Page 64 of The Omega Thief

“Plenty of brown,” Gosforth agreed. “Ain’t sure about grey uns.”

Attiker sighed. He’d thought exactly the same. “But it’s not just that. Wild Neerals are nearly impossible to get a hold of. Yes, they can be trapped, and if I had a week, it would be my first idea, but I’ve got a day and a half to get a young female and then get it back. I need a nest, or more specifically, someone that knows where a nest is.”

Ash glanced at Gosforth, but Attiker knew they wouldn’t know. Most people spent their time keeping away from the gray rats, so no one was going to look for them, and while it was true that the gray rats were the Neerals main food source, they weren’t their only one.

They all heard a knock, and Bartholemew got up. He could be heard talking to someone upstairs and then came back down, making sure the cellar door was closed behind him. He opened the piece of parchment and then handed it to Attiker. “It’s for you.”

Attiker glanced down. “It’s an address.”

Bartholemew grinned. “Aye, that it is.”

“Sera Templeton. The abbey at Fortcross.” He looked up. “That’s in Fort Bay.” A small fishing village maybe five hours’ ride away. Fortcross was exactly that, the crossroads. One direction led down to the village, one to Cadmeera, one to the moors and eventually Rajpur, and one used to go to an old port, once thriving, but the building of the extended and deeper channel at Cadmeera meant larger ships could dock there, so the old port was barely used except for locals.

“Who’s Sera Templeton?” Ash asked.

Bartholemew chuckled. “Jib Korban’s great-granddaughter.”

Attiker smiled for the first time since Markell had brought in that box to the throne room. “Does she know?”

“That you’re coming to talk to her?”

“Or anything to help,” Attiker added.

“I don’t know,” Bartholemew answered. “That’s from a friend of a friend, yer might say.”

Attiker met his gaze.

“One who, despite what yer would think, seems to be a fan of the people’s champion.”

He opened his mouth to blurt outErykenbut managed to shut it just as quickly.

They’d gotten some provisions for the road from the palace kitchens, but Jenny disappeared and then came running back down with some carved mutton in gravy sandwiched between a cut loaf. Attiker hadn’t been able to eat much, and he went to wrap it for later, but it was Veda that stayed his hand. “You can’t eat on the road, as you’re in a hurry to get there before dark. And you need your strength.”

“I don’t even know if Sera will know how to help.”

“No,” Veda said. “But you’re a seeker. What would be the first thing you would try to find?”

“Knowledge,” Attiker grudgingly admitted and took a few bites. He packed the rest for later as the second bell after midday rang. Attiker glanced at Ash, and he stood. “We need to leave now to hope to get there before dark.”

He was ready in a moment, and Attiker urged the rest not to leave with them. The less attention drawn to them, the better, even though they’d been to the palace. Attiker turned to give Veda the same advice, but she’d gone. He looked around and shook his head. If Attiker wasn’t already in love and favored men, he’d be tempted to admit to more than a crush.

What was it with Attiker that he seemed to have a thing for royalty?

Ash snorted, and Attiker flushed, knowing his internal voice had been anything but.

There was only one road out to Fort Bay, so they set off. The horses would trot for a good time before they needed a rest. Just as they passed the last of the farms, Ash reigned in his horse so they could walk a little.

They’d been going two bells when it started raining, and Ash groaned. Attiker pulled his cloak a little tighter, but they had to keep going. At least it was open. There wouldn’t be any rockslides.

Attiker’s thoughts turned to Eldara. He hadn’t been able to feel her all day, and he assumed firstly he’d simply been too distracted, and now they were too far. Another bell and the rain had turned into a downpour, and when Attiker’s pony slipped on the muddy ground, he stopped her and dismounted. This was ridiculous. The animal could well be injured, and that wouldn’t help anyone. Ash immediately saw what was wrong and dismounted, shouting and pointing to a corpse of trees, and Attiker led her to follow him. His cloak was waxed and usually weatherproof, but the rain had still gotten in, mainly because it had been beating against their faces.

He quickly loosened her girth as soon as they were out of the worst and peered around. He could barely see for the weather and night was approaching fast.

“Is that a barn?” Ash shouted, striving to be heard above the rain.

Attiker could barely make out a black shape on the hill, but it was worth investigating. “Stay with the horses, and I’ll go check it out.” He didn’t want to, but Ash was better with them than he was and could keep his controlled. Attiker wasn’t sure he could if something spooked it. He handed Ash his reins and, drawing his cold, damp cloak around him, he set off. His feet, of course, were wet by this time, as well. He kept heading for the black shape, and his heart thudded hopefully when he made it out. It was a barn. He couldn’t see a house anywhere, but if they had a chance to pass an hour drying out, it would make the journey much safer. By the time he reached the double wooden doors, he heaved a sigh of relief. He could make sure the owner was recompensed for the shelter when they got back to the palace.

After he knew Raz was going to live. He tried to push away the fears he’d held all day. That he wouldn’t find a Neeral. That if he did, he’d be too late. No, he would. He could do this. He was supposed to be one of the best seekers in the kingdom, and if anyone could, surely he could when Raz’s life depended on it?

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