“Bright boy,” the purser said. “We have a problem, however.”
Quint raised his eyebrows. “What kind of problem?”
“Fedor Danko and his daughter disappeared from their flat last night. He told us not to worry about him.”
“Last night? I was abducted, too,” Quint said. “I’m sure we weren’t kidnapped by the same people.”
“The captain has men looking for them, and as soon as the Dankos show up we will weigh anchor.”
“Does anyone have an idea where they are?” Quint asked.
“If they did, our sailors would be following the lead,” the purser said.
Quint couldn’t hide in a safe place when Calee and Fedor weren’t secure at all.
“Can I put my things in your warehouse. They’ll be back by the office door.”
“Go ahead. We could leave at any time once we have this place cleaned out.”
Quint walked past the purser with a wave and opened the door to put his things inside the office after he strapped on his sword and put the knife in his boot. He would start with Pozella.
There wasn’t a reply when he pounded on the front door of Pozella’s townhouse. He peeked in a window, but nothing looked out of the ordinary. Perhaps Pozella had fled with his wife.
As Quint approached the wizard operations strategic operations building, there were signs of a disturbance in the streets. There were patches of blood and Quint spotted a pile of bodies next to the building.
Quint stopped a female officer walking out of the building.
“Is Colonel Sarrefo in?” Quint asked.
“I think so. You are Tirolo, right?”
Quint nodded. “I didn’t desert, but I’ve been caught up in this mess. When did the fighting occur?”
“Last night. The fighting moved to the council palace and the other buildings. At present, there are two factions.”
“Baltacco and Guilica?” Quint said.
The officer nodded. “Now you know as much as I do. I reported and have just been released. There aren’t many wizards working right now. If you wish to see the colonel, now would be as good a time as any. Who knows when the fighting will return.” The officer looked up and down the street. “If you will excuse me.” The woman looked both ways down the street and rushed across, walking quickly.
Quint ran up the steps and disappeared into the building. He went straight to Sarrefo’s office. The door was closed, and Quint was hesitant to disturb the colonel, but the door opened, and two senior officers exited. No one was waiting, so Quint walked in after closing the door.
“Tirolo! What are you doing here?”
Quint took a seat that he didn’t feel comfortable sitting in.
“Fedor Danko and his daughter have gone missing.”
“Guilica has them. The man is crazy and is behind all the infighting when we have a big army heading our way.”
“I need to get them free,” Quint said.
“You? Why?”
“Because I’m going to leave Racellia and go to Narukun,” Quint said. “Baltacco kidnapped me yesterday before Grand Marshal Guilica upset the capital. He wants me out of the city since he sees me as a magical disruptor.”
“Just like Colleto?” Sarrefo asked.
Quint nodded. “I don’t know how I could fill that role. I’m only seventeen.”
“A seventeen-year-old master. Pozella told me. I always thought you were special, but most people had you down as a hubite first, and a wizard second. I’m sorry about your family. It is a bad time to feel sorry for others’ misfortunes but accept my sympathy.”
“I do,” Quint said. Sarrefo had always been a friend from the first time Quint met him. “I’m sure you are biding your time until Colleto arrives.”
“Something like that. I cautioned my people from participating in the fighting, but I can only go so far. I wish I could help you, but I can’t.”
“I don’t have any good strategy to suggest,” Quint said. “If Colleto invaded today, the military might coalesce against him, but if he waits, there will be more Racellians dead.”
“Mostly soldiers,” Sarrefo said.
Someone pounded on the door. “Chiglio is sending another wave of soldiers our way. He’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”
“Then get everyone out of the building,” Sarrefo said, stuffing papers in a valise. “I’m going to ask you to leave. If you have a chance, write. I’m hoping I survive this madness.”
“You and Pozella,” Quint said.
“You might be too late for that,” Sarrefo said. “Pozella disappeared about the time Guilica began to fight his own troops.”
Quint stood but felt numb. He would have counted Pozella as one of the officers who would be hunkering down far from the fighting. Someone bumped him from behind.
