Dragan led them through a crowded main street before darting into an alley. She followed, drawing out a small dagger hidden in her girdle.
As she and the captain slowed to a brisk walk, Trynne sensed Fountain magic coming from behind them. There was another Fountain-blessed person in the area.
Had Dragan assembled other criminals who were Fountain-blessed? Was he luring them to a place where they’d be outnumbered and then murdered? But how could that be? How had Dragan known that Trynne would be there in the first place?
“I sense another one behind us,” Trynne said, touching Staeli’s shoulder. He jerked his head at her in surprise. He could not see their foe at the moment, but it was obvious he trusted Trynne’s powers. His faith in her was heartening.
“How far away?” he asked, glancing backward.
“Not far. They can feel me just as I can feel them. We’re being followed as well.”
“I don’t like this,” Staeli said, shaking his head. “We’d better catch him before the other catches us.”
“I agree,” Trynne said. “Then we run.”
She started down the alley, still sensing the invisible thief ahead of them. Staeli stayed close, but he continually looked backward, keeping watch for their tail. The alley was full of twists and turns and overcrowded hovels built atop each other. There was very little room to maneuver and side streets opened up quickly around them. A noxious sewer smell hung in the air.
Dragan kept pressing forward, going down and sideways, forcing Trynne to follow him. It did feel like he was leading her through a maze, one that he knew and she didn’t.
Soon, they came across a street gang dicing in the midst of one of the alleys. Dragan slipped through the band unnoticed, pausing only to shove one of them hard into his fellows, which startled them and then made them aware of Trynne and Staeli.
“That was clever,” the captain muttered darkly under his breath as the gang rose up, their clothes in tatters. Trynne felt the presence of the other Fountain-blessed closing in from behind. They were going to be trapped between the gang and their pursuer.
“Oi, looks like these two have lost their way,” said the leader of the band. He had a jaunty, foul look and much bravado.
“A pa and his little waif,” snickered another.
Trynne sensed Dragan slip around the corner ahead, and that blazing poker of anger inside her flared white-hot. He was getting away! As soon as he joined the main street again, he could slough off his magic, making it impossible for her to track him from afar.
Captain Staeli drew his swords. He might not have understood their language, but there was no misunderstanding the tone.
“He’s got weapons, man,” one of the gang said worriedly to the cocky leader. “Could be the prince’s spies . . .”
“Nah, dressed too well,” said another.
“The girl is ugly enough,” snorted another man.
Trynne and Staeli had slowed down and stopped. The other Fountain-blessed person would be arriving soon.
She looked at the captain and then nodded. “Be quick.”
Captain Staeli grunted with a smirk. “It won’t take long.”
Then her protector rushed into the gang like a dog itching for a fight. He struck with the flat of his blade and his elbows, stomped with his feet, and used his shoulders to crush them into the brick walls. Several tried to grab him and gang up on him, but Staeli was efficient, brutal, and adept at cracking skulls.
One of the gang slipped past him with a dagger. “Oi, lass! I’ll take that purse if you please,” he said, jutting his chin toward her purse and wagging his dagger at hers. “The blade too. It’s nicer than mine.”
“Take it, then,” Trynne said, turning the hilt to face him. He looked a little surprised by her quick acquiescence, but he reached for it all the same. She deliberately dropped it, and as soon as his eyes tracked toward it, she kicked him in the face, breaking his nose and dropping him.
Her magic twinged in warning as another man rushed up to grab her. Spinning to the side, she dodged the outstretched arm and felt the weakness of his momentum through her magic. With a quick snatch, she grabbed his wrist and used his charge to spin him around and into the wall. He collided with the stone, grunting in pain and shock. Trynne grabbed the back of his shirt, then kicked the side of his knee sharply.
Trynne glanced up just as their pursuer entered the alley. It was a woman, wearing a hooded cloak and a beautiful dress in the Brugian style. Their two magics clashed for a moment before recognition settled in.