Beq’s face was flushed. “I’m just … Talking about arcana is easy.”

“Try it next time we’re at a party.”

“I doubt anyone would be interested.”

“You never know.”

Maya grinned. Her own skin was feeling a bit warm, partly from the press of the crowd but partly because the two of them had remained arm in arm for some time now. It was just to keep them from being pulled apart, of course, but she couldn’t help but feel a thrill whenever Beq’s hip bumped hers. Focus, Maya, or you won’t get anywhere.

“Time for a break,” she said, spotting a tavern sign on a building jutting between stalls. “Come on.”

There wasn’t much to the tavern, once they’d pushed their way inside. A bartender served up cheap clay mugs of wine and beer to patrons at a scattering of tables and chairs. Business was light this early in the day, which was a welcome respite from the crowds outside. Maya ordered two cups of watered wine, tossed down a couple of decithaler coins, and led Beq to the nearest table.

Beq looked down at the mug mistrustfully. “After last night, I’m not sure I’m up for more alcohol.”

“Wine’s safer than water if you don’t know the water’s clean,” Maya said, sipping from her own cup. “That’s what Jaedia taught me. And down here …”

“True.” Beq took a drink and made a face. “Eugh.”

“Honestly I just needed to get off my feet.” Maya shook her head. “And maybe rethink our approach. I’m not sure we’re getting anywhere.”

“We’ve only covered about half the stalls,” Beq said. “Give it time.”

Maya grinned at the arcanist’s transparent eagerness to finish examining what the market had to offer. She sipped again and scanned the crowd. Conversation filtered in from neighboring tables, mostly mundane, but a familiar pair of names focused her attention.

“—Yora and Halfmask got raided last night.”

“A hundred Auxies, I heard.”

“But they got away clean!”

“How do you know?”

“Don’t be an idiot. If Rottentooth had caught them, you don’t think he’d have told everyone by now?”

The rebels. Or just bandits, depending on whom you asked. Are they tied to this, or—

“Do you mind if I sit down?”

Maya blinked and looked around. A short, plump woman in a long coat stood by their table, waiting politely in front of an empty chair. Beq peered at her, twisting dials on the spectacles. The lenses clicked and shifted, and the woman leaned closer.

“Ooh, I’ve heard about these, but I’ve never seen one intact!” she said. “Is it true you can see in the dark?”

“A … a little bit,” Beq said, unnerved. “One of the lenses has the same intensifier coating used on the Legionary masks, but it washes out most of the color—”