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"I suspected as ot there," Jax said

Karigan had just enough energy left to rise on her elbow and stick her tongue out at him Then she fell back into her nest, the endless blackness reclaientlemanly attire, rode just ahead of the , Gallant By sheer luck, Luke had been in the city visiting his family when the Inspectors raided the professor’s house The mill fire, with its explosive component and the pandemonium that followed, had drawnthe servants to disperse, including Luke’s loyal stableboys who delivered Raven and Gallant to hi been entrusted with soe of the professor’s secrets After all, it was Luke who drove the professor’s carriage to most of those parties that were actually opportunities for clandestine ard to the empire, the professor would never have kept hi Luke into his plan Cade had intended to play the part of Stanton Mayforte hinizable as the professor’s protégé Besides, Luke had said, he knew so worked at a winery--in the stables of the winery, yes, but, he clai around it

In the good suit, acquired froroup as a tailor, and with hair and sidewhiskers neatly trimmed, Luke was transformed into the business-minded vintner on his way to the Capital in an attempt to win favor with the Adherents in the emperor’s inner circle, and thus elevate his position in the world One would not guess he was, in reality, a stablehand His disguise would be tested very soon as they headed south and out of the city

Cade guided the h the streets, behind him the Old City with Silk’s excavation at its suuess the rebellion he, Jax, and the others were setting in motion The rebellion would succeed or it would not The only affair he had settled prior to his departure was to leave enough of his scanty savings with Widow Hettle to cover the an hatever she needed to do, and rescuing Arhys If anyone figured out who that child was, she’d be slain

• • •

They halted at the south gate of Mill City where Inspectors, with their ever-present o of those entering and leaving the city Many of the travelers drove freight wagons carrying textiles, or bales of cotton and wool There were plenty of other goods as well, brought from various parts of the empire

The Great Harbor, which served the Capital, was the oods could be on Cade had considered using the canal, but then they’d have to interact o through locks, declare cargo, and generally face additional scrutiny It was an unsafe option considering that the false bottoarb

The average citizens of the eed to travel, so there were few non-co at the checkpoint When it was Luke’s turn, he sentlemen," he said with a tip of his hat

"Papers" The Inspector held out his hand without even an attempt at pleasantries

"Of course" Luke produced a leather wallet froed out the papers for Stanton Mayforte, vintner, Harley Dace, servant, and Taazed at the papers, while a second and his Enforcer approached the wagon to give it a close look Cade slouched on the bench, hoping his bruised, unshaven face and work clothes served as a good enough disguise He really hoped that Karigan re and what is your business?" asked the first Inspector

"My business should be quite obvious I a samples to Gossham so I may become fully licensed" Luke lowered his voice confidentially "I a an audience with Webster Silk hiood likeness of the professor’s personal charm? It was almost uncanny

The Inspector, however, appeared unimpressed by Stanton Mayforte’s aspirations Out of the corner of his eye, Cade watched the second Inspector tapping the wine casks, each carefully branded with "Mayforte" The wine had actually come from a tavernkeeper as one of their own, and the casks re-branded The Enforcer rose up, extending on its legs to full height, to scan the casks with its eye

"Where is this other servant of yours?" the first Inspector asked

"You ot into so it off in the back of the wagon"

"I see him," the second Inspector said "He’s back here Dead drunk, I’d say"

"I’ you your business, but he sounds like a poor servant to me," the first Inspector told Luke "I’m surprised you’d take one so ill-disciplined with you on so important a trip"

Luke chuckled "Not to worry I’ll skin his hide when he wakes up, though I expect the after-effects of the wine le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true">