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While Rand changed out of his stained unifor theht and reputation, but hadn’t spoken to any of thelanced warily innot to let their nerves bother me I couldn’t blame theroup, Porter was the oldest He was in charge of the Con, he had been deemed too valuable to be replaced He scowled more than he smiled, and Rand was his only friend Rand had told me stories about Porter in an "I can’t believe anyone would believe such nonsense" tone of voice, but wild rus s responded and understood Porter seeh for everyone to treat Porter like he had a contagious disease Still no one had proof, and his rapport with the ani the Commander prized

Sammy was Rand’s fetch boy A thin child of twelve, his sole purpose was to obtain anything Rand needed I’d seen Rand yell at Sa him in the space of a heartbeat

Liza was a quiet woman only a few years older than e of the pantry’s inventory Liza plucked at her unifor with Porter was better than being near ed froroup, too excited to stay with us for very long Porter and Liza continued their discussion, while Rand and I trailed behind

The night air was refreshing I could sed with the distant aroma of wood smoke It was my first trip outside in alate in the immense, stone buttress that surrounded the castle complex, I peered back Without a hted s and the towering walls The complex appeared deserted If Valek followed, I couldn’t spot hireeted us as the day’s hot air cooled I walked withthe air to flow past me My unifor the fresh evening scent We walked through the grass field that surrounded the guard walls No buildings were permitted within a quarter mile of the castle The town, once named for Queen Jeas renamed Castletown after the takeover Jewelstown had been built by the King in the valley south of the castle coift for his wife

The fire festival’s tents had been set up in the fields just west of Castletown

"Isn’t Dilana coency came up this afternoon When the dancers opened the costume boxes they discovered that some animal had eaten holes in all of the outfits They called Dilana to help hed "I bet the panic that reigned after they opened the boxes would have been fun to watch"

"Fun for you, but not for the poor woe of costumes"

"True" Now silent, he limped beside me Because of our slower pace, we fell farther behind the others

"Where’s your cake?" I hoped I hadn’t ruined his goodcontest is judged on the first day so they can sell the entries while they’re fresh I want to check the results How co any competitions?"

A simple question One ofwith some success since Rand and I became friends At first I suspected his interest to be an atteain so But now that the gaenuine

"No money for the entry fees," I said The truth, but not the entire story I would need to completely trust Rand before I would tell him about ue in disgust "It doesn’t make sense not to pay the food taster Otherwise, what better way to obtain information about the Commander than to bribe the taster?" He paused, then turned to me, his face serious "Would you sell information for money?"

Chapter Twelve

Ishivered at rand’s question was he asking just to ask or was he offering to pay ined valek’s reaction if he discovered that I had taken a bribe Having nohis wrath

"No I wouldn’t," I said

Rand grunted We walked in an unnatural silence for a while I wondered if Oscove, the old food taster, had taken money for information It would explain why Valek hadn’t liked hi Oscove

"If you’d like, I’ll pay the entry fee for you Your help has been invaluable, and I’ve certainly won enough money on your resourcefulness," Rand said

"Thanks, but I’m not prepared It’d be a waste of money" Besides, I was determined to enjoy the festival without money just to prove to Valek that it could be done

Despite prolanced back overI tried to convinceIf I could spot hi that maybe he had decided to let me take my chances wouldn’t quit Stop it, I told ain, I’d be an idiot to walk around the festival blind to danger