Egen moved briskly along the market road, his eyes scanning for the right moment. As soon as the carts had passed and no one seemed to be watching, he slipped into the thickets at the roadside and began sprinting north.
Zera had gone south.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, and the trail was familiar to Egen. After nearly twenty minutes, the trees parted and he caught sight of the water bridge, the narrow link between his hometown, Laoni, and the edge of Mulasti.
He slowed his pace, straightened his clothes, and brushed off leaves and flecks of mud that had cleaved on to him. From his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his face, and dabbed it lightly on his arms and hair adding a little oil scent to his body, giving himself the look of someone who'd simply been walking.
Then he stepped out onto the main road.
Crossing the bridge, he passed through security checks with practiced ease and flagged down a horse cart. "Saints of Mulasti School," he said, keeping his tone even. It was just a short ride about 200 meters.
As the cart moved forward, the aroma of burning incense from roadside kiosks drifted in, familiar from his childhood. Egen closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. Scenes from childhood came rushing back of Lelvin taking them from church to church during festivals, always smiling, always steady.
"We've arrived, sir," the cart driver said, gently breaking Egen's trance.
He stepped out, handed over 10 shillings, and walked toward the school gate. After clearing the security check, he requested to see Zayun.
A few minutes passed.
Then Zayun emerged.
He was taller figure maybe 6'2" than egen. He was dressed in his school uniform, a light blue tunic layered over his black and white inner clothing. His hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and his thick eyebrows gave his face a thoughtful intensity.
"You look tense," Zayun said, flashing a quick smile as their eyes met.
Egen stood, hugged him tightly, and they sat.
"You might be the reason," Egen replied, raising an eyebrow, half serious.
"Let's sit over there. I've got to run an errand in a bit." Egen smiled, looking over the benches that were ahead of them.
They made their way to a quieter bench nearby and sat.
"Is Moze here?" Egen asked, his tone casual, but his eyes alert.
"He left yesterday. Probably went to one of those parties. I'm not sure," Zayun replied. His gaze lingered on Egen, the scent of perfume from Egen's clothes catching his attention.
"What has he been doing?" Zayun asked, his voice lowering.
"Does he usually go out like this?" Egen asked, absently patting his locs.
"I think so. But hey man, you didn't even bring me anything from home?" Zayun teased, bumping Egen lightly with his shoulder.
Egen didn't smile.
"Last night, we got a message from Atur. Lelvin's dead. That's why I came. I think Moze went with Zera."
Zayun's face froze. "What? How? What killed her?"
"They said… she fell off a horse while riding." Egen's eyes dropped to the ground.
Zayun furrowed his brows and smirked not with amusement, but disbelief.
"It's hard to believe someone that skilled with horses? Unless something spooked the animal... I just can't accept it, brother. No, no way."
"I know," Egen said, shaking his head. "I'm still in shock too. How many people fall off a horse and don't survive?"
"So it was Walda who arranged for Moze to leave that late?"
"Nah. It was Lode. Where would Walda find transport that time of night? Not in a town like this."
Zayun leaned back, thoughtful. "Something's not right. I can tell."
"I believe you," Egen said, rising to his feet. "But I've got to check out the shops."
He placed a hand on Zayun's shoulder. They exchanged a brief, silent farewell.
Egen turned and walked toward the gate. Zayun stood still for a moment, then turned to head back to the classroom. A slight smirk played at the corner of his mouth.