Page 44

“He short-changes you, you said?” Theo asked.

“Yes, but it’s not just that . . .”

“You don’t like the work,” Melodie said. “So why did you do it?”

Nena looked down. “I just haven’t been able to think straight for the last few years. Everything just stopped working for me on my smallholding. There’s something wrong with me. I keep forgetting what I need to do, and things went to ruin. Gus offered me a way to keep myself from having to sell up.”

Melodie felt a little spike of excitement. “Where is your place?”

“Just outside of town, up into the forest a little way, to the right.” She pointed over the field that was fenced off behind the stables, toward the woods. “It’s a road that leads nowhere. Maybe it used to be a shortcut to Skäddar, but it wasn’t maintained, and now it’s quicker to take the Taunen road and then branch off further to the north.” She waved in a north westerly direction. Put her arm down. “So, can I go?”

Theo released her. “Yes.”

She stepped away, unsure if they meant it, but when neither of them made any move toward her, she gave a dip of her head and ducked around the corner. Melodie could hear her boots jogging away on the cobbles.

“What’s wrong with him?” Theo asked, jerking his chin at Gus.

“He tried to throw a net of compliance over you. I tossed it back over him.” Melodie turned her attention to Gus. “He’ll do whatever we ask.”

Theo studied Gus, and Melodie saw the horror on his face. “That would have been me?”

She nodded. “He will answer truthfully, though. Which is good, because Marchant obviously knows who we are, or very clearly suspects us, or he wouldn’t have sent these two to grab us. That net is magically valuable. I’ve only seen something like it once in my life before.”

“But it’s gone wrong for him.” There was satisfaction in Theo’s voice. “We have Gus. And the net.”

She nodded.

Gus started walking to the fence, and Melodie gently grabbed him by the arm and led him back. “Lean against the stable wall and enjoy the sun,” she told him, and he did it with a smile.

“So, who do you work for?” Theo asked him, leaning against the wall beside him.

If anyone came around the corner, they’d look like three weary travelers, enjoying the sunshine and the green fields.

“Marchant,” he whispered, then tapped the side of his nose. “I’ve never seen his face.” Gus turned his hand palm up. “He always meets me just past Nena’s farm, and he wears a covering over his face, a hat, and long, flowing clothes.”

Probably less to hide his face and more because the confusion spell blew in that direction when the wind was right, Melodie guessed. And their man couldn’t afford to ever have a foggy thought.

“You’ve never seen him?” Melodie was skeptical. “How did he come to hire you?”

“I was boasting a little in the inn on my way through a couple of years ago. Went on my way the next day, and he came up to me when I was sitting around my camp fire on the way to Taunen.”

“Covered up?” Theo asked.

“Maybe.” Gus shrugged. “He kept behind me, touching my neck with the tip of a knife. Told me he’d pay me well, but he expected quick service and no lies.” He shrugged again. “Hehaspaid me well. It’s been a good deal.”

“So when he says go throw a net of compliance over someone in the inn, you do it?” Theo asked.

“I was a bit nervous today, truth be told.” Gus looked more awake than he had since the conversation began. “Usually youwon’t believe what I can get away with here, because everyone’s wondering around half-asleep. But today, everyone was so clear-eyed.”

“So, being so aware and clear-eyed, we turned the tables on you.” Melodie liked that he’d come up with his own story about how they’d bested him. “What happens now?”

“I’ll have to go tell him I failed.” Gus slumped against the wall, back bent, head bowed.

“It’s okay,” Melodie consoled him. “It wasn’t your fault that everyone is more awake now.”

“That’s true.” Gus gave a grateful nod. “I could tell last night already, and it was only more obvious this morning. I’ve never seen the tap room so lively and so full.”

“When did your boss tell you to watch us?” Theo asked.