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them.”
    The words echoed around the room and when they settled Tammy felt a surge of fear but also excitement.
    â€œI’m asking you because I think you have the best chance of surviving.” The Khevassar wasn’t holding anything back, and from his pained expression it wasn’t something he did very often.
    â€œWhat about the magic?”
    The Old Man waved it away as if unimportant. “It was presumptuous of me to think Fray could handle it. The Red Tower is sending someone more qualified. They’ll be on hand to offer you magic support, if it’s needed. You would run the investigation and they’ll help. That’s the deal.”
    â€œDo I have to decide now?”
    â€œNo, but I’ll expect your answer in the morning.”
    Tammy left without another word, barely seeing the cowering novices or the uniform corridors of Unity Hall. She only came back to the present when she found herself down at the docks. She had the rest of the day to make up her mind, but in truth the decision had already been made.
    The endless sounds of the sea called to her. A rhythm as familiar as the beating of her own heart. Most of the time she didn’t realise the waves were even there, lurking in the background. Shael would seem very quiet by comparison.

C HAPTER 4
    N o one paid much attention to the bearded man sat outside the Hog’s Head tavern, eating his lunch on the street. It was a popular place in the heart of Perizzi, which meant they were used to dealing with people from all over the world.
    From a distance the man looked fairly nondescript. Middle aged with grey in his beard and a close - shaven head. His height and build spoke of a Seve heritage, but Eloise thought that, unlike his countrymen, there was an unusual stillness to him.
    His clothes weren’t expensive and she guessed they were chosen for comfort rather than style. He wore no jewellery and there were no other signs of wealth. The vicious axe on his belt looked as if it had seen a lot of use and he sat with an air of confidence. Unusually he wore a sword on his back as well. Weapons weren’t uncommon, but two seemed a little excessive. Perhaps he’d just come from a war zone or was on his way to another. The sword seemed familiar, but Eloise couldn’t think why.
    A few others were eating nearby and a low murmur of conversation hung over the tables. All talk ceased when she walked up to the bearded man and sat down opposite. It was then that Eloise noticed the scar, a faded but thick white line running vertically down his right cheek, disappearing under his jaw. A second and faint third line ran in parallel. Old claw marks from something big and dangerous. She noticed other changes about him too. An unusual and intricate black tattoo around his left wrist. There was also new pain showing behind his eyes. The lines between his eyebrows were deeper than she remembered, from worry and time spent frowning.
    He continued eating as if he were still alone, slowly chewing his food, but his dark eyes studied her. She knew what he was seeing. The hood, the dark bulky robe and the gold mask. When nothing unusual happened the other people went back to their food and conversation, but Eloise knew they were listening. They feigned disinterest but she could feel their eyes resting on her from time to time, a small but persistent pressure.
    Finally he finished eating his food and sat back. “I’d heard stories that someone had taken up residence in the Red Tower. And I’m glad to see that Seekers are abroad again, but why the masks?”
    â€œTo protect us from violence. The war made people even more afraid of magic. They’re scared of what they don’t understand.”
    â€œDespite all of the sacrifices made by the Battlemages?” he said, frowning at the street as if the people walking by were to blame. “How quickly they forget.”
    Eloise shrugged. “It’s safer. This way they