A single lamp hung from a bracket set high on the wall. Its glow illuminated the courtyard and the storehouse gates to either side, but the far walls of the courtyard with their set-back doors into other storerooms and sleeping cells remained hidden in darkness. He wedged himself into the opening, one foot in and one foot out. The trumpets, the shouting, and the clash of weapons swelled in the distance, well away from the restricted market district where foreign merchants were required to reside and carry out all their trade. A whiff of burning stung his nose, and a light wavered into life behind him.

“Heya!” he whispered, shutting his eyes at once. “Pinch that out, you fool! We don’t want anyone to know we’re awake.”

With a hiss, the light vanished. Eliar bumbled up against him and, with a stifled oath, took a step back so they weren’t touching.

“Sheh!” Kesh opened his eyes. Nothing stirred in the courtyard. If anyone had seen that flare of light within the room, they weren’t acting on it. “The whole point is to stay hidden, so no one knows we’re awake. That’s the best way to protect ourselves. So we can get back to the Hundred alive.”

“And fulfill our mission!”

“Say it a bit louder, perhaps. That will help us, neh? If everyone figures out we’re spies?”

He stuck his head out a bit farther. A pair of figures slipped through the shadows, moving toward the gate. He ducked back inside.

“Listen, Eliar, you stay here with your cursed sword or whatever it is you think you can fight with, and make sure no one gets into the back room and goes after our trade goods. I’m going to the gate to see if there’s any news from the guards.”

“Why can’t I go?”

“You, who lit a lamp in such circumstances?”

“No need to constantly criticize me—”

Keshad bit at his own lip to keep his mouth shut on another carping comment. Aui! No matter how much he disliked Eliar, he had to make this expedition work or he’d never get what he wanted. And to get what he wanted, he had to stay on Eliar’s good side.

“No, you’re right. I beg your pardon. It’s hateful to be stuck in this cursed compound day and night.”

Eliar grunted in acknowledgment of an apology Kesh knew was gracelessly delivered. “The guards won’t tell us anything anyway. They never tell us a cursed thing.”

“They may talk to me because I worship at the Beltak temple.”

Thankfully, that shut Eliar up.