“If we could only get inside the palace, I could free them from the prison hold,” Eti lamented for the hundredth time. Based on the information they’d overheard in the streets, the royal guard had doubled down on their patrols after the riots. They intended to hold the palace at all costs, as if it were a prized fortress.

“The Kulaws got into the palace somehow. They took advantage of the feast that night. Now, with violence spreading across the city, their defenses are weakening. If we bide our time, they’ll give us an opening⁠—a distraction,” Ariel said, his spectacles sliding down his nose. He wore them only in private these days. With their western design, they were too distinguishable.

Eti pulled her legs up to her chest. She rested her chin between her knees as she pondered a reply. Ariel traced the patterns on the warped floorboards between them, humming to himself as he thought. They had just fallen into a comfortable silence when three sharp raps at their door jolted them alert. Ariel jumped up to open it, tearing off his spectacles. The boardinghouse keeper was standing on the threshold, a basket in her arms piled high with mangoes and leafy vegetables from her trip to the market canal. Her eyes were wide and fearful as she stepped into their room without invitation. Swiftly, she shut the door behind her.

“You both need to leave,” she said in an urgent whisper. “Now.”

Ariel tried to feign confusion. “I don’t understand. Is there an issue with our rent?”

The old woman shook her head curtly. Wisps of gray hair tumbled over her face. “I passed guardsmen, dozens of them, on my way back. They’re coming down the main street, combing through every building. They were looking for a man⁠—an alchemist, they said, or some kind of foreigner. And a young girl⁠—small with long, black hair⁠—just like you, my dear.”

A chill ran down Eti’s spine. The boardinghouse keeper’s warning spurred her to action. “We need to go,” she agreed, meeting Ariel’s gaze. He gave her a terse nod, and they rushed to pack their things.

The boardinghouse keeper didn’t say a word as Ariel lifted the floorboards next to his bed. He scooped out the precioso and what remained of Eti’s jewelry. A shadow of recognition flickered in the woman’s expression. Her eyes shifted back to Eti as if she were seeing her in a new light. Once Ariel had gathered the few precious belongings they had in a small sack, he slung it over his shoulder. No time to waste⁠—they piled out into the hall.