Satisfied Onyx would be taken care of, Valek allowed the garrison’s commander, a Colonel Ransley, to escort him to his private dining room for supper. Four older officers and two younger lieutenants joined them for the meal. Most of the King’s soldiers had switched their loyalties to the Commander during the takeover. It hadn’t been hard to convince them once they learned they’d earn higher wages and receive better benefits and respect, as long as they followed the Commander’s Code of Behavior.

From the occasional scowl directed his way, Valek figured a few of the older men had been stationed here when Valek had caused such panic over the mysterious deaths.

Once they were seated around an oval-shaped table, servers poured them glasses of wine and placed plates filled with steamed cod and salted seaweed. Colonel Ransley swallowed a large mouthful of wine before asking, “What brings you to this remote corner of Ixia, Adviser Valek?”

Conversation ceased as the others waited for Valek’s answer.

“I’ve been getting reports about a gang of thieves that strike when it storms,” he said.

Ransley scoffed, “It’s just a bunch of kids, stealing for kicks.”

“Yet you haven’t stopped them.” Valek studied their expressions.

“The local security forces can handle it,” an older major said. “Besides, they’ve only stolen petty stuff. When the fleet goes out, the incidents will stop.”

“Petty?” Valek asked. “I don’t think the weapons taken from the security office in Gandrel are insignificant.”

The major glanced at Ransley, who covered his surprise. Ransley cleared his throat. “Are you sure this information is accurate?”

Valek’s tone turned icy. “Do you think I’d journey all this way for a mere rumor?”

“No, sir,” Ransley was quick to reply. “It’s just we hadn’t heard about the hit on Gandrel.”

“The thieves might be intercepting messages to the garrison,” Valek said.

“Wouldn’t they block information traveling to you, as well?” the old major asked.

Turning to the idiot, Valek bit down on his temper. “My corps are well trained, Major. They wouldn’t make the rookie mistake of trusting the wrong messenger.”

“But they couldn’t find the Storm Thieves, either,” one of the young lieutenants piped up.

The others froze in horror, but Valek pointed his fork at him. “You’re right, Lieutenant. My corps couldn’t catch them. Every time they set a trap, the thieves avoided it.” His gaze met each man at the table. “Someone is providing them with insider information. It could be one of my agents, or one of the local guards. There is also the possibility that the thieves have discovered a way to spy on the authorities. Since my men were unable to determine the source of this leak, I decided to aid their efforts.” Valek resumed eating.

“Why do you believe you will have more success?” the major asked, his tone skeptical.

Valek stared at the man with what Yelena called his killer look.

The major dabbed at his mouth with his napkin in an attempt to hide the red splotches spreading on his face. “Er...yes...no doubt you will... My apologies, sir.”

Ransley changed the subject. “We have a promising young man that you might wish to recruit into your corps, Adviser Valek. He’s a skilled swordsman and smart, too.”

Letting the major off the hook for now, Valek made the appropriate inquiries about the swordsman. He wondered if any women had been promoted in this garrison and decided to check into that, as well. The King had frowned on female soldiers, claiming they were too weak to fight. The Commander held the opposite opinion and recruited many loyal and fierce women into his army when he took control of Ixia.

After supper, Ransley escorted Valek to the guest quarters. The two-room suite contained a bedroom and a living room. The lanterns had been lit and a fire danced in the small fireplace. Comfortable and clean. Valek approved.

“Colonel, while I’m investigating I’ll leave my horse here, and I’ll also need to borrow a couple uniforms.” His black-and-red adviser’s uniform would stand out among the black-and-white colors of MD-1. Each Military District had its own color combined with black.

“Of course. I’ll be happy to provide anything you need.”

Valek thanked Ransley as he ushered the man out the door. Changing into his sneak suit, Valek slipped from the guest quarters and ghosted through the garrison’s buildings. He found a comfortable and hidden location to watch the back gate. He’d divulged his mission to his fellow dinner guests for a reason. And, after a few hours, the reason approached the gate and talked to the guards, who laughed and waved him through.

Too easy. Valek slid from his hiding spot and followed the man, certain he’d lead him right to the Storm Thieves.

A half-moon peeked from behind a layer of thin clouds, casting enough light to navigate the narrow road. Aside from the occasional glance over his shoulder or the infrequent times he stopped to listen to the night’s sounds, the man didn’t appear concerned about the possibility of being tracked as he headed straight to the coast.

The familiar cool scent of salt air reached Valek before the distant crash of waves. The expected turn to the southern towns didn’t happen. Interested, Valek closed the distance between them so he wouldn’t lose his quarry. After a few more hours, Valek guessed the man’s destination. Clever. Very clever.