So Nomi nodded meekly, playing her part, and remained on the walkway as he entered the garrison.

She studied the large, thick-trunked trees across the street, noticing the boy standing on the corner, his ball forgotten as he stared unabashedly at her. She gave him a tentative smile, which he didn’t return.

Malachi was back much more quickly than she expected, no Dante in tow.

“What happened?” she asked.

“No one is there,” he replied, confusion tightening his mouth. “No one in the whole building. They’re gone.”

A shiver slithered down Nomi’s spine. “Gone? But how is that possible?”

Malachi shook his head. “I don’t know. There’s no reason for them to leave, nowhere they would go. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Nomi asked. Suddenly, the quiet and birdsong didn’t seem peaceful so much as ominous.

Malachi looked around as if he might find the soldiers hiding in the shadows. His gaze stopped on the little boy pretending to play with his ball. “Unless Asa is amassing troops somewhere, for some purpose.”

Nomi hugged herself, her stomach churning. Why would Asa need to amass troops?

“Wait here for another moment.” Malachi jogged back to the corner and crouched before the boy. Nomi couldn’t hear what he said.

The boy shrugged. Shook his head. Scuffed his toe against the cobbles.

Malachi returned, passing Nomi and disappearing into the garrison. When he emerged, he was carrying a small, folded piece of paper. She stood silently, hands clasped demurely, as he handed the paper to the boy and ruffled his hair.

The boy grabbed his ball and took off, disappearing down the street.

“What was that?” Nomi asked when Malachi rejoined her.

He shrugged. “The child said he didn’t know where the soldiers went, but I think he was lying. I gave him a message for Dante, just in case.”

Nomi couldn’t ward off the crush of disappointment. “What do we do now? Wait in case they come back? Or will you go to Bellaqua and fight Asa alone?”

What would she do? Perhaps try to look for Renzo?

Their plan had hinged on Dante; without him, they had nothing.

Malachi glanced around the empty street, as if he might find the answer there. When he refocused his attention on her, his look was piercing.

“Lanos is not so far. We should visit your parents. Maybe Renzo has sent them a message revealing his whereabouts.”

“But—” Her brain stuttered to a halt. “But what about Asa?”

“I would like to wait a day or two for Dante, in case the boy delivers my message.” His voice softened. “And you’ve come so far. If your brother is nearby or your family is in danger, we should try to help them.”