“That’s a hard promise to keep,” I said. “If you become a glass magician, you might be sent to Booruby for a mission.”

Surprise flashed. “I hadn’t considered that possibility. I guess I’m trying to keep from getting my hopes up, but returning to my hometown on a mission for a Master Magician would be different than returning a failure.”

Hadn’t I worried about the same thing? I understood his dilemma. “You don’t need to come with me. My father will be happy to help.” And here I was, running home to him again. But my list was bound to have a few essential items missing, and I would need a second opinion. Since my father had constructed eight kilns, he was the best person to consult.

Uncertainty lingered in my stomach. What about Sir and his gang? Or Blue Eyes? They hadn’t been caught. I was safe in the Keep. Or was I?

I glanced at Ulrick’s long shadow cast by the sinking sun. Tricky had convinced me he was Master Cowan. He could easily sneak inside. And I would be fair game on the road to Booruby. I wrapped my fingers around the handles of my sais. Searching the area near me, I looked for Tricky’s shadow. An armed escort to Booruby wouldn’t be enough against the magician. Perhaps Zitora would want to come along.

We continued toward the Keep. I jumped at every noise.

“Opal, what’s wrong?” Ulrick asked.

“Just my overactive imagination.” Although I wondered where the line was between caution and paranoia. I hated the feeling of unsettled worry creeping along my spine, and the burning conviction of Tricky watching me, waiting for a moment to attack. I promised myself Ulrick’s warning about being taken advantage of wouldn’t come to pass. But those promises were difficult to keep, and I had been exploited before. Alea used me as a weapon. I shivered and forced the horrid memory from my mind.

Ulrick must have sensed my distress. “Did you see Sir or Tricky?”

“No.” Thank fate.

“You should really stay inside the Keep. It’s safer.”

“I know, but I won’t hide. I’ll take precautions and be vigilant,” I vowed.

He kept quiet for a few blocks. “I can’t tell you what to do. But I’m pretty good with a sword. I’ll make sure to have it with me when we’re together.” He linked his arm in mine, pulling me closer to him.

The warmth of his body and the heat of his touch traveled along my skin. All unpleasant thoughts leaked away as I enjoyed his solid presence.

All too soon, we arrived at the Keep. Despite being dinnertime, Zitora still worked in her room in the administration building. Here she presented her public face, and her bare office lacked the softness of her tower home. A few sterile paintings of bridges hung on the walls, parchment and ink littered her desk and a handful of lonely books leaned against each other on the single shelf. Two empty chairs faced her desk.

We settled in the seats, reporting the day’s progress and my plans to travel to Booruby for the remaining supplies.

“Very good,” she said. “I’ll see who we can get to escort you south.”

Disappointment dragged on my shoulders. “Can you come? My mother’s apple cobbler is worth the trip.”

“Tempting, but I can’t leave right now. There’s too much going on.”

Her comment reminded me about this morning’s discussion on the Moon Clan and Fisk’s note. I pulled the paper from the pocket of my cloak. “I have a message for Yelena from Fisk.”

Zitora turned to Ulrick. “Go and have dinner before the dining hall closes.”

“What about Opal?” he asked.

“She has a riding lesson with the Stable Master.”

“She shouldn’t be alone.”

“She’s perfectly safe inside the Keep.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. We assigned an extra magician at the gate.”

I listened to them argue over my safety as if I wasn’t in the room. With so many magicians around, I knew I only had to scream and help would be mere steps away. My confidence in this plan lasted until I remembered Alea had entered the Keep without trouble. And we had left without any problems.

Before I could fret, I applied logic to her ease in my kidnapping. She had Ferde’s help, who, at the time, had Master-level magical power. Alea also had my full cooperation.

Ulrick and Zitora arrived at an agreement, although I didn’t know the exact details. He said he would meet me later at the stables, and left. Once he was gone, Zitora took Fisk’s note and read it. She frowned. Not good news.

“Do you know what it says?” she asked.

“No.”

“Fisk knows who to trust.” She tapped a finger on her desk, lost in thought.

Dismissed, I headed to the stables. Stable Master greeted me with his usual gruffness. Quartz was saddled and ready to ride. She bumped her head against my chest, looking for sweets.

“After,” I whispered in her ear. “I’ll steal a couple of milk oats for you.”

“Mount up,” Stable Master ordered.

He put me and Quartz through the paces. We made figure eights until I was dizzy. Quartz trotted and galloped around the training ring, following his shouted orders faster than I could direct her. I cursed my luck in getting Stable Master for my teacher as my legs and back twinged with pain. All those days of hard riding still didn’t prepare me for an hour’s worth of jumping small obstacles. Next session, I would bring a Barbasco yam.