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“Stop!” Magda screamed. “Let him go!”

The man laughed and snapped his fingers, and like that, his group of friends dragged the net across the ground, before picking up the sides and throwing Odie into the back of their wagon. When they lifted up the tarp, Magda saw at least four other animals struggling to get free. But all too soon, the tarp was replaced and Odie was out of sight.

“He’ll make a fine coat and bring in a nice profit,” the burly man growled in her ear. “Hope I get to skin him myself.”

“No!” Magda screamed hysterically, trying to wrench herself from the man’s grasp. “Help! Please help!” she screamed until she was sure her voice would break from the strain.

The leader had already snapped his fingers, and the cart was rolling away. In a matter of seconds, Odie would be out of sight and lost to the city. Magda dug down deep, to the pit of her stomach, hoping to harness any magic to save herself and Odie. All around them were specks of dirt and sand lining the pathways, but she had no idea how to channel particles that were so minuscule. She turned her attention to the statue, but nothing came of it either.

Suddenly a figure jumped down from the rooftops, landing gracefully in a somersault next to the cart. They quickly pulled out the pin holding the cart door closed and pulled up the net. The dogs jumped down and out into the streets.

“Go, go!” the boy shouted at them.

The man holding Magda released her, going to grab the fleeing dogs. Magda stumbled to catch her footing and smashed into the mysterious savior of the animals. When she looked up, she recognized Ravi—the street violinist from earlier. He quickly grabbed her wrist and yanked her behind him, before facing three remaining men.

“How many times do I have to get you out of trouble today?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“You followed me?” asked Magda. She was about to ask another question, when she saw the lead man grab onto Odie’s scruff, unsheathing a dagger in her pet’s direction.

“No!” Magda shrieked.

The man stopped the knife’s blade inches from Odie’s neck. “Ah…Ravi Kalal,” he spoke.

Odie whimpered, lashing in the man’s grip, but the man’s clasp on Odie’s scruff was like iron.

“Give her back her dog,” said Ravi assertively.

“It’s nothing personal. Just business. Surely you would understand that.”

“You did a nice job ruining my business today,” Ravi retorted. “Not a single person came to my show when they heard you were in the district.”

The man sighed. “Maybe it’s time we end this little feud. I could use your skills. Street musicians are everywhere, under our noses, over them…the best ears anyone can buy. Be my ears, Ravi. In our world, information is the currency of kings, isn’t it?”

“I won’t spy for you, Vex.”

Vex stood, shoving Odie into the direction of his henchman, before stepping aggressively in Magda and Ravi’s direction with the sharp knife. The other two men held Odie back, for the rest of the dogs had escaped to the city.

Ravi put his hand out in front of Magda, pushing her further behind him.

“Luckily for you, Ravi, you’re more useful to me alive than dead,” Vex snarled menacingly, “Everyone has their price, and every secret has a buyer. I’m sure that there will come another time when you’ll need your pockets full.”

“I don’t think so.”

“So naive.”

Magda cut them off, jutting in, “Get away from us! And if any of you hurt my dog there will be consequences.”

“Feisty!” said Vex. “Now I know why she’s made quite the stir amongst the guilds and why my people alerted me to a new dog in the streets.”

“I’m hardly interesting enough,” Magda said.

Vex got close to her face, saying, “Did you think a diplomatic representative of the kingdom of Azurem would slip into this city completely unnoticed? The Marauders Guild knows every individual or artifact that enters this city—including who they are, what gate they have passed through at what hour, and what business you have here. But it seems no one can figure out that last part.” He began walking in a slow circle, back toward his henchmen, running his finger over the blade as he did so.

Ravi whispered, “We need to run.”

“What?” Magda said. She looked toward Odie, who was still being held back by the two men.

Vex continued on his lecture, stroking the knife with his fingertip. When he nodded toward his two henchmen, Ravi grabbed Magda’s arm and sprinted in the opposite direction.