it,” Tauran said. “And give him whatever drink he wants. But not alcohol.”
The guard looked confused, then nodded. Already, Tauran’s regained rank was proving useful, if not pleasant. When Tauran looked back at Sparrow, the boy’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“Thank you, sir,” Sparrow said, barely able to get the words out. He looked from Tauran to the guard as if he wasn’t quite sure if he trusted the stranger. After a final cautious glance inside the gates, he ran past Tauran, the guard slowing him with a hand on his shoulder.
The glimpse of a long coat and black hair caught Tauran’s attention. He found Kalai near the corner of the dining hall. “There you are.”
Kalai turned and smiled, although he looked exhausted. “Here I am.”
“Come.” Tauran placed a hand against Kalai’s back. “I’ll give you a tour.” He led Kalai around the grounds, pointing out the office buildings, the training hall and the holding cell block.
“This is where they lock up thieves and rebels,” Tauran said, pointing a thumb at the cell block before slipping around the back, farthest from the crowd. Kalai followed.
“I just got word from the saddle maker,” Tauran said. “Arrow’s saddle is finished. Do you want to come with me? The party is breaking up, we can go fetch it, now.”
Excitement flashed over Kalai’s features, although it was quickly replaced with one of concern. “I... I need to head back to the archive and take my medicine.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, shoulders tight. There was a concerning uneasiness to him.
“Are you all right?” Tauran asked, touching Kalai’s shoulder. “Is it an episode?”
Kalai shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I just... forgot this morning’s pill. It’s not a big deal. I would just like to keep to the schedule, you know? I had a really lovely day, Tauran. I guess I’m not used to this much attention.” He blushed prettily.
Suddenly, Tauran wanted nothing more than to ease his tension with a kiss. Soft and gentle. Feel Kalai relax against him. Tauran carefully reeled in the desire. “All right. You head back. Relax for a bit. I’ll fetch the saddle and bring it to the archive.”
Kalai parted his lips as if to speak, then apparently decided against it and smiled. “Thank you, Tauran. I can’t wait,” he said. “Please be careful.”
Tauran winked. “I’m always careful.”
Tauran made his exit from the party as smoothly as he could, shaking two dozen hands and making nearly as many plans for lunches and dinners.
The streets were quiet as Tauran skirted Lavender Square. It was right around dinnertime, most people staying indoors to cook and eat. Tauran was thankful for it. After hours of attention surrounded by so many guards and soldiers, the quiet let him clear his head. He hadn’t felt so at ease within guard ground walls since before the battle. A small but hopeful voice in his mind whispered that he might not be irreparably broken, after all. Tauran doubted he would ever again be what he once was, but maybe he could get closer than he had thought.
Turning the corner to the small shaded nook of Albinus’ Leatherworks, he paused. Several voices sounded from inside.
Tauran slipped behind a nearby trellis covered in flowering ivy. Not that it would be all that weird for a member of the Sky Guard, as he now was, to visit the saddle maker. But he would prefer not to have to come up with any more lies. Hiding a wild swiftwing under Falka’s nose was bad enough.
“I will ask you one more time. Are you going to cooperate?” a hard, unknown voice barked from inside the shop. When the man received no answer, he said, “Suit yourself. Let’s take him to the grounds. We’ll question him in the hold. That’ll change his mind.”
Tauran’s eyes narrowed. What exactly was he hearing?
The door swung open, and Tauran pressed himself farther into the shadows of the trellis. He peeked through the gaps of the wood and ivy leaves.
Two soldiers dressed in the uniform of the Sky Guard tower lookouts exited the store, holding Albinus between them. They had a firm grip on each of his arms, his wrists cuffed behind his back.
“Get him in the wagon. I’ll keep an eye on him while you get the saddle,” the soldier on the left said.
Tauran’s blood ran cold.
Was that why they were here? Had Arrow’s saddle gotten Albinus arrested? Had Albinus talked? Did they know Tauran had been the one to commission it?