Tirian could see the top of the trackwagon through the trees as he and Kal walked. Tirian tended to avoid those, preferring to walk in the open air rather than getting a ride in one of those covered transports. Though it was fascinating to watch the kinesists at work, using their kinetic energy to propel the vehicle down its track. And it was the fastest way to get from country to county.

Tirian kept an eye open for Priests of Elmarad and saw no sign of Magnetist priest robes. Why weren't any stationed here to be sure he didn't escape? He'd warned Kal of that, but it seemed his worries were unfounded.

As they passed the small patch of trees, Tirian realized he had thought too soon. Half a dozen magnetists stood near the trackwagon station, speaking with the trackwagon operator.

The trackwagon station was just a simple awning covering a wood and metal vehicle which sat on a long line of metal tracks.

Tirian, however, didn’t flinch. He continued to walk forward. Kal flinched but followed close behind.

“What are you doing?” Kal whispered.

“Blending in,” Tirian said, talking in a more normal voice. “We need to act normal.”

“But the magnetists!” Kal hissed.

“Have already seen us,” Tirian said, scratching his scruffy beard yet again. “Now, act normal before you get us caught.”

Kal scowled, but they approached the trackwagon station anyway.

“Wait there!” One of the magnetists said, approaching the pair. He was flanked by several of the other magnetists. They looked at Tirian through narrowed eyes.

“State your name and business,” the lead said.

“Felrin,” Tirian said, “and this is my friend Alfor, we’re just on our way back home from the festivities.”

“Why are you leaving so early?”

This time, Kal spoke up, “I’ve got some livestock that need constant care, I only convinced a neighbor to watch them for a day.”

One of the other magnetists whispered to the leader, “This isn’t him.”

“He’s the right age,” the leader hissed back.

“But could he grow a beard that fast?”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

The leader made a frustrated face, as if realizing his idiocy. “I’m so sorry for this, we’re hunting a thief.”

“Really?” Tirian said, “What did he look like?”

“A lot like you, actually,” the leader said. “But his hair was a lot longer, and he was clean shaven.”

Tirian frowned. “Damn, I’ll keep my eyes open. It’d be a pity if he got away.” Tirian felt a tingle of excitement at knowing who they really sought.

The leader gave a forced smile and let them pass.

Kal let out a steadying breath. He reached up and rubbed his temples. "You're going to be a lot of trouble, aren't you?"

Tirian smiled in response. “What he doesn’t know, can’t hurt him.”

“Ignorance is often dangerous to the fool,” Kal said, motioning Tirian to continue first.

They approached the trackwagon operator, an older woman with long grey-brown hair.

“I hope they catch the thief,” she said, growling.

“What did he steal?”

The woman leaned in conspiratorially. “I heard he stole an endowment of magic from Elmarad.”

“No!” Tirian said, incredulous.

The woman looked at Tirian expectantly. After an awkward pause, she said, “Payment?”

Tirian looked back at Kal.

“What?” Kal said. “Aren’t you getting in?”

“If your employer wants my attendance, he’s going to have to pay my way.”

“Don’t you have any money?” Kal said.

Tirian shook his head.

With a grumble under his breath, Kal handed the kinesist two gold coins and climbed in. She slipped the coins into the slot of a lockbox that rested on her hip.

Tirian climbed into the trackwagon, Kal close behind. The trackwagon was small, with separated sections. The ones in front were already taken. But far at the back was an open booth. They each had heavy curtains for privacy.

Tirian preferred the back anyway, having an open view to the landscape behind them. He sat down, watching the kinesists walk away from the station, hopefully off to search another location.

Kal sat next to him, looking serious as usual.

Well, I've got a little bit of money, but why pay for something when someone else can pay instead?

“Have you ever been to the Aldagi Empire?” Kal said.

Tirian shook his head. “Never been that far east.”

With a gentle jolt, the trackwagon began to move. The wheels underneath rolled across the metal tracks, propelled not by horses, but the power of the kinesist up front. The landscape began to move around them, hills and scattered trees moving past at a faster and faster rate.

“Then there are a few things you’ll need to be aware of,” Kal said.

Then, Kal began to talk. And talk. And then talk some more. He spoke about Aldagi’s great city and its beautiful architecture. He talked about a group of extremists that had been causing more and more trouble that the corpistry had come to call “Mispuri fanatics,” people obsessed with the goddess of mind, Mispuri, and who performed violent acts in her name.

“They claim to serve her, and she denies they work for her.”

Tirian shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time the gods were upset with each other. But they’ve finally figured out that peace is cheaper than war.”

“Maybe the gods have,” Kal said, “but some of their followers have not. Master Voluntu was right, the north struggles with ralsuk raiders, the isigs of the great sea make trade difficult, and the andals are getting restless.”

Andals. That struck a chord with Tirian, reminding him of old times and older friends. He shook off the memories. Focusing again on Kal. “So, what does this have to do with me?”

“The world is not as safe as it once was,” Kal said.

Tirian scoffed. “I was a member of a circus. I’ve been around. The world hasn’t been safe for a long time.”