The carriage stopped at a grand house in Upside Alta. Columns of white marble surrounded the edges of the structure, with swirl patterns of grey and black dispersed throughout their entirety. Rune got out with Bane, Caster, and Quin, paying the coachman two coppers and tipping his head in farewell.
"By Terra's worth, this is where the commander lives?!" Bane gaped at the residence, mouth open in stupefaction.
Quin shut Bane's mouth closed, humour crossing his face. "You think this is grand? Wait till you see where Caster stays. You'll be in for quite the shock."
Caster looked at Quin with suspicion. "I don't remember ever inviting you over. How would you know?"
Quin shrugged, putting his two hands in the pockets of his pants and strutting forward. "I would know as it comes with the profession. You know, killings, information, stuff like that."
Caster stopped in his tracks, staring daggers at Quin's back.
Nice one, Quin.
Rune nudged him forward. "Don't be so on edge. He knows where everyone lives. It was the first thing Gin had him memorize before he started his training."
He remembered how the boy had come to them, tear-stained cheeks, his ghoul eyes a murky shade of grey as he held his right hand in his left.
Wrapped in dressings were Quin's heavily bruised fingers that were shades of black and purple, and blistered from the absurd pressure he'd exerted with the special pen Gin had provided for the task.
After that day, Quin would have bruises and blisters all over his fingers, but said nothing about it. Not a word, or a glimpse of emotion over his condition.
Caster soon followed behind Rune, and they all approached the grand home.
At the entrance of the large building, a guard stood, a large sword strapped at the side of his blue uniform. He held his arm out, signalling they should stop.
"Where from?"
Quin stepped forward, lifting his hair away from his eyes, staring the guard down. The white and red ink running down from his head to his nose became clearer.
"Seeing you've asked such a question, I assume you weren't there to see the race. Since the introduction is due," Quin pointed to himself, "second place," then pointed at Rune, "first place. The dinner happening behind you involves us. That should clear up any suspicions."
The guard made no move to lower his arm.
Bane spoke up. "Can't you see the ink on their faces?"
Just then, the sound of boots clicking on paved ground had them turning their heads as the newcomer came to stand by them.
Silus was wearing a long black coat and a grey cap, with a pocket in his hand.
"I suggest you make way, or a missing arm will be the least of your concerns."
Without further warning, the guard stepped back to his post, eyes downcast, while Silus continued staring daggers in his direction.
The path no longer blocked, Silus entered, the boys following the informant as he led them through a series of turns, stairs, and hallways.