After a few blissful moments, they parted. Kendan breathed in the scent of her hair and murmured, "Be careful."

Adesina wasn't sure what she said in return, her thoughts were so muddled. She turned and crawled out of the cave, stumbling more than once as she got to her feet. Unable to express her happiness with a shout, she settled for running through the trees.

She could see nothing but Kendan's face before her, and could not force herself to think of anything else. She ran in circles for a while, reveling in the giddiness she felt. Unfortunately, such self-absorbed elation could not last in her Shimat-trained mind. She turned in the direction of the High City and began running, this time to make up for the time she had wasted earlier.

The cool air helped in settling her thoughts back to the task at hand. Dreams of Kendan would have to wait for after her a.s.signment.

This was a mission that would require particular care. Not just because her target was so dangerous, but also because Adesina had to find a way to capture this man without being seen by the people who were supposed to be serving as her alibi.

She slipped through the grate and rushed to the school, arriving just in time for the lunch break. Her friends waved at her with expressions of relief on their faces.

"Where have you been?" demanded Gainor.

"We were deciding whether or not to come after you," said Deasa.

"We were so worried!" added Rina.

Adesina gave a careless laugh. "Why were you worried? It is not as if anything could happen to me while in the High City."

The girls exchanged glances. "Well," muttered Rina, "it is the spring."

Adesina frowned. "What do you mean?"

Gainor got the look in her eye that said she was about to share a juicy piece of information. "Spring is when the traders come to the High City."

"Traders?"

Gainor nodded. "Yes! Outsiders that come into the High City to trade!"

Adesina had noticed that, in spite of the High City's aversion to Outsiders, they did a lot of trading. In fact, they relied so heavily on outside resources that they probably could not survive at all if that trading ceased.

The young Shimat had a sudden realization. She had wondered about the description of the man she was to kidnap, but now it made sense. Her target was an Outsider.

Rina misinterpreted the expression on Adesina's face and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "You do not need to be afraid, though. They are not allowed beyond the Square, and they are watched very closely."

She was spared the need to answer by the approach of Aleron.

"Adrie! Are you going to the shop today?"

Adesina nodded absently. "Yes, of course."

His face lit up with his sunny smile. "Great! I will meet you by the gate after school."

She tried to ignore the significant glances pa.s.sing between her friends as Aleron walked away. Apparently it was impossible for them to imagine a normal friendship between a boy and a girl.

The bell rang for them to return to cla.s.s. Adesina sat at her desk for the remainder of the school day with her mind far away. She went over all of the information given to her and coupled it with what she knew of the High City. A number of plans began forming in her head, each with back-ups and variations. Some she had to dismiss due to a lack of time and materials, others proved too complicated. She was still filtering through them when cla.s.s ended.

Adesina met Aleron by the gate, and they began walking towards the Square. He chatted as they walked, but Adesina had a hard time paying attention.

"Adrie, did you hear what I said?"

"What?"

Aleron laughed. "I thought not."

She forced a brief smile. "I am sorry, Aleron. I am a bit preoccupied today."

He grinned. "Yes, I noticed. I could have blurted out my deepest, darkest secret, and you would not have even reacted."

The Shimat rolled her eyes. "Even on a normal day, I doubt you would have any secrets that merit a reaction."

Aleron looked skeptical. "I am sure I could think of something to shock you."

Now Adesina's smile was unfeigned. "You really think so?"

He appraised her with a glance. "I can see that you do not."

She shrugged. "You have lived in the High City your entire life, Aleron. Your life experience is limited. What could you possibly know about deep, dark secrets?"

His earnest brown eyes searched her face. "Do you?"

Adesina immediately became wary, but she kept her voice light. "Do I what?"

"Know about life's deep, dark secrets?"

She gave a careless laugh. "Well, I definitely know more than you."

Aleron looked as if he were about to pursue the topic, but changed his mind. "What a surprise," he said jokingly. "You always know more than me. No matter what we are talking about!"

Adesina shrugged again. "I cannot help that I am smarter than you."

They both laughed, and the subject was dropped.

"How is your mother?"

Aleron looked surprised at the new direction their conversation was taking. "Fine," he replied automatically. After another moment he added, "As always."

She gave him a questioning glance. "You say that as if it were a bad thing."

He quickly shook his head. "No, of course not. It is justa"

"What?" she urged.

He sighed heavily. "I feel so restless here. Day after day, month after month, year after year, everything is the same. I suppose it is not so difficult for someone who has grown up here, but you have seen all that the world has to offer. Do you not get tired of the monotony?"

Adesina's cover story automatically formed into a response. "Yes, I have seen what the world has to offer: murder, slavery, hatred, corruptiona"

Aleron looked troubled by her reply. "It cannot be all bad," he reasoned. "Surely there are things that you miss."

She found herself thinking of all the things she had left behind at the Shimat fortress. It was true that there were things she missed, especially when confronted with the everyday drudgery of the High City.

He studied her face with his unnervingly perceptive gaze. Adesina often had the uncomfortable feeling that Aleron knew more than what he let on. Sometimes she was certain that he saw right through her disguise. This feeling had become more and more frequent of late. His gaze was always open and frank, but surprisingly difficult for Adesina to read, which disturbed her. She was wondering whether or not to mention him to Kendan. If her cover was blown, her Shimat contact needed to know about it.

"I suppose there are some things that I miss," she said hurriedly to hide her discomfort, "but I do not regret my decision to come to the High City."

Aleron shrugged, trying to appear casual. "I just feel that you and I are meant for something greater."

She couldn't bring herself to argue with him when deep down she felt exactly the same way. She thought about her response carefully before putting it into words. "I am here because I need to be here. There are certain times in life where we are required to give up what we want for what needs to be done."

He nodded thoughtfully but didn't say anything. By this time they had arrived at the Square. They parted and each went to their separate shops.

Ha.s.s was nowhere to be seen, but he had left a list of things that he wanted Adrie to finish by the end of the day. Adesina looked around the empty room. It seemed larger than usual, and unnaturally silent. She looked over her shoulder, half expecting to see Ravi appear in the doorway, but no one was there. She chided herself for being so foolish and went to work.

Chapter Fourteen: The Mission.

Adesina hadn't been working very long in Ha.s.s's shop before she heard Aleron singing from next door. The sound was a welcome one, dispelling the gloom. Adesina recognized it as an old folk song that was one of his favorites.

In a golden land, over sapphire seas, Lived a lily maid who once loved me.

Three times a day her soft sighs fell, Three times a day she wished me well.

For o'er those seas, with danger fraught, I sailed away. To where, I knew not.

Three times a day I longed for her.

Three times a day my heartache did stir.

And yet, for all the pain we bore, The tears we cried, the vows we swore, My love and I were still apart.

Distant memories in each other's heart.

Adesina found herself humming softly along as he launched into the second verse. Her hands smoothed the board in front of her in a rhythm that went along with the song. She found her thoughts occasionally straying to Kendan, but forced herself to focus. Her mind relaxed and she was able to go over her plans for her mission in a more orderly fashion. Ideas flowed with a clarity that had been missing since Ravi's absence.

In that golden land, over sapphire seas, My lily maid, she waited for me.

Three times a day suitors did call.

Three times a day she denied them all.

And I, in turn, was ever true.

I, in turn, from temptation flew.

Three times a day I saw a fair face.

Three times a day I regarded it base.

And yet, for all the pain we bore, The tears we cried, the vows we swore, My love and I were still apart.

Distant memories in each other's heart.

The soft sound of someone approaching jerked Adesina out of her reverie. Keeping her eyes on her work, she waited for the knock on the door to look up. Standing before her was the gangly figure of the blacksmith's apprentice, Horas.

He occasionally made appearances in Ha.s.s's shop with small gifts and stumbling compliments for Adesina. Aleron teased her about her young "suitor," but Adesina couldn't believe that a boy Horas's age honestly considered her as a candidate for some sort of romantic relationship.

"h.e.l.lo, Horas."

"h.e.l.lo, Adrie. How are you today?"

"I am well." Adesina set aside her tools and looked at Horas expectantly.

He dropped the small package he was holding in his hand and hurried to pick it up again, b.u.mping into the doorframe as he did so. "You look very nice today, Adrie."

She looked the same as she did every day. Adesina suppressed an impatient sigh. "What do you need, Horas?"

His hand shot out, almost dropping the small package again. "I made some nails. I thought you could use them."

Adesina raised an eyebrow. "I do not think Master Quinlan would approve of you giving so many gifts."

Horas puffed out his chest, trying to show some bravado. "I do not tell him. There are many things that happen in his shop that he does not know about."

Adesina was skeptical. "Really?"

Horas nodded, eager to prove himself. "There are many excess materials that I can use without him noticing." He lowered his voice. "I am not like the other citizens of this city. I follow my own set of rules. Once I made a dagger for an Outsider!"

Adesina studied the boy intently, focusing on his eyes. It only took a glance to show her that he was lying. She smiled briefly and picked up her tools again. "Thank you for the nails, Horas. I will let you know if I am ever in need a renegade blacksmith."

"Do you not believe me?" disappointment was written in his voice.

She looked at him earnestly. "I do not believe that your training has yet made you skilled enough to make weapons."

Horas was caught, uncertain how to react. "Whatawhat ifawhat if I prove it to you?"

Adesina shrugged and went back to work. "If it was proven, then I would be wrong."

She heard him hover in the doorway for a few moments more before shuffling away. Adesina shook her head ruefully, glad to be alone again.

Her mind was now able to continue with the planning of her upcoming mission. No one else disturbed Adesina for the remainder of the work day. Aleron could be heard singing next door, Ha.s.s was in and out of the shop doing business, but Adesina could have been invisible to the rest of the world; as the world was invisible to her.

When it was time to go home for the evening, Adesina had decided on a course of action for the following day. It was to be a simple plan, and hopefully one without complications.