“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Fisk said.

He had grown since I last saw him. An inch taller than me, his lean frame was all arms and legs. But intelligence and confidence radiated from his movements. Only fourteen years old, Fisk was the founder and leader of the Helper’s Guild.

“Thanks for coming,” I said. “I need your expertise.”

“One condition,” he said with a smile.

“Besides your payment?”

“Of course. That goes without saying.”

“What’s your condition?”

“That you deliver a message to Yelena for me.”

It seemed a simple request. One he could do on his own. “She’s on a mission.” I hedged.

“I know. But my message is too important to wait until she comes back from Moon lands. And you have the needed connections to get the information sent via those wonderful glass messengers of yours.”

Understanding dawned. “You know about them?”

“Of course.” He winked.

“I’ll try to send her a message.” Another thought occurred. “How did you know Yelena was going to the Moon Clan?”

A mischievous grin spread. “To quote my mother, ‘I see all, hear all and know all.’”

Ulrick huffed in disbelief. He crossed his arms, attempting to intimidate the youth. But Fisk had grown up on the streets. His neat appearance and fine quality tunic and pants gave him the look of a pampered teen, but the cold calculation in his eyes as he studied Ulrick revealed his hard childhood.

“Obviously, you’re new to the Keep,” Fisk said. He turned to me. “A glassmaker from Booruby. Can he make magic glass?”

“That’s none of your business,” Ulrick said.

“We don’t know yet,” I said.

Ulrick shot me a betrayed look.

“Then there’s hope he may be of use.” Fisk gestured to the young girl. She had stood beside him without uttering a word. “Jayella, help my client this afternoon. Madam Uriy wants to buy a pearl necklace for her granddaughter. Do not spend more than two golds. Anything above that price is robbery. Try to get one gold and ten silvers. That’s a fair price.”

She nodded and disappeared into the crowded market with a lithe grace.

“My best apprentice,” Fisk said. “She uses her sincerity and innocence to get her way when haggling for prices. In another five years, she’ll have merchants tripping over themselves to make her happy.” He seemed to relish the prospect.

“It’s deceitful,” Ulrick said. “Using a young girl to coerce the merchants. She should be in school.”

“She should,” Fisk agreed. “Of course, if she was in school, she would starve to death. Her parents abandoned her when she was four. No money for food or school clothes, survival was her only choice. And it isn’t deceitful. Greedy merchants prey on the unwary. We make sure they charge an honest profit.”

“For a price.” Ulrick’s posture was tight with tension.

“Exactly! Our clients are well aware of the cost of our services up front. And no one is forcing them to hire us.” Fisk smiled as if he and Ulrick had come to an agreement. “Now, Lovely Opal, what can I do for you today?”

I showed him my list of supplies. He wrinkled his forehead in concentration for a moment.

“I know a woodworker from Owl’s Hill. He’s new, but does fine work and the best part is he’s still hungry for clients. His prices are reasonable. And he’s fast. Come on.”

Fisk led us through the market. His popularity evident by the number of people who called his name and waved. Various members of the guild would appear by his side for advice before scampering off on unknown missions. He guided us to the woodworker, and then to a blacksmith. In one afternoon, we had commissioned several pieces of equipment. More progress than even I expected.

Ulrick stayed sullen. Pouting or annoyed or suspicious, I couldn’t tell. I paid Fisk for his time, arranging to meet the following afternoon.

“We’ll finish your list tomorrow,” Fisk said. He slipped a folded paper into my hand.

I placed the note into my cloak’s pocket, remembering my promise to send a message to Yelena for Fisk. If Ulrick saw the motion, he didn’t mention it.

On our way back to the Keep, I said, “Once we order all the items, we can leave for Booruby. Did you bring a horse with you?”

“No.”

“The Stable Master probably has a few extra horses. Do you know how to ride?”

“Yes. But it doesn’t matter,” he said in a rush. “I’m not going to Booruby with you.”

“Why not?”

“You don’t need me.” He increased his pace.

I hurried after him. “Look, if this is about Fisk—”

“It’s not. You were right about him. It’s just…” He stopped in midstride. “I told my family I was never coming back to Booruby again.”

“Why would you say that?”

Ulrick raked a hand through his short hair. “I was angry. My mother insisted I was on a fool’s errand. She predicted the Masters would send me home soon after I arrived. She griped about having to find a temporary worker. I lost my temper. Told her to hire a permanent employee because no matter what the Masters said, I wasn’t coming back.”

I tried to put myself in his place. My family had always supported me. They had made a fuss over my glass animals even though they couldn’t see the glow. No doubt my life would have gone in a different direction if they hadn’t encouraged me.