her face said she wasn’t doing too good either.

“Mira! What’s wrong?” Jonah said, as he kneeled down and let her race into his arms.

“It’s my mom!” Mira cried. “You have to help! She was better before but then she slept for a whole day, and now she’s not speaking. She’s not eating I—”

A chill crept down Daniel’s spine. Slept for a day? He thought. Not speaking? It can’t be…

“Slow down Mira,” Jonah said. “Take a breath.”

The girl did as she was told, and after a moment Jonah held her out to arm’s length and met her eyes.

“How long has she been like that?” He asked.

“It’s been two days!” Mira said. “I’m-I’m starting to worry!”

“It’s alright, Mira,” Jonah said, embracing her again. “Take me to her. I’ll see what I can do.”

“We can come too,” Abel said with a gentle smile. “We’d be happy to help.” It was a nice gesture, but Daniel saw the darker fears behind Abel’s eyes. So, he’s thinking the same thing.

Daniel hated to admit it, but— it sounds like an Arbiter was there. He’d doubted Abel before, but to hear this so soon after another source says the same thing. He really didn’t believe in coincidences. But I sure as shit wish I did. I’ve gotta get to Saadya.

“Again I appreciate the cooperation.” It was Ethan. That didn’t take long. He and Leah were coming back over to them from across the room. She had a roll of plaster cloth and a small pouch in her hand, while he held a torn out piece of paper. The incident report, Daniel thought. What’s in there that you don’t want me to see?

“It’s no trouble,” Leah said with a smile. Then she stepped up to Abel and handed him her supplies. “Here,” she said. “If it’s still hurting her in a few days, bring her over and I’ll take a look.”

Abel nodded. “Appreciate it,” he said. “But—”

“We should go,” Micah cut in. Then he gave Mira a smile. “Don’t want to keep your mom waiting.”

Jonah stood and took Mira’s hand. “Yes, you’re right. We should go.”

Leah eyed them for a moment. “Is everything alright?”

“It’s fine Leah,” Micah said. “We got it covered.” Then he glanced over at Daniel and Abel.

I know, Daniel thought. The less people who know the better. “You all do what you have to do,” he said, as the four of them took their leave. Then he motioned over to Leah. “I wanted to catch you before I left anyways.”

He walked around to her, but made sure to move behind Ethan. Let’s take a look at that report. He glanced down at the sheet in his hand. Fractured skull. Broken nose. Injured in… breakout attempt? That caught Daniel’s eye. Who escaped from the Coves, and why would a Councilor come down personally for that? Ethan’s hand covered the rest of the sheet, and Daniel smiled over at Leah before Ethan caught his gaze.

“Just wanted to go over something with you for Gray’s office before I leave,” Daniel said. “It shouldn’t take long I’ll walk with you.”

“Sure,” Leah said, before looking over to Ethan. “If you’ll excuse us, Councilor.”

Ethan eyed them for a moment then smiled and nodded. “Of course,” he said. “Just be sure to send word when that guard is awake. I’ll be back later for what we discussed.”

Leah nodded and Ethan took his leave.

You talk about wanting to see the good being done, Daniel thought to himself. But you never asked about the riot. You only cared about this guard. He trailed behind Leah as she started to walk away. But you’re more interested in the breakout than in this guy’s health. He gnawed on that for a moment. Who broke out, and why do you care?

“Hey.” It was Leah, and her face said she was repeating herself. “What did you need to talk about?”

“Oh… it can wait,” Daniel said. “I’ll swing by later.” He started to walk away. An arbiter, a breakout, and someone sneaking Gad tips. How does this fit together? He needed to find out, but first things first. There really might be an Arbiter in the city, and he needed Saadya’s help.

Well, if she’d give it.

He threw on the hood of his cloak, slipped through the crowd, and headed back onto the streets.