“Money,” she clarified and leaned in to stuff the duvvies back into Yenni’s satchel. She paid for both of them with a note of her own. “I don’t know how you all do on the Moonrise Isles, but is not smart to be traipsin’ around the city with all that. Suppose someone decides to help themselves to what you have?”

“Oh!” That had not even occurred to Yenni. Back home she didn’t have much use for money. If she needed something she asked her mother for it, and more often than not things were gifted to her. Yenni shook her head and focused on her tray. The beef and potato pie looked delicious, the top crispy and brown. Beside that was a small, bowl-shaped crust with a red and sticky filling. Yenni took the smallest of bites. It was very sweet, but a bit sour, too, and salty besides. Altogether she found it pleasing. In a heavy metal cup with a handle was something foamy and white. She took a sip and made a face—some kind of Creshen beer. She’d never been a fan of beer, but it would have to do. She took up her Creshen fork and took a bite of the beef and potato pie. Maybe it was hunger, but it was far better than the pie at the academy. Despite the ravenous hunger in her belly she ate slowly, the result of years of ingrained etiquette lessons from her mother and stewards.

Even so, by the time she’d finished everything, even the bitter beer, there was still no sign of Captain Augustin, and no matter what Diedre said, the panicky flutter in Yenni’s chest continued to grow, until at last she jumped up.

“Let’s go.”

Diedre stood slowly after her. “Listen, mams. I know you need to find Augustin, but do you really feel is wise to be prancin’ around with a small fortune on you? Maybe we should go back—”

“There is no time,” said Yenni, shaking her head. She’d already lost so much, and she might well miss Augustin completely if she left the city. She had no idea if he could even do anything to help her, but right now the friendly captain was her only lead. “That’s all right, Diedre. I would not want you to be uncomfortable. I can continue on my own.”

“Absolutely not!” cried Diedre. She threw up her hands. “Fine, let the hunt begin.”

Stepping outside, Yenni saw the sky had gone dark, and the tall metal pole lanterns lining the streets glowed bright and blue-white. The city was transformed by sundown. The windows of the buildings glowed from within, and way up above, the tallest buildings were surrounded by rings of colored light. She craned her neck upward, her mouth open slightly as she regarded the twinkling illumination of the city. A tram rumbled past, bringing her back to reality. She had work to do.