Chun hitched a dilapidated wagon to a brown horse. Spokes were missing from the wheels and the broken back gate was tied to the sides with knotted and frayed ropes.

“If he’s selling the fakes, he certainly isn’t putting his money into transportation,” Kade said. “Then again, what better way to avoid robbers on the roads.”

“Zitora didn’t seem as concerned with the fakes, but we should know who is producing them.”

We watched as Chun spurred the horse and drove through the north gate. Once he was out of sight, we questioned the paddock manager.

“Comes in twice a season,” he said, checking a ledger. “Nice guy. I know he’s a member of the Moon Clan because he told me about the troubles they were having with bandits and how he was unhappy with their Councillor.”

“Do you know why he comes?” I asked.

“Deliveries, I think.” The man shrugged. “Must be small because the wagon’s always empty. He pays his bill on time and never leaves anything behind. Wish I could say the same for everyone.”

I thanked him and we left his office.

“I bet he’s supplying the black market with the fake diamonds,” I said. “I wish I could follow the wagon.”

“I can,” Kade said.

“What about Varun?”

“There are sand suppliers in Moon lands.”

“And the lava flakes are shipped down from the Emerald Mountains.”

“Then I can interview the suppliers for clues to Sir’s whereabouts and follow Chun.”

A moment of regret consumed me. I had hoped he would stay a few more days, but it made sense for him to go. “What about your pack?” I asked.

“Keep it for me. I only have a change of clothes and my orb. I can buy what I need on the road.”

Kade rented a horse from the paddock manager. I wrote him a list of sand suppliers in Moon and Cloud Mist lands. To avoid traveling in the Avibian Plains, he would have to come back this way to reach the rest of the clans.

“I should be able to follow Chun. I’ll send word if I learn anything,” Kade said.

“Use the glass messengers. Every large town has a magician with one of them. Just tell him you have an important message for Master Cowan and he should deliver the information right away.”

“I could always threaten him with a hailstorm.” Eagerness laced his tone.

“That could land you in jail.”

“Not for long.”

I laughed at his boast. “Can wind unlock iron bars?”

“No, but metal gets very brittle when it’s cold.”

“And you know this from experience?”

“Let’s just say I have a stormy past.”

I groaned at the pun as he swung up on the horse.

Kade paused before leaving. His playfulness gone. “Be careful.”

“You, too.”

Back at the Keep, I wrapped Kade’s orb in a blanket and stored it under my bed. Over the course of the next few days, I would be overcome with the need to unwrap the orb and sit with it in my lap. The magic trapped within the glass sphere pulsed through my body as I listened to its song and watched the swirls of color inside. At night, even through the thick covering, I heard the orb calling Kaya’s name.

I missed Kade, yet I was enjoying Ulrick’s company. My dual emotions unsettled me until I realized those mixed feelings occurred all the time. I longed for my family, but was glad for Mara’s presence. I even wished for Aydan’s company, missing his gruff commands and kind gestures. My missing Kade was all part of being his friend. Nothing wrong with it. No hidden meanings in it at all.

Equipment for our glass shop arrived. Ulrick, Mara and I assembled and installed the various pieces. My excitement grew as we planned the first set of experiments and recruited helpers from the Keep’s students.

“Just need the kiln and we’ll be good to go,” Ulrick said.

We snuggled on the couch in my quarters. A fire roared in the hearth. The white coals from Gid had been delivered, and I was testing how long the coals would burn so I could determine how often the kilns would need to be fed. Once the kiln reached the correct temperature to melt the sand, the best course of action was to always keep it hot.

“I’ve managed to convince Seften to help us next week,” I said. “His magical illusions are very good.”

“You’re hoping to duplicate what you did with the spiders?”

“Yes.”

“What is he going to send after you? Snow cats would be useful or necklace snakes. No one would bother you if you had a snow cat following you.”

I laughed. “I think we’ll start with something a little smaller.”

The day of meeting with the jeweler arrived. I joined Pazia in Zitora’s office.

“We’ve been watching the store, and have followed a few people,” Zitora said. “We think we know who Elita’s main supplier is, but we’ll know for sure today. I want you to arrange to buy all his diamonds over ten carats.”

“All?” I swallowed. The cost would be unbelievable. Even Pazia paled.

“Yes. All.”

“Why?” I asked.

“So he knows you’re serious buyers. And when you ask him for more, he won’t hesitate to go straight to his source.”

“Why don’t you just arrest him and extract the information from his mind?” I knew there were a few powerful mind-reading magicians at the Keep.