“What do you think of Sitia so far?” Valek asked.

“It’s okay. I guess I need to learn how to ride, right? Isn’t that how everyone gets around in Sitia?”

“Not everyone. You can walk, and there are travel shelters between cities.” Valek sensed that wasn’t what Zeb wanted to hear. “Although it’s faster on horseback. Especially if you’re going farther than Owl’s Hill.”

“There’s not much to do in Owl’s Hill.”

Ah. “Would you like me to teach you how to ride?”

He hesitated. “Did you teach the twins?”

“I showed Zethan the basics when we traveled to Sitia, but they’re learning the finer art of horsemanship at the Magician’s Keep.” Along with a number of other things, like fighting and self-defense techniques. Things the Ixian schools didn’t cover unless it was required for your job. Since Zebulon didn’t have magic, he wouldn’t get this extra education. And since he was already twenty, he was too old to attend the Sitian schools.

“Yeah, they seem to be fitting right in at the Keep,” Zeb said.

“Do you plan to stay here and work for Father?” Valek asked.

If the question surprised the young man, he didn’t show it. “I don’t know. Before, I sort of had to. I didn’t have any other options in Ixia. Now...”

“Too many.”

Zebulon laughed. “Yeah.”

“What do you like to do?”

He shrugged, but then said, “I like working with my hands.”

That was a start. As they groomed, fed and watered the horses, Valek asked a number of questions. By the time they finished, he had a better idea of Zebulon’s interests, which didn’t include the military, law enforcement or spying. Basically, not going into the family business.

“What about working with glass?” he asked Zeb as they brushed off all the horsehair from their clothes and washed the grime from their hands. “I’ve friends who own a glass factory in Fulgor and would be amenable to taking on an apprentice.”

Zeb appeared interested. “It would be someplace to start. Is Fulgor like Owl’s Hill?”

“No. It’s much bigger. It’s about a four-day ride west of here.”

“I’d like that. Thanks.”

They entered the house. It was cooler inside. Despite the fact that the family had moved in only a few weeks ago, all the crates and boxes had been unpacked. The familiar furniture and decorations from his childhood filled unfamiliar rooms, and the effect was disconcerting. Voices emanated from deep within, and Valek followed Zeb to the living area.

“...planned for the beginning of the hot season in the Magician’s Keep,” Yelena said. “You’re all invited, of course.”

“Invited to what?” Zebulon asked. He sat next to their mother on the couch.

Liana remained in Olya’s lap. The baby chewed on her favorite yellow horse-shaped rattle. The number of gifts she’d gotten just for being born had been astounding. Janco had brought her what he called “baby’s first set of lock picks.” And the Commander sent her a pink diamond the size of Liana’s fist.

Despite everyone’s relaxed postures, an awkwardness thickened the air. Yelena sat in an armchair with a cup of tea on the table next to her. Kalen occupied the other chair.

“Our wedding celebration,” Yelena said.

Valek hid his grin. Yelena’s mother had refused to leave the Keep until plans had been set into motion for the celebration. And after a month of having her mother underfoot, Yelena would have agreed to anything to speed Perl’s departure. Which was why the party was scheduled for when the Keep’s students were gone. Perl’s guest list was so long that they would need to use the student barracks to house them all.

“I thought you were already married,” Olya said. She bounced Liana on her knee. The baby squealed in delight.

“In Ixia,” Valek said. “Sitia has different rules.”

“And they’ll use any excuse to throw a party,” Yelena joked.

Olya frowned at that. Valek suspected it would take his mother the most time to adjust to the Sitian way of life.

“Hot season, eh?” Kalen wiped his brow. “We’ll come, but I can’t guarantee we won’t melt into puddles.”

“We’ve invited a couple Stormdancers who will make sure clouds block the sun and a cool breeze blows,” Valek said. “Their powers are similar to Zethan’s.”

The tension increased with the mention of magic. Oh, boy.

Kalen cleared his throat. “Zethan mentioned you’re working for the Sitian Council. What are you doing for them?” He adopted a casual tone, but the tightness in his shoulders said otherwise.

“I’m helping with security. What they had in place before the Cartel was not very effective.”

“You mean like guarding the Councilors?”

Valek didn’t need to read his father’s thoughts to understand the real question. “More like setting up protocols, ensuring the guards are trustworthy and helping with training.” He glanced at his mother’s pinched face. “Not assassinating anyone.” Unless they threatened the safety of his herd.

“Of course not,” his father said too quickly. “I’m sure all that’s behind you now that you have a beautiful wife and daughter.”

Smooth recovery. Valek approved.

Kalen hopped to his feet. “How about a tour of the tannery? Yelena?”