Been stealing sausages? he said.
Before any of the students could reply, the man stopped them with a dark look, and with a nod indicated that they were to follow him back into the market. Lose the sausage, he instructed Donte, who immediately tossed the warm, savoury treat to the ground. They followed the burly man, a gang captain named Hilsbek, who had been put in charge of Facarias pupils while the island master was in a meeting. This wasnt unusual, as the youngsters spent as much time in the field as in the classroom or training yard.
The sausage? repeated Hilsbek.
I got hungry, said Donte, trying not to smile.
A quick cuff to the ear told Donte that this wasnt amusing to the gang leader. The blow was hard enough to get the students attention without damaging him. Dontes eyes glistened from the pain, but he didnt let tears come. His face and stance shifted to a position Hatu and Hava knew all too well. Donte would usually have challenged anyone who struck him like that. Hed even risk fighting a crew captain if he thought he could win, but would not defy anyone of a rank higher than that.
Donte was the grandson of Master Kugal, one of the seven masters on the Council, which granted him some additional status, though it was never openly commented upon. The students were supposed to be treated equally, but in practice, their privilege was often dictated by the amount of power held by their close relatives.
Though rank was not official, the pecking order among students had been well established by the time they could leave their mothers. Hava was unusually gifted, among the best archers, runners, and hand-to-hand fighters, both boys and girls, which earned her more respect than was normal for a farmers child. Hatu was an orphan, an anomaly without connections, but he was treated with greater care than might be expected.
What was your duty? asked Hilsbek, his eyes narrowing as he looked from face to guilty face.
Hava and Hatu glanced at each other as Donte, with as impassive a tone as he dared, replied, To watch the market for anything unusual.
Hilsbek nodded. You were on that roof for over three hours
And I got hungry, added Donte, which earned him another cuffing, one hard enough to leave a red mark on his cheek and tears in his eyes.
Hilsbek glared at the youngster, as if daring him to utter another word.
Donte fell silent.
Hilsbek remained quiet for a while, then spoke in an even tone. What did you see?
Hava said, A busy market.
Donte hesitated, as if anticipating another slap, then added, Nothing unusual.
Hilsbek looked at Hatushaly next. After a pause, the youngster said, There was one group of men trying to appear normal. They came from the docks and moved a little too fast, as if they were in a hurry but trying not to be noticed. They wore simple robes with deep hoods. One wore boots, the rest sandals. They moved to the north and I couldnt see them leave.
Hilsbek looked at Hatu. Well enough. If you were to see such a group while on duty, what would you do?
Hatu said, What I was told to do. If I was told to report at once, then Id leave and report. If told to wait until relieved, Id
Hilsbek interrupted. Enough.
Pointing at Hatu, he said to the others, He knows how to see. You looked, but you didnt see. Learn how to see.
Hilsbek regarded the three youngsters for a moment, then he said, You are only months away from being placed He fell silent again and shook his head. If you left training today, you would find a trade, but soon A third silence fell.
Finally Hilsbek said, Find another roof. Watch from there until sundown. See if you can find more men trying to appear normal. Meet at the safe house after sunset.
As the students started to move away, Hilsbek slapped Donte on the back of his head. I dont care who your grandfather is, boy. Do something stupid like that when youre working, and at some point youll get yourself and your companions killed.
Donte grudgingly held his peace as they walked away, but once out of hearing range, he said, Ill settle with him some day.
Hatu shook his head in silent disbelief, while Hava laughed openly. Your grandfather will not always be around to get you out of trouble. We all make mistakes, we all get beaten.
Hatu nodded in agreement.
You make a mistake, you just get sent to your grandfather, Hava continued.
Ha! laughed Donte. The preceptors and the other masters are afraid of my grandfather, so he beats me harder than any of them. My grandfather is afraid of no one. After a moment, he added, Well, other than my grandmother.
Hava laughed, but Hatu said, Do you ever take anything seriously? You know what Hilsbek was saying, dont you?
What? asked Donte as they began to look around for a new observation post.
The day is coming when well know too much, whispered Hatu harshly.
Too much? asked Hava.
Hatus expression held exasperation. To let us live, he whispered. Once we know all of the secrets
Havas eyes widened. Hatu nodded; it was about time she understood. We need to be more careful, he added in low tones.
Lifes too short to be careful, Donte responded with annoyance as they reached the centre of the market. He halted and looked around. Where?
After a quiet consideration, Hatu said, Over there, I think.
He didnt point another lesson learned early just raised his chin in the direction of a large building on the far side of the market. It wasnt situated as advantageously as their last post but offered a good view of anyone arriving from the docks.
Hows your ear? Hatu asked Donte as they moved quickly through the crowd.
Hurts, was all Donte said.
Hava shook her head and furrowed her brow as she said, One day youre going to say something that will get you killed.
Maybe, said Donte as he led his companions into the alley beside their new vantage point. He took a quick look around and with a nod of his head indicated that Hatu should be the first to climb. Donte formed a stirrup with his hands and his friend hopped into it without hesitation. Thrown upwards, Hatu caught the eave of the roof and pulled himself onto the roof with ease. He turned and lay flat, letting his arms dangle over the edge.
Hava shook her head and furrowed her brow as she said, One day youre going to say something that will get you killed.
Maybe, said Donte as he led his companions into the alley beside their new vantage point. He took a quick look around and with a nod of his head indicated that Hatu should be the first to climb. Donte formed a stirrup with his hands and his friend hopped into it without hesitation. Thrown upwards, Hatu caught the eave of the roof and pulled himself onto the roof with ease. He turned and lay flat, letting his arms dangle over the edge.
Donte lifted Hava so she could grip Hatus arms and when she reached the roof, she lay next to him. Donte leapt and caught his companions hands, and together they pulled him upwards.
Settling in, Donte said, Two hours to sunset.
Try to stay awake, chided Hatu.
Hava chuckled as they started to scan the crowd below for anything unusual.
The port was the heart of the Coaltachin nation, and yet at the same time it wasnt. To those who lived in the Kingdom of Night, and their trusted associates, it was called Corbara: the capital city of a sprawling set of tiny islands, populated by a people whose main export was assassination, espionage, and crime. Its residents were expert at detecting which newcomer should be respected and which should be misled. By tradition and habit no one used the name of the city in front of strangers in the port. Corbara was only ever called here, home, or this city. Some travellers had passed through the port more than once and still had no idea where they had been. Such was the culture of Coaltachin.
This combination of secrecy and commerce forged as strong a brotherhood as there was among any tribe on Garn. The lowest peasant in Coaltachin felt akin to the highest of the masters, and while few natives acknowledged it, the outsiders who had dealings with the island nation were forced to navigate the insular, chauvinistic nature of its people with sensitivity. Anyone not of Coaltachin was at best a necessary nuisance, and at worst a potential enemy. This attitude towards strangers, even friendly visitors, was so ingrained that it was never spoken of, simply learned from childhood.
The three youngsters watching the market and harbour were already part of the nations elite. The sons of masters and preceptors, like Donte, were automatically selected for the schools, as were the children with exceptional potential, like Hava. She had been a combative child, and her early willingness to stand against much larger and stronger children had caught the attention of the local master, Facaria. The others knew nothing about Hatus past, hut his admittance to the academy marked him as exceptional, and so the fact he came from outland stock was ignored by those who had been raised alongside him.
The students were training to become soldiers, but soldiers unlike those of any other nation. The forces of Coaltachin included squadrons of ships, often disguised, but ready to repel the rare incursions by seafarers who didnt understand whose waters they entered. Some of the larger islands held defensive garrisons with small units of archers, pikemen, and swordsmen. The true militia of Coaltachin was invisible, a thing of reputation and rumour myth and lethal ability.
In the old tongue, Quelli Nascosti meant The Hidden, and it was possible that some day the very best among these students would count themselves among their ranks. As the grandson of a powerful master, and son of a deceased master, Donte would almost certainly advance.
Hava was among the finest students in combat and weapons training, and possessed rare athletic skills.
Hatushalys advantage was unique. He knew he was receiving special treatment: he had heard of no other outland child at his or any other school. The mystery was one of the sources of his constant smouldering anger, as was the uncertainty over his future.
THAT EVENING, TWENTY-THREE STUDENTS SAT in small groups at the back of a cluttered warehouse. Most of the youngsters were known to the three friends; several were from other villages, here because their masters had been called to an important meeting. As they made their way from the door to the rear of the warehouse, where food waited, Hatu saw a familiar face watching them walk past. Hava saw his expression change and quietly asked, What?